Tearing Down To Rebuild.

Looking forward to lunch with Mom today and then fixing dinner for the troops tonight. It was refreshing to have a me day yesterday. I did go to the movie PEOPLE LIKE US and it was a decent enough movie. Went pretty fast. Didn't go to sleep once during it.

I was kind of wondering what the people in Alaska are doing and lo and behold here is an article letting me know:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/29/c-124a-wreckage-alaska_n_1637989.html?utm_hp_ref=unearthed&icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl3%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D174602

I think to stay young you have to have young people in your life and would I ever appreciate having the following young ones in my life:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/27/jennifer-lawrence-the-hun_n_1632362.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl26%7Csec3_lnk1%26pLid%3D174481

I've learned that sometimes in life you have to tear down to rebuild:

http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2012/06/26/couple-tears-down-4-2-million-manse-for-a-better-view/?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-nb%7Cdl6%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D173564

Comment Away.

Pondering

A lot of people have nice cars but they should take them back to the dealer and get turn signals installed.

Paper or plastic. Cut down a tree or fill up a landfill. Decisions, decisions, decisions.

I wish people would keep their shopping cart on the same side of the aisle as they are. Then I can get by right away without waiting while they decide between fifty brands of toilet paper.

You can learn a lot in a grocery store. I never knew fifteen items or less meant six grocery carts full of groceries.

Speaking of grocery stores, I wish retailers would quit hitting me up for donations at the check stand. Safeway Sherwood is one of the worst offenders I am thinking about having a party for them at my house. Then I am going to hit each one of them up for donations as they walk through my door.

Why does popcorn at the movies taste better than popcorn at home? I just wish the popcorn at the movies was as cheap as the popcorn at the home.

I think it is kind of sad that there has to be sixty-seven warnings before the movie starts asking people to shut off their cell phones. In my world people would do that without being asked.

It bothers me now that I have to comb my hair and look good even in the car just in case I get caught on a red light camera.

Why does a child safety cap mean it will take me three pairs of scissors, two hammers, and a sledge hammer to open the bottle?

Why is bending over easier then getting back up?

Why do people without children know more about parenting than people with children?

Where did creativity go?

Where did compromise go?

Where did respect go?

What was my mind like before I lost it?

Why can I remember what I did on December 15, 1950 and can't remember what I did yesterday?

Why was the age I am old when I was young and now young that I am there?

What are you pondering today? Care to share? Feel free.

Taxes & Eating.

Yesterday was the last night at Mom's until next Wednesday night. Today I am there through lunch until about three p.m. and then it is off to the Blazer Draft Party. Tomorrow is the first day in a long time when nothing has been planned by relatives or yours truly and damn I am looking forward to waking up tomorrow morning and just going with the flow.

I love Mom and lately the time over there has been fun. I've made a real effort to make everything pleasant while I am there and it seems to be working. It did used to be taxing, however:

http://www.dailyfinance.com/2012/06/23/these-little-noticed-tax-hikes-are-raiding-your-wallet/?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl24%7Csec3_lnk2%26pLid%3D172932

I do hope your taxes are low enough that you are able to pay your utility bills:

http://news.yahoo.com/texas-woman-gets-1-4m-utility-bill-error-003914846.html

If you pay the above utility bill you may not have enough money left to be able to eat:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/25/postal-workers-hunger-strike_n_1624797.html?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl31%7Csec3_lnk1%26pLid%3D173063

Comment Away.

Falling Into Place

Had a nice lunch with childhood friend, Dave T, yesterday and the night at Mom's was great too. Oh and an update about the Caregiver given birthday party Monday night. She did a marvelous dinner and then we all watched JOYFUL NOISE together. Loved the movie. Very nice evening. Today I am anticipating a great lunch with Albany friends Don and Belva. Well they are really relatives but I call them friends because I would want them in my life even if I was not related to them.

Sometimes life is like Dominos and when all the dominos fall in line you can create something magnificent:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/25/vincent-van-gogh_n_1624106.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-nb%7Cdl20%7Csec3_lnk2%26pLid%3D173114

Sometimes the housing market is the same way. When everything falls into place you can a hunk of change:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/25/nova-scotia-house-15000-now-on-market-for-2-million_n_1625253.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-nb%7Cdl6%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D173170

And sometimes if companies do things before everything falls into place they can get their hands more than slapped:

http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2012/06/25/court-blasts-bofa-for-reneging-on-homeowners-mortgage-mod/?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl24%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D172932

Comment Away.

What Was That Cop's Name?

I hate traffic noise, now I have a good reason to hate it:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/21/traffic-noise-heart-attack-residential_n_1615894.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb- nb%7Cdl18%7Csec3_lnk1%26pLid%3D172310

When little we used to play cops and robbers, I was always the cop. I think if I was playing cop right now I might use better judgment as who to pullover:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/24/anthony-mastrogiovanni-pulled-off-duty-cop-over_n_1622211.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-nb%7Cdl2%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D172809

What did you say your name was?

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/memory-people-forget-names-care/story?id=16623158

I'm not sure I agree, I care and I forget names.

Comment Away

The Rumor Has It.

Today we are playing "rumor has it"

First up, rumor has it that we can learn from both Dolphins and Dogs

http://news.yahoo.com/animal-smarts-dolphins-dogs-know-142349527.html

Next up, rumor has it that duct tape and prom dresses are a good marriage:

http://news.yahoo.com/duct-tape-prom-dress-could-win-kansas-teen-152851193.html

Last, rumor has it that Portland, Oregon or Seattle, Washington are is going to be the host city for season ten of Top Chef:

http://eater.com/archives/2012/04/11/is-top-chef-season-ten-headed-to-portland-or-seattle.php

I'm not sure. I have a couple of clients that are chefs and they haven't said anything to me. Of course they may be bound to secrecy.

Comment Away.

My Update

There are two posts today. I got a nice email from Kaye and I will share that with under a post titled "Kaye's Update", you can comment on that post or on this one which is my update.

