My Aching Head...Say what??!!

Soooo....last Monday I left work with what seemed to be another bad headache that I have occasionally. But this one gradually got worse. I endured two days of being in bed with the most horrendous, painful and grueling head pounding (seriously...it hurt to blink) and throwing up everything I put in my mouth. Susan made an appointment with my Doctor, dragging me there Wednesday evening in my slippers. I thought, great...I'll get a shot for the nausea and some prescription Motrin or Tylenol. The gave me the shots (in my butt no less) but wanted to do an CT scan just to be careful. Next thing I know, I'm on an ambulance headed to Holmes Regional Medical Center. Apparently I had a "small bleed" and they were furiously racing to the hospital to make sure I wasn't having an aneurysm. Now, I was a bit concerned.  Even when the Doc told me of the CT scan I was like, "Cool, my sister can drive me to the Emergency room?" The Doc was like, "um...yah....no....I think you should ride in the ambulance, it is an extra cost however." WHAT THE FUCK! I said, "Doc, should I, in your opinion, take the ambulance or not, you are the doctor!?" He was like..."Yes, you should. "OK then let's go." 

The good news, no aneurysm. But, I do have an old benign cyst at the base of my brain that I was probably born with and over the years the ventricles around the cyst have enlarged. When my blood pressure gets high....the pressure can cause the most painful headaches. The Docs gave me migraine medication (won't be as good as the morphine they had me on in the hospital) and have ordered different BP medicine for me to better control my hypertension. And they say....no stress....right...they should live my life! Oh another bit of advice to the Doctor in the ER, don't come back with your MRI and CT results in your hand and open the conversation with, "I see you marked down Catholic, would you like to see a priest?", Cathy, "No, unless you think I need to." And then and hour later followed by, "Did you you know you had a benign tumor in your brain?" Cathy, "uh...noooooo...should I have????" MD's should have to take a class in bedside manner.

Susan was a great nurse and took care of me both in the hospital stay and at home as well as performing all "Dad duties" She even bought me those slippers in the picture to the right for my hospital stay....way cool. Of course, now that she has demonstrated she is more that capable of performing such duties...I told her I expect more from her from now on...LOL! I follow up with my Doctor tomorrow, still not 100%.

The fun never ends and La Casa de Cathy!

GROW UP!!!

OK, I am admittedly an Xbox geek who sometimes gets into games and plays for hours. So, it is a little embarrassing when you buy a game from Best Buy entitled “Grand Theft Auto IV” and the pimply faced teen at the counter says, “Ma’am I need to advise you that this game has a ‘mature’ rating so you may want to look at it before you give it to your son!”…..sigh. Got it kid, the game is for me and I have no son…Next up, “Call of Duty 4”. Say what you want but shooting, stabbing, punching and kicking people but it really helps me relieve my angst. Then again, I’m not a teenager anymore so shouldn’t I have gotten rid of my angst years ago…and what is causing it?

Speaking of what is causing it, Dad is doing fine (I joke). Took him for his check up and he checks up categorized as “living”. His blood sugar is under control and his blood pressure is ok but the doc wants Susan and I to monitor that too. Weeeeeh! Now not only do I get to check his blood sugar, I get to monitor his BP…next up, I’m giving him a hair cut this weekend…the fun never stops at my house. I’m thinking about giving him a mow hawk…just a subtle one…come on that would be funny. On a serious note, He may need to get an outpatient procedure to have cortisone put in his spine as his lower back is really bother him and his spine is a bit mangled. For those of his children who NEVER call (you two know who you are) it would be nice if you called him once in a while to say “hi”. (guilt trip?!….)

My company is offering ‘voluntary’ retirement packages to people....that usually means there soon may be to lay-offs. If we don’t win a few big jobs that we are bidding on, lay-offs could be not so far off. I believe the division I work for is doing o.k. but it sure makes for some interesting whispering in the halls. Speaking of work, today is “bring your child to work day”. Which basically means you can’t get any work done and people walk around trying to impress their kids about how important they are…there is one person here who talks non-stop about the perfect kids he/she has. I’m going to greet them by saying, “Gee “x” I didn’t know you had any kids, you never talk about them”….mean I know…

The Cubs better start winning. That is all I’m going to say. Check out this brawl the Cubs "A" team in Peoria had last night, out of control: http://www.veoh.com/videos/v15260418Js5dk9yp?rank=4&order=mr

Test

This is a test post via my iPhone to test mobile blogging feature.

