~ Snowed ~

Ahhhh... yeap.. when one lives in Buffalo you expect snow by mid November... but honestly we've gotten a very little bit. A dusting here and there but not much to write about. Those of you that have heard on the national news that we have 2-3 feet. Well.... they lie. LMAO It's south of here, in ski country, where they want it, and several miles away from the city and me.

The snowed I'm talking about is the ability to fool someone, you know, snowed? ::giggle:: I went to the Dr yesterday. The surgeon who did the actual bypass. Well, I saw the practitioner, very nice girl. I had my trusty list of questions and concerns and she answered all of them. Telling me I was normal? Me? Normal? Ahhh you're snowed!!

One concern was my left foot. It's been off and on numb/asleep. I first noticed it after they took the balloon pump out and I was able to stand for the first time. I could not feel my foot on the floor. The more I moved the better it felt, but it still is not completely right. I was told it could take several weeks, maybe months.

Since they found high blood sugar while I was in there I was afraid it might have something to do with that. You regularly hear about issues with the feet, fingers, etc. At this point they are not even sure my sugar will stay this way or if it will bounce back after my body heals from the trauma. Currently every evening I give myself a shot. Three times during the day I test my sugar levels and if they are higher (based on a chart I follow) I give myself a booster shot. Not fun, and not something I ever thought I'd be able to do, but when push comes to shove......... Besides that whole air bubble thing when it comes to insulin is a farce. If there is air in the chamber/needle it won't kill you.. you just don't get the right amount of medicine. Do I mean it's always a farce? Hell no. But in this case it is putting myself at ease.

Speaking of pushing and shoving. I am still not allowed. No stretching hands/arms over head. Pulling, pushing, lifting more then 10 pounds. I can manage that. No driving for 8 weeks. GRRRRRRRRR about 4 more to go at this point. No work for at least 3 months, maybe the beginning of Feb. Though that could change. We'll see. I have 3 more doctors to see in the next couple weeks.

The staples are out of my chest and that feels great. I lost count, maybe 40? Next time I'm standing in front of a mirror looking at myself and how attractive that scare is going to be in all my V-Neck tops I'll count the holes.
The five staples in my leg are also gone. A snip below my knee and then one at the top of my thigh to pull the vein out for the repairs.

I did ask about damage to my heart itself and I was told it's all been fixed. The little aches and pains I feel are normal. Again, normal. ME? Apparently slicing you open, cutting thru your sternum, and then clamping you open to allow the surgeon inside does take a bit of a toll and some time to move back into place. The pain is really minimal, but it plays with your head. Am I having another heart attack? Why does this hurt today? Tears have been plentiful and I was told to feel free to take the Valium, that is what it's for.

After the Dr's. I did go for a bit of a ride with my son. Trusty bear in hand. If you aren't familiar, most hospitals (in this area anyway) give a harder pillow to patients. This allows you to hug and cough with the hopes of limited pain and discomfort. Mine is a bit of a deformed teddy, but he comes with me every where. He's the love of my life these days. The sun was shining even though it was cold, and the ride was wonderful. No place special. He put gas in my parents car. He's been using their car to take me places because his is a bit sporty and the seats are lower to the ground. I don't think I'd ever be able to get out. After the gas stop we went to the drug store. We both went in. I moved a bit slow but I was able to shop just a bit. Let me tell you it was wonderful!!

All in all we were out about 2 hours. We got home just in time for lunch. As I sat at my parents kitchen table with a bowl of soup in front of me all that went through my head was the video's that get sent to 'Funniest Home Video's', where the babies fall asleep right in their food. My head was bobbing. LOL I went and took a nap. A nice nap! Two hour long nap!

Last evening I also went out for a bit. My boss and co-worker took me to a little coffee shop around the corner from my parent's. No I did not have coffee but we were able to have nice sandwiches and salad for dinner. Sugar free drinks as well ;) Yes, teddy joined me there as well. Better safe then sorry, ya know? It was a marvelous time even if it lasted only an hour or so. It was nice to be in a different surrounding. This morning my legs hurt a bit. A good hurt.. I did something hurt. Not painful, just moving and feeling good knowing I did something.

