Pool Time Videos

I've uploaded some videos to YouTube of the dogs pool time from today.

Peggy's YouTube Channel

Alice Scored 225 out of 250

Pool Time

German Wasps in the Bay Window Dormer

Auntie Linda News

I chatted with Tarja on Facebook tonight and she said she would post this to the blog, but I don't see it yet so something must have distracted her.

Auntie Linda is in the hospital. She had a heart attack this morning and another this evening. They also feel her kidneys are shutting down. That's all I know, but I wanted to pass it along. Tarja says cards to Linda's home address would be okay. I'm hoping she will keep us posted.

Official Announcement

Well, I think most of you probably already know . . . but just in case you don't . . . Barry and I are getting married!! We actually met at work, I work in the office and he works in the plant on 2nd shift. We began dating on August 15, 2009 and have been together ever since. Barry has 2 daughters, Amy 22 and Amanda 19. Amy lives in Jacksonville NC and Amanda lives in Winston and is working towards a degree in nursing. We are getting married on October 9th in the mountains of NC close to where Barry's parents live. Also, both Tim and Keven really like Barry. Anyway, wanted to let everyone know . . . I still cannot believe it sometimes but God has truly blessed us in our relationship!!

John Has Great Form

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Barry Atop The Diving Board

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Barb Atop F Mountain

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Keven Defying Gravity

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Eric Update

I'm sure everybody here is aware of Eric's heart attack on Tuesday, but we thought you might like an update.

Eric is still in ICU but they were planning to find him a regular room today if possible. He was still in ICU at 5:30 this afternoon. Will consider letting him come home Monday, maybe. It all depends on how his kidneys react.

The dye used in the angioplasty effects the kidneys and his creatanine (?) levels went from 2 when he was checked in to 4+ in a person who already has reduced kidney function due to his diabetes. As the dye dissipates from his system over the next few days, they hope his creatinine level will go down and kidney function will get better. Today the creatanine level was 3 so that looks hopeful.

Peggy was able to call and talk to his heart doctor today and he said that Eric should have come in the night before when he first started having symptoms (but he didn't know these symptoms were heart related - severe nausea and shoulder pain) as the earlier they catch it the less heart muscle is lost in the attack. Getting it in the first six hours is best. As it was, they were only able to get to it in the first 24 hrs and so Eric will, at this time, only have about 25% heart function. He said sometimes some heart muscle will return... it could get better... but sounded like "not likely." I'm sure he will be on restricted activity once he returns home and may not be able to care for Peggy for some time. We'll just have to see what they say when they release him.

I am still here at Peggy's. Her part time assistant works 11 am to 4 pm Mon through Thurs only, but was good enough to stay late until 7 pm Wed so that I could go back home and make sure Merle had clean clothes and care for whatever other needs he might have at that time. I was at home that day from 12:30 to 6 pm. I will not get home again until Monday when I think I can make the same arrangement with her again. I do need to be here with Peggy every night to get her supper, put her to bed, turn her during the night if needed, and get her up the next day if Sarah isn't here. When Sarah is here, Peggy sleeps late and Sarah gets her up when she arrives.

Peggy is beginning a search for a second caregiver who can stay overnight.

We'll post more info when available.

32 lbs of Duryan

Alice, can you handle this?

Ocala Harmony

Well I've finally finished making the website for my signing group Ocala Harmony. You can go check it out at http://www.ocalaharmony.com.

Happy Birthday Freddie!

We love you!

John Scores 245 Out Of 250 on Marksmanship Test

Fred Wins at Tobago

Scorpion

I just killed a scorpion in the guest bathroom at Fred and Alie's place.

I hope they don't travel in packs.

Sent from my iPhone

JibJabbing at Jaws

I got an email from JimJab today and couldn't resist playing with this Jaws spoof.

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

A New Job

I have a big news to share: I got a new job. It is still a health actuarial job but the responsibility is very different from what I had done. The new job is to support provider contracting (both facility and physician providers). My experience has been focused on premium calculations and financial monitoring. This new job is a new field to me and I am very excited about expanding my knowledge. My new office will be in downtown Seattle and I negotiate a deal to have them pay the parking for me for the first year. I like the location as it is right at the highway exit and express lane entrance.

I had talked to my manager and Chief Actuary and they tried very hard to make me change my mind. I will give them an official two week notice on next Tuesday and will stay a couple more days to wrap up my projects.

With this job change, I got some time to visit Fred/Alice and John/Amy and a trip back home. David and I will go visit AZ from August 13th to 19th and then I am going back to Taipei from August 21st to September 5th. I have not been to AZ for more than ten years and I am looking forward to visiting Fred/Alice's new house.

Ladies & Gentlemen, help me give a warm family welcome to........

Oracle Buxton. She joined the family on July 30th. She is desperately looking for a middle name. So all of you folks out there put your creative minds to work and give up some suggestions!

All suggestions will be considered. Please have your submissions in by August 20, 2010 for consideration. And now back to your regularly scheduled blog reading....