It Hit Hard!

Hey Man!
We were all hit so very hard when we heard that grammy was hit with this ailment. We heard that she passed out from a seizure or something like that. That really put a scare in all of us. Grammy is always the sign of good health and always has all this energy. She has come here many times to cheer me up during this time when I have lost my job. But the funny thing is that she has lost her job also. But she never seems to be down. She may leave you with a scripture and good tidings and then she is on her way. The bad thing is that we don't say sometimes how we feel. Many of times I always wanted to say thank you for cheering me up and giving me some upbuilding advice and it;s always something that you really needed to hear too. Many times I have wanted to say thank you so much for keeping me in your thoughts and coming over here to cheer me up especially when she is busy herself. But no matter what she has time for all of us always. All my girls love her very much but we probably don;t say it as many times as we should say it. My wife is hit very hard with sadness right now since her mom couldn't be loved anymore than the love her daughter has for her. I never see my wife cry but today she did alot of crying and at one time I had to go downstairs to the bathroom to cry myself. The sadness just swallowed me up. Life is too short and sometimes is threatened so we need to alwys tell our loved ones that we love them.

Where are we Now?

Hey Man!
It is a wonderful thing when you get your body repaired and especially you are able to walk again. But the recouperating time can really kill you especially when you are use to working alot and you are used to being busy instead of hanging around the house. It is very tuff getting not only used to it all but adjusting your life to the time it takes to recover is unbelievable. It even makes it difficult to keep liking everyone. When you are used to seeing them for only a certain amount of time each week and then you are with them all day long and then some. My life has always been working at night so I never did see alot of the family. So we used to look forward to my days off when we would get together to do things all together. Now it is nothing like that anymore. The family looks like they have had enough of me and I can see their point of view. They have had enough and it is time for me to get back to some normalcy again. So I have all my guns out looking to get something in order to get myself back out there so I can work again. Please I need it very badly. Today I found a friend that might be getting a manager job so I could get something through that and I would be working with old time associates again. That would be so very great!

Tubing with the Buddies!

Hey Man!
We all went tubing to the Abbott's Tubing and Rafting. It was a great day, the sun was out and it was hot, and the water was like an ice cube. They said no matter what time of the year the water stays icy cold. Brrrrrrr. But after awhile it got bearable. A couple people actually dove into the water, I was afraid I would get the grand-daddy of heart attacks if I dove in that icy cold water. We had a great time floating down or up the river whatever the right words are. We even had our three year old grandson with us and that was really a great time. Mimi took care of him the entire time of the tubing exhibition. I was suppose to help but somehow my tube would not steer her way to pick up the boy, oh my. Then after we got home we were going to spend some time at our community pool but the other group took too long to get there so we ended up going home and when they came we let them have the key so they all could go to the pool for some more swimming. We all took a nap along with our grandson. But then our son-in-law came over to pick him up instead of his mother, our daughter. That was very awkward since they are going through a divorce and he was telling his side of the story to my wife and myself. So we gave him the listening ear that he seemed to have wanted. He said how sorry he was about everything but this is what has happened. It was very sad to listen to since divorce is always a very sad experience for all involved.

Where To?

Hey Man!
It is tubing tomorrow. It should really be alot of fun as long as we can keep our mind on the tubing itself instead of any of the crazy things that are happening now at this time. My mother has been doing very badly lately and we don't know what is going on with her at all. So that is very crazy right now and it keeps getting worse. We did think that after the operation that she had would have helped her at least a little bit. But it is not looking good. No, not at all. So the doctor has given us some alternatives about what we can do about our dear mother who has fought this so hard. She has put everything she can into this. We are all so proud of her and she has given me a new lease helping me not to give up on the little things in life and letting me know how important life is. We will have to tell her that the head doctor is rccomending the hospice road for her since the other roads are too difficult for her to take. Even with an operation they don't believe she will get through the operation with her life. They feel it would be too tough on her heart and lungs, along with all her other organs. They feel as though she just wants to be medicated and sleep and we do believe that that is what she truly wants. The doctor said she likes to take the medicine and lay down and sleep, wake up and repeat the same thing over again. So after I have a phone conversation with her then we will try to find out what she wants out of all this. My brother is fighting all this because he wants to make a decision but yet he doesn't. That way no blame will come to him but if something good happens he surely will take the credit. So what now?

Are They Really Real?

Hey Man!
Sometimes we think we find new relatives and since the computer it seems like it happens alot. But can we take people's word on something like that? I don't believe we can since it has happened to me so I know from the bad experience of it all and it's not all pretty. It can create bad feelings in the family for sure. I had a meeting with someone when I was just a kid, or at least a young man. A brief meeting caused someone to say I was the father. But sometimes they may not have the name of another individual so your name gets put on the certificate. And during these days when the economy is so bad and jobs are not the easiest things to find it makes it difficult to get the dna test since that could cost somewhere in the area of $300 to $500 dollars. But by not duing it sometimes they feel and think that it is all true and it's bad when you know that is not the case at all. It just so happens that someone at the time took an interest in this individule and that caused them to lean on me or at least lean on my name. At the time this was thought to be funny and they got their ha ha ha's out of it. But now with the computer and especially facebook it is not that funny anymore. Especially when you are tracked down and the only way to convince anyone is that home dna test that they send you. And especially when someone in your family is just wanting something like this so very bad now. Why? I really don't know since there are five siblings already so we have a large family. Maybe it's because we have five girls and this other person is a male. Could they have wanted a male in the family that bad that they just grabbed onto this and ran with it. It is so very hard to explain or to believe as we look at it now. It's the man that produces the male and that is just fine with me but now I don't want to think that I might have that ability to produce a male. I am not happy with that conclusion at all now.

The Move!

Hey Man!
What a difference between the tab and the enter button. It's something else. Well today was to be the move and alot of the friends were standing by to help my mother-in-law which was so great. That is so amazing when there are so many people that look to help each other. That is when you really see the love at it's best. I was on stand-by also. There were so many people that I was never really called in to help. I hope it was that and not because my grand dad had bought me a walker and a wheel chair. He was trying to be funny but it was a little gruesome instead. Since yesterday I got some bee stings and I got a very bad reaction and I had to lay down for awhile since I was having very bad pains in my chest from it. It was also my grandson's football game tonight and I was about to go but I thought that some secret people might be going so I opted out of going to his first game of football which made me feel bad about the whole ordeal. Even though I was feeling bad about it all I still stayed out of going to the function although I had gotten excited about the whole thing. I just keep saying that there will be another and I will be going there for that one. I assured him that I wouldn't miss that one even though he didn't seemed to be devastated or anything like that. I will make it up to him down the line about the whole thing. Love is a wonderful thing and we should never let it take us down with it at all.

The Move!

Just Cutting the Grass!

Hey Man!
I started my ole lawnmower like always and it's the kind that doesn't go on it's own. I always say I want all the exercise that comes with it but really I'm too cheap to spend the extra money for an upgrade on the mower. Yeah man! Oh well so I am moving along and it is a real hot day at least in the mid 90's for sure. So I get to the edge and instead of edging later I start to pull the grass out with my own hands. All of a sudden I see several bee's coming out from the grass. It looks like I might have hit a small nest of some sort. So now I am feeling a nice strong sting on my ankle and also I am feeling my face is getting a little funny feeling too. It's when I start feeling some pains in my chest that I thought I might make this come to an end now. So I got in the house and as I was laying down that the pains in my chest were getting worse. Now I am starting to worry since the pain is very very bad now. And I am also feeling the bee stings pretty bad now. So since I really couldn't spot any of the stingers I figured that I would just start scrubbing and little by little I would scrub those stingers right out of my body. It seemed to make sense to me at the time since it was really hurting now. I'll tell you that after the shower when I was laying down I was in some really bad pain, and it was all over. I really came close to going to the hospital but it was meeting night and they were dressed and ready to go, so I just said I'll be fine just go on without me. At that I was trying to be the brave guy and was out to make the family proud of me. I hope they were since I had some serious pain. The worst was my hands were swollen and very painfull. But being truthful I did get a little scared that I was close to having some sort of heart attack or just a very bad attack or an allergy attack from the stingers. It's scary when you get close to things like that. So today I went out and finished the yard and nothing bad happened. Let's see if a surprise visitor is somewhere now.

It's Tomorrow

Hey Man!
Well today we all went to the pool and that's me and the kids, that's we. We had a very good time there, the sun was shinning nice and strong. Actually I left first since they were having such a good time that I just left them there. Tomorrow it will be 7:30am and then it's over. I am headed straight to the jewish deli to get my very special food that I love so very much. It is the smoked salmon topped with a red onion and a very nice ripe tomato. Yum! After two days of eating only jello and cubed soup that will be such a great pleasure, one that I will really be looking forward to. I am even getting a little excited thinking about it being over. Especially since I have to be there at 7:30am so I should be out of there by eleven am at the latest or at least I pray that it would be the latest time possible until I get out of there. I almost feel like wearing my tennis shoes so I could dart out of there like I was shot right out of a cannon. I will be darting out of that place like a firecracker was placed you know where to give me that added charge to get going alot quicker. I will be one happy dude after that.

