Ugh. I’ve said it before (“Underworld”), but how do you dress Jennifer Garner up in this outfit and have a boring movie?

Lots of camera effects layered atop a very weak story, that’s how.

Spoke with Mom this morning…she’s resting at home, and letting Dad and my Aunt Norie take care of her, which makes me smile. She’s taken care of so many people her whole life…thanks to everyone who’s written-in and keep up those prayers. I heard from Stu and Cathy that churches throughout the Louisville area are praying for Mom – neighbors of theirs and their prayer groups. She goes in Friday for the lowdown on where things are and what the next steps are.

You’re just saying all this because you want a new…

Whitney - Nov 2, 2007

You’re just saying all this because you want a new diesel vw. You forget I actually listen when you speak. :)

I’ll just say I think you’re making the assumption that the federal government would actually honestly use the fuel tax to develop alternative energy sources or something else worthwhile, instead of adding to its own bloated bureaucracy … I say this because I admit I’ve had the same thought, but the real problem is that the American public does not perceive this threat as clearly as you and I do. If they did there would be no objection to things like drilling in tiny areas of Alaska for domestic oil. In effect you’re saying because the American people aren’t smart enough to do the right thing, the government has to force it on them. And yes … that would make you a Democrat. :)

Twenty-nine years ago today, I came squalling into the world, pissed-off that my head looked like this:

Mom was similarly disillusioned that my head was the size of this:

So, yeah…birthday. Pretty-much feels like any other day…I got one of these as a present:

As a result, my wife now gets to wake-up every morning at 5:20 on the dot to the sound of whirring blades, grinding coffee beans, and dripping hot water. I think of it as the gift that keeps on giving ;-)

Happy birthday, Harvid! I’m thinking of you.

<… Bill Randall - Nov 0, 2007

Happy birthday, Harvid! I’m thinking of you.

Biru

Shameless cross-link here

From Daniel 3 (KJV):

16Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.

17"If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.

18But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up."

Well said.

Jeff Roberts - Nov 3, 2007

Well said.

Mom slept pretty well last night, and is finally cleared for some solid foods. Everything is working in her digestive system, and they seem to be managing her pain well. She was resting comfortably (for the first time in 6 days) last night, according to my aunt.

* * *

Well, today is election day, or “The day the democrats take back the keys to the cesspit.” Getting anything done in this state is akin to the intrigues of Lorenzo de Medici’s Florence…everything is a political game. Fletcher went into the governor’s mansions naively thinking he could undo centuries of entitlements and pork.

Just got off the phone with Mom. They’ve unhooked the epidural, so she’s in quite a lot of pain in the area of the surgery, which they’re counteracting with oral pain meds, augmenting with injections as needed. She still has a long road to go just recovering from this surgery.

The docs said biopsy/pathology results would be available in 4-5 days, so we’re in that window.

Thanks everyone for your encouragement and prayers.

Someone broke into my house today, right after Whitney left with Maria to pick-up Joey from school. Our ADT security system detected the intrusion and they called the police immediately. ADT called me and I told Whitney to go home and check-it-out. She said everything was still there, but the three drawers in our kitchen bar table were open wide.

Bizarre things–it was broad daylight, and if they’ve been casing our house they know PEOPLE PICK UP THEIR KIDS BY THAT BUS STOP every day.

I will complain about nothing today.

I will com… Jeff Roberts - Nov 1, 2007

I will complain about nothing today.
I will complain about nothing today.
I will complain about nothing today.

I’m trying to find the words to describe how awful yesterday was…Dad is devestated, we’re all in shock…

First, the good news: When they got in there, they saw what they were dealing with, and the surgeon considered stopping the operation. He didn’t. He did not give up hope on Mom; that’s about the best news I can hold onto right now.

The facts of it: She had a tumor invading the right lobe of her liver, her diaphragm, and the bottom of her right lung. They did an initial analysis on the lymph nodes in her chest and they came back clear, so they went forward, removing 40% of her liver, 20% of that lung, and removing/reconstructing her diaphragm. The surgery took 6 hours, and involved 3 surgeons. They considered stopping the surgery several times, but didn’t.

My mom’s having surgery tomorrow morning. Preliminary indications are the ’thing’ on her liver (they switch from calling it a lesion or a tumor every other time.) isn’t cancer. She still has one more test to undergo tonight, then she is “top of the list” for surgery tomorrow at UK.

I just spoke with her, and she seems a little tired and on some pain meds, but she doesn’t seem scared.

Just happened upon your blog. When my mom was sic…

Schottzie03 - Oct 3, 2007

Just happened upon your blog. When my mom was sick I had some strangers let me know they were praying for her, and it made me feel good.

I wanted to pass that feeling along to you, and wish all the best for you, your mom and your family.

Thanks to all of you who’ve written offering prayers and well-wishes for Mom. She’s out of the hospital as of last Friday, but she’s going back tomorrow for further tests. What they think they know isn’t awful, but it will require more surgery.

She’s in pain, but she doesn’t seem too concerned (typical Mom, in other words!)

Please keep her in your prayers.

There are days where I want to rename this blog “Tragedy and trials du jour”

So Mom’s back in the hospital for tests…she has some sort of “lesion” on her liver. She just had her gallbladder out back in July, but had continued pain during her recovery.

I’d really like to list the litany of crap that’s going on in my life right now, but that’s not going to do me much good. I feel like an over-saturated sponge (appropriate, considering), and I’ve lost the ability to internalize anything.

Sponges grow in the ocean. That just kills me. I w…

Jeff Roberts - Oct 5, 2007

Sponges grow in the ocean. That just kills me. I wonder how much deeper the ocean would be if that didn’t happen. – Steven Wright

It is hard I know. If you need anything or just to talk call me or e-mail. I will pray for you all.

I know I know…where are freakin’ pics? Well, it’s been crazy at home, and I haven’t had 10 minutes on the computer to upload (insert excuse #2 here….insert excuse #3 here)

Summary: She is amazing. We’re massaging lotion into her new skin over the burns 4 times a day, and the areas are pinking right up. She’s learned to locomotor on all fours the right way, and she can blitz across the living room anytime she sees something shiny. She’s one smiling amazing baby girl.

Praise God, so glad she’s doing well.

Jeff Roberts - Oct 2, 2007

Praise God, so glad she’s doing well.