A Thrown for the King

In an effort to fit in to the 'hood I have added a new lawn ornament to my yard. I think it looks rather nice and it definitely makes the Reeder house more "Palm Bayish"...sigh. New toilet for Dad's bathroom, one that is more elderly friendly. I'm suprised someone hasn't stolen this out of my yard though.Lynda got back from her trip up Mt. Rainier in Washington. Weather prevented a full summit but it seems like she had fun. If you can call trekking up a 10K ft. mountain in the snow and camping fun. See link for awesome pictures: http://highlandschool.site.shutterfly.com

Viva Espana!!!!

Fernando Torres  Rocks the EURO Championship!!

King for a Day

                                               

Dad was the King of the Castle for the weekend. Susan and I took him out to dinner Saturday night. I had Sushi, Dad and Susan had the cooked variety of sea dwellers. A new bistro opened up near the house that is above the cultural norm in Palm Bay, i.e. flip flops and tank tops are not worn under roof. They even have a grand piano with a decent player  and a Koi pond. Suffice it to say, we will be return customers. Also suffice it to say, the restaurant probably won't last in Palm Bay. These here folks like their hot dogs and chicken wings.

Susan and I got Dad a BEER TENDER made by Krups (www.beertender.com) for Heineken. Dad loves it. He asked how it works and Susan and I just laughed, "Right Dad...you don't know how to pour draught beer", he chuckled then expertly tilted his glass up to the tap and poured his first beer perfectly. DELICIOUS. He loved the cards everyone sent and got a chuckle out of some. I took him to Denny's for breakfast on Sunday then we watched the Cubs win. Back to it allllll being about me and Susan around the house today. Dad gets one weekend a year.

Looking forward to our trip to Tampa to see the Cubs vs. Rays. Go Cubbies.

Euro 2008 is going on and I am in soccer heaven ! If you have any doubt about why I like soccer see Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo below....HUBBA HUBBA!! I've been dreaming about him all week, DAMN!

                                                 

Pat visited a few weeks ago from Minneapolis, she is doing great and working on her Masters in Micro Finance. She is trying to get an internship in Africa. Lynda is climbing Mt. Rainier this week...I am sooooo inferior!!

                                                  

She is such a "GulliBULL"

Snapshot of a boring sunday and Casa de Cathy.....

Cathy is busy killing Nazi's on her PSP with headphones on while Susan is sitting next to her on the couch. The cubs game is on. Dad is watching from his customary arm chair.

Susan is putting her finger in Cathy's face "I'm not touching you...I'm not touching you". Cathy, while still looking down to her PSP grabs Susan's arm with one hand then punches her hard in the shoulder with her other arm.

Fast forward 10 minutes. Susan, "Cathy... you bruised me you hit me so hard!" Cathy, "Come here let me see." Susan walks over and pulls up her sleeve to show Cathy her bruise. Cathy looks concerned then in a flash winds up and punches Susan RIGHT on her bruise LO!L.....Life is great! Susan is currently in her bedroom not speaking to me.....sigh. Dad wants to know if we will ever grow up...nah, I doubt it.

In relevant news: Manchester United won the EPL title today. A matchup of one and two takes  place next week in the Champions League Final. I may have to take the day off for that one.

In the "I really could give a shit" news: One of the Bush twins got married.

Wedding Bells, Barf and LAX

I made it back from my quick jaunt home to DC for my friend Randy's wedding. It was very elegant and quite the affair. From the sushi to champagne, everything was perfect. Randy looked as happy as I have ever seen him and his bride Kim looked beautiful and equally as enamored. 

I went to my nephew Mitchell's Lacrosse game and his DARE graduation of his fifth grade class (anti-drug program at school). I don't recall ever having that when I was in elementary school...then again....I didn't exactly stay away from drugs...hmmmm...back when I went to school you had to learn on your own that doing bong hits before soccer practice really wouldn't improve you game. Or, you had to get kicked out of basketball practice by the coach because she thought you were high....kids today have it soooooo easy. 

