Visiting

 

We went to Charlotte on Wednesday to see Tony, Marie and the boys.  They got a  new dog, Cheyanne.  She's a two year old Boxer and reminds us all of Tyson, Tony's first Boxer.  We took Dixie with us and when she and Cheyanne first met, all was well.  Then, suddenly, Cheyanne, started to growl and got Dixie in her mouth.  I'm not sure who was  more surprised, Dixie, Tony or me.  Tony Jr., managed to release Dixie and Cheyanne spent the rest of the day in her cage.  Dixie was OK, but apparently so traumatized, that she pooped on the kitchen floor.  

Other than that, it was a nice visit.  Coleton, who is 11, had some really good conversations with us about sports and school.  Anthony, was goofy as always and made us laugh.  Owen is speaking a lot better and is really into video games. He talks to the characters.

We had burgers and got gifts and then headed home since Tony had to work on Thursday.  

We did a face time on Christmas day with David, Brenda and the girls.  That was fun.  Alex got a whoopie cushion for Christmas and showed us how it "farted."  

Brenda is going to send us a link to log into so we can actually see her in court this weekend.  She won't see us or  hear us, but we will be able to see her on the bench.  I can't wait.  I'm sure she will be as impressive as always. 

The first edition of the Carolina Dunes newsletter will be out in January.  I am the writer and editor.  I'm already working on February and having fun doing so. 

I work this weekend, the last 6:30 a.m. shift.  As of January 1, we go to 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., it doesn't seem like much of a change, but I will be able to sleep till 6 and not have to get up at 5 in the morning. 

We are having a birthday party for Dixie, she will be 11 on January 6. And then, it will be time for Donna and Bob to come down.  Our years have a cycle to them and we are comfortable with that. 

I'm not sure what the new year will bring, but I hope everyone stays healthy and happy. 

Christmas Parties

 

Well, it seems like everything is back to normal.  David and Brenda and the girls came in and cooked us a wonderful Thanksgiving meal.  There haven't been anymore riots at work and all in all, I have settled into a "same ole, same ole" routine--and don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining. 

Tony's health remains good and he is active.  He played golf on Monday and is working at the golf course again.  So the sizeable blip on the radar screen of health concerns have subsided a bit.

And so now we enter into our Christmas cycle.  It will be small for us, as usual but we will just enjoy being together.  With Dixie, of course.  

Tony has started to clean out the attic and do other "get ready for end of life" stuff, but not in fear, and not in haste to go, but so me and the boys don't have to.  That is so like him to take care of us; no matter what.

Geez, that sounds creepy, but it isn't meant to be.  

The golf course where Tony works had their Christmas party on Monday--and so did the place where I work, so I missed it, but I think they had a good time.  On the 16th, we will attend the Cape Fear Voices Christmas party at a restaurant in downtown Wilmington, and of course, the Leland Magazine Christmas party is being held on the same day, but there's only so many parties you can go to!

The golf course party was beautiful.  They had it in the new clubhouse that they built and this was the first time I had been inside.  It is massive and first class, all the way.  There are several dining area, a huge, wrap around bar that is lit from underneath and all glass walls.  You can see the course and various ponds from anywhere in the place.  It was decorated to the hilt and we had a wonderful time. 

I am writing the facility newsletter now and getting paid extra to do it.  So I have three writing jobs that bring me fun, pleasure and money!  

Not much else going on.  I assume we will be taking our Charlotte Swegle's visit after Christmas and before you know it, Donna and Bob will be back down for two months. 

I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year. 

A Time of Fear

I admit, there are things that scare me.  Car accidents, medical bills, losing people I love.  All of that, but yesterday I was scared and it had nothing to do with all of the above. 

I work in a hospital that mainly takes care of teen agers with mental problems.  We have 7 units and they are all not open to visitors without a key.  At around 9:30 a.m., I heard screaming from residents of 3 of our units.  I listened to the walkie talkie but all of a sudden, it went silent. 

About 5 minutes later, one of our nurses came into the lobby and told me to activate the main door opening function.  When I did, 5 police people came running in, all in riot gear.  I quickly asked what was happening and was informed that the makings of a  riot were underway.  

It was a riot, indeed.  It started out as a  fight and escalated to things being broken, doors being kicked in and nurses being hurt.   In all, we had 13 police cars, 20 police personnel, and 2 sheriffs responding to our call.  They shut down the facility and restrained many of the residents.  

My role, as a front line person was to open the door for the police and then open the door to the units that were in distress.  I realized as I opened that door, that they were in riot gear and I was not.  It crossed my mind that there was a small level of danger here, but when all of this is happening, you just put that to the back of your mind.    

After it was all over, I heard members of the team calling out to front line nurses asking if they were OK.  If the nurse didn't answer right away, someone went looking for them.  

I could hear the children--they were angry, I'm not sure about what, but they were a force that had no name, just a mission--to cause as much damage as they could.  

Our front line nurses did what they could, one or two being slightly injured as a result.  Our CEO came in and led the police to the areas in chaos and the nurses were glad about that.  It gave them some level of comfort to know that they were not alone.  

It was over in an hour or so, but time seemed to stand still.  The "children" went back to being residents, the nurses went back to doing their job.  The police left in small groups and all was quiet.   

