Not Like Me 7:35 PM

Spent the day shopping, actually browsing is more like it, didn't buy anything. Even at the bookstore. Had some coffee there, paged through a couple of magazines, then came home, empty handed. Maybe tomorrow.

The Sound Of Thunder 8:19 PM

Jody and I headed on down to the House of Harley after work tonight for their street festival. We figured since you can't avoid the rumble and roar of the motorcycles, you might as well be part of the activities. There was plenty of motorcycles to look at, people to watch, music to listen to, and food to eat. I had a good time.

Kaiyah 8:15 PM

Today is Kaiyah's 1st birthday. It's amazing how fast time has flown. She's walking, starting to be more vocal, growing. She is Char's granddaughter and I got to name her when she was born. She is such a cutie! I'm lounging now, watching TV and going to pick up a book to read. There are days when doing much of nothing is something I like to do. Tonight is one of those nights.

Covered In Dirt And Grass 7:12 PM

Just got in from working on Doug's yard. It's finally beginning to look like a backyard again. We spread dirt, laid sod, dug a trench for drainage. Soon, I'll be able to sit on the patio, instead of working on it. The work has been hard, invigorating, and worth while. I really have enjoyed slaving on it this summer. I'm grateful for the opportunity. Well, I'm off to take a shower and clean up, I am covered in dirt and grass, and want to lounge on the couch for the remainder of the evening.

Start Of The Weekend 3:26 PM

I worked hard all week, now I can relax, have a few days to rest, run, play, nap, read, whatever. It's the weekend and I am going to enjoy it.

Q & A 8:54 PM

The questions remain. One answer to the mystery is I am not having a recurrence of the lymphoma. That is one answer I wanted to hear. The other answer is why am I having fevers and night sweats. That has not been answered. All the tests I went through today, came back as normal (except the platelets which are consistently low). I'm as healthy as I can be, I guess. I'm back to monitoring and follow ups and contacting the doctors if my symptoms get worse.

The Blood That Moves The Body 6:23 PM

Tomorrow I go to the Hematologist. They moved up my appointment by an hour, since they want to run a bunch of tests. I'm still going to work for a number of hours before heading over to the medical complex. Tonight I am just going to lounge and read my book, watch TV. I just checked my temperature and it is 99.1 degrees. Hopefully the tests tomorrow will explain what my body is doing, and I will be able to get back to normal body temperatures.

Fest, Fences, and Food 11:06 AM

Been busy running around this weekend. Got to Irish Fest yesterday for a number of hours, lots of people to watch and plenty of food to eat, enjoyed it very much. Helped Doug replace the fence, took a few hours, but we managed to get it done. Afterward we had pizza, pasta, and sat around, relaxed, watched part of a bad vampire movie, then I came home and read for awhile before going to bed. Today we'll start on the second retaining wall and spread more dirt around, unless he has something else planned by the time I get there..

Around Town 9:05 PM

Just got home from running around. Had subs, ice cream, tried to shop at Target in Oak Creek, but there were fire engines and rescue squads and lots of flashing lights and people outside the store. Ended up at Kohls, then the new Target in Franklin. Last night I spent on the couch and the Internet, relaxing. Since it's now the weekend, I'll spend time around town.

Six Flags 7:03 PM

What goes up must come down fast and furious. That's why I am heading down to Great America tonight for Coasters After Dark. It's the final time of the season and not to be missed. Been looking forward to this since the last one in July. Little or no wait, speed, jostling, heights, drops, gets my adrenaline going. It's going to be a late night and an early morning, so little or no sleep for me. I'll catch up on it one of these nights.

My Dinner With Jody 8:49 PM

We met at the casino (that is usually where Jody and I have dinner) and I ended up winning a nice chunk of change, $115 on a nickel machine. I was done gambling at that point, so we proceeded to the fire pit to eat. I did put in another twenty into the machines afterward, but I came home with more money than I left with! All around it was a good evening!