Been a very eventful week and it looks like next week will be a tad busy too. Last week first. Monday I went to the movie Rock Of Ages. Don't waste your time. It would have been better without Tom Cruise.
Tuesday was car to the doctor, lunch, dinner, and overnight at Mom's. Wednesday morning and lunch at Mom's. I did some errands Wednesday afternoon and spent the evening at my house just resting. Thursday was my big day. Sis brought me breakfast. Mom made me lunch. They all took me to dinner at Rose's that night for dinner and their free desert. My friend Mark drove down from Seattle just for my birthday! He looks better and seems to be doing better. I was really pleased to hear he had joined a grief group. Friday I was pretty darn exhausted and didn't sleep a lot Thursday night so I just chilled out at home. Had several calls from friends that couldn't get a hold of me on Thursday. I also watched the movie WANDERLUST, another one you can skip. Saturday was lunch and dinner at Mom's.

Next week is a busy one. Today Mom out to lunch, then dinner at her house. Monday I am meeting a friend for coffee at ten and then dinner at Mom's as her caregiver is doing a birthday thing for me. Tuesday is lunch with Dave T and then dinner and the night at Mom's. Wednesday is lunch with friends and relatives, Don & Belva, from Albany, Oregon and the night at Mom's. Thursday is the morning and until about three at Mom's then it is off to the Portland Trailblazer draft party. Friday is a day of rest and maybe the movie.
Saturday is the casino. Then life returns to normal. Thank God.

So what is going on in your life? Catch me up.. This is your day on the blog so post anything you damn well please!

PS

Am sharing two articles.

California is rising.

http://news.yahoo.com/report-calif-seas-rising-6-inches-2030-190250313.html

Not all dogs are cute:

http://news.yahoo.com/8-old-mugly-wins-worlds-ugliest-dog-title-051036610.html;_ylt=Al_FJjF_BVLnvt21YNiH_DCs0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTN2Y2s1cGU2BG1pdANPZGQgRnJvbnQgUGFnZQRwa2cDMDJlN2JkMWItOTU3ZC0zMzRhLWI2MDEtMWI3OTQyOTI2ZTg4BHBvcwMxBHNlYwNNZWRpYVNlY3Rpb25MaXN0BHZlcgM2MWZlYWEyMS1iY2YzLTExZTEtYmJlOS0yOGFlNjc1YjExZWI-;_ylg=X3oDMTFpNzk0NjhtBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdANob21lBHB0A3NlY3Rpb25z;_ylv=3

Kaye Update on Don

Since an update on Tarzan will require more than just a few words, thought I would do that from here (it’s unusually quiet here at work today).

Tarzan completed his 6 weeks of radiation treatments. They’ve decided to make him the poster boy as he tolerated these treatments very well. A little hair loss, but no “sun burn” affect an no other adverse side effects. This first photo is what he had to do M – F for those 6 weeks. Daily treatment took about 10 – 15 minutes. He would go in and tell ‘em to “lock & load”.


I can’t recall if I told you about the non-profit organization that provided Tarzan transportation. The company name is “Your Ride is Here.” It was started by a man (Ken Adams) here in Austin who had to undergo cancer treatment. He was able to drive himself to the treatments, but noticed how many others were dependent upon other forms of transportation, i.e, family, friends or public transportation of some sort. He said that he noticed the same people would be waiting for their bus ride that were there when he went in. So after his treatments, he arranged with a upscale auto dealer here and solicited enough volunteers so they could provide transportation for those who needed it to get to their cancer treatments. Since I work 25 miles from home, this was a HUGE help for us. Google “Your Ride is Here Austin TX” and you can see articles about him. This is one of the cars (Ken was often his driver, and often used his own cars. He loves sports cars) that took Tarzan to his treatments.


Tarzan is in week 2 of his 4 weeks of no more radiation & no chemo. The chemo treatment he has been on is 3 pills every day. They had him stop that after his last radiation treatment. Then in 2 more weeks, he goes for a new MRI. Depending on what they see will determine how much and how often they start the chemo pill again. Fortunately, Tarzan has tolerated the chemo well, too.

Since Tarzan’s first episode (November 7, 2011) when he had a seizure in the ER, he has been unable to drive. It’s a Texas law that once you have a seizure, you cannot drive for 6 months. When we visited the Neurologist in late May, he said Tarzan could drive again… BUT he is required to take a special driving test first. Tarzan’s appointment is set for 7/18.

Surprisingly enough, Tarzan found himself in a position where he HAD to drive. We were in Lowes shopping for an interior door with a window when I somehow caught my right little toe on the metal bracket that goes over the shopping cart wheel. I have NEVER seen as many stars as I saw at that moment. Then I started feeling nauseous. I really thought I had broken my toe. They wheeled me out to the car and Tarzan drove me home. After a few hours and the pain had not subsided much, so Tarzan took me to the ER. After a few X-rays, they determined that my toe wasn’t broken but I had pulled a tendon. So my right little toe was “buddy wrapped” for a couple of weeks. That’s my first ER visit for me since about 1980!

Tarzan is doing very well. He still has problems reading, though. He did get new glasses that have prisms in them (you can’t tell) that have helped. He sees everything normally, except words. Last Sunday we went to Barnes & Nobles and picked up The Nook. You can adjust the font size and line spacing and that helps… but it’s still an effort for him. This has improved a little since his surgery in March, but not enough or fast enough for him. At least he was able to read the restaurant menu the other night when we had dinner with family. All doctors feel this will continue to improve. I’ve been looking online for “eye exercises” to help his eyes focus while reading. Most sites I find are for kids with ADD (go figure). However, I’m thinking that some computer or iphone games might help as well. Tarzan just hasn’t been a game player…. Up to now J Personally, I don’t know what I would have done all those times in the hospital with Tarzan without games on my phone!

I’ve recently discovered Angry Birds. (It’s all my sister’s fault!) They are addicting! The guys here say it’s something that most guys like because it involves mental & and trajectory calculations. I showed it to Tarzan the other night, and he did laugh (each bird has a different purpose). I’ve found a site where one can play this online on the computer (bigger screen), so I’ll be checking on that this weekend. I figured if I put it on my PC, he can play there. If he doesn’t… I’ll have it LOL.

That’s about it. We’re waiting for the results from the next MRI later this month. Keep your fingers crossed for us on that.

Tell the group I miss them, but I do pop in to your blog about once a month or so. BTW: I haven’t lately, so I assume you’re still doing movie reviews? We went to see The Best Marigold Hotel last weekend and loved it! The entire audience was over 40…. We totally enjoyed it.