I went home and watched the 2nd half of a football  game.  I ate dinner.  I did a load of laundry.  But when I crawled into bed, I was shaking and afraid.  The "What If's" were consuming my mind.  It was a time of fear in the day and in my mind.  What has happened to the world that we now have to be afraid of children?  I wish I knew.  I wish I could fix it.  But I can't.  

This is a place that takes good care of children in need.  It changes lives.  Why should the nurses and front line staff experience a time of fear?  All good questions, but questions that could be asked about so many things happening in the world. 

We should never reach for violence first.  But, we do.  We should never aim to hurt others.  But we do.  When will it stop?  When will we live and let live?

As Time Goes By

Every time I look at the last time I posted here, I am amazed by the time that has gone by.   The year is almost over and I don't remember half of it.   I think that much of that has to do with Tony's heart thing that started in August.  He just went for a TEE test, which is basically swallowing a small camera (he was put under) to see if there were blood clots behind his heart. I remember having this test right after I had my stroke and believe me, the recovery was not fun.  I had a sore throat for days.  But, Tony seems to have sailed right through it.  No clots, they just had to shock him back into rhythm.  

David, Brenda and the girls will be here for Thanksgiving.  Brenda is cooking this year.  We will be decorating the tree right after dinner so I am looking forward to that.  I got two new ornaments for them to put on the tree.  David and Tony will be playing golf.  I'm not excited about that, but his doctor said OK, so I am keeping my concern to myself (well, for the most part, anyway.)

I am picking up shifts at work.  I love the money, but not the time.  My usual shift is every other Saturday and Sunday from 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.   Due to staff shortages, they need night coverage which goes till 11:00 p.m.  I told them I couldn't do that, but if it would help, I could cover from 2:30 till 9:30.  We will see.

I am slowly getting used to not having my own car.  I stopped using the seat belt in Tony's car when I drive.  I hate seat belts.  I keep thinking that I'll have an accident and the damn thing will decapitate me.   I can't get used to the rear camera.  I know it's there and I use it when I drive into the garage to see if I have cleared the door, but when I am out, I don't even think about it.   I never had one, so I don't rely on it.  I haven't used the GPS in it either, but I think that will be coming shortly. 

The weather has been getting more and more chilly.  The evenings are crisp and such a relief from those 98+ degree days.  I even watched a Christmas movie on TV the other night.  Must be the weather!

I have started to work on the Cape Fear Voices Awards Banquet again.  It will be April 20 next year.  We've hired the food vendor and the entertainment and we know where we are having it.  So the big stuff is done.  I wrote a story about going home in October that has been very well received.  It is in the top 5 for this month and I received several very nice comments about it.  One man said it was like reading a movie!!  

Dixie will be 11 in January (the 6th) but shows no signs of slowing down.  Oh yeah, she's sleeping more during the day, but can still "toe bite" me and give me a run for my money.  We are so lucky to have her.  She and Tony are still very connected.  He texted me at 3:16 today that he was leaving work.  I told him I knew that because Dixie had been in the laundry room, in front of the garage door barking since 3:10, so I know she was looking for him.   Good that he speaks dog and she speaks daddy.  

Not much else going on.  I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving shared by family and friends. 

 

Back Home

Our trip to Cleveland was both fun and sad.  We did not get to see Jenna's kids and that just broke my heart.  In all of the letters we have sent back and forth this year, all of the kids have said that they couldn't wait  until we visited and could see them.   It just didn't work out from a scheduling perspective.  Maybe next year. 

Our Neighbor lunch was a fun time.  Only one person couldn't make it this year.   We went to Fast Eddie's in Parma.  Good food and a separate room for us to eat in.  We all looked older, but still had a good time.  

Staying with Sarah and Steven was fun.  They got a new dog, Ollie, and he was a bundle of energy.  

And so, we are home.  Tony has gone to two heart appointments and everything seems to be OK, although they said he had two AFIB episodes since he has had the pacemaker in.    He went back to work on Thursday, but it was pouring rain so 80% of the golfers cancelled and he came home soaking wet.  

I am working this weekend and next since I was off to go to Cleveland.  I have also started to work on the Awards Banquet for Cape Fear Voices and Teen Scene for next year (CFVTS.org.)  The theme is Stary, Stary Night.  It's a lot of work, but I enjoy doing it.  Gerald is more active this year than last and that will help. 

We have had to turn on the fireplace in the mornings as it has been 47 or so degrees.  It's nice to have it on for a bit and then turn it off as the day gets going.  I can't believe it's almost the end of the year. 

David and Brenda and family will be here again for Thanksgiving.  That will be nice.  We will decorate the Christmas tree on the lanai again this year with the girls.  That, too, is a lot of work, but it's so much fun to watch them putting ornaments on and watching for the lights.  David and Tony hope to play golf while they are here.  According to Tony's doctors, he can do that now.  For awhile, he was not able to raise his left arm over his head or lift anything heavy.  The swelling hasn't totally gone yet, but he is pleased with the healing process.

I am adjusting to life with one car.  It's not the same as having my Toyota, but I get from point A to B when I need to.    

