Thursday

A nice relaxing day of Thanksgiving. We had our traditional noon meal at Vivian’s house which used to be Grandpa & Grandma’s house years ago. Enjoyed turkey, mashed potatoes & turkey gravy & dressing. Mark has taken to preparing cinnamon rolls & cinnamon bread like Grandma used to make. Thank you!

My father solved the big mystery of the song that literally knocked me off my feet yesterday. A hold song on an 888 tele #. It is “Stranger on the Shore” by Acker Bilk. This is acutally a 1940’s type song that was a hit in 1962. To my untrained ear, the clarinet sounds like a soprano sax that Uncle Warren used to play, and it completely tore me up. A scratchy, quivering sound that gives it the unique sound I remember from years ago and what gives it such personality, and then a most unusual ending. This particular recording is next to impossible to obtain now.

This entire, yet very strange, episode will be with me for the rest of my life. Memories of my youth & of my very kind uncle who meant so much to me.

Watched Eric, Chad & Tyler play football with Duke. Of course Duke made up a few rules of his own, but it was fun to watch. Used a small football.

The big activity of the day was going through old pictures with Grandma & writing down descriptions on the backs. Actually became work, but most rewarding & will be worth it years from now. So thankful Grandma can be here with us yet, and we would be at a loss in ID’ing these pictures without her help.

Supper & action games later. Cold outside, but warm inside. A VERY good day!

mikey

Wednesday

Woke up to another cold, windy, wintry day. Just a few snowflakes on the ground, so not sure if that counts for the first snowfall of the season or not. Paul & Eliz & family arrived from CO at 5PM along with Paul’s mother, Pat, & his sister, Penny who I haven’t seen in ages. 1 inch of snow on the ground at their place & the icy roads cleared up by Kit Carson thankfully.

Stayed home today & M&D have been cleaning for about a week now. Moved things & took other things up into the attic, etc etc. Ready for our long awaited visitors & glad to have them here.

Did payroll today & several other items needed attention today, transfers & unusual transactions which can take some time to get it all together.

We’ve been getting several phone calls from an 888 number, no one answers when we pick up. I finally decided to call the number, no one answered then either, BUT…I did listen to the hold music which was an old recording of a soprano sax or clarinet solo of a 1940’s type song. One that Uncle Warren would have done. Dad said they didn’t do that one, but for me it seemed like a message from Uncle Warren in heaven. I simply can’t express what this was like, but quite overwhelming. Another wave of missing Warren and thinking how hard it is for Dad who still misses his brother desperately, yet never complains.

My last meaningful communication with him was when he played “Because He Lives”. The message came thru perfectly even tho he was unable to carry on a conversation anymore. I’m so happy he’s with his Savior now!

On to happy things, it’s good to have my sister & her family here and looking forward to more good times. I am grateful for my salvation & for all my many family & friends. I am humbled at how much God has blessed me. Praise God!

mikey

Tuesday

Slept in till Noon. M&D went to Audrey Winslow’s funeral, a 94 yr old family friend. Reconciled my Quicken bank accounts-a fun activity. Then made several phone calls.

Went to Salina to get pain & nerve pills refilled and got some things at Dillons. Then went to UMB to drop off a deposit. Then…the exciting item of the day. Today I took my 1940 KS Highway map, that my good friend Kevin Nisly obtained for me, to Key Office to have it laminated. I am very pleased with the results & hung it on a wall in my office so I can waste hours a day looking at all the new towns (actually ghost towns). I will remember Kevin every time I enjoy this masterpiece. Thank you friend!

Walked a lap in Oakdale during wait times & a cold front moved it & it is CHILLY & windy now. Quite a quick drop in temp.

Later arrived at Josh & Misty’s house at 8:15 & delighted to see Jeff, Matthew & Jacob there also. Shane met up with us a bit later. We went to Applebees & had a great ol time. Sounds like Shane is having a lot of character building training going on at his current job at Potwin. Lots of snakes to keep him company, but he doesn’t care to be very sociable with these creatures. I don’t blame him really. Cheer up Shane, when this is over, there will be a new challenge to conquer.

