Dang it....
I got home this evening, and the weather was actually pleasant. That's rare around here this time of the year. We've had quite a bit of rough weather lately, so that was probably the reason.
As I was sitting on the sofa perusing the e-mail, I would swear the weather guy on TV said that we were done with the rain and would be getting the heat again. Armed with that news, I headed down to the auto parts place and got a fresh jug of car wash soap. When I got home, I washed the Expedition. Matthew "helped". I even scrubbed the tires and cleaned all the little crevices on the wheels. After washing it, I dried it top to bottom, making sure to open all doors and wipe out the jambs. It looks sharp. I even put the gel stuff on the tires to make them shine.
The whole time I was working on cleaning the truck, Shelly sat in a lawn chair with Jonathan watching me clean her truck. After I finished and was about to pull it back in the garage, she said it was going to be a shame that it was going to be nasty weather all weekend and get it dirty again...
WHAT? NO!!! The weather dude said hot and sunny... Apparently I was mistaken. The 10:00 forecast just told me it would start raining tomorrow afternoon.
Isn't that just about how things work out lately? And Shelly sat there watching me the whole time knowing I was wasting my time...
Friday, June 27, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
More gun stuff...
Open Carry? What do you think about that?
OK, I'm the first to say that I'm in full support of gun owners rights. I may or may not even own a weapon (It's really no one else's business if I do or not). I guess I support the premise of having the right to carry whether concealed or in plain sight, but I sort of question the mind-set.
Unfortunately, I believe that some of the supporters have the "My pecker is bigger than your pecker" mentality. They want to carry the biggest, baddest weapon on their hip to show how much of a bad-ass they are. Let me be clear, I support their right to do so, but I'm also entitled to my opinions and positions on that matter.
I'm not so sure of the absolute crime deterrent of some folks carrying a gun on their hip. Criminals are the lowest common denominator, but most of them aren't completely stupid. The guy with a gun on his hip is the guy that's going to be shot first in a hold-up. Keeping it hidden (concealed carry) will not make you an obvious target and might give you options if you find yourself in a bad spot.
That's just my opinion. Feel free to disagree in a civilized manner in the comments section
Open Carry? What do you think about that?
OK, I'm the first to say that I'm in full support of gun owners rights. I may or may not even own a weapon (It's really no one else's business if I do or not). I guess I support the premise of having the right to carry whether concealed or in plain sight, but I sort of question the mind-set.
Unfortunately, I believe that some of the supporters have the "My pecker is bigger than your pecker" mentality. They want to carry the biggest, baddest weapon on their hip to show how much of a bad-ass they are. Let me be clear, I support their right to do so, but I'm also entitled to my opinions and positions on that matter.
I'm not so sure of the absolute crime deterrent of some folks carrying a gun on their hip. Criminals are the lowest common denominator, but most of them aren't completely stupid. The guy with a gun on his hip is the guy that's going to be shot first in a hold-up. Keeping it hidden (concealed carry) will not make you an obvious target and might give you options if you find yourself in a bad spot.
That's just my opinion. Feel free to disagree in a civilized manner in the comments section
Crying over spilt organic soy milk from free range cows...
Well, it happened today. Five individuals that know how to read and didn't drink the liberal kool-aid made a decision. A decision, I might add, that shouldn't have even needed to be made. What a shame that the "powers that be" have eroded our rights to the point that someone has to go to the Supreme Court to get a "once and for all" decision that this particular right was indeed a right to begin with.
Of course, I'm talking about the Supreme Court's decision that Americans in good standing have the right to own a handgun. Fortunately, here in Texas we don't have the problem of our political leaders trying to take this particular right away from us.
Of course, the libs are on every news channel crying about how society is going to descend into chaos and we'll all be shooting at each other. Sure... How many of the shootings around involved a person legally possessing a firearm. Very few. Around here, most of the shootings are either criminals shooting, or lately a few honest citizens have evened the score by shooting intruders.
A big case here locally involves a gentleman that shot 2 guys that were robbing his neighbors house. Of course, the libs are crying about these 2 guys being gunned down, but the real story is that they were both illegals from Central America and they had already been deported at least once. Clearly, not a big loss to society. OK, granted, this guy should have stayed in his house and not run out to confront these guys with his gun, but if they had not been here, robbing the house of a guy who was at work earning his living, they wouldn't have been shot. Hopefully the grand jury will no-bill Mr Horn.
I guess time will tell the effects, but I suspect that crime might actually decrease, or at lease not increase from this decision.
Remember this phrase: Those who beat their swords into plowshares will be forever ruled by those who kept their swords.