A New Beginning

My birthday is going to last longer than War & Peace. The caregiver is fixing me a birthday dinner Monday night. My favorite Albany Oregon relatives, Don & Belva, are going to take me to lunch on Wednesday. Then sister and brother-in-law are taking me to the casino next Saturday. We were going to go today but the weather is a little uncooperative. Yesterday I got a really nice card and a fifty dollar gift card from my seasonal jobs. It was such a surprise. Some really nice comments, most about me looking youn and being young at heart. Then letter in the day I got a nice phone call from Jon, a former client. He is the one that when I first met him he was basically broke and working out of the trunk of his car. He is now a millionaire many times over. He basically thanked me for helping to make him a millionaire. I thought my birthday ended at midnight Thursday but if I manage this right I may able to get a free meal every day until my next birthday.

Since my life is starting a new I have decided to make some changes. No more Macy's for me. I'm shopping at Goodwill:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/22/deb-thompson-diamond-ring-goodwill_n_1618567.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl3%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D172284

But I am not giving up shopping at Nordstrom's. They just have to good of customer service. Plus they watch out for our children:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/22/amanda-nejat_n_1620465.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl2%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D172665

One of the things that I plan on trying to do the rest of my life is to turn bad experiences into good ones:

http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/06/22/12357236-donations-for-bullied-bus-monitor-soar-past-500000?lite

Comment Away

Off The Shelf

Friday. Ahh the end of a busy week. I'm glad it is here. I kind of like to clear things off the shelf on Friday's so I can start the nest week with a clean slate. Today all articles coming off the shelf. Ones that have been there for more than a couple of day.

Where are the best places for women to live?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/14/best-and-worst-countries-_n_1597827.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl14%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D170248

What about the best place to buy some cheap houses?

http://realestate.aol.com/blog/gallery/best-places-to-buy-foreclosures/?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl22%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D167869

Where is the best place not to wear a Rosary?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/08/high-school-forbids-stude_n_1581288.html?1339178045&icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl1%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D168423

Comment Away

Through The Years.

Can't sleep? Read today's blog post. It is my birthday today so today's post is all about me. Through the years in pictures and words. I just find today a time for reflection. Tomorrow the blog will go back abnormal and there will be less selfish posts.

Long before there was Chubby Checkers, there was chubby cheeks:



I was the only one in the family with red hair. I often would think I was adopted. Whenver I thought my parents were treating my sister and brother better than they were me, I'd hop on Dolly and run away. Clear to my grandmother's house. After dark dad would come over with the family pickup and put Dolly in the back and me in the front. He never scolded me.



I learned at a very early age that family is important. Also that brothers form a special relationship and while they will always be there to help each other once in a while a brother my goose you.



Starting High School and learning all about traditions. Painting the K. It was up on the hill overlooking and could be seen anywhere in good old Klamath Falls, Oregon. Freshman were required to paint the K every year, if you didn't show up you ended up on the bell tower in front of KUHS sans pants. I am the second one to the right slightly bent over with a white shirt and paint covered jeans:



I learned tradition my freshman year in high school and my freshman year in college I learned life isn't always a bed of roses. The next eight years I would be given constant lessons including how strong I was, that humor will get you through most anything, that sometimes people are cruel, but when all is said or done you can't survive major trauma without faith, family, and friends. And that when you are a success at something women have been there helping you along the way.



I am probably one of the few men that merged his car with a 55 foot semi-truck and lived to tell about it. I was in a hospital eighty miles from my home town. This picture is shortly after the accident. I had to be in a private room because I hurt so much that people talking would increase the pain. Except when Susan P talked the pain went away. We had the same doctor. She was in an accident about a week before mine. Doctor Wilson was worried that she wasn't trying hard enough to get well and he was worried that even as hard as I was trying to get well that eventually I would lose faith and give up. He found out that Susan P and I graduated from the same high school. He sent her down to my room to meet me. We became friends. She got better and was out of the hospital and home in two weeks. I never gave up. In the hospital on Tuesday nights we would hide our sleeping pills under our tongues, she would sneak down to my room and we would watch The Fugitive. I was in one hundred pounds of traction so it was the purest of friendships. She was engaged to me married. We remained friends for a long time. After I got out of hospital she was one of two friends that would come over and load me and the wheelchair in their cars and take me for rides. The other was Dave T, the same Dave T that I ran into a couple of weeks ago. Maybe some day I will unexpectedly run into Susan.

After Susan went home they moved me to to a double room. I got better but the quality of companionship decreased substantially. The first roomate up was a CB kind of guy. They thought if he had his CB radio in his room it would help him heal faster. I had to listen to "10-4 Good Buddy" both day and night. When he went safely on his way a country and western music lover entered the room. They thought that having his stereo in the room would help him heal faster. He played one song over and over again. A Hank Williams classic called "Five Little Fingers" The song was about a dad wanting to commit suicide but what stopped him was when the five little fingers of his young daughter brushed over his face. Just before severe depression set in he went on his merry way. The next roomie only lasted a couple of days. I think maybe it was the night he told me he was an escaped prisoner from Colorado. Nurses must have overheard him. The last roomie before I was given my release papers was a drugged out surfer from Santa Cruz. He would tell me where I could buy good drugs. Just what I needed at the time because I was medically addicted to drugs. The only thing that would cure the pain was morphine. I was given it several times a day. Even though I was still bedridden they let me go home because Mom had nursing experience. When I got home the clock stopped. I'd look at the clock and try to figure ways to speed it up so I could take more morphine. Finally, I decided enough is a enough and with mom and dad taking turns holding me I got off the damn drugs. It took three days. I would sweat so much they would have to change the bed several times a day.

On to the next step. Life is a progession. The is me about a year or so after the accident. I was having fun giving my nephew rides.



Moving on up to crutches and a leg brace and of course being supported by two women, my Mom and my sister.



I would eventually move on to getting rid of both the crutches and the leg brace. The first day I walked without aid I had never known such elation. I didn't think anything could bring me back down to earth until I walked out of the front door of my parents' hardware store and the first person I ran into said "Hi, Crip." I was crushed. In our house then we had a full length mirror at the end of a long hallway. From eight in the morning until eight at night I would walk in front of that full length mirror until I could walk without a limp.

On to my career. Two young professionals. A shy CPA and a handsome young attorney.



I have had a great career. I was part of man's first landing on the moon and won The Appolo Achievement Award. I've caught loan sharks and embezzlers. I've helped send the crooks to jail. I have testified in several trials as an expert witness. I've met movie stars. I won so many IRS audits that other CPAs referred business to me. I made it in Who's Who On The West Coast one year for challenging a tax law. I've kept clients out of jail, mostly attorneys. I started two successful CPA practices. I never advertised only taking referrels. The first practice ended with four hundred and fifty clients, the second with three hundred.

