Wicked good cookies....

Fat Police

Evil little girl scouts,
Hangin round my door...
Wicked yummy cookies,
To bloat my waistline more.

Skipping through the neighborhoods
Fairies on the wind…
Making sure that we consume…
More than we expend.

Chocolate, Mint, and Peanut Butter
Coconut surprise…
Marvelous confections
Loom before our eyes.

Who are these little nymphs…
Cute, grinning tykes in brown…
Or…insidious, fat crazed imps…
Making us all round!

Let’s call the fat police…
And have them taken in!
For peddling all their carb laced wares
And causing us to sin!

Copyright©2007 by VSchoonover. All rights reserved.

Small furry Nessie??????

I went for a walk around the pond this evening, and as I stepped up to the edge...this little fur ball popped up out of the murky depths...and cavorted with the ducks! It was VERY cool!!!!!! I don't know for sure what it is...it may be a beaver, or some other fuzzy mammal. It swam faster than the ducks, but was totally playing with them! They chased him, then he disappeared under the water...and reappeared halfway across the pond. He then rose gracefully out of the water, arched his body, dove back in...swam on his tummy for a ways...then flipped over on his back for a ways! I raced to the other side of the pond...thinking to snap a picture of him on dry land as he exited the water...he had other ideas! As he neared the side, he headed straight for the drain pipe (it is almost 2 feet by 2 feet), and swam right inside...followed closely by the big duck! After a few minutes...the duck came out...the fuzzy guy did not! What a great walk!! Marvin suspected that he might be an otter...but they are not indigenous to the area...at least I don't believe they are...? If you know otherwise...let me know?

Be Well!

Just another day...

We arrived back home from Coffeyville just a bit ago. It was a long weekend, but I think going on Friday was a good idea this time. It gave us a chance to get up on Saturday, after a good night’s sleep and be ready to help instead of expending 3 hours of energy driving. The weekend was good, overall. Becky is gradually slipping away. Her right arm and both legs are paralyzed, and her left hand sometimes has a mind of its own. The medicine to help her swallow is doing its job…but she is becoming weak enough that after a few bites…chewing just takes too much energy. Her eyes are rarely open at all…and when they are…they only open into tiny slits. I don’t know whether she can see or not…but I suspect that most of the time, she cannot. Her body is occasionally shaken by sudden spasms. I know that much of the time, when we think she is sleeping…she is awake and hearing everything…but unable to respond. It is very difficult to see her this way…but it would be even more difficult…not to have had these opportunities to help her and be with her. Please continue to pray for her, for my dad, and for all of us.

Chas and Shane got up this morning with headaches, and sick tummies. I am afraid they may be coming down with the flu! Please pray for them! We dropped Chas off at her house, moved our luggage from Shane’s SUV to our truck, and then headed across town…home! For the first time in a month…I completely unpacked my suitcase. I may regret it…but I just felt the need to live out of dresser drawers this week!

I have just turned the heat up, and the coffee is making. I’m sure this evening will pass like lightening! It will be Monday morning again before we know it! The coming week already looms large. Monday…a friend (and the mom of Shane’s girlfriend) is having surgery – Tuesday…council meeting – Wednesday and Thursday…I need to spend making copies of some old family documents, which will then be turned over to people who are in the appropriate bloodline to possess them. – Friday…a trip to the doctor with Chas for more tests – Saturday…Coffeyville.

And so it continues…

Be Well.

Wichita burns...

Holy cow! As I prepared to go for an afternoon walk...I flipped on the TV to catch a bit of news. I was surprised to see a local channel on...doing the news in the middle of the afternoon! Apparently, there is a large neighborhood 'up the road a piece'...on fire. So far it is a 6 alarm fire (over 100 firefighters have been called in), which started as a grass fire and has grown to encompass at least 4 homes! People have been evacuated to local churches to wait it out! The situation isn't threatening to us or ours...the location is several miles away and to the southeast...but it is frightening! Today is a typical, late winter, early spring...Kansas day...! The temperature is 68 degrees, the sun is shining, and the wind is blowing a steady 35-40 mph...with frequent (every 10-15 seconds) gusts of 50+ mph. When you live in these parts...you become accustomed to a LOT of wind...that's just the way it is! Grass fires are very common place as well...but usually not in neighborhoods...and usually not this large! Preliminary reports are saying that it may have been started by a cigarette butt! Just one more reason to restrict smoking to small, designated, cement areas! I would love to see a law making it illegal to throw a butt in the street or on the ground or sidewalk! I am sooooooo tired of the world being the smokers ashtray!Okay...off my soapbox!