Anyway, Mitchell got sick during their performance while he was up on the risers in front of the whole school. He puked right on the kids in front of him...it was classic. The poor kid was so embarrassed. I'm sure at the time he thought it was the end of the world, but after a trip to the ice cream parlor and a new Liverpool soccer jersey....he was fine. He is becoming quite the Lacrosse player too. Matthew turns 10 today!!! Little Matty is in double digits! Sigh. Happy Birthday to him! He missed his soccer game when I was there because he was a little ill. He is better now though.

Been a Long Time....

Reader's Digest Version:

1. Grandma's birthday celebration was a blast! She had a beer and we all played poker that night at my cousins house. Great times! The girls were chasing Mitchell around and one of my cousin's daughters beautiful Dannielle (above in between Mitchell and Matthew) we suspect gave Mitchell an extra 'special' goodbye (kiss)....LOL. Hey, they are third cousins and my dad says that is legal in Indiana....hahaha

2. Traveling with dad is difficult and airlines and airports suck for the disabled!

3. Mason was one and done!

4. Been traveling a lot for work and am going back home (DC) this weekend for my friend Randy's wedding. I don't do weddings, but for him I made an exception as he is a dear friend and I am truly happy for him.

5. My favorite line from my dad while we were in Laporte: (we had ajoining hotel rooms)...dad peeks in Sat. moring, "Catherine, what time are you getting up?!". Me, "I guess now, Dad"

Sunday, he peeks in "Catherine, are you getting up yet?!""...ugh, I guess so".

100 Years and Counting

Happy 100th Birthday Grandma!

...and happy birthday to my sister Pat in Minneapolis!

Knock out the IRISH!!

OK, Mason's mascot "Gunston", sucks!! When I went to GMU we had  a Patriot looking dude...then they switched to this Cookie Monster looking thingy....I mean look how cool the Notre Dame mascot looks.  

Dad said Mom is rooting for the Irish up in Heaven, but I don't believe him...she did love her Irish. Coincidently, I'm flying to Southbend in a week...should I wear a GMU t-shirt? 

Tune in this Thursday!! GOOOOooooo Mason!

Goin' dancin'

George Mason won the CAA tourney which gives them an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. They played a great tournament and needed to win the tourney to make it to the big dance, as they played too inconsistently during the season to get an at large bid....could it happen again??? Sunday night will reveal their first round opponent. I figure Mason will be a 13 seed. Keep your fingers crossed!! Video of them cutting down the net is to the left.

Took dad to the Nationals vs. Indians today. I think he had a good time...I know he like the hot dogs, nachos and peanuts...hope I don't have to call 911.

PLLLLLAAAAYYYYY BALL!!

Anyone who remotely knows me knows how much I love baseball and look forward to Spring Training. I took Monday off and enjoyed Albert Pujlos and the Cardinals take on our hometown Nats. I dropped Pop off at the poker parlor and enjoyed my beer and sunshine and baseball...it was a great day. In an interesting and unique way, the Brevard Sheriff's helicopter flew into the stadium, hovered in centerfield and threw out the first pitch....clever. 

Dodgertown (last year for Dodger's there), more Nats and the Astros are upcoming.

The Florida Tech men's basketball season ended on a sour note as they lost in double OT in the conference tournament. Dad is really getting into the team and enjoys the games. The bleachers are hard for him to get in and out of so we may do season handicap seats next year. He enjoys the closeness of the action, and being an Indiana alum, loves his basketball. They are a good team now, with a great coach and we enjoyed watching them to the end. 

Getting ready for our trip to LaPorte for Grandma's big bash.

I have jury duty next week....ugh. I'm going to tell them I am a leftist/socialist/marxist/revolutionary...think that will get me out of duty???

I got sucked into the Texas and Ohio primary results last night and as a result didn't go to bed until well after midnight. Hillary is making a comeback and I am glad. I like and respect McCain (election  reforms is a hot button of mine and he supports my opinion) but have a hard time with his tax breaks to corporations and, more importantly, his stance on increasing the troops in Iraq. I think Hillary has a better chance to beat him than Obama, who I also like, I could be wrong...most of the 'crackers' where I live wouldn't vote for a woman or a black man so my county is lost anyway...bunch of rednecks as far as I'm concerned.

