Fresh from the wars

As if having computer problems here in Jersey Village wasn't enough, we have had them at the SSB.  To refresh your memory of that place, it is at the end of the earth.  There is one family that lives past us, but they get to their place a different way - they don't pass our road at all.

We have to have satellite internet there.  Now, satellite internet is a small  step above dial up.  But it is better than none.  It went out last month.  I still believe since the dish is in reaching distance from the deck, my grands who were there (you know the WILD ones) managed to pull it even though G said he really didn't believe so.  I didn't call them last month.  This month (last week) I did call them

This is Hughes Net.  Lousy company and here's why:

They could determine that the dish was out of alignment.  The cost to have someone out to repair the positioning - $30.  This is the first company I have come across that would charge that much to repair their equipment.  I was flabbergasted.  To say the least.  So, since I had been thinking of upgrading, I asked if a technician had to come out to do that.  Why yes.  Well hey, saved a bit there.  But, alas this isn't the end of this story.

Of course the call center is in India.  They try to make it seem like it isn't.  These women must work hours to get rid of most of the accent (didn't work really), and use "English" names like Susan Smith.

I was working with one who simply couldn't find the service zip code.  I gave her the county and then the mailing one.  (We are so far from Mason that our mail comes - if we had a box -  comes from a different town in a different county),  To cut to the chase, after about 30 minutes we got to the billing address.  She put our home zip code down, and sent the installer to our house in Jersey Village.

This happened on a Sunday.  I called the Customer Service number back.  I was told they couldn't help me with this.  I had to talk to the dealer.  I was frankly pissed at this point, but called the dealer.  He told me HE couldn't help me.  Now I was beyond words.  I had to call CS back.  Again, and very snottily I  might add, they couldn't help me, call the dealer.  I was ballistic.  I  wouldn't have taken my blood pressure at that point because it would have broken the machine!

To get to what I hope is the end, the dealer who is in Conroe managed to get to the dealer that services Mason County (based in Waco??).  He was going to try to fit me in on Wednesday of last week.  I knew that wasn't going to happen.  We are just too far apart.  When asked when we would be back in Mason I told him the 16th to the 22nd.  Those were the exact dates he was on vacation - flying in fact to and from California.

We set the 4th as the installation date.  So we get to be on the road for another 11 hours to go back.  But if these guys had not gotten together to work for me, I would still be out of luck.

It is time to bring our Customer Services back to the States.  I don't think the people I spoke with realize just how BIG the country is, and especially Texas.  I have to also say that Hughes Net has no Customer Service.  I have to remain with them for a year (contract), but I will spent this year searching for another supplier of satellite internet.  I know I will never get cable internet out there.  Everything has to be satellite.  But I am going to be looking.

Today I called ATT because I am sick of the lousy internet I have with them.  I do have to say, I got service - after I had to call twice because the computer wouldn't give me a real person the first time.

By the way - have a good rest of the weekend!

Trying something different

I am going to try something new here.  I am writing this in Word and will paste it into Blogger.  For some reason even when I try to avoid the built in mouse that is located in the center of  the laptop, all the text will disappear.

So much has been going on I doubt I can remember it all, but here are some highlights.

**************************************************************

The day before Father’s Day, we were sitting at the SSB.  The grass was high and we had no working lawnmowers.  This is a problem because of the snake issue.  G was going on and on about how it seems the kids don’t care about the place and he cannot keep it up by himself.

So I intervened,   I sent both a text.  To cut to the chase, Brian (son) felt he was pushed out by Steve .  He thought  Steve was the preferred.  Got that straightened out.  Brian and family spent the next time we were there with us.  Our relationship with them has blossomed again.  Misunderstandings were straightened out.  He doesn't feel shunned and we don't feel shunned

****************************************************************

Before Krissi’s people left for Junior Olympics and Disneyland, they were at a water polo tournament.  Three kittens were located – no mom found.  Both of my kids are rescue animals.  They waited until the next day  - went back and one had died.  So they picked up the two remaining living kittens.   Krissi and family were leaving for Junior Olympics and Disneyland in a little over a week.  She got a friend to care for the kittens.  They left on Friday, and Monday night she called in in tears.  Her friend had one of the kittens at the Emergency ER.  He was fine, and two hours later limp and almost dead.  Treatment would have run $1500 with no assurance he would survive. With calls to and from California and from me to the vet then to California - the decision was made to euthanize.

