Thursday, September 18, 2008
My MPRI Experience
Week 9 – Treatment #39 – Thursday, September 18, 2008
Today has been a great day. I got up around 7:30 a.m. and did my morning routine including attending our daily devotional time. I am a little behind today so have a few things to catch up on before I head home. I am in charge of the daily devotionals tomorrow morning. I have my main material completed but need to get my Bible references added so I will be doing that after I update my blog.
After devotions, I chatted a little and then headed back to my room. I did a couple of my own daily devotionals and then had some personal prayer time. Then, before I knew it, it was 11:45 a.m. and Sara (a Jill’s House volunteer) came by to take me out to lunch. We had a nice, quiet lunch in a restaurant in downtown Bloomington (Caribou Harbor, I think). Then, Sara drove me back to Jill’s House and gave me a small package. In it were two small paper weights: one was green and had Trust God on one side and a flame on the other. The other one was blue and had Joy and Peace on one side and a dove on the other. I told Sara I had the perfect place for them on my desk at work. Our lunch reminded me how little time I have left in Bloomington.
I came back to my room and did a couple things before getting ready to walk over to MPRI. When I was leaving, Peg Howard caught me and told me that she needed me. She took me into her office and gave me a CD with I think has some photos of her son Steve who died right before his 19th birthday of cancer. Jill’s House is dedicated to Steve Howard and Jill Berhman. I had told Peg earlier in the day that I wanted to try to make a video for Jill’s House and I needed to have a couple photos of her son Steve. I had told Marilyn Berhman the same thing last night concerning Jill. I also asked if there was any special music that they liked since I was hoping to add some music to the video too. So, that is something else I hope to get accomplished along with a photo collage and photo album. I had also talked to Peg earlier this morning about getting a 3-4’ by 8-10’ particle board put up on a blank wall in the dining area. I told her we could us it for the photo collage. We could put up some pictures of the current residents and then every new group could add some photos to it. So, I will need to look at the CD and see what is there.
I got over to MPRI about 50 minutes early. I drank my water on my way. I went back to see a few of the folks so I could get some photos. Shortly after that, they told me I could get ready. I asked the girls to take some pictures for me since I had seen some of the ones they took for Loyd. I told them I wanted a picture of my x-rays and also of my prostate molds. I am not sure what all pictures they took but will plan on downloading them when I get time. After my treatment, since I was still dressed up from lunch, I had some pictures taken of me and my girls and some of the other MPRI personal.
It sounds like it might be a busy night. There is a band setting up to play on the balcony off of the dining room. John just stopped by to show me some photos he had taken and asked if I would drive him to the bowling alley tonight for their $1 drafts. I told him I had to finish up a couple things first. So, there might be a lot of things to do tonight. Then, I need to get ready to leave town in the morning. Ed and I are carpooling again tomorrow.
Joke of the Day
Alien Abduction
Harry, Bill and Steve are sitting at the corner bar enjoying themselves, when Ted walks in looking distressed.
"Ted, you look awful. What's wrong?" Harry asks.
Ted says, "Last night I got really drunk, and then somewhere between here and my house, I was abducted by an alien?"
Everyone is shocked. "I heard about this kind of thing happening!" Bills says. "What did the alien do to you?"
"I don't remeber all the details," Ted says. "All I remember is being anally probed by the alien."
Everyone is horrified. "I heard that they'll do that!" Steve says. "What did the alien look like?"
Ted responds, "Courtney from MPRI!"
How about this one?
Who Wants To Be a Millionaire
A husband and wife are watching "Who Wants To Be a Millionaire," and the husband winks and says, "Honey, let's go upstairs..."
The wife says no, so the husband asks again. Again she says no.
So the husband says, "Is that your final answer?" The wife says yes.
The husband says, "Well, can I phone a friend?"
The Sandpiper By Robert Peterson
The Sandpiper
By Robert Peterson
She was six years old when I first met her on the beach near where I live.
I drive to this beach, a distance of three or four miles, whenever the world
Begins to close in on me. She was building a sand castle or something
And looked up, her eyes as blue as the sea.
'Hello,' she said.
I answered with a nod, not really in the mood to bother with a small child.
'I'm building,' she said.
'I see that. What is it?' I asked, not really caring.
'Oh, I don't know, I just like the feel of sand.'
That sounds good, I thought, and slipped off my shoes.
A sandpiper glided by.
'That's a joy,' the child said.
'It's a what?'
'It's a joy. My mama says sandpipers come to bring us joy.'
The bird went gliding down the beach. Good-bye joy, I muttered to myself,
Hello pain, and turned to walk on. I was depressed; my life seemed
completely out of balance.
