Ramblin' Man

[Aberzombie]

Freehold DM wrote:

Patrick Curtin wrote:

Heh. Texas has different seasons. You want mono weather? That's California. Idiots put on parkas if the temps hit 55 degrees *smdh*

forgive them. They live on the wrong coast.

On that, we can very much agree.

[Aberzombie]

So much for going in to NOLA this weekend to see my father and brother. I was feeling crappy all day, so stopped at the urgent care on the way home.

They took a swab from my throat, diagnosed me with Strep Throat, and offered me penicillin. I took the shot option - damn that s@$& hurts.

And, because it's so infectious and my dad is so ill, the doctor recommended I not go in. Plus, I don't want to get anyone else sick.

[Aberzombie]

Pretty sure I picked it up at that damned CVS Minute Clinic.

[Aberzombie]

Stoopid strep throat.

[Patrick Curtin]

ebon_fyre wrote:

Patrick Curtin wrote:

Heh. Texas has different seasons. You want mono weather? That's California. Idiots put on parkas if the temps hit 55 degrees *smdh*

Which is why I believe CA poisoned my mom. She wore long sleeves this year until the weather hit 105+.

Santa Barbara was pretty bad about only having one season. Weather never seemed to change much.

Monterey was much the same. I was there a year and a half. The temp never went past 85 or below 55. All year. For a New Englander that is surreal. Plus it only rained like five time. Thats some messed up shiznit. Lots of heavy fog though. Kinda like a daily rain I suppose.

[Aberzombie]

Got a call from my mother. They're giving my father max 2 weeks.

So, it's time to man up and go in anyway. It's not like I'm risking getting the old man sick.

[ebon_fyre]

After the first 24 hours of an antibiotic, most diseases are no longer contagious.

Sorry to hear about your dad.

[Freehold DM]

I'm sorry man.

[Orthos]

My condolences.

[Patrick Curtin]

My condolences AZ. Positive thoughts.

[Tin Foil Yamakah]

sorry to hear that man all the best to you and yours

[Aberzombie]

Thanks for the good wishes and prayers, folks. It's just a waiting game now.

[Aberzombie]

On the somewhat funny side, he keeps trying to escape his bed and keeps tying the tube of his oxygen mask in knots around the bed rail.

[Celestial Healer]

Sorry to hear what you've got going on, zombeh. We are here for you.

[Aberzombie]

Thanks, CH. I've had plenty of time to prepare for this. Still sucks.

[Aberzombie]

On a good note, we kind of forced my mother out of the house last night. She went to dinner with our Aunt, her brother's widow. It was a good break for her.

[Aberzombie]

My throat is still bothering me, and I've been occasionally running a very mild fever, but otherwise feel pretty good.

[Aberzombie]

We were going to head back to Houston today, but with my dad being so close to the end, there is some discussion of delay.

[Aberzombie]

Back in Houston for now. It was doing my brother and I no good to stay, and s**$ here had to be taken care of.

Now it's just a waiting game - waiting for the old man to let go.

[Aberzombie]

And, of course, we've had another cold front come through, making it even more difficult for me to heal up.

[Aberzombie]

But at least I got to hug my boy this morning.

[Aberzombie]

Speaking of...while I was driving him to daycare this morning, he tells me he can't go to the big library because he doesn't have a library card. WTF?!?

I have no idea where that came from.

[Patrick Curtin]

Positive wishes AZ! I spent some time with my dad yesterday. He's still puttering on, but it's amazing how old he's gotten. I'm not looking forward to his parting.

[Aberzombie]

Thanks, Monkey. It certainly is tough. I can only imagine what my mother is going through. They've been married for over 51 years.

[Aberzombie]

Well, my father passed away earlier today. I will certainly miss him. He was good man.

[Freehold DM]

My deepest condolences, Aberzombie.

[Aberzombie]

Thanks. I'm sorry to see him go, but glad his pain has ended.

[Tin Foil Yamakah]

I'm sorry to hear that, it is good that you got to see him one more time. May he rest in peace.

[Patrick Curtin]

AZ my condolences. It's hard watching a loved one suffer, and even harder to say goodbye. My thoughts are with you my friend. Your father has a wonderful legacy in his children and grandchildren. I'm sure he'll be watching over all of you.

[Aberzombie]

Thanks, fellas. Monkey, you're right. My father left a lot of good behind. A wonderful wife and mother. Five decent, hard-working sons. Five great daughter-in-laws. Nine awesome grandchildren. Numerous other family members and friends.

[Aberzombie]

In the days leading up to his passing, my dad was on oxygen. He didn't like it and would take it off. Then we'd put it back on. Finally, my brother went in, only to find the tube tied in a knot around the bed rail.

[aeglos]

heartfelt condolences from Sabine and me, AZ
You and your family are in our thoughts

[A highly regarded expert]

I feel ya, Aberzombie. I watched my dad go 3 years ago. It's not easy.

[Aberzombie]

aeglos wrote:

heartfelt condolences from Sabine and me, AZ

You and your family are in our thoughts

Thank you, my friend.

[Aberzombie]

Funeral is set for Saturday. There's a half hour for the family to gather, then an hour and a half for everyone else to visit, followed by an hour long mass.

After that, my father will be cremated. We have purchased a beautiful, hand-crafted wooden box from Saint Joseph's Abbey. My older brother was once a student there, and my father did a lot of work for them through his dry cleaners.

[Aberzombie]

The wife and I are going to drive in with the kids on Friday. I plan on taking my three bereavement days next Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. I've got off Thursday (for Thanksgiving) and Friday anyway. So it'll be a nice visit.

[Aberzombie]

Also, not sure if I mentioned it, but my supervisor's daughter passed away last week. Only 39 years old. Very sudden and very sad.

[Patrick Curtin]

How sad. Just a reminder that every day should be savored. You never know when it might be your last. I am savoring the delicious feeling of being in bed snuggled by three warm dogs while surfing on my phone and reading my copy of the Advanced Bestiary. It really is an awesome book. The art alone is stunning.

[Aberzombie]

Indeed, my friend.

[Aberzombie]

I should look into that Advanced Bestiary. I keep hearing good things about it.

[Aberzombie]

Received some good news this morning, just the sort of thing to brighten up my day:

My good friend and former co-worker in Philly posted engagement pics of his oldest daughter and her partner. Always great to see two people getting ready to take that big step in life together.

Another former co-worker in Philly is a new dad. My buddy told me this other guy and his wife had a little boy three months ago. AWESOME!!

[Aberzombie]

All right. Time to go spread joy. Or madness. Depends on the spreadee.

[Aberzombie]

WOOT! Finally got around to downloading my copy of the new Freeport book PDF, the review edition. Looks pretty sweet! And, there on page 179 is the tavern (and proprietor) I got to name due to my Kickstarter pledge. The Quivering Cutlass!

[Patrick Curtin]

Sweet!

[Aberzombie]

Indeed! The PDF is 544 pages. Can't wait for the actual book!

[Aberzombie]

We ordered pizza for dinner last night. When it got to the house, the boy suddenly had to go use the potty. First, however, he made sure to give us permission to go ahead and start without him.

[Aberzombie]

Now, it's just a few hours of work to get through (including one pain in the ass meeting), then home, a few errands, pack up the truck, and get on the road.

[Aberzombie]

As a somewhat bonus - some people will be seeing my baby girl for the first time. Just off the top of my head - brother No.3, his wife and kids. The last time I saw them, for my parent's 50th Anniversary party, the wife was still playing the role of oven.

[Aberzombie]

And baby girl was just a wittle bun....

[Aberzombie]

Otherwise, I feel.....somewhat aged.