The Procedure

Hey Man!
Well it is only two days away before it's time for the procedure. The worst thing about it is the days before. This time it's two days of going through the strict diet and the cleansing of the body. It is all clear liquids only and no solid foods at all. It always makes it harder when you have to watch the family eating all the good things that they normally like to fix and eat. They were all eating those wonderful tomato sandwiches and of course I just love them. This is a very important procedure which people over fifthty should go through and then do it just about every five years or so. If you are found to have pollops then you must do it more frequently. It is a way to prevent cancer and there are not that many that are preventable like this one. Like I said the days leading up to the procedure are the hardest days of all. You get to fill this prescription that has this liquid that you are to drink the night before the procedure. That takes about three hours to drink and tha is the final cleaning process. It's also a little hard drinking the boulion soup that is perfectly clear. It is basically some water and you drop one boulion cube in it for some flavoring to make it a little tasty. So I have one more day to take in these clear liquids and then the final day you report at 7:30am and the procedure takes place at that time. So at least there is not that much waiting on that last day which is so good. On top of everything it's great to get all cleaned out so long as you keep remembering that only the clear liquids must you take in.

A Scare at The Labor Dept.

Hey Man!
Well it was a little scary when they told me how I had to come right in since my claim was over due. But the paper I received in the mail said to just keep filing and everything would be just fine. So I left at seven am the next morning and off I went to the labor board. I got there very early but these days it has really gotten busy, so busy that they had added chairs everywhere. So after arriving very early I had to wait and wait and wait. It is a good thing that I brought my watchtower since I had plenty of time, so much time that I finished my watchtower completely. Yes that place was jamming. But when they called my name everything went real smooth and after just a couple of minutes I was on my way home with the job done. I told the lady how bad I felt since I was still out of work but she said don't worry the jobless rate is growing as we speak. So after that I knew it wasn't just me but the economy had really dropped. So today my wife and I had a good day going to the gym to work out for about an hour. It always feels good when we do that. Especially since my checks weren't going through so we were behind in paying our bills. I had to go and withdraw some from the savings to make things right. When we have to do that it is always heartbreaking.

Where is It?

Hey Man!
Well I learned a new thing yesterday and that is called facebook. I feel a little gayish to be me and be on facebook but it seems like all my friends are there and then some. So I feel I am just moving with progress this time. What can you say about that. The only thing bad is if you have people you don't want to talk to then you could be in trouble with them toning in and wanting to be friends and if you let someone be friends that you don't know that well then stinky things could happen to you. Well yesterday I heard a bad thing that hurt. It was when a daughter called her in-laws and asked them about their divorce and her reply from them was that they were in favor of the divorce. Even my Mom when I told her once was not happy about me getting a divorce. She may have done everything possible to push me to that point but when she realized that it was going to happen she was sad and didn't want that to happen to me. But that was not the case for my daughter since the in-laws wanted their son to leave her. They had no consolling words and no way did they want them to get back together. So to them marriage is not sacred and special I guess. Even if that would not be my choice I would never be behind the divorce. Especially since you can't pick their spouse in the first place anyway. So what does it all mean? Whatever you get from it I guess.

Sunday is Over!

Hey Man!
Well like I said it's over for this week anyway. People are divorcing and others are arguing and peopkle are looking as to who gets the kids. It is getting crazy, so it's like welcome good ole Monday. Probably the worse thing is when I talked to my mom and she told me that the hospital she is in told her she had less than 3 years left in her life. That floored me especially since I never thought someone could just tell her something like that. I thought they would have to consult the family or something like that. Especially since she has a weak heart and who knows what information like that could do to her. She is laid up in the hospital with very bad legs where she can't even get around on her own. That is a big reason she can't go home yet and she did let me know about her wish to be at home when that scary day would come to get her. It is good right now that some of the family is visiting her at the hospital. Really most of the gratitude goes to kristina who at twenty one takes on alot of this. She shows her love to mom almost every day by visiting her and also bringing her food and helping her with her clothes. The rest of the family lives too far to help at this time but still that is no excuse. But the praise still goes to kristina since she is doing something that is way beyond praise. It is worth so much thankfulness I could not even begin with the praise. She is doing something very special right now and I don't think she even realizes how special it really is. I try telling her at every chance I get and that's by saying," what would happen if you were not able to do what you are doing, I would not even want to think about it". What a girl!

It is Rough!

Hey Man!
Sometimes you don't realize how good things are until it's too late. Even if you have people in the family that you don't feel like you are that close to them, you can find out later how much they did mean to you. Sometimes you don't see too much of that person and pretty much you don't think about them that much either. But all of a sudden they are breaking up and you will now loose that person from your family and even though you didn't see them that much but now you know they will be gone. So I guess I took them for granted in a way but at the time you felt like that's the way they liked it and of course you are not the type of person that would ever rock the boat. Not now, not ever. So now they are just about gone all but the crying and picking up the pieces. So it is always good to remember that when they are gone it's too late because by then the crying won't help, nothing will help at that time. And of course you wanted to step in and show your concerns but you didn't want to but in either. So when you didn't really think it was serious you stayed out of it for fear you would make it bad. Now that it has gotten really bad you think you should have said something from the beginning and maybe you could have prevented this if at all possible. It is so sad and remember it's loosing a member that really wasn't in your life that much at all. So it does make you realize what loosing family members does especially when kids are involved too. It makes me so sad especially since I really thought him and I always had this connection, I know we weren't close but I always thought that we were buddies. Now that this much time has passed there is nothing I could see me doing except start the crying machine. I might have let pride get in the way or maybe I felt I would make it worse instead of going with the gut feeling. Don't let this happen without interjecting your thoughts like I did.

Happy to be Alive!

Hey Man!
Well sometimes it seems too late to do something and you really feel bad that it has to be that way. I feel that will happen with my mom since she is in such bad condition right now. Her breathing has gotten so bad that I was thinking that the doctors must have done something that they should not have done. So I came up with the idea of looking into the matter in case that is something that happened. Of course you could look into that and think I am trying to make some money over it. But that is really not the reason, it's because if the doctors did something like that then I would feel someone should have to pay for something like that. Now I also am feeling bad about my daughters family. When they were at my house and I had a party I introduced my son in law to everyone since I had feelings for him of course. So now that they are getting a divorce I am really feeling terrible since I am feeling that there are things that I should have done that I didn't. I never knew that they were taking their relationship to this level so now I feel I could have gone to him to advise or express my love for them together. I kept thinking that it was too late to say anything and now I just feel that I should have said something especially since I feel they were good together and I really didn't feel as though bad things like this would have happened between them. So when you think you should say something don't think about it just do it!

The Convention!

Hey Man!
Well we all went to a wonderful weekend of great spirituality. It was the best. We were looking at the last days are not that far away. We can see how people have really turned bad at this time. Also with this bad economy it really seems xtra bad all the time. So by going to the convention this weekend we learned alot of what the new system will bring. We are not in fear of the end since we know what will surely come. When Jesus comes down to us all we will know that these days will come to it's end. When all the 144,00 will judge mankind with it's king Jesus Christ. Then the righteous and the unrighteous will be brought to the forfront and will be judged by our God Jehovah and his son Jesus Christ. We will want to be among the group that is approved by our king and redeemer Jesus Christ. We also look forward to the ressurrection and to the time when no man will say " I am sick". The time when there will be no more pain and no more death, the former things have been done away with. What a beautiful time for sure that will be and the devil will be put into the abyss for one thousand years. We can't wait for the day!

Here Come the Witnesses!

Hey Man!
We had our wonderful convention this weekend and many are having their convention all the different weekend's coming up for many weekend's to come. It is so faith inspiring that we need that during these days. Especially these days that we consider to be the last days. That was the true subject of the convention being in the last days before Jesus will be sent here to be our King and Jehovah God's government with then take over and will do the things that no earthly government has ever been able to do. God's promise was that one day we would all live in a paradise right here on earth, yes right here on earth. Our job will be to work right here and to bring this earth to a paradise the way it was intended to be. The 144,000 will rule in heaven with Jesus as their king and everyone else will stay right here on earth to make this a wonderful paradise. Then the scripture in Revelation 21:1-4 will come to be where it says there will be no mourning nor outcry nor pain nor death, the former things have passed away. Wow! What a great day that will be. That is why it is so important to seek God's kingdom now and all the other things will be added to us. It is important to follow the bible now and to do the things in it, like preaching the word of truth throughout the lands. The witnesses offer free bible studies to all who seek the truth.

Back at the Pool!

Hey Man!
We went to the pool today and it was a good day. The sun was shining and the water was warm and all that good stuff. What started it all out was that my grandson come into my house with grease on his shoes and he tracked it all through the house on our off white carpets. Then of course I had to take out the machine to try and clean the carpets before the grease would sink into the carpets and really make the carpet look bad. It could have made it look like the carpet needed to be thrown out. That is what tracking grease through the house will do to the carpet especially since we have had this carpet since we moved here and the other people had the same carpet from the beginning of the house being built until now. So who is counting, right? So after the nice day at the pool we returned home and had a nice relaxing time watching a movie and eating meatball sandwiches. I guess tomorrow we will try to get a movie at Kroger which I love since they are now costing only a dollar for the rental of new CD's for one night. Now that is a very good bargain for sure. I look forward to that movie cube rental. It is a real bargain. Especially since blockbuster is about $5.00 for a Cd for only two nights. Now tell me that is not a hot deal. Yes sir it is!