Stopped in to see Jim on the way home. This will be his first Thanksgiving without his father, so that will be a bit difficult. Old age has it’s cruel aspects and it really isn’t fun. Yet, we DO have a lot to be thankful for & I trust he will be able to enjoy the day and cherish the memories of both his parents. God bless you Jim.

mikey

Monday

Had a very short, and painful night. Even with heavy duty lifts, CNA work is taking it’s toll on my body. It seems pt obesity is more prevalent than it used to be (of course I count myself in the number also, so mustn’t complain). Anway, my back is quite sore & stiff.

Woke up at 7:20 so I could take Jim to a doctor appt in Newton. A strangely foggy day with bright sun shining at the same time. Had a bite to eat then dropped Jim back off at his home in MP. A soboring time for us as time marches on.

Did a few small things at home & got started with some payrolls & took a good nap.

Went to Marvin Nisly’s & Marvin, Rosa, Emily & I had a nice meal together at Airport Steak House. It was a great time as I had expected & appreciate these dear friends and their family more & more all the time.

An interesting item from Paul Harvey: If you think passing calculus in high school is difficult, try passing a kidney stone!! hahahaha. Yes, it’s funny in the medical field.

mikey

Sunday

Brent had an interesting opening on the Kings & choices they made and influences on future generations. SS on the remainder of Ch 19 & Ch 20. Prob the most difficult portion of Revelation to analyze. Didn’t really have it all planned and organized like I had hoped. Too much info & too little time, but that’s life.

Some surprise, huh Ryan!!!???? Hope your internet stress is resolved shortly.

Missed Grant today. This week my beloved SS class will be praying for myself & relatives in SW Kansas & for my communications with them. I appreciate you all!!!

Laverne had the sermon on the deception of anger. This was a most personal message for me and gave me much to think about and sort through. Had dinner at Marvin’s and was great as usual.

Work was exhausting. Yesterday we had 6 pts & today we have 4. However, due to various circumstances that only a CNA can understand, it was 3 times more difficult than yesterday. Somehow drug myself out of there at 3AM & made it home safely.

Oh, the Wed night incident-mikey had a backache all day, so carefully placed a coldpack on my lower back & transported myself to Hutch. Went inside & Perry Lee immediately followed me into the bathroom during the first song & wondered if everything is OK. I thought it was, then he had me reach behind my back. And there…was the helpful coldpack hanging over my back belt area in a most unglorious fashion. I soon remedied the situation to prevent further embarrassment & delivered this object back to the car before seating myself.

A humbling situation, but that’s good for me, and yes, it could have been viewed on a much wider scale, so I have a lot to be thankful for.

mikey

Saturday

Lots of housecleaning going on here in preparation for Eliz and her families arrival Tuesday for Thanksgiving. Slept in fairly late today since I work at the hospital this weekend.

6 pts today & some of the heaviest I’ve seen in a long time. O my back aches!! We had a 17 yr old in ER due to a failed attempt at a sumersault over his buddy. Walked out of here later & those are the kind of ER’s I really like.  About 650 young ones are at the Big MB Church in town this weekend for a youth conference and this was the only casualty needing ER services.

Lots of sickness going on among staff & schedule juggling all weekend.

Glad Shawn works night shift so I could leave at 11PM. Rev 20 in SS tomorrow & that promises to be a real challenge.

Oh, I have a surprise for my SS class tomorrow…..

mikey

Friday

Think I had plenty of rest last night, so up and at em. Starting to get W-3 forms for 2007 filings. The first one of the season always puts me in an adrenaline rush, but there’s nothing that can be done till Dec 31, so we must wait…

Stopped at Sunflower in Salina to check about my E&O insurance. No changes and another example of hopeless phone tag. Impossible to do this over the phone & must be done in person. Advances in technology?? Got a roll of stamps & mailed some items at the post office. Then went to Conklin & was in and out in very short order. Ate a bite at the German Buffet & then had a document to pick up. Alas…it wasn’t the correct document afterall, so a half hour search ensued. The elusive paper found & then was a half hour late for a Hutch appt. They had supper plans, so that was a bit of a wasted trip, but we did strike a beginning balance for a new Quicken client at least.

Then went to the science fair at Center and saw rockets, tornadoes, trains & all kinds of interesting things. Good job everyone!