Well, it happened today. Five individuals that know how to read and didn't drink the liberal kool-aid made a decision. A decision, I might add, that shouldn't have even needed to be made. What a shame that the "powers that be" have eroded our rights to the point that someone has to go to the Supreme Court to get a "once and for all" decision that this particular right was indeed a right to begin with.
Of course, I'm talking about the Supreme Court's decision that Americans in good standing have the right to own a handgun. Fortunately, here in Texas we don't have the problem of our political leaders trying to take this particular right away from us.
Of course, the libs are on every news channel crying about how society is going to descend into chaos and we'll all be shooting at each other. Sure... How many of the shootings around involved a person legally possessing a firearm. Very few. Around here, most of the shootings are either criminals shooting, or lately a few honest citizens have evened the score by shooting intruders.
A big case here locally involves a gentleman that shot 2 guys that were robbing his neighbors house. Of course, the libs are crying about these 2 guys being gunned down, but the real story is that they were both illegals from Central America and they had already been deported at least once. Clearly, not a big loss to society. OK, granted, this guy should have stayed in his house and not run out to confront these guys with his gun, but if they had not been here, robbing the house of a guy who was at work earning his living, they wouldn't have been shot. Hopefully the grand jury will no-bill Mr Horn.
I guess time will tell the effects, but I suspect that crime might actually decrease, or at lease not increase from this decision.
Remember this phrase: Those who beat their swords into plowshares will be forever ruled by those who kept their swords.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
It's MY blog...
It's my blog, so I have a few rules.
1. The blog writer gets to make the rules.
2. The blog reader is free to enjoy the things written by the blog writer.
3. Political correctness will not be tolerated.
4. The blog writer gets to change the rules to suit his current whims
5. Blog Readers are free to disagree in the comments section as long as they disagree in a civilized manner.
Of course, this is my blog, which is based on my version of events in my life as they happen. If anyone has a different version, they are welcome to start their own blog.
It's my blog, so I have a few rules.
1. The blog writer gets to make the rules.
2. The blog reader is free to enjoy the things written by the blog writer.
3. Political correctness will not be tolerated.
4. The blog writer gets to change the rules to suit his current whims
5. Blog Readers are free to disagree in the comments section as long as they disagree in a civilized manner.
Of course, this is my blog, which is based on my version of events in my life as they happen. If anyone has a different version, they are welcome to start their own blog.
a rant...
Ok, I'll admit I drive too fast. I don't even know what the speed limits are around here, because it really doesn't matter. I get in the car and drive. That driving style fits in well here - MOST of the time.
Occasionally, some jerk camps out in the left lane driving below the speed limit. Seriously, I understand. People are really in a bind because of fuel prices and they are driving slower to help increase fuel mileage. I get it. PLEASE, just do me a favor... Get out of the damn left lane. Slower cars to the right. The left lanes are for passing. If you are not passing anyone, keep moving to the right. I Houston, there are usually 3, and many times 4 or 5 lanes in each direction, surely you can find one of the right lanes that will suit you.
Lately, the majority of these slowpokes are driving a Prius. And to top it all off, they aren't even looking at the road, they are looking at that darn gauge on the dash telling them their efficiency. Selfish Birkenstock wearing, granola eating, tree hugging *&(%%$&^*^$'s. Typical liberal types. Only concerned about their little deals without regard for the effects on the rest of the people.
The icing on the cake was last week. I left work and drive into town to pick Matthew up from daycare. On the way back out to the suburbs, we were in the HOV lane (2 or more) and the lane was creeping along at a snail's pace. After about 30 minutes, we had made it about 6 miles and we saw the cause of the back-up. It was a hippie woman (probably hairy arm-pits) sitting stalled in her Prius, and she was ALONE. I know the Republic of Kalifornia allows you to drive alone in the HOV lane in a Hybrid, but we don't allow that in Texas. So, she thought she was entitled to ride in the HOV lane in her Prius, but instead she cause the rest of us to be significantly delayed, while belching tons more hydrocarbons than we should have while being stuck in the back-up.
She should have been arrested and as part of her bail, been made to purchase carbon offsets for all of the extra pollution she caused...
Ok, I'll admit I drive too fast. I don't even know what the speed limits are around here, because it really doesn't matter. I get in the car and drive. That driving style fits in well here - MOST of the time.
Occasionally, some jerk camps out in the left lane driving below the speed limit. Seriously, I understand. People are really in a bind because of fuel prices and they are driving slower to help increase fuel mileage. I get it. PLEASE, just do me a favor... Get out of the damn left lane. Slower cars to the right. The left lanes are for passing. If you are not passing anyone, keep moving to the right. I Houston, there are usually 3, and many times 4 or 5 lanes in each direction, surely you can find one of the right lanes that will suit you.
