The Gal Pal...

Some pics of me and the Gal Pal from my birthday. We had such a wonderful time together. I have never been happier than being in her arms. It's definitely a case of 'Beauty and the Beast'... She's way out of my league, but loves me anyway. I'm her big dork. She is my heart. Need I say more? I am blessed... :) By the way, the charmin was just lying around so I decided to make good use of it... lol...

Dreaming Of Blue Grass...

Random thoughts as I look forward to a weekend of … of… of… NOTHING!
I can’t believe what I’m writing! I actually have most of the weekend off that doesn’t require me to be at some ridiculous place at an ungodly hour to broadcast some insane event… I get to spend time doing things I should be doing… uh, let’s see: the lawn, sweeping, vacuuming, the dishes… y’know: CHORES!!! My house isn’t too bad, mess wise. But man, I’ve got to get some of the dust bunnies cleared out of here. One of the drawbacks of living on a lake… bugs! Some spiders, a few flies, (Mayflies have been lingering around even though they’re supposed to be done for the season) and they are generally harmless and aren’t that irritating. BUT for some reason, I remember how disgusting they were in my childhood, so even though it is many years later, I still have an insatiable urge to wipe out ever last one of the little varmints… I mean as a kid, I felt like the little CARE kids in the TV commercials that were always looking into the camera and there would inevitably be a couple of flies who were hellbent on getting their smug little wispy wings on television and would be crawling across the poor little faces that were on there. My heart always went to those people (it still does), but I hated those dang flies because those kids in those CARE commercials would NEVER swat or shoo the flies away. The little flies would just crawl where ever they felt like and the kid wouldn’t do anything… and that bugged (pun intended) the living crap out of me. That was like fingernails on a chalkboard to me. Oh how I hated those commercials. The purpose for them was good and just (I hate that those little ones have to suffer), but the stigmas from my childhood of seeing those kids just stand there and let those dang flies just crawl on them. Ewww… I’m still scarred for life!
Okay, now that I’ve gotten some old neurosis on the table, I can feel free to give an update on the sisters: in a word… better. Lou is still in great discomfort but is able to tolerate it better and is awaiting the results of her biopsy. She sleeps a lot more than she has and that’s good. But it’s been a rough road for Terri. She is feeling better from a pain standpoint. But she is wiped out because when I’m at work and can’t be there and no one else can be there because of work, she and Lou have to fend for themselves and she’s supposed to be resting. Lou gets around okay considering the amputation, but Terri has to do a lot for both of them and it bothers me a little bit sometimes… okay, a lot! But they both were feeling pretty good even though they were drained… they were giving me crap about the gal pal cracking the whip on me to keep me in line and were talking in fake accents pretending to be me and my beloved and they were picking on their little brother mercilessly and making his girlfriend out to be one smart and tough lady… Okay, that part is very true. SHE IS… but they love it when it’s about the gal pal keeping me in line. We’ve got a good sense of humor about it. I love that girl… She never fails to amaze and inspire me. I am a very blessed man.

I Could Have it Worse...

Sometimes when I feel a little frustrated about things in life (the sisters), I need to get a little perspective and remember that I don't have it so bad. This video is from Easter at my church where Mike Leeland does a great painting during this song. It kicks my butt and makes me realize that I don't have it so bad. That someone suffered worse... much worse... even for those of you that aren't christian, hey, it's a pretty cool canvas painting to check out... hope y'all are doing okay...

Thursday Thoughts...

Howdy do...
Just checking in to say hello and let you know what's been going on over the last few days. Not a whole lot really. Terri is still on her butt from the chemo. She is whipped to say the least, sheer misery right now... Lou is just out of it... she's just laying in bed sleeping off an on. They're trying some different combinations with her meds and the docs are going to run some more tests to see whats going on with her back. She's having a biopsy next tuesday to see what she's dealing with... meanwhile her back is absolutely killing her still. But I guess if there's one positive (sort of) is that while the pain is bad, it's not as bad as it was...so... Thank you all for your prayers. It means more than you know. Spent my day off from work on Thursday over at the girls and they were both just awful. I felt like a big dufus cause all I can do is just sit there and watch them suffer. I did a couple of little things like make dinner and what not, but I am still at a loss as to what I can do to help them... It's a little frustrating but I know that all I can do is just be there. I am hoping that things get better soon, but I know that it's all in God's hands... Meanwhile, not much else is going on between work and other stuff... we did our online golf radio show last night (great lakes golf today) and had a good laugh about lots of things... a nice escape from the reality of seeing both sisters suffer so miserably.

