Time marches on

My dad asked me to come over so he could show me some papers. He showed me where the life insurance policies and wills are for him and my my stepmom. He also showed me the burial plans they have made and paid for. He said he didn't want to add any more worries to me and my brothers when they pass away. Dang, I know these things are important, but I don't want to think of my dad and stepmom as being fragile. Time marches on, but I sure wish it would slow down for the parent generation. I'm not ready for my daddy to not be here.

Whew

Sooo...I'm zipping back to Lubbock from Amarillo this afternoon in my rental and pass a DPS car. I'm only going 72 and nobody gets pulled over for 72 on I27, so I don't slow down. Lo and behold, on come the lights and over I go. I can't believe it. The officer approaches my car and says, "Good afternoon, ma'am. I'm pulling you over because you don't have a front license plate and they are required in Texas." Whew! I quickly told him that I was in a rental and showed him the contract. I told him where I work and why I was traveling today. He smiled and asked me to do him a favor. Of course I said, 'Sure." He asked me to tell the rental company that they need a front license plate and then told me to have a good day. What a nice officer!

What do you think?

I was talking with a friend about how slow the forums have been. Is it the fault of Facebook? Facebook does seem to take a lot of time, but I don't think it can take the place of forums and blogs. Of course, if I spent as much time blogging as I do facebooking, I might run out of things to say. The way I see it, forums and blogs allow one to analyze, debate and consider things in depth. Facebook is more of a snapshot of what you may have on your mind at any particular moment in addition to socializing and playing games. I like the fact that I can stay in touch with family, friends and even ex-inlaws on facebook that I haven't seen in awhile. I couldn't tell you the political or religious views of most of my friends on facebook. And that's okay. The forums cover that.

That's what I think. What do you think?

Adventures in Flying

I was booked on a flight from Lubbock to Dallas this morning at 9:30. When I checked in I was told the plane might be delayed because Lubbock ILS (Instrument Landing System) wasn't working and without ILS the pilot has to be able to see the runway. The cloud level was at 600 feet, which means the pilot can't see the runway. So we wait..and wait...and wait. Then we were told that planes with crews trained in the GPS system could land. Unfortunately, the crew on our plane wasn't trained. So we wait...you get the picture. Finally, another crew was put on the plane in Dallas and here came our plane. We boarded and were ready to take off a little after 12:30. We taxied out to the runway and then sat. The pilot then announced that we were going back to the gate. Apparently, the computer system said the number two engine had a problem. The pilot announced that maintenance would come check it out and we would be on our way. So we wait...and wait. There is no maintenance on site on Saturday. The mechanic had to be called at home. Then we were told to get our belongings and deboard the plane. We were going to fly on another plane from another gate. Unfortunately, the plane we were to board was not in Lubbock yet. So we wait. The plane landed. We boarded. We taxied out...and waited. Then, the pilot announced that we were going back to the gate to pick up some flight attendants who needed a flight to Dallas. Due to the weather, the flight attendants had to remain seated during the flight. So we didn't even get peanuts. We finally landed in Dallas about 4:30 this afternoon. All in a day's work.

What am I most afraid of?

We all get those emails that ask questions so that others can get to know you better. You know the ones...favorite drink, birthday, etc.

One question on those surveys (for lack of a better word) is what are you most afraid of. I've never really been able to answer that question because I truly didn't have an answer. Yes, I have fears. I'm afraid of rattlesnakes, but I certainly don't lose sleep over it. I'm afraid of making a fool of myself sometimes, but again I don't lose sleep over it. To me, the answer to this question should be the one thing that will send you into a cold panic, and I've never been afraid of anything to that extent...until my surgery. Now I know what I am most afraid of. Losing control of my body. I was given a spinal tap. What the doctor didn't tell me was that I would not be able to feel or move my legs as I was waking up. I could see them, but unable to even wiggle a toe. In addition to this, my body temperature was 93. The nurse put heated blankets around my head and on my body, essentially demobilizing me. I realize that I was still groggy from the spinal, but never have I felt as panicked as I did in that recovery room. All I could think was that I couldn't move and I couldn't help myself or protect myself if anything happened. I didn't panic outwardly, but my mind was not in a good state. I never want to experience this again.

New Year

Yes, the new year is here. And I, for one, am going to be a whole new me! Okay, that's a bad joke for having a total hysterectomy. I'll blame it on the drugs I am taking since I just had surgery yesterday. I'm feeling good, now. I have never had a spinal block before and I'm not sure I ever want to again. Yes, having morphine in my system for 24 hours was nice, but coming out of surgery and not being able to move my legs, feet or toes is one of the scariest feelings I have ever had. I like being in control. I was not in control of my body for awhile yesterday. I don't like that and hope I never have to go through that again.
On the bright side, I have been given the best care imaginable. My doctor is awesome and the nurses have been wonderful. And, I plan on being more energetic than I have for months or possibly even years.
Last, but not least, I have the most wonderful friends anyone could ask for. Thank you to all of you who have encouraged me and prayed for me. You guys are the greatest!