Awwwww look at the doggy

Isn't Clancy cute?

Just Me and my Halo

Change of heart

After dinner tonight I asked Mike what he had planned. Since we neither had anything major on the agenda I brought up hair cuts again. It has been well over a year since I had a trim and as before stated, Mike was also in need. His reply was that we could go tonight ( go means that he is not doing his own hair nor Mine from what I understood) He did mention that he did not want to go back to a place that we tried months ago as he had to redo his cut at home as everything was all different lengths. Of course I agreed. Since he was driving I offered no suggestion on where to go. Even when he asked I told him that it was his choice. Well, he had gotten bad hair cuts at the place where we usually go as well as great ones so he decided that we might as well try the place with the clown. Well we did and he looks great ( but honestly, could you really make this face look bad ? Never !

I'm confused !

Yesterday as Mike and I drove to the local Giant Eagle to pick up my Vitamin D prescription, we passed a new hair cutting place. Wow I said to Mike as I seen the clown( really a clown with rainbow Afro, white face, floppy shoes, and red nose)outside holding a sign that said give us at try for $2.99, you need a hair cut, want to try this place out ? Without hesitation he replied that he would rather cut it himself.( he has fixed his own hair many times after a professional has messed it up so he is capable)So I am left to wonder...... Does he really want to do his own hair or is it just that he prefers not to have it done by a clown ? Men, try to understand them!

I'm Back !

I know that a week or two ago I stated that once we found Michael a car I would have much more time and would probably have loads of time to post at least once a day if not more. After all for a few weeks there it was ;get done whatever I needed ( including dinner so the kids could eat) because Mike would be home at four and we would run directly out to auto dealers and car lots . On good nights we would get home by nine and eat before crawling into bed. Only to get up the next day and do it all again. Well as I stated almost a week ago, we got a car . And I did do OK at posting for the weekend but then Tuesday happened and I had to call the insurance company to add the car and then came so much stuff that I had been neglecting. In addition, Michael who was dragging his feet about scheduling his driver's ed driving sessions is now in a massive rush to finish and get his licence, Go figure. Add to this that Mike has now switched his focus to asking about vacation and where we will stay before and after the cruise. (minor , undecided details )Then with public school being almost out, the kids have started telling me how they need summer clothes and asking what is cruise acceptable, which seems to be nothing that they own and well, I may have emerged from one tunnel but I find that it only leaves me in the middle of the ocean where I must go into another tunnel.
Anyway, I am not whining but actually thankful that we have the opportunity to stress over a coming vacation. Furthermore God has send Mike and I a blessing ( no I am not pregnant and neither is Clarissa or anyone I know of for that matter) over the Memorial day weekend that thrills me to the very core. For now we are remaining quiet but Really I am in a very Thankful place right now. So I guess to make a long post short ( too late) or to just end a bad post quickly( more like it) Let me say sorry I haven't posted much and I till try to do better real soon.

Memorial Day Blessings

Justice

After agreeing on a price for Michael's car,our salesman escorted us into a finance office where we paid and signed papers.Upon completion we were handed an envelope with our copies of documents and wished a good day. It was at this point that I asked where the keys were. The quick witted finance guy replied with a grin "Oh you wanted keys ???? I'll get you a key salesman." Then with a smile he said" Pete( our salesman) should have them.On our way out Pete was indeed standing with keys in hand. Mike shook his hand and was given the customary two keys ,one of which he gave to me. Mike got into the new car as I got into the one we had come in.I started to pull out but seen Mike calling the salesman so I waited. Here the Salesman left his key (to the lock boxes that the dealership puts on the cars with the individual keys inside ) on the seat in Michael's car. Of course Mike returned it with a message for the finance guy not to worry about the Key salesman , we already had a key that would do. Of course Pete was relieved that he had his key back and we doubt that the finance manager actually got the message but how's that for justice ?

I worked on it for hours....... now it's done !

