So where did he go??

This is a little note as to where is Waldo.

I had to take a bit of a pause due to medical reasons.  On July 8 I went in for what was supposed to be a minor surgery.  5 hours on the table later, that did not appear to be the case.

So what happened.  In mid May I went to the hospital.  I think Kim was about to wring my neck after my refusal to have an ambulance show up in front of my house and insisted on driving to the fire station up the road.  I was walking around the house in a it of a daze with no apparent direction.  My chest felt a bit tight. Ki had her mother come over to watch Kaylee as we went over the the fire house.

When I got there I told the paramedic what was happening and they took my blood pressure.  200/110.  I looked at him and said "well, there's a cause and effect"  This is where they start pumping me full of nitro pills and Derrick gets a bus ride to the hospital.  Side note - If you already have a headache, Nitro pills will not make it better.

2 days and a battery of tests all come back clean.  BUT, I get this lovely bit of info on the way out.
"Mr. Dodson, everything came back clean but we did see a mass in your abdomen that we would like you to follow up with your Primary Physician".  OK, I'm HERE, IN THE HOSPITAL!!  You found something and you want me to follow up on it?

I hit up my primary the next day.  Ordered a CT with contrast (another fun one) and I get a CD of the scan on the way out to take home.  Souvenirs.  When I get home, I look at the images.  While I'm not a Radiologist, I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express the day before.  That wasn't supposed to be there.  That "mass" that they found was the size of a medium brick.  No kidding.  On to the biopsy round.  This came back cancer free.  The CT however cannot pinpoint the feed point or attachment to/not any other objects.

Surgeon time!  Great guy.  Trust him with my life (literally).  Schedule the date July 8.

Surgery day.  I get there and he decides that he would like an angiogram to find the source of the Nile and plug it as well as get an idea what it is attached to if possible.  It's attatched/feeding from the liver.  At this point all I can think of is the donation scene from The Meaning Of Life.  "May we have your Liver?"  The Surgeon gives me the options and possibilities of what may/could happen.

After the angiogram (not recommended) You can't move your leg.  Why? because the went up through the groin and put a plug there they prefer not to pop out.  So I head up to recovery and within 15 minutes I'm heading to the OR for fun time.  I get in there and inform them that this go round they are going to have to move me to the table.  I'm not exactly what you would call svelte.

I'm on the table and then I'm in my room (MAGIC).  I wake up around 8pm.  I went in around 12pm.

Doc comes in while I'm semi coherent to inform me that all went well, but.  He had to take the tip of my liver, repair a gaping hernia and reroute my plumbing (gastric bypass).  Oops.  Well I guess the svelte thing will be coming whether I want it or not.  Seems the "mass" had attached itself pretty well and this was the best option.  And honestly probably better for my health in the long run.  I have already lost (3 weeks out) 30lbs. My diet though has been basically anything you can mush up.  Healthy choices though right.

Following surgery, I was in the hospital for 4 days.  I was awake MAYBE 1 full hour a day.  This total lack of energy has followed my for the last 2 weeks and I am just now starting to get my strength back to at least get this done.

To those of you I owe some letters to.  Bear with, they are coming.  To a special someone who has sent me some get well letters and cards, you have NO IDEA how much they have meant to me.  I am eternally grateful.

So with that, I am heading back to bed.  The last of the bandages came off yesterday, but I am still weak and sore.  I head back to work next week to half days for a few weeks while I attempt to regain some strength.  Walking, while needed is my enemy right now.  100 yards seems like a marathon at the moment.  This to shall pass.

Writing soon.

Derrick

When your loved one is taken down..

Got ya with that one huh.

No I haven't had Kim bumped off.  She recently had some surgery that has put her in suspend mode for a bit.  She is not supposed to lift anything (and if she does I'm gonna rat her out to her doctor).  She is supposed to be walking as much as possible and resting when not.  

So here we have some interesting turns.  We have her set up in our room with everything you could need.  Our electric kettle (tea/coffee) every vitamin know to man it seems as well as her mobile pharmacy and my MacBook.  According to her "this is a little slice of heaven"  (as I hear her now chomping on sunflower seeds).