So, that's life in our fast lane.  Not so fast anymore, but comfortable.  I miss seeing the kids this year, but hopefully, 2024 will be different. 

Getting Excited

We leave for Cleveland on Sunday, October 1.  Hopefully we will get to see the kids.  Tony and Jenna have  been texting back and forth about schedules and after school activities.  We may  have to see them one or two at a time--and that's OK, as long as we get to see them. 

We have some other fun things planned.  I'm looking forward to Neighbor Lunch.  There will be around 12 of us there and we have had a great time the last two times we got together.  I'm supposed to look for old pictures to bring with me.  

In other news, Tony had another echo cardiogram today and the fluid that has been surrounding his heart and concerning his doctor has subsided a bit, so that's good news.  He doesn't have to go back for another echo for two weeks. 

I have been so worried about him.  He doesn't have the energy he once did--oh I know, he's 76, but he was never one to sit and read.  He was always up doing something.  But, he does now and that's OK, as long as he feeling well. 

Also, we are staying with Sarah and Steven, so that should be fun.  They got a new dog, Ollie and so did Fritz, Teddy.  So I will be sure to stock up on allergy pills before I go.  

I sold my  car last week and I really  miss it.  I miss the freedom of jumping up and going where I need to.  It had 147,000 miles on it and the air conditioner went out, so it was time, but I still wish I had it. 

I'm doing the company newsletter now for Carolina Dunes.  And, I'm getting paid to do it, so that's good.  I am feeling more comfortable there as time goes by.  More people are talking to me and remembering my name.  I only work 4 days a month, so it was hard to keep me straight with all of the other receptionists.  But, the doctor's are nice and so are the Unit Directors.  Everyone is, really.  

I find my old friend, depression, is with  me more frequently.  I know it is stress related because of Tony and probably my car, but I can't seem to shake it.  I am spending more time in the office with the door shut.  I just can't seem to get out of the chair again.  Everything feels heavy.  My arms, my legs, my head.  I hope the trip to Cleveland changes some of that. 

Hopefully, in a week, I will be blogging about the great time we had seeing the kids and other family members.  I will try very hard to be positive.  I will try very hard to be present.  We shall see. 

This was from our first neighbor lunch, 2 years ago

In back:  Earl Melvin, Fritz, Peggy Szabo, Ralph Szabo

Sitting:  Lynn, Me, Gail O'Dell

Rough Spot

 I guess I shouldn't complain that we seem to be going through a rough spot of late.  We have had it so good for so long.  Tony has another doctor's appointment tomorrow for another echo cardiogram.  The last one (they did last week) showed fluid around his heart again and while they were not concerned over the amount, they want to do another echo just to check it. 

He has a home monitor and I find the blue light that is on the front of it very comforting.  It illuminates the bedroom so if we get up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom, it guides us there and back.  I look at it as a beacon of hope.  Maybe as a Star Trek beam that has Tony in its sites and is keeping him safe.  I have come to be very fond of that machine.  It tracks his heart activity and sends reports directly to his doctor.  If there is a problem, they call him and give us direction as to what we need to do to keep him safe and alive.

I see him being consumed with the depression that I have had for so many years.  It's like Tony is here, but only 75% of him.  The other 25% worries, stares off into space and doesn't sleep well.   

It's hard for me and for the boys, too (Jenna hasn't weighed in) to see him this way.  He was always the rock--always the fixer and do-er.   Always the guy with the answers to the problems.  Strong and independent.  I watched him chop wood once when we lived in Strongsville.  He was wearing blue jeans, no shirt and boots.  His strong arms swung that ax with gusto and precision and then he stacked the wood.  I don't even think he broke a sweat.  I always told the boys, "don't confuse stature with strength," for while Tony maybe only 5'8", his strength was always boundless.  Personally, I think a lot of the neighborhood ladies were secretly watching him chop that wood.  It was a sight to behold!!

And now, we have moved to a different place in our lives.  I listen to him breathe.  Neither one of us sleeps well.   You can see the shape of the pacemaker in his chest.  It hasn't settled into the muscle yet, so it is swollen and visible.  

I find it odd, that this man, who has such a big heart, is struggling with it.  Heart problems should be the last thing on the list that could hurt Tony.  He protects bugs and animals, he helps people, he drove disable veterans to their doctor's appointments, he encourages the lady golfers when he works at the golf course.  He is friendly to everyone--you know my old saying...."everyone loves Tony, I am an acquired taste."  And as well I should be.  No one is more kind than Tony to people he knows and to strangers.  

We are going through a rough spot.  But we are going through it together. 

Once More With Feeling

 

Just when you think it's OK to exhale after a major health event,  life slaps  you in the face again. 

The day after Tony was released, he started to feel a tightness in his chest.  I called his cardiologist and was told to bring him in for a cardiogram and some other tests.  

The cardiogram was done and they found fluid around his heart.  There also seemed to be an issue with the pacemaker kicking in when it should.

So, long story short, he was readmitted to the cardiac unit for tests.  They managed to regulate the pacemaker externally and additional tests showed that the fluid around his heart was significantly reduced. 

I picked him up yesterday and he seems better.  He has a ton of new meds and several rounds of tests coming up, but that's OK.

