another funeral. When one lives in a small rural Iowa town, there are a lot of those. This time it was for a gent I'd never met, my roommate Joan McFee Bentley's husband Billy's dad Bill. The Bentleys hail from Diagonal.
We had a busy day planned for Saturday, so I went to the memorial service alone at 2 PM after hitting the grocery store, cleaning and baking brownies. We're having peeps over today for fireworks viewing (see my sad blog from the 4th of July when all the events were cancelled due to storms). Yeah, I know...just call me Suzie Homemaker. I even warshed me up some rugs.
Paul was doing manly stuff like installing our new storm door and mowing the lawn. Then he had to haul organic stuff to the compost site and cardboard to the recycling site. Testosterone was oozing from his pores.
The memorial was crowded - full of Diagonal folks, where the Bentleys lived, Clearfield people - where they retired to and where Bill spent a couple years in the nursing home. Plus Creston people. The service was here in town. Joan, Billy and Billy's mom greeted people as we came in. It's always a bit awkward being introduced as Joan's roommate. (Sometimes to be a smart ass I say - this is who I sleep with during the week - but she's a floor up). Didn't think that appropriate in this case...
Nice service. I was surprised to note that Bill's birth date is exactly my father's - 9/4/28. Plus he died of a similar thing as day - twisted intestine. Weird - no? I couldn't help but think how Dad would have loved to visit with this gentleman I'd never met! They would have found many things to talk about. It made me miss my daddy.
Then I rushed home to be here at 3:00 PM for a meeting with a new couple from our church - we do a marriage ministry, working with couples before they get married. This one ended up being a no-show. It was our first couple assigned since I wrote the letter supporting gay marriage to the local paper. Thought Father Pins likely tossed our names in the 'ol recycle bin after seeing that letter...guess not.
Now it's up to the couple. They'll need to call and reschedule when it fits our schedule. Funerals, weddings - all part of life ay?
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Friday, July 30, 2010
When the going gets rough
I get bitchy to my husband. I'm not proud of it. He's one of the people I love best in all the world. Somehow, when I'm not at my best - I take it out on him.
Yesterday, I had this plan in my head that I would be all recovered from my colonoscopy and would be able to drive to DSM and go to work. Instead I hardly slept the night before due to being all bloated and miserable. So I sat around our house all day frustrated that I wasn't popping back to normal.
When Paul got home - I was just itching to be mean to someone. So I was - critical about stupid little things he did when he got home. I'm sure you out in readerland are shocked and amazed that I could have this type of behavior. Except Amy - who knows exactly what I'm talking about - as she's lived in close quarters with me and has seen my inner meangirl. In other words - let my Pat out.
Pat is my mother. She could be quite the meangirl. Especially after a couple bourbon and waters. It was like she had stored up her angst from years and started letting it out later in life.
Not a role model one should emulate, and most times I avoid it. When I'm feeling crappy (literally) is one time I revert. Apologies were in order. All is forgiven. Making up is a good thing! It's good to be married to someone who puts up with me. (and who I can put up with...)
Yesterday, I had this plan in my head that I would be all recovered from my colonoscopy and would be able to drive to DSM and go to work. Instead I hardly slept the night before due to being all bloated and miserable. So I sat around our house all day frustrated that I wasn't popping back to normal.
When Paul got home - I was just itching to be mean to someone. So I was - critical about stupid little things he did when he got home. I'm sure you out in readerland are shocked and amazed that I could have this type of behavior. Except Amy - who knows exactly what I'm talking about - as she's lived in close quarters with me and has seen my inner meangirl. In other words - let my Pat out.
Pat is my mother. She could be quite the meangirl. Especially after a couple bourbon and waters. It was like she had stored up her angst from years and started letting it out later in life.
Not a role model one should emulate, and most times I avoid it. When I'm feeling crappy (literally) is one time I revert. Apologies were in order. All is forgiven. Making up is a good thing! It's good to be married to someone who puts up with me. (and who I can put up with...)
