Thursday, December 29, 2011

BETWEEN ME AND MY WORLD OF CONFUSEMENT

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ARIZONA’S MULE MOUNTAINS BLEND INTO THE RANCH HOUSE ROOF LINE WHILE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS TWINKLE ALONG THE DRIVEWAY
Sure nice not to have stiff water lines first thing in the morning from overnight cold temperatures.  We moved a couple wooden bird feeders from the far side of the Ranch house to the apple trees right beside us so it’s also nice seeing all the birds right outside our window first thing in the morning.  Purple Finches, Cactus Wrens, Red Wing Blackbirds, Curved Bill Thrashers to mention a few I recognize.
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We actually ate breakfast outside this morning under our awning.  First outside breakfast I can remember since we were at PANCHO VILLA STATE PARK in Columbus, New Mexico back in December of 06.
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OUR FIRST OUTSIDE BREAKFAST WITH MOTORMOUSE, MAX, AND CHECKERS DECEMBER 24TH 2006 AT PANCHO VILLA STATE PARK IN COLUMBUS, NEW MEXICODSC_0010-6
THIS WAS BACK IN THE DAYS OF THE ORIGINAL BAYFIELD BUNCH WHEN WE HAD OUR 5TH WHEEL
I sure would be in a big world of confusement if it wasn’t for Kelly.  Ever since this kidney stone thing she has taken the bull by the horns handling all the phone calls between our insurance company and the University of Arizona Hospital.  She sorted out all the confusing fax numbers for having records sent back and forth.  She talked to forgetful Department Heads ensuring things were staying on track.  The Nurse Practitioner even gave Kelly her own personal cell phone number.  Kelly has spent hours on the internet researching kidney stone info and other things found in my Cat Scan. 
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She is relentless in her pursuit of information to arm herself with when talking to medical or insurance people.  She is totally efficient in her approach to this medical problem and deals with each missed phone message or incorrect phone fax number with ease.  Nothing ever phases her or gets her down and she knows what to say and when & how to say it.  Kelly handles any other kind of situation as well and that is precisely why her managerial and fine people skills are so much appreciated at Deer Park Lodge back home where Kelly is the Lodge’s invaluable manager.  Like I have said in the past, I honestly don’t know where I would be if it wasn’t for my wonderful wife.  And, I think most other men, if the truth be known, are in the very same boat as I am when it comes to competent and capable caring Spouses.
DSC_0001-1Thanks to Kelly’s patience and perseverance I have an appointment scheduled at the University of Arizona hospital for next Wednesday morning at 11 a.m.  I will be undergoing a Renal Ultra Sound and was happy to find out it will not require any poking, puncturing, prodding, or drinking vast volumes of foul tasting liquids.  In other words, it’s a fist clenching, face gritting, and scream free procedure.  I think I can handle that.  Had it been the injecting of radioactive isotope stuff I may have had to put out a plea in my blog here for a stand in volunteer.  By the way, our insurance company is MANULIFE FINANCIAL of Canada and this morning they agreed to pay for my upcoming thousand dollar Reno Ultra Sound.  Thanks Folks:)) 
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OVERHEAD SAND HILL CRANES TODAY
I have been asked a few times why I don’t respond to reader’s comments.  Short answer…volume of comments.  If I wrote a post maybe once or twice a week or maybe every other week or so I could see personally responding to each and every comment.  Because my comments and response to comments comes from the heart it generally takes me awhile to think and put a comment together.  To do that each day with every comment received is just too much for me to do.  I think many other daily Bloggers will understand that.  I have been making a better effort to respond to questions in my posts though.  Just thought of one from MERIKAY a few days ago.  The $800 travel insurance we pay for me is for 182 days.  Kelly’s travel insurance is $700 and is separate from mine but covers the same length of time.
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THIS FEISTY LITTLE DEMON ROOSTER ATTACKED ME JUST SECONDS BEFORE THIS PHOTO >>>
I was also recently asked if I read all my comments.  My answer to that is a resounding, ‘YES’.  Since the very beginning of my blogging days years ago I have never missed reading a single comment.  Each and every comment comes into our Hotmail account in the form of an email & I have thousands upon thousands of comments saved and filed away for each one of my blogging years.  Why do I save all the comments?  I dunno, I just do.  Things like that are important to me.
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Sometimes the doggy snoring wakes me up.  With 4 dogs just a few feet from my bed last night they all seemed to be snoring in marvelous harmony.  Similar to the lyrics of a Johnny Cash song…..Gleeson snored Base, Motor snored Tenor, with Pheebs and Pearce joining right in there:))
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FINDING A LITTLE SHADE ON A WARM SUNNY DAY
The Last Paragraph:  We all have our little quirks and foibles. Here are a few of mine. - Don't like using a metal spoon to stir my coffee because of the clanking sound the spoon makes. I always stir my coffee with a plastic spoon. - No matter what, I never do the sleeve buttons up on a long sleeve shirt. Can't stand that tight feeling around my wrists & same for the top button on a shirt - When I make my shake in the morning I never pour it in a glass. The blender is my glass. - It is extremely rare for me to answer a ringing telephone, or for that matter, pick up the phone and make a call. - I never tell a joke but have forwarded countless thousands of them over the years on the computer to my 'jokes gang.' - I'm the only person I have ever met who daily enjoys mixing milk with lettuce and other exciting vegetables...check out SOUNDS YUKKY - TASTES YUMMY. Spending hours keeping a vehicle all shiny and sparkly doesn't interest me anymore. Nor does swimming. - I have carried a notebook and pen with me every day for the past 28 years. Why would I need all this iPlop stuff. - Wherever I go somewhere I make it a point to arrive early and never be late.  Just a little something called respect - I will take the extra time and drive the extra miles just to avoid the traffic chaos of a large city. - Rare for me to wear shorts and I never wear sandals. - Can't read or watch any movies or television with animals because inevitably the animals end up getting hurt or mistreated somehow. - I avoid groups or crowds of people because I feel very uncomfortable in those situations. - I am in a definite minority when I say I do not play cards or table games. - BBQing, cooking and sports hold zero interest for me. – Rap music should be called what it really is….offensive and aggravating noise.  Say, did I ever tell you about ME AND QUEEN ELIZABETH:))
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GROANER’S CORNER:(( 
- How does the pope buy things on eBay?
He uses his papal account!
- Did you hear about the American who got in big trouble after he dismembered a grizzly?
He misunderstood the 2nd amendment when it said he was entitled to bear arms.
- Is it proper to eat a hamburger with your fingers?
No, you should eat your fingers separately!
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-Tourists see the world, travelers  experience it.
- Home is where your pet is:))
BAYFIELD BUNCH PHOTO ALBUMS https://picasaweb.google.com/117858411710794543295
The only thing better than right now  will someday be the memories of
right  now...AL.

