Wesley Dumont’s Neighborhood

Happy Birthday Cousin Helen

Pat
6 hours ago
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Lindsay called to see if we could switch today's pottery lesson to tomorrow, and that'll work well for me. I've been reading the book she gave me, and I'm getting a bit confused when I read the instructions for 'throwing' pottery. Up until now Lindsay told me what to do and then demonstrated the technique, and I was fine.

She told me there are several ways to 'wedge' and several ways to 'center' a lump of clay, but I think I'll stick with what she has had me do thus far.

My assignment is to read up on making 'cylinders'. Cylinders are the intermediate step before the final shape. This will involve 'pulling' the clay. I've been doing all of this, but reading about it somehow makes it seem difficult. The book is an excellent resource. The history of pottery making is quite interesting along with explanations about the different kinds of clay etc. I am enjoying the background material, and I'm looking forward to tomorrow's lesson so I can apply what I've been reading.

The gift cards for global giving came in the mail, and I am pleased with them. Click Here

After I give Trevor his Global Giving card for him to select the charity of his choice (with parental supervision, of course), I'll give him Apple gift cards so he can order his own APPs for his IPod shuffle or whatever it's called. I know he'll like the Apple cards a million times more than the Global Giving card, but this is one way to introduce him to the fact that Christmas can mean so much more to so many less fortunate folks. I'll be giving global giving cards to Rich, Lissa and Brooke as well. These kids want for nothing and I have some guilt about contributing to the materialistic approach to Christmas. I am caught up in the 'buying' craze like everyone else, but I thought this little effort might assuage my guilt and plant a little seed in the kids at the same time.

Methodist Hospital (Philadelphia) long time friend Sue called today to check on us. Sue and I shared an office back in the 70s, and have remained close friends. We talked for over an hour today. She's one of those people where conversation flows evenly back and forth. Her kids are both in college now and she currently works as a School Nurse Practitioner in W. Phila. I've known her longer than I've known Rich. In fact, she used to listen to me talk about him when I'd met him at the 'O' club. Rich is very fond of her and we were thrilled when she stopped overnight to visit 3 summers ago.

Today is cousin Helen's big birthday and if you see this Helen....Happy Birthday from Richard and me. I've talked to her several times this week, and I figured her kids would be calling today, so I wished her birthday wishes each day we spoke.

Nor'easter continues tearing up the coastline all the way up Nawth

Pat
2 days ago
2 comments

We were so fortunate....inconvenienced, but nothing like those whose homes fell into the water as happened on the Outer Banks near Nags Head, NC.

Lissa left with friends to visit another friend in Rehoboth, DE....can't believe she did it. I saw on TV that US 13 was bad traveling, and that's the major road they'd be taking. She emailed me and said they were almost in DE and things were fine. I'll be anxious to hear what she finds when they reach the beach house in Rehoboth. I told her I thought she was nuts taking off, but they'd probably made plans a while back and youth has no fears. They were going...and that they did.

There's still no power at Rich and Lissa's so Rich and the kids are at Lissa's brother's house about 10 minutes from their own house. I told Rich their house will be cold tonight and they can stay here, but I'm sure the kids will want to stay at their cousins....understandable.

I did the treadmill again...yes! Moved some furniture around and that gave me a bit more exercise along with my trusty central vac.

Long talk again with cousin Helen on LBI. She was more concerned about us, but from what I've seen on TV it looks bad there. Her big birthday is tomorrow and they've been celebrating it most days of this week. Hope tomorrow is better weather when she turns the big #. She said she'd be getting in touch with RBM about 'Sunday at the Opera' when RBM gets back from her California trip in January.

Got email from childhood friend Joanie who now lives in Minnesota. She too saw VB on TV and was concerned about us. Joan and I went to Holy Spirit Grammar School and High School. She had TV before we did, and I used to go down to her house (she lived down the street) on Friday nights to watch 'I remember Mama' followed by 'Man against Crime' with Ralph Bellamy. She also got the biggest chocolate covered easter egg at Easter, and I used to drool when I saw it. I was thrilled when her mom would slice a big piece for us. We always got our Easter eggs at Kents in AC with our names written on them. My brother and I only got the little 2 lb. kind, but Joanie always had a huge 5 lb mouthwatering coconut cream egg. She and I used to play in her garage and dress up in her mother's old evening gowns. Her Dad...the nicest man in the world.....was the Maitre D' at the Claridge Hotel and I guess he and Mrs O used to go to events there. Great memories of Joanie. Cousin Helen if you're reading this...she said to say hello to you.