My collage masterpiece of the group and one action shot of each competitor from our Dojo

Finally

After months of looking and test driving and looking more and refusing to risk our lives by test driving cars with no breaks, oil leaks,and so on. We have found a car that was not only in our price range but also runs well . Michael is now the proud driver of a 1995 Saturn

Out of school sale ?

Most people buy school supplies in August and there is a reason for this. It makes perfect sense. I however, have always been a non conformist. Not because I try to be but it is just how I am wired. Today for instance, Cindy ,after finishing her finals, accompanied me to Wal Mart to buy some cherry water (the most awesome-est flavored carbonated water ever) Since Cindy agreed to pick Michael up at school, we were in a bit if a rush but we just couldn't pass up a sidewalk sale. Long story short,I bought fourteen flex notebook/ binders for $1 each ( actual price $7)(most of Cindy & Michael's classes require one per class), four post it non dated wall scheduling calendars at $1 each ( regular price 8.99) many packs of post it note pads @ $1 a pack, and several other supplies( high lighters with post it strips inside, file folders,expander folders, and so on) for $1 . I even bought two paper shredders(regular $39) for $5 each ( yes we shred a lot)Something came over me. I just could not stop putting this stuff in the cart. Yes I will have to store it but what a savings !And hey, if I end up with extras, there are always organizations that I can donate them to or make up a school/ office supply basket as our families donation to the Church's Chinese auction. So you see, I am not crazy just maybe a bit insane .

ISKF Mid America Regional tournament 2009

From two thousand six hundred some pictures to eighteen.....


Michael & Robby warm up



Sensei David briefs our group of competitors on some changes


I am briefed on scoring



My big mouth lands me the honor of ring announcer



Robby's Kata competition


Robby's Kata competition again





Robby's Kumite competition


Robby accepts his metal




Michael's kata


Michael's kata again


Michael's kumite match




Michael's gets a point




Michael declared winner of match




Michael receives medal







Our Dojo's competitors minus one who had to leave immediately following his event




Our Club's youngest competitor after his first tournament

Some great snap shots captured

Sad but true

John Smith started the day early having set his alarm clock



(MADE IN JAPAN ) for 6 am.



While his coffeepot



(MADE IN CHINA )



was perking, he shaved with his



electric razor



(MADE IN HONG KONG )



He put on a



dress shirt



(MADE IN SRI LANKA ),








designer jeans



(MADE IN SINGAPORE )



and



tennis shoes



(MADE IN KOREA)



After cooking his breakfast in his new



electric skillet



(MADE IN INDIA )



he sat down with his



calculator



(MADE IN MEXICO )



to see how much he could spend today. After setting his



watch



(MADE IN TAIWAN )



to the radio



(MADE IN INDIA )



he got in his car



(MADE IN GERMANY )



filled it with GAS



(from Saudi Arabia )



and continued his search



for a good paying AMERICAN JOB.



At the end of yet another discouraging



and fruitless day



checking his



Computer



(made in MALAYSIA ),



John decided to relax for a while.



He put on his sandals



(MADE IN BRAZIL ),



poured himself a glass of



wine



(MADE IN FRANCE )



and turned on his



TV



(MADE IN INDONESIA ),



and then wondered why he can't



find a good paying job



in AMERICA

Michael's kata

Because Michael's jump in his kata (Heian Godan )took him out of the snap shot that Mike was taking, You can catch the jump and all in the video.
Yep Mike is always prepared with a back up !

