Interesting how life works. You attempt to do everything the right way, you stumble over someone else's missed step and you end up holding the empty bag.
Due to the fact my doctor was having heart issues and dangerous procedures on the day of my November appointment, my Surgery Coordinator will submit the papers we have but expects Aetna to say...No go...only five months of visits here...do another six months.
There ya have it. Now I better comprehend how insurance companies keep their hands on their money! lolol
Tune in tomorrow forrrrr 'the resttttt of the story!' Not that there is any...I'll let ya know when Aetna says nope.
Merry Christmas to All and to All .... alot of good, fattening, delicious foods!!! Yum and yum again!!
About Me
- txspatter
- Humble, Texas, United States
- Retired educator, retired freelance photographer, retired life. I loved the classroom, laughter of the students, small successes that made them glow and the feeling of 'family' among faculty. However, job done and on to new things. Life was on 'cruise control' until March, 2004...and then, there was a halting screech, lung and heart issues and physicians galore. But, I beat the odds and HERE I AM...STILL HUFFIN' AND PUFFIN'!!! Let's see where this leads.....
Friday, December 19, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
The Season to Remember
I have lots of first cousins, more second cousins and yes, thirds as well! Our family has always been 'close' over the years. It was just a Davis 'kinda thang' I guess. Forget the handshakes, we're a huggin' family. Doesn't matter how short or how long you've known us, get ready...you're going to be hugged!
Each summer (when I was a little girl) on the old Freedman dairy, we had cousins who'd come from the coast to visit! Bobby (Roubion) was one of the best. He'd come and he and Jim would hang out and work the 'wash barn' down the slight hill from the big 'ol white Parlor Barn.
They'd bring the cows in, stantion 7 or 8 at a time and run the wash rag over those big, full 'o milk bags, prepping the cows to walk the upward inclined ramp to fill a stantion and feed while the machine played a ryhtmical tune with them. The wash barn had exposed beams, old wood, tin, etc. and all the cousins and Jimmy carved their secrets and their names in those pieces.
One of the treasures that Bobby had rescued from that old dairy was one of the very old, rusty milk cans, with it's lid. And, one of the big milk filters that sat atop the can so the milk would funnel into the can.
I had known he had it in his garage for years. I'd beg, threaten and plead almost everytime I saw him. He and Ann lived in Clear Lake near Nancy and Donald...I was around them lots. (Probably more than they cared for!!! lolol) One day when mother and I stopped by Ann and Bob's house on our way home, he smiled and said, "I have something I want to give you." As I wondered what on earth would Bobby have for me, he opened the door to the double wide garage and smiled as he pointed at the antique milk can.
I was in shock! Yes, I took it. He didn't have to tell me twice. It now sits quietly in the front corner of my garage. And, everytime I look at it, I think of Bobby. He was diagnosed one January or February with lung cancer. It was a serious diagnosis with two or three tumors. They treated him for those and everyone held him in vigilent prayer.
It wasn't long until the cancer spread. On one of my stops by their house late that Spring, Bob looked at me, as he sat in his tv chair in the living room there, oxygen line on his face, the concentrator pumping it's rythmic pop and air sound...and he smiled a weak, sweet smile as he asked, "Pat, could you come spend some afternoons with Ann and me? Maybe watch tv with me and make me laugh some. When you're around you always make me smile and you always say funny things."
Touched by his words, I replied, "sure, I can do that, Bob." And, I did. I don't recall how many times I visited, but several. And, with each visit, I could see he had slipped a bit further the 'wrong way.' Towards September, his legs had become diminished and I would help Ann with him. We did watch tv...we sat and said nothing many afternoons, I went to his cancer doctor with them for treatment and I was there just to offer a chance of a smile.
You see, it's the holiday season and we remember so many things. We miss our loved ones and recant the things we did or the things we should have done. But, our lives move forward with a steadfast tempo and we stay the course for the next round.
Bob Roubion has a tremendous family he left behind. He and Ann have four children and many grandchildren these days.
He's just one more example of the Davis Legacy in our strong family. His mother, Aunt Lois, was so close to everyone...and, still is at age 98. No, she can't go freely or send cards or make phone calls. And, no, not all of us see her as frequently as we should, but, one more reason and example of the goodness of family.
There are many examples within the Davis Clan...Bobby was on my mind tonight as I thought of his smile and request for something so very simple. Would you come spend some time with me and make me smile.
It doesn't ever have to be complicated. And, sometimes in the hustle and bustle of every day rituals, I think many of us lose site of the real issue at hand. Slow down, share a smile and make someone (anyone) feel like a million dollars! I'm trying to do more of that these days.
I hope you will also. We've all walked a 'mile'...we've all nurtured our loved ones...and, we've all lost important people from our lives. They're never forgotten, but the lessons we learned from them are rich. As you ponder the season, the love and the things you've experienced, let go of the hassle and fretting the small stuff.