The Dentist!

Hey Man!
Well today i was informed that I had previously agreed to take my grandson to the dentist. The last time I did take him I think we were there for several hours at least. They are asian, and they are very good dentists but speed is not something they posess, not even close. So he was at his house and his stepdad was still camping which was good. But better to be safe, I told my daughter that lives with us to come with me so he won't think I have anything evil planned. So I get to the house and there is no answer, and I am ringing the bell and knocking. I even went across the street to see if he was at his friends house who he plays with alot especially now since his mom and step-dad are getting a divorce. It is even getting a little messy so I would not want to be there alone he might think I was there to do something evil. So as I went back to the door and I am banging on the front door for him, the car pulls up in the driveway and yes it's the step-dad. So as soon as I saw him I said that I was there to pick my grandson up to take him to the dentist. I yelled that right away so he would not think I was there for any other reasons. Especially hurtful reasons. So in a few minutes we were off to the dentist without anything bad happening and no one had their ruffles messed up either. After being at the dentist for over an hour and my daughter doesn't sit down because of germs my grandson calls me into the back office since he needs some questions answered. But meanwhile he tells me that they asked him if "his grandfather spoke any english", that was funny. And then he says "that they thought we were both mexicans". Now I am laughing very hard and I had to repeat that to many people. I have a wonderful family and I am very proud of them all. I really was hoping that my daughter and her husband could have worked things out since I really felt that him and I were really getting along pretty good. I know all family's have their problems and no one is perfect but I thought that we did have a connection. I always tried to make things the best I could for him when I knew he was coming over my house. I was even hoping that before too long I could have gotten to go on one of his camping trips. I was really looking for ward to doing something like that. I really don't have anyone here that I am close to other than my immediate family and I felt he was getting to that point but now with the break up coming I think that's something that won't happen. It is sad when I think of this all happening. As much as I thought they were maybe different, they also were alot the same. I really really hoped this would be a good one that made it. Oh how I was wrong I am so sorry to say....

The Pool!

Hey Man!
Well today was an extremely confusing day right from the start. We seemed as if we didn't know which end was up or what>. First we did not go to the convention like we were suppose to go to. Then we were going to go to the Grayson congregation and then that changed as well as with every thing else. Like I said this was a very confused day all the way through. My wife and daughter went to the other meeting and then they were going to another meeting that evening too. So it ended up where they would be going to a couple of meetings in one whole day. I do believe the company they were keeping had alot to do with it. Yes siree and I do remember her telling me how much they had in common. From horses to music and many other things also. He also told my daughter how much he enjoys shooting squirels with his shot gun when he gets bored. They seem to be very woodsey people. But they also seem to be very spiritual too. That does make me very very happy. I just hope that it wears off on my daughter too. She is a very sweet child and I do try as much as I can with the spiritual teachings. We stay pretty regular with our teaching out of the bible and also teaching the watchtower. She is a very good girl and she has a good heart. I ask Jehovah's help in giving her the spiritual guidelines that she needs so much. Please help us as a family to succeed and to obey all of the laws we need to obey dear God.

Was It Wednesday?

Hey Man!
The other night my daughter came over and brought me a very special book and it was all about the life of Dan Marino, the miami dolphin quarterback. I remember going to miami from phila. and watching Dan Marino in the orange bowl playing as a dolphin way back when. I now have these memory plates with differt pictures of Dan Marino on them. I have some what of my own museum of the dolphins staring Dan Marino of course. I was never a big sports fan but I did become a dophin fan when Marino played for them. He was probably one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, one that never won the superbowl. That is the bad part that he never did win that big game. He did play chicago one year when chicago had only one loss and it just so happened to be to the dolphins that year. It was funny especially since the 72 dolphins went undefeated, winning all of their games including the superbowl. The year they played the bears the dolphins were really not that good. But when they came up against the bears, chicago was really never into the game at all. From the kick off the dolphins were running away with the victory. Marino was throwing touchdown after touchdown and never let those bears come close to them. It was a sight to see that night. So my daughter brought me that special dolphin book called "Dan Marino". "My life in football". Now that is very special!

Today's News!

Hey Man!
It was very sad to hear today. When my daughter said she was served with her divorce papers today it was shocking. I know we didn't get along like best of friends but I did think we got along pretty well together. We were only together at family dinners mostly but there were some other times that we did get together and I always thought we did get along. Our views were not that far apart from one another and I even thought that he and my daughter got along pretty good to. So when I heard the news today I was pretty well shocked, since I really thought they were going to fix their problems and get back together and continue on with their marriage. They have a beautiful son together and I thought all the problems they had was very fixable. Alot of people have kids in the hospital or there is terrible disease in their family. But nothing like that in their marriage, nothing like that at all. I really thought that after five years had passed, they would make this all work and he would be my son in law for keeps. I was ready for that and like I said I thought we all did pretty well together, sometimes little problems with my wife but other than that we were sailing through life. We were even getting our blog together which he was showing me how to do it and get paid for it. Also no one ever made it with their first choice in the family but number two always made it and he was the number two man. But as far as the odds go this one seems to not be working like the number two picks have worked in the past. I guess I thought the family was alot stronger than it really was.

It's the Same!

Hey Man!
Well here it is several months now well exactly two and one half month's and my mom is still in the hospital. She is going from the hospital to the rehab like a couple times each week. She says they even have a cheering section when she arrives and leaves each place. She says they hate to see her leave but sometimes I really wonder about that since she is very demanding. She is demanding of all her meals for sure. Then she does have a bad potty problem. She took more than she should have of these immodium pills. They clog her up but when she is out of them she gets a bad case of the poops. I do mean a bad case of the poops. The bad thing about that is she can't make it to the potty but she says it's not that bad because she wears a large diaper that holds it all in. I think she says that because she can't see it all. There is no way if she has the diarear that it is not running out the sides of the diaper. The mess has to be extremely bad and very very messy. Yikes! She is working on making it to the potty on her own and I know the nurses are really working hard to get her there too. She is a good size woman and it's very easy to see that they want her to hobble or crawl or whatever to get to that toilet to go on her own for a change. If that was me I would try to get her up in the middle of the night to go potty. She justs thinks it's not bad because they don't let her see the mess or she just can't turn her neck around to see the mess she made and probably doesn't really want to see it either. She is probably getting used to feeling that gooky feeling in her diaper. That is awful to say but it seems like that is what's happening. She is really enjoying getting those meals brought to her where before sometimes it was hoping there would be a meal coming. Now she has choices and they are brought to her in clean dishes and cups too. Now that is very special. Her friend Kirk is trying to get some cleaning fluids to get her place cleaned before the housing people see it the way it is now. That was scary when I heard that since it sounded like that has to be saying something is looking pretty bad right now. We will see how this goes.

What Now?

Hey Man!
Well it was good to find out that I had alot more time left on my unemployment which was just great. Now it just really gets to you real bad sometimes just sitting at home alot. Also when the Mrs doesn't get along with you anymore makes things really difficult. It is hard sometimes trying to be sweet when you are talked to so badly that it makes it bad just trying to speak to that person. I feel I keep trying over and over again but as I said before it is very very hard when you are being spoken to so badly over and over again. When things aren't going good and the family is together on things you really feel you all can get through it but when you don't speak to each other it makes things seem so impossible. I really do everything I can to not let things get like that but we both need to work on it otherwise it doesn't work well. Then the air gets very thick in the house and that is so bad for my daughter and she will ask me how are you and mom doing together dad? That is enough to just break your heart as it comes to you from your own daughter. When there are money problems it can hurt all the areas of the household. It sometimes gives you the feeling of things getting to be impossible. Also being out of work really works on a person very negatively all the time. I keep trying to do things right and to make my meetings regular as well as doing our studies like we used to. We probably pray alot more now too since we need Jehovah's holy spirit to be with us always. Satan throughs everything he can at us during these last days. Our assembly deals almost entirely with the time of the end being now. We know that things have gotten very bad since 1914 and it just keeps getting worse. We ask God to bless our family and to keep us safe and to help us fight all the direct hits of satan the devil because he doesn't let up at this time.

The Events!