Michael is on the right

2009 ISKF Mid America regional tournament

We are now home from the Boys' regional karate tournament. Michael , Robby, and ten others from their school competed with many other contestants from schools in our Regional area in their age /rank groups. The competition went from 11:00 AM to almost 5:00 PM with no breaks.I mention that there were no breaks because even though the competitors had the time before and after their competitions as a "break" those working the scoring tables, announcing, judging, refereeing, and even the action photographer were pretty much busy from start to finish. Normally I wouldn't even notice this dedication from these people even though Mike has been assistant team photographer / team photographer for a few years now, but this tournament I was asked to join in the ranks. I was originally asked to work at one of the rings scoring tables where my job was working the score board and documenting / keeping score cards. I started doing said job, however the person who was announcing for said ring did not posses the voice level necessary for said job. When the contestants , judges ,and referees for this ring kept asking for repeats, the Sensei in charge of the tournament approached our table,looked at me and stated " Diane, you have two boys.... I know you can speak loudly ! How about announcing ? Of course my big mouth was willing to help out whenever necessary so I stepped up. All in all ,even though I missed watching Robby's competitions,(he was in the other ring) it was a positive experience { well except for my lack of ability to pronounce some last names :-( } Thankfully Mike had everything on tape as well as 2600 plus still action shots .
(which I haven't begun to get through yet )
In the end our school did wonderfully. Michael ended up with a Gold metal in Kumite ( fighting) and a silver in kata ( form ) in his categories and Robby ended up with silver in Kumite and silver in kata in his. I will try to get pictures posted soon.
The way home was equally as nice. After a stop at Burger King and Tim Hortons, we enjoyed the ride home.

Pictures coming soon !

In anticipation for Today's Karate regional tournament.....

I dumped a camera card that had been accumulating quite a collection of snap shots.

Michael worked for two days on the flower bed. He finished everything but the mulch,which I forgot to buy. He has since mulched and I will post a finished picture soon.








We also spruced up the house with a hanging bag plant. Kind of a corsage for the home.


Mother's Day


The kids got me this year's two Precious Moments figurines





Mike cooked chicken Marsala, stuffed shells Alfredo, and cheesy bread for dinner



almost forgot the cherry cheesecake for desert.

Stay tuned for 2009 ISKF Mid America regional tournament updates and photos.......

Mike's follow up And Me too

Early this afternoon Mike had a post op appointment with his eye surgeon. One of the first thing that they did was check his vision, which ,even with the scar tissue that he has from past eye surgery, was so much better than I have ever known him to have in this eye. Then the surgeon came into the room and checked with his high tech instruments ( which my bill probably has paid for a couple times over now :-) and told us that he looked very well, gave us signs ( of infection ) to look for, and sent us on our way. On the way out, we had the lens removed from Mike's glasses for the time being until they will make him new ones (in about a month when all healing is complete ) Thanks be to God, the surgery seems to be a sucess !
Tomorrow My Mom has a consultation for the same surgery, prayers that she does as well as well as prayers for both of their continued healing are much appreciated !


Thank you all who have asked how I am doing. Praise God, my swelling is almost 90% gone ! I am even back on regular foods, just not really crispy, hard , or spicy foods. I even ate a couple Lumpia rolls ( sort of like traditional egg rolls )That my Mother in law made for us ( Thank you Linda, they were very good !) I just had to make sure not to fry mine any more than absolutally necessary and then let them set for a few minutes. They sure were appreciated ! Anyway, my complications seem to be be doing better. Even the huge bruises in my hands and on my arms are starting to fade some and itch ( Mom always said that itching was a sure sign of healing) I do go back to the doctor in two weeks so we will see where that leades us, but for now all seems fine.

In closing I would like to say thank you a million times over for the prayers ! I know that i have been asking for a lot and you guys have not turned me down which I am so greatful for. Thank you all !

Cateract surgery complete !

Thank you all for the prayers. Mike did good and though he is sore the surgery was a success. We did run into a snag where the Valium that they gave him was not enough and he was quite unnerved during the procedure but he got through and is now home. We see the doctor again tomorrow and then if all looks well he will take it easy for a week then he will be pretty much back to normal.

Please pray reminder

Many of you have asked for a reminder of Mike's eye surgery so that you could pray during. Cindy & I will be leaving here in about 30 to forty five minutes to take him to the hospital. To the best of our knowledge, the procedure will start somewhere between noon and one PM. All I was told was that he needed to be there this morning to speak to anesthesia concerning his pseudo choloestrase(sp) deficiency. Some how some worker along the way ( either at the eye care office or the hospital) didn't know what this condition was so she / he decided that I was wrong in telling them the correct name and decided that Mike had malignant hypothermia . Now a doctor I aint, but from what I gather Malignant hypothermia is another condition associated with succidocholine. In the anesthesiologist's ( that i spoke to on the phone last week) words, "they are two zebra's that would be impossible to have in the same cage" OK I almost understood. My reply was that I have documentation of the deficiency and no idea how the malignant hypothermia got put down. The anesthesiologist seemed relieved but still requested our presence for consultation . So anyway..... Please pray for a successful procedure, sometime this afternoon, with no complications.