Speaking of different surroundings. I'm thinking I might go home this weekend. I am getting around pretty good and I can lay at my house as well as I can lay around here. Every body is pretty close by and my sister offered to stop in on her lunch, my other sister who lives with me can come home on hers, my niece doesn't work until 3, and my son. My brother, Cabana Boy, even offered to come stay at my house for a few days with me. That won't be needed, but the visits should about cover it. I just need to get to the store to get low/no sodium and no sugar items to eat. Ok, so it won't be me doing the shopping but you get my drift :)

Besides I need to get home. My boys are sucking big time. I mean big time!! They are giving up leads and look to be sucking wind by the middle of each game. Congrats on the win last night Brit!! I think I need to get back to my routine so they can get back to theirs. LMAO The Bills have been stinking up the joint too. Ahhhh to have such control over the sports teams. LMAO!!

I also need to get all my goodies home. I've completely over taken any empty table top here at my parent's. Flowers, plants, cards. Linda, Martha, thank you for the care packages, both arrived yesterday. I so appreciate the beautiful thoughts they carry.

Wow! I knew I had some energy today, but didn't expect this entry to be so long. I'm trying to visit but I'm having a hard time keeping the energy for long. I will get to you, I promise! Hugs to all of you and I so appreciate your good thoughts and positive vibes.

Hugs
~d

~ They Did it Again ~

Holy Crap!  They did it again.  The boys came back to win in OT.  This was a bizarre game to say the least.  Playing the Wild in MN.  Tough team to play against.  They definitely play the trap and once they get the lead they are extremely hard to score on. 

Dreeeeeeeeeeeeew scored again with about 5 minutes left in the first period.  Pass from Roy, he turns to the backhand.  Shoots it over the shoulder, top shelf where Momma hides the cookies.  Buffalo up 1-0 at the end of one.

Not exactly sure what the hell happened in the second but the boys got a bit lazy.  Didn't fight for the loose puck, back checking was horrible and they had waaaaaaaaay to many odd man rushes.  Miller fought hard to keep us in the game but the boys got lazy attempting to help clear the puck out of the zone.   Second period ends 2-1 with the Wild on top.

Twenty nine seconds into the third.  Miller comes out of the net to clear the puck.  Burns coming fast and hard.  Ryan tries to clear the puck and it tips off Burns stick and into the net.  The disgust and disbelief on Miller's face was evident.  Damn it!  So the boys are down 3-1.  The noose gets tight.  Trap, trap, and more trap.  Gaaaaawd I hate that kind of play.  Makes for boring hockey being played between the blue lines.

Time is ticking down.  Four minutes left in the game.  'Cmon boys, fight hard.  And they do.  Mair is in front of the net and tips a slapshot into the net.  Back in it.  Score 3-2.  Not 46 seconds later Vanek scores again.  Whuuuu huuuu not only did he tie it up he scored in front of what some might say was his hometown crowd.  He's from Austria, but has been in MN since he was 14.  He helped the Gophers win their championship several years ago.  His girlfriend is from there.  Hmmm.. or is it his wife now?  Either way the crowd loves him but not when he is scoring on their boys.  Sooooooooooooooooooooooooo yeap you guessed it we are going to overrrrrrrrrrrrrrtime. 

I run to the restroom and barely get back on the couch in a comfy position.  Forty four seconds into OT, a scramble in front of the net.  Roy scores ending the game.  Buffalo wins 4-3.  Yeah Baby.. that's what I'm talking about!    Seven games and ::knocking on wood:: we haven't lost in regulation.  Out of a possible 14 points the boys have 13.   This without 3 of our starting centers and one of our horses on defense. 

Ok boys... keep it up!!!

Brit... sorry 'bout the Bruins :(  I was cheering for 'em I promise!!