The next morning, I took the remaining one to our vet.  I wanted testing for feline leukemia.  While they said he was negative, it was not absolute because he could have still had some antibodies from mom.  There was concern about his clotting factor, and his distended stomach, but he was sent home with some glucose paste to use if he seemed to become too lethargic.  Keep him warm and remember he is so fragile was it.  He thrived for two weeks.  She called me this past Saturday once again in tears.  The second one crashed.  It was euthanized 

  Saturday.  His life ended like his brothers – in the same kind of time frame.  Sad times here.  They were really so cute.  But finding kittens that are two weeks old is a total uphill fight.  Since they were both males, with their deaths so the same, and the reading I have done – I really they had a congenital bleeding problem.  Probably it was hemophilia.  Kittens with hemophilia usually die at birth.

****************************************************************

Katie’s team lost most of their games, but they simply are not as good as the California teams.  Water Polo is serious business there!  It is beginning here.

She didn’t make the Junior Varsity in volleyball at her high school (yea!), but she will be a varsity swimmer and water polo player this school year as a freshman.  That’s going to be interesting at least.

****************************************************************

The 26^th I turned 70.  Difficult birthday for me.  I now realize that contrary to my opinion,  my days are numbered on this earth.  Even after breast cancer, I thought I was invincible.  But guess not!  This birthday was really depressing.

Yesterday was our 47^th anniversary.  Can’t say we are as we were 47 years ago.  But we have made it this far.

Using Word to do this has been different – but at least I haven’t had my text completely deleted (as many times).  Now the next thing will  to see if I can get it posted!!

Still kicking

But still have the lousy internet.  That makes it difficult to do things.  One computer doesn't but up with it at all, and that is the one that is best set up for typing.  So that's one reason I haven't been here.  This computer will delete everything if I am not careful.

Plus - I consider myself a middle of the roader.  I have been reading some blogs that infuriate me, so I  have just not been rthe blogosphere  much.  Hypocritical and narrow minded people have gotten to me, so I have just stayed away..

I will try to get back.  I need a new mind set and get away from some of the bloggers about.  There are several blogs I really like, but I am finding myself on Facebook much more of the time.

One month and one day!

Wow!  No, I am not dead nor maimed.  Things have been hectic.  Computer problems.  Travel.  Family.  All these things are eating my time like crazy.  I will try to get back soon.


j

Checking in

Still here with the limited internet capability.  Hence - no pictures for all this time.

We are west of the Austin/Blanco/Wimberly areas.  We have had strong storms, but we are on such a high hill that if we even get close to flooding at the house, we all had best look for the ark.  Now we may not be able to leave the area if it were to get really bad because we have so many low water crossings between us and civilization.

My stress level is about 200%.  The storms have been strong, often with vicious lightening bolts.  I worry about losing power.  We are all electric here.  I worry about Clyde having to go out when it is pouring.  Or being taken out and NOT doing his business when we know he needs to - but he is a delicate little 75 pound thing that doesn't want to get his paws wet!

Monday Jersey Village/Houston got hammered.  JV has a history of flooding, and while we have yet to flood (knock on wood), I still worry.  It came up to the house on the street behind us the last time it flooded.  Our rental house has flooded, and I worried about our tenants.  I am not sure they still have our phone number here.  Krissi was telling me her car almost flooded being in front of her house - and it drains rapidly there, but not that night.

To top it all off, Katie and her dad were flying in to Houston as the storm was settled in there.  They had to end up landing in Austin, and after a couple of hours on the plane they were allowed off.  They ended up staying in a hotel for the remainder of the night.  Relief because Krissi was to have go to pick them up at the airport.  She couldn't get out from the reports I was getting via internet here.  I have just about used all my data on my phone!

Hopefully we will be going home tomorrow, but I am worried about that.  Right now Austin is getting hit with a severe storm - again.   The community (Cypress) just to our north at home got hammered with bad flooding this morning between 6 and 10.  

I WANT TO BE IN MY REAL HOUSE!

San Francisco/Bay Area travelog part 2

Beginning to climb just out of Denver  You can see the front of the train going up hill.

Being a South Texas girl, I am still fascinated by snow!!

Higher and higher into the Rockies

The beautiful canyons of the Colorado River

Donner Pass

 r

From above Berkeley

Our chariot around SF - especially to the Golden Gate and Saucelito area

Didn't go in -   but the Palace of Fine Arts built on the site of a World's Fair.  These columns were part of one of the exhibits I believe and were re-purposed here. 