Hey Man!
Well things are still running bad. My daughter is breaking her marriage, and I don't mean it's her fault, what I mean is that it is just falling apart. I am very sad about that since they have a beautiful son together. And I know from experience that a dad really looses when the marriage breaks up. You never will get close with your children after that. In some cases the children will grow up resenting you. I can speak from experience when it comes to that. My two girls and me have become very separated after the first marriage. Especially since I had three girls after that and of course I have gotten closer with those three since I did live with them in the same house. No matter how you try to not let that happen, it just does. I really tried too. I think living so far away had something to do with it too. They moved to pittsburgh after the divorse since they needed the help of her mother. I can't blame her for that but that long distance made things hard. Especially for visiting. We really couldn't see each other every other weekend or anything close to that. We would have had to be very rich to have afforded all those plane rides. There is no way to get those years back either. Then the one daughter broke up with her husband after having one child. So she tried to make it work and then had another child. She must have given him at least ten or more tries. As I write this she is still giving him more chances at the marriage. It is ashame that she can't just move on but she is too busy giving it just one more chance. When he moved with her in Tennesee she ended up loosing everything. He couldn't keep a job so she lost her house she was buying and her two new cars that she was financing also. Her credit also went down the drain. She has a good job as a hair stylist and she did work in a fancy smancy place to do hair in the grand ole opry mall. She was making some good money but she wasn't able to keep three kids, that's counting the husband. Now my oldest daughter here is having a very hard time with the husband and she has a very good job and of course he doesn't work so she has an extra kid in her house too. I am in another fix since I lost my job at sixty years old. That truley is a very hard blow. I am trying to take some classes to learn a trde in health care. They are six weeks or ten week classes. I am hoping to get the aid to get through that. That way I will be able to support my family which I have to do even at my age of sixty. I really never thought I would loose my job at the hotel that I had and loved for over twenty years. Now with my injured foot I don't think I could work at the same position with the condition of my foot. Also the hotels have really changed in the last year. The banquet parties have really slowed down alot. I used to work alot of weddings and it looks like alot of people are not getting married like they used to and when they are they are doing it at home and using their friends to all bring in different prepared plates of food for the banquet. I do have the one thing that really holds a family together and that is the strong belief in God. Thank God for that.

Brace God's Word!

Hey Man!
Truly those who have embraced God's word have come from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. They are to be found among the rich and the poor, the highly educated and the illiterate. Some have accepted the word under conditions of war and harsh persecution, while others have done so through times of peace and prosperity. Under every type of government in all cultures from concentration camps to palaces men and women have responded favorably to the good news. What sort of men are denied an opportunity to be saved and come to an accurate knowledge of the truth? The apostle Paul reminded his fellow anointed christians of God's will that " all sorts of men should be saved and come to an accurate knowledge of truth." For this they were to pray that they be granted a calm and quiet life so that they might proclaim the kingdom good news to all who had a listening ear. Today reaching all sorts of men with the good news takes on special meaning for Jehovah's Witnesses. According to 1 Timothy 4:10 "We are working hard and exerting ourselves, because we have rested our hope on a living God, who is a savior of all sorts of men, especially of faithful ones." Prayers are to be made concerning all sorts of men including those in high station. It is the will of God, the savior, that all sorts of men should be saved and come to an accurate knowledge of truth.

Where is She?

Hey Man!
Well when I called her at the rehab place they said she was sent to the hospital. I thought how did that happen to her. She was getting better the last time I talked to her. She was looking to go home before too long. And now they said she has gone to the hospital. So I asked what is going on with her and this place. They told me they tried to get a hold of someone but the numbers they had were all disconnected. The nurse told me that she was sent to the hospital for an altered mental state. What could that be now? So I called my other sister to see whats going on. She told me that my brother visited her and maybe left her with her old perscription of knock out pills. So when the nurse's went into her room to talk to her she was not making any sense and was talking crazy. So now I am trying to call someone but no one is answering their phone. I am sure no one wants to take the blame for this one now. Especially since someone brought pills into the hospital for her to take. I do believe that is not a legal thing to do especially when the medication is not perscribed to her at the moment. So of course they are shocked to see her out of it when they go to her room to take her to the rehab area. Her last visitor was the brother and he left her with what she took is what is being said now. So instead of working to get back home she is now backing up by going to the hospital with an altered mental state. What can we all make of this now? How can this be taken? These and many other questions will be answered in the near future we hope.

Sunday, Good Ole Sunday!

Hey Man!
Well it's good ole sunday, my favorite day of all. Why is it, I don't really know except for on this day the mail doesn't run. That's a very good thing for sure. I was the watchtower reader today and that is always good. So now the meeting is over and I am changed for a possible pool day. The girls are going to the amusement park which is called six flaggs over georgia. There are all kinds of rides there and along with that there are alot of long long lines. Sometimes there are lines that are a couple hours long for a ride that lasts a few seconds only. The boys that were invited are not going with them today because why we don't know for sure. I think they are being a little prissy about the whole outing especially since the problem the other day. I really don't think they got over all that stuff. We just continue on and really we are better off since we don't have to worry about things as much since my daughter and the fellow are not seeing each other like they were before. That has to be the greatest relief of all time. We don't have to worry about this older dude with our sweet daughter. Now our worries are with our older daughter that is married with her two boys. Now that will be the focus of alot of worrying for a long time it appears. Since he wants to break up and has now threatened to take the young son away from her. So now he is marking down all the negative things he can think of so he will have some ammunition for the day in court. Oh how things can really turn around. Yikes!

Hope there is More Time!

Hey Man!
I really really do too. I know that there has to be a job out there for me but I have not been finding it as of now. I don't know what I have been doing wrong but I have been at it pretty good as of late. I have not given up looking at all. Now I was promised a full time job at publix by one of the brother's and I thought that was as good as gold. But this is many month's later and I have been checking in with that company but nothing has been happening. I thought for sure I would be with that company but I guess he didn't know it would be as hard as it is to get some work. I really need to start as soon as possible so I don't get deep in debt. I need some type of job and the longer I am out of work than the harder it will be to get a job. Now I also called my mother and she is also not doing well right now. She said that they told her she should have not gotten the heart operation like she did. That really is a hard blow for sure. She has really gone through alot as of now. So when I called it sounded like she has had a set back and is not doing so good. I can't believe she is going through as much as she is. We are all so thankful that Julie and her family is doing as much as they are for now. We now pray that everything will go good with her and her hospital stay. Sincerely, Petey.

A Good Day!

Hey Man!
I was happy to go to the meeting and hear the talk. It was very good at the proper time. It was all about forgiving each other for what ever reason. We all needed that talk since that episode happened with the boy and my daughter and that ended up being very bad. The talk was good for all to hear and always forgive your brother no matter what. Not to come into a meeting and sit on one side because your brother is sitting on the other side. We didn't see the parents on sunday but we all went back to the meeting and were ready to see them anyway. And we were prepared to deal with them like nothing has happened and everything was just fine. So at the lake we had a great time and the brothers that were there made it really good too. We got to eat some good food and have a couple glasses of wine and we were able to get in alot of fellowshiping too. It was so very nice and the lott was just great too. We were located right on a beach and the water was great. My daughter was in the water the entire time. So we were very happy about having a super sunday. I just wish my other daughter could have been there too.

After the Pool!

Hey Man!
Well it was some time after the pool. This guy is not suppose to even come into my house and he was going upstairs in my house. My daughter told me he wanted to take a shower in our house and she was very unhappy with him doing that. So I look and sure enough he is headed up the stairs and directing himself toward the bathroom to take a shower. Well my older daughter sees him and stops him going to the bathroom. Now she gets right in his face and tells him no way. But he trys to push through her. Now she is very mad about this so she takes off her shoes and is pounding him on the head with her shoes. Well as they come down the steps I grab onto her and try to hold her. But she gets away and chases him right out the door. I didn't know she was hitting him over the head the whole way outside. And I did not know that he had called her a very bad name and in my house too. So needless to say all went bad that day. Now with him telling his parents and they go to our hall it has gotten bad but I go back to him not being allowed in my house. And if he never came into my house like is suppose to happen then this never would have happened.

What happened Now?

Hey Man!
The next day and it is so weird about all the things that happened yesterday. The good thing was calling the lawyers office and finding out that everything is just fine. The letter they sent was something they sent to all their clients for anything that may occur in the future. So that was a big relief. But today was something after realizing all the stuff that happened after the pool. When everybody got back to the house and a certain someone wanted to take a shower at the house. Well of course no one wanted that to happen and instead of me getting to him and saying that it's not a good idea today. The sister got to him and everything went down hill from there. Until he was leaving and in a mad tirade. So now after the break up and it being quite nasty too. We are kind of worried about the dude since we know his family and things should not have gotten this far out. We thought about it and nothing we really could have done to change things. It breaks your heart to ever see people breaking their hearts though. It is time to move on and start over with love.

The Pool!

Hey Man!
Well what a day we had today. At the pool went us to enjoy a marvelous day there. But things did not go as planned. No sir they did not. When there we had severeal people join us and they were friends of our daughter Daniella and a friend of Angelina's. It was very hot and we did get a little burned too. But when the day was over and my wife and I returned home we were just waiting till the rest of the group returned also. So after we got home and took our showers then my daughter's friend came over along with her and my older daughter. While they were here there was some loud voices and when we looked up we saw arguing and bickering going on. When the smoke cleared we saw Daniella and this friend arguing pretty good at this point. And now there was some loud talking and some harsh words being said. Wow, we are now in disbelief about all that is going on. Yikes! This has now turned very badly and you might say even a little dirty. Our daughter and this male friend are now yelling at each other on our stairway. Now they are at the bottom of the stairway and still yelling. He has now said some very hurtful things to her and now she has slapped him several times. Also he is now threatening her that he will call the police. It has gotten very very bad. They have now gone out the front door all yelling and slapping. Words were said that were severe. Now after leaving he calls back and wants all the things he gave my daughter back right now. Yes, that's jewlery and all kinds of camera's and picture frames and also x-box 360. Can you believe all this? It is over now since you don't ask for that x-box back unless it is very severe. So now my daughter knows that bad times are here with this relationship for sure. He got his you know what slapped silly and he is done yes he is out for the count. See ya buddy.