Gratitude...

What a time...
Right now I'm swooning thinking about tons of things that are going through my brain at the moment. First off, a huge thanks to all of you for the birthday wishes. It meant a great deal to me. I had a GREAT weekend. And the term 'great' doesn't even begin to cover the weekend I had. But first things first. The sisters update: not much more new to say other than Terri is going to get her next chemo treatment tomorrow. I know that is going to kick her butt... I'm not looking forward to that, but it's a necessary evil if we're going to keep her going. Lou is still a bit of an enigma. She still has some kidney issues and hopefully those will get rectified. But she's been 'out of sorts' as of late and I'm really beginning to get concerned. I hope that her docs make some decisions. Okay, now to the weekend. Two words: GAL PAL... My gal pal has been nothing short of A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!! I saw her on Friday and just smiled as I threw my arms around her. Her parents took me to a ball game (which is what I wanted to go see) and treated me like a million bucks. On Saturday, I spent the day with my gal pal and to say that she is awesome does not do her justice. I can't even begin to find the words to say what this woman has brought to me emotionally. I've gotten more out of holding her hand and seeing her smile than I've gotten out of any other intimate relationship I've ever had. That's not an attempt to insult those other people, but it is just a tribute to the beauty, warmth and tenderness that is my gal pal. She is an awesome, beautiful, Christian who has good, grounded beliefs and to say that she is an inspiration to me doesn't even begin to scratch the surface.
Saturday night brought a cookout. Not just a cookout like I'm used to where maybe six or seven people would show up and grill a hot dog or two and have some chips and everyone would pound beers till they passed out... I was blessed and I do mean BLESSED by my gal pal's family. I mean her whole family came as in uncles, aunts (hi Sundae), grandparents, cousins, friends, etc., and they all brought just obscene amounts of food. And the big ol' fish fry was wonderful. And I think I had two servings of fish. Interesting, considering that I don't even like fish. It was THAT good. I couldn't believe what these people (most of whom didn't even really know me. They only knew of me) went and did for me. Even her cousin and and a friend of hers broke out the guitars on a warm and breezy evening and started playing some music. Most of the people there go to the same church so I knew I'd see them the next day. The birthday cake they had made for me was HUGE... and very delicious. I think I had three pieces. I was dumbfounded. They all just shrugged it off as nothing more than hospitality, but I couldn't even fathom such wonderful kindness to what amounted to a stranger. They get together and fellowship and picnic outside like this on a somewhat regular basis. But they all came up to me and sang happy birthday to me twice and were so happy to see me with the gal pal. They took a picture or two of us and when I get them from her, I'll pop them up here.
Sunday brought a quiet day for me. It was the actual b-day for yours truly. I just went to church with the gal pal and her family and we went to lunch afterwards. We had a really wonderful weekend and I wanted to spend some quiet time with my best gal. We spent Sunday afternoon with a movie and some time talking and really enjoying each other's company. Looking in her eyes, I found myself falling in love with her over and over again. Spent more time with her family and friends and found myself in a very odd position of getting ready to head home and embark on the long drive, but my heart wanted to stay there. I wanted to just sit and watch the sun set with mi amour. The sun went down while we were sitting at her computer (i'm such a romantic...ha!) and I left and made the long trek home and knew my heart was smiling a mile wide inside.Well, today finds me back to reality as another work week begins. Also, today is the second year anniversary of my dad's passing. I still miss him. We didn't always have the closest of relationships but we pulled it together in the last five years of his life here on earth. He really showed what it was to love someone and I learned that from him. He loved his family and he loved God and even though it took us a while to patch things up... yep, he even loved me... I miss you dad. I know you're happy in Heaven with the truest love of your life. Give mom a hug and kiss for me and enjoy your eternal rewards... oh, and if you think about it, tell God I said thanks for giving me you as my dad... I'm sure He knows, but tell Him anyway, okay? And tell Him how grateful I am for our family and my gal pal and her family too! I love them all... I really do...