As if you don't know!!!

and again!  Katie told me she bicycled this when they were there, and it was a little scary!

And so brings part two to an end.  Somehow a really neat picture got deleted from this group and I will put it in with the next ones.  Either Blogger,  my computer or my album didn't want to add anymore for today.  So there will be a part three.

San Francisco travelog - part 1

We left Houston and flew to Denver.  Seems like a strange way to California, right?  Well it is, but the TRAIN we wanted to take - the California Zephyr - goes from Chicago to Emeryville - which is just south of Berkeley.  We were going to stay in Berkeley.

The flight was ok, but, as usual TSA was a bit of a pain.  The airlines clearly states that any medical equipment, prescribed by a physician, does not count against your carry on.  The first TSA agent told me I couldn't have my purse, small carry on bag AND my CPAP.  I tried to tell her what it was, but she was getting upset with me.  G, who like me doesn't want to admit he is hearing deficient, was talking in my other ear. So I gave up on my point and just "handed" him the CPAP.  There are things I always carry on:  meds, a change of underwear, toiletries, and perhaps a computer.That was all in a small carry on. 





Anyway I made it through the body scanner with it going off because of my titanium knees and  also the beads (????) on my blouse. But no pat down. Never had one in Houston! Ate l unch at the airport - good salad! Waited on the plane.

Now flying with old seasoned traveler, I ask if he wanted to play the handicapped card to pre-board.  I have a placard.  We  used it when Katie, Krissi, and I went to Riverside, California for water polo.  He said that since we were first class, he didn't see the need.  (since we fly less than once a year - we splurge!)  Well - the people began lining up in boarding group one.  There must have been 50 people.  Guess who was at the very END of the line!    t's pre- boarding for me from now on!

Got to Denver and slept poorly.  Time change (ahead an hour) and no clocks in the room had the correct time.  Our train was an early one the next morning.  But all was well.  Made the train in plenty of time - $22 poorer for the cab.

So I am going to jump two days ahead here to show you what was awaiting us in Berkeley:

The living room of the Berkeley bungalow we rented for the week.

Also the living rook

Kitchen

Kitchen

Dining arrea

Sitting area in dining

View from dining/den

Bedroom 1

Bedroom 1

View from bedroom one

also view from bedroom one

Hollywood style bath - toilet tucked away at left.  Pocket doors were a pain however

utility room off bath

second bedroon

second bedroom

second bedroom - the  house was set up in a circle - the living room is to the left

garden around the front porch

the landing for the second floor where one of the owners lives and the garden again!

roses as big as salad plates

climbing miniature roses acoss the front gate and fence

We really stayed in a spa like setting.  It was great.  When we went to SF we took BART.  But I am getting ahead of myself.  See you later with part 2!  So be forewarned.`

Mystery

That's my internet connection.  For the last four days, it has only worked properly if the moon and stars were perfectly aligned, I held my mouth just right, and mostly in the afternoons - sometimes.

I know there are those who could ascertain the problem in a couple of seconds and fix it, but not me.  I have been refraining from calling ATT because I know the first step, and the one I considered myself, was to unplug the danged thing.

I have spent the time that I couldn't be on the internet trying to reload the million of so embroidery designs to this computer.  I worked on some on the train (even when I was on the one without wi-fi.  All I needed was the external hard drive and I was using my baby laptop (it is about 5 includes wide).  The external hard drive was seeming to be really wonky so I wanted to get them onto this one where I have paid for a Cloud account.  So after a couple of days, my valued designs are safe living in the cloud.

I still haven't downloaded the pictures.  I really have to do that while this feeble brain recalls what things are!  I also want to have them made into a book again.  I think this time, rather than Snapfish, I will use Costco.  Snapfish did a beautiful job, but I want to see what Costco can do.

I did the book on Alaska.  By the time I was finished I probably spent $100 and it took me hours.  It is a big, bulky scrapbook.  The one of the trip to Seattle and Glacier was from Snapfish and it is really nice (and neat!!).

My children have finally decided what we are doing tonight for Mother's Day.  There is some animosity growing there between daughter and DIL.  I know one reason it that Katie didn't get her birthday present from DIL until G's birthday April 23.  Her birthday is January 16.  And DIL has never liked SIL.  Of course SIL doesn't like DIL either.  FAMILIES!!  Just glad I get to see my son tonight.

