Life on the High Plains

I have such wonderful co-workers!  Not only did they send me a plant when I was home recuperating last week, I had flowers waiting for me on my desk when I went back to work on Tuesday. Everyone also came out to ask me how I was.  (We're a small group so we tend to know what's going on with each other even if it violates the HIPPA laws.) We also have a tradition of passing a yellow tablet around the office when someone is out for an extended period.  Everyone takes a page and writes a little note or something.  Mostly they take cheap shots at each other.  I was very honored to get my own "yellow tablet" letter. It's awesome when the people you work with are your second family, or maybe they're your first family since you spend more time with them than you do your real family. Thanks everyone. Tomorrow is team spirit day.  We get to wear our favorite team jersey.  Should I wear my John Elway Broncos jersey or Irv's KC Chiefs jersey? ...

Irv and Mr. Beans went to an air show at Ft. Carson today.  I'm still recuperating at home after my surgery so I didn't get to go along.  Irv says I didn't miss much.  Since my life is pretty boring right now, I thought I'd blog about their experience. They got to see an Osprey.  These things are really cool because they are both a helicopter and an airplane.  When I go buy groceries at the Commissary at Pete Field, I'll see these coming in for a landing every now and then. Here's Mr. Beans with the A-10 pilots.   Mr. Beans on a tank of some sort. Jillian and Brian came out to join the fun. What would an air show be without planes flying around? Here's an A-10. So there's Irv's and Mr. Bean's fun Sunday.  I spent the day on the couch watching movies, finishing a book, and working on next week's homework.  I did manage to walk all the way to the barn today.  Wooho...

 We recently found an old disposable camera that hadn't been developed.  We had no clue what was on there. Have you ever seen such a cute little grandson? (I guess that roll of film was just a few years old.)  Doc thinks he's quite interesting  What a tubby boy! Love you Mr. Beans!

I had my gall bladder surgery yesterday. My surgery was delayed for a few hours so I was in pre-op for about 5 hours.  Everyone at the hospital was so nice.  I ran into an old 4-H friend who is a nurse in the recovery room.  The same surgeon took her gall bladder out a couple years ago.  Great report--makes me feel better.  Dr. Z came in to see me and said he didn't remember me.  I saw him twice last week.  Great bedside manner, Dr. Z! At least he's a great surgeon. Got home  at 6:30 feeling great.  What a piece of cake! All was well until about 3:30 a.m., then I felt like someone had kicked me in the stomach. No sleep, tired, achy, and not enjoying the Vicadin. I'm sure tomorrow will be better.  I can shower in 6.5 hours.  That always make me feel better.

 On our recent trip to Wisconsin, we spent a morning discovering the "historic" Third Ward of Milwaukee. We started at the Public Market.  They had a lot of fish for sale in there.  I didn't take any pictures though. People who live by a huge lake might think it's weird for a land-locked tourist to photograph the fish. This great looking guy kept following me around.  I would post a picture of me, but I was drenched in sweat since it was very humid.   Humidity and I don't really get along very well. Beautiful flowers everywhere! We walked over to the waterfront to get a good look at Lake Michigan. Cool birdhouse. Milwaukee Art Museum Interesting architecture. We were really impressed at how clean downtown Milwaukee was.  We found it to be kind of dead even though it was Labor Day weekend.  We walked over to an area that hosts a summer fest only to find it had closed for th...

Eight years ago today I lost my mom. I really miss her. There's nobody who can make you feel as loved as your mother does. Even all these years later there are times when my first thought is "I have to tell mom". I know she's dancing in heaven, but I still miss her.  I should have had a few more years with her. I can't believe it has been eight years. People have always told me that I resemble my mom, especially now that I'm "older".  I don't really see it though, I think I look more like my dad. What do you think?

My surgery was rescheduled for next Tuesday. Four more days...but no worries, they refilled my pain meds. The surgeon told me I can blame my girls for this. It's a common condition in women over 40 who have had kids. Thanks a lot Dana, Mary, and Jillian! :)

One of these pigs is (was) named Rosie. A co-worker and I went in together and bought Rosie from a 4-Her who raised Rosie from a tiny piglet.  Rosie won third place in her class at the county fair. Rosie weighed in at a whopping 275 lbs. One-half of Rosie is in our freezer now. If I think about it too much I may become a vegetarian.  However, I choose not to think about it too much, instead I'll just think about how good those pork chops are going to be. Thanks Rosie.

I've been really bad at blogging lately....it's because for the first time in my life I haven't felt well for several weeks in a row.  Eight weeks ago I felt a little pain in my right side.  I've been scanned, poked, prodded, x-rayed and visited more doctors in the last few weeks than I have my entire life.  I've also had a lot of diagnoses that turned out to be wrong.  One thing I learned is that you have to be your own advocate for your health care.  If you know something isn't right, you have to pursue it constantly. Today I finally got a diagnosis that I know is right...gall stones. I'm going to see a surgeon tomorrow who thought he could get me in for surgery on Friday to remove my gall bladder.  Yippee!  I'm so excited to even think about feeling good again. What I really want to know though, is the gall bladder really green like they show in all the pictures?  I kind of wish I could stay awake to see the thing for myse...

We decided to renew our Air Force Academy season football tickets this years.  We missed the first game of the season when we were in Wisconsin last weekend, but yesterday we went to the AFA vs. TCU game. Going to an AF game always makes you feel patriotic, especially when it's on the 10th anniversary of 9/11. The sky divers bring in the American flag. Josh Gracin (former U.S. Marine and American Idol contestant) was there to sing the National Anthem. Four F-15s (I think) buzzed the stadium.  That's always the coolest part of the pre-game activities. The team makes a big entry!  Some of us enjoyed the usual game food.  (Not me though, I'm not a fan of the "dog".) During halftime the real AF falcon came out for a performance.  (:Hopefully you can see him).  I don't really understand why he doesn't just fly away and be free. We all had a good time even though the Falcons didn't win.  After all,...

Last weekend Irv and I flew up to Wisconsin for a wedding reception that Brian's parents hosted.  We started in Milwaukee then drove to Sheboygan and Madison.  The countryside up there is especially beautiful.  It is so green (although the locals think they're experiencing a drought). There are farms everywhere.  I especially enjoyed the barns. Big, red barns. Surrounded by cornfields. (Sorry the pics aren't better.  Irv didn't really know the meaning of "slow down" when I saw a barn I wanted to take a picture of.) Even the old white barns are amazing. There are even some green barns. The red barns are definitely my favorite. This stone barn is beautiful too.  Everything is so neat and tidy in Wisconsin. Lots of dairy cows too. The little towns have remarkable churches--lots of Lutherans.  (I come from a long line of Lutherans) The farms have these things too, I know they're for holdin...

We're in Wisconsin this weekend.  Brian's mom is hosting a wedding party for all his friends up here. We spent the night in Milwaukee and this is the view from our window. Quite a water park for a Holiday Inn Express. Mr. Beans, you would have loved it! This morning we're going to go explore the historic third ward district and waterfront area of Milwaukee before we head up to Sheboygan for the big party. I found one more reason why I love Colorado so much--no humidity!  My frizzy, curling hair is trying to make an appearance in this muggy place.