Monday, September 29, 2008

WTH?

Odessa
Okay, I AM NOT a financial wizard! But WTH? a 700 BILLION dollar bail out to failed lending institutions? Because THEY were financially irresponsible? Hmmm...I would like to see a dollar for dollar accounting of where every bit of the 700 Billion goes. If I am forced to help pay for this fiasco, I want to know where in the hell my money is going.

I don't know about you, but when I get behind in a bill or forget to pay a bill, I don't have someone there to bail me out, do you? When I am financially irresponsible I have to either a.) pay the consequences or b.) get myself out of it. So why in the hell are we bailing out these lending institutions? Could it be mis-management in the very largest scale? Giving loans to those who don't really qualify? Creative financing that the banks had to know would not get repaid? I mean really...back in 1999 Fannie Mae and other lending institutions relaxed their lending criteria so more Americans could own homes. I am betting 95% of those people have defaulted on their mortgages. And just who in the hell thought that by giving away loans (that is basically what I feel they did) that the recipients would pay it back? Come on folks...
Again, I ask the question, why in the hell are we having to pay for this? I am ready to join what ever grass roots movement there is to stop this...only it was sprung on the American people and our damn government says there is NO TIME to fix it unless they get the 700 billion NOW! Sounds pretty fishy to me. How could they NOT know? They definitely know if you don't pay your taxes, so how in the hell could they miss this big mistake?

I know a lot of you know more about high finances than I do...can you explain this to me???? I have a call into my broker, however, he hasn't returned my call in 4 days...hmmm, should I worry? And my bank, WAMU is gone...I guess I now bank at JP Morgan Chase. And Wachovia is falling to Citigroup...how much of the 700 billion will they get?


Any replies, rebuttals? Again I say WTH? And don't get me started on people who bought houses at an inflated rate, then defaulted on their mortgage and are now crying in their beer...............

Sunday, September 28, 2008

CPAP battle is over

Odessa
I think I have finally mastered the CPAP, or BiPAP as mine is called. The new face mask is working and I have had 4 nights of un-interrupted, glorious sleep and rest. The first night I wore the mask it was a little strange getting used to this "thing" on my face, but I was so tired I fell asleep and woke up refreshed the next morning. Wow, what a feeling. And after four nights of sleep I feel GREAT! Matter-of-fact I have more energy than I know what to do with. If only my poor body could keep up with the energy level I have all of a sudden! The cats on the other hand wonder what has happened to my face at night. Juanito will "pat" the mask at night to see if I am really under it! Funny! And when the mask leaks air it makes a funny noise and the dogs will growl at it...and yet I am getting sleep.

Yesterday I did more work around the house in one stretch than I have done in a long time and I was looking for more to do, only my body said "ENOUGH--I AM SORE ENOUGH!" Yes folks, I feel good. FINALLY! Now I just have to get my body to agree to this new feeling of energy and I will be rockin'! Somehow I don't think my old body is gonna' willingly agree to this new energy level...I will have to break it in slowly!

We have had some beautiful Fall days here in Odessolet. Crisp mornings and nights and beautiful days. The leaves are beginning to turn and fall, and there is a certain smell in the air that says its Fall. I am enjoying these days here, especially since I don't have a lot planned to do until deer hunting weekend. I have cut out a new quilt and will begin sewing it today....hope to finish it before I leave.

On another note, our son Jerry and wife Ardis have decided to separate. It makes me sad to see this, however, if they both are happier apart, then it is the right thing to do. We support their decision and love them both.

On to happier things....we are going to be great grandparents again...David and Tiffany are expecting a new bundle of wet diapers in March. Congrats to them.

Until next time...enjoy life, it's the only one you have got!

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

CPAP 8 - Jo 0

Odessa
GRRR...the CPAP and I have really a hate, hate relationship. It hates me and I hate it. So why do I keep trying to use it? Well, for one thing, the doctor scared the pants off me when he said that my oxygen level was down to 50% sometimes and that could cause a sroke or heart attack. And he said that I would feel much better if I got some decent rest (and he went to medical school for that???)

At any rate, I have been trying every night to use the %^&*() thing. I did get one full night in with it...then the trouble started. For what ever reason my brain says I am suffocating when I put the mask on. No sh..!!! Just because I can't breathe out means I am suffocating? So what do I do? I yank the mask off and throw it across the room...detaching it from the CPAP in the process. I turn off the CPAP, get up in search of the mask...in the dark. Then I either have to turn on the light and wake AL and the dogs up or try and put this thing back together in the dark. Instead I give up and go back to sleep without it. This has taken place every night but one. That damn machine is winning. Now, anyone that knows me, knows that I won't stand for that.