Better safe than sorry.

  

What If?

August is usually a "ho hum" month.  You know, no national holidays, just hot weather and getting ready to go back to school. 

Well, this August sure hasn't been ho hum.  It started with my eye surgeries and then quickly dealt my sister and brother in law a blow as weather in Cleveland caused a tree from the metro parks to fall on to their house and destroy their newly remodeled kitchen, the siding, ceilings and shrubs.  If that wasn't enough, my sister then fell off their pool deck onto the ground head first causing a concussion and 7 staples.  

Next, the air conditioning in my 17 year old Toyota died.  It's not worth repairing it with over 150,000 miles on it so in 97 degree heat,  I drive with wet towels on my neck and lots of sweating.

And finally--the big August "holy shit," Tony went for a routine cardiac appointment last Friday and was admitted to the hospital the same day with a resting heart rate of 27.  He had a pacemaker installed today.   

Tony Jr came in to help us and as we were driving to the hospital early this morning, we got a text saying that Tony was going to be taken for the procedure earlier than we had anticipated.  I just freaked out.  We were still on the road.  I could not envision not seeing him before surgery.

Tony Jr put the pedal to the metal and got us there with 6 minutes to spare.  He dropped me off at the entrance and went to park.  I started to cry in the car thinking I wouldn't see Tony before surgery.  Nurses and other staff who passed me in the hallway stopped to ask me if I was OK?  Did I need help?  How kind they were, but all I kept thinking was, "get out of my way....."  All of the "what if's" that have been hiding in the back of my mind started to look real.  I couldn't speak.  I couldn't even remind Tony Jr where the entrance phone to the cardiac unit was.  

We got there in time....actually, they didn't come for him for another 25 minutes so we had time, but by then I was a mess.  What if, what if, what if was all that I could think of.  

The what if's are behind us now....well, not really.  As he nods off for a nap, I find myself saying, what if?  As he quietly sleeps, if think....what if?  

But Tony thinks he is invincible.  He expects to pick up his old routine in the very near future.  But I am not invincible.  I know that every time he picks up a golf club I will be thinking, what if?  I know that every time he goes to work on Ladies Day, I will be thinking what if.  

August is usually a ho hum month.  Not this time.  

One Down One To Go

 

Well, it's done....one eye at least.  I had my left eye cataract removed on July 31.  It was a simple process and I am glad it is over.  I go for my right eye next week.  People are saying that colors will look brighter, but I am not seeing that yet.  I can see the numbers on my alarm clock better, which is what started the whole process, but I also see what looks like a rim on the bottom of my left eye. I hope that goes away, as it is annoying. 

Our trip to Cleveland in October is getting closer.  Tony is going to text Jenna about possible days when we can see the kids so I am getting excited about that. 

The weather here has been as bad as across the country; although the last two days have been better.  I just cannot adjust to 93 degree temps with 88% humidity.  Yuck.  Tony has been working and playing golf in this weather and while I worry about him, he is smart enough to figure out when enough is enough.  

Cape Fear Voices (cfvts.org) going online only seems to be a success.  We are working with a school in Australia to contribute to the Teen Scene section so that should be interesting.  

Work is going well.  I have been on my own 3 times now on Saturdays and Sundays and am finding my groove.  I am making friends with the nursing staff and enjoy what I do.  There are some heartbreaking moments--like the girl, who identifies as a boy because she has been in mental health facilities since she was 5 after being raped at 2 years old and then again when she was 9 and 11.  She has two children--she is 12 (actually, the state has them.)  Sexual abuse is part of who she is now, or so she says.  She is world wise when she should be just a kid enjoying middle school.  No wonder she wants to be a boy. 

Donna and Bob will be staying with us starting August 19.  We will not be going down to Hilton Head this year, but they will be stopping to see us on their way back to Cleveland. 

Tonight is date night.  Tony is working and when he gets home we will be going to Uncorked, a favorite wine bar.  We enjoying talking to Amy, the owner and many of the regulars.  

Leland continues to grow and it's happening very quickly.  I'm not sure that's a good thing as there is more traffic and less Mayberry.    Home prices are through the roof and lots that were $70,000 when we bought in Compass Pointe 12 years ago are now going for over $200,000.  It's just crazy. 

Dixie is well.  She was injured at the dog groomer last week--she got cut on her leg with some grooming sheers, but seems to be OK.  She continues to entertain us, annoy us and be a big part of the family.  This morning, she stood next to my side of the bed and barked at me at 7:05 a.m.  I got up thinking she had to go out, but as soon as I got up, she went under the bed and went to sleep.  I didn't see her until after 11:00.  

And so, all is well in Swegle-land.  My eye is getting better and all is right with the world.  I hope the same for you. 

Old Eyes

I hate getting older.  I hate the wrinkles, the flab and the purple feet.  But mostly, I hate what age has done to my eyes.  I was pulling out of our development a few days ago and a gray car blended right into the highway.  I didn't see it.  I'm not sure why I didn't pull out right away, but something held me back.  Had I pulled out, the gray car, doing well over 70mph, would have T boned me. 