Lately, the majority of these slowpokes are driving a Prius. And to top it all off, they aren't even looking at the road, they are looking at that darn gauge on the dash telling them their efficiency. Selfish Birkenstock wearing, granola eating, tree hugging *&(%%$&^*^$'s. Typical liberal types. Only concerned about their little deals without regard for the effects on the rest of the people.
The icing on the cake was last week. I left work and drive into town to pick Matthew up from daycare. On the way back out to the suburbs, we were in the HOV lane (2 or more) and the lane was creeping along at a snail's pace. After about 30 minutes, we had made it about 6 miles and we saw the cause of the back-up. It was a hippie woman (probably hairy arm-pits) sitting stalled in her Prius, and she was ALONE. I know the Republic of Kalifornia allows you to drive alone in the HOV lane in a Hybrid, but we don't allow that in Texas. So, she thought she was entitled to ride in the HOV lane in her Prius, but instead she cause the rest of us to be significantly delayed, while belching tons more hydrocarbons than we should have while being stuck in the back-up.
She should have been arrested and as part of her bail, been made to purchase carbon offsets for all of the extra pollution she caused...
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Summer Sucks...
Summer has arrived in the south. It never really left, more like it sort of just hid around the corner for a couple of weeks. From early April through late October, we see temperatures in the 90's and humidity in that range also. That means that shade provides a little relief, but not much. At we get closer to the middle of summer, the nights are quite warm also, so the morning low temperatures is generally 80 or higher.
I got up at the butt crack of dawn this morning to cut the grass before the heat hit. Ok, it was just before 8:00, but on a Sunday morning, that's early. It was already just over 80 degrees. That's not so bad, but with the sun out and no clouds, it didn't take long to hit 90. I believe it's supposed to settle in around 95 today. Add to that the downpours we get every afternoon lately, and the humidity is quite high also.
Thank God the A/C is running just fine today.
Summer has arrived in the south. It never really left, more like it sort of just hid around the corner for a couple of weeks. From early April through late October, we see temperatures in the 90's and humidity in that range also. That means that shade provides a little relief, but not much. At we get closer to the middle of summer, the nights are quite warm also, so the morning low temperatures is generally 80 or higher.
I got up at the butt crack of dawn this morning to cut the grass before the heat hit. Ok, it was just before 8:00, but on a Sunday morning, that's early. It was already just over 80 degrees. That's not so bad, but with the sun out and no clouds, it didn't take long to hit 90. I believe it's supposed to settle in around 95 today. Add to that the downpours we get every afternoon lately, and the humidity is quite high also.
Thank God the A/C is running just fine today.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Happy Father's Day...
Last night I cooked my own Father's day meal, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Dinner was charcoal grilled baby back ribs and beef ribs. Beef ribs are pretty much ignored by most people cooking ribs, but man, they are great. Season them with salt and pepper, nothing else, then grill. Talk about good. Add some baked beans and you're set. I also diced up some tomatoes, peppers, onions, etc, mixed with black beans and some roasted corn (roast frozen corn in the oven), them add some lime juice and a few other things to make a top notch salsa.
We're about to pack up the above salsa and the family and head down to my parents house to spend the afternoon with my Dad and Grandfather. This evening we'll head to the in law's house to celebrate Father's day with them.
Shelly and I are fortunate to have great Dad's. I hope I am able to live up to their examples for my 2 boys.
Last night I cooked my own Father's day meal, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Dinner was charcoal grilled baby back ribs and beef ribs. Beef ribs are pretty much ignored by most people cooking ribs, but man, they are great. Season them with salt and pepper, nothing else, then grill. Talk about good. Add some baked beans and you're set. I also diced up some tomatoes, peppers, onions, etc, mixed with black beans and some roasted corn (roast frozen corn in the oven), them add some lime juice and a few other things to make a top notch salsa.
We're about to pack up the above salsa and the family and head down to my parents house to spend the afternoon with my Dad and Grandfather. This evening we'll head to the in law's house to celebrate Father's day with them.
Shelly and I are fortunate to have great Dad's. I hope I am able to live up to their examples for my 2 boys.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Blogs I read...
Ok, after a year or so of blogging, I have 3 or 4 regular readers, and another few that stop by once in a blue moon. Actually, there are more than that. I noticed I had a reader from Sao Paulo Brazil and another from somewhere in India last week. Hopefully this provides some measure of entertainment, or at least a break from the work you should be doing...
So, the question is: What does MELackey read when he's cruising the web? Well, here are a few of the blogs and other sites I peruse on a fairly regular basis.