You know my stance; I respect who you vote for and your opinion(hell, I fell in love with a staunch Republican). As long as it is a self decided vote and you have a reasonably valid reason. Not, "I ain't votin for no chick!" or, and I swear to God I personally heard this one, "I voted for him because my husband told me to!"... sigh...

OK, I ranted enough....PLAY BALL!!

Bess Reeder 100 Years

Project Complete! You may not notice the edits, but I finally finished my tribute to the greatest Grandma in the world, Bessie Belle Vermilyer Reeder. Happy 100th.

!

Work in Progress

I have to post an update. In the meantime, I am working on a project for my Grandmother's 100th birthday in March. I will be traveling to LaPorte, IN for a party in March with my Dad to celebrate and am planning on showing a video...see how it is going so far and let me know...

Catchin Up

Reader's Digest version:

1. Xmas up in Twin Lakes State Park, Va. We rented a mini-van and drove up. It was fun, but a bit much for Dad...and Cindy. Probably won't be doing that again anytime soon.

2. Dad almost died....but, 911 and Susan being home helped save his life. Sudden congestive heart failure. He is fine now, back to his usual charming self. Last spotted wrestling a frozen chicken in the kitchen...the chicken lost.

3. My trainer is still kicking my ass. She is obsessed with the treadmill these days...gonna have to sneak in there one night and sabotage them...or hire an al-queda operative to go all suicide bomber on them....

4. Met Aunt Carol and her husband for lunch at Wolfgang Puck's last weekend in downtown Disney....went to the Virgin record store. Susan bought two seasons of the Mary Tyler Moore show...I bought her the third season if she promised I wouldn't have to watch them with her. I acquired the first season of that TV classic "the white shadow"...one of my all time favorites. Dig those short shorts baby!

5. Took Dad to the Florida Tech basketball game last Saturday. It went into OT and they won (beat Eckerd). Dad was getting into the game and had fun. The tall dude from England (7'7" didn't play thought, he was injured. We can't wait to see him in action

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6. I got a MacBook. Going all Mac at home.

7. Randy, that is "christmas randy" to those up north announced he is getting married. I'm happy for him, he deserves it....or doesn't deserve it...depending on how you view marriage...don't get me started.

8. Clinton took Florida, however, the brilliant minds that collectively make up the FL Democratic party managed to get themselves suspended from the Nat'l party so no delegate votes count...so far. Why is Florida always fu**ing things up when it comes to elections...McCain won the other primary. I'm a registered independent so didn't vote for any of the aforementioned.

9. Saw Collective Soul at the House of Blues and stayed at the Celebration Hotel and spa. Susan and I pampered ourselves with Massages and manicures/pedicures....then saw a great show....hang-over the next day, but worth it.

10. The housing market sucks and I still live in the hood....but I have Cindy and my piece so we're all good.

Added new content (check to the right...er ...my other right) and updated this blog....videos and polls will change periodically and/or whenever I feel like it.

Xmas Pictures:

Long time no see

I know...I will post, lots to talk about....in the mean time, watch the video my sister susan did back in 1988 using video machines and videos made from old super and regular 8 movies.

more later....don't laugh too hard at the eighties mullet...LOL

Basketball Season is Here...and Turkey Day is Near

I haven't posted in a while...been busy. Truthfully, things have been relatively quiet at the Reeder household. Dad isn't sick, Susan is still jammin on Guitar Hero and Cindy is pooping like a well oiled machine.

The college basketball season has started which is awesome. I view George Mason games via the Internet, they are 2-0 so far but have not looked real impressive. The local college here has a 7'7" dude from England so I will go to some of their (Fl Tech) games as well to see that! FYI, he looks nothing like this:

I have gotten strangely obsessed with the new Simpsons game for Xbox. Normally, if you can't shoot, throw grenades, car jack or beat the crap out of someone in a game...I'm not for it. But, I am into this 'quest' game for some reason....maybe it is because it allows me to put off doing something actually productive. the new Medal of Honor game (Airborne) is fun and I ALWAYS enjoy killing Nazis...who doesn't!

