July 2004

The rumors of my demise...

... have been greatly exaggerated. Here's a recap of that's going on.

Kelli is making slow but sure progress. Today she was out of bed (in a chair, not walking around yet) and off of the respirator for about THREE HOURS with no ill effects. She even did some exercises with the occupational therapist while she was in the chair. In no time I'll be wheeling her around the hospital and maybe even down the street into the Inner Harbor, but I'm not holding my breath on the later.

Our three year anniversary is fast approaching. (As in: it's tomorrow.) I have something special planned, but I'm not giving details other than I know Kelli will love it, the medical staff will be indifferent, and my parents will question my ability to think things through. ^_^

My kid sister Beka is spending several nights a week at my place, as it cuts her hour commute down to half an hour. She pays for "rent" by doing dishes and cooking dinner. Really nice dinner, if I do say so myself.

I have not heard anything about potential placements for next school year. I keep calling the powers that be, getting an answering machine and nobody returns my calls. The next step is a walk-in visit, and I'm sure they won't like that. Too bad for them if they don't.

Think before you drink.

My first checkpoint. (Nothing happened.)

On my way home last night there was a police checkpoint to look for drunk drivers. I had a feeling police were involved when 3 lanes of traffic became backed up.

An hour later, I saw flashing lights and hoped nobody had been in an accident.

A little after that, as it was my turn to pull up to the patrolman, I got to say those little words that give me such pride.

"No, sir, I don't drink at all."

I'm really glad I made that choice.

In other news, my family will be spending the weekend up at "The Mansion" or "The Shed" or whatever other silly name we want to give the expensive piece of property we own that can't have anything legal built on it because it doesn't rate for a septic system. Still, it's good for campfires and fireworks.

I'll be down here with Kelli. I left her on Easter to bee with my family, but she wasn't conscious as often back then. Now she's very much awake and I don't want to leave her alone. I'll miss my family, but at least I'll be able to see the fireworks down here.