10 Things From 4 Months-Part 1

Hello everyone. Thanks for coming back to my blog. It has been over 4 months since I have posted. If you have been a faithful reader at any time over the last 8 years you know that I have stepped away from writing for extended periods many times. Of course, I've always returned. This is the latest comeback in that pattern. 

Since it's been over 130 days this time. Unintentionally, my absence paralleled the political conventions and and results of the most controversial presidential election in the history of this great nation of ours. 

Everyone knows what happened but for most citizens life did not revolve around "locker room talk" and "email espionage". This includes me.

So if I had been posting during the campaign of chaos what would I have blogged about? Let me fill in the gap for you with a mashup of two of my favorite styles: A series of posts and a top 10 list.  

I'm going to share with you 10 things that have happened in my life over the last 4 months or so. They aren't in any particular order just things I want to share with you.   

Sold Stuff Online:  
In an effort to make a little money for an upcoming trip and get some room in our storage area, throughout July and August, I sold some of my Lego collection, mostly small Star Wars sets, and ventriloquist materials and puppets. 
I did this through group pages on Facebook. The most significant thing I sold was my ventriloquist figure, Ruben. 

Although I was a bit torn about doing this, he was my most marketable "vent" item. 

I had him as part of my puppet collection for 7 years and I have always felt that I never really utilized his potential. That says more about me than anything. 

It was not an easy decision to sell him but I have to be honest with myself.  When I looked at my future plans in regards to "vent" I knew it was time to let him go. 

However, I must say my daughter-in-law, Heather, was very pleased with my decision. He creeped her out. I am kinda sorry that he won't be around to "entertain" her anymore. 

Prior to my midsummer effort to raise funds, I had sold an item or two online. But this time was most profitable, by far. 

A Walking Program: After I pulled the trigger on a special birthday present (more on that later) I knew that I had to get myself in better physical shape or I wouldn't enjoy it. 
I walked through Smiths Grove as often as I could. The hot summer heat and humidity limited the window for walking to early morning or near sundown.
During my walks I enjoyed listening to audio books about the friendship between Andy Griffith and Don Knotts both during and after their days in Mayberry... 

...and details and people involved with the making of and cultural effects of the TV series, Seinfeld. 

Blogger's Note: If you are a fan of either of these shows, I would highly recommend these books in whatever format you choose. They are very interesting. 

I built myself up over the course of 6 weeks to the point where I could walk 2 miles at a time. For me that's an accomplishment and was enough to prepare me for the trip as I had planned.  

In the 2 months since I've come back from my trip, I have, once again, fallen off in regard to walking, but I plan on getting back to it very soon. 


Legos, Of Course: Although I have slowed down a bit over the last couple of months, I still really enjoy building Lego kits. It's mostly a way of connecting with my granddaughter. Every time she comes to visit she anxiously looks forward to seeing what Papa has made for her to play with. Here are some pics of what I have put together for her. 

My favorite build from over the summer was one of the things I like in the Star Wars universe: an AT-AT.

I put this one on display back in my room on the same bookshelf with my VW van. 

Also, over the summer, I bought some new bricks and accessories that will help to improve my Christmas Lego display. I have also gotten this year's Christmas set, a train.

I am looking forward to seeing how these additions enhance our living room during this holiday season. 

Doggie Surgery: If you are a dog owner with a pet who has had to have surgery you'll understand this next event. 

On October 21, our dog, Angel, had surgery to remove the fatty tumors that have been building up in her lower abdomen over the last 10 years or so. They had become a real problem for her in regard to getting around, walking, and going up and down our deck steps. 

I knew that she would be in pain and would need some extra care during her 2 week recovery time. 
What I didn't know was that following her surgery she would have several drainage tubes protruding from her incision. These had to be left exposed and open so she could heal from the inside out. This meant that she "drained" anywhere she went. For two weeks we were constantly cleaning up the floor after her. We tried putting doggie diapers on her but they didn't work.  

In addition, she had to wear a plastic collar that kept her from licking her incision. She really didn't like it at all. It limited her ability to navigate through doorways and getting in and out of her crate. I had to remove her crate and make her a bed she would have no trouble getting to. 

To gain access to her food and water the collar had to be removed. This required my help as well.

She was also on 3 different medications 3 times a day, which she had to be tricked into swallowing.
 Because of the surgery she is now getting around a lot better than she was. It was a difficult couple of weeks but over all it was worth it.  

There you have a few of the 10 things from the past 4 months I want to share with you.

In the next couple of posts I will feature details of improvements and changes in design of our house and share some memories made during a couple of visits from some special people.

Thanks for reading "Part 1". I'll let you know when the next post is published.