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Between
my naps yesterday and being bloated with air and gas, I didn't sleep a wink. So I worked at home today instead of commuting to DSM. I wasn't sure I could stay awake for the drive - either way. Plus I was still absolutely miserable - looking about 3 months pregnant with gas.
I'm not a person that goes around "tooting" in front of others. So it's best I've been home alone today. The body can make some unusual noises. It's best I wasn't in my cubicle. For everyone. Here's hoping it's all cleared out today.
Book Club tonight at Thea's - looks like a swimming night. We read "Mudbound" a book that was somewhat depressing - post WWII story about the south. It was kinda good though. I always enjoy book club. Let's hope my little, uh, problem has resolved itself.
I'm not a person that goes around "tooting" in front of others. So it's best I've been home alone today. The body can make some unusual noises. It's best I wasn't in my cubicle. For everyone. Here's hoping it's all cleared out today.
Book Club tonight at Thea's - looks like a swimming night. We read "Mudbound" a book that was somewhat depressing - post WWII story about the south. It was kinda good though. I always enjoy book club. Let's hope my little, uh, problem has resolved itself.
In the end
You may be glad you to it came out okay in the end. Dr. Kuhl has pronounced my colon okay, with no need for re-checks for ten years unless I have problems. Yay!
Let me tell you - it was a long night. I described yesterday the preparation for my baseline colonoscopy. Drinking the gallon (I got less than half down) of the icky stuff that flushes you out was the worst part. Once it starts working - you may as well stay near the potty.
So I cleaned the mirrors and sinks. Then I read in the bathtub, hopping out quickly a couple times. When I tried to go to bed around 10:30 PM, it was a no go. Or should I say - still going too much. So I sat in the bathroom awaiting urges - quite liquid by then. Ugh.
This morning I was ready to go. Get it over with. We checked in quickly at Greater Regional Medical Center (long name for a small hospital). Emily Bruce Turner came to get us in the waiting room - yes having a procedure in you smalltown hospital is like a walk in the neighborhood. We've known Em since she was 10ish. Now she's an op room nurse who will get her Physician's Assistant diploma in December (and she and husband, high school honey Travis, have 2 children ages 5 and 3 too!).
Emily got me all prepped as we chatted and caught up on each other's lives. I met another nurse (this one I didn't recognize). Paul came in to wait with my - I was first on the docket - scheduled for 8 AM. Hmmm perhaps I needed to go potty one more time - I took my IV bag and headed in. When I came out - why there was neighbor Nancy Anthony and another nurse Becky Shields. It was like a big discussion around my bed.
But here came Dr. Kuhl and everyone dispersed. He explained the procedure to me and away he went. The nurses wheeled my gurney into the very chilly operating suite. I remember thinking - "is this where Patrick was born?" Emily and her Mom-in-Law Diana were there along with the nurse I met for the first time. The scurried to get me set. Emily shot the good stuff into my IV. Ah - I turned onto my left side while I was still able and thanked them for their efforts. (Robyn - I was "airing out my fanny" so they had access to the areas needed).
Next thing I knew, I was back in the prep area - all done. Groggy! Paul said Dr. K had reported a clean bill of colonic health - no need to come back for a decade - phew! The way things had gone lately I was a lil concerned that too would be bad news. I closed my eyes and rested some more. Then I put my clothes on and Pablo drove me home. Nap time.
It's now 5ish and I'm still feeling a bit bloated and crampy. I ate cereal and cottage cheese so far. Surprisingly I'm not starving. Hope I'm back to normal tonight - as normal as I ever am anyways...happy to have that milestone over with!
Let me tell you - it was a long night. I described yesterday the preparation for my baseline colonoscopy. Drinking the gallon (I got less than half down) of the icky stuff that flushes you out was the worst part. Once it starts working - you may as well stay near the potty.
So I cleaned the mirrors and sinks. Then I read in the bathtub, hopping out quickly a couple times. When I tried to go to bed around 10:30 PM, it was a no go. Or should I say - still going too much. So I sat in the bathroom awaiting urges - quite liquid by then. Ugh.