I went to the eye doctor today--Dr. Groat.  He sure didn't look like his name.  While I expected an aging man way over 50 with wispy hair on the top of a balding head, this guy whipped into the room in gym shoes and cartoon socks.  He couldn't have been more than 30 and his thick blonde hair and goofy smile made him seem much younger than that.  

But, when he talked about my eyes he seemed to know what he was talking about.  My eyes are still dilated, with big, round black spots where my pin-point pupil used to be.  I thought I only had one cataract, turns out, I have two.  I will be having surgery on July 31 and again on August 14.   

We were at the office for a little over 2 hours.  I took tests that reminded me of a Star Trek episode, where the ship launches a smaller vessel into space and all you can see are white diamonds of light drifting into a velvet blue sky.  The vessel has red lights on it that flicker and bounce from one end of ship to the other in a nano second and silver bars that look like antennas surround the light.  

I guess the good thing is that this can be fixed and I need to remember that.  I will have to wear a plastic thing over my eye in the shower and I can't do housework or dishes after the surgery.  No problem there!!  

I will be glad to have this done, as the longer it goes on, the more painful it is.  It has impacted my writing.  All of my emails now are done in size 14 font.  People think I am  yelling at them--I'm just trying to ensure what I typed and what I wanted to say are the same thing!

We had a quiet 4th of July, mostly because of the weather, but we had a nice meal and time together.  It doesn't get much better than that. 

Physical, Working and Stuff

I have always hated going to my yearly physical.  Don't get me wrong, I love my doctor, but the first thing they have you do is step on the scale.  No matter how much weight you have lost, or what your scale says, their scale is always saying you weigh 6 pounds more than at home.  I have threatened to weigh myself naked there, like I do at home, but they are not up for that idea.  We settled on them noting that each one of my ear rings weighs 20 pounds. 

Well, this year, at least, my doctor was happy about my lab work.  He said all of the numbers were in or below range and he was really pleased about the work I have done to accomplish this.  I have cut down on coffee, bread and wine.  I am trying to walk more (but this continues to be a problem) and I'm paying attention to snacking.  But, hey, I'm 71, I guess this is as good as it gets. 

Work is going well.  I switched to being a receptionist for  a mental facility on May 23,  (25% more pay) and will be working less days so it seems to be a wash.  It's a fun place with lots of interesting people.  I rarely have interaction with the "residents" other then when they are brought in by law enforcement.  It's a lesser distance than Arbor Landing (although, I could get there in 4 minutes...) and I am enjoying what I do.  On Saturday, July 1, I will be working on my own.  I am the every other weekend person, Saturday's and Sundays from 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.  Not bad hours.  I used to get up at 4:45 a.m., when I worked at Chase Manhattan.  

We are tentatively planning a trip to Cleveland in October--probably the first week of October to see Jenna's kids.  They are out of school now and doing well.  Sam graduated from middle school with all A's and Ben was in a number of honors classes.  They will be in band together next year.  

Ellie will be going to middle school this year and is worried about mean girls and making friends.  Zach will also be going to regular school and is basically worried about everything.

Tony is pressing me to take golf lessons so we can play together, so I have that on my list of things to do.  I want to get back into the game, but I also want to play well.  Not sure how those two things are going to work out. 

We have been working to put Cape Fear Voices online (cfvts.org) and July will be our first all online edition.  Not sure how people will react to it, but we might as well join the 21st century and get online.  Two of my stories are trending in the top 10 (most read)  for the year so far and that makes me happy.  

I'm doing a story on a new Art Gallery opening in Leland for Leland Magazine that I am very excited about.  The artist, Dan Beck, is wonderful.  He works in oil and has a very mysterious style to his paintings.  

Tony and Dixie are well.  We went to the beach on Father's Day and had a nice time.  It was crowded and really hot.  We knew that the beach had a lot of "northerners" there because their skin was so white!  But, it was fun anyway!

I feel bad about those who lost their life in the sub going down to see the Titanic. One of the passengers was only 19.  He didn't even live his life yet.  That's sad. 

Well, off to clean another room in this dusty house.  Happy June and July to everyone and I hope to see you in October. 

  

The Problem With Time

I've been having a hard time with time lately.  For 8 months I was consumed with the Cape Fear Voices/Teen Scene (cfvts.org) awards dinner.  After it was over, I said I'm going to email people I haven't connected with in a while, I'm going to clean the house and I'm going to relax.  Well, here it is the third week of May and I haven't done any of that--well, I did clean yesterday because the kids are coming in from Florida this week.  But, that's about it. 

I can't seem to figure out where my time goes.  Tony will tell you it's because I'm in front of the computer all day, but I'm spending less time there than I used to.  Maybe the answer is that ash tray that my father used to have that I never understood until I was in my 50's.  It said, "Time Marches On, Damn it!"  Maybe time is marching on and I just haven't caught up.

Anyway, I have to have cataract surgery on my left eye.  It feels like someone has their finger in my eye all of the time and I can't see.  Driving at night is the worst.  

I am looking forward to the kid's visit.  David and Tony are playing for the 3 Men and A Bond Trophy and we will be celebrating David's birthday while they are here.  We bought a small swimming pool for the girls last year and will be putting that up in the yard.  