I sold my practice the first time to take care of my dad:



I sold my practice the second time to take care of Mom:



And that is where I am now. Taking Care of Mom. Working part-time and taking care of my home. Looking back I've not only had a good career I've had a good life. Sure it wasn't perfect. I do have some regrets, the two most regrets are never marrying and not being a father because I would have been a damn good husband and father. There have been times when I left life but I always returned. I have had many failures but they have always been followed my successes. There have been years when I no doubt took to much but I took off a year just to give back. That year I worked in a cancer research center trying to find a vaccine to cure breast cancer. I did toy drives for both the abused shelter and the childrens' hospital. I sold hot dogs to raise money to buy third graders shoes and socks. I am proud to be a winner of a Helen Keller Award but I am more proud to have a letter from a third grader thanking me for the sausage biscuit because he had never been to a restaurant before. I've had my share of addictions but I recovered from all of them. I've been madly in love three times but sadly life just got in the way. Still I am a better man for knowing each one of those women.

However, what makes a life successful is friends and family. I am one of the luckiest people in the world to have so many I call friends and to have such a loving family. My life has been a success becuase of people like the ones following the blog and reading this post. Thank you.

I'm looking forward to dinner tonight at Rose's. Especially their free birthday desert.

Celebrate

Wednesday is a good day to celebrate. Celebrating those folks that shine by doing things differently than their social group..

First let's celebrate this rich guy is doing things differently:

http://news.yahoo.com/tycoon-shakes-cancer-drug-market-price-cuts-103846667.html

Let's celebrate this young one that stands out from his age group:

http://news.yahoo.com/uk-council-lifts-gag-9-old-food-critic-145012078.html

Next up is celebrating an archaeologist finding something older than his contemporaries:

http://news.yahoo.com/archaeologist-finds-oldest-rock-art-australia-134339160.html

Comment Away.

You Can't Just Sit There

Tuesday. My car to the doctor in the Morning, actually as soon as I post this. Then to Mom for dinner and to spend the night. My sister, bless her heart, is giving me Wednesday night off for my birthday

I'm sitting in my backyard in a nice lawn chair, some how taking a trip doesn't come into my mind:

http://news.yahoo.com/lawn-chair-balloonist-ride-again-co-pilot-194126428.html;_ylt=AtpmMu9tTmNztGExGtxsJMus0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTQzaXRrMHY1BG1pdANPZGQgRnJvbnQgUGFnZQRwa2cDZjFjNzU2NTUtMzFhMy0zZTBiLWE0OTMtZWQ5MzNjNmJjNGJmBHBvcwM0BHNlYwNNZWRpYVNlY3Rpb25MaXN0VGVtcAR2ZXIDZTczYmU2ZTEtYjc0My0xMWUxLWJmZDEtODI2NzhhZGQ5MjAw;_ylg=X3oDMTFlamZvM2ZlBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdAMEcHQDc2VjdGlvbnM-;_ylv=3

I always like to give the devil his due and credit where credit is do. The man in the above article isn't the first one to fly in a lawn chair. Larry Walter receives that honor. His response when he asked why he did it was "you can't just sit there"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Walters

Larry had a bunch of snacks on board including Doritos and Cookies. To help our new lawn chair balloonist prepare for his trip:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/12/best-store-bought-chocolate-chip-cookie-brands_n_1587384.html?1339507359&icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl30%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D169360

Comment Away.

Elder Abuse

I missed an important date. Last Friday June 16, 2012:

http://www.carmitimes.com/topstories/x1205891060/World-Elder-Abuse-Awareness-Day-Friday

Think elder abuse is just in Illinois? Guess again

http://blog.oregonlive.com/complaintdesk/2012/06/case_of_portland_couple_flags.html

Some of help offered from a side bar in the above article:

Preventing Abuse. First the elderly checklist: Call an attorney, Inform others, Standup for yourself, and be skeptical. Caregivers checklist. Pay attention, monitor relationships, call immediately if you suspect something, and tune in.

Think it is only an Illinois and Oregon problem? Following is a complete study of elderly abuse. Since it is an older study double the statistics you read in the report.

http://aoa.gov/AoARoot/AoA_Programs/Elder_Rights/Elder_Abuse/docs/ABuseReport_Full.pdf

Since it is quite long here are the highlights:

The National Center on Elder Abuse estimated that more than a million (1,000,935) seniors suffered abuse or neglect in a single year

Female elders are abused at a higher rate than males, after accounting for their larger proportion in the aging population.

Our oldest elders (80 years and over) are abused and neglected at two to three times their proportion of the elderly population.

In almost 90 percent of the elder abuse and neglect incidents with a known perpetrator, the perpetrator is a family member, and two-thirds of the perpetrators are adult children or spouses.

Victims of self-neglect are usually depressed, confused, or extremely frail.

Here is a final link that has within in it a state by state listing of numbers to call to report elderly abuse.

http://www.ncea.aoa.gov/ncearoot/Main_Site/index.aspx

Comment Away

Dad's Day Update

Everyone is gone. Sister and her husband are exhausted. I'm tired but less tired than they are so I am taking over today with mom to give them some rest.

This is a really hard day for me. It is like a sledge hammer reminder of someone you love no longer being in your life. If you want to read what my dad was like you can read my post of a couple of years ago. It is the most read post of any post I posted since the beginning of the blog:

http://thedahnreport.blogspot.com/2010/06/what-i-learned-from-my-dad.html

Before my update and a plea for your updates I want to say Happy Fathers Day to all the dads out there. This poem is for you:


Our fathers toil with hands and heart
To make our lives complete.
They quietly brave the winter cold,
Endure the summer heat.

Our fathers' lives are busy, but
There's always time for us.
They boldly face the ups and downs
And seldom ever fuss.

Our fathers are the greatest dads.
We know you know this, too.
But thank you for the chance to share
Our love for them with you.

by David A. Olds.


Now on to my update. I am in a reverse mood today so what is coming up first. Today is lunch and dinner for mom. Monday is mowing lawns and cleaning house. Tuesday is getting my car to the doctor for a checkup. Wednesday is the night at Mom's. Thursday is a day I am just dreading. I don't want to keep adding years to my life. Friday is a me day. Saturday is a bunch of paperwork cleanup including my license renewal.

