Wet Days and Simple Dog Pleasures

(IMAGE: National Weather Service Radar, 1/7/09 at 8:10pm EST)
We've had two VERY damp, cloudy, rainy days here in Maryland where temperatures hovered around (mostly just over) the freezing mark. That makes it tough to walk the dogs, but today at lunch I managed to get a walk in in the 30 minutes that were rain-free (good timing for lunch at 1pm). The pouring rain resumed shortly afterward.(This is a photo I got off the Internet- the ball Dolly, Franklin and I were playing with were tennis balls, but this was pretty funny looking!): On Tuesday and this morning (Wednesday) it was raining both mornings, so after the dogs went out back in their raincoats and came in (and were toweled off), they still needed exercise. So, instead of going on a 30 minute walk (as usual) I stayed in with them and tossed a ball for that amount of time. They seemed to enjoy it just as much. Not only was that FUN for the dogs, but FUN for me, too!

READING: Tim Russert's "Wisdom of Our Fathers"

My brother Doug gave me Tim Russert's book "Wisdom of Our Fathers" for Christmas.
What a perfect gift at Christmas, especially because this was the first Christmas without my dad (who passed Aug. 2, 2008).
The book is a compilation of letters and stories from people around the U.S. that wrote to Tim Russert after reading his book about his father "Big Russ." (Tim passed also in the summer of 2008).
Several of the stories - really choked me up. Like the daughters who painted their elderly dad's toes (as he let them as little girls) before they took him off life-support. That was a tough one to read.
As I mentioned at my Dad's services, one of my favorite stories about Dad was how he'd always take us out for comic books, despite mom's wishes, and he'd tell us to roll them up and put them in our jacket sleeves when we came in the house. Dad always stopped at 7-11 or the variety store/pharmacy "John's" I think it was called near the Regina Russell Tea house in Quincy. I also remember that whenever the family would go for Pizza in Brockton at "Tip Top Cafe" (now closed I'm sure), Dad always remembered that Brookeville News carried comic books, and would always let me run in to check them out.
This book means so much to me, and I will always treasure it. If you had a good dad, or a good step-dad, foster-dad, or dad-like person in your life, it's one to read over and over again.

New Study Reveals Why Fall-Born People may have Asthma (like me)

I've always wondered why I was the only one in my family to develop Asthma and now I have a better idea - my birthdate. I noticed that despite being in decent shape, I could get winded by going up one set of stairs carrying something. Odd, I thought, because when I do regulated treadmill running, it doesn't bother me. But sudden exercise, or breathing in cold air makes me gasp. - Rob

From Today's Nashville Tennessean Newspaper (Jan. 5, 2009)
Fall birthday may raise asthma risk
VUMC looks at link to cold, flu season
NASHVILLE -Children suffering from asthma may now be able to look to their birthdays to find out why.
Those born on the brink of cold and flu season have a higher risk of developing asthma than children born any other time of year, according to new research out of Vanderbilt University Medical Center.Because infants are more susceptible to illnesses than older children, and because their lungs are not fully formed until age 2, a winter respiratory virus could damage the lungs and immune system and make children more likely to develop asthma, doctors say.
Christison participated in the Tennessee Asthma Bronchiolitis Study, which analyzed birth and medical records of more than 95,000 children and their mothers. Children were followed from the time they were in the womb up through age 6.
Those children who were born in the four months before the peak of cold and flu season — with birthdays typically from late August through November — had up to a 30 percent increased risk of developing asthma, said Dr. Tina Hartert, associate professor of Medicine, Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and director of the Center for Asthma Research at Vanderbilt.
Not all children born in those months were infected with a winter respiratory virus in their infancy. But for the ones who were, 25 percent to 40 percent went on to develop asthma.
Doctors at Vanderbilt say they still believe there also is a strong genetic link. But doctors hope that if they combat these winter viruses, they can reduce childhood asthma. (Credit: Wordpress.com:This picture is of a regular bronchi (on the right) and on the left is a bronchi that has asthma.)

Doggy Spa Treatment / Painting / Home Projects

TOM PAINTING THE LAUNDRYROOM - We wound up spending all afternoon painting the laundry room today, because there are so many little pipes and areas to work around. It looks really nice now, despite the time-intensive effort and detailed work.