Happy Mother's Day to you all.

Home again, home again and all that jazz

And back to Physical Therapy, mammograms, eye appointments and other various doctor appointments!

We had a great time, and I do have pictures to share - when I have time to download them to cull.  The sights on the train were absolutely fantastic.  The Rockies and Sierras were breath taking.

We spent two days in San Francisco utilizing a "hop on, hob off" tour bus.  Saw the Golden Gate on both days, Saucelito twice and the beautiful Muir Woods.  We found a park above Berkeley (where we stayed in a fantastic bungalow) that had breath taking views.  Drove Highway 1 (the coastal highway), and went to a National Park - the Pinnacles that was so inspiring.

Of course there were downsides to it all.  Looking for elevators in the BART stations.   I have just enough vertigo that I am afraid of escalators - so it was stairs much of the time.  I know I really irritated those commuters who were in a big hurry.
he
The last leg of the train trip back to Denver wasn't great (still pretty good though).  I AM an advocate for good treatment of the handicapped.  I am pretty close to being one.  But an intellectual handicapped woman got on the train in Salt Lake City - which was in the middle of the night.  She  probably has a minimal physical handicap - clearly no worse than mine.  I will talk about her later.

This is it for today.  Had the mammogram this morning, and this afternoon is my eye injection.  So if the computers and modem decide to be nice and cooperate unlike yesterday afternoon, I will be back at some point tomorrow.

Late

I am alive.  Getting ready for the trip to Francisco tomorrow.  ATT internet service stinks.  Thought the satellite was bad - NO.  Haven't been able to use most of the internet (this include) for   a week.  Don't have time for repair either!

Try communicate while gone if possible.

Horrible disease

I just learned from Facebook one of my friends - not really close, a fellow member of the little failing church.

She and her fiance joined about three years ago.  They came pretty regularly.  A darling early middle aged couple I believe.  I am not sure with ages.  Then at the beginning of the year three years ago, they got married.  It was a beautiful service, but it was after they had married at a Justice of the Peace.

The wedding was for family and very close friends, but they posted pictures for all of the rest of us to see.  There were two weddings because, you see, she had been diagnosed with ALS.

It all began with her right leg being very week and not working the way it should have.  Their future wasn't as sure as it had been.  So there was the first wedding. They were making sure they would be married.

Her goal for the wedding was to not use her cane.  She did it!  She walked down the aisle in her beautiful gown - without the cane.

In the ensuing year, they traveled as much as they could.  Alaska was one of the trips they took.  They were so much in love.  They radiated love.

As time has gone on, she was not able to attend church.  The last time I saw her, she was in a wheelchair - a motorized wheelchair to enable her any mobility.  But they were still so obviously in love.  It radiated from them,  

Her strength kept diminishing.  She was totally homebound in the chair, and no ability to move much of anything.

Yesterday morning, she died in her sleep.  This terrible disease has taken another beautiful, loving, productive person.  This is the second I have known pretty well.  One a distant relative and now this one.  I know there are several diseases that appear to have no cure.  We have lost ones we love to pancreatic cancer.  These diseases seem to not have a cure.  They progress rapidly and always end the same.

So Jamie - you are finally released from a body that no longer does what it was supposed to do.  You leave so many behind who loved you.

Busy Easter

Usually, we don't go to church on Easter Sunday.  We did when we were going to the other church because there would be perhaps 75 people there, but in our "new/old" church folks come out of the woodwork.  I used to laugh that I was glad to be organist - at least I had a seat.  It's true that the C(Christmas) and E (Easter) members show up for these services.

It was crowded, but there were plenty of seats for all.  That was good.

There were lots of activities going on.  The high school youth had their traditional pancake breakfast for a fund raiser.  They will be heading to Detroit later for a national youth gathering later.  There was an interactive ativity for the littles in the school part.  Lots going on.

Never heard from son.  Not a call.  Not a text - nothing.  Rather disappointing.

Getting things together for the SSB.  That means to PT for over a week, but the therapist is really happy with the way things are going.  But I am ready for it to be over.  I am tired of giving up an hour and a half in the middle of the day.

Hope your Holy days were great.

Here we go again

Literally.  Thursday we will be going to the SSB.  It seems we just got back.  Geesh.  Of course, the end of the month is the trip to San Francisco - that I am really beginning to worry about.