Making Disciples!

Hey Man!
We use our time and energy and talents not only to self advancement but we do the Kingdom preaching work and disciple making work and this is very much like making an investment. Everyone that has done this has reaped rich rewardsspiritually. For example this man had a very good job as a computer technician. But the bad thing was that his job took up alot of his time where he neglected his spiritual duties for himself and his family. Finally he quit his job because it was taking up all his time and energy and was leaving him spiritually impoverished. So he took up a new job and that was selling ice cream from a truck. He could then work as little or as many hours as he wanted. Now he had more time to spend with his family and taking care of his spiritual needs. His former work mates made fun of him and how do you think this worked out? Actually he made more money since there was a great desire for some good ice cream. It made him happier since it took alot of the stressand worry that he had with his former job. And most of all he feels closer to Jehovah and he has given his family a good hold on the truth. In this time of the end it is so important to get close to our loving God, Jehovah. These are critical times to deal with so we need to make the changes that are needed now so our families can become safe and they will get stronger spiritually.

At Rehab!

Hey Man!
I got to talk to mom today finally and that was just great. She sounded so good to me even though she said she was having problems with her breathing. Then she told me that she had all the pamphlets that I sent her on her table and the lady next to her had a visitor and she asked mom what she was doing with the pamphlets. My mom told her she was going to through them away because she didn't have glasses so she couldn't read them. The lady told her that she was a Jehovah's witness and she was so happy to have found my mom. That was so exciting to hear about. I told her that was just great. She told the lady that I was an elder in the Georgia congregation. I thought that was so funny since I am an attendant tonight but not an elder. I guess to my mom I seem like an elder. I guess I must be doing my job of preaching to her since she thinks I am an elder. The lady talked to her for over two hours after she found out that her son was one of Jehovah's witness. I was so pleased that she was noticed, because now she will get someone to preach a little to her I hope. If she is in the hospital listening maybe something will sink in. My mom did tell me about the assembly that was going to be in west palm beach. It was a very encouraging talk I had with my mom today.

What to do?

Hey Man!
That seems to be the question right now. What should I do now.
I need to get some type of employment but if I get it right now then it would be some what hard to travel to see my mom. Although I could still go by plane and just be gone for the weekend. I know I need to make up my mind quickly since those last pics of my mom were looking very bad lately. I really can't see her getting home after this. But we all said that last time and then she was back home taking care of herself again. So you can never count her out no matter how bad it looks. I think this time she has lost alot of her will power, since she always seems down and out because the pain she is feeling is pretty bad. My sister and brother just called to find out her information to call her since she is now in rehab. All of a suden they sent her to rehab but it doesn't look like she should be there. Although if she doesn't learn to care for herself she may be looking at a nursing home when she is able to leave that place. She would have to be able to get from the bed to her wheel chair and also be able to wheel her way to the bathroom and get on and off the potty. Her knees also seem to have gotten worse with filling up with water like they do. I know she really doesn't want to live with anyone but I really think that would be better than going into a nursing room Especially since money would be tight so the nursing home would not be of the best condition. And we all know what is said about nursing homes and I mean the good ones let alon those ones that have bad reputations too. So things right now are looking very bleak for my mom. I am hoping and praying that things may change for the better.

Mom!

Hey Man!
I got a picture of my mom in the email today and was very surprised about it. She looked really bad and this is after getting her heart operation and then telling everbody how good she is doing. Well this is now many weeks later and she does not look good especially to go to rehab now. I don't see how she is going to rehab. She still needs lots of medication and care. I don't see how she will ever go home anyway. Because when she goes home she will have to somewhat take care of herself. Yikes! I do not see that as possible. I see now that I do need to get down there to see her as soon as I can since her health does not look so good to say the least. She is 80 years old and I did think she would get through this since her mom was well into her 90's before she passed. That is surely why my mom did this operation because she felt she had at least 15 more years to go yet. But in less she makes a complete turn around in rehab I just don't see how she can do it. The last time she was sick she did make that miracle turn around and went back to her apartment and was living on her own again but this does seem to be a little more serious. Although she was doing so bad at Dolly's house when Dolly was doing everything for her. At that time we never thought she would be able to go back to her place again. But she did. So I will never put it past her to do it again. But I will be alot more surprised if she can do it this time.

Look at me Now!

Hey Man!
Well here I am at home and things have now gotten so much better even though my wife and daughter are working together today and they are not getting along at all. I am hoping that after they start working together things will get better. Especially since they have two houses together today. So that's about six to seven hours together today. I get to stay home and I guess I am waiting for the publix job that someone was suppose to get me. I keep looking and someone was suppose to put a good word in for me. But really it doesn't look that way. He is a very reputable person too. I just keep truging along even though nothing seems to be happening. So here I am, at home kind of waiting. But I do look alot during the day for all types of employment. Mostly through the computer but I have gone to several stores and put in my application. I also put many many applications in the stores by way of the computer. I really need employment with medical insurance to go with it. So here I am waiting and looking. I am hoping too that my daughter is doing alright since her in-laws have arrived and things are not going well with her marriage. That is so very sad and it is very hard to do anything except hope that everything works out. We always are hoping that marriages don't break up but always stay together. So here I am, look at me now.

It's the Airport!

Hey Man!
Last night we had to pick my daughter up at the airport so the first mistake among many was not calling first to find out if the plane is running on time. So we just head down there as if the plane is going to be on time even though it's been raining alot all week and it is pouring now. How bout that! Well we arrive and look for her and of course we don't see her so the police signal you to keep moving at all times. So we get out and we start moving things around in the trunk so it looks like we got our passenger and we are now loading but of course wwe're not we haven't even seen hide nor hair of our daughter. So now they have pushed us so we have to circle the airport one more time. My idea is to go into the airport to find her while they circle again. So as I am looking at the plane arrivals I see the plane is over 1 hour late and it hasn't landed yet and won't for awhile. Now it's really pouring outside so I can just imagine what they are going through outside now. They must be circling several times at least. When the plane finally lands and I meet with my daughter we go outside and call my wife who has been circling this airport like nobody's business. She finally sees us and as she's pulling up I can see she is yelling at the cop right beside her. She is telling him that this is her family. And he is telling my wife to keep calm and this is continuing as we are getting in the car, my daughter is yelling to my wife stop yelling and the cop is saying calm down lady in his jamacan accent. So she pulls away and we think we can still hear the cop saying calm down in the distance. My wife now pulls over and says I've had enough so someone else please drive home! By now it was late so my daughter took the wheel and I even got in the back so my wife could relax on the way home.

Rain, Rain!

Hey Man!
Yes it is, it is raining here and in florida, also raining all over route 75 the road we had to travel on most of the trip, yikes! Well we will plan another trip to miami in the very near future. Now the girls have told me that my mom is not doing good at all which I did not hear that at all. I thought she was on the road to recovery but after they went to see her they felt she was doing very poorly. So now I am really feeling badly since when I cancelled the trip I felt I could easily see my mom somewhere down the road since she was doing good. I had talked to her on the phone and she sounded real good or at least I thought so. Now I have to start thinking of my next chance to go see her since all this has happened. Also we wanted to see our grandson while my daughter was gone and since they are not getting along we are thought to put bad things in our grandson's head, which we felt very badly about. We really love that boy very much and believe it or not we have nothing against our son in law either. He seems to be the same man now as before to us and really we always liked him. We have to say liked instead of love since we don't want to get our daughter mad at us. It is always such a mess especially when we get along with the man. We really were hoping their family would last but I think that with the economy as bad as it is, it also works on relationships in a very negative way too. It is hard when money needs are hurting and jobs are scarce, we feel it personally also. We do keep them in our prayers and we do hope things can go well for them. We do not want to see their home broken sincerely. I guess when it rains it pours and it has been pouring, but I felt like I was seeing an end to the bad times that were happening to us as a family. Truly I can see that the bad times personally could be at it's end, not the economy but the things directly related to our lives and our home. The bad may come to an end finally.

We didn't go!

Hey Man!
When we woke up on friday we went down to the TV and we were watching the weather on all channels and what we saw was rain rain rain just about everywhere. So it looked like there would be plenty of rain all the way down. We did not like what we saw for sure. As we were watching the more worried we got over all the reports. I finally said to my wife that I think we should cancel this trip because it looks too dangerous. It had so much rain on every road there and back. The ocean was said to be so ruff that no one would be allowed anywhere near the ocean since the rip tide was so bad. We thought if the rooms that we had reserved let us cancel than thats what we should do. So as soon as we called they understood about the bad weather and they cancelled the room with no charge at all. That was something since they are known for not ever cancelling any rooms for people. But we did explain that we were in georgia and the roads there were very dangerous because of the rain. We are sad not to see my mom since she is sick in the hospital but when my wife has bad thoughts or dreams about bad things happening to us if we drove then do not try to travel. She has been right about stuff like that almost always. So here we are still in georgia.

We Leave Tomorrow!