~ We're going to a Shootout ~

 

Ok, it should say we went to a shootout.  You all knew it was coming, right?  Yeap that game was last night and it was a blast.  My co-worker got called out of town on business so he gave me both tickets.  YEAH for me!  Now that was a bet to win for sure.  I took my son.   It was so much fun spending the night with him.  We tried to remember the last time we went to a game together.  It's been awhile.  You know how teenagers go through that stage...  'hang with my mother?   Are YOU kidding ME??'   LOL  He's grown past that stage but our schedules aren't always the same.   We did talk about one of the first games we went to together.  Well, it probably was several in to sharing the game together, but they were work tickets and they were 4 rows from the ice at the old arena.  He was a little tike and so excited to be sitting so close.  The old arena was much smaller and you felt like you were on the ice.  When the checks went into the boards the boom of the crash and the movement of the 'wall' made it feel as though they'd fall in on you.  The players could be heard loud and clear.  The look on my sons face as they dropped the 'f bomb' was hysterical and I can still remember how wide his eyes got and how he looked at me as tho to say, 'Mom they just used a bad word.'  We laughed about that and I quickly followed up with, 'now you say it for them.'   The smile was priceless!

Be ready for this.  I left work and drove back to the 'burbs' to pick him up.  As we made our way into the parking lot it was snowing.  Yes I said snowing!  It did not stick as the ground was too warm, but the white stuff was falling.  It would be big flakes, then icey flakes.  I couldn't help but have visions of the snow storm two years ago.  'Is it possible for this to happen again?'   I hoped not as we hurried into the arena.

I decided to use Tep's picture first.  It is so damn good to see him on the ice.  You may remember the player that had to have heart surgery in the beginning of last season.  That's him.  He played one game last year, the last one, but came into this season healthy and ready.  His steadiness on the blue line was surely missed last year and I'm glad to have him back.  I'm glad he is healthy and ok!

 

The game started a bit slow.  The boys looked as tho they were skating in mud.  I half expected Boston to come like that.  They played at home the night before and no doubt had to be a bit tired from a hard fought game and then a flight to Buffalo.  I don't care that it's a quick flight, that is a tough schedule to play back to back.   Boston plays a trap type game.  Clogging up the neutral zone and making it difficult for the opposing team to utilize their speed.  Last night started no different. 

About half way through the first period Wideman scored for the Bruins.  The crowd got a bit quiet, and the boys still couldn't find their legs, but they played on.  Trying to get into the offensive zone.  It was tough and the period ended 1-0 and my boys were outshot something like 15-5.  OUCH!

 

The second period was more of the same to start.  With about eight minutes left in the period we took a penalty.  We were the only team in the NHL that had gone this far without allowing a power play goal.  I think it was like 24 attempts by the opponents.  Kudo to the guys who are on the kill for holding their ground.  It would be impossible to go an entire season with that record, but it was going to go no further.

Kessel scored and gave the Bruins a 2-0 lead.  Congrats Boston!

 

Well, that woke the boys up.  You know what they say about waking the sleeping giant.  Not that the boys are giants, but............    It was about 2 minutes later that MacArthur, while we were on the power play tipped in a shot.  Passed Manny to bring us within one.   The crowd erupted and the cheers went on for several minutes. 

The goal definitely gave the boys life and they came to life.  Play went from end to end with each goalie standing on their head. 

 

The second period ended 2-1.  The crowd was buzzing, 'could the boys come back?'   When the third period started it was like a whole new game.  End to end skating, and chances on both ends.   Six minutes into the third Derek Roy made a slight move that froze the Bruins defensemen, he passed the puck to Stafford (see number 21 below) and deeked and dunked.  Got passed the dman, did a few little moves with the puck on his stick that froze Manny and then sent him to the ice.  As Stafford crossed in front of him he had wide open net above him.  SCORE!   The game was tied.  If there were Boston fans in the arena, which there were, you could hear them say, 'that was a wicked, sick goal.'   It was!  I guess Dreeeeeeeeeew decided his first goal of the season was going to be special.  Well, that really isn't fair as he had scored in a shootout in an earlier game, but those goals don't count for their stats.