Dinner Plans 4:57 PM

Tonight, meeting Jody for dinner. Last night, went by Mom and Dads, had dinner, visited. Judy stopped, as well as Scott, ended up staying the evening. Got home, and went to bed shortly afterward. I'll get the chance to reunite with my couch at some point. I spend enough time there as it is.

Just For The Record 8:25 AM

I couldn’t help but stare at myself in the mirror. Happiness. Anger. Fear. Weariness. Innocence. Loathing. Humility. Frustration. Temptation. Failure. Joy. Many were well represented. I almost didn’t recognize myself even though I know myself. I saw things etched there that no longer mattered, affected me throughout, things that haven’t taken their toll yet. I saw too much. I was still that timid little boy awed by the world around me. If I looked hard at myself I could catch a glimpse of him staring back at me in wonder and surprise. How one could be marked and weathered and aged. It's My Birthday.
Hooray!!!!

One More Brick 8:50 PM

After a long day of work, the retaining wall in Doug's backyard is near completion. Only the capstones need to be installed. Then a smaller wall needs to be built. We got the fence post in and will have the new section done. The work has been hard, but it has been rewarding too. Now I can unwind, relax, and sleep.

No One Said Life Was All Fun And Games 5:37 PM

After more blood work and a visit to the oncologist, I still do not know what exactly is going on with my body. There is no indication of lymphoma in my system, but still having symptoms. The hematologist wants to run a number of tests to try to figure it out. I guess I'll be a pin cushion in the mean time until I and the doctors know why I have fevers and night sweats.

Instead of working on the yard, Doug and I went to the State Fair last night. I completely enjoyed wandering about the fair grounds, taking in the music, the sights, and eating fried foods. Tonight I'm lounging, watching TV, relaxing. We plan on putting in a long day of work tomorrow, can't keep putting it off to have fun. We'll see how far we get.

When One Door Closes . . . 9:23 PM

The new one Doug and I installed opens. One project done. We'll build more of the wall this weekend. Tonight we grabbed some burgers, then removed the old door and replaced it with a brand new one. It was hard work, he did most of it, I was there as an extra set of hands. Seneca, his dog is a good little supervisor. 9:00pm and she lets it be known that it's time for me to go home. It's quite funny how she starts pushing me towards the door, then jumps up on Doug, so he'll pick her up so she can say goodbye. She's quite the character. On the way home, I drove past and under fireworks along Lake Drive in St. Francis. A celebration of a job well done maybe?

Booked Up 7:19 PM

I just finished reading a novel about vampires. I'm going to start one about the UFO incident at Roswell. I have several others stacked up to read once I finish that one. There are times when I don't have anything to read and am searching for something, so I pick up an old favorite, then there are times when I have plenty to read. I have enough to get me through the next couple of weeks, but there are a number of books being released in the meantime that I must read. I'm going to be buried in words for the time being. Life is good.

Playing Fair 7:18 PM

Char and I got an early start on the day and went to the State Fair. It was hot and gritty and I had a great time. We haven't been able to get together much lately and it was nice to get the chance to spend the day with her. Had a lot of adventures and misadventures with her, all funny, odd, and enjoyable. I am worn out and think it's going to be an early bed time tonight. Yesterday I got out shopping, bought a few books, groceries. Tomorrow it's back to work, have a doctor's appointment on Thursday, and I'm sure I'll be doing more manual labor on Doug's backyard. Oh yeah, and my birthday is coming up too. I hear the couch calling, so I'm outta here.

It's Hot In Here 8:38 PM

Now it feels like summer. Days of heat and humidity and 99+ body temperatures. Yes I still am having fevers, night sweats. Had blood drawn, for my upcoming follow up doctor's appointment. Since there's no sign of lymphoma, I wonder what could be up, but I deal with it. When I'm busy, I don't notice it. Going to be a lounging weekend, not much planned, going to see what comes along, and enjoy the weekend.