Last week was Sunday at Mom's. Monday a dinner at sister's house welcoming relatives from Texas, Tuesday was reality checks at an amusement park. Wednesday and Thursday were at Mom's so the troops could go to the coast and go deep sea fishing. It was a partial success. Everyone caught a halibut but half the troops got seasick. Friday was a day at the seminar completing my education requirements so I can renew my license. Friday night was a good bye bbq for the Texas relatives and five hot games of Catch Phrase. Men won three of the five. Saturday was at Mom's and Saturday evening was taking Mom and Susan the caregiver out for dinner for Susan's birthday.

OK, your turn. The blog is yours. Catch me up on your lives, tell me about what is going to happen in your lives in the near future. Post anything you damn well please. But most of all, Comment Away

Slowing Down

Saturday. And this Saturday is a mixed emotions kind of day. For the last two weeks it is been busy as heck with seminars and relatives visiting. It has been exciting and I loved meeting some of the relatives for the first time and getting reacquainted with relatives I already new. I am glad life is slowly getting back to normal and by the end of next week I will be back on our normal schedule. Mark my friend that lost his wife will be visiting Thursday and Friday and that is the last of the visitors for a while. However, give me a day or two of rest and you want to visit me, come on down!

We took a lot of pictures this week but I don't think any of us had a camera attached to our hindquarters:

http://news.yahoo.com/scientists-strap-cameras-hawaiian-seals-201205446.html;_ylt=AmMt1K4E5j81HWGUI9k5XqSs0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTRic3BnMmltBG1pdANTZWN0aW9uTGlzdCBGUCBTY2llbmNlBHBrZwMzNWE5NmQ0Yi05ZWQwLTM4YjAtYTRiYi01ZDg3MGI2NjNlYmEEcG9zAzIEc2VjA01lZGlhU2VjdGlvbkxpc3RUZW1wBHZlcgMwYzA0YmE2MS1iNzYyLTExZTEtYjY3NS1kMjNjMmZhZWFhYjk-;_ylg=X3oDMTFlamZvM2ZlBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdAMEcHQDc2VjdGlvbnM-;_ylv=3

My sister and my Mom were the unsung heroes of the week. Sister did a lot of work before the relatives got here getting everything ready, then she was the marvelous hostess of tremendous proportions while they were here. My mom was a trooper. She hung in their like a champ. Last night we played "Catch Phrase" and she jumped right in on the women's team. She gave some pretty doggone clues too. At about 7:30, my Mom's regular bed time, sister asked if she needed to go to bed and the answer was no she wanted to stay up a play. The game ended at ten. Two secrets, I was more tired than Mom, and the men's team won. To honor Mom and sister the next article is about a unsung hero.

http://oldnortheast.patch.com/articles/unsung-hero-rescues-three-people-in-two-days-6144c6b5?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-nb%7Cdl2%7Csec3_lnk1%26pLid%3D170411

Our family are huggers and touch a lot. Some even say our phones hug and touch:

http://news.yahoo.com/phones-gain-ability-learn-touching-213934413--finance.html

Comment Away.

Seminar Day

Off to an eight hour accounting seminar. The last one until December. Yea! It will be a little difficult today because I will have to leave for a while to fix mom lunch with sister and her family at the coast.

There is a Dollar Tree near the seminar so I may sneak out and do some shopping. It is nice to have some guidance as what to buy:

http://www.dailyfinance.com/2012/06/12/dollar-store-deals-and-duds-savings-experiment/?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl3%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D169675

And I ams sure sometime during the seminar that Taxes will come up but I am not sure we will hear anything about a hidden tax:

http://www.dailyfinance.com/2012/06/13/budget-minded-moms-foot-the-bill-for-insanely-high-shoe-tax/?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl19%7Csec3_lnk1%26pLid%3D169651

I am probably one of the view that is hoping someone brings a baby to the seminar. I just think I have a better chance of knowing what is going on with an infant there.

http://mom.me/fun/2406-baby-superpowers/?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl14%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D169776

Comment Away

Reality Checks

I survived Bullwinkles. I did discover that my miniature golf abilities have declined substantially. Nobody and I mean nobody used to beat me at miniature golf. Yesterday I finished last. I'm all for reality checks, I just wish they wouldn't come so fast these days. Speaking of declining due to age my mind apparently has also declined. All seven of us road the go karts. I couldn't figure out why my cart was going so darn slow. It took me two laps to figure out my foot was on the brake. Oh well, the kids have the story to tell about how they lapped their Uncle Bill on the go cart track. The kids did play Laser Tag and a lot of video games. They were going to play a second game of Laser tag but one of them got banned from the park for the day. We had a very nice dinner at The Red Robin. It was a really good night out for the guys. The women stayed home, chatted, talked about us, and took pictures. They had a nice time. And they took a picture of four generations together:



It is just Mom and I at home today. The troops went to the Oregon Coast. Mom just didn't feel up to making the trip. So I stayed behind to take care of Mom so the troops could enjoy the trip guilt free. I have a secret though. I didn't want to go to the Coast because the guys are going deep sea fishing in the Ocean today. They have to get up at like 3:30 in the morning to be on the dock by 4:30 AM. And I don't do real well on boats that sway from here to eternity. For Rob and his for boys it is a life long dream to go deep sea fishing. For my brother-in-law, Bob, it isn't really a dream to go deep sea fishing but he is being a good dad and granddad to fulfill his son's and his grandson's dreams. And Uncle Bill is getting points for staying home and taking care of grandma and for not doing something he didn't want to do anyhow! Works for me.

Just a couple of articles today. Some of my family are very Christian, some aren't religious at all, and some like me have strong faiths but don't browbeat others to believe the way he does. Just where do you think the most Christian states are?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/29/most-and-least-christian-states_n_1547045.html?ref=religion&icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl7%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D165333

Some of my family are quick thinkers and were at young ages.

http://mom.me/parenting/2377-surprising-child-heroes/?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl15%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D169589

Comment Away.

Relative Obscurity

I've always been the most obscure relative. In my high school years my head cheerleader sister and my all state athlete brother were the who's who of our high school society. I was the who's he of high school society. And it has been kind of like that during my adult years also. Sometimes I am included in family outings, sometimes not. But I am always the first one called when anyone needs help. So it has been really nice to be included this week in the visits of my relatives from Texas and all anyone wants is my company. Miracles do happen.