The Adventures of Tioga and George. I came across George on a camping website I like to read. I've been following him almost daily since late in 2004. He has an interesting story about beating the odds and surviving cancer. The day he was declared to be in remission, he bought and RV, moved out of his apartment, and hit the road in search of adventure. The proverbial "sucking the marrow out of life". George has this amazing ability to connect to locals wherever he is. He spends a good bit of time in Mexico, and is in Israel now looking for adventure in the land of his ancestors.
Our Odyssey I also found these guys on the camping website. Click the Home tab on their website and read a little of their background. Basically they travel to each corner of the US (and places beyond) in their converted Neoplan Bus. They are "full-timers". The are quite service oriented people, devoting a great deal of time and personal resources to helping the Red Cross with disaster relief. Their blog is probably one of the most complete, informative reads around about an amazing list of topics.
I'm Always Mentally on Vacation and This Makes Some Folks Mad. This guy is just a hoot. I found Reggie's blog by just randomly clicking the "Next Blog". I believe one of the first posts I read was about a little boundary dispute he was having with a redneck neighbor (Whatever happened to those mouth breathers anyway, Wreg?). Reggie (aka Wreggie) lives and works in North Carolina, but he belongs on a beach on St Croix. As a matter of fact, he's there this week.
Bumfuzzle Man, you want to talk about adventure, this is it. This couple lived in Chicago and worked as commodities traders. One day, they decided they needed to buy a boat and sail the Caribbean for a year (they weren't boat people beforehand...). Four years later they had circumnavigated the globe. Immediately after upon returning, they ran the 2007 Great American Race, winning the Rookie Division in their '65 Porche 356C. After finishing the race, they completed the outfitting of a 1958 VW Bus and hit the road. Man, the stories they will have to tell their grandchildren one of these days. Be sure to set aside a complete weekend to read their adventures from the beginning.
I need to scram now, but be sure to stay tuned for the rest of the blogs I read regularly. Also, if you don't mind, take a minute to leave me a comment with any suggestions. If you are a regular reader, drop me a note and introduce yourself.
Ok, after a year or so of blogging, I have 3 or 4 regular readers, and another few that stop by once in a blue moon. Actually, there are more than that. I noticed I had a reader from Sao Paulo Brazil and another from somewhere in India last week. Hopefully this provides some measure of entertainment, or at least a break from the work you should be doing...
So, the question is: What does MELackey read when he's cruising the web? Well, here are a few of the blogs and other sites I peruse on a fairly regular basis.
The Adventures of Tioga and George. I came across George on a camping website I like to read. I've been following him almost daily since late in 2004. He has an interesting story about beating the odds and surviving cancer. The day he was declared to be in remission, he bought and RV, moved out of his apartment, and hit the road in search of adventure. The proverbial "sucking the marrow out of life". George has this amazing ability to connect to locals wherever he is. He spends a good bit of time in Mexico, and is in Israel now looking for adventure in the land of his ancestors.
Our Odyssey I also found these guys on the camping website. Click the Home tab on their website and read a little of their background. Basically they travel to each corner of the US (and places beyond) in their converted Neoplan Bus. They are "full-timers". The are quite service oriented people, devoting a great deal of time and personal resources to helping the Red Cross with disaster relief. Their blog is probably one of the most complete, informative reads around about an amazing list of topics.
I'm Always Mentally on Vacation and This Makes Some Folks Mad. This guy is just a hoot. I found Reggie's blog by just randomly clicking the "Next Blog". I believe one of the first posts I read was about a little boundary dispute he was having with a redneck neighbor (Whatever happened to those mouth breathers anyway, Wreg?). Reggie (aka Wreggie) lives and works in North Carolina, but he belongs on a beach on St Croix. As a matter of fact, he's there this week.
Bumfuzzle Man, you want to talk about adventure, this is it. This couple lived in Chicago and worked as commodities traders. One day, they decided they needed to buy a boat and sail the Caribbean for a year (they weren't boat people beforehand...). Four years later they had circumnavigated the globe. Immediately after upon returning, they ran the 2007 Great American Race, winning the Rookie Division in their '65 Porche 356C. After finishing the race, they completed the outfitting of a 1958 VW Bus and hit the road. Man, the stories they will have to tell their grandchildren one of these days. Be sure to set aside a complete weekend to read their adventures from the beginning.
I need to scram now, but be sure to stay tuned for the rest of the blogs I read regularly. Also, if you don't mind, take a minute to leave me a comment with any suggestions. If you are a regular reader, drop me a note and introduce yourself.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Like chocolate pudding, scraped across too much ham...
ok, I guess that tag line needs some explanation... It's from the Veggie Tales video "Lord of the Beans" Billboy used that phrase to describe that he was feeling stretched (tired).
There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Matthew's toe is healing, although it was a little strange that the dead end fell off last night while he was at the in-laws house. He didn't notice it, and he tracked blood all over their light colored carpet. The good news is that it will have a little bit of a flat leading edge, but should look close to normal when the nail grows back.
