First let me start by saying thank you for each person who sent prayers for my mother. She had her surgery on Friday morning, and everything went very well. The doctor was able to remove all of the cancerous tissue, and the three lympnodes they removed all tested negative for cancerous cells. A good beginning to a long fight. Mom will now have a 3 week recovery time, and then will start her Chemo treatments. Please keep her in your prayers as she continues her battle.
Mom turned 70 years young yesterday. Having breasts cancer surgery 4 days before your 70th birthday is certainly not what you hope for, but I could not be any more proud of the way that she has handled this difficult roadblock. Her resolve continues to amaze me.
I was very, very under the weather as Lori and I went down for her surgery. I hardly ever get sick, but when I do, it's normally pretty severe. As soon as mom found out how I was feeling, she was more concerned with my health issues than her own. That's how she is, and for me it's very humbling. Since I was contagious, I had to quarantine myself from her for several days while we were there. It was very difficult to talk from across the room, but I did not want to risk her health. I wanted nothing more than to give her a great big hug, but knew that her immune system would already be taxed to the limit. When we go back down for Thanksgiving, I can get my great big hug then.
Lastly, I wanted to thank Lori. Lori is the most unselfish, compassionate person that I have ever met. She helped mom and the rest of us so much, I honestly do not know how we could have gotten through the weekend without her. Simply an Angel. Thank you so much for everything, and I continue to be the luckiest husband on earth.
William
P.S. Thanks NANA for all of your help. It was really great of you to fly down to take care of the Monkeys. We really appreciate all you do for us.
P.S.S. I should have some new pictures online in the next few days. They are interesting to say the least. Until then, God Bless.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Friday, November 6, 2009
3 Day's Salvation
Thousands of feet lightly touch the ground,
tiny heartbeats echo off the pavement
Solitude amidst the purposeful commotion,
hopeful silhouettes pass each mind's eye
Binding friendship tightly grasp,
strength and compassion a natural rudder
Buoyant hope impels the masses,
silent prayers elucidated in redundant strides
Trust and faith rest within,
heart's open
William
tiny heartbeats echo off the pavement
Solitude amidst the purposeful commotion,
hopeful silhouettes pass each mind's eye
Binding friendship tightly grasp,
strength and compassion a natural rudder
Buoyant hope impels the masses,
silent prayers elucidated in redundant strides
Trust and faith rest within,
heart's open
William
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Twick Tweet
As I am typing this, sweat is pouring down my forehead. It's sad really, seeing how I have been home from my walk/run for over 20 minutes. Why does getting in, and staying in shape have to be so stinking hard? I am ready for some miracle pill to hit the market that will reveal my hidden Adonis physique. Ok, quit laughing, it's there, it's just.....ummmm.....protected by a few insulating layers right now. I've got 6 months until I have to be shirtless on a beach once again, so here we go. Hopefully, if I stick with it a while, it won't continue to feel like I have a U-haul attached to my _ss while I run. I'm ready to be athletic again.
On a brighter note, last weekend was Halloween. It's pretty sad when a dark holiday like Halloween is considered a "brighter note", but if you saw how I was struggling earlier while dipping my fat toe back in the proverbial "fitness pool", you would understand. Anyway....
Saturday started off with a 9:00am baseball game. It was Aidan's last regular season baseball game of the year. While Aidan has been his outstanding self this season, the team as a whole has struggled. The boys have only won 2 of 8 games, and some of the losses have been.....uh......extreme. Regardless, they have all had a good time, and that is really what matters at this stage.
After tying the other team in their morning game, we came home for a little rest. Aidan's end of the season team party was being held at the coaches' house at 12:30pm that afternoon, so we had some last minute prep to do. I was a real trooper, and got up at 5:00am Saturday morning, and put 20lbs of baby back pork ribs on the smoker. I marinated them for 12 hours the night before, and seasoned them to perfection before placing them on the grill. After two hours of smoke, I sprayed each rack with Apple juice, and wrapped each in foil. I then smoked them for another 3 hours. They turned out perfect.....I'm talking juicy fall of the bone perfect. Yummy! Lori, meanwhile baked some awesome brownies for the party. Both items were a big hit, and all of the boys had a blast.
We finally left the party about 3:00. I must say that I was really happy with the way Christopher acted while he was there. Normally, Christopher takes a nap at noon. He lasted 3 hours past that time without losing it, or throwing a fit. He finally fell asleep on Lori's shoulder, and we knew it was time to go. Getting home was a good thing, for Christopher was not the only tired person in the family. Nope, we each found a comfy spot to rest, and soon the entire house was engulfed in peaceful somber.