The weekend is here and that means lots of home projects again, and a personal Doggy Spa treatment for Dolly and Franklin. On Sunday, our friend Steve met us for an early breakfast at Panera Bread, minus Jane, who wasn't feeling well. Nice to laugh first thing in the morning! The day progressed with Tom painting the laundry room, while I (Rob) bathed our 2 dogs, then clipped their nails and washed their ears. Of course lots of treats were required! They're both great with taking a bath now (we have a utility sink), and with ear cleaning. It's the nail trimming they don't care for, although Dolly puts up with it. Franklin still squeals like a little girl and won't let me clip but one nail at a time.
Saturday was also busy, with all the house cleaning, dusting, vacuuming, laundry, grocery shopping, dog walking, etc. We did take time out to enjoy seeing The DARK KNIGHT on DVD with our friends Mike and Heidi, and 2 of their kids, Sadie and Jake (my godson). We had a fun time, and the movie was fantastic (just as it was in the theatre the first time).

We Interrupt this quiet Breakfast...to be annoying

On the weekends, we like to go to Panera Bread for a nice breakfast in the early mornings. We enjoying saying hello to the regulars and chatting with them briefly. However, one elderly gentleman has breached my limit for patience. (Those who know me know that I'll talk to anyone and am usually incredibly patient). This man is in his upper 80s and is an artist.
Many weekends as soon as we sit down with our breakfast and/or newspaper and discuss what we're going to do during the day or read the news to each other. It's a great, relaxing way to start the day. However, when this man comes over, he pulls up a chair, sits down and starts talking and handing us photos of his paintings. This has been going on for more than 2 years. He brags about how great he is, and his paintings are in various public places. We've even gone to an art show to show him support, but he doesn't know when to stop talking about himself (yes, even at 87 or whatever he is)- and he usually keeps us for 45 mins to an HOUR!
This morning, we arrived at Panera as usual (early) and our friend Steve joined us. That didn't stop this painter from pulling up a chair and starting to hand out photos of his paintings again with our friend sitting there. I wasn't even at the table yet. Tom didn't know what to say, but I did. I said "Excuse me, but we're here with our friend and we'd really like to spend time with him. I think it would be rude not to do so. We can look at your pictures another time." Yeah, I was firm, but I was pissed! How totally rude this egotistical, selfish man was to decide he was going to be the center of all our attention WITHOUT asking if he could sit with us! Yes, it's unlike me. The rest of the story is that his elder girlfriend works at Panera, too, but he treats her like crap, and says that "she's a bother" and infers that she's useless to him, when she takes care of this nasty man.
I told Tom that I don't have the patience to deal with nasty, selfish, egotistical people like this man. Unfortunately, even at 87, he hasn't learned to be nice and unconditionally love others. How sad for him.

New Year's Eve and New Year's Day Adventures

New Year's Eve for Tom and I is not an exciting night. We don't venture out and go to parties or nightclubs. In fact, we usually get tired by 9:30pm and that's what happened. We did meet our friends Todd and Erica for dinner, who are expecting their first child in 10 days. That was fun. We returned home by 8pm to watch TV and wind down - which happened fast!
We watched one of our new (OLD) favorite series on DVD: "Hetty Wainthropp Investigates" is a British crime-comedy drama television series which aired from 1996 to 1998 on BBC One. The series starred Patricia Routledge as the title character (Hetty Wainthropp), Derek Benfield as her patient husband Robert, Dominic Monaghan as their boarder (and her assistant) Geoffrey Shawcross and John Graham Davies as DCI Adams. Many of the episodes have been featured on the American PBS series Mystery!. The series is based on characters from on the 1986 novel, Missing Persons by David Cook (who co-wrote the series with John Griffith Bowen). After one episode (It's like a British Murder She Wrote -our other favorite), it was 9:45pm and bedtime!!
NEW YEAR'S DAY-We breakfasted at home and welcomed the new year in. Tom worked on assembling a bench that was delivered with a broken piece, so we had to go to Lowe's for lumber. Tom rebuilt the piece and spray painted it, while I organized our trip to Savannah in February!
We also drove about 2 1/2 hours to Lusby, Maryland (extreme southern Maryland) to do a home visit for a potential Weimaraner adoption. Wolf Creek Weim Rescue (Where we adopted Dolly from)in Tennessee received a request to adopt from a nice couple in southern Maryland. They do home visits to ensure good surroundings for their dogs, and this couple's home was very comfy. They also had a Weimaraner before, and I gave them a sterling recommendation.
Hopefully, although I have to work Friday, we'll get to the movies tonight to see "The Spirit"!

