02.22.08
Update on the Patriarch…
The Hospital is not a fun place. Of course, with my family, any location can be transformed from the dullest of dull to the brightest of bright. We have spent the last several days there in ICU with my Grandfather, who had several small strokes, and now has a subdural hematoma.
All the Aunts are in, as well as half the cousins, which keeps the dynamics interesting.
Grandfather has been ‘with it’ enough to inform the nurse that he wants to die and that there is a sword in his cane. She had to confirm both with the family. To the first she awkwardly left the room, and the the second she requested the we sign out the saber hiding walking stick…which we did.
He has been talking about ‘giving up the Ghost’. I told him he has to meet this baby, and that the Lord has to take the ghost away. We will see. His stats looked good, but people don’t often talk about dying unless they are going to.
We await the results of the latest CAT scan. Hopefully the Neurologists decision to cancel brain surgery yesterday was wise.
Fun Fun Fun. I am going to nap now.
02.08.08
We got Blowed Up (Almost)
Every time we try to sell a Vehicle, it stops running. At this point we have put $550 dollars into a Jeep that we don’t want to sell, but that we have to in order to buy a truck so that my Handsome man can take side jobs (we now own our own business).
This particular Jeep has long been a source of peace and contentment. Its Four-wheel drive capabilities and general reliability made it a mainstay in our life.
Several months ago a friend put in a new fuel pump for us (we weren’t sure this was the problem at the time, but accepted His generosity). The Cherokee drove along swimmingly until this last week, when it wouldn’t stay started.
We took it to a mechanic, along with the original fuel pump (which, it turns out, works fabulously) to get fixed. When the mechanic called Nate, he was stunned. Our friend tripped some wiring, and the fact that the fuel line hadn’t sparked and exploded was a miracle.
Little did I know that while I prayed for my husband’s safety throughout the day, he commuted in a time bomb! How often the Lord preserves us, and in such a multitude of ways!
In my reading I am in Job. Some verses in Chapter 4 caught my attention:
” As for me, I would seek God, and to God would I commit my cause, who does great things and unsearchable, marvelous things without number:”
I understand that preservation of life is not an end all, but at this point in our lives, I am thankful God sees fit to preserve the life of my husband.
02.05.08
Keeping My Nose Clean, and not Bombing the IRS
The middle of the sixth day of my sinus infection has passed without event. This week has been replete with tea drinking, nasal passage cleaning, steaming and eucalyptus oil. Now I have the hacking cough that inadvertently engages my vocal chords.
Tonight’s Goal: only get up once, and avoid hallucinogenic mimicking dreams (we know that can’t be the cause for my night-time trips…I am pregnant…most cough drops are prohibited!).
After doing our taxes, and finding that we owe dear old Uncle IRS, I am under the firm conviction that Ron Paul would take the lead in the Republican primary if the public were required to have their taxes done before Super Tuesday. I am a believer.
Who doesn’t love being ground to a pulp by this ravaging government entity? The existence of this bureau also contributes to my growing theory that Abraham Lincoln is a candidate for one of the worst presidents of the United States. Or perhaps not so united, in his case. It was under his brilliant career in 1862 that congress passed an income tax. You can read all about it at their own website.
Did I mention that the gentleman I spoke to at the IRS ( I wanted some clarification before I cheerfully sent off our check) treated me like I was an idiot, before appraising me of the fact that only half of America pays income taxes. I wanted to ask two things:
1) Does he mean half of the actual citizenry?
2) Is he inciting me to tax aversion? If it weren’t for some New Testament passages, I’d accept.