 

The rest of the third was pretty close in both shots and chances, but it ended tied at 2.  Off to overtime we went.  After a small break the teams play 4 on 4 for five minutes or until someone scores.  It can be an exciting part of the game.  Each team earns points at this time.  Loser gets 1, winner gets 2.  Twenty seven seconds left in the overtime period and we get a penalty.  Now I'm not saying it wasn't a penalty but earlier there were several things by both teams that weren't called.  It appeared the officials decided to put their whistles away and let the boys decide.  It wasn't to be, we were going to be shorthanded for the remainder of OT.  Defense was stellar and Miller stood on his head.  The horn blew and we are going to a shootout.

 

One on one.  Shooter against goalie.  I am not really thrilled with this portion.  Sure it's exciting, but in my mind it isn't always fair.  I don't think a game should come down to who has more talent on scoring.  It doesn't work this way in the playoffs, so for a little more excitement during the season I'm fine with it.

It starts with 3 shooters per team.  Whoever has more goals when those shooters are down wins.  If it is still tied each team gets to try again.  So the first 2 shooters go.  Stafford scores again for Buffalo.  Krejci for Boston.  Krejci's shot went in and came out so fast it almost looked like Miller stopped it.  Not to be.  The shootout is tied at 1.  Another shooter for each team, neither scores.  Then Vanek (who has scored 7 goals in 5 games thus far is up.)  He has really matured in the last year and has come into his very large contract... even if I disagree with how much $$ the players make.  He comes down the ice and does an old move we've not seen in a while.  He circles the puck with his stick causing the goalie a bit of confusion and uncertainty as to where he may be going.  SCORE!  Manny didn't even see it coming... or so it appeared.  Boston's turn.  Savard has to score to keep the game going.  Miss and it's over.  I'm not sure what he was trying to do.  Miller appeared to give a move of a poke check, but I don't think he hit the puck and Savard lost control.  Game over, Buffalo wins 3-2.   Great game and both teams put their hearts on the ice.

 

Brit... had I had more notice about the tickets I'd of contacted you to come. I swear! How cool would that have been? My gaaawd I think we'd have had a blast, and feel free to snag the shots you want you have my permission... just don't leave Chara out :)  I think it's a leftover from when he was with Ottawa but each and everytime he touched the puck the fans boo'ed him.  I know you don't find it funny, but I did as I sat taking pictures of him for you.   LOL  And you were right, Thomas didn't play Manny did. 

It's tough getting shots as they move, and I've not mastered that yet.  The speed is way faster then my shutter knowledge.  That along with all the white...........   I'll get better pictures as I do.  Or at least I hope.

 

 DREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWW congrats on that wicked goal!!!!

 

'nuff about hockey.. hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. I woke up with a sore shoulder this morning and it got more painful as the day went on. I used a warm/hot bed buddy after work and it seems to have helped. No idea what I did to it.. maybe slept funny. These pictures are from my camera, but I did get good news on the other one. I needed some drivers and software so my computer would recognize the camera and let me download the pictures. I got that today, but did not play with it one bit. I will do that tomorrow after work. Hopefully the shoulder will be fine.

Good news on the journal front. Or at least I hope so. Vish did respond on Magic Smoke after my last entry using the comments. Hmmm... think she is reading here too? Either way. Apparently they can't figure out what the issue is but are trying to come up with an alternative. Today I got an email from her asking for my blogger/google account info. Blogger will download my journal from AOL, tweak it, and then put it in into blogger format. Or they will try. She did send emails to several folks, so may I suggest if you are still having issues leave a comment over there so they can try and help you too. Apparently this will be done the beginning of next week. Cutting it close, but hopefully they will know quickly if it will work so I can do something if it doesn't. Again, this is not for me, but for all that are having issues so go over and tell 'em if you are. Then keep your fingers crossed it works.

Hope everyone is good and having a great week.  Off to try and catch up with you all.  