'What's your name?' She wouldn't give up.
'Robert,' I answered. 'I'm Robert Peterson.'
'Mine's Wendy... I'm six.'
'Hi, Wendy.'
She giggled. 'You're funny,' she said.
In spite of my gloom, I laughed too and walked on.
Her musical giggle followed me.
'Come again, Mr. P,' she called. 'We'll have another happy day.'
The next few days consisted of a group of unruly Boy Scouts, PTA meetings,
And an ailing mother. The sun was shining one morning as I took my hands out
Of the dishwater. I need a sandpiper, I said to myself, gathering up my coat.
The ever-changing balm of the seashore awaited me. The breeze was
Chilly but I strode along, trying to recapture the serenity I needed.
'Hello, Mr. P,' she said. 'Do you want to play?'
'What did you have in mind?' I asked, with a twinge of annoyance.
'I don't know. You say.'
'How about charades?' I asked sarcastically.
The tinkling laughter burst forth again. 'I don't know what that is.'
'Then let's just walk.'
Looking at her, I noticed the delicate fairness of her face.
'Where do you live?' I asked.
'Over there.' She pointed toward a row of summer cottages.
Strange, I thought, in winter.
'Where do you go to school?'
'I don't go to school. Mommy says we're on vacation.'
She chattered little girl talk as we strolled up the beach, but my mind was
On other things. When I left for home, Wendy said it had been a
happy day.
Feeling surprisingly better, I smiled at her and agreed.
Three weeks later, I rushed to my beach in a state of near panic. I was in no
Mood to even greet Wendy. I thought I saw her mother on the porch and felt
like demanding she keep her child at home.
'Look, if you don't mind,' I said crossly when Wendy caught up with me, 'I'd
rather be alone today.' She seemed unusually pale and out of breath.
'Why?' she asked.
I turned to her and shouted, 'Because my mother died!' and thought,
my, why was I saying this to a little child?
'Oh,' she said quietly, 'then this is a bad day.'
'Yes,' I said, 'and yesterday and the day before and -- oh, go away!'
'Did it hurt?' she inquired.
'Did what hurt?' I was exasperated with her, with myself.
'When she died?'
'Of course it hurt!' I snapped, misunderstanding,
Wrapped up in myself. I strode off.
A month or so after that, when I next went to the beach, she wasn't there.
Feeling guilty, ashamed, and admitting to myself I missed her, I went up
to the cottage after my walk and knocked at the door. A drawn looking
young woman with honey-colored hair opened the door.
'Hello,' I said, 'I'm Robert Peterson. I missed your little girl today
and wondered where she was.'
'Oh yes, Mr. Peterson, please come in. Wendy spoke of you so much.
I'm afraid I allowed her to bother you. If she was a nuisance,
please, accept my apologies.'
'Not at all -- she's a delightful child.' I said, suddenly realizing
that I meant what I had just said.
'Wendy died last week, Mr. Peterson. She had leukemia.
Maybe she didn't tell you.'
Struck dumb, I groped for a chair. I had to catch my breath.
'She loved this beach, so when she asked to come, we couldn't say no.
She seemed so much better here and had a lot of what she called happy days.
But the last few weeks, she declined rapidly...' Her voice faltered, 'She left
something for you, if only I can find it. Could you wait a moment
while I look?'
I nodded stupidly, my mind racing for something to say to this lovely young
woman. She handed me a smeared envelope with 'MR. P' printed in bold
childish letters. Inside was a drawing in bright crayon hues -- a
yellow beach, blue sea, and a brown bird. Underneath was carefully printed:
A SANDPIPER TO BRING YOU JOY.
Tears welled up in my eyes, and a heart that had almost forgotten to love
opened wide. I took Wendy's mother in my arms. 'I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry,
I'm so sorry,' I uttered over and over, and we wept together. The precious little
picture is framed now and hangs in my study. Six words -- one for each year
of her life -- that speak to me of harmony, courage, and undemanding love.
A gift from a child with sea blue eyes and hair the color of sand
-- who taught me the gift of love.
NOTE: This is a true story sent out by Robert Peterson. It happened over 20 years ago and the incident changed his life forever. It serves as a reminder
to all of us that we need to take time to enjoy living and life and each other.
Life is so complicated; the hustle and bustle of everyday traumas
can make us lose focus about what is truly important
or what is only a momentary setback or crisis.
This week, be sure to give your loved ones an extra hug, and by all means,
take a moment... even if it is only ten seconds, to stop and smell the roses.