Gotta do my least favorite chore now.....the one I complain most about....color my locks...so I'll sign off for now. I keep hearing fire engines throughout the day...bad enough with flooding, folks are dealing with fires.

The photo at the top is from the Atlantic City Press...this next photo is from Virginia Beach.

Looking at ocean in VB 11/12/09

Why folks build these houses practically in the water, I'll never understand. I guess they'll want all of us to help pay for their damage from this Nor'easter. The photo was taken in Nags Head on the Outer Banks of NC.

Nags Head...November 12, 2009

Let there be light

Pat
2 days ago
2 comments

After wrapping the last Christmas present for Brooke and Trevor I decided to stay upstairs and read in the loft. The lights kept flickering and I didn't pay much notice. Then at 6:13PM darkness told me this was it. We've lived here 10 yrs. and this is the second power outage. In '03 Hurricane Isabel left us without power for 3 days. I was dreading a recurrence tonight. Rich was sure they'd be back on by 7:30PM....nada.

We decided to get in the car and drive to the Atlas diner. It was a creepy drive with wind blowing leaves and rain helter skelter, and no traffic lights or street lights to guide us. The diner is only 3 miles from here, and we were happy to see functioning street lights as we got closer. Rich was now positive we'd have power back by the time we got home. I was not as certain, in fact I was sure we wouldn't. And we didn't.

We sat in candlelight and waited. I was so happy we at least had water, because in '03 we didn't. I tried to listen for news of the extent of the power outage on my walkman radio, but nothing was forthcoming. Finally at about 10:10PM the lights flickered only to go back off in less than 30 seconds. That often happens when the power first starts up again. Ten minutes later we were once again 'live'. Thank goodness. I dreaded the freezer being off for several days, but we were fortunate that this was a short lasting outage.

There has been much flooding all around the area. Schools and businesses are closed, and probably will be closed tomorrow; this is supposed to stay over us until late Friday. As soon as this Nor'easter finishes here, it is expected to head up North for a finishing touch to what already is in progress there. Hopefully you'll do OK.

Cousin Helen on LBI called and said they are anticipating some problems with flooding. Marn in Millville was OK this AM when we talked.

From my perspective I think the loss of potable water is the worst thing. In Pensacola that was a problem with the hurricanes. I don't remember being without power more than a day or so though. We're fortunate to live in a well insulated house and this is nothing more than a big inconvenience, but it is frustrating when it's going on.

I talked with Lindsay (pottery instructor) this AM to reschedule our class. She woke up this AM with water dripping on her head from a leaking roof. Now, that would be enough to make me scream.

I talked with Rich and Lissa and they got back OK from Williamsburg yesterday. No traffic which was most unusual. This AM Trevor said he prayed so hard last night that it would rain so much that his school would be closed, and he was thrilled to learn it was. Looks like he and Brooke get tomorrow off as well. Wonder how they'll feel when the make up days are announced. Oh well...living in the present is what they say we should all do, right?

Stay warm and dry wherever you are.

Nor' easter

Pat
3 days ago
1 comment

Rain, rain go away. However it's supposed to be this miserable, rainy weather with winds gusting and coastal flooding until Friday. I'll have to find some closed toes shoes for tomorrow when I go out. I usually wear my Birkies year round adding socks on cold days. I guess I'll need to dig out my New Balance walking shoes to get thru the puddling tomorrow.

Rich jr. called today on the way to the Great Wolf Lodge in Williamsburg. There was a birthday celebration the family was invited to attend and they went. There's a super water park there, and I think one's inside too...let's hope so. Maybe I'm showing my age, but I think they were nuts to take off in this weather. Many roads are flooded, and I bet the Bridge tunnel will be closed when they come back tonight. The kids were off today and so was Rich. Schools may be closed tomorrow, but no announcements will be made til the AM.

I'm proud to say I started back on the treadmill today...I go thru stages where I hate it, and this latest stage has lasted a bit too long. I did 22" and it was fine. I'll work up to my 30 minutes most days/week. I am definitely not into exercise. I guess that's OK...not very healthy, but OK. Many of my friends are big time into exercise....they must have been born with exercise genes I missed out on.

Tuesday...Story Corps

Pat
4 days ago
1 comment

Before I forget this site I want to embed it here so you can check it out and I can come back to it from time to time.

Here's the link Click Here

Story Corps is currently visiting Norfolk, VA and I would love to have Rich go with me to have a professional CD made, but that's not his cup of tea. He did agree to let me do a similar thing using my little digital camera and the Story Corps Kit which I downloaded from the their website. I've done a few episodes, but I want to do a few more.