I did go for a walk...and as I leaned into the wind...struggling with each step...my Ipod shuffle literally blowing along behind me...the geese came in to land on the pond! It was a very funny site! The strong winds were causing large whitecaps on the water...and the geese rode them like fine feathered surf bums!

We will head for Coffeyville in a few hours...hopefully it will be a good weekend! The week has been long...and I am so glad to see it end! There have been ups and downs...and in-betweens...but it has all been exhausting!

Catch ya on the flip side!

Be Well!

What a difference a day makes! The ice is almost gone…and the ducks are enjoying the 66 degree weather! I came home with another headache…but it went away after three extra strength Tylenol and a couple hours of rest on the couch! So…after dinner…away we went…me and my entourage…The Eagles, Elton John, The Beatles, Rod Stewart, Carol King, and a host of others! It was a lovely walk! Above is a picture of the nicest part of the stroll!

Be Well!

Long days...

It’s been a long several days! We have run the gamut from praying continually for God’s intervention in a very frightening medical situation…to the death of an aunt. We have been depressed, scared, confused, and finally…elated. God answer’s prayer!

The situation with my step mom, Becky, is beginning to change…very slowly and in subtle ways. For several days, her ability to swallow was almost gone. A new medicine was introduced, which rectified the physical problem…but now she seems to have lost the desire to eat. My dad is taking everything in stride…as much as possible. However, adding insult to injury…his shop was robbed Saturday night while they slept. There was extensive damage to the entry door…and around $1500.00 in cash and merchandise taken. From all appearances, it was done by someone who was familiar with the shop and the location of items inside…which makes it worse really. Everyone who he deals with knows that his wife is inside the house…next to the shop…dying. It is hard to fathom the kind of cold hearted person who would perpetrate such a thing…under those circumstances. What a world we live in! But…at least they weren’t harmed…it could have been so much worse!

Meanwhile, my step dad saw a surgeon today. He is in serious need of a hip replacement…constant pain has been his companion for the past several months. The doctor informed them that, due to his overall health (hardening of the arteries, congestive heart failure) he would most likely not survive the operation. So…the doctor refused to do the surgery. While I must admit that I am relieved that he will not be undergoing such a risky procedure…I can’t imagine knowing that the kind of pain that he is in…will never go away.

I sometimes feel like I am outside of myself…looking in…watching…while I have begun to be fearful of what may happen next…I am also thankful for the multitude of blessings that we have received lately. As I walked around the pond today, the trillion points of light bouncing off of the still frozen center of the pond…were breathtaking. Around this glittering island…flowed a stream of water so reflective...it could have been liquid diamonds…the outer portion of the pond, which has begun to thaw. The air was crisp…but not biting, the breeze was gentle…and the sun warmed my face. Spring is on the way…better times are just in the offing.

Be Well!

Spread some love...

Happy Valentine's Day from Frank (aka F. Ace)! Just a reminder, that Valentine's Day is more than just romance and roses! It's an opportunity to spread a little bit of love...to someone who needs it, a chance to tell those dear to you...how much they mean to you, a day to go the extra mile...to share a smile! So go out there today and hold the door open for someone, give up that primo parking spot...to the car that raced you up the aisle for it, wave at the guy who cuts you off on the freeway...with all your fingers! Do something nice today!

Be Well!

Thank you Sparkpeople...

I'm wearing a pair of pants today...that I bought several months ago. I bought them because I really liked the way they are made...but when I tried to sit down in them...let's just say it was possible but highly uncomfortable. I put them on this morning...and they fit perfectly...sitting...standing...bending...!