This morning I was ready to go. Get it over with. We checked in quickly at Greater Regional Medical Center (long name for a small hospital). Emily Bruce Turner came to get us in the waiting room - yes having a procedure in you smalltown hospital is like a walk in the neighborhood. We've known Em since she was 10ish. Now she's an op room nurse who will get her Physician's Assistant diploma in December (and she and husband, high school honey Travis
Emily got me all prepped as we chatted and caught up on each other's lives. I met another nurse (this one I didn't recognize). Paul came in to wait with my - I was first on the docket - scheduled for 8 AM. Hmmm perhaps I needed to go potty one more time - I took my IV bag and headed in. When I came out - why there was neighbor Nancy Anthony and another nurse Becky Shields. It was like a big discussion around my bed.
But here came Dr. Kuhl and everyone dispersed. He explained the procedure to me and away he went. The nurses wheeled my gurney into the very chilly operating suite. I remember thinking - "is this where Patrick was born?" Emily and her Mom-in-Law Diana were there along with the nurse I met for the first time. The scurried to get me set. Emily shot the good stuff into my IV. Ah - I turned onto my left side while I was still able and thanked them for their efforts. (Robyn - I was "airing out my fanny" so they had access to the areas needed).
Next thing I knew, I was back in the prep area - all done. Groggy! Paul said Dr. K had reported a clean bill of colonic health - no need to come back for a decade - phew! The way things had gone lately I was a lil concerned that too would be bad news. I closed my eyes and rested some more. Then I put my clothes on and Pablo drove me home. Nap time.
It's now 5ish and I'm still feeling a bit bloated and crampy. I ate cereal and cottage cheese so far. Surprisingly I'm not starving. Hope I'm back to normal tonight - as normal as I ever am anyways...happy to have that milestone over with!
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Gone to pot
It's prep day for my baseline colonoscopy. So you know what that means. Or...if you are a youngster or are avoiding your half centenarian duties you don't.
It means I get to eat a liquid diet all day today. Then, at 1ish (it was supposed to be noon but I did a radio interview at 12:30 so I pushed it back) I took 5 little laxatives. Now I'm supposed to drink half of a gallon of stuff - which has been chillin' in the frig. I know it's going to taste awful and make me crap liquid - called colyte or some such. I also get something to keep me from being gassy and crampy. Yeah right.
I'm supposed to chug not sip it. I'm not a chugger - of anything! I did put flavoring in it. It still tastes like shit. I was queasy before I started drinking this stuff!
It's not been the best day all-in-all. I did get to work at home, and loved not having to pack my bag since I'm not staying in DM all week. Yesterday I just went up for the day. I got up and walked a couple miles this a.m., but didn't do more since I didn't get to have my Wheaties.
Then we had a DNR Department wide meeting. I participated via phone. The director didn't say a whole lot. Nothing earth shattering. Then I was to do a phone interview with Iowa Public Radio on Iowa's Waste Reduction Goals. I had talked to the staff person about the interview a couple times and had sent her information. So I thought we were on the same page about the topic.
Wrong. Wendy from Cass County who I know quite well also joined me on the show. The interviewer - a guy, didn't catch his name, asked one question I was expecting and then jumped about on a variety of topics. He asked me about decomposition of waste in landfills when trash is baled. WTF guy?!?
I told him that's not my topic I'd rather talk about waste reduction - he veered back there temporarily. Then they took calls about plastic bag recycling and Styrofoam. Geez. Not what I was expecting...And on it went. When..I was rescued by an unlikely source. Our landline phone battery gave out and started beeping - I begged off when the guy asked about sighting new landfills and Cedar Rapids.
Back to my colon. The preparation is the worst part. Yeah right. Glass #1 is now history. Better go pour another. If only it tasted like a lemondrop martini...argh. I will spend a great deal of time on the potty tonight, and thanks to my buddy Nancy A, I won't fall for that - "oh it's just a bit 'o gas" feeling, or it could be a messy "shart" (figure out what that's a combo of...).