I am off work for another couple of weeks making sure she doesn't do anything to set her back and end up BACK in surgery to fix something she shouldn't have been doing.  You know.  That little voice in your head telling you "hey, it'll be fine.  It's only a load of laundry"  Next thing you know, your screaming could you please take me to the ER.

Now the BIGGEST challenge is convincing Kaylee to let mama be.  You need to watch mommies tummy.  NO you can't jump on the bed.  Yes, you need to let her sleep.  I think your coughing, here have some Nyquil (JUST KIDDING).  She did get some alone time tonight when Kim's mom came and kidnapped her to the movies.  Good relaxing time.  

So while Kim catches up on every single Lifetime/Hallmark movie available on Netflix, I have managed to almost get caught up on my letters.  So all in all a productive time off.  I however am having fits forcing myself to NOT answer emails from work.  I've been pretty good so far.  Still had to drive to the office to check my incoming mail and check tapes (yes I'm compulsive that way). 

It's funny though.  I write to Limner probably the most and with Kim down and laid out.  I have these visions of limner stuck in bed writing and have this visual of all the crap I have Kim surrounded in :) (Sorry Limner, couldn't resist).

Derrick

Of Cows, Little girls and Lost Crates

Here we are just into the first part of the week and Kaylee's mail is exploding!!  So far she has 2 postcards and 1 Limner mail.

Along with this I have received this months Lost Crates package of which I will be doing a giveaway this month.  This will be in addition to the Baseball Postal Giveaway I am doing ending in mid April.  More giveaways coming so keep checking.

So with that let's get to Kaylee's mail first.

Limner sent Kaylee a milk (yogurt) bottle filled with bovine goodness..

So daddy performs some surgery.  PUSH!!!

 


And out pops a calf..

 So now Kaylee has another baby for the herd.  and all of the same kind.  She's a bit sad, can't you tell.. Just teary eyed.

She has also been getting some postcards from all over.  This one from India.

and this from texas

We received 2 cards from the same person, Tish, who recently found my blog and thinks she missed the giveaway.  To which I say, NAY NAY.. You have missed nothing Ms. Tish.  I fact you entered the giveaway with your postcard send.  But you do still need to follow and comment here, here, and here and don't forget to sign here.  And there ya go, you now own a YUGO.

I also received this handmade card from Stephanie Dodson (no relation- I swear.  The contest is not rigged - no, really.. See my face, huh, huh.. )  She referenced the mailing, followed, just need to check for comment here, here or maybe it was here..

And finally, this card from Tallié in Bellingham (GMD), who wrote that she is enjoying my monthly PC mailings.  Only card with description.  Ask Alexander The Man Who Knows! :  Born Claude Alexander Conlin in 1878, he was the top Crystal Gazer of the 20th Century, first Appearing in 1907.  One of the highest paid vaudeville entertainers.  Alexander died in Seattle in 1954.  Poster circa 1915 (From the Beckmann/Lyon Collection).  The 9 foot x 16 foot billboard shown on this card is on permanent display in Seattle's Historic Pike Place Market.

And last but not least.. Who wants more free stuff??  Huh, Huh.. Let's see those hands.. 1, 2, 4, 9.. Ok a bunch of people.

Now you could say, "But Derrick, you have been so generous so far.  How could you ever top your current giveaway.." No really, your to kind.. Stop, your making me blush.. Ok not really but hey I can dream right.

So here it goes.  I subscribe to a service called Lost Crates.  For those of you who have not been initiated.  The service goes like this.  You cough up 38 clams a month (wouldn't that hurt if that statement were literal  OUCH!) and they sent you assorted stuff from various "collections of the month".  From Eco, Foodie, Made in ____, housewares, Jack's Picks, and my personal favorite, Stationery.

Now the service originally started by you answering a questionnaire and they would "select" stuff for you to receive every month, or by a one off purchase.  It was also ONLY stationery when they first started and just last month branched off into the other 5 collections eliminating the questionnaire.

I still subscribe to the service and really enjoy the stuff that comes in.  A lot of Etsy, really creative stuff you probably wouldn't find on your own because lets face it, THERE IS A TON OF STUFF OUT THERE!!