Friday On My Mind

It's been a wacky week. But fairly decent. As for the sister update. Lou had an MRI done and she's doing better but still has some serious discomfort in her back and they may find out why and do something about it. Terri is doing a little better for having to deal with the skin issues she has had in regards to the chemo. She gets another dose of it on Tuesday. It'll knock her on her can for a while and she's trying hard to prepare for it. I hope that she somehow keeps up the brave fight she's waging. She is one tough lady and deserves to be happy and healthy. She loves God and her family and her students. I hope and hope and hope. We'll see what happens. Thank you all for your prayers for both of them... I really appreciate it.
Well, the last couple of days, I've done nothing but eat, eat, and eat... I got an early surprise in that the people I work with sprung a little party on me as an early birthday present. I ate (okay graze might be a more appropriate word) like they were going to stop making food and felt good with a full tank of grub. My nephew Dyl, who some of you that have read this column for a while... well, you know about his exploits, well he just had a birthday so I always encourage my family to celebrate his birthday instead of mine because he's just a kid and I am an oldie but a goodie... I turn 43 on Sunday. Inside of my heart, I still feel like a 12 year-old, but outside, I feel like I'm 103 sometimes... but overall, I'm hanging in there. I'm getting to spend it with the gal pal so I'm good. Dyl is having a party with his family tonight but I won't be there. So I invited Dyl and his brother and parents over to my place last night, so they could go swimming at the lake and eat some pizza and have ice cream and we watched a movie as well. There has always been an unspoken understanding that I always had to drive to family members' homes to visit and no one would ever came up to my place to see me. Thursday night, my kid sister and her family came to my place and they loved it and actually said they want to come back. The boys wanted to spend the night but I am heading to see my gal pal and since I haven't gotten to spend as much time as I want with her, I'm taking this opportunity to enjoy some quality time with my best girl... I think we're going to a baseball game tonight. Saturday is a cookout at her family's... and I don't even know what she's got planned for me on Sunday, but I'm looking forward to spending my b-day with the woman that I really love... she is beyond amazing and has really made me a much better person... I thank God for her every single day... She has been such a blessing from God... He really is awesome!!!

Monday Moanin'...

Ahhhh it's Monday again. Geez, I'm so excited (yawn),
I survived the weekend with some sleep. Not much, mind you, but some. Lou is feeling better. Her labs were way off and it caused her to be flat out miserable. But she's better. I am grateful. She still has got kidney problems but hopefully a trip or two to the nephrologist will help. Terri is feeling the skin effects of her chemo. She wants to scratch constantly. She is trying to not scratch but... other than that, not much is different with the sisters right now but please keep the prayers going... After work on Saturday, I went and did the security thing for a high school graduation party. That went off without any problems. The kids were smart and later on met somewhere else to go do stupid stuff... Me, I went to church on Saturday night then went to Todd and Nicole's and watched baseball late Saturday and got up on Sunday feeling pretty relaxed. I took my time because the mass was at 10am and the baptism for Grace wasn't going to be until afterwards. So I pop out of the shower and leave a little early and stop to gas up before heading up to Monroe to the church. I get there about 9:50 in the morning and my cell rings. It's Nicole and she's in a mild panic as the priest informs her at that time that they're going to do the baptism DURING the mass. Oops... fortunately, Nicole's family (who are all Catholic) was there to go to mass anyway. So that kept everything pretty calm. I arrive at the church, ready to be the godfather, not having yet even meeting the godmother. This girl comes over and sits down next to me. She is a very cute kid (as in all the young guys at church were staring at her because they thought she was as one guy said 'smoking hot'). And never said a word to me. I never felt so OLD... I wanted to yell at some of the guys sitting behind her like I was her father or something. As we went up to the baptismal thingy to do our part, I'm like six foot two, standing next to this 18 year old girl who is in a very tight, revealing dress. who is only 5'2" at the most. I am standing there making sure that I do not look at her because of our height differential, it would appear like I would be looking straight down at her cleavage. Unlike most guys my age, I don't have a thing for young teenage girls. I'm very happy with the girlfriend I have and am not interested in anyone else, thank you very much... after we get done with the baptism of Grace, we head back to our pews and I step on the edge of a step and proceed to roll my ankle a bit and have to jump in the air so I could balance myself and not fall down. I was just grateful that there were no cameras flashing.
We go to lunch afterwards and I'm having a good time. I knew that I had to leave and head over to Sonja's memorial trust fundraiser. I arrive there and the place is packed. I know that Sonja would've been proud to see that. Lots of family and friends and co-workers. I see some of the co-workers whom I'm friends with and am looking to enjoy myself, when I hear a 'Hi Mik' that I hadn't heard in about 7 years. It was my old flame K who I haven't seen in a few years. Last I heard she was out in Vermont with a guy and now she comes up to hug me in downtown Toledo. I smile and am polite, but didn't say or feel anything towards her. I've lost some weight since we last saw each other and she kept saying 'Oh my god' over and over. I think I asked if she was back in town and she said yes but then I seen an old friend from high school who was there as well, so I started a converstation with him and K stood there for a minute and opted to leave. I couldn't have cared less. When I looked at her, I tried to remember what it was that I found attractive about her... I couldn't. I felt nothing. I then began to think about my current girlfriend and my heart came back to life. I realized just how far I have come in the last 7-10 years... I couldn't be happier or more grateful for where I am right now. I am completely in love and very happy. And I am at a point in my life where I want peace in my heart and in my life. I never had that before with any other female. I have that now. My heart is relaxed and I have a grateful heart for being blessed with an amazing woman who inspires me every single day. To embrace life and live it. She is my rock... God has my soul and she has my heart. That is how I am able to keep it together...