CHILLY New Year's Forecasts /What's My Wind Chill?

Looks like a nasty night to be outside on New Year's Eve from Virginia to New York. People in Boston will likely be INSIDE, as they're getting walloped with a big winter snow storm tomorrow. Meanwhile WIND CHILLS throughout the northeastern U.S. are going to be BITTER!! - To figure out your wind chills, use this National Weather Service Chill chart (CLICK TO ENLARGE). Air temps are at the top, wind speed is on the left... so pick your numbers and where they meet is the WIND CHILL (how it feels to the bare skin). Be safe and Happy New Year! Rob
BALTIMORE/WASHINGTON/SO. CENTRAL PA - A CHILLY 5 DAYS COMING
Wednesday (New Year's Eve): Gradually becoming sunny, and WINDY with a high near 43. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph. Low 21, and still Blustery with Gusts to 32 mph, WIND CHILLS BELOW ZERO TONIGHT.
New Year's Day: Mostly sunny, Breezy, COLD with a high near 36. WIND CHILLS IN UPPER 20s DURING THE DAY. Low at night: 25.
Friday: Cloudy, with scattered showers after noon. High 41, Low 28
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 39. Low 26
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 41. Low 29

A Pain in the Neck with a LOT of connections

Today was my first treatment at the chiropractor for my neck pain. I can only move my head to the left about 20 degrees without pain, and you're supposed to be able to move it parallel to your shoulder! (90 degrees and pain free). So, as much as I hate admitting I'm getting old, I signed off on 12 visits over the next month. The doc cracked my back like it hasn't ever been cracked with a loud "snap" but it felt good.
I was shown this chart pictured here, and realized that spinal alignment and the nerves around it are connected to symptoms of allergies, asthma, headaches, numbness in arms (all of which I have), and so much more. Wow. If this works, I'll let you know. I'd love to be less allergic to pollens, and not have numbness in my arms any more. CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE.

VIDEO: Happy New Year- We've Elfed Ourselves!

The local Baltimore country station I listen to daily found this video on JibJab.com where you can personalize it with your own and other faces (up to 5). After some editing to fit the images, up to 5 faces can be put on elves doing different dances. Then, you can purchase it for $4.99 to keep! - I did. Attached is our Video for the holiday Season!
Rob, Tom, Dolly (the Weimaraner)and Franklin (the dachshund). Happy New Year!

Head Bruisin', Cataracts and a Pain in the Neck!

The year 2008 is going out with a bang for me (Rob). On Saturday, I was kneeling on the kitchen floor, at the sliding glass doors trying to let the dogs out to chase a squirrel off our new bird feeder. Dolly, our weimaraner came running in underneath me as I was bent over tending to Franklin's tee-shirt (it was cold out) and she picked her head up quickly and the top of her head crashed into my forehead just above my right eye. Needless to say, 3 days later it STILL aches, and is still tender. Fortunately, Dolly's head is a lot harder than mine, so she's fine. I'm still taking Ibuprofen!
Another year, and getting older: I noticed about a year ago that I couldn't turn my head to the left more than 20 degrees without pain. Over the last week, the pain is now there no matter what I do. So, I decided to go to a chiropractor and had my first visit this morning (Monday the 29th). They took X-rays and I learned that the night-time numbness in my arms may be related to the pain in my neck. Also, lately I've noticed when I'm tired, my tongue doesn't seem to want to pronounce some words clearly without a lot of effort. I think all three of these issues may be connected.
- Although, Back in 2005, I took Actifed (with pseuoephedrine) for allergies, and it paralyzed one side of my body for four hours - landing me in the hospital, and prevented me from speaking (making my tongue half-paralyzed), so I wonder if it did any nerve damage that's being triggered by my "pain in the neck." (I love saying that for some reason). Will know more later as I get the x-ray results later today.
Oh, yeah, Tom's cataract surgery was now 3 weeks ago, and he's still seeing halos, and the edge of the plastic lens they implanted in his right eye. In fact, when I look into his eyes I can also see the lens. We hope that those side-effects go away, as he has to have the other eye done in mid-2009. God, it stinks getting old.