First up is my nephew Robin and his wife Kelli with my Mom:




Robin is my sister's husband's son. He lived with all his formative and high school years. He was in the Air Force for several years and just got out of the service a little over a year ago. She is just a very sweet person. She is a registered nurse.

Next up is Robin's and Kelli's Kids. He has three from a previous marriage, she has two from a previous marriage, and the young girl is their own. One of the six is missing because he couldn't get off of work to come to Oregon. He is 21.



Next up is my niece Lisa. This my sister's daughter. This is the one that just finished being the morning news anchor on Channel 11 in Dallas, Texas. She will have an on air audition on Channel 11 in Los Angeles. She will be hosting Good Day LA from July 10 through July 13.



Here is an article about Channel 11. Makes me wonder if my niece is heading to the Lions' Den:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2012/05/good-day-la-to-hold-auditions-to-replace-departing-anchor-dorothy-lucey.html

Next up is my Mom at the dinner table:



She was feeling pretty lousy yesterday afternoon but I kind of made her go to dinner at my sister's house. And she got better and had a good time.

This is Kelli, she has the best attitude. She is just going with the flow and said she is just going to do what she is told. That she likes not being in charge of a change.



This is Kelli & Lisa together. Even though they aren't related except through marriage they could be sisters!



This is my sister and her granddaughter Gracie



I will report in about Bullwinkles tomorrow. I survived.

Comment Away.

The Good Teens.

This afternoon six guys are going amusement parking. I hope I survived. Bumper cars, yes. Miniature golf, I'm there. Roller Coaster, I'll watch. Rock Climbing, I hope they don't fall. My brother-in-law and I will be chaperones. There will be four teen boys with us. Today's stories are all about teenagers or young adults.

First a feel good story:

http://abcnews.go.com/US/abandoned-teen-dawn-loggins-graduates-homeless-custodian-harvard/story?id=16520080

Second an amazing story:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/47688745/ns/health-health_care/

Third a hero story:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/11/jd-tennapel-15-risks-life_n_1586548.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl18%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D168852

Pray that I will survive the afternoon at Bulwinkles. Then Comment Away.

What Do You Know?

It was nice seeing my nephew Robin last night and meeting his family. Robin joined the Air Force after high school and has been stationed in parts unknown so I haven't seen him in twenty-five years or more. His wife Kelli is just about as nice as any woman can be. His kids are well mannered and respectful. Nice meeting.

What do you need to know about today?

http://news.yahoo.com/10-things-know-today-june-11-2012-083000877.html

I am going downhill as I only knew five on the list.

Speaking of things I didn't know, I didn't know people could come back from the dead:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/07/brazilian-boy-comes-back-to-life_n_1578283.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-nb%7Cdl12%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D168082

One thing I am not sure of is whether or not I like speeding and red light cameras. On the one hand I think they make for safer intersections and on the other hand I think they invade my privacy. I also think they are mistakes and lawsuits waiting to happen:

http://autos.aol.com/article/why-police-are-refunding-millions-in-speeding-tickets/?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl10%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D168352

Comment Away.

Updates

Sunday. A lot of relatives from Texas heading towards Portland today. They will be here a week or so. So sister and her husband can spend time with her daughter and his son and his family I have Mom mostly this week. Today it is lunch and dinner for Mom and an evening at sisters to meet everyone. Tomorrow lunch and dinner at Mom's. Or dinner at sister's. Tuesday lunch at Mom's and the afternoon and evening the guys are at Bullwinkles. That is a local amusement park. Wednesday and Thursday the troops go to the Oregon Coast so I am at Mom's Wednesday night and Thursday all day. Friday I am at a seminar. That last one until December. YEA!!. However, since the troops won't be home from the troops I will have to sneak out of the seminar and take Mom's lunch to her. Saturday I think everyone is leaving. Busy week.

Last week was a blur. Sunday night and Monday morning at Mom's. Tuesday housecleaning. Wednesday night and Thursday morning at Mom's. Friday the movie, The Best Marigold Hotel. Saturday lunch and dinner for Mom and the caregiver. The meeting with grade school friend Dave was cancelled due the health of his wife. She had a heart scare but is doing fine. We will meet after all the relatives leave.

Just an update on my niece Lisa. Her last official day as news anchor at Channel 11 in Dallas, Texas. She will be trying out for one of three position on the Fox Affiliate in Los Angeles. She will be on air early in July for about a week. She will be among three or four trying out. The audience will get to vote on which hostess or anchor they like the best. So Pat check her out in July and if you like her vote for her! I will provide more information as we get closer.

A couple of health updates. My cousin Lavelle is surviving but they found a third active cancer. Prayers and good vibes please. Mark is still having a hard time getting over the loss of his wife but he is doing fairly good health wise with his prostate cancer not active. He will be down to visit me on my birthday. DR has been missing from the blog because her Aunt passed away and she is on the road attending the memorial service.

An update on my Mom's lawsuit. Friend Ted has taken over and in less than two weeks pretty much has gotten Mom and my friend Bernice out of the suit. Damn good attorney, no?

Just one article to share. Amazing health surgery

http://www.oregonlive.com/health/index.ssf/2012/06/surgeons_extract_a_brain_tumor.html

Would love all of you to check in. Mary Z. Mary. Dona. Pat. Any and all are welcome to update me on their lives.

Comment Away.

Dumb Things

Before we get into today's post about dumb things. A couple of blog house cleaning items. The artist of the statue from yesterday's blog entry is Clay Hoffman. Here is his web page:

http://www.hevanet.com/kort/CLAYSCUL.HTM

The Belmont States is today. Unfortunately there will not be a triple crown winner as I'll Have Another was scratched from the race and retired from horse racing. I'm going with Unstoppable. Mainly because I liked the movie.

Now on to dumb things. Can you think anything dumber than having a birthday party in the following venue:

http://www.aol.com/video/texas-shooting-range-to-throw-kids-birthday-parties/517390481/?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-nb%7Cdl8%7Csec3_lnk1%26pLid%3D168062

Speaking of dumb you would think that the high school should have double checked the spelling on the diplomas

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/07/maryland-high-schools-diplomas-misspelling_n_1579368.html?1339108771&icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-nb%7Cdl1%7Csec3_lnk1%26pLid%3D168098

One more dumb story, a local one too. I think the judge should be recalled because it is the stupidest ruling in the history of the court system. As if rape victims didn't have it hard enough to get justice.

http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2012/06/oregon_judge_orders_alleged_ra.html

Comment Away

Cool Things

Today's first article titled "cool animal hybrids" lead me to do a post today about cool things. Cleaning house I didn't find any dead bodies or weird animals but I did find a couple of cool things. First, the cool animal article:

http://www.pawnation.com/2012/06/06/9-cool-animal-hybrids?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-nb%7Cdl6%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D167914

I cleaned the upstairs first. Cleaning out one of the closets I found something my dad gave me shortly before he died:



Pretty cool, huh? It still works too.