Shelly is feeling much better, which is good. She was really in pain over the weekend and Monday night, to the point she was in tears and could barely move. Not good when you have a 4 week old that is nursing... Thankfully our mothers each took a day and stayed here with her so I could go to work.
I make it a point not to mention things about my work on the blog, but lets just say that we're very busy lately and I'm feeling a little stretched trying to balance the increased attention both family and work are needing. Work needs to be done as people are depending on me, but at the same time, things at home need to be done also (and here I am blogging - Katie said I had to...).
Anyway, I just wanted to post that things look like they are going to be getting back to normal pretty soon, thanks to the prayers and support of friends and family.
I need to scram now. Maid day is tomorrow and like always, the house needs to be straight before they can clean it. With all of the craziness over the last couple of weeks, we've had to postpone them a couple of times, and the house could really use a visit by the maids.
Barring any wild happenings, I promise the next post will be more in line with what you are used to from me. There have been a few interesting things and observations that I have in mind as great blog fodder. Stay tuned...
ok, I guess that tag line needs some explanation... It's from the Veggie Tales video "Lord of the Beans" Billboy used that phrase to describe that he was feeling stretched (tired).
There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Matthew's toe is healing, although it was a little strange that the dead end fell off last night while he was at the in-laws house. He didn't notice it, and he tracked blood all over their light colored carpet. The good news is that it will have a little bit of a flat leading edge, but should look close to normal when the nail grows back.
Shelly is feeling much better, which is good. She was really in pain over the weekend and Monday night, to the point she was in tears and could barely move. Not good when you have a 4 week old that is nursing... Thankfully our mothers each took a day and stayed here with her so I could go to work.
I make it a point not to mention things about my work on the blog, but lets just say that we're very busy lately and I'm feeling a little stretched trying to balance the increased attention both family and work are needing. Work needs to be done as people are depending on me, but at the same time, things at home need to be done also (and here I am blogging - Katie said I had to...).
Anyway, I just wanted to post that things look like they are going to be getting back to normal pretty soon, thanks to the prayers and support of friends and family.
I need to scram now. Maid day is tomorrow and like always, the house needs to be straight before they can clean it. With all of the craziness over the last couple of weeks, we've had to postpone them a couple of times, and the house could really use a visit by the maids.
Barring any wild happenings, I promise the next post will be more in line with what you are used to from me. There have been a few interesting things and observations that I have in mind as great blog fodder. Stay tuned...
Monday, June 09, 2008
Been a rough week...
Although the surgery for Shelly went well last week, we're not quite up to speed yet. Shelly was feeling better Friday, but by Friday night she was having some pain. She went back to see the doctor this morning, but he doesn't seem to think it's anything other than maybe muscle strain. Whatever it is, she is in so much pain she can barely function. Let's hope this passes soon. I'm in the middle of some busy times at work and really need to be there as much as possible. With being on shuttle duty getting Matthew to and from daycare each day, I'm stretched pretty thin. Luckily, our Mothers are around and able to help out.
Matthew's toe is looking pretty rough, but it is healing. Most of the end that's not viable tissue is now hard and black, and is basically about to fall off. At least what is left will heal well enough. I don't know if I mentioned it last week, but both surgeons that looked at it expect the nail to grow back. Definitely an answered prayer on that one, if nothing than for cosmetic reasons.
Keep Shelly in the prayers this week. Taking care of a 4 week old that wants his mommy to feed him every couple of hours isn't easy when she's in so much pain.
Although the surgery for Shelly went well last week, we're not quite up to speed yet. Shelly was feeling better Friday, but by Friday night she was having some pain. She went back to see the doctor this morning, but he doesn't seem to think it's anything other than maybe muscle strain. Whatever it is, she is in so much pain she can barely function. Let's hope this passes soon. I'm in the middle of some busy times at work and really need to be there as much as possible. With being on shuttle duty getting Matthew to and from daycare each day, I'm stretched pretty thin. Luckily, our Mothers are around and able to help out.
Matthew's toe is looking pretty rough, but it is healing. Most of the end that's not viable tissue is now hard and black, and is basically about to fall off. At least what is left will heal well enough. I don't know if I mentioned it last week, but both surgeons that looked at it expect the nail to grow back. Definitely an answered prayer on that one, if nothing than for cosmetic reasons.
Keep Shelly in the prayers this week. Taking care of a 4 week old that wants his mommy to feed him every couple of hours isn't easy when she's in so much pain.
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Success!!!