Hey Man!
Well it's here, and tomorrow is when we leave for the wonderful and beautiful Miami. Yes that is Miami Florida. Wow! We will be staying right on the beach. We are hoping that the weather is beautiful and we want it to be hot too. We want to get a good tan down there. But we are also there to see mom and she doesn't seem to be doing real good. She was on the road to recovery but she stopped everyone from giving her medical attention so now we are left in limbo. So we will see when we arrive if things will be very crazy or what. We leave tomorrow night very late, actually it will be Saturday morning since it will be around 4 am in the morning. Now we are arguing over whether it should be 3 or 4 am when we leave. Maybe we should just make it at 2 am, Huh? Well either way we will see the beach which we really miss since we are from good ole Miami Florida. Yeh! I really am concerned about my mom since we can't take her to live with us so if she can't be released and live on her own she may have to live in a home and I really don't think it would be a real nice one either. So now we will see what is waiting for us. I hope it doesn't end up being a sad journey.

Is it Going to be Alright?

Hey Man!
Well right now it seems like everything may work out. We are going to miami this week but we should get through that alright. But financially we should do alright. I do need to find some work when I do get back so I could get to be insured with the company. Since medicare is only when you are 65 years old and I will be 61. A few years too young right now. I hope with the way this economy is I can get something with a medical package. But now I have to worry about my mom getting through her procedure she has today. They will be checking on her heart to see how it is since she had the open heart surgery done. There is alot still going on but as long as that other thing is exempt than everything will go real good and that makes me happy.

Graduation Day!

Hey Man!
Today is Damaggio's graduation, its a very special day for our grandson. We are all going to the graduation day celebration at the school tonight. Also my mom is still in dire straights. She was taken out of health south in the middle of the night around 4 am and then sent to the Baptist hospital because her pneumonia got so bad. She even had a priest come in today since she thought this was her last moments to be alive. She knew someone that got their heart operated on and then got pnemonia and died right after that. So of course she now believes her time is coming to a quick end. She is in the emergency of Baptist Hospital and she feels that no one knows where she is and she is feeling very lost now. It is very sad that some of the family still looks to blame others for their bad fortune. It is the same thing always. One sister is able to visit her and some want to look for the bad instead of comending her for her visits. I am going to Miami at the end of the week to see her from Atlanta, Georgia. Let's hope for the best!

It's Friday, Whew!

Hey Man!
This was really some day. First the doctor's visit was first and it is a new doctor which is always scary. I saw my wife's cell phone on my way out so I really thought this was a good thing for sure. So I took the phone with me and I thought I was flying high with that phone. Well it rang on my way to the doctor's and then on my way home and then I called some wrong people and had to call them back to apologize. It was a very funny day with that phone. I felt I got a chance to be in the year 2009 and I failed miserably. Yes I did. I couldn't handle all the commotion having that cell phone and I think having a new doctor after 4 years contributed to the whole mess too. My daughter Gabriella called to staighten out the mess we had with our vacation plans too. She really made things alot better and I use to be a very good planner. That's what I use to do was to plan parties and trips. Not anymore. I had made a mess of things until she made it right again. Then I received a package from Kristina and Julie and they mailed me the hot peppers and they were so very good. Hot Hot Hot! What a nice package that was. I was so very happy to get my package from Miami.

Moved to Health South!

Hey Man!
Where did she go? What happened to her? Oh no! What is going on now? That is some of what was going on last night with my mom. No one new where she was or who took her where. My mom was really lost or we thought so anyway. I know the final episode of lost was coming on that night but this is ridiculous for sure. Finally at about nine at night I found that mom was taken to a place called health south. It is to help her prepare to go home. Even though she has water on her lungs from being left alot without getting her self changed. So sitting there in bed all wet has brought the cold on her lungs right now. She is still in quite a bit of pain also but believe it or not she was in a pretty good mood with all that going on. And you know that having your pants wet at her age and sitting in it for long periods of time is no fun, no fun at all. But that didn't matter mom was in a good mood. I think jsut hearing someone she knew gave her a good feeling of being found. She knew at that point she wasn't lost anymore. Even with the episode of lost coming on she didn't feel a part of it at all and that made her very happy. I did check that she brought her flowers with her and she did. They did cost me and me being somewhat cheap when it came to buying flowers I was very concerned that she got something from those flowers and that being told that they would help in the healing process. So I in turn felt like they were worth the money spent on them. She did tell me that they were all purple with one yellow one in the middle and she thought that was a little odd. But knowing they would help her heal made a big difference. Maybe it was the one big yellow flower in the middle that made large attraction, whatever it was my mom was happy with it and that made them worth anything that they cost. They made her feel good and since I was not able to visit yet and I was far away they made me feel I was involved with caring for my dear mom. That was just great!

Wednesday is Here Finally!

Hey Man!
Well tomorrow is the day that we all go to the lawyers office for that all imprtant conference call. Between my mom having her operation and calling her everyday and then dealing with everyone wanting to take the vacation to Miami for a wee, I have my lawyers offer finally coming in. This is so very important for me since I am looking for it to take me to my early retirement. Even though I will have to take less money by going early, it seems like the only way to go at this point. I had always hoped to stay at the hotel till it was time to retire but it did not go that way. So tomorrow I have to hope I get a half way decent offer so I can make it to retirement without loosing my shirt and everything else too. It is really not fair since I was hurt at work and I had been there over 19 years. Where is justice in this world. So tomorrow I am going with my wife and my daughter Daniella by my side. They both have looked out for me from the very beginning of all this happening. I pray that I will get enough so I can continue with my life. It is a very tense and scary day, I could even call it Scary Movie 5 if I had to. As you can see I am starting to loose it myself now. Well I still have to call my mom to say goodnight, since she had such a strong will to live when so many look to take the easy way out instead of putting up the fight. It meant quite alot to me to see her choose to live and to go through such a painfull operation in order to have some extra years of life. My mom is already 80 years old but since her mom made it to 97, my mom is looking at another 15 or more years left for her. And she doesn't want to loose not one of those years. She has the strong will that really left an impression on all of us for sure. My mom came to the head of the class this time. She showed us to live and even put up the fight to live if you have to since life is really worth it.

It's Coming Up!

Hey Man!
This week I get to go to the workers comp court and hear some of the offers that they plan to put on the table for me to look at. It is such a serious day since I really need to be able to make it to early retirement. Since I can't work was I was trained to do I basically need to just about start all over and that is not the easiest thing to do when you are already 60 years old. It is a hard thing to do, job hunting at my age. I had planned to stay at my job till I was ready to retire but now I don't have much chance for that to happen since I hurt my foot and the doctors did not find out my ailment until I walked on the damaged foot for over 5 months. By that time they tried to accuse other things that may have caused it to happen. But I know that the piece of metal fell on my foot and put me in that position of trying to get everyone to see the real truth. Life is hard enough but when companies doubt the truth of things even when you have been with them for over 19 years, it can be very devastating. Life has really changed for me and now it is on the brink of going either up or just way out there for me. I am praying for the truth to be eveident and that way I will get through this alright.

Time does not Fly !

Hey Man!
That is what my mom said now, time does not go by fast when you are trying to recover from an operation such as this. She said even at night she needs someone to come in to adjust her and to move her and to fix things all concerning her chest. She does keep repeating that she would never have gone through with this knowing what she knows now. I am very glad I didn't tell her that i saw the documentary about heart operatins and it was very graphic showing everything that's done when they operate on your heart. The way they cut you wide open to get in there to move that heart around. Wow! It really is some procedure that they perform on you. She is still going through quite a bit of stuff now too. They are removing a pump that is in her neck today. She said that is very uncomfortable to deal with along with the other things that she isdealing with. Still one of the first things she said was that my sister Dolly has not been there to see her yet. Now her daughter Toni has been there so that is a real plus since she hasn't been there. She does live in Melbourne and that is around four hours away. Also she said she would go home when it's time with mom to help her get used to being at home again. The way it looks is that it will be awhile before she is able to go home and take care of herself. Since not only is there the heart condition but mom has bad legs and it is very hard for her to get around. So she has a few things that she will have to deal with. She also has a live in houseman that takes care of things too. He will lift her in and out of her chair and supposedly will clean the house also, but it look's like he has given that job up which should not be. Mom does take care of his food and he has his own room and she makes sure he has the necessity's of life in order to get by. This is really the time that I wish I lived close by. I know I could do alot for mom especially since I am home and I have the time to take care of my mom. I want to go visit but if I just jump into it then I won't be able to stay long and then I won't be able to go back right away if I need to either. My court is coming up in the middle of next week so then I will know if I will be able to continue life with a smile or not. I mean I have damaged my foot permanently and I can't work like I used to in the hotel business. At my age I was a real work horse, I kept up with the best of them no matter what their age. After 19 1/2 years at that hotel I really miss it alot. I miss the guests and the people I worked with alot. That was my second home for sure. And now I have a club foot since that thing fell on my foot. I was only two years away from early retirement too. Good thing I don't believe in luck or I would be thinking about how bad it is, wow... I pray for my mom to get better and to not feel the pain and discomfort and I do pray for myself to find my way. When I go to the court there should be things in place that do take care of me at least until my retirement age which is only in two to five years. I am very thankful for the wonderful privilege we all have to pray to our heavenly father.