PT is doing me such good.  I am feeling better than I have felt in a long time.  The back still will scream some while walking, but it is so much better.  But everyone who has been to SF tells me that it seems like everything is uphill - both ways!!  I know there is a lot of walking involved in this trip.  The place G booked for us to stay is (as he puts it) ONLY (that's me) five blocks from the transit station.  FIVE BLOCKS???  Right now, I don't even walk the ONE block around our house.

Not looking forward to the SSB.  I am still sniffling.  It seems something new is blooming, and I am sneezing and nose running.  This is an important trip I guess.  Our hunter, Andy, will be there and PERHAPS we can get the riding lawn mower fixed to that G doesn't have to use the push mower mowing the acre about the house.  If nothing else, Andy has a rider there too and said he will show G how to use it.

So I guess I better "suck it up" and try to enjoy going.  From all reports the wildflowers are jaw dropping beautiful - especially the bluebonnets.  Have to look at the bright side.

Have a great Easter if that's your thing.  Or just enjoy what I hope is a beautiful weekend.

A quick funny little post

Before I head out for today's appointment.  This week has been full once again.

Monday when I was paying after Physical Therapy, I was going to put my cross-body purse on.  It is heavy because I guess I don't have the philosophy for the cross bodies - I carry all my junk in it.

As I was pulling it over my head, I got snagged on my wig, and horror of horrors - that wig came off.  I don't know how many therapistspatients saw but fortunately the office women didn't see a thing.

I was horrified!  At least for a couple of minutes until I got it back on.

That was definitely a first.  I shouldn't be to vain about the wigs.  I try to be sure that I always wear the same one to the same outings so there isn't a marked change!

For those who came back - milder day

While I am still bothered by things, I vented and let it go.  There is nothing I can do about it except look at what I do and work on me.

Doctor appointments/PT keep filling my day.  When I got back from the SSB I had a message from the cardio office.  They had made the appointment for the carotid doppler for me on Wednesday.   Surprise - I have two other appointments!  I got that one cancelled, but rescheduling is going to be difficult I know.  But I will give it a go.

I have found that I can walk better.  Yesterday for PT I had to park in the parking garage.  That entailed a lot of walking.  And I could do it without breaking into a sweat because of the pain.  In fact, I didn't have pain.  So the PT is definitely working on my back, but not my shoulders. Each time we work on them, I am in pain the next day.

I am a little upset with DIL - not enough to make an issue, but at the same time a bit put out.  They will be gone at Easter - again.  She has been good about rotating major holidays - except Easter.  Last year the excuse was that her grandmother had just passed, and they were going to the beach to be with her mom and get her mind off the death.  They are going again this year.

A few years my SIL suggested we rent a house at the beach next to or close to a house they would rent.  That way the families would have some extended time to be together and the second cousins play and get to know one another better.  DIL said she didn't like the beach.  Her actions have shown she apparently doesn't like the beach with OUR family.  She goes with her mom and also with her dad (they are divorced).  Oh well.  I just miss seeing my son.

Allergy season is alive and very well here in the Houston area.  Everything is blooming, and I am miserable.  G kept trying to tell me I had a cold (and gave it to him).  I stopped using the Flonase that I got from the pulmonary doc because it makes the glaucoma worse.  That has lasted one day.  I am miserable.  But I see the ophthalmologist on Wednesday.  That will be a primary question for her.  If not Flonase - what would she suggest.  Bet it won't be anything!!!

So today is eyeball puncture day.  Got a late appointment, and I am really worried about parking.  But G is dropping me off then going to a plant nursery for parts for the riding mower at the SSB (??? - doesn't seem to go together).  So I don't have to park.  He will afterwards!

Gets my goat.

Hypocrites.  They really get to me.  Just today on a neighborhood board I came across one.  Someone posted the question of wanting to know if there were any charities that accepted small sizes of toiletries.  This particular woman has seemed like someone who is kind-hearted and charitable.  I suggested a group in the Houston area that distributes items to the homeless.   Her response was that homeless people are homeless because they choose to be.

I responded to her that I prayed that she would never fall on hard times that made her join the ranks of the homeless.  Then I don't believe she would continue with that attitude.  Then several more commented with statements that were far more harsh.  

So she did a pm telling me that I knew nothing about her, etc.  Well, no.  I am sorry she didn't like being called out with her attitude.  And I responded just that.