By Robert Peterson
She was six years old when I first met her on the beach near where I live.
I drive to this beach, a distance of three or four miles, whenever the world
Begins to close in on me. She was building a sand castle or something
And looked up, her eyes as blue as the sea.
'Hello,' she said.
I answered with a nod, not really in the mood to bother with a small child.
'I'm building,' she said.
'I see that. What is it?' I asked, not really caring.
'Oh, I don't know, I just like the feel of sand.'
That sounds good, I thought, and slipped off my shoes.
A sandpiper glided by.
'That's a joy,' the child said.
'It's a what?'
'It's a joy. My mama says sandpipers come to bring us joy.'
The bird went gliding down the beach. Good-bye joy, I muttered to myself,
Hello pain, and turned to walk on. I was depressed; my life seemed
completely out of balance.
'What's your name?' She wouldn't give up.
'Robert,' I answered. 'I'm Robert Peterson.'
'Mine's Wendy... I'm six.'
'Hi, Wendy.'
She giggled. 'You're funny,' she said.
In spite of my gloom, I laughed too and walked on.
Her musical giggle followed me.
'Come again, Mr. P,' she called. 'We'll have another happy day.'
The next few days consisted of a group of unruly Boy Scouts, PTA meetings,
And an ailing mother. The sun was shining one morning as I took my hands out
Of the dishwater. I need a sandpiper, I said to myself, gathering up my coat.
The ever-changing balm of the seashore awaited me. The breeze was
Chilly but I strode along, trying to recapture the serenity I needed.
'Hello, Mr. P,' she said. 'Do you want to play?'
'What did you have in mind?' I asked, with a twinge of annoyance.
'I don't know. You say.'
'How about charades?' I asked sarcastically.
The tinkling laughter burst forth again. 'I don't know what that is.'
'Then let's just walk.'
Looking at her, I noticed the delicate fairness of her face.
'Where do you live?' I asked.
'Over there.' She pointed toward a row of summer cottages.
Strange, I thought, in winter.
'Where do you go to school?'
'I don't go to school. Mommy says we're on vacation.'
She chattered little girl talk as we strolled up the beach, but my mind was
On other things. When I left for home, Wendy said it had been a
happy day.
Feeling surprisingly better, I smiled at her and agreed.
Three weeks later, I rushed to my beach in a state of near panic. I was in no
Mood to even greet Wendy. I thought I saw her mother on the porch and felt
like demanding she keep her child at home.
'Look, if you don't mind,' I said crossly when Wendy caught up with me, 'I'd
rather be alone today.' She seemed unusually pale and out of breath.
'Why?' she asked.
I turned to her and shouted, 'Because my mother died!' and thought,
my, why was I saying this to a little child?
'Oh,' she said quietly, 'then this is a bad day.'
'Yes,' I said, 'and yesterday and the day before and -- oh, go away!'
'Did it hurt?' she inquired.
'Did what hurt?' I was exasperated with her, with myself.
'When she died?'
'Of course it hurt!' I snapped, misunderstanding,
Wrapped up in myself. I strode off.
A month or so after that, when I next went to the beach, she wasn't there.
Feeling guilty, ashamed, and admitting to myself I missed her, I went up
to the cottage after my walk and knocked at the door. A drawn looking
young woman with honey-colored hair opened the door.
'Hello,' I said, 'I'm Robert Peterson. I missed your little girl today
and wondered where she was.'
'Oh yes, Mr. Peterson, please come in. Wendy spoke of you so much.
I'm afraid I allowed her to bother you. If she was a nuisance,
please, accept my apologies.'
'Not at all -- she's a delightful child.' I said, suddenly realizing
that I meant what I had just said.
'Wendy died last week, Mr. Peterson. She had leukemia.
Maybe she didn't tell you.'
Struck dumb, I groped for a chair. I had to catch my breath.
'She loved this beach, so when she asked to come, we couldn't say no.
She seemed so much better here and had a lot of what she called happy days.
But the last few weeks, she declined rapidly...' Her voice faltered, 'She left
something for you, if only I can find it. Could you wait a moment
while I look?'
I nodded stupidly, my mind racing for something to say to this lovely young
woman. She handed me a smeared envelope with 'MR. P' printed in bold
childish letters. Inside was a drawing in bright crayon hues -- a
yellow beach, blue sea, and a brown bird. Underneath was carefully printed:
A SANDPIPER TO BRING YOU JOY.
Tears welled up in my eyes, and a heart that had almost forgotten to love
opened wide. I took Wendy's mother in my arms. 'I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry,
I'm so sorry,' I uttered over and over, and we wept together. The precious little
picture is framed now and hangs in my study. Six words -- one for each year
of her life -- that speak to me of harmony, courage, and undemanding love.