Example of last months package. I received some Knock Knock pads (to do sheets, and very functional they even have a spot on them for correspondence.  How fitting right?), a Kaweco Gel Pen (I like this brand very much, have 2 of the sport fountain pens), some REALLY cool little note cards from Paper & Type (Kim loved these, I hid them in her bags before she got to work for her to find them), and lastly a neat little notebook.  They even started including an "invoice" to let you know what the products are gong for retail.

So you ask, WHY did you have me read all of that.  Patient Grasshopper..

By some lucky happenstance I received 2 (two) shipments this month.  So I have decided to grace ya'll with the excess items.  I will be doling out 1 item a week from the comments on this post.

Here is the stash I will be parting out. (click on the photo)

The cards BTW are AWESOME!!

Here are the rules:

1.  Be a follower of the blog (simple)

2.  Comment on this post (still pretty simple)

3.  In your comment note which item you really would like to get. (doesn't mean you'll get it, just checking your paying attention)

4.  Do 14 jumping jacks, while singing jumping jack flash (come on, you can do it)

5.  Do yourself a favor and check out lostcrates.com

First item to go out on March 21.  So you have until March 20 to follow the rules listed above and get some free schwag courtesy of Lost Crates

Thanks for hang on.

Derrick

Of Isaacson, Limner and Suess

I'm caught up, I'm caught up well for today.  The house hunting continues and I thoroughly hate this process.  But in this housing market if you can, it makes no sense in paying rent when you can purchase one cheaper and save 500+ a month.  You know more money for mailing stuff :D

Well after the MILK show posting I figure that I would do a nice short posting.  But I can't figure out how to do that because I want to get caught up!  (see opening line)..

So with that here we go..

Our first contestant is from Norfolk, VA.  Ladies and Gentlemen - Jackie.  Jackie likes to visit the botanical gardens located fairly close to her location. (postcrossing)  Norflok Botanical Garden, Norfolk, VA: A family of American Bald Eagles is among the 95 species of birds that call eh Norfolk Botanical Gardens home.  www.norfolkbotanicalgarden.org

What I liked more than the card was the stamp that came with it.

Next up, Lindy Lu Lee (Swap-bot).  This round was Your State PC Swap.  Lindy sent in the Having fun in Indiana card a week or so ago and noticed she made a small error when she started receiving 6 cards in the mail to her one outgoing.  but she made it up to me :)  On that note.  If you are participating in swaps with folks, be kind and understanding.  Things happen, life goes on.  This whole process is supposed to be fun and not a job.  Communication is what we are all about so if you find a potential problem try that first..  With that here is her make up.

From a KOA site that reminds us "Remember.  It's not camping. It's Kamping".  Um..  No I'm pretty sure it's not Kamping either.  Camping involves a tent, stove, warm beer, lots of bugs, no bathroom in a comfortable distance and really bad weather coming in when the forecast said sunny and warm for the next week.  So there KOA :P

Cardinal - Indians State Bird

Seal of Indiana

Indiana - The "Hoosier" State is one of great scenic beauty, intense industry, outstanding participant and spectator sports and concerned, aware government at all levels.  Upper left: A covered bridge across a gentle stream.  Upper right: The State Capitol, Inianapolis.  Lower left: Inianapolis Auto Race. Lower right: Iniada Dunes National Lakeshore

Indiana: Nickname - Hoosier State

1990 Population - 5,544,159

Area in Sq Miles - 36,354

Entered the Union - Dec. 11, 1816

This one is from Hiro (japan - postcrossing) (no description)

Now on to Ms. McArthur, who reminds me that I might be suffering from a bout of CRS.  This is highly possible.

and for the last postcard. My fav of the week.  This one comes from Ms Keown, who heard I was sending "baseball" and sent me this before she even got her card.  Something nice coming to you ma'am.

Famed baserunner "Cool Papa" Bell sliding into third base during a Negro National League afternoon game between his club, the Homestead Grays, and the Baltimore Elite Giants, c.1943-1946 (1903-1991) was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974.

Now that we got that out of the way.. On to the letter folk!  The first if from Ms. Isaacson, who apparently takes you sending her ephemera a challenge (she told me so on the back of the card)

I now take it as a challenge to see how much stuff I can send her to play with.  Don't threaten me lady!!  I have gobs of paper and I know where to send it! (love the piece, THANKS).

she also sent me this.