Pat is coming down for Turkey day. She will be in Jerusalem for Xmas so she is coming to visit dad...and Susan and I too. She had to put her beloved T-Rex (kitty cat) down recently so we will do what we can to chear her up. I'm sure she will entertain us for the weekend. I already scheduled an extra training session with my trainer (a.ka. the wicked witch of the west) for the Friday after Thanksgiving....ugh.

Rocco (a.k.a. "wig snature") rules:

sigh....all three Susan's cats are still alive.....maybe Pat will take one or two home with her??? Pat?? the weather is cool for down here, around 60 degrees. People have heavy sweaters and turtle necks on LOL!! I'm still wearing shorts.

More later....go Patriots!

Core THIS Bit@*

I started seeing a personal trainer. I met with her last friday and discussed my goals and we started my workouts today. Now, let me tell you...this trainer (her name is Christie) is a petite pretty blond who is all muscle and a real good motivator. She isn't intimidating and really quite sweet.

However, 15 minutes into my workout SHE LOOKED LIKE THIS!!

Christie (a.k.a. Witch Hazel) is smiling because she gets some sort of demented pleasure watching someone do squats until they are about to pass out and leg lifts until your shaking so much you look like a parkinson's patient. Allthewhile, she is repeating "we must work on your core.....we must work on your core..." WTF! I got your core....Arrgghh

Susan finally got a new (used) car. I think she got tired of the duck tape holding up her fender (I thought I applied it quite well, actually). She got a Nissan Altima 3.2 V6. It is neat AND practical. It even has tiptronic shifting, if you so desire. Of course she was getting nervous when I drove it and was fooling around with the shifter, the Bose stereo and the Sun roof all at once....she has no sense of adventure!

If I don't die tomorrow after my workout with Christie...I'll write more. If you don't hear from me, please call the police...I think she is trying to kill me.

Just Wait Until Next Year

99 years and counting.....sigh. Truth be told, I really wasn't expecting much from the Cubs in the post season. They just weren't good enough, I knew, to win the pennant. But...I certainly didn't expect them to get SWEPT! Their division was just so week, winning it wasn't an impressive accomplishment. As Susan said, "Yay, we're the best of the worst!"


Well, there is always next year. And hey, it will be the 100 year anniversary of the Cubs world series win, so maybe they'll get lucky....already can't wait for spring training '08.

On a brighter note, college basketball season is starting up. I do have high hopes for my GMU patriots. They return all five starters and have a good recruiting class that includes a 6'10" Romanian. They play my friend Alison's K-State Wildcats on Thanksgiving...everyone knows I'm a betting person so we may have a friendly wager.

Andy told me a funny story the other day. Uncle Kenny and Aunt Vesta paid him an Anne a visit at Twin Lakes State Park. Apparently when Aunt Vesta took her wig off and laid in on the couch, Rocco mistook it for some sort on hairy invading creature and proceeded to attack it! OK, you have to know both Rocco (Andy and Anne's hyperactive mutt) and Aunt Vesta to get the visual....but trust me, it is funny stuff.

Things are busy at the Reeder abode. The hot water heater broke last Friday. Susan had to take a cold shower....I staid stinky all day until "Paul the Plummer" came to install a new one. Thankfully, he is a nice guy and installed it first thing Saturday morning....Cindy was complaining about my stink and we don't want Cindy upset. Speaking of Cindy, dad has got her so spoiled that he even cooks her own lunch with his. I told him to stop and have to monitor what he gives her. The other day I caught him giving her Chili...CHILI! I can't even begin to explain to you the odors and sounds coming from her later that night. I told him if he did that again, I was going to make her sleep with him!! She has him wrapped around her little paw...and sits there innocently gazing up at him when he is eating a sandwich, giving him the ol' "mommy never feeds me, look at my cute floppy ears and puppy dog eyes." routine. I think I at least have him trained (yes, that is right....HIM trained...Cindy, as you know, is un-trainable) not to give her anything spicy and to limit it somewhat. But whothehell knows what really goes on when I'm at work. Those two are trouble.