Post Holiday Thoughts...

And so it goes...
I have had a pretty good week. Thank the Good Lord. A little sleep deprived but that's okay. My sisters are fairing a bit better. Lou is still battling the emotional stress from the meds she is taking, but it's a little better than it was. She's sleeping more and that is a good thing. Terri is doing better but preparing for her next chemo treatment... I just hope and pray that it does it's job... My personal highlight... installing the commode riser for Lou in her toilet... I tried not to think about the obvious rear-end jokes that would fly with this... No ifs, ands, or but(t)s about it... (groan)
Getting ready for the weekend. Did some shopping for the new goddaughter to be... I'm going to be spending more time with my best friend Todd this weekend and his wife Nicole than I have in the last six months... lol... but that's a good thing. I asked Todd why he wanted me to be the godfather of his kids... his response: "because, I can't hold a baby that little while they toss water on her head" Uh, Todd, your first daughter was over 10 lbs at birth and Grace was almost nine. I think we know where they get their genetics from... hello? Nicole just throws up her arms and has given up on trying to figure Todd out... Of course he and I are best friends so what does that tell you about me? HA!
Hope everyone Stateside had a great holiday. Now that it's the day after, I am trying to let all of the food I ate yesterday settle... I chowed down big-time. My stomach still hurts so good. Played horseshoes and cornhole (the game with the bean bags), and tried the Pepsi summer mix (tropical fruit flavor)... as a coca-cola guy, I was surprised how good that new Pepsi tasted. But now I have to let my tummy settle down today and get ready for more eating and eating and (big drumroll) MORE EATING this weekend... ahhhhhhhhhhhhh (burp!)
God's Blessings to all of you!
Mik

Monday Musings... July Edition

I'm here... for the most part,
The weekend wasn't too bad. Let's see... the city-wide garage sale was pretty cool. I found a 'Hooked On Phonics' set (only a couple of the parts were actually used- the rest were still sealed new) for only 20 bucks. Normally it costs over 300 smackers... got it for Terri for her classes. Speaking of which. Terri is feeling a lot better from the chemo and is getting around again. The only problem now is Lou. Lou is doing better physically. But the meds she is taking for everything is affecting her emotionally. She is now easily rattled and does not sleep. She had an MRI on her back but the doc is on vacay till next week. So it won't be read until then when they can change the medications to a more appropriate combinations and dosage. Thanks for keeping them in your prayers. I am grateful for your kindness.
From the 'good stuff' dept: My best friend Todd and his wife Nicole are the proud parents a beautiful baby girl... Grace. I was honored to be asked to be her godfather. (i'm the godfather of their other daughter too) So this coming weekend is going to be another busy one. I'm going to work at the hospital on saturday, go and work security for a graduation party. Go to church. On sunday, doing the godfather thing, and probably going out to eat afterwards, and then head over to the memorial trust fundraiser for the children of my friend Sonja who was killed in a car wreck back in May. Somewhere in the middle of that, I have to check on the sisters. But that is a typical of my schedule these days. I haven't gotten to everyone's journal/blog yet but please know that I've been swamped and have not had as much time to do much of anything. But I will get to you all, and say hello...
More good stuff: The gal pal is back from vacation so I'm a happy guy. This whole thing with my family has been really trying at times, but she has been a rock... such an incredible blessing that I've been able to keep focused and do what I had to do... Don't know how I could've dealt with all of this without her... I am blessed!