Then it got me thinking.  People who claim they follow Christ are among the worst.  Her response to the question was much like so many of these "Christians."  My son included.  He doesn't recognize that bad things can happen to good people.  There are so many folks just barely making it out there, and it doesn't take much for them to become homeless.  But I could see him making the same type of statement.

It's strange how people look down on those on public assistance - that is until they find themselves there.  Then it's ok - for them but not those others.  I am special.  I deserve help.  I cannot help myself.  It just doesn't take much to find oneself in need.

G worked in the county "charity hospital."  He saw people who had bad times and ended up on welfare.  They, for the most part, didn't like it, and tried to get off as soon as possible.  Often that meant they had to work two or even more jobs.  Wasn't easy for them.

Then there are those who think they deserve what amounts to cheating - after all we are talking about large companies here.  They make plenty of money.  So what I get from them after putting in just a little of absolutely ok.  I deserve it.  This goes from accepting too much change to cheating the company out of money.  They have plenty.  Well - at the end of it all, someone does pay.  And that's the rest of us that play by the rules.

Politicians that want to cut medicare, food stamps, other medical benefits and on and on - hypocrites.  They sit there with their huge salaries, great retirement plans, Cadillac health plans.  But that isn't for the diminishing middle class, and certainly not for those who need a better salary.  Nope.  Not at all.

I realize just how fortunate I am.  While my retirement isn't great, I can live on it.  Sure - I would love an increase since I basically have the same monies that I had in 2000.  We got one small increase ($100/year) a couple of years ago, but I do have an annuity with the state.  Don't get much Social Security that I paid into (being an organist) because of it, but then that applies to a lot of government workers too.  I have a fair health insurance plan.  I have a roof over my head that is paid for.

Sorry for the rant, and if I stepped on toes, I am a little sorry.  We are supposed to treat others with the same respect that we want for ourselves.  The old WWJD bracelets always tickled me.  Those same folks would deny help to their neighbors. That isn't WJWD  (what Jesus would do).

This is just another rant here.  It hurts me to see others hurting.  I know some of those on the street corners are scams.  I realize that.  They are among those trying to get something for nothing.  There's a lot of that.  But so many of those are mentally ill people.  There are shelters for them, but honestly - when you look at those shelters, I am not sure I would want to be in one either.  Guess that's why I am so glad our Life Group at church made bags of "snack" foods that don't require refrigeration, water and socks to give to the homeless makes me happy.  

So if you leave me because of these feelings, I really will miss you.  I just had to vent my feelings though.

Gotta' brag - again

that's my girl.  gotta brag (again) on her!

COOK MS STUDENT CHOSEN FOR USA WATER POLO DEVELOPMENT CAMP

March 28, 2015

Cook Middle School eighth-grade student Katie Gill plays for the Southwest Zone team in the USA Water Polo Olympic Development Program tournament, from which she was elevated to the next phase. Gill was selected to the Olympic Development Program Women’s Development National Team selection camp.

March 28, 2015—Cook Middle School eighth-grade student Katie Gill has been selected for the USA Water Polo Olympic Development Program Women’s Development National Team selection camp, to be held May 22-25 in Diamond Bar, Calif.

Gill was the only CFISD student in her age group selected to compete, and one of three from the Southwest Zone. Out of 12 teams of female athletes born in 2001 or later, Gill was one of the top 70 athletes invited to go back to California in late May to try out to make the Development National Team.

Out of the 70, approximately 20 will be selected for the next step.  If invited back, Gill will be invited to attend two additional training camps in June and August, respectively.

Gill has played water polo for two years, and plans to play at Jersey Village High School next year for Coach Stuart Webb. 

“I am very happy for Katie making the National Team Selection Camp,” said Allie Gill, Southwest Zone girls’ head coach. “Katie was a leader for our very young team at the ODP National Championships and had a great attitude the entire season. She is very coachable and was an asset for the Southwest Zone Development Team. She is a hard worker and has a bright future in the sport.”  

 

Cook Middle School eighth-grade student Katie Gill has been selected for the USA Water Polo Olympic Development Program Women’s Development National Team selection camp.

 

Katie Gill defends for the Viper Pigeons club team at the 2014 USA Water Polo Junior Olympics.

I AM still around!