Glad to find out Benji’s brother is doing much better. It was viral instead of bacterial meningitis, so that’s definitely encouraging. Stopped in to see Elmer at Hutch Hospital with a blood clot in his R leg. Been there since Tues. Arlyn, Brenda & family also there. Elmer is doing some better, but still no dismissal date set yet. Had a big procedure done today which had good results. Cheerful as ever and lifted my spirits. Wishing you a speedy recover, Elmer. God bless you!

mikey

Thursday

Now why should a potential social blunder/faux pas bring such inquisitiveness??? Due to the severity of the situation I will reveal this event to my SS class on Sunday. I feel it only fair to have at least 2 more days of peace as I will no doubt never hear the end of it after the details are revealed. The rest of you will be informed then as well.

Woke up at 7:20 with a phone call to see if a certain problem warranted a visit to the emergency room. We finally decided on a doctor appt on Monday as there prob wouldn’t be anything done anyway that coulnd’t wait till Monday. One recent ER involved a pt whose toes were curling and preventing her from sleeping-a most definite emergent situation!!

More desk cleaning and phone calls, ordered Quickbooks Accountant Edition 2008 at a greatly reduced price for Lacerte customers and including support for 6 months. Can’t beat that. Took a nap, overslept and arrived late at work. I set my alarm, but didn’t flip the switch. That is necessary for the alarm to work, so hopefully I will remember for next time.

A 9 pts census was reduced to 4 pts by clockout time, however the remaining 4 pts were fairly high level pt care, so I was still kept busy. Another CNA called in for 11-7 tonight, so I got to come home early. Geneva sent home with me a large bucket of oyster crackers with seasoning. A tradition every holiday season. Thank you Geneva!

mikey

Wednesday

Woke up bright & early & took my car to Conklin to have new headlights put in. I was stopped by a friendly law enforcement officer in Salina last night & compelled to have this remedied.

First time to go over the new culvert on Kipp Rd just S of K4. For the first time in my life the annoying dip in the road is now a real culvert we can just fly over. Happy days!

Arrived at 8:30AM for a 30 minute repair job that ended up being 3 hrs long. Had 4 new tires mounted so I’m ready for winter. Still need to come in Friday for an attachment of some kind for the left headlight. Missed the buffalo sale at Maxwell & was planning to see Fred Nisly, Willard & Allen, but guess things don’t always work out.

Dropped off some investment transfer papers with a financial planner, who also happens to my financial planner. Another couple errands & home to continue cleaning off my desk & filing papers away.

Tonight at Church was a 3rd installment of Caleb’s discussion on the vision of the Church. I sensed a need from the older ones that they would like more interaction with the younger crowd. Also a discussion on how much contact with the world is appropriate. Is there time to minister to the suffering masses ‘out there’ if Church family children are the primary missionary focus, etc etc. ?? A lively discussion and appreciate Caleb’s willingness to continue with this important topic.

Oh, one more item…Perry Lee Stutzman is a very kind man. He stopped me from making a seriously embarrassing social blunder in Church. Details upon request. Thank you Perry Lee!!!

Had a bite to eat at IHOP before heading home.

mikey

Tuesday

Had several phone calls on tax matters. One is getting ready to start an S Corporation, another is trying to decide where to invest and lots of pressure from 2 financial advisors to invest with them. Also trying to straighten things up here & not getting much done.

Went to Lindsborg at 12:30 & had dinner with Lester Yutzy, Titus & David who are doing a roof job on the big house just W of the Old Mill. Kind of mysterious as no one in town has been allowed to look at the inside renovations that have been in progess for 6-8 years. Lester was privileged to have a tour & has decided he still likes his current house. We ate at the Swedish Crown & it has just opened up under new management. I had a Swedish Meatball dinner & Titus & David had a meal with cooked apples on top?? A very enjoyable time and soon it was time to go back home & continue with the above mentioned drudgery.

Later went to Salina to set up an appt with Conklin to get my R headlight replaced. I was stopped in Salina last night since it was out. This particular law enforcement officer was quite pleasant & congenial. Mailed some other items and then on back home. Kind of annoyed that I always have to leave a message to set up a service appt and not getting return calls. Have to show up in person to get an appt & one is set up for 8:30AM tomorrow. Groan.

My parents are going through Grandma’s old pictures and letters over 50 years in age. Fun to see her mothers handwriting on some cards and to see some old pictures I’ve never seen before. Later we put a bunch of stuff in the attic.

mikey