Middle America's Worldview

I haven't blogged in awhile, but it wasn't due to inactivity. I have also been enjoying being unplugged for awhile.We made it to and from Amarillo safely and with good results.

It amazes me how our son bounces back so fast after his surgery. It is a laser surgery on the brain. Although he had a couple of conflicts and giving his mother a few grey hairs, he bounced back the following morning after as if nothign had occurred. Truly amazing and a true miracle in itself. Yes, things could had gone far worse, but it had not and we cannot dwell on the 'what if'.

During our stay (Wednesday night through Sunday morning), I was able to walk over to NorthWest hospital to vist an old friend. It was nice to see face to face again and catch up on everything, work and family. Plus it allowed me to grab a mocha. Man, I love mocha's. It was a nice break and I did acquire some usefull information, I will have to followup on when I go to Corporate next week.

Our son's procedure was done on Thursday, and my daughter stayed with me during the time it took. She played on her mom's pc as I worked on mine. We took a break to walk the hotel, but there just wasnt much there. Friday, the kids went to watch 'Chicken Little' with the mom as I worked during the day. This was the day I snuck over to the hospital. The kids didn't speak too much of the movie, but seem to like it. Kel didn't come back into the hotel room with the same crazed look speaking gibberish as she had done with 'shark boy and lava girl', so it must had been feasible to sit through. (smile)

Saturday, I was able to take the kids to the 'Discovery Center' with their papa. It was a cool place and alot of hands on stuff for the kids to do. It also had a 9 hole putt putt that was included in the package. We went through the facility and then hit the hotel again for enough time to allow the kids to swim in the pool. The hotel doesnt have much, but it does have a warm swimming pool inside. We met the girls (kel and her mom) at the nearby mall and had a barbeque lunch. The platter was Texas size and very good. That night we had our 'Christmas' in Texas, exchanging gifts with Kel's side of the family down there. The kids received a gift from everyone, you thought it was Christmas. I was able to learn and play a new game. You use quarters and bet on which horse would win. I can't recall what the name of it is. Kel will have to comment it. We bought it for her dad when we were in Arizona, during the summer. It was actually pretty fun.

Early Sunday morning we split (around 5 a.m. ) and arrived home at a decent hour. Exhausted we immediately started laundry and started to diverse the stuff out to each room.

We finished the laundry yesterday, Monday, and put up all the Christmas stuff in the house. Yes, we have the tree up and ready as of yesterday. We plan to have Christmas pictures taken Wednesday for Christmas cards. A lady will come into the house and take them for us. We had her do this last year and was very pleased with the results.

This morning, I put up all the outside lights and front yard stuff. A large blowup Snowman, candy canes and changed the front lightbulbs to red ones, decorating them with reefs. So we are pretty set now. We are waiting on kel to get back from her work today and head over her Aunts house. I will weed eat and change a front door lock. Kel will do some additional work in Poteau while the kids and I clean her Aunts house. Thanksgiving will take place there and Kel plans to have everything ready for it. She doesn't want her aunt to have to do anything.

I only have about 5 more days to be on vacation and it's going fast. I fly out to Corporate Monday after my interface team meeting with the CIO. I hope to grab War of the Worlds today. I really want to see it.