Whew, we needed that nap, and now everybody was ready for a night of trick or treating. We started getting the boys ready about 6:00pm, and finished about 6:30pm. As I have stated in the past, Aidan is a Harry Potter nut. He loves the books, the movies, and even has a couple of the computer games. So, you have probably guessed what he wanted to be for Halloween. Yes, the blond haired blue eyed boy wanted to be the black haired green eyed Harry Potter. Well, if Aidan was going to be Harry Potter, there was only one thing that Christopher could be..........
Yep, Harry Potter's pet owl named Hedwig.
Here is a close up of each of the boys.
"Chicks dig scars"
"An Owl?" "Really?" "Of all the cool things I could be in the world, I'm a freaking owl?" "Are you kidding me?"
Of course, they were as cute as a button, and a big hit. They both made out like bandits. I was exceptionally proud of Christopher. He took his embarrassing costume like a man, and did fantastic trick-or-treating. He walked all by himself, carried his own pumpkin, and said "twick..tweet" at each house. He was adorable.
Even Cricket's dog Sammy got into the Halloween festivities.
"Argh...or Arffff.....me Hardies.......give me some of those tasty treasures"
We all had a wonderful time. Kids are only young for a limited time, and it sure is fun to share things like this with them. I can't wait for next year.
William
PS. When those hair color spray bottles say "easily washes out" do not believe them. Uhhh....
On a brighter note, last weekend was Halloween. It's pretty sad when a dark holiday like Halloween is considered a "brighter note", but if you saw how I was struggling earlier while dipping my fat toe back in the proverbial "fitness pool", you would understand. Anyway....
Saturday started off with a 9:00am baseball game. It was Aidan's last regular season baseball game of the year. While Aidan has been his outstanding self this season, the team as a whole has struggled. The boys have only won 2 of 8 games, and some of the losses have been.....uh......extreme. Regardless, they have all had a good time, and that is really what matters at this stage.
After tying the other team in their morning game, we came home for a little rest. Aidan's end of the season team party was being held at the coaches' house at 12:30pm that afternoon, so we had some last minute prep to do. I was a real trooper, and got up at 5:00am Saturday morning, and put 20lbs of baby back pork ribs on the smoker. I marinated them for 12 hours the night before, and seasoned them to perfection before placing them on the grill. After two hours of smoke, I sprayed each rack with Apple juice, and wrapped each in foil. I then smoked them for another 3 hours. They turned out perfect.....I'm talking juicy fall of the bone perfect. Yummy! Lori, meanwhile baked some awesome brownies for the party. Both items were a big hit, and all of the boys had a blast.
We finally left the party about 3:00. I must say that I was really happy with the way Christopher acted while he was there. Normally, Christopher takes a nap at noon. He lasted 3 hours past that time without losing it, or throwing a fit. He finally fell asleep on Lori's shoulder, and we knew it was time to go. Getting home was a good thing, for Christopher was not the only tired person in the family. Nope, we each found a comfy spot to rest, and soon the entire house was engulfed in peaceful somber.
Whew, we needed that nap, and now everybody was ready for a night of trick or treating. We started getting the boys ready about 6:00pm, and finished about 6:30pm. As I have stated in the past, Aidan is a Harry Potter nut. He loves the books, the movies, and even has a couple of the computer games. So, you have probably guessed what he wanted to be for Halloween. Yes, the blond haired blue eyed boy wanted to be the black haired green eyed Harry Potter. Well, if Aidan was going to be Harry Potter, there was only one thing that Christopher could be..........
Yep, Harry Potter's pet owl named Hedwig.
Here is a close up of each of the boys.
"Chicks dig scars"
"An Owl?" "Really?" "Of all the cool things I could be in the world, I'm a freaking owl?" "Are you kidding me?"
Of course, they were as cute as a button, and a big hit. They both made out like bandits. I was exceptionally proud of Christopher. He took his embarrassing costume like a man, and did fantastic trick-or-treating. He walked all by himself, carried his own pumpkin, and said "twick..tweet" at each house. He was adorable.
Even Cricket's dog Sammy got into the Halloween festivities.
"Argh...or Arffff.....me Hardies.......give me some of those tasty treasures"
We all had a wonderful time. Kids are only young for a limited time, and it sure is fun to share things like this with them. I can't wait for next year.
William
PS. When those hair color spray bottles say "easily washes out" do not believe them. Uhhh....
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