The pediatrician came through today with a surgeon that was able to work us in at 2:30 this afternoon. His opinion was that it was healing well so far, but he wants to see us again in a week or so to see how the tissue at the tip of the toe is doing. He suspects that it isn't viable, but it should be left on for now as a sort of protective layer over the healthy tissue that is under it.
He did tell me that I no longer should dress it every night with ointment, gauze, and complete wrapping of the foot to keep it all covered and protected. The instructions are a couple of band-aids and a sock on the foot to keep everything in place and protected.
A friend of my parents has a son-in-law that is an orthopedist in Baton Rouge. He spoke to one of his friends here in Houston, (also an orthopedist) and that friend called me tonight. He offered to look at it either tomorrow or Friday as a second opinion if we wanted him to. I think we'll take him up on the offer just to be safe. While we're spending Cigna's money, we might as well make sure we get the best care possible.
We looked up all of the bills submitted to them over the last couple of weeks. Did you know a 4 mile ambulance ride with 2 paramedics in Houston is $1,700 while a 40 mile ride with 3 paramedics from Copperas Cove, TX to Temple, TX is only $1,200? Maybe that extra $500 here is for the honkin' ladder truck that showed up with the ambulance last week...
The pediatrician came through today with a surgeon that was able to work us in at 2:30 this afternoon. His opinion was that it was healing well so far, but he wants to see us again in a week or so to see how the tissue at the tip of the toe is doing. He suspects that it isn't viable, but it should be left on for now as a sort of protective layer over the healthy tissue that is under it.
He did tell me that I no longer should dress it every night with ointment, gauze, and complete wrapping of the foot to keep it all covered and protected. The instructions are a couple of band-aids and a sock on the foot to keep everything in place and protected.
A friend of my parents has a son-in-law that is an orthopedist in Baton Rouge. He spoke to one of his friends here in Houston, (also an orthopedist) and that friend called me tonight. He offered to look at it either tomorrow or Friday as a second opinion if we wanted him to. I think we'll take him up on the offer just to be safe. While we're spending Cigna's money, we might as well make sure we get the best care possible.
We looked up all of the bills submitted to them over the last couple of weeks. Did you know a 4 mile ambulance ride with 2 paramedics in Houston is $1,700 while a 40 mile ride with 3 paramedics from Copperas Cove, TX to Temple, TX is only $1,200? Maybe that extra $500 here is for the honkin' ladder truck that showed up with the ambulance last week...
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
VERY full day...
First off, Shelly is home and feeling better. She's watching TV and eating dinner as I type. Three small incisions and a prescription for pain meds and we're good to go. Hopefully everything on that front will continue to go smoothly.
Still no appt for Matthew. I was bounced back and forth all afternoon. Just to save you guys the hassle of reading alll of the details, plastic surgeons and orthopedists apparently don't do toes, and podiatrists and general surgeons don't do anything but refer to one of the others (who don't do toes).
I'll keep trying tomorrow...
It's as if Matthew is the first child ever who had to have part of his toe reconnected.
First off, Shelly is home and feeling better. She's watching TV and eating dinner as I type. Three small incisions and a prescription for pain meds and we're good to go. Hopefully everything on that front will continue to go smoothly.
Still no appt for Matthew. I was bounced back and forth all afternoon. Just to save you guys the hassle of reading alll of the details, plastic surgeons and orthopedists apparently don't do toes, and podiatrists and general surgeons don't do anything but refer to one of the others (who don't do toes).
I'll keep trying tomorrow...
It's as if Matthew is the first child ever who had to have part of his toe reconnected.
Maddening...
I guess I shouldn't complain too much because our healthcare system has worked well for us over the last several weeks. Today I'm running into sort of a roadblock. Shelly is in surgery right now, and that part is hopefully going well. I suppose it's going well as long as no one comes out to the waiting room and looks for me.
The problem is getting Matthew in to see a surgeon about his toe. His pediatrician gave us the names of 4 doctors yesterday, 3 of which are in a practice affiliated with Texas Children's Hospital (TCH). Shelly called their office yesterday afternoon and after explaining the situation, they told her we didn't need them, we need a plastic surgeon, so we were referred to a pediatric plastic surgery practice also affiliated with TCH. It was after 4:30 when she called yesterday, and the lady that answered said everyone was gone for the day and we needed to call back today.
Well, I called them back a little while ago after Shelly was taken into surgery, and after getting the story from me about what happened, I was put on hold and eventually told that toes were not what they did, and I would need to call pediatric general surgery at a certain number - which just so happened to be the group we called yesterday. Great, now we're full-circle...
So, I called General surgery back and they listened to my story and... referred me back to plastic surgery... GRRRR. I "explained" to her that I've had about all of the fun I can stand and I'd like to get off the merry-go-round. She told me that maybe I should call the pediatrician back and ask him who I needed to call, which is when I told her he gave me a printout with their doctor's names and numbers. She put me on hold a few more minutes and said she needed to talk to their manager and would call me back. How much do we bet no one calls back?