Enrich you life and that of another with a simple Random Act of Kindness. AFter you've done it, give yourself a smile and go to Starbucks!! Celebrate every day in some way...let the small aggravations fly!
Each summer (when I was a little girl) on the old Freedman dairy, we had cousins who'd come from the coast to visit! Bobby (Roubion) was one of the best. He'd come and he and Jim would hang out and work the 'wash barn' down the slight hill from the big 'ol white Parlor Barn.
They'd bring the cows in, stantion 7 or 8 at a time and run the wash rag over those big, full 'o milk bags, prepping the cows to walk the upward inclined ramp to fill a stantion and feed while the machine played a ryhtmical tune with them. The wash barn had exposed beams, old wood, tin, etc. and all the cousins and Jimmy carved their secrets and their names in those pieces.
One of the treasures that Bobby had rescued from that old dairy was one of the very old, rusty milk cans, with it's lid. And, one of the big milk filters that sat atop the can so the milk would funnel into the can.
I had known he had it in his garage for years. I'd beg, threaten and plead almost everytime I saw him. He and Ann lived in Clear Lake near Nancy and Donald...I was around them lots. (Probably more than they cared for!!! lolol) One day when mother and I stopped by Ann and Bob's house on our way home, he smiled and said, "I have something I want to give you." As I wondered what on earth would Bobby have for me, he opened the door to the double wide garage and smiled as he pointed at the antique milk can.
I was in shock! Yes, I took it. He didn't have to tell me twice. It now sits quietly in the front corner of my garage. And, everytime I look at it, I think of Bobby. He was diagnosed one January or February with lung cancer. It was a serious diagnosis with two or three tumors. They treated him for those and everyone held him in vigilent prayer.
It wasn't long until the cancer spread. On one of my stops by their house late that Spring, Bob looked at me, as he sat in his tv chair in the living room there, oxygen line on his face, the concentrator pumping it's rythmic pop and air sound...and he smiled a weak, sweet smile as he asked, "Pat, could you come spend some afternoons with Ann and me? Maybe watch tv with me and make me laugh some. When you're around you always make me smile and you always say funny things."
Touched by his words, I replied, "sure, I can do that, Bob." And, I did. I don't recall how many times I visited, but several. And, with each visit, I could see he had slipped a bit further the 'wrong way.' Towards September, his legs had become diminished and I would help Ann with him. We did watch tv...we sat and said nothing many afternoons, I went to his cancer doctor with them for treatment and I was there just to offer a chance of a smile.
You see, it's the holiday season and we remember so many things. We miss our loved ones and recant the things we did or the things we should have done. But, our lives move forward with a steadfast tempo and we stay the course for the next round.
Bob Roubion has a tremendous family he left behind. He and Ann have four children and many grandchildren these days.
He's just one more example of the Davis Legacy in our strong family. His mother, Aunt Lois, was so close to everyone...and, still is at age 98. No, she can't go freely or send cards or make phone calls. And, no, not all of us see her as frequently as we should, but, one more reason and example of the goodness of family.
There are many examples within the Davis Clan...Bobby was on my mind tonight as I thought of his smile and request for something so very simple. Would you come spend some time with me and make me smile.
It doesn't ever have to be complicated. And, sometimes in the hustle and bustle of every day rituals, I think many of us lose site of the real issue at hand. Slow down, share a smile and make someone (anyone) feel like a million dollars! I'm trying to do more of that these days.
I hope you will also. We've all walked a 'mile'...we've all nurtured our loved ones...and, we've all lost important people from our lives. They're never forgotten, but the lessons we learned from them are rich. As you ponder the season, the love and the things you've experienced, let go of the hassle and fretting the small stuff.
Enrich you life and that of another with a simple Random Act of Kindness. AFter you've done it, give yourself a smile and go to Starbucks!! Celebrate every day in some way...let the small aggravations fly!
Sunday, December 14, 2008
How Time Flies
It's been a while since I wrote here. Life got busy, doctor's appointments were flying past me, interns needed to be observed and me...I just needed to hesitate. I've done the 'six month' thing with my PCP and weight management. I managed to lose about 12 pounds.
That was a difficult time and highly challenging to me metally and emotionally. Diet six more months and then go through surgery to reduce your tummy to the size of an egg. In other words, there's change on the horizon, but we want ya to walk a fine line before you arrive.
Oh, well. I did it...and, Christmas is upon us. And, I'm enjoying some of the old time favorites! I'm awaiting word now from the Surgery Coordinator regarding a date and pre-op appointments. I have no clue how rapid the eagles will fly now.
I do know that the past few weeks have been engaging. Dealing with schedules and tripping on a 'bug' that kicked my feet out from under me complicated the past week. But, it has passed and now I move on.