16 comments:

  1. interesting facts about yourself that your shared, Al..but you know just reading your blog and looking at the picture you take gives us all a good insight into your personality!..and deep down you are indeed the lucky one to have found Kelly!..

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  2. "Why would I need all this iPlop stuff"

    OK now THAT was funny !

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  3. Good to hear Manulife is going to pay for the ultra sound. You are lucky to have Kelly looking after you.

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  4. Ok Al, do you just have Western towns on the mind tonight? Or is there really such a thing as a Reno (rather than renal) Ultra Sound? I have to admit that a Reno sounds like a whole lot more fun!

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  5. Love that photo of Kelly holding the umbrella over Princess Pheebe! And enjoyed the look-back at Checkers and Max. You have had and still have such wonderful fur friends...and Kelly too...how did you get so lucky?!?!?

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  6. Probably a great account of yourself, eh? And by the way: VERY nice pics!

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  7. Many of those things on your list are on mine too. Er...well, I appreciate Kelly but the list I am talking about has to do with things that define you as you. For example, I will not go see the movie War Horse. Who wants to spend an entire movie gasping over the cruelty sure to be done to those animals as it is to the humans?
    Emjay

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  8. Best wishes for a good test! My test next week is just like you described with the needles and the radioactive dye and the xrays and such. But they won't let me run away.......

    Rod

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  9. I hear ya when it comes to having a spouse without whom we'd be completely and utterly lost. I admit that I'm capable of a 'few' things when it comes to bureaucracy, but I'm pretty sure I'd be selling pencils at King and John (a local Hamilton reference there... insert any appropriate intersection) if I were flying solo. Possibly 'flying' is even an exaggeration.
    Good luck next week.

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  10. excellent pics love the one of Kelly holding the parasol over Queen Pheebee...glad Kelly is on top of things..sounds like me a "get it done successfully type of gal" take the bull by the horns so to speak...take care and glad the ins is covering the cost....

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  11. I find it interesting how opposites attract..you and Kelly, for instance. Glad you are having the test..I would prefer a RENO test to a RENAL test anytime..I know lots about RENO :-)
    FYI..Our middle daughter suffers my kidney stones and is being scheduled to see a Nephrologist (fancy pants word for Kidney Doc.)..Wishing you two/four all the best in the New Year...Hugs to all..

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  12. I'm thinking Purple finches would be a bit of an oddity in your present location. My vote is that those are house finches at your feeder. :)

    You are a fortunate man to have such a helpful and talented partner.

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  13. Certainly agree about the capable wife thing -- my Suzy is the greatest! As to radioactive crap stuck in you, Suzy had a "nuclear stress test" a couple of days ago. She glowed even more brightly that evening! Love you bird pix, especially the curved bills! They look so fierce! Finally, as you pass Benson Wednesday, beep your horn or wave out the window.We'll feel your presence.

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  14. Yeah that one bird is really giving you the evil eye! You and Kelly sound alot like Sam and myself....the brawn and the brains.(though sometimes I think you guys just dont want to be bother and Kelly just do.) Sam also does not play cards/games/bbq. Boy everyone says Riggs is spoiled, but Pheebs has him beat, her own personal umbrella holder .

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  15. Most comments I get (and I, too, receive them via individual emails), don't have an address I can reply to. They are usually something like "no reply @ blogger".

    I watch a lot of Book TV on weekends (CSPAN2), and recently heard someone saying that we can expect tons more identify theft in the near future because of all the technology such as the phones, netbooks, etc. I think it was the founder of Google who was speaking, and mentioned also that spam is increasing, a lot of it from the Balkans. I sure am noticing an exponential increase in spam comments on my blog. I hate to disallow anonymous comments, but may have to if this problem gets too serious.

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  16. photography contest you might be interested in!

    http://i-shot-it.com/competition.php?id=4ebbed009060b

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