I think I'll call the pediatrician's office and see of he will call and intervene on our behalf. Wish us luck... I really don't have time for this BS this week.
I guess I shouldn't complain too much because our healthcare system has worked well for us over the last several weeks. Today I'm running into sort of a roadblock. Shelly is in surgery right now, and that part is hopefully going well. I suppose it's going well as long as no one comes out to the waiting room and looks for me.
The problem is getting Matthew in to see a surgeon about his toe. His pediatrician gave us the names of 4 doctors yesterday, 3 of which are in a practice affiliated with Texas Children's Hospital (TCH). Shelly called their office yesterday afternoon and after explaining the situation, they told her we didn't need them, we need a plastic surgeon, so we were referred to a pediatric plastic surgery practice also affiliated with TCH. It was after 4:30 when she called yesterday, and the lady that answered said everyone was gone for the day and we needed to call back today.
Well, I called them back a little while ago after Shelly was taken into surgery, and after getting the story from me about what happened, I was put on hold and eventually told that toes were not what they did, and I would need to call pediatric general surgery at a certain number - which just so happened to be the group we called yesterday. Great, now we're full-circle...
So, I called General surgery back and they listened to my story and... referred me back to plastic surgery... GRRRR. I "explained" to her that I've had about all of the fun I can stand and I'd like to get off the merry-go-round. She told me that maybe I should call the pediatrician back and ask him who I needed to call, which is when I told her he gave me a printout with their doctor's names and numbers. She put me on hold a few more minutes and said she needed to talk to their manager and would call me back. How much do we bet no one calls back?
I think I'll call the pediatrician's office and see of he will call and intervene on our behalf. Wish us luck... I really don't have time for this BS this week.
Monday, June 02, 2008
Just a short update...
It's late and I'm tired. Funny how when you take a day off work, you end up working almost the same amount of hours by clearing everything up before and after you are out. I left the office at 11:30 tonight (after a brief break to run home for dinner - Mom is here and made a pot roast...).
Anyway, Matthew's appt was ok. His toe looks better, but the doctor said we need to consult with a pediatric surgeon. Shelly called a couple today and ended up being told that what we need isn't a general surgeon, but a pediatric plastic surgeon. I've got the numbers and while Shelly is in surgery tomorrow, I'll be calling to try to get Matthew an appointment with the plastic surgeon to have his toe checked out.
The pediatrician said that more than likely they will look at it and establish a baseline, then have us return in 3-4 weeks to see what it looks like then. Hopefully the dark place on the end of the toe is just bruised tissue that will eventually heal. I guess time will tell.
The good news is that the cut is healing up well enough that Matthew was able to take a real bath tonight with the foot unwrapped and in the tub. I've been bathing him for the last week sitting on a stool in the tub with his foot on the side. That kid loves baths and he was really happy to get to play in the tub tonight.
Shelly's surgery is at 9:30 in the morning, and we have to be there at 8:00 in the morning. This is not supposed to be a major deal, but our current situation with a 4 week old baby makes logistics a little difficult. My Mom came back today to help out with Jonathan. Matthew went down to Shelly's parents house to stay at least until tomorrow night. Hopefully he will be willing to stay there until Wednesday, we'll keep our fingers crossed. Of course, with Jonathan being a breastfed baby, there are other issues to deal with. We think we're on top of it, but it's just a hassle to deal with everything.
Well, off to bed. Let's pray for an "uneventful" day tomorrow. I'll try to post tomorrow night with an update.
It's late and I'm tired. Funny how when you take a day off work, you end up working almost the same amount of hours by clearing everything up before and after you are out. I left the office at 11:30 tonight (after a brief break to run home for dinner - Mom is here and made a pot roast...).
Anyway, Matthew's appt was ok. His toe looks better, but the doctor said we need to consult with a pediatric surgeon. Shelly called a couple today and ended up being told that what we need isn't a general surgeon, but a pediatric plastic surgeon. I've got the numbers and while Shelly is in surgery tomorrow, I'll be calling to try to get Matthew an appointment with the plastic surgeon to have his toe checked out.
The pediatrician said that more than likely they will look at it and establish a baseline, then have us return in 3-4 weeks to see what it looks like then. Hopefully the dark place on the end of the toe is just bruised tissue that will eventually heal. I guess time will tell.
The good news is that the cut is healing up well enough that Matthew was able to take a real bath tonight with the foot unwrapped and in the tub. I've been bathing him for the last week sitting on a stool in the tub with his foot on the side. That kid loves baths and he was really happy to get to play in the tub tonight.