The papers for which I write are doing well.  Cape Fear Voices will be going online only in July.  The printing costs are just killing us.  I hope we don't lose readership or our authors.  Some people just don't like to read online.  We will see. 

No word on coming up to Cleveland yet.  We want to coordinate with Jenna and her family to make sure the kids aren't doing some school related, out of town things.

That's all for now.  If I owe you an email, I will be writing soon.  All I need is TIME!

Founders and Purple Feet

The Cape Fear Voices/Teen Scene banquet was on Saturday, April 15, and it was a wonderful event.  I am really tired and my feet are a lovely shade of purple and very swollen, but I still had a great time. 

I don't think I would cut it as an event planner.  I  hired a bar tending service who didn't show up.  I was livid.  The event started at 5:00 and at 4:30 I was screaming into the phone--where are you?  I got two interesting excuses--the first one was, "oh, I heard the event was cancelled, so I didn't show up."  When I asked if it dawned on her at 4:30 when I was asking where she was and telling her that my guests were due to arrive in 30 minutes, that the event wasn't cancelled.  

The second excuse was, "oh, my son died that day and I had to go to his funeral."  I guess she was expecting me to back pedal and put my nice hat on.  Guess what, I threw my nice hat in the garbage at 4:30 on Saturday.  Instead, I said, "thank you, I won the bet.  I bet the publisher that you would tell me that someone in your family died and that's why you didn't show up."  A full refund is being processed as we speak. 

But, the food was terrific, the music was perfect--our theme was super hero's and the singer learned 20 new songs for the event--specifically, Hero, written and originally performed by Mariah Carey. All of the feedback I have received was positive and we made a nice profit from the event which will got into our Teen Scene College fund.  

The highlight of the evening, for me anyway, was being given the Founders Award.  This is the highest honor given in our organization.  It is for outstanding service and support of the mission.  Since I was the event coordinator, I had to buy the awards.  I asked Gerald, our publisher, if he had anything specific in mind for the Founders Award.  He told me that we weren't awarding one this year.  When we got the programs back from the printer, I noticed that the presentation of the Founders Award was in there.  I assumed it was a misprint.  Gerald told me not to worry about it, having the programs reprinted would be too expensive.    I know Gerald very well and I know he doesn't make that kind of mistake.  I figured that he was going to give the award to someone else in the organization and didn't want to hurt my feelings, so I kind of let it go.  

Fast forward to the night of the event.  I was sitting in front, taking pictures of the writing award winners, both teens and seasoned writers.    All of a sudden, my camera flashed, "disc full," and wouldn't take anymore photos.  OH NO.  I was sitting there quickly deleting some of the hundreds of pictures of Dixie we have, when Gerald stepped up to the mic to explain the Founders Award.  I am furiously deleting pictures to make sure I get the presentation on film and all of a sudden, I hear Gerald say, "and this year, the award goes to Jan Morgan-Swegle."  I just sat there with the camera still in my lap.  I was dumbfounded.  The guests at our table were laughing at the look on my face and telling me to get up and get the award.  At that moment, 8 months of planning, the bar vendor not showing up and my painful feet just kicked in.  I broke down and cried.  I cried so hard I couldn't say anything.  I think I stuttered, 'Oh Tony, look what we got..." but I'm not even sure of that.  Poor Tony became one of  the bartenders for the evening so we didn't get to sit together.  I do remember calling  Gerald a bum for fooling me and that's about it.  This is the first award I have ever received.   Tony took my picture a few days ago with the award.  I could finally hold it without crying (oops, I'm crying now...again!)  So, all in all, my swollen, purple feet were worth it.  It was a wonderful event.  Next year, however, we are talking about hiring an event planner.  I'm getting too old for the stress!

I am busy now working on the May issue of the paper and catching up on my stories for Leland Magazine.  Tony took me to the beach to relax on Sunday, the day after the event.  Listening to the ocean and looking at the sky was exactly what I needed.  More later...my feet are turning purple again....to much sitting at the computer!

From the top:  Me, standing on our patio with the Founders Award--oh look, I'm not crying!

Next is Izzy Billings and Dan Niezmik.  Right after dinner, Izzy asked me to look at a poem she wanted to submit for the May issue. I had a dozen things to do, but I read it.   It was good.  I asked her if I could show it to someone.  She asked who?  I told her, "Dan Niezmik," he writes poetry for Cape Fear Voices.  She said, "a REAL poet?"  So I hooked them up and they spent much of the evening together, talking about poetry.  Dan actually won the award for best writer in the poetry category for Cape Fear Voices. 

Next is Susan Savia. Our entertainment for the evening.  When she heard the bartender wasn't coming, she stopped practicing and started hauling coke can cases!!

Next is Gerald, our publisher, a man I love very much for getting me back into writing.

Next is Laura Askue, Journalism teacher at Brunswick College--early College High School receiving the Educator's Award from Carl Parker, President of the NC NAACP.

Next is Izzy and I in front of the Super Hero posters.  She was worried that she didn't have anything nice to wear to the banquet, so I gave her some fashion advice.  She didn't know what business casual meant.  I told her she looked so good, I had to get a picture of her.  (I also think she looks like Jenna!)