Christmas Photos!

Gingerbread men decorating Gingerbread men on Christmas Day! - Gary (far left)and Jeff (2nd from left) came over for Christmas dinner. Jeff and Rob cooked. Afterward we decorated gingerbread men (can you tell how excited Tom was about doing that?). I can't show them here, because this is a family web page. Needless to say, we had a lot of laughs, and it was a memorable time.


Dolly and Franklin waiting to open their Christmas presents. Dolly is dressed in a Santa dog outfit our friend Maureen sent last year. Franklin's in a Thomas the Train shirt.


Tom opens a present from Rob wrapped in 20 layers of plastic bags, just to make him crazy! :)


Christmas Day was 60F degrees, so Tom tossed sticks outside for Dolly (Franklin just harassed the neighbor's dogs along the fence) while Rob was cooking inside.


Christmas Morning Breakfast at Tom's parents' house - posing with Franklin and Dolly.
The only thing missing this Christmas was time spent with my family. We did everything long-distance this year.

My Dad's Spirit Visits Me Christmas Eve

On Dec. 23 when we were turning in for the night, I asked my dad aloud if he'd give me a sign that he's around on Christmas. He did. The next night, Christmas eve, after having dinner at our house with Tom's parents, we drove to a Grace Baptist Church in Bowie for their Christmas choir concert.
During the concert I wasn't feeling the best, and was a little lightheaded. It was a similar feeling I had before my friend Lynn's mother came through to me last summer. Anyway, about half-way through the concert, I closed my eyes and saw my Dad sitting next to a Christmas tree with my late grandmother (his mother) on the other side of it. Dad first appeared to me similar to the way he looked about a year or two before he passed, as did my grandmother. Then, they both reverted back to how they looked when they were in their 30s. This photo of my dad is from 1958 from when he was around 30 years old. The vision kept flashing back and forth between their appearances before they passed to their younger selves. (NOTE: When spirits pass, they first appear the way they did around that time, then choose what "appearance" to have in the next realm, usually younger. Both my dad and my grandmother looked young and vibrant, with light brownish hair (no grey and no wrinkles). This is apparently how they choose to look in the afterlife.
The next thing I saw was my Dad standing behind my mother, who was seated in a chair facing a Christmas tree. She was wearing black and white and I saw a flash of red.
Dad also showed me a gold decorative pin of a Christmas tree with little stones in it. He told me that this was his favorite and mom should wear it. The vision then faded.
After the concert, I called my younger brother's house, where my mom was on Christmas eve. My sister-in-law Sue answered. I asked her if mom was wearing black and white with red, or if she had the christmas tree pin on. Sue said "no" to all. I thought, Hmmm... what was that vision about then? I said Merry Christmas and after hearing how my nephews liked their presents Tom and I sent them, I hung up. Sue didn't mention it to my mother. The next night would be confirmation of what I saw.
The next night was Christmas of course, and after Tom and I had breakfast at his parents' house, and then a nice Christmas dinner here with our friends Jeff and Gary, I called my mom. She had just returned home from Christmas dinner. My older brother and his wife Dawn took my mom to Dawn's sister's house for Christmas dinner. I said to my mom "Are you wearing black and white with some red?" She didn't answer for a minute. Then she asked "Why?" I said, "Dad told me you'd be wearing black and white today, and sitting near a chair facing a Christmas tree. He showed me a little red, too. He also showed me that he was standing behind you the whole time." Mom was shocked. She was wearing black and white. She said when she was getting dressed, she also took out a red blouse instead of the white one she eventually put on. She wanted to know how I knew. I told her that Dad came to me and showed the colors to me, and that he was with her all day on Christmas.
Yes, mom cried over it, and so did I. She didn't have the Christmas tree pin on, but knew where it was and would look for it to wear on the 26th. Having this ability has been a real blessing to me, and a true comfort for my mother. Honestly, it still freaks me out when I confirm things that spirits show me.