Buckle up cowboys & cowgirls, this one is going to be a long one. We all have pet peeves, those things about other people that push us closer to the edge: Foot tappers, chronically late, dishes in the sink, leaving the toilet seat up, and the list goes on and on; we all have them. For me, an unusual one is how much we use the word ‘believe’ in the Christian vocabulary; “I believe in God” Definition: Believe – to…
I’m always considering the potential consequences of actions, looking at as many sides as I can see to determine the best course of action. When someone asks me a question, I might just stare off into space for what I’m sure seems like a long time to the questioner. Then I usually reply: Sorry, I had to put that in my ‘Bruns-O-Matic’, which at that point I’ll share what solution I have devised. As reliable as it can be, the…
We have survived week 1 of the treatments and living in our ‘Tiny House’ without too many squabbles. Suzanne’s treatments are cumulative so this week was an easy one for her. At this point, she is doing all she can as preventative measures to prepare for the later weeks. Since Monday is Labor Day, we have a long weekend ahead of us here at home. Her radiation treatment was done by 9:00 am this morning so we were on the…
Ever since we were married, I affectionately refer to Suzanne as “Wife”. What’s for dinner wife? OK wife, where do you want to go today? Actually not sure if she likes being called ‘wife’, never asked her. Everyone usually ends up with some nickname for their spouse. Some are cute, some are funny, some can’t be said in public, but all are meant to be a personal connection with your partner. It’s that personal connection that keeps our marriage alive….
In your own house, you get used to the conveniences we have purchased and accumulated over time. We know how to connect to the internet, run the microwave, the TV remote, thermostat, and even our Google or Alexa personal assistant if we have one. Let’s just say our new place here in Chicago offers some challenges to the comforts of home. Besides the fact that our new place is about the size of our living room at home, the floors…
Arriving at the Hospital the other morning for Suzanne’s Port placement provided me an interesting observation. Suzanne was carrying her small purse that contained her phone, ID’s, and glasses. I was with my ‘Man Bag’ that has been a part of me since college. In this bag, I carry everything I think we will need as we navigate this Journey At registration, we were asked about Suzanne’s Medical Power of Attorney. I had provided that at another office but they…
Today was a triple whammy and it started early as we had a 20-minute walk to Rush from our apartment this morning. Suzanne had her first Radiation treatment this morning. Relatively quick, the treatment lasts only about 30 minutes. They then presented our schedule for the remaining treatments and except for the next couple of days, they are all at 7:20 am. Who told them we were farmers? Next, we were off for her 1st Chemotherapy treatment. A 4+ hour…
Remember how thrilled you were when you packed your car to head off to college? Or the excitement you felt when you and your new wife moved from that one-bedroom apartment to a spacious 3 room flat? Or the joy of finally moving into your first house? That’s not the feeling we had today. Moving day is an emotional experience. Usually, it’s a day that you look forward to, new surroundings, new experiences. This move for us does bring new…
I have a friend at church that for years has referred to me as Alfred E. Newman, the face of ‘Mad Magazine’. Back when we were both kids, ‘Mad Magazine’ was a half satire, half comic book type magazine aimed at teenagers. My friend calls me Alfred E. Newman not because I look like Mr. Newman, but because of his infamous motto: “What, Me worry?” Anxious, Worry, Concern, Fret – As humans, faced with the daily tasks of life, add…
Suzanne reads my notes here every day. She says it somehow keeps her in touch with where my head is at. I know for a fact, this is something that she has been trying to do for years. So, if you are reading this, I encourage you to make a comment on a post from time to time. You don’t have to tell me that my ideas are ‘a little out there’ as my ego is pretty fragile. But tell…