FamGuyToday by Aunty Fox

Headed back to the hospital this morning for an 11:00 surgery to put a new valve in the shunt system in her head. Seems the old one is faulty, and has been draining way too much cerebral-spinal fliud into her abdomen. They have wasted days/weeks/months, trying everything else, while Kari has been incapacitated with a 'bad valve'. Headaches so bad she's throwing up this morning, but she seems in a much better mood, because finally they seem to be getting to the real problem. Let's hope they get it right this time.

basically, "most Republicans live in an alternate universe formed by the bellicose beligerance of Rush Limbaugh and the low rent bullying of Bill O'Reilly". Talk about hitting the nail on the head. Those FOX News viewers, who believe the Repub owned propaganda machine actually is a legitimate news network are unable to grasp the reality that 90% of news organizations aren't a liberal plot. They just report the news as it happens, and don't have to put 'fair and balanced' after their name, as if that makes it true. FOX News, what a joke, if it weren't so sad....

again. Bottom line, the Dr.'s found out Kari's shunt tube was partially blocked at her abdomen, but didn't know why, so they repositioned it. They then closed her up with glue, which never works, and they said they wouldn't do again, BUT because there is no communication, the info didn't get communicated. Also, she was in terrible pain, for hours afterward, because of miscommunication about what and how much pain medication to give. The resident in charge decided to give her IV caffeine, because he thought it could be a caffein headache. That kept her awake all night, in pain. Finally found out, after 12 hours of intense pain and crying, that she was getting 25% of her normal dose of Dilaudid, that was a minimum to kill the pain. She had also told them that Percocet/Percodan/morphine DOESN'T work for her, only Vicodan. So what did she get. Percocet, at a low dosage. Also, she is allergic to Vancomycin, and has to get Benadryl with it, or breaks out in a rash, wi...

in record time, from Houston. My favorite view, in this whole beautiful world, is the 'storm' city, where I have endured so much, in my REAR VIEW MIRROR! Nothing is so wonderful. The feeling of hitting the road, with my family, home and life (not to mention my kitty) at the end of the road, makes the miles just melt away. Have been home less than 3 hours, but am mainly unpacked and have begun putting out the final fires that followed me home from Houston. All in all, not a terrible trip, but, like real life, could have been better. Will write more when I get the chance, but LOTS to do now. Kari goes in for another (#14?) surgery tomorrow. Later....

one good, one bad. The good one. Whatever left over ice cream bars I leave, are gone, SO, I'm eatin them. Yummm..The bad? The McCain news bite, about the white girl, molested and carved with a (backwards) B, by a black Obama supporter on her face, was all a hoax. Surprise! The Repubs are getting desparate. Look out, anything is possible. Just ask Willie Horton and the Swift Boat people. Don't misunderestimate them. They are sleazy, with a capital S...

leaving Texas in the morning, having aged about 5 years in the last couple of months. Not ALL bad, but mostly, bad. I think I am gonna come out of this with a pretty good long term job with USAA, in northern Colorado. Was it worth it? Very questionable. Only time will tell, but at this point, feeling VERY used, by the system. I learned a LOT, and that's worth something. Will never take home for granted again. Pray for me, as I am on the road, tomorrow, and the next day, and who knows what's gonna happen. Bottom line, has been VERY interesting, and that's what I was looking for, as I left home, on this latest adventure. Could be worse, lots of people lead BORING lives. NOT me...

came today, when the apt mgr, with an assistant, in case there was trouble, handed me an eviction notice. Seems my guy, Martin, who sublet me this apt, hasn't paid the rent for the last 2 months. The good news... They are kicking me out the same day I was planning to leave. Am gonna do the same insurance gig, from the comfort of my own home. Looks like my new territory is northern Colorado, instead of Houston, TX. Will let you know...

for Obama. Have seen what happened to JFK and RFK when they got in the way of this crowd. Way too much $$ involved for the Cheney/Rumsfeld/Bush crew to just walk away, and there's no other way they're gonna win. Scary, and maybe I'm just a conspiracy theorist, but I'm just saying, "Let's be careful out there."

who may be reading this blog, so am pulling some stuff down. Big Brother IS out there... (OK, now it's gone) amazing this has to be part of the mentality of a blogger in AMERICA. But, it's true....

while I wait for Carol to pack, then I'll be taking her to the airport after a fantastic weekend, that went by way too fast. We saw 'W', the movie, and I gotta admit I was very much surprised by the way Oliver Stone made him look. I came away with a more sympathetic view of the guy, even though he has screwed us all, 'big time'. He may have done it with good motives, but just stupid tactics, who knows. I still see him as a shill of Big Oil and the military machine, but maybe he was more of a pawn, being used by the Cheney-Rumsfeld crew, rather than actively leading us 'down the path'. Who knows. Bottom line, these last 8 years have been a disaster that we will paying for, for a long time. Was just kinda surprised by Stone's take on it. Was expecting a more critical view of the cowboy conman....

a couple of good stories. First, about Joe the plumber, on whom McCain based most of his debate strategy. Seems he isn't even a licensed plumber, and second, he would be better off under Obama's tax plan. Sorta like McCain's vice presidential pick. Impulsive and wrong. Next, there was a review of 'W', the new Oliver Stone flic. What a gold mine for a film producer. W, a walking, talking tragedy, that is funny in a way, if you don't count what he has cost us. Should be an interesting movie. Enough stuff for now, gotta get to work, as W is in the background, on TV, assuring us he has everything in control. Don't know about you, but it sure makes me feel better...