Friday is Here!

Hey Man!
Today is the day my mom is suppose to get her own room. Then everyone can visit her or at least not have any excuse to visit her. I do live in Atlanta Georgia so I am the furthest away from her in Jackson Memorial hospital. But I have one sister that is in Melbourn Florida and that is a little more than 4 hours away so that is pretty far too. Last night my brother was there visiting as he pretended he was a delivery person so parked where they park and went up the back way and got himself into the room and even though you are not suppose to have cell phones he called me and put my mom on the phone to talk to me. That was really a treat I have to say. We both had a tear in our eye over that. I am hoping that my daughter Gabriella goes to see her today or at least tomorrow. She does live in Ft. Lauderdale and that is only an hour or so away. We are still looking to go down there to see mom, we might go next weekend since I do believe that Daniella is off that weekend. We all came together to show our love to mom our matriarch of the family.

They Cut Me Like a Chicken!

Hey Man!
Well it really ended up being a very good day since I got to talk to my mom after all. Robert my brother called me from the hospital and he said guess who I have on the phone. He said yes it's mom. So he handed my mom the phone so we finally got to talk. It was really great, I could tell she was with a tear in her eyes and so did I. It was so very great to talk to her. She just had a very serious operation on her heart where they cut open her chest. Her chest is very painful since they do open you up with a machine that spreads you wide open so they can get in there with their operating tools in order to open her closed valve, like my mom says they cut me open just like a chicken. My mom has done alot of cooking in her day and that is how a chef describes that type of operation, opening me up like they're cutting open a chicken. Yikes! She was in such good spirits and was surprisingly in a very good mood. Wow! She is 80 years old and she is coming through this with flying colors, at least so far. Tomorrow we will see what comes next. It is funny to hear that since she believes in a burning hell for bad people, so because of that she fought to not die yet since she feels that she needs to get some more good things done so she could be heading the opposite direction of that burning hell that she thinks might be waiting for her!!!

The Third Day!

Hey Man!
Well here it is my mom is in her third day of getting cut open like a chicken as she says it. It was her heart operation but she likes to say it that way. Before she went into the hospital really not too many of the family was speaking. But now we talk every day all about mom. Sometimes when something bad or an emergency it really tests how strong the family is. Because that's when the family should come together no matter what. And with our family that's just what happened. Even though we had these little quirks about each other everyone forgot it or at least put it way in the background while mom was going through this true test of her strength. Mom is 80 and this was a long and serious operation that she has gone through just three days ago. So today I will be talking to all the family memebers about what we can each do. Julie who is my sister has gone to see her three days in a row with her family. That has truly been alot on her and she should be congradulated for all she has done so far. It's time for the rest of us to step up which will happen. We just need mom to stay strong.

Two days After the Operation!

Hey Man!
We kept calling my mom and taking messages and planning trips all day. Now the next day is here and we are still manning the phones calling each other about how our mom is doing. She is still holding onto her strong will to live. And it is reallt a strong will to keep living on. My mom is 80 and she wants all the possible years that are coming to her. She really believes that God has many more years in store for her still. She is not ready to go. She has now passed on that will to me and I believe to my sister and that is so very important. It is a valuable thing to hear about too. That will to live no matter what. She is not living in luxury either. She has alot of worries every day also. But no matter what she wants to get through it and to live on. Wow! I am so proud of her since this was really a surprise to me and really to all of us. She got very excited when she heard that we all got very excited and got a real boost when we found that she really wants to live. My mother when she was in her early 20's tried to commit suiside. At that time she had everything, including a new car every year, she lived in a big house and she also had servants to take care of all her needs. She was very spoiled with all that she ever wanted. So today I waited for my sister who went to visit her to call me with the information but she has not called me yet. With the privacy act they still can't call us with any vital information. But she is eating somewhat and they did discuss some foods and receipes. She loves to tell people how they are suppose to cook something. Her Italian dishes are so delicious and really powerful. Yum! So I am back to waiting to hear from my sister and then my other sister is going to visit her right after work at around six o'clock tonight. Yeah! My brother is also planning the trip too. The nurse did tell me that she will stay in ICU all of today. There are several things that could turn things around very quickly. So it is good that she stays where she is now because they watch her every move. Life for all of us seems to stop though since we are now left on hold. Waiting to see what the next steps there is for mom now. We do need to keep ourselves on ready so in a moments notice we could be there by her side. Too bad it takes a ten day notice to get the good price for a plane ticket. You hate to think about cost at these times but in reality you just have too. Like you have to figure who will go and who really can't go either. Now I am also hearing that storms are coming through the area right now. So now not only will I go back to listening to any break in her health but I will be on a tornado watch also. People also gain some religion that before had none. If anything could be a little funny at this time it's my poor my thinking about her religion. She was raised a Catholic, even went to catholic school. So since she has a belief in hell being a place where the bad go to burn everlasting. She said she really isn't ready to die since if she did at this time she believes that she may be headed for that place, so she would like a little time to make a better name for herself so she could avoid going to that place they call hell. Things like that make my poor mom just a little more scarred than she should be. We all said our prayers for her and we continue the watch for mom.

The Day After!

Hey Man!
My mom was operated on yesterday at nine am and she is now in ICU recovering. My mom is 80 years old so recovery is quite a big deal. My oldest sister and her daughter are on their way to see her now. When I call to see how mom is they can tell me just so much and because of the privacy rules they can not tell you too much over the phone. Even when I tell them I am the son from Georgia and I can't get there right now in person so please let me know how my mom is doing and is she looking like she will get through this. They say they can't give that kind of information over the phone, I thought what other type of information would I really want to know other than that. Even when I say what is her prognosis they can't say either. It's almost like they can say she is alive right now only. I have manned the phone all day going from talking to my brother and my younger sister and with really not much information at all. My brother finally said that he will travel to the hospital since they are letting him off work early because mom is where she is. We were all happy to hear that. There was a time when mom started feeling down since the pain of opening her chest was getting pretty bad. She said she did not know if she would have gone through with this if she had it to do over. Then my sister told her that when she told me the story of her really wanting to get through this because she really wanted to live. She told my mom how much that meant to me since many times with my painful legs I have felt I couldn't go on with it all any more. And my mom's spirit was so strong going into this operation, it was really amazing to me and really to all of us. When my mom realized how that meant so much to us in such a positive manner she really perked up, her eyes opened wide and even a big smile appeared on her face. And she has really gone through alot by this time too. At 80 she has gone through quite alot. That is having your chest opened up with that spreader machine and actually having your heart held and massaged by a human being. It is really a huge deal. Forget that show Let's make a Deal, this is really the big deal! She still has a tube in her throat and a tube in her leg but she has eaten something and she is breathing on her own and like I said she is now having this little smile because of the story of showing such a strong will to the family and now she is the as we say in the Italian way, "the big cheese". So she is showing us all a great example of being able to do it in times of pain and distress. I must say it really meant alot to me since with all my pains I have been going through in the last year I have been through those thoughts of not getting through it all. So my mom doesn't realize what those thoughts of hers has done for me. It is really life saving above all. Thank God!

It's Today!

Hey Man!
Yes it is today that my mom at 9 am went for her operation on her heart valve. Yes at 80 years old she had to get this operation since her valve had closed so she really need this to be done. My one sister was there the whole day waiting there for my mom. My other brother and another sister was waiting at their homes to hear how mom was doing. But my sister Julie and her daughter Kristina and her son Dwight were there to be within reach of my mom when it was time for her operation. At 80 she was getting her operation on her heart. It was the maitriarch of the family. She is the big cahoona, the real crime boss in the italian family. With one sister there the rest of the family stood by their stations like champs. We were all loving our mother today. I couldn't speak without crying since my mom was going through it today and we were all with her. The sons and daughters were with mom today. We all love her, yes we do. Mom needed us to be there for her and we were there yes we were. She is still on breathing tubes and she is still bleeding but we gave our names to the nurse and they told her we were with her in spirit. We love the Moma!

It's tomorrow Morning!

Hey Man!
Yes it's tomorrow when my Mom gets her operation on the valve in her heart. It will be a very serious operation since today my mom is 80 years old. At that age it is a very serious operation because the doctors are trying to strengthen the heart so during the operation they are operating when the heart is very weak. Life is so very important to my mom so that is why she is going ahead with this operation, otherwise the doctors said she would only make it for another six months or so. But if she gets the operation she could go on and on maybe ten or more years unless something else gets her. But we do not have cancer in the family at all so if they make her heart stronger she will likely make it into her 90's for sure. My sister is bringing her a load of candy bars today which is the most imprtant thing my mom wanted. I am hoping that my other brother and sister had the chance to call her sometime today. I called each of them to let them know how important it was to call her before her operation to tell our mom how much we love her. Like I said she doesn't have alot of money and doesn't live in a beautiful home but my mom wants to live. That is so very important to her. If my mom didn't help some of her kids so much then she would be living in a very nice place now but she had to give up her home that she had for so many years. I am really praying that she gets through this operation with flying colors since she does live alone so she needs to be able to get around on her own. She has a wheel chair so as long as she get get to it and get off of it to get in her bed or the bathroom then she will be fine. So tomorrow morning is the operation to determine how her days will be.