Tomorrow my husband will take me to the hospital at 7:15 a.m. I will strip, have an IV inserted. Then be sedated and a tube will be inserted in my nether parts not to be named. Luckily I'll be ga-ga and won't remember a thing! Hopefully shortly thereafter Dr. Kuhl will report smooth sailing for my colon. Then I'll be on my way home.
That will be it for me and health for the year I believe (she stated, fingers crossed).
It means I get to eat a liquid diet all day today. Then, at 1ish (it was supposed to be noon but I did a radio interview at 12:30 so I pushed it back) I took 5 little laxatives. Now I'm supposed to drink half of a gallon of stuff - which has been chillin' in the frig. I know it's going to taste awful and make me crap liquid - called colyte or some such. I also get something to keep me from being gassy and crampy. Yeah right.
I'm supposed to chug not sip it. I'm not a chugger - of anything! I did put flavoring in it. It still tastes like shit. I was queasy before I started drinking this stuff!
It's not been the best day all-in-all. I did get to work at home, and loved not having to pack my bag since I'm not staying in DM all week. Yesterday I just went up for the day. I got up and walked a couple miles this a.m., but didn't do more since I didn't get to have my Wheaties.
Then we had a DNR Department wide meeting. I participated via phone. The director didn't say a whole lot. Nothing earth shattering. Then I was to do a phone interview with Iowa Public Radio on Iowa's Waste Reduction Goals. I had talked to the staff person about the interview a couple times and had sent her information. So I thought we were on the same page about the topic.
Wrong. Wendy from Cass County who I know quite well also joined me on the show. The interviewer - a guy, didn't catch his name, asked one question I was expecting and then jumped about on a variety of topics. He asked me about decomposition of waste in landfills when trash is baled. WTF guy?!?
I told him that's not my topic I'd rather talk about waste reduction - he veered back there temporarily. Then they took calls about plastic bag recycling and Styrofoam. Geez. Not what I was expecting...And on it went. When..I was rescued by an unlikely source. Our landline phone battery gave out and started beeping - I begged off when the guy asked about sighting new landfills and Cedar Rapids.
Back to my colon. The preparation is the worst part. Yeah right. Glass #1 is now history. Better go pour another. If only it tasted like a lemondrop martini...argh. I will spend a great deal of time on the potty tonight, and thanks to my buddy Nancy A, I won't fall for that - "oh it's just a bit 'o gas" feeling, or it could be a messy "shart" (figure out what that's a combo of...).
Tomorrow my husband will take me to the hospital at 7:15 a.m. I will strip, have an IV inserted. Then be sedated and a tube will be inserted in my nether parts not to be named. Luckily I'll be ga-ga and won't remember a thing! Hopefully shortly thereafter Dr. Kuhl will report smooth sailing for my colon. Then I'll be on my way home.
That will be it for me and health for the year I believe (she stated, fingers crossed).
Monday, July 26, 2010
The day after and...
So after the wedding, and we snuck out (kinda) without too many goodbyes, we retired to our motel. Amy was left to travel with the wedding party as we couldn't pack her into our Nissan (or she might have had to sit on Boldie's lap like the luggage).
I packed my bag, ready to head out a O dark:30 for our 7 a.m. flight out of LAX. With the unknown amount of time it would take to drive from Pasadena to there to turn in the rental car. So we calculated we needed to leave at 4 a.m. I set my phone alarm and began to wait for it to go off, and for Amy to return. Not sleeping of course.
Jud breathes very loudly. My stomach was full. I ate too much. I couldn't get comfy. Boy that was SOME wedding. It was fun seeing my fam! Gee I wonder how work went this week? I can't wait to sleep in my own bed. These were thing going through my head...but not sleep.