After that is Sallye Niezmik, Tony and Dan Niezmik.  Tony donated some of his artwork for the auction.  Sallye bought one of his painting and he signed it for her. 

Next is Laura Askue and the Early College High School group (plus assistant principal) and Jeff Rivenbark, a local TV news personality.  He works for WWAY, who donated the venue for the event.   Students at Early College earn an Associates Degree and their high school diploma when they graduate.  These are future doctors, nurses, scientists and really smart kids!  

Last is Jeff Rivenbark, the news anchor.  Many of the "old ladies" at the event wanted to meet him and asked me if it was OK to approach him.  I told Jeff that if we put him in a kissing booth and charged money, we wouldn't have needed all of the stuff we had for the silent auction.  Every time a woman came up to him and gushed, "I have dinner with you every night..."  he thanked who ever it was and acted like he never heard that line before.  He was very nice.  He actually looks better in person than the photograph I took. 

 

Counting Down to the Banquet

 

Every year I say, I'm not doing this again, but here I am, 10 days away from the Cape Fear/Teen Scene banquet.  Everything seems to be magically falling into place and for that I am glad.  I will also be glad when the whole thing is over.  

Life is moving quickly.  I'm working 4 days this week, and then the banquet and then cleaning the house.....you can't clean and plan a  banquet at the same time!  So I'm calling it spring cleaning.  In reality, it's "oh hell, I haven't had time to clean in a month."  You know how it is when you just clean the toilets and keep the shades drawn so people can't see the dust. 

We got our new patio set for the back and shade for the front porch.  Our roses are just staring to bloom and they look so pretty.   May is looming--I can't believe I'm saying that on April 5, but it is.  We are going to Anthony's first communion the weekend before Mother's Day and will be celebrating our 34th wedding anniversary on May 12.  I have interviews for both papers set up in May and it promises to be a busy month yet again. 

I continue to have breathing issues and purple feet.  But, Fritz and Steve are having a worse time.  Both have heart issues and both either have been or will be in Parma hospital in the near future.  Steve just got out and Fritz is going in for tests on April 12.  Our brother in law, Joe, is doing better since his cancer surgery and it seems to be in remission.  So we are on health watch on several fronts.

Summer is on the horizon and that means beach.  It will be filled with tourists, but we will do our best to get in some sand and sun time.  Already the time is flying by.  I will be 71 in August and really can't believe that either.  I have often said I did not think I was going to live very long, so every day is a surprise.  Tony is watching his heart condition and doing everything he can to not get light headed and pay attention to his blood pressure and heart rate.  

Out of all of us, Dixie is doing the best.  We took her to a doggie etiquette class (see previous post) and she did so well.  Of course, she spent a great deal of time under Tony's protective legs, but she did socialize and is still the prettiest dog in Compass Pointe.  

Our nephew, Steven, got my laptop working so now I can take it on interviews and not have to deal with notebooks and paper.   Thank God for the younger generation.  Our nephew, Joe is doing well at his job and enjoying a relationship with a lady who also works at the bowling alley.  They have been dating since Christmas and I look forward to meeting her whenever we get back to Cleveland.  She seems to be a positive influence on Joe.

That's all for now.  Keep your fingers crossed that the banquet is a success.

More later. 

Stressed

I have been having a rough time of late.  Nothing terrible, just stress I don't need.  The Awards  Banquet is coming up in 3 weeks and everything is falling apart.  I hired a bar vendor in October because the food vendor does not offer bar service.  I had some changes of which the bar vendor needed to be aware and I could not get a response from them.  I sent emails and left voicemails until I said, you're fired.  Then they called.  The problem was that I had to pay them up front to book the date.    Luckily, they went through a third party vendor who has been helping with the process. 

Today, everything seems to have worked out.  I am getting a partial refund and I have one less thing to worry about.   Now, all we have to do is get the venue set up, pay the singer, make sure the guest speaker shows up (no word from her in a month,)  make sure the actual awards have everyone's named spelled correctly, make sure Gerald didn't oversell the tickets (he couldn't figure out how to turn off the "QR" code so people kept ordering tickets, make the information packets, get the seating figured out, hang the decorations and hope to God we  break even.  

Next disaster....I bought a laptop so I could do the interviews for the papers directly onto the laptop instead of taking notebooks and loose paper.  To set it up, you have to enter the IP address from our main computer router.  I did.  It rejected every time.  So, now I have a giant red paper weight.

I am also struggling with my legs and feet.  I think I am developing neuropathy as my feet tingle, swell and turn purple.  A few nights ago when Dixie needed to go out at 2:30 a.m., I walked into the partially closed bedroom door and I think I broke my toe.  

Last night, Gerald was sending the April edition to be printed and noticed that he was having trouble downloading the edition to the printer's site--something he does every month.  In particular, where my main story was on page 1 was just a large black block when downloaded.  So, at 11:40 p.m., Gerald started texting the layout guy and me.  This went on until about 1:00 a.m.  until the issue was fixed. 

Life shouldn't be this hard.

But, on a happier note.  Birdie turned 2 and is loving life.  I wish I could post a picture of her, she is just so cute.  Instead, I settled for a picture of a beautiful sunset and one of David, Tony and I at dinner celebrating Tony's 76th birthday. 