to George Bush. You have been such a total loser, that you have cost the Repubs not only the presidential election, but also the legislature. Definitely not worth the long term damage you've done, but one has to look for the 'silver lining'. The Big Question? Can we survive your legacy? Maybe, maybe not. It's gonna be real tough for a LONG time. NEVER has anyone caused SO MUCH long term damage. The good news, it's gonna make us survivors that much tougher. A Darwinian legacy for the 'no science' guy. Would be funny if it weren't so sad...

set by our man W. The worst approval rating EVER! Wow. Who coulda seen this comin'? As I have said, over and over, this clown did more damage to my country than ANYONE in the history of the United States. Without a doubt, the worst thing to ever happen to our country. But, the good news, he's history... Not that I'm a huge Obama fan, or dislike McCain that much. Am just SO happy to realize that cowboy conman is on his way into the sunset. Whew.. We ALMOST didn't survive him, but his legacy is gonna hurt us, and our children, for decades...

and I ain't got nobody..., Just spoke w/Carol, who was with the kids, though nobody took the time to speak w/me. Kinda hurt, but hey, they are having a good time, and I am far away.. Was gonna go out, but takes too much time. Can close a claim in the time it takes to travel and wait. Bottom line, work til I'm too tired, then do it all again tomorrow. Could be worse...

the Bill Murray movie. I live it. The alarm goes off, it's not Sonny and Cher, BUT, it takes a millisecond to figure out where I am, then it hits me. I am HERE and NOW. I am in Houston, TX, not my home on a golf course, with my wife, in Colorado, and it's gonna be another one of those days. Not complaining. Many people have it MUCH worse, but it is not my normal life, and it always takes a little while to get used to it when I wake up. The good news. I finally found a REALLY good Chinese Buffet. That is HUGE in my world. Every few days, I can hork out on good salad, vegies, and sushi. Life is good, for awhile, anyway. As I say, not complaining, but it always takes me a while to get used to a new environment, and I am getting close. Am entering the 'sweet spot', of the storm. PTL...

Here I am, far from home, and the financial world (worldwide) is in meltdown stage. WOW. Who coulda seen this coming? Anyone who watched W and his policies at work, and had a brain that's who. Is that you??? It's been so obvious for so long. Kinda hard to feel sorry for anyone who was surprised by it, although a BUNCH of innocent people, as well as you guilty Bush supporters, are gonna suffer, BIG time for a LONG time. Gotta believe God is in charge, and He put that idiot in charge for a reason. The big meltdown's gotta be a part of His plan. Hold on tight, it's gonna get real ugly, before it gets better.

of time, that I don't have. My ATT Laptop Connect card is next to worthless, as I keep getting kicked off-line, at the worst times. SOO, I signed up for a package with cable TV and HiSpeed internet, which I tried to hook thru my wireless router, BUT, someone entered the wrong Mac address at the cable co, so nothing worked. Wasted hours, until I finally got hold of a tech guy who found the problem. Finally works. Yahoo!! I can get on-line, which is crucial. Still no cable TV, but I can live with that, for awhile. Can you believe this stock market tank job? THANKS GEORGE. I still think silver is gonna do well as the US $ gets totally diluted. We'll see. Time to take a break...

cause I don't feel like starting work yet. 'Tis s'posed to start raining pretty soon, so that would be a good excuse to postpone inspections today, and I could sorta catch up on writing estimates., which would be nice. I have a rookie 'odditer' who rejects my file if it's not 100% at every line, unlike other auditers I hear of, who really care about getting something done. He's making it much tougher than it needs to be and is costing me SO much in wasted time redoing little stuff. Oh well, it's gotta/gonna get better. Being so busy during this national, now international financial crisis has kept me from watching and reacting with my investments. Had actually been pretty well positioned, as I have been saying for years, as you have been reading here (both of you), that Bush and his crew have wrecked this country/economy in ways that will take years to play out, as the stock market sets all-time record losses, daily. As I have said, this recession is gon...

with Steve Burns, another Colorado adjuster, I met at our first meeting in Houston. He's a former USAA staff guy, who really knows the system, and has helped me, 'a bunch'. We originally planned to get together this Sat nite, go out for a nice dinner, and just forget the fact we are Colo guys, stuck in Houston, for who knows how long. BUT, we are gonna have a meeting, do some business, and I'm fixing steak and shrimp w/the fixin's. My first date/visitor to my apt since I got here. Oop's, I forgot the flowers...

Spent a whole lotta time today doing mind numbing stuff, and didn't get much done, BUT it was all stuff that had to be done sometime, so, at the end of the day, am glad it's done. Yesterday, my old (2005) GPS got me lost one too many times, and since there is no update for it, (Itried), I pulled into Best Buy and bought a new one, with all the updates. Got on Craigslist, listed my old one and sold it in less than an hour. Cash. I LOVE Craigslist. Time to hit the sack, after only 15 hours, cause I'm exhausted. Gotta start exercising, I tell myself everyday. Tomorrow, I gotta do it....