Amy came in after 2 a.m. Finally about 3:15 Paul and I got up, put our clothes on and got ready to go. As we headed to the elevator some other people were just heading in. The valet got our car. There was a detour on the way, but by-golly Garmin got us to Hertz without taking the 405 Freeway. There were others turning cars in at that unGodly hour. We hopped on the shuttle.
Breezed through security. I should have known we were doomed! Though we flew Continental on the way out, we were on Delta on the way home, through Memphis. The terminal was nicer than #6. Again - ominous...Our 7 a.m. flight was packed. We taxied out...and stopped, returning to the gate. Pilot announced fuel leaking from an engine.
We sat while they checked it out. Time passed. I got a call on my cell - Delta said my flight was now leaving at 9 a.m. - on another plane I asked attendant? He didn't know. We de-planed and got in line. Soon they announced we needed to go to another gate - we were leaving at 10 a.m. We'd miss our connection. Damn! By the time we loaded up again and they got the sick lady off (another drama) it was 10:30 a.m. We sat in Memphis a couple hours - they gave us $6 each (whoopee!) food vouchers. Into DSM at 8:30 PM. I was beat - so I stayed in DSM at Joan's since Paul and I had our own cars. I'm not a good night driver.
Not a good way to end a fun trip, but we were safe and sound. I came home Monday afternoon and did laundry - needed clean undies and all! And to sleep with my husband without cherubs around - nudge, nudge, know what I mean?
The week went by too quickly. I've got the traveling jones I guess.
I packed my bag, ready to head out a O dark:30 for our 7 a.m. flight out of LAX. With the unknown amount of time it would take to drive from Pasadena to there to turn in the rental car. So we calculated we needed to leave at 4 a.m. I set my phone alarm and began to wait for it to go off, and for Amy to return. Not sleeping of course.
Jud breathes very loudly. My stomach was full. I ate too much. I couldn't get comfy. Boy that was SOME wedding. It was fun seeing my fam! Gee I wonder how work went this week? I can't wait to sleep in my own bed. These were thing going through my head...but not sleep.
Amy came in after 2 a.m. Finally about 3:15 Paul and I got up, put our clothes on and got ready to go. As we headed to the elevator some other people were just heading in. The valet got our car. There was a detour on the way, but by-golly Garmin got us to Hertz without taking the 405 Freeway. There were others turning cars in at that unGodly hour. We hopped on the shuttle.
Breezed through security. I should have known we were doomed! Though we flew Continental on the way out, we were on Delta on the way home, through Memphis. The terminal was nicer than #6. Again - ominous...Our 7 a.m. flight was packed. We taxied out...and stopped, returning to the gate. Pilot announced fuel leaking from an engine.
We sat while they checked it out. Time passed. I got a call on my cell - Delta said my flight was now leaving at 9 a.m. - on another plane I asked attendant? He didn't know. We de-planed and got in line. Soon they announced we needed to go to another gate - we were leaving at 10 a.m. We'd miss our connection. Damn! By the time we loaded up again and they got the sick lady off (another drama) it was 10:30 a.m. We sat in Memphis a couple hours - they gave us $6 each (whoopee!) food vouchers. Into DSM at 8:30 PM. I was beat - so I stayed in DSM at Joan's since Paul and I had our own cars. I'm not a good night driver.
Not a good way to end a fun trip, but we were safe and sound. I came home Monday afternoon and did laundry - needed clean undies and all! And to sleep with my husband without cherubs around - nudge, nudge, know what I mean?
The week went by too quickly. I've got the traveling jones I guess.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Marriage thoughts
Last night we attended a celebration for the retirement of long-time Creston High School football team and teacher Dick Bergstrom. It was held at A&G downtown - put together by our former neighbors the Owens boys, Eric and Ethan - both good players who went on to play at Division AA Missouri schools.
It seemed like mostly players from the '90s who showed up. Not sure how people were invited besides Facebook - that's how I found out. McKims were there and Eric and Ethan's folks. Plus all of Coach's assistant coaches. Lots of people to talk to!