Moving on down to the downstairs the next cool thing I found was a piece of art. A statue. It reminded me of the story behind it. A son of a client came into my office one day. He said he couldn't afford to pay me to do his tax return and he didn't want his dad to pay for because he wanted to be on his own. When I asked what he did for a living he told me he was an artist. I said OK, I'll do your tax return and you make me something. About a week later he came in with this stature. His tax return was really easy and I was only going to charge him $150. Two hours after he delivered the statue my next door office neighbor, Dick, offered me $450 for it. I turned it down because I liked the story. It has now been valued over a grand.



Comment Away

Touching Me, Touching You.

Last night at Mom's. This morning at home. Thursday afternoon and evening until eight at Mom's. Then getting ready for the influx of relatives. I think my house is in good order. I didn't find any did bodies when I cleaned so I should be a free man most of the weekend. A reason to be happy.

Now a reason to hate banks:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/05/lilly-washington-bofa-foreclosure_n_1570860.html?1338913294&icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl37%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D167154

A reason to like the Post Office:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/04/steve-flaherty-vietnam-letters_n_1567436.html?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl21%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D167233

Touching me touching you:

http://www.everydayhealth.com/emotional-health/0605/whos-touching-you-affects-how-it-feels.aspx?xid=aol_eh-emo_3_20120601_&aolcat=HLT&icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl38%7Csec3_lnk1%26pLid%3D167214

Comment Away.

Good Wednesday

Off to breakfast with my friend Dave T. Then on to lunch at Mom's and getting her house ready for her bridge club this afternoon and then back home to put the finishing touches on my house cleaning project. Tonight it is at Mom's.

Only the good stories today. First a good success story:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/02/ryan-blair-visalus-my-first-million_n_1383430.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-nb%7Cdl25%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D166993

Now a really good lesson in sportsmanship:

http://news.yahoo.com/ohio-teen-runner-helps-carry-competitor-finish-123756502--spt.html

Now let's shed a tear of happiness

http://www.5min.com/Video/Soldier-Comes-Home-to-Meet-Newborn-Daughter-517386270

Comment Away.

A Proud Slut

I'm feeling pretty proud today. Yesterday Mom told me I was fun to be around, more fun than the caregiver or sis and the time goes fast when I am there. It is part of a mental approach I adopted a at the beginning this year. Don't react. Bite my tongue. Enjoy life. Look at the time I have to spend a Mom's as an opportunity. An opportunity to spend time with Mom and to make her life fun. I've went sideways a few time but generally it seems to be working. I'm also feeling proud because I am about 30% through with cleaning my house and it is starting to look damn good.

I am also proud to be a slut. Well, maybe I don't qualify to join the following organization but I sure would want to. It just sounds fun.

http://news.yahoo.com/sluts-unite-against-republicans-rush-limbaugh-100132902--abc-news-politics.html;_ylt=Atv5IvEWUMIq2NBdVlAZGfms0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTNtOHVhNDEyBG1pdANUb3BTdG9yeSBGUARwa2cDM2FhZjljMzAtNmRlMy0zNWYxLWI5OTYtNWFlY2VmZDQ1NDA4BHBvcwMxMARzZWMDdG9wX3N0b3J5BHZlcgM1YTU5ZDRkMS1hZWY2LTExZTEtYmZhYy0yNmViMjI4MzgwYjc-;_ylg=X3oDMTFlamZvM2ZlBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdAMEcHQDc2VjdGlvbnM-;_ylv=3

I'm thinking about going to the ATM today to get some cash. Are you?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/04/td-bank-counterfeit-bills_n_1567745.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl10%7Csec3_lnk2%26pLid%3D166897

Got an extra seven or hours that you need to fill with something to do? I have just the thing for you:

http://news.yahoo.com/transit-venus-explained-stages-todays-rare-sun-crossing-114501461.html;_ylt=AgDQc1K1iblGGN1spSRyeDWs0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTNsNmxrYmhzBG1pdANUb3BTdG9yeSBGUARwa2cDOWM0OTYzZjgtNTIxYy0zOWI3LWJmNmItNDdiOTQ3NGEzNjljBHBvcwMxBHNlYwN0b3Bfc3RvcnkEdmVyAzJhZDZlYTQ3LWFmMTQtMTFlMS1iZmZmLWQ3OTlhNmQwNGM2Yw--;_ylg=X3oDMTFlamZvM2ZlBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdAMEcHQDc2VjdGlvbnM-;_ylv=3

Comment Away.

Housecleaning

Monday and I am looking forward to a day and a half of housecleaning. Yup, you heard that right. I will be back from Mom's after lunch and then it is putting on the skivvies and going to work. Two and half bathrooms to polish and mop. A kitchen floor to mop. Furniture to polish. I hope I survive.

I do think I'd rather be housecleaning that on a Ferris Wheel. Others might disagree:


http://news.yahoo.com/la-police-officer-sets-ferris-wheel-ride-record-181836517.html;_ylt=AmmO7JW2tLUkxhJ.s_edmXSs0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTQ3Mm5hNHBuBG1pdANQbGFjZWhvbGRlciBUcmF2ZWwEcGtnAzU0ODU4OTQxLTkyOGItMzRiMy05OWExLTQ0N2U2ZmVhM2RhYQRwb3MDMQRzZWMDTWVkaWFTZWN0aW9uTGlzdFRlbXAEdmVyAzYxNjUyY2QxLWFjMmEtMTFlMS1iZmZmLTcwNDAyNGEwMWExYg--;_ylg=X3oDMTFlamZvM2ZlBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdAMEcHQDc2VjdGlvbnM-;_ylv=3