A gift from a child with sea blue eyes and hair the color of sand
-- who taught me the gift of love.
NOTE: This is a true story sent out by Robert Peterson. It happened over 20 years ago and the incident changed his life forever. It serves as a reminder
to all of us that we need to take time to enjoy living and life and each other.
Life is so complicated; the hustle and bustle of everyday traumas
can make us lose focus about what is truly important
or what is only a momentary setback or crisis.
This week, be sure to give your loved ones an extra hug, and by all means,
take a moment... even if it is only ten seconds, to stop and smell the roses.
My Prayer For Today (From The Perfect Love by Ruth Myers)
Dear Lord,
I quietly leave in Your hand each concern that could cause me stress today:
The things You want me to do and the things You want me to leave unfinished or even unstarted.
The relationships You want me to have and the one You want to withhold or take away.
The joys You will bring my way, and the trials you will allow or send.
The ways You want me to succeed and the ways You may let me fail, or seem to fail.
The opportunities You want me to accept and the ones You want me to pass up.
The doors You want to open and the one You want to close.
The ways I would like to glorify You and the ways You may use others instead of me.
The times You want me to meet people's needs actively, and the times You want me to listen, or to stand aside and "merely" pray.
The deadlines You want me to meet and the one You want me to miss.
The results of my labors - great or small, noticed or hidden.
The ways I will bless or disappoint other people, and the ways they will bless and disappoint me.
The human approvals that You will give, and the disapprovals that will prod me to rest in Your gracious evaluation.
I leave it all quietly to You, my God, and depend on You to work in me and in those I love: to nurture and protect, to tear down and to build up, to wound and to heal, to reprove and to guide - as it seems best to You, my wise and loving Father.
I step out of Your shoes and leave Your responsibilities to You.
I let my life drop back behind You, to follow at the pace You prescribe. Help me sense inner tension quickly and then "leave it all quietly to You."
I am Your servant. I'm available to You to fulfill Your purposes, and Yours alone. Your way and time.
AMEN
Here's to good friends, who I couldn't do without...
You're important to me, that's without a doubt!
I quietly leave in Your hand each concern that could cause me stress today:
The things You want me to do and the things You want me to leave unfinished or even unstarted.
The relationships You want me to have and the one You want to withhold or take away.
The joys You will bring my way, and the trials you will allow or send.
The ways You want me to succeed and the ways You may let me fail, or seem to fail.
The opportunities You want me to accept and the ones You want me to pass up.
The doors You want to open and the one You want to close.
The ways I would like to glorify You and the ways You may use others instead of me.
The times You want me to meet people's needs actively, and the times You want me to listen, or to stand aside and "merely" pray.
The deadlines You want me to meet and the one You want me to miss.
The results of my labors - great or small, noticed or hidden.
The ways I will bless or disappoint other people, and the ways they will bless and disappoint me.
The human approvals that You will give, and the disapprovals that will prod me to rest in Your gracious evaluation.
I leave it all quietly to You, my God, and depend on You to work in me and in those I love: to nurture and protect, to tear down and to build up, to wound and to heal, to reprove and to guide - as it seems best to You, my wise and loving Father.
I step out of Your shoes and leave Your responsibilities to You.
I let my life drop back behind You, to follow at the pace You prescribe. Help me sense inner tension quickly and then "leave it all quietly to You."
I am Your servant. I'm available to You to fulfill Your purposes, and Yours alone. Your way and time.
AMEN
Here's to good friends, who I couldn't do without...
You're important to me, that's without a doubt!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
My MPRI Experience
Week 9 – Treatment #38 – Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Today, I got up around 7:20 a.m. I had a couple of bowls of cereal and a couple cups of coffee. I went to the morning devotional time at 8 a.m. then talked to a few folks and then went back to my room and did some of my daily devotionals. I had some chicken soup for lunch and then started working on identifying some of the pictures I had taken or gotten from George. I will probably be working on photos for quite a while. I walked over for my 4 p.m. treatment and finished up treatment #38. I will be home before I know it.
After I my treatment, I picked up the latest fax that was sent to the AT&T Disability Center. My doctor wrote up a report that releases me to go back to work on Monday, October 6th. I followed up the fax with a voice mail to the DSC (Disability Service Center). Keith was out of the office for an extended period of time so I left a message with Patrice who was covering for him. So, I hope to have an official return to work date soon.