Today I loaded up said CPAP (actually, I was corrected today and told it was a BiPAP) and drove to Moses Lake to see what they could to to help me get used to this monster. After trying several masks on, I finally settled on a full face mask. I know, I know, you CPAP users are cringing at the thought, but I actually found it more comfortable..at least while I was in the office. We shall see what transpires tonight. I look like the alien from outer space with this "thing" on my face. But if it works, I will live with it..after all this isn't a damn beauty contest..right? It's all about me being able to breathe and as long as I don't look in a mirror and scare the daylights out of myself I should be fine.

Stay tuned..............

Sunday, September 21, 2008

3 Day Cancer walk; CPAP; Deutschesfest, all rolled into one!

Odessa, WA

Whew, these last few weeks have been a blur for me! Seems like we have been constantly on the go. Oh! Wait! WE HAVE! Let me start at the beginning.

Two weeks ago we headed to Spokane for the day to see our little great (grand?) nephew Joshua. He belongs to Kali, which is Gary and Jeannette's daughter. Kali and Scott were relocating from Louisiana to Olympia, WA and Gary and Jeannette kept Josh for two weeks. He is just a little over a year old and a real cutie. He sure has captured our hearts.

Joshua and Grandma Jeannette


Then on Sept 11 we headed back to Seattle for another round of doctor appointments and to support Ric, Jennifer and Sherrie in the 3Day Breast Cancer 60 mile walk! First, just let me say how proud we are of these three....they have been training for this walk since January and logged hundreds of training miles. Their dedication to this cause is wonderful.
Friday morning up at o'dark thirty for the Opening Ceremonies. Sherrie is a 5 year survivor of breast cancer and she was in the survivor circle. There were over 3200 walkers and six were chosen for the survivor circle. It was very emotional to see her up there. And my thoughts had to stray to Cindy, our niece who lost her battle with cancer three years ago. Anyway, back to the Opening...it was sure moving to see all those people, men and women, who were walking to support the breast cancer research cause.

Sherrie

THen while they were walking their first day, 22 miles in all, I had an appointment for an endoscopy in downtown Seattle. Daughter-in-law Janet took me to this appointment and good thing she did...I was wiped out for the rest of the day.

Saturday we were up early again. Denice, Sherrie's sister and our niece and I took off to meet Janet and "cheer" on our walkers. We were at the cheering station in Kirkland for over 3 hours, cheering on not only our walkers, but the other 3200 as well. What a experience....I can't really describe how you feel seeing all of these people walking for this cause and the thousands of people who turned out to cheer them along the route. It still really amazes me!

Part of the crowd at a cheering station


Then we headed over to the lunch spot for the walkers and met up with the kids. Jennifer was suffering from bone bruises on the bottom of her feet and gave up walking for the rest of the day. I took her with us to the next cheering station and then to camp and the medical tent.

Sunday Denice and I headed over to Green Lake for the first cheer station and was there at 7:30 a.m. UGH! Janet met us there and we set up our little cheering station along with some other early morning people. I must add that the weather in Seattle that weekend was amazing. Warm, sunny and beautiful. A LOT of people were out walking around Green Lake and they turned into cheer supporters as well...unintentionally. Jennifer was doing much better today after Ric "doctored" her foot.

Denice and I spent the day following the walkers in my car and finally wound up at Memorial Stadium to cheer them in to the finish line. TO see the thousands of people there to cheer in the walkers was amazing.

Ric, Jennifer and Sherrie crossing the finish line and the victory tunnel.

We were joined at the closing ceremony by several of the kids friends, plus granddaughter Cammie and our good friends Rowland and Kathy Brasch. Closing ceremony was very emotional...just looking down on the stadium field and seeing the 3200 plus walkers and survivors! WOW! And most importantly, over 8.6 million dollars was raised for breast cancer research...our kids raised over $20,000 themselves. So I say thank you to all of you who donated to them!

Monday was full day doctors for Al. He got good reports from all the doctors. Then it was my turn. I had an appointment to do a sleep study for sleep apnea. Oh goodie. I got to sleep overnight at the hospital, hooked up to all these machines. I had enough wires on me that I could get all TV and radio channels in the world! My goodness, how was I suppose to sleep with all these wires attached to me? I don't know how I did it, but I did sleep and the next morning I saw the doc and yes, I have sleep apnea. Oh goody! Of course I can't have the normal sleep apnea where your throat muscles relax and collapse when you sleep causing you to quit breathing...no, when I get into the REM sleep I just quit breathing...throat muscles have nothing to do with it! So, the next night I get to go back and do another sleep study and this time I get to wear the CPAP as well. Let me tell you, THAT did not go well. At any rate, to make a long story longer, I came home with a CPAP and I am not happy about it. I am having a horrible time adjusting to it...it still makes me feel like I am suffocating. Hopefully I will get used to it...maybe.