Some people that are cleaning out planes might say that housekeeping is for the birds:

http://news.yahoo.com/lax-agents-seize-live-bird-hopping-around-plane-032221355.html;_ylt=AixoKYpi1Ve2d__q7kBl5Wes0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTQzN2hrc3JyBG1pdANPZGQgRnJvbnQgUGFnZQRwa2cDNjE3NzkyMWEtMTFlYy0zYTljLTgwMGQtYTBmOTkyZTYxM2E5BHBvcwM0BHNlYwNNZWRpYVNlY3Rpb25MaXN0VGVtcAR2ZXIDYjk3N2YxNDEtYWM2Ny0xMWUxLWFmYzctMTJkYzQ3ZDEyMTVh;_ylg=X3oDMTFlamZvM2ZlBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdAMEcHQDc2VjdGlvbnM-;_ylv=3

After reading the following article I am glad I am housecleaning instead of flying:

http://overheadbin.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/05/31/11989353-unruly-3-year-old-child-kicked-off-alaska-airlines-flight?lite

Comment Away

Sunday Update

It was a nice day at Mom's yesterday but at time a little emotional. It seems we are preparing for her death. I know it is inevitable but it just makes me cry. She is going downhill and at a pretty amazing pace. What we did yesterday is going through a lot of years of paperwork, shredding what we didn't need, and putting aside things that might be helpful. On the agenda next week is updating her will and trust.

I am just going to do an update today and not do any articles.

Last week. Monday was a Memorial Day picnic at my sister's. It was fun and the hot dogs were damn good. Tuesday and Wednesday days and night were at Mom's. Thursday through lunch was at Mom's. Thursday afternoon was working on a work assignment. Friday was a boring seminar on the buying and selling of businesses. Today I am at Mom's for lunch and dinner and to spend the night.

On the agenda next week. Tomorrow at Mom's. Fixing lunch and then taking her out for dinner. I am also there overnight. Monday afternoon and Tuesday is cleaning house to prepare for company from Texas that is due to arrive the 8th. Wednesday I have a breakfast meeting with Dave. A man I used to play with when I was the fourth grade. We were on the same little league team that my dad coached. Remember when I went down to meet my friend Ted last Friday? On the way home I stopped at Fred Meyers. I was going into the store and remembered I forgot my wallet. I was on my way back to the car when a car honked at me. It kind of irritated me and just as I was about to give him the number one sign he rolled down the window "Dave T.". I haven't seen him for years. We were really tight as kids. Then went our separate directions. It was interesting because I would have never stopped at that store if I hadn't gone down to see Ted. It is quite a distance from where I lived. Then had I not left my wallet in the car and went back for it I would have missed him. Dave is an interesting character. He majored in sociology. His masters thesis was on Religious Cults. For research he joined several cults. The Moonies and the UFO groups, for example. I used to get calls from him in the middle of the night that said "they are watching me so I can't talk long." He masters thesis was so well done that it was published in Psychology Today. He went on to be a professor at Montana State. It will be Thursday is at Mom's until eight at night when the caregiver returns. Friday is a day of rest. Saturday starts the visit.

That is the look back at my week and what is on the agenda for me next week. Looking forward to you sharing on what is going on in your lives and what you have coming up. I love to know what is happening with all of you! The blog is now yours, post anything you damn well please.

Comment Away.

Saturday

Soon I will be off to Mom's for today and tomorrow. Then I get Monday and Tuesday off and back to Mom's on Wednesday and Thursday. Friday starts the influx of relatives visiting from Texas.

Let's start with some good news:

http://www.oregonlive.com/health/index.ssf/2012/06/immune_therapy_may_yield_long-.html

And lets start planning now to be residents of a new community that is going to happen in 2023:

http://news.yahoo.com/one-way-ticket-mars-please-startup-plans-space-033825565.html;_ylt=AuBvDEd7y3EYnfJ2iIm3W5qs0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTRlOWs2aTVwBG1pdANTZWN0aW9uTGlzdCBGUCBUZWNobm9sb2d5BHBrZwM0NjM0ODFlOC1jMjMxLTNjYmUtYjRkNy1lYjIyOTFhYTMwZmIEcG9zAzQEc2VjA01lZGlhU2VjdGlvbkxpc3RUZW1wBHZlcgMzMWM4OTY5MC1hYzg2LTExZTEtYWZiZi05NjZiNTE0NDRlZmY-;_ylg=X3oDMTFlamZvM2ZlBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdAMEcHQDc2VjdGlvbnM-;_ylv=3

And let's close with things you need to know about today. I knew six of the items so I am getting better:

http://news.yahoo.com/10-things-know-today-june-2-2012-080000102.html;_ylt=AnoV8oXs1KK4zhlmcmIAexus0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTQ3NzJrdWoyBG1pdANPcGluaW9uIEZyb250IFBhZ2UEcGtnAzUyNjYzNWE1LWJiMWEtMzIxNC1iZmMwLWVjN2YyOTZkMzY3ZQRwb3MDMQRzZWMDTWVkaWFTZWN0aW9uTGlzdFRlbXAEdmVyAzJjNWI5ZjYwLWFjYWMtMTFlMS1iYmZkLTk4MGQ2OTQ3OTExMA--;_ylg=X3oDMTFlamZvM2ZlBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdAMEcHQDc2VjdGlvbnM-;_ylv=3

Comment Away

Seventy-Six Trombones.

Off to an eight hour accounting seminar today. I hope to catch up on my sleep. I need a smile to start out what I am sure will be a boring day. And does this marriage proposal ever bring a smile to my face:

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/wedding-proposal-viral-16439091

She said yes.

Did you think the people in the above video were dressed decently enough? That is because Portland didn't make the following list:


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/travel-leisure/americas-worstdressed-peo_b_1543505.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl25%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D165078

And would speaking of weddings and parties would you want the following guest to crash your party:

http://news.yahoo.com/bear-crashes-calif-middle-school-graduation-125057151.html;_ylt=AmZVeSpuIVYxiyyxoXKAVPqs0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTQzMTZjMWNoBG1pdANPZGQgRnJvbnQgUGFnZQRwa2cDN2Y0MzgxN2YtYmVjNS0zYTY3LWIyYjItMzFjOTYzZTA0Y2Q3BHBvcwMxBHNlYwNNZWRpYVNlY3Rpb25MaXN0VGVtcAR2ZXIDNmE5ZmE1OTEtYWJlYS0xMWUxLWE3ZmEtNDNhMDBmZTE1YTU1;_ylg=X3oDMTFlamZvM2ZlBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdAMEcHQDc2VjdGlvbnM-;_ylv=3

Off to be bored to death. Comment Away.