Tomorrow, Tony and I are attending a Veteran's event, celebrating the end of the Viet Nam War so I am only working 2 days this week.  

I will be glad when the Banquet is over....I said the same thing last year, but then, I was a year younger.

More later....

Who Knew ?? I'm A Small Business!!

We had our taxes done today and while we were sitting in front of the tax prepare person, he said to me, "Oh, I see you are a small business owner."  Well, that took me by surprise and I wondered where he got that idea.

Turns out that the W2 I got from Leland Magazine didn't have withholding tax taken out.  Duh, at some level I knew that, I just wasn't thinking long term.  So, I started thinking about the tax ramifications this could have and wondered how I was going to get "tax screwed" this time.  

Well, lucky for us, it turned out well.  We talked about "business expenses" like mileage when I go to places to write their stories and take pictures, phone expenses, computer, printer paper, ink, postage--all of that.  The mission was to go over what I was paid for writing with my expenses so I could declare a business loss.  No problem.  I can't do that every year, but you can be sure I'm going to keep better track.  He was also able to deduct tax preparation, which was great.  So, we got a refund from both federal and state.  I'm happy.

In other news, the Awards Banquet is 26 days away.  I'm starting to freak out....not sure I'm ready.  But hopefully everything will fall into place. 

Our brother-in-law, Joe, was just released from the hospital for surgery related to cancer.  I hope all goes well with him.

Yesterday, Jenna and Jon have been married for 19 years.  Wow, talk about time flying.  

Birdie's second birthday is next month.  She's talking and running and just as big as ever. 

The weather has been downright cold--all right, not Cleveland cold, but North Carolina cold.  We have had frost warnings for the past two nights.  It's funny to see our flowering bushes with ice on them. 

Dixie is well.  We took her for a Dog Park Etiquette class last week.  Actually, I was writing about the class and there was some push back about photographing people without their express written consent, so I took Tony and Dixie and did some staged shots with the instructor.  It was fun.   Dixie was very well behaved and we learned a lot about "dog stress."  Yes, they have it.  Good dog stress and bad dog stress.  We learned that if two dogs are fighting, you never get near their heads, you go behind one of the dogs and lift them up by their back legs.  They will immediately stop fighting and turn their heads to see what is going on.  Now, you have to be quick and "sling" them away from the other dog (which seems as dangerous of getting near their heads,) but hey, what do I know!!  Luckily, Dixie has very short legs. 

Work is going well.  One of my favorite people fell last week and is in the hospital.  Her son made her use a walker and she fell down trying to use it.  Needless to say, he is in the dog house!

Not much else going on.  Tony's last heart check up was good.  We are still on our meds and interestingly enough, my sister, Fritz, and I have very similar symptoms with our shortness of breath and irregular hear beats.  Her doctors can't find a reason why either, so we just do what we can to keep everything under control. 

More later. 

 

Life Gets In the Way

I can't believe I haven't posted anything since November when our neighbor, "Wild Bill" died.  But, as people always tell me, life gets in the way.  Sure does. 

I'm still writing for Cape Fear Voices and Leland Magazine.  I stopped writing for Costal Buzz as they went to a quarterly publication and it just didn't work with my schedule.  I am also still working at the Senior Living facility, 3 days a week.   It is a sad place, but I have made many friends and count myself lucky to have known them when they are gone.  

We are in our early part of the year cycle.  Donna and Bob  are down and we shared Tony's birthday at a favorite restaurant.  David came up to celebrate Tony's birthday and play golf with  Bob and Tony.  Tony Jr., was travelling for work, but Tony did get to talk to him and got a facetime call from the kids and Marie on his birthday.  Jenna's kids sent him letters and cards which he really enjoyed. 

We had another death in the neighborhood--our friend Ken Rogers died in January.  He was in his backyard and had a heart attack.  Very sad.  He was a nice man.  We (the neighbors)  are all of the opinion, however, that death needs to stay away from Palm Point for quite a while. 

Once again, I am working on the Writer's Banquet for Cape Fear Voices and Teen Scene.  We will have more than 90 people attending and it promises to be quite an event.  

Tony went for his cardiac appointment on Friday.  Everything is good for right now.  His doctor is still of the opinion that Tony will need a pace maker soon, but it is still a ways down the road.  His BP was a bit high, but not terrible.   Overall, for a 76 year old guy, he's in OK shape. 

Today, he and David played corn hole.  David leaves tomorrow. It was a nice visit for Tony and I am so glad David could arrange to be here.  I think David got some much needed rest as well. 

Speaking of health, interestingly enough, my sister, Fritz, is experiencing some of the same health issues as I am.  We take some of the same meds and have similar symptoms.  And, funny as well, her doctor can't seem to find a diagnosis--just like mine!  Guess we are "sista's!!"

I am very concerned that something has happened to my friend, Arthur.  I sent him some things that I wrote and he was supposed to get back to me, but it has been several months now and I haven't heard anything.  His cell phone has  been turned off and his landline goes right to voicemail.  I worry about him being all alone and hope he is OK.

Looks like Tony is calling David and I to dinner.  I will wrap up for now and continue to try to do better about posting updates.  I hope all are well and enjoying the year.