And, so, no epiphany this evening, no past memories or thoughts...just the joy of the season and preparing to travel to Tampa, Florida to spend Christmas week with Michael's kiddos. They are excited and can't wait for us to arrive. I do know the car will be tilted with all the packages and such. But, it'll get on down the highway!
The one thought that rocks in my mind tonight is of Grandma Davis. She ususally ended up at our country home prior to Christmas. We did it up in grand style from top to bottom and I think it was contagious. She enjoyed the excitement of the season. One sure thing was the fact that she would open all of her gifts several days before Christmas arrived.
You ask why?
She was sure she would not make it to Christmas Eve (again, every year). She lived with a weak heart, congestive heart failure and was always frail. But, we would bring her packages and surround her at the table to celebrate her 'take' at Christmas time.
There she'd sit...plaid, cotton dress, Daniel Greene slippers, her long silvery gray hair wound up in a knot on the back of her head and her wire rimmed glasses perched on her nose. Her hands were thin with maps of blood vessels running all over the top and her stockings were pulled just below the knee and wrapped in a knot that was then tucked up into the stretched top. Oh, and her pale blue sweater would grace her shoulders to keep the 'chill off'.
She always sat crocheting pretty little doilies. And, sometimes, she made larger things. But, those two weathered, worn hands could make those knitting needles sing ... although at a constant pace. She knew all of the patterns and everything always had a different twist to it.
By the time she passed...I was told she had read the Bible through every year for the past several. I would venture to say Grandma Davis had read the Bible at least 40 times in her life and maybe more. Her goal in life was to read through the Bible every year...and, there it lay beside her bed the night she passed.
Life was never easy or gentle for her...but her faith and her Christian foundation sure imprinted on her 10 children. Due to her strong character, love of family and hard work...the Davis family turned out kinda good!
So, thanks to a tremendous role model, mother, grandmother and more. I guess I'd have to say her song today could be the old 'Wind Beneath My Wings.' Because of her excellent/constant love of family, my mother passed all that on to us.
Be careful what you do and what you say...you shape someone's character every day!!
That was a difficult time and highly challenging to me metally and emotionally. Diet six more months and then go through surgery to reduce your tummy to the size of an egg. In other words, there's change on the horizon, but we want ya to walk a fine line before you arrive.
Oh, well. I did it...and, Christmas is upon us. And, I'm enjoying some of the old time favorites! I'm awaiting word now from the Surgery Coordinator regarding a date and pre-op appointments. I have no clue how rapid the eagles will fly now.
I do know that the past few weeks have been engaging. Dealing with schedules and tripping on a 'bug' that kicked my feet out from under me complicated the past week. But, it has passed and now I move on.
And, so, no epiphany this evening, no past memories or thoughts...just the joy of the season and preparing to travel to Tampa, Florida to spend Christmas week with Michael's kiddos. They are excited and can't wait for us to arrive. I do know the car will be tilted with all the packages and such. But, it'll get on down the highway!
The one thought that rocks in my mind tonight is of Grandma Davis. She ususally ended up at our country home prior to Christmas. We did it up in grand style from top to bottom and I think it was contagious. She enjoyed the excitement of the season. One sure thing was the fact that she would open all of her gifts several days before Christmas arrived.
You ask why?
She was sure she would not make it to Christmas Eve (again, every year). She lived with a weak heart, congestive heart failure and was always frail. But, we would bring her packages and surround her at the table to celebrate her 'take' at Christmas time.
There she'd sit...plaid, cotton dress, Daniel Greene slippers, her long silvery gray hair wound up in a knot on the back of her head and her wire rimmed glasses perched on her nose. Her hands were thin with maps of blood vessels running all over the top and her stockings were pulled just below the knee and wrapped in a knot that was then tucked up into the stretched top. Oh, and her pale blue sweater would grace her shoulders to keep the 'chill off'.
She always sat crocheting pretty little doilies. And, sometimes, she made larger things. But, those two weathered, worn hands could make those knitting needles sing ... although at a constant pace. She knew all of the patterns and everything always had a different twist to it.
By the time she passed...I was told she had read the Bible through every year for the past several. I would venture to say Grandma Davis had read the Bible at least 40 times in her life and maybe more. Her goal in life was to read through the Bible every year...and, there it lay beside her bed the night she passed.
Life was never easy or gentle for her...but her faith and her Christian foundation sure imprinted on her 10 children. Due to her strong character, love of family and hard work...the Davis family turned out kinda good!
So, thanks to a tremendous role model, mother, grandmother and more. I guess I'd have to say her song today could be the old 'Wind Beneath My Wings.' Because of her excellent/constant love of family, my mother passed all that on to us.
Be careful what you do and what you say...you shape someone's character every day!!
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