Nightmares on Lane Tullis Road

Busy days- I am off to Cardio-Rehab in an hour. I had my appointment with an ElectroPhysiologist yesterday evening-my defibrillator was adjusted- not for the better in my book. The atrial fibrillation returned January 1 at 1:43 p.m. whilst I was eatinng black-eyed peas at Cracker Barrel-so precise is the data it keeps..  That was disappointing news but they will try to shock me again after my coumadin gets regulated. We are having a hard time with that.

Three days ago Jason was replacing the batteries in his boat when I smelled diesel fuel. I thought it was from his boat but we discovered a slick floating down the canal and reported it. That brought a fire engine company out to inspect. One of the firemen grew up on this street and knows the story of this house.

Two days ago I went looking for the Droid to record my weight and that took me to the Van. The inside of the van had some mess. Then the phone rang. A Broward sheriff's officer had found my business card in a recovered camera case in Pioneer Park. Vandals/thieves made their way down this street in the night creating mayhem. I lost some cameras from a suitcase I was carrying them in. Others lost various things. One man's wheel was loosened and came off in traffic and bashed a Toyota and a Mercedes Benz.  My Droid and several other items were recovered by the police. The officer kept saying "You're not in Wyoming anymore." That became the mantra for the week. CSI Ft. Lauderdale came by as did a detective but lots of my stuff is being mourned as lost forever.

Brother Rich went to San Antonio for a wedding and had a ball in warmer weather. Ethnically mixed families and foods, Lebanese, Hispanic and plain old American mutt. They went out the wrong door of a bar/restaurant  and got lost-they couldn't find their rental car. 

Happy New Year!

Death by chocolate: Chocolate mousse in cups made of chocolate were one of the many delights on offer at David and Jacqui's New Year Eve Party. Overall, I was quite moderate in food and drink. Enjoyed the party as much as ever. I know many of these people now and they were very nice and solicitous of my well-being. Ony one lady offered Jason condolences on my demise. It was good to see people and see them having a good time. The cops even came to tell us to turn down the music. At midnight we all counted down with New York City on the big screen TV and were handed individual size bottles of champagne. I invited the Latours from the park and Jeanne was agog the whole evening. It is over the top. Great fun.

Some gorgeous women

Our hostess Jacqui with a partygoer who solicited the photo.

More party photos at the link below.

Twenty-one Days

Twenty one days have passed since I last smoked a cigarette. All chemical traces are supposed have left my body. I have had a fairly easy time of it but the cravings have been strong the past two days. I am glad to be among encouraging people. I am walking between a half mile and a mile a day on dog walks. My blood pressure is within normal limits, oxygen level is good.  Dr. Cohn calls and we talk about test results and my vital signs. The primary problem of the past two weeks has been wound care. The implantation left a record-setting hematoma and a huge lump. Both are gradually receding but they have been no picnic.

Life is returning to normal. Eve left for Oregon yesterday and her stepsister Vickie and daughter Angela also left-for Oakland. Only one hanger-on: the O.F. The kids could not be more welcoming, helpful and caring. After dropping Eve for her flight we went to the John Prince Park for a meet and greet and to see the improvements. That was fun but I am not ready to set up camp yet.

David and Jacqui's Christmas eve Dinner

David's driveway- brightened with L.E.D. lights this year.

I missed the big Christmas Party by reason of being detained by Good Samaritans in Kearney, Nebraska. A more intimate family dinner event took place on Christmas Eve. I'll post the party pictures.

Lobster bites-delicious

Jacqui compliments the chef

Click the photo below to see the album:

12252010 Christmas Eve at David and Jacqui's

Kill The Bug Party 12/24/2010

Lori's "Kill the Bug Party" based on a West Texas Polish tradition thought to bring good health to the participants was a great success this year. Great food, lots of people and a few laughs as neighbors and friends showed up in their Pajamas (requested but not required).

Mostly provided drinks and food were augmented by "carry-in" and gift comestibles. Mimosa's , Bellinis, Bloody Mary's, Spiced Cider , Coffee and juice got the ball rolling. People came at eight and wandered in and out until one o'clock. Kids, dogs, friends abounded. Great fun.

More pictures of the fun at the picture link:

12242010 FL Kill the Bug!

Florida at Last!

Learjet 55

"Snacks" in first class.

Buddy gets his own lap.

The "O.F" is well taken care of.

My left arm is still badly purple and sore from te implant. More tale telling later

Aaargh...

Just kidding, the procedure went well. I am feeling better. Unfortunately, the newly created pocket for the ICD is  a tad tender making typing painful. Dr. Kutte wants to take two last tries at restoring all of my heart rhythms tomorrow. He'll take one with the ICD and failing that, he'll try with the classic paddles. Then we will checkout, head for Lincoln, NE  and get on the plane with the pooches. Three hours later with a tailwind, we will be in Ft. Lauderdale.