Happy Mother's Day Mom !

Thank you for not only what you have done but for who you are !

Ibuprofen and ice

Though my neck and jaw are still quite inflated, My swelling seems to be at a stand still if not going down a tiny bit.Cindy worked last night and is sleeping now so she has not measured the swelling since she left last night but with the help of Ibuprofen and ice, it doesn't feel any bigger, and may even be backing off a bit. Thank you all for the continued prayers as I am cautioned( by my second follow up call )that even though it appears to be going down, eating hot ,scratchy, or otherwise irritating foods can cause the swelling to come back with a vengeance. I did get some chicken soup and beef stew ( with everything chopped minutely) made last night so I will get a more nutrition than ice cream, Popsicles, and pudding are capable of giving. Thanks for the prayers.

swollen but still here

Short notice had me having an outpatient surgical procedure yesterday afternoon. Though the procedure went well, I ran into some anesthesia snags. First off my assigned arrogant anesthesia snob evidently missed his class on placing IV lines. He took six stabs at my poor bruised hands before yelling at me for being fed up and then resorted to threatening to cancel my procedure. Another doctor in the room came over to my cubical and said that he would try. He injected numbing agent into my burning ( the first guy hit nerves evidently)hands but though he found a couple sites did not yet try to place the line when another doctor came in and put a halt to the stabbings. This new doctor placed the line within seconds. I was then taken to O.R. where I was put under general anesthetic. My anesthesiologist was the second guy who numbed me but did not try to place an IV. This guy was no better than the first at avoiding pain as he didn't even check to see if my small ( OK no comments !) mouth would accommodate the tube that they planned to use to intubate me. It did not !Lucky me.... the tube being pushed repeatedly left several abrasions and small perforations. This has left me with much painful swelling. There was talk of admitting me to the hospital, but they did discharge me with orders to call 911 if my breathing felt restricted. Thankfully my breathing is unobstructed, however the swelling continues to balloon.Ice packs on the outside and ice chips going down the inside seem to help little. Please pray that I stop swelling. I really really don't want a trach put in. Cindy keeps measuring the swelling and is pushing for an E.R. trip that I will decline until I can't breathe anymore. Please pray for me !

Relaxing ?

How relaxing is looking at a beautiful lake surrounded by plush green grass and tall trees ? Can you almost hear the outdoorsy sounds ?



Or is this more your idea of relaxation ?

Fishing

Michael helps Cindy prepare her fishing pole



Pops helps Robby




Robby waits patiently



Well worth it !

WoooooHoooooooo Finally 16 !

Happy Happy Birthday !

Michael's Kumite match at the 2008 ISKF National tournament in LA

Tomorrow is Michael's 16th Birthday. Due to the extravagant plans that he made (fishing followed by a picnic dinner of grilled burgers,hot dogs, and all the picnic trimmings, followed by more fishing ) I will probably not have time to post a Birthday wish , so Happy Birthday early !
For those wondering, No Michael will not be receiving a car tomorrow. Try as Mike and I did, it simply did not work out. We had plans with one seller to buy one this morning but the plans sort of fell through when the seller refused to answer our confirmation calls yesterday and this morning. Oh well , I guess that wasn't the right car anyway. Michael still has some drivers ed driving classes to finish before he can take his licence test anyway so we aren't in too big of a hurry, except that Mike and I are both about fed up and if we don't find him a car soon ( with a seller who actually wants to sell the car) we just may have to use the money that we saved for his car for psychiatric help. Please continue to pray for us ! Happy Birthday Micro !