Shelly's surgery is at 9:30 in the morning, and we have to be there at 8:00 in the morning. This is not supposed to be a major deal, but our current situation with a 4 week old baby makes logistics a little difficult. My Mom came back today to help out with Jonathan. Matthew went down to Shelly's parents house to stay at least until tomorrow night. Hopefully he will be willing to stay there until Wednesday, we'll keep our fingers crossed. Of course, with Jonathan being a breastfed baby, there are other issues to deal with. We think we're on top of it, but it's just a hassle to deal with everything.
Well, off to bed. Let's pray for an "uneventful" day tomorrow. I'll try to post tomorrow night with an update.
Sunday, June 01, 2008
Remembering...
I was walking along with Matthew today and I thought back to a couple of months ago when we went to the little park in our neighborhood. The park has a lake that has a BUNCH of ducks. A few years ago we had an oriental guy come and remove a bunch of them. I'm not certain, but I'm betting they ended up plucked and hanging on one of the restaurants in the Chinatown area of Houston. He needs to come back because there is a definite overpopulation.
These are not the Mallard type ducks, these are the larger, uglier pond ducks that seem to find their way to all parks. The sort of "other side of the tracks kind of ducks". Anyway, Matthew thinks it's hilarious to follow or chase the ducks until they jump back into the water and swim away. Well, on that particular day, I told Matthew to kick the duck in the butt, with the knowledge that no duck is going to let him get close enough to kick it.
WRONG... I think the only crippled duck in the county was the closest duck to Matthew at that point, and he punted that poor duck. Before it could register in my mind what had happened, he lined up for the extra point... Luckily, I managed to stop him just before he hung his size 10 kids shoe up the ducks nether regions. Just my luck, I tell him to do the impossible, and he gets it done... Thankfully, no one else saw it. I'd hate to have to explain that one to the SPCA... Luckily, the duck didn't seem to have been injured by the butt-kicking he received...
I was walking along with Matthew today and I thought back to a couple of months ago when we went to the little park in our neighborhood. The park has a lake that has a BUNCH of ducks. A few years ago we had an oriental guy come and remove a bunch of them. I'm not certain, but I'm betting they ended up plucked and hanging on one of the restaurants in the Chinatown area of Houston. He needs to come back because there is a definite overpopulation.
These are not the Mallard type ducks, these are the larger, uglier pond ducks that seem to find their way to all parks. The sort of "other side of the tracks kind of ducks". Anyway, Matthew thinks it's hilarious to follow or chase the ducks until they jump back into the water and swim away. Well, on that particular day, I told Matthew to kick the duck in the butt, with the knowledge that no duck is going to let him get close enough to kick it.
WRONG... I think the only crippled duck in the county was the closest duck to Matthew at that point, and he punted that poor duck. Before it could register in my mind what had happened, he lined up for the extra point... Luckily, I managed to stop him just before he hung his size 10 kids shoe up the ducks nether regions. Just my luck, I tell him to do the impossible, and he gets it done... Thankfully, no one else saw it. I'd hate to have to explain that one to the SPCA... Luckily, the duck didn't seem to have been injured by the butt-kicking he received...
Toe news...
We have a follow-up appt tomorrow afternoon to let the doctor check on the progress on Matthew's toe. I'm still a little concerned, but it does look a little better now than it did almost a week ago. We took a few pictures tonight, but they are kind of gross, so I'm not going to post them now (maybe later). Where the two parts are stitched together are healing up, so I know that at least part of the severed part is still "living". The very tip is still a little dark looking. I'm not sure if it is bruised or if the tissue is "dead". I guess we'll know more tomorrow.
Shelly goes in tomorrow for one last appt with the surgeon, and then we go in Tuesday morning for the gall bladder removal. It's an out-patient laproscopic (sp?) type deal, so hopefully all will go well. Keep the prayers going if you don't mind. Hopefully our little string of bad luck will be over soon.
We have a follow-up appt tomorrow afternoon to let the doctor check on the progress on Matthew's toe. I'm still a little concerned, but it does look a little better now than it did almost a week ago. We took a few pictures tonight, but they are kind of gross, so I'm not going to post them now (maybe later). Where the two parts are stitched together are healing up, so I know that at least part of the severed part is still "living". The very tip is still a little dark looking. I'm not sure if it is bruised or if the tissue is "dead". I guess we'll know more tomorrow.
Shelly goes in tomorrow for one last appt with the surgeon, and then we go in Tuesday morning for the gall bladder removal. It's an out-patient laproscopic (sp?) type deal, so hopefully all will go well. Keep the prayers going if you don't mind. Hopefully our little string of bad luck will be over soon.
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