I hope all my friends in Pensacola check this out. The Story Corps mobile will be in Pensacola in February. It'll probably be advertised in the area; they start taking reservations January 28, so mark your calendars.

I didn't see any other locations near where most of you live.

Just got off the phone with cousin Helen. She received the JibJab I sent her, and she loved it. I told her there are more on the way. We talked for ages...this is her birthday week and they are living back on LBI in their house. I need to email Rosemary regarding 'Sunday at the opera'. Cousin Helen is wondering if it is open to the public. Helen loves opera, and I told her how much Rosemary is enjoying it. I'll email RBM tomorrow.

Brother Jim called to find out about the results of my CT scan done last week. I told him I will get a phone report from the oncologist tomorrow, but I've already seen the report, and it looks good.

Monday

Pat
5 days ago
2 comments

Finished bringing my cold weather clothes downstairs yesterday and today's temp was 72. Tomorrow 70 is predicted. However when that cold front hits Wednesday and the temp dips into the 50s, I'm ready. OK Ken and Rosie...eat your hearts out. Better yet...move down here. I did buy a winter coat when we moved back here from Florida, and I think I've gotten to wear it 3 times in 8 years.

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I don't know if there are other people like me in this regard, but I have started projects thru the years, and somehow they get half finished. Back in the 70s I visited a friend here in VB who was into miniature doll house furniture. I was sure this was something I'd love to do. Well, yesterday I came across Exacto kits (Exacto is tops from what I remember) for a grandfather clock...chimes and all, a victorian hooded cradle and a Chippendale stool. Let me know if you want the kits, and they are yours. Then I found some 'chicken scratch' embroidery materials I was into back in the 80s. One of the pieces is almost finished. I also was into 'needle punch' embroidery and started a miniature rug which is waiting for a few more rows of yarn. I have no idea why I didn't complete them. Oh, I have completed some projects. I think I made two pillows covered in 'chicken scratch'. I hooked a rug and I use it every Christmas in front of our tree. I started another, but have no idea where it is. It was Snoopy on top of his dog house. I remember working on it when Rich jr. was in high school. He and several of his buddies actually hooked a few yarns. Now, I'm into pottery and you can see why I'm reluctant to purchase my own wheel ....not sure how long my love of throwing pottery will last. So far tho' I still love it. My instructor seems to know how to keep the enthusiasm at peak level. She shows me pictures of pottery pieces that are gorgeous and tells me I can learn how to make them. Hmmmm. Time will tell. But I am enjoying the journey.

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Today Rich jr. had a colonoscopy. He's a bit young for one, but his Dad's gastroenterologist recommended both of Rich Sr's kids be checked. Anyhow, leave it to men to not follow instructions. Rich jr. arrived at the place for the procedure with a bottle of water in hand. Upon questioning by the staff as to how much of it he consumed....he was told he could not get conscious sedation. Rich, NPO means Nothing by Mouth....they don't want the patient to aspirate fluid into their lungs while sedated, so NPO for x # of hours prior to the procedure..

The GI doc told him he could have it done WITHOUT sedation. He agreed and said it wasn't all that bad. I was shocked. I have never talked to anyone who had a colonoscopy without sedation. In Europe and Asia they don't use sedation, but in this country it's standard practice. No sedation is safer, but damn, no way would I have it done without the drugs to put me into la la land. It was over in no time flat and Rich said he could have driven right away, if he wanted to do so. I do not recommend anyone do it minus sedation, but it can be done. There is less chance of a bowel perforation when its done minus sedation....the patient is totally awake, and would come off the table if the doctor is too rough.

I had a sigmoidoscopy (lower bowel) done once without sedation, and it hurt like heck. I can't even imagine that scope going all the way up thru the large colon. I read that it is more painful for women due to our anatomical structure...and that's enough reason for me to always have sedation.

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That's about it from spring like Virginia Beach. Hope you all are enjoying some beautiful fall weather.

Saturday

Pat
7 days ago
1 comment

Met up with Lindsay at the studio and did some more glazing. She gave me a book with magnificent examples of what she believes I will be able to do using the wheel. Today, was simply glazing some pieces I'd done last week. I did learn a few tricks e.g. dipping a piece in wax so the glaze doesn't get on the bottom of the bowl or plate etc. Also saw how you can pour some glaze into a bowl as opposed to painting it. At some point Lindsay will be making her own glazes and we will have them in vats where we can dip an entire piece. I'm looking forward to that.