We had doctor appointments again on Tuesday and Wednesday we headed home. We decided to come over Stephens Pass through Wenatchee. The weather was still beautiful and the fall colors were just starting to appear. There was a feeling of "fall" in the air. We got home just in time to see our friend from Arizona Bob Grabow pull in with his motor home. He will be here for the weekend and possibly longer if we can convince him to stay a while. Bob and Al went to high school together here and have been life long friends.

Thursday was spent getting ready for our annual yard sale. What a job! The weather was hot, hot and hot. This is not unusual for this time of year here.

Friday Deutschesfest began in Odessa. This fall festival is always fun and this little town of 1,000 grows into 20,000 or more. Friday is the official start of "fest" and the campers and tourist were already rolling in. Our house was holding Denice, Jennifer, Sherrie, their friends Margo and Bob, and our good friends Kathy and Rowland. Denice and Sherrie went to high school in Odessa and lived here while growing up so it was like a mini reunion for them. Friday was in the 90's and we were all thinking it was going to be a warm weekend. Boy, were we fooled. Saturday turned out cold and windy. OF course, I had the yard sale going on, trying to keep things from blowing all over. The weather held down the people coming to the yard sale and we didn't have many purchaser's.

Saturday brought more of our family to visit. It was good to see them all. Niece Penny was here with her little granddaughter Riley, who is 10 months old and really cute. Nephew Jeremy was here with his family from California, including 3 year old Peyton; niece Michelle and grand (great?) niece Cameron were here as well. Gloria, our sister-in-law was here from Spokane, so our house was full yesterday. Last night we hosted our "rib fest" for 11 people...Al did his great bbq ribs..yum.


In some way, they are all Wraspir's!!!












Today dawned cold and rainy! What the heck? So I closed up the yard sale and went to breakfast with the crowd. Our church hosts a "farmers breakfast" at the high school every year for Fest so we enjoyed a good breakfast. Then it was time for all to leave....boy was this house quiet all of a sudden!!! Both dogs looked so forlorn...only two people to pet them! Too bad.

So, we have had a busy two weeks. Loved seeing all the family and friends. Now it is time to settle down a bit and start seriously thinking about packing and heading south. We plan on leaving for Tucson around the end of October, after Al goes deer hunting and I go on the "girls" week to San Francisco with Jennifer, Janet and Kathy. I do have my work cut out for me in the next few weeks getting the 5th wheel packed and ready to go. If this weather stays this way, I will be more than ready to head south -- probably before the end of October!

Hope everyone is happy and healthy and enjoying life...until next time we are the
"UN-WROAMIN' WRASPIRS"

Thursday, September 04, 2008

Hurricane Summer Cold

Odessa
I have been hit by a hurricane! Hurricane summer cold has laid me flat! High winds (blowing my sore nose); rain (running nose); wind gusts (sneezes); flooding (see rain)and general devastation has hit. In other words I have a rotten summer cold and I feel like crap! I have been down and out for 3 days now...no energy, can't concentrate, ache all over, etc. ARRGG...I hate being sick and I am not good a being sick. I fight it with every ounce of me (and that's a lot of ounces folks!) and sometimes sick wins, as it did this time.

Actually I have been fighting what I thought was allergies for the last couple of weeks. The wind has blowing every day here and who knows what it has stirred up..so I thought that was what was causing my nose to run like a greyhound at the race track! I shoulda' bought stock in Kleenex the way I am going through it. Any way, I kept resisting this plague. I sanded the front deck and painted it last weekend. I told Al I was going to have to be on my death bed NOT to paint as it has been on my "TO DO" list way too long. I also sorted through some more "stuff" and added to our garage sale pile (hiding all of this from AL, who usually buys more from our garage sale than anyone else!!). Then on Monday night, I was officially DONE IN. NO MORE. I was down for the count.

Okay, now I have been sick, I am ready to start on something today...however, my mind and body are not in agreement...and the body wins. I will stay down another day and try and get rid of this menace.

In other news, ah, can't remember any other news at this point...so I will say adios for now.

Followers