My Mom!

Hey Man!
Well my mom is turning 80 years old on monday May 3rd. She is in the hospital getting ready to have a heart valve put into her heart so she will be able to live alot longer the doctor says. She has lots of pains but she wants to live. Even though her knees hurt her bad and she has several other things which gives her severe pains. But she wants to go through with this operation on monday in order for her to have several more years of life. I thought that was amazing since she is already 80 on monday. But my mom wants to live. She is prparing herself to go through this operation and then through therapy and then she will be strong enough to hop into her wheel chair to get around. She won't be able to walk around but she will get around just enough to fulfill her needs. I am amazed how people just want to live almost no matter what. The only thing she wanted before her operation was to have some hershey bars and some good n' plenty candies. We are sending them to her and we are really hoping she gets through this very serious operation. She feels she will make it and she has us all believung that she will get through it. The doctor says the only thing working against her is her weak heart but when he is finished with the operation it will be stronger, alot stronger. She has the will, now let's hope she has the strngth too.

What a Swine!

Hey Man!
the swine flu or H1N1 influenza A, has symptoms nearly identical to regular flu, which is fever, cough and sore throat and it spreads like the regular flu through tiny aprticles in the air when people cough or sneeze. Especially when it's the person that does not put his hand over his mouth at all and just blows it all over the place. You've seen those people who just don't care, it's like they don't believe they have germs at all. Basic hygiene like washing your hands is becoming imperative. People should wash their hands for at least 15 seconds or the length it takes to sing happy birthday. With me it would be singing a kingdom melody. Hand washing is so important in the removal of germs, and it's not the temperature of the water but the length of time you wash those hands that's important. The case in Georgia happened because the woman took a trip to Cancun with her daughter. Like this is a good time to go to Cancun, not even if you got the trip free. And on top of it she took her daughter and she has not come down with any symptoms yet. Gwinnett County Schools plans to send letters about the flu to parents as soon as possible. The letter will share some basic information with you about the swine flu and what you can do all because the safety of our children are our top concern.

Has Anything Changed?

Hey Man! With unemployment running out in just a few months it's not the best of times right now. Of course I have been looking everyday for some type of job but at 60 when you have to change careers it's not that easy to find something you may not have experience in. Then on top of it you are up against alot of 20 year olds that are out of jobs too. If I can last till early retirement then these low paying jobs will not be that bad since I would be getting retirement also. I am thankful I have all my hair and as an Italian with olive oil running through our veins it keeps us from wrinkleing up so we look a little younger. So on a good day I can still pass for being in my 40's. Directions have now changed so we have to change with it all. Let's see if we can do this. Let's all put a 100 per cent in this changing system, please...

Oh No !

Hey Man!
Now what! I injured myself at work as explained previously so I got disability which was only two thirds of my salary. I was in debt so I went with a company to pay my bills. So being out of work I had them take six hundred dollars each month to pay my bills off. After about eight months of that and almost six thousand dollars the company went out of business and now I have to hope I get maybe half of what I put in back. So now my creditors are at my door just about so I had to go to bankrupcy. Meanwhile I am trying to get my workman's comp case settled. So now they said they will leave my bankrupcy case open since I have a possible settlement on my workman's comp case. But I am left not being able to work on my foot like I used to. So now what does a man do when he tried to do everything right. I need my workman's comp in order to get by for a few months and at 60 years old it's not easy to go find some other type of work. Especially in the economy we have right now. Life can be so scary at times!

Cell Phone Tower?

Hey Man!
There is a group of people that are protesting the construction of a cell phone tower and it's on city owned property. There is a question of how safe it would be living near these cell phone towers. People are saying it's safe but not long ago people also said smoking was safe. So now the residents of Berkley Lakes are completely against the cell Phone tower near their community. Their is a strong feeling that these towers are a cause of cancer when living too close to them. Now don't get me wrong no one wants to give up keeping a cell phone. They could not live without it. But they just want the tower built somewhere else like in some one else's neighborhood. So now the mayor has put together a meeting since there are alot of pros and cons about the cell phone tower. Would you want to live under this cell phone tower?

It could be Pandemic!

Hey Man!
It's the new, brand new swine flu and it has killed as many as 68 people. Yes that's right people. You don't have to be a swine. That may sound silly but I was asked that question before. At least 1000 more people have become sick because of the flu, the swine flu that is. The disease has gone from Mexico and it has reached Texas and California already. They said that the outbreak of the never before seen virus is a very serious situation and has "pandemic potential". But thankfully it is too early to tell if it would become a worldwide outbreak. But on the bad side the situation is evolving quickly. This virus is a mix of human, pig, and bird strains and that is why this is considered a health emergency. The bad thing about all this is that it is so very hard to contain. The CDC and some experts said it is almost impossible to contain this flu. They are screening passengers from Mexico but that doesn't seem to help at this time. One big reason to really worry is that the flu doesn't seem to be killing only the vulnerable infants and the elderly. The Spanish flu which killed at least 40 million people worldwide in 1918-19, also first struck healthy young adults just as this Swine flu is doing. Remember this unlike regular flu, humans don't have natural immunity to a virus that includes animal genes. And how about this, new vaccines can take months to bring into use. So until then we could be defenseless against such a flu. It may sound a little funny but even the Mariachi Musicians are covering their faces with cloths or masks while they wait for business in the Garibaldi Plaza in Mexico City. How would that make you feel if you were looking to get some of the band to play at your party and they were covering their faces from something like the swine flu. Wow!

Turkey Neck!

Hey Man!
As I was on my travels the other day I really thought I passed right by a turkey. I didn't hear the goble goble but it sure did look exactly like a turkey. No one tried to shoot it or anything but you would have sworn that this was a real live turkey. The only thing is that we were at the grocery store and really that's not the place that has turkey's running around. Now if we were in some open fields or out in the country we would have accepted this sighting of a real live turkey. As I took a better look at this would be turkey I realized to my disbelief that it was a woman with a turkey neck. That neck skin was hanging so bad that this became a human turkey. The sight was very displeasing, very. I found out that as skin matures there are some key nutrients that become depleted and this results in a dull, thinning and sagging skin. I needed to look into this since I did not want to turn into a turkey. I have been called a bear before since I was big and maybe a little hairy but not no turkey. So I found out that this can be reversed with something called Expela, a neck firming activator. This has calcium and amino acids, and it is designed to reboost cell metabolism and protein synthesis and rebalance the ion flow. In other words it starts working on the loose skin to stop turning you into a turkey. So you will get a firmer, smoother neckline and jawline, restructuring the skin to eliminate sag and the deep lines from view. Your skin will get visibly firmer, tighter, and smoother in a matter of weeks. Wow! You can take Expela in your own home and it's affordable, scarless, no burning, no doctors, and no recovery time. So now take that good look in the mirror and if you don't hear that goble goble than you may be alright. But if you even think about thanksgiving when you take that look than Expela would be something to try. The results are pretty amazing so check your pharmacy for this new and special medicine that will have you saying, "no more turkey neck for me".

Turkey Neck!

What Now!

Hey Man!
Now I am at that spot of starting some type of new career and when the economy is at it;s worst in many many years. At 61 years old it is a real challenge. Where do you go from here. I am on unemployment trying to get some job, any job where I won't have to be on my legs all day like the hotel business. Like I said before in the hotel business you are sitting about 10% of the time and that good ole 90% you are walking around on your legs. I have now got these special socks that go to your knees and they really give you lots of support when walking. So this invention really helps someone in my condition for sure. I am now hoping that the workmans comp can at least take me to my retirement because then I could get some beginning job with a low pay and with my retirement it will all even out. We will soon see the outcome of this terrible mishap.

Here I am!

Hey Man!
Well now I had the operation and it was so bad that they made my ankle one big joint since it was so bad. But how did it get that bad, I walked on a broken foot for over five months. They wanted to say I had some type of bone disease but I had never had anything ever like that. And by saying that it would also make it look like no one missed any type of diagnosis. I was on disability for the six months that I was given but my foot was still weak. I was also terminated from a job that I had had for over nineteen years. I looked to reapply but someone was already hired for my position. So now I have to apply for positions that I really don't have any type of experience in. At almost 61 years of age I must go into some field that I really don't know. I worked the Hotel business for over 19 and a half years and did good at it too. But my foot at this time can't stand for any amount of hours anymore. It is still swollen but I can walk on it without the pain that I was in before. So now I am too early for retirement but I must find a job or loose it all and at my age I can not afford that.

That's It!

Hey man!
Now after the Podiatrist has told me I have broken joints in the foot I am told that an operation is my next thing I have to do. The doctor is also asking me how that may have happened. At this point I have to think about it. So when I went home I remembered that at work I dropped this heavy piece of metal on my foot and it was heavy too. I remember that when I got home that night I did tell my wife what had happened. When I got to work the day of it fell off the shelf on to my foot and it really hurt at the time but I put it back where it had been and made sure that the manager and some other people had seen what happened. They didn't tell me to go report it like I usually tell people. I always say to people to go right away to report it at human resources. But since I did have the manager and several associates seeing this I felt fine about it. It didn't seem to sweel up at the time so I continued working. Lets see now.