Dick was coach for nearly 30 years and touched a lot of lives. Amy bonded with him more than Jud - as he oversaw the weight program in the summer. He appreciated her work ethic - he recently dropped off a chart from her frosh summer. She didn't miss a day of weights. She did her work/study in his classroom.
Jud wasn't as big a fan, as he played for him. He didn't really grow until his junior year and got no breaks in playing time until they discovered he was an awesome punter. Someday he'll realize he had a special coach but for now he's still too young to see it. Coach B touched a lot of lives and is a really good guy. I'm glad my kids know him.
But today, instead of that, I found myself thinking about a couple of divorces of those kids that I heard about last night. Jed Gammell and Sarah Coen were a couple high school sweethearts that seemed to be made for each other. They got married after college and had three sons. I was stunned and saddened to hear last night that they've just gone through a contentious divorce.
And one of the Owens boys, Eric married a local gal, Aimee Hilger only to divorce a couple years later. I heard about that last year. Again - I was shocked. It's been a few years since that happened and I'm glad for Eric that he's engaged to be married this fall. I noticed Eric's parents hugged some of his former in-laws at last night's event. It's nice that they're all still civil.
So during today's 5 mile walk, I lamented to myself about these young people. What happens? Why don't their marriages last? There are lots of ways for a marriage to fail - how can we count the ways? Impossible!
Some people just aren't meant to be together - it's evident from the start. But what about those couples that seem perfect for each other. And then they aren't? All through life we grow and change. When one partner changes in a way that isn't acceptable to the other, the marriage breaks down. Or unfaithfulness (and there are many ways to be unfaithful). What if one finds religion suddenly? Or quits work and won't earn a living. How much time should each of you spend on kids' activities or house work etc?
A friend's sister just celebrated her 25th wedding anniversary. The family would have taken bets against that couple making it to that milestone! Even as recently as last year. Yet they keep plugging along. Sometimes each day is a milestone!
It seemed like mostly players from the '90s who showed up. Not sure how people were invited besides Facebook - that's how I found out. McKims were there and Eric and Ethan's folks. Plus all of Coach's assistant coaches. Lots of people to talk to!
Dick was coach for nearly 30 years and touched a lot of lives. Amy bonded with him more than Jud - as he oversaw the weight program in the summer. He appreciated her work ethic - he recently dropped off a chart from her frosh summer. She didn't miss a day of weights. She did her work/study in his classroom.
Jud wasn't as big a fan, as he played for him. He didn't really grow until his junior year and got no breaks in playing time until they discovered he was an awesome punter. Someday he'll realize he had a special coach but for now he's still too young to see it. Coach B touched a lot of lives and is a really good guy. I'm glad my kids know him.
But today, instead of that, I found myself thinking about a couple of divorces of those kids that I heard about last night. Jed Gammell and Sarah Coen were a couple high school sweethearts that seemed to be made for each other. They got married after college and had three sons. I was stunned and saddened to hear last night that they've just gone through a contentious divorce.
And one of the Owens boys, Eric married a local gal, Aimee Hilger only to divorce a couple years later. I heard about that last year. Again - I was shocked. It's been a few years since that happened and I'm glad for Eric that he's engaged to be married this fall. I noticed Eric's parents hugged some of his former in-laws at last night's event. It's nice that they're all still civil.
So during today's 5 mile walk, I lamented to myself about these young people. What happens? Why don't their marriages last? There are lots of ways for a marriage to fail - how can we count the ways? Impossible!
Some people just aren't meant to be together - it's evident from the start. But what about those couples that seem perfect for each other. And then they aren't? All through life we grow and change. When one partner changes in a way that isn't acceptable to the other, the marriage breaks down. Or unfaithfulness (and there are many ways to be unfaithful). What if one finds religion suddenly? Or quits work and won't earn a living. How much time should each of you spend on kids' activities or house work etc?
A friend's sister just celebrated her 25th wedding anniversary. The family would have taken bets against that couple making it to that milestone! Even as recently as last year. Yet they keep plugging along. Sometimes each day is a milestone!
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