Had an email from brother Jim last night which was so good to read. He is starting to get some taste back after the damage from his radiation treatments. That's a real upper. He was getting ready to go to his college reunion in Ohio and that was a very good sign. He and Carolyn had decided to forego their time share this year due to his therapy and I was so pleased to read that he would be going back to Xavier for the reunion. He viewed the DVD of Atlantic City Trolley Days which I'd sent him and he loved it. He agreed brother Frank would like it, and Jim will take it to him when he gets back.

I received the following yesterday from Richard Rohr's daily meditations and I thought it was worthwhile to copy to this blog. I hope you find it meaningful to your place in life as well.

Question of the Day:
How do my emotions help me to understand more deeply?

We must go through the stages of feeling, not only in the last death of anything but all the earlier little deaths. If we abort these emotional stages by easy answers, all they do is take a deeper form of disguise and come out in another way. So many people learn that the hard way—by getting ulcers, by all kinds of psycho-somatic diseases, depression, chronic irritability, and misdirected anger—because they refuse to let their emotions run their course, honor them consciously, or find some appropriate place to share them.

Emotions are not right or wrong, good or bad. They are merely indicators of what is happening, and must be listened to, usually in the body. People who do not feel deeply finally do not know or love deeply either. It is the price we pay for loving. Like Job we must be willing to feel our emotions and come to grips with the mystery in our head, our heart, and our body. To be honest, that takes years.

Videolog

Pat
Nov 5, 2009
5 comments

Movie on 2009-11-05 at 21.16

2 comments

Addendum:

addendum

CT...Jib Jab....Satisfaction from Billing Dept

Pat
Nov 4, 2009
1 comment

Had my CT with contrast today. First time for me to have it done with contrast (IV dye). The dye gives a warm sensation in the back of the throat and in the 'kegel exercise region'...you are doing your kegels, aren't you ladies? I'm glad the tech told me to expect it.

I didn't think I'd ever had the dye before, and I was a little afraid I'd have an anaphylactic reaction. I asked her before she left the room, if she'd be able to hear me. You never know...my throat could have closed off and there I'd be...gone for a routine exam....never to go home again. Hey, it does happen. The test was over in a matter of minutes and the 'warm feeling' was gone.

I asked the tech if I could get the pictures on a CD along with the radiologist's report. She said I should be able to pick up both tomorrow. They are so accommodating at this place. I may want to send them to Terry to have one of her radiologists read them as before. It depends on what the report says. Next week I'll call my oncologist to see what his recommendation is based on the local radiologist's report.

Rich has been replacing the screening in our window screens, so I used the opportunity to clean the windows. Things are sparkling around here.

Fooled around with JibJab and we had some good laughs looking at the final results. I'm doing one for my cousin's big birthday, but I'll have to tell her to be sure to open the JibJab that's being sent to her. I know she doesn't open things unless she knows from where they originate. I'm the same, and I will not open any forwarded stuff either. Super abundance of caution reigns within me.

The billing department at the hospital called to tell me the nurse audit was done regarding the charges I had disputed. The nurse found no documentation that the meds in question were given so they are being deleted from the account. YES! A mistake must have been made....surely the hospital wouldn't be engaging in 'cost shifting'......where everyone pays a little more for those not covered...I thought they had to stop doing that several years ago. Anyhow, I was thrilled. It took me several hours over 2 days to call the hospital billing department and then several back and forth calls to Medicare and our secondary. I forgot to tell the billing person to send me a zero balance statement. I don't want to go thru this again next month when the bills go out. I'll call tomorrow.

I knew Rich never got those meds least of all self-administer them. Maybe someone without a medical background would have thought it was just fine. Just think how much money a hospital could make by adding $680 mistakes onto 1500 patients' bills. Hmmmm. Yes, we were only going to have to pay $268 of that sum, nevertheless the government shouldn't have been charged either.

Even if you can't understand your entire bill...at least check to see that the procedures listed are what you had done.

I asked Rich if this makes up for my not sending back last night's meal at the restaurant. He said I'm a wimp... and for some things, I am. Heck, I had no problem walking out of Ruth's Chris in Baltimore last spring when they seemed to be ignoring us. We'd eaten our appetizers and left...don't you dare ask us to pay for what we ate either....and they didn't.

In case today's JibJab didn't show up on Facebook..here it is. Even Rich got a good chuckle from this one. Those slippers are Rich's, but Rich has a better body than the guy in the flick. You have to have audio to get the best effect.