I am still coughing, sneezing and blowing the nose a lot, but I am still around.  We went to the SSB last Thursday (the previous Thursday - after my last post).  I was really in pretty bad shape.  I must have been running a fever because I was freezing the entire week.  I am still sure it was/it allergies because all the plants and trees are putting out copious amounts of pollen.  I hate to have an attack like this because it takes so long to go away.  Once I begin coughing, I cough for weeks after.  I think I need to make an appointment with the pulmonologist because this time my chest feels like an elephant is sitting on it.  I am wondering if I have developed asthma.  I really sound like a hypochondriac!

My prayers that G wouldn't get sick and blame me weren't answered.  He sees no relationship between him having to use the push mower at the SSB and his attack.  He is sure it is a cold and I gave it to him.  I don't see how since I had mine for over a week before he came down with the cough and so on.  After talking to SIL, I am wondering if perhaps we have a bug.  She said there was one going around in Austin that she caught.  It took her three weeks to get over it!  The thing that makes me wonder is that we both are having headaches.  I didn't think anything about mine because I get such strange things anyway until I talked to her.  So perhaps my self-diagnosis was incorrect

There are many topics that have been floating around in my head as food for a blog post.  One in particular is something that has been really bothering me, but I am thinking it would become controversial.  I really don't like to post things that are really controversial.  That isn't my real intent here.  So that means I have completed this bit of trivia for today!!  Have a great weekend.  I don't know what the rest of the weekend brings for me.  With G hacking over there - he won't want to go anywhere, and with the bad temper it puts him in, I don't want him to go anywhere!!  He is a terrible bear.  Typical man getting sick.

Praying hard!

I thought that what bothered me Saturday night and Sunday night was allergies.  I couldn't use the CPAP because it irritated my nose (particularly the left nostril).   I have been sneezing and my nose is just flowing - like an allergy.

I cancelled PT today.  I couldn't see me being able to do physical activity with this mess.  So when Krissi called me to pick up Katie at school I said sure.

I was talking to her about G saying I have a cold rather than allergies.  We talked more and she said none of her team was sick.  THEN she remembered, and so did I, that the girl who rode with us from the airport was sitting right behind me - hacking.

I am fervently praying because if G gets the cold, he will be impossible to live with.  Men don't do sick well, and he surely doesn't.  AND I will be trapped with him in the truck for 6 hours on the way to the SSB.  Geesh!

With all the itching of eyes, nose and ears, I am still hopeful for allergies.

I survived - barely

Our flight landed at 12:30 a.m. today.  The flights to and from LA were completely full.  In fact going they over booked.  There was a family who were completely separated.  Dad had no seat, but fortunately he was employed by United - so he flew in the Flight Attendant's area.  But I felt sorry for his son.  He was way in the back of the plane - alone.  The mom and little girl got to be together.  But checking on the boy was difficult because the beverage cart completely blocks the aisle so much of the time that they couldn't get back to him.  The man with the mom said it would move, but for some reason it didn't work out that way.

Walking is difficult for me.  We have discussed that.  Well!  Being with athletes is not for the walking deprived!  Especially water polo athletes.  They have legs that are stronger than steel!

Krissi was the "team mom" which meant she drive the 15 passenger team van.  Parking is at a premium at best - but she really was nervous about backing that whale so we would be parked pretty far from the venues as it was.  Then Saturday night when a dinner place was chosen I knew she wouldn't be taking the van, and no one else would be driving either.  The parking lot for the hotel was tiny.  Add all these 15 passenger vans, AND all the parental rental cars meant it would fill rapidly.  So they were going to walk it.  It was ONLY 5 blocks.  I asked them to bring something back.

Over the two days I really believe I walked about 5 miles.  Another thing that could have been problematic was the sun.  Here is Texas we are such wimps - our pools for swimming events are enclosed.  California has their pools outside.  The stands have a roof - for afternoon coverage.  Our games were before noon.  The sun was bright.  I am fair, plus some of my meds make me even more apt to burn.  Surprisingly I didn't!!!  I did use sunscreen, but I was still surprised!

Now the real news - she made it to the next phase to the National Team.  Ultimately, this is the road to the Olympic Team.  It is a long, hard road.  She made it to the next training camp.  There were three girls from each region chosen.  Then from there she has to make it to the NEXT camp.  And from there it is the National Team I believe.  As she gets older and continues to make the teams - then it is the Olympic Team.

This is the final awards ceremony.  The girls are sitting here at the end waiting for the announcement of those who have made it to go on.  Katie (for those who don't know) is the one in the center with the large, very curly hair!!  She is so nervous at this time waiting for the names!!