Be Well!

Move over Howard K Stern...

As I prepared for my morning workout...I overheard a startling conversation...between Shorty and Funguy. Without going into the sordid details...Funguy admitted to Shorty that he is indeed...the father of Anna Nicole Smith's child.

I crawled under the table to get closer to this 'coffee klatch confession'...and managed to snap this candid photo of the two of them. Note the smug grin on Funguys face!

Quick post...

Just a quick post as I am preparing to pack a few last minute things. As most of you know, we have been making the trip to Coffeyville each weekend to help my dad in the care of my step mom. This weekend...is her birthday. The small party of family attending her 'party' has grown somewhat...and there are some dark dynamics at work as well. Emotions are running high, as each day with her may literally be the last. Please keep us in your prayers this weekend. But mostly, please pray that Becky's final transition will be peaceful...and gentle...that she will only feel God's all encompassing love.

Be Well!

Hump day...

Hump day passed much like the past two weeks have...in a flurry of activity...faster than a speeding bullet. This has not been a good week. I have fought a recurring migraine, since Monday, and a blue funk since last Friday. I know that brighter days are ahead...but the distance seems long right now.

For the last week and a half, Becky was more alert and articulate than she has been in a couple of months. For the last 36 hours...she has hardly spoken a word, and is sleeping almost around the clock again. Sunday is her birthday...we have a party planned. Just a few close family members, and the cake that she asked for a week ago...when she was doing so well. I'm fearful that we have planned a party...and will end up with a wake.

Tuesday was warm and sunny...almost 60 degrees! It was absolutely beautiful! Sugar and I took a walk around the pond...which (to my surprise) was still frozen solid and totally white with snow. The air was fresh...and the promise of Spring enveloped us. It occurred to me how odd it is...that one part of the world can be so 'right'...while the other part is in such chaos. The ironies of life are puzzling.

Today dawned colder than cold. Cloudy skies reigned, and a frigid wind has blown most of the afternoon.

I know that I am rambling...but at least I am writing. I have sat down to blog several times lately...but the sheer emptiness of the screen has loomed like a monster in the closet. I haven't had the energy to organize my thoughts into a cohesive piece...until tonight (and as I read back over what I have written...cohesive may be a stretch). Marvin asked me why I hadn't been blogging...and I knew it was time to get back back in the saddle. I'm glad that I did.

Be Well!

Get Over It...

I'm thinking of having these lyrics printed on pocket cards...laminated...and passing them out to idiots everywhere. I never realized how lame...John Q public really is. All that nonsense about "Everyone is basically good..." it's really just that...nonsense.It seems to me...more each day...that most of them are just looking for a free ride...while the rest of us pay.

Get Over It

I turn on the tube and what do I see
A whole lotta people cryin' 'Don't blame me'
They point their crooked little fingers ar everybody else
Spend all their time feelin' sorry for themselves
Victim of this, victim of that
Your momma's too thin; your daddy's too fat

Get over it
Get over it
All this whinin' and cryin' and pitchin' a fit
Get over it, get over it

You say you haven't been the same since you had your little crash
But you might feel better if I gave you some cash
The more I think about it, Old Billy was right
Let's kill all the lawyers, kill 'em tonight
You don't want to work, you want to live like a king
But the big, bad world doesn't owe you a thing

Get over it
Get over it
If you don't want to play, then you might as well split
Get over it, Get over it

It's like going to confession every time I hear you speak
You're makin' the most of your losin' streak
Some call it sick, but I call it weak

You drag it around like a ball and chain
You wallow in the guilt; you wallow in the pain
You wave it like a flag, you wear it like a crown
Got your mind in the gutter, bringin' everybody down
Complain about the present and blame it on the past
I'd like to find your inner child and kick its little ass

Get over it
Get over it

All this bitchin' and moanin' and pitchin' a fit
Get over it, get over it

Get over it
Get over it

It's gotta stop sometime, so why don't you quit
Get over it, get over it

Eagles - From the album Hell Freezes Over 1984

Be Well!