On Line Again

Was off line for about 6 weeks. Missed you, missed email, missed chatting with friends. I see the giant squid let you know that I abandoned him in Crete. Flew to Chicago to be with Max. Violet and Glory didn't have much to tell me. They tried to get the medics to give them details and prognosis but they wouldn't budge. They brought in their big guns... me.

Civilian medical personnel are very civil unless bullied. I demanded to know every detail of Max's condition. They answered in vague terms. I whipped out my cell phone and called Cowboy who called somebody "medical" at Bethesda Naval Hospital who called somebody else higher ranked than the Bethesda person who called the doctor standing in front of me. Then I got all the details I needed to know and a more understanding and compassionate medical staff.

Strokes and other horrendous medical events may be commonplace to some hospital personnel but to the person and family going through this event, it's (hopefully) a one-time event and extraordinarily stressful. I expect they want more than vague answers, too. Okay, off my soapbox.

When Max was stable, the medics recommended a rehab facility but after much discussion, they agreed he would be better off surrounded by family and as long as we had certified health care providers - nurse, various therapists - he could come home with me. I neglected to mention that my home was a couple thousand miles away from the hospital. Details.

My friend Alli's husband is an architect. His company has a business plane. She and I convinced him that it was in his company's best interest... to fly Max and Vi and Glory and me to the West coast. I've known Paul since he and Alli were married - upteen years ago. Cowboy and I are godparents to their four boys. Paul has known Max and the ladies for upteen years and agreed everyone would be more comfortable flying in a private plane. Max slept in a hospital bed the whole way home.

We're at David's house in the San Juans - Vi and Glory, city girls, are eating this up. Max has perked up a bit enjoying the sea air and the dogs and I are jogging on the beach early mornings. Glory is cooking. Vi is re-organizing David's house. Bull is eating... Max is doing splendidly with a physical therapist and a speech therapist! David is teaching Max to play chess. I am teaching Max how to win. Max rests a lot; I take catnaps in a chair by his bed when he does.

Cowboy wants to know if I'm getting enough rest and do I eat regular meals? Rolling my eyes here... the man can ask the dumbest questions. Tsk.

The three cats lay on Max's bed. DomTom tries to wash Max's face but his whiskers tickle which makes Max sneeze. Sneezing is good I think.

The tortoise chewed on a pair or Vi's shoes which she left out on the deck. Vi asked me to pick the lock on David's gun cabinet so she could shoot the tortoise... David immediately hid all the ammunition. Not too many of David's lady friends have come calling since they heard that Vi's aim is really good. Tortoise hid in her shell house until I coaxed her out with Twinkies.

And to think that the giant squid is missing all this excitement!

David is keeping score about how many times Cowboy should spank me when he gets home. I told him it's his word against mine. Hmmm, I hope that works in my favor.

Flying to DC for Cowboy's retirement ceremony. A few days of lunches, dinners, ceremonies. There's a special ball for senior-ranked retiring officers, very fancy. Instead of dress whites, Cowboy will be wearing "mess dress" which is the Navy's version of a tuxedo. Ladies are required to wear floor-length gowns. I have a luscious new gown for the occasion. Cowboy warned me NOT to wear blue jeans under my dress. Tsk! As if! Just because I had them on when I tried the dress on... He also mentioned that undies were a requirement. Sheesh! The Navy sure has a lot of dress rules.

He also warned me to be polite to the wives of other senior ranked officers who will be in attendance. Honestly, I'm always polite - not always civil - but always polite.

He mouthed off a bunch of other nonsense but I move on mentally when he starts lecturing. So while he went through a list of "do-not's," I planned a few holiday menus. Then I made mental notes to brush the dog's teeth, address Christmas cards, paint my toenails, and call Bull's mama to remind her we would have plenty of food when she arrived and that it wasn't necessary to bring her homemade possum pie or any other baked/roasted road kill. If she does, I'm afraid Vi will shoot it.

It took me a minute to realize Cowboy had stopped talking. Oh well, those things happen. The upside is that he's getting O-L-D and his memory is shot. The downside is that David will probably remind him of things best forgotten.

The only regret about cutting the Crete/Greece trip short... I wasn't there long enough to see what needed seeing and I didn't get a chance to do any Christmas shopping. I did get a few recipes which I'll post eventually.

I miss my guy something awful and will let him know how much when I see him in a few days. Glory will keep everyone fed while I'm away and Vi will make sure the medics are doing what's necessary for Max. She'll also keep David on his toes. His house is upside down with all of us here but he's genuinely happy to have us. I might have to break down and do something nice for the nasty Marine.

~Sar~