Hugs

~d

~ Two Years Ago Today ~

 

Some of you may remember that on this date two years ago we got hit with 20 inches of snow in less then 12 hours.  With so many leaves on the trees, it caused a war zone here.  Power was out for a full week for me, others weren't so lucky and they lost power for close to two weeks.  The day after the snow the temps rose back to normal October weather and the snow melted.  Not only were trees ruined with broken branches and being pulled from the earth because of the weight.  The area flooded.  Damage to so many homes because there was no power to run the sump pumps.  Ahhhhh today it was almost 70 degrees :)  Much much better!!

It is suppose to be nice tomorrow too.  I am going to try and get out of work at noon.  My parents want to take a ride to Letchworth State Park.  Hmmm.. or is it they want me to drive them.  Either way, with the leaves in full 'bloom'  I'd love to go and get some pictures.  We'll see how it shakes out. 

Wednesday there is a memorial/dedication for my sister.  They will be putting a plaque up in the waiting room at the hospital she worked at for so many years.  It's so hard to believe it will be a year.  My heart still aches for her.  I still go to the phone to call.  Then next Saturday her daughter will be married.  Can you believe it's here already?   Life goes on but a day doesn't go by that I don't think of her, speak of her or to her,  or shed a tear.  I miss my big sister so much!!

Still no word on migrating my journal, other then to say they are working on it.  Some folks have issues after their journal was moved and they are also working on them.   Of course not fast enough for any of us.  I'm thinking if they can't get things fixed for me I may just remove some request entries, or snag entries from early on.  Make my journal smaller so to speak.  We'll see.

Oh the boys did play this afternoon.  I was at work and watched some on line, but listened to most of it.  Seems I missed a great game.  We ended up winning 7-1.  Whuuuuuuu huuuuuuu   Only thing is we did get some bruises, and Jochen is out injured with an upper body injury.  Haven't heard details, but that is not unusual.  Hopefully it's minor and he will be back soon!

Hope everyone is doing good and had a good start to the week :)  I'm off to read some entries and try and get caught up.   I did add several blogs to my sidebar.  If you're not there and want to be included leave me a comment with your link.  I will update as soon as possible.  I did it in the beginning and I know I have tons that I'm missing. 

Hugs

~d

~ The Boys are Back ~

The boys opened the 2008-2009 season last night. They played the team that the experts are expecting to come out as the champs of the East. Ok, yeap the Hab's are good. Very good. But lets play a few games before we start making predictions.

The boys didn't do so great last season. They started slow and there were distractions and injuries through out. No excuses, facts. Anyway I figured game one, against the predicted best. Good way to see where we stand.

Three minutes or so in the Hab's scored. It was about 5 minutes later and we tied it up. The first period ended tied 1-1. The second period started. Lots of hits and close calls but the period ended still tied at 1. The third, more of the same. Some might think that is a boring game, but it was not. Excitement as both teams rushed to the goals only to be foiled by the goaltender. Regulation ended tied 1-1. In to overtime they went. Four on four for five minutes. Both goalies stood tall.

Ohhhhhh no a shoot out. I love the shootout, but last year we lost way too many games that way. It proved to be our Achilles heel. Since we were the home team we got to chose, shoot first or let the Hab's. Ruff's choice was we'd go first. Ales Kotalik goes in fakes the forehand and goes to the backhand beating Price over the shoulder, up high where momma hides the cookies! Montreal's turn. Robert Lang, tries to go wide on Ryan Miller. Miller stretches the leg out and makes the save. Drew Stafford for Buffalo. Follows Ales' lead and does the exact same thing, with the exact same result. Now it's Montreal's turn again. They have to score or it's over. Saku Koivu goes in on Miller, he deaks and dunks. Not sure if he lost the puck or if Miller poked it away. Either way, game over. The boys come out on top, 2-1. They only count one goal from the shootout. YEAH BABY! Start out with a win and go up from there. We play again on Monday... NY on the Island... let's go Buffalo!