Along with this..

which seems to involve some lady with a plate fetish and is slightly defective.

Ms. Isaacson also sent me a letter with plate lady.  She brought up something I need to address.  Not to her but something that has been bugging me since I started the pen-pal thing.  She states  that the thing abot having a few different (new) pen-pals is that I can't remember what I've already told you.  (SEE I'm not the only one that suffers from that debilitating disease of CRS.. Won't you give now??).  SO, I have come up with a simple plan.  I am a bit of a tech geek.  OK a big tech geek, it's my JOB.  I am going to start scanning all of my outgoing letters so I have "some" frame of reference.  See  simple.

and last but never least for this week is Ms. Limner. who has been kind enough to send Kaylee some really cool stuff lately.  Most recently was a cigar box to decorate.  To which Kaylee is using to keep her miniature animal collection.  That has nothing to do with the letter below, but wanted to mention just the same.  (hey you came here voluntarily)

OOOOOOooooo.. I forgot one.  SEE A DIBILITATING DISEASE.. won't you give to the CRS fund today.. Operators are standing by. Call 555......

This one comes from one of my Good Mail Day folks. Ms. Riopelle.

As I said in the MILK post.  I receive mail art on a daily basis.  I consider it an honor to have the people  to write back and forth to.  They are kind and considerate.

While there are people out there who send letters to women with ill intent, (I fully understand them being weary of a man writing) I still believe in giving folks the benefit of the doubt, and to see what "could" be in the human condition.  I still remember and hope for the days when I was growing up (yes there still are) places you didn't have to worry about locking your door at night, or even leaving your keys in the car.

Yes Virginia, there are still places like that and I hope to raise my youngin' somewhere like that.  

So with those thoughts, I bid you Good Day..

Of Giveaways and the Cotton Bowl

Well, it has been a busy week.  Lots of mail and house hunting for the Dodson clan. (more on that later)


So let's see, I have all of the cards labeled:

And got them all stamped:

The stack:

Now I don't know what possessed me to do this again but it's all coming together and I should have everything n the mail by Tuesday.  I have all of my international, Canada and Texas (cause Texas: It's like a whole other country) cards done.  Nice stack eh??

Ok now on with the show.  Our first card comes from Tallie (GMD) in Bellingham. Bremerton, Washington: Site of the U.S. Naval Shipyard, it is also the gateway to the Olympic Peninsula and the Hood Canal areas.

From Melinda (Swap-Bot), Lincoln & Civil War Legacy Trail: Although no actual civil War battles took place in Alton, the historic moments related to the Civil War are embedded in this city's rich historic past.  Take a trip along Alton's Lincoln & Civil War Legacy Trail to retrace the steps of a young Abe Lincoln to the final resting place for hundreds of Confederate soldiers.

One for Kaylee from Swap-Bot:

and another for the little lady from post-crossing:

Blind send to me from Shannan (GMD): No description

From Lindy Lu Lee (swap-bot) who is Having Fun In Indiana: No Description

This one is from Vicki H:  One of her handmade cards of her own photo work (very nice Vicki, where o you have your cards made?)

and my second Where is Waldo card from the mystery sender!  Who apparently reads the blog (thank you) and wishes Kaylee sweet dreams.  And yes she found all of them.  

Come ON, how can you go wrong with a monkey on a card.

This one from Lucas (BHM Mailing), Althea Gibson (b. 1927), tennis champion, the first African American to win a major title (French Champion in 1956), Gibson win both the U.S. Open and Wimbledon titles in 1957 and 1958.

Now to the outgoing (yes I actually send stuff out to.  I found some old sheet music at the thrift store.

OOO, I forgot (not really) :P.  LIMNER MAIL!!

This was Kaylee's first mailing to the GFBC, You'll have to check out Ms. Limners site for that one.

And fo our final, final for the day, some lovely cards and some of my all time favs.

Ladies and gentlemen I give you kissing cow!!

and

Now I find one BIG omission from this recipe.  Where is the Cotton?? (and you didn't think I would tie in the title of today's post)

and with that I bid you Good Day..  I said Good DAY.. Go,   I set you free..