Tonight is our birthday party for Jill Berhman. Then, after that we have movie night. I hope to do some more work on my pictures sometime this evening. I did take some more pictures of the Jill’s House staff and volunteers today. So, things are winding down here for me.
Joke of the Day
Gourmet Reporter
A magazine reporter is traveling through a rainforest, in search of a fabled cannibalistic tribe. He falls into a trap, goes unconscious and wakes up tied to a stake with a fire burning slowly underneath him.
He cries out for help, and is answered by what is obviously one of the tribesmen, who informs him that he is going to be served as dinner to the leader of the tribe.
"But you don't understand!" he cries, "You can't do this to me! I'm an editor for the New Yorker magazine!"
"Ah," replies the tribesman, "Well look on the bright side. Soon you will be editor-in-chief!"
How about this one?
Blonde - Two Coats
A blonde decides to show her husband that despite what everyone says, blondes really are smart.
While her husband is at work, she decides that she is going to paint the living room in their house. So the next day as soon as he leaves, she gets down to the task at hand.
Her husband arrives home after work and smells the distinctive smell of paint. He walks into the living room and finds his wife lying on the floor in a pool of sweat. He notices that she is wearing a parka and a mink. He asks her what she is doing. She replies that she wanted to prove to him that not all blonde women are dumb and she wanted to do it by painting the room.
He says that he was impressed at the good job she had done, but what's with her wearing the two coats?
She replies that she was reading the directions on the paint can and they said, ''FOR BEST RESULTS, PUT ON TWO COATS!''
Today, I got up around 7:20 a.m. I had a couple of bowls of cereal and a couple cups of coffee. I went to the morning devotional time at 8 a.m. then talked to a few folks and then went back to my room and did some of my daily devotionals. I had some chicken soup for lunch and then started working on identifying some of the pictures I had taken or gotten from George. I will probably be working on photos for quite a while. I walked over for my 4 p.m. treatment and finished up treatment #38. I will be home before I know it.
After I my treatment, I picked up the latest fax that was sent to the AT&T Disability Center. My doctor wrote up a report that releases me to go back to work on Monday, October 6th. I followed up the fax with a voice mail to the DSC (Disability Service Center). Keith was out of the office for an extended period of time so I left a message with Patrice who was covering for him. So, I hope to have an official return to work date soon.
Tonight is our birthday party for Jill Berhman. Then, after that we have movie night. I hope to do some more work on my pictures sometime this evening. I did take some more pictures of the Jill’s House staff and volunteers today. So, things are winding down here for me.
Joke of the Day
Gourmet Reporter
A magazine reporter is traveling through a rainforest, in search of a fabled cannibalistic tribe. He falls into a trap, goes unconscious and wakes up tied to a stake with a fire burning slowly underneath him.
He cries out for help, and is answered by what is obviously one of the tribesmen, who informs him that he is going to be served as dinner to the leader of the tribe.
"But you don't understand!" he cries, "You can't do this to me! I'm an editor for the New Yorker magazine!"
"Ah," replies the tribesman, "Well look on the bright side. Soon you will be editor-in-chief!"
How about this one?
Blonde - Two Coats
A blonde decides to show her husband that despite what everyone says, blondes really are smart.
While her husband is at work, she decides that she is going to paint the living room in their house. So the next day as soon as he leaves, she gets down to the task at hand.
Her husband arrives home after work and smells the distinctive smell of paint. He walks into the living room and finds his wife lying on the floor in a pool of sweat. He notices that she is wearing a parka and a mink. He asks her what she is doing. She replies that she wanted to prove to him that not all blonde women are dumb and she wanted to do it by painting the room.
He says that he was impressed at the good job she had done, but what's with her wearing the two coats?
She replies that she was reading the directions on the paint can and they said, ''FOR BEST RESULTS, PUT ON TWO COATS!''
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
My MPRI Experience
Week 9 – Treatment #37 – Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Today, I got up around 7 a.m. and went down for breakfast. ((Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention that I did get dressed first!) After eating my two bowls of Cheerios, I went in for our 8 a.m. morning Bible Study time (my second one). We had a good session and talked about today being Bud Howard’s 81st birthday. Also, tomorrow evening we are supposed to be having a memorial party for Jill Berhman. So, there are a few things going on this week.
We also talked about trying to get some of the pictures of the residents together so that folks coming into Jill’s House in the future would be able to see some of the original residents and get a sense of the history behind Jill’s House. So, I will be working on trying to get some of my pictures ready today. I also got assigned to lead the devotional time on Friday. So, I will be working on that in the next couple days. I also hope to get my daily devotional done and also to start on my men’s small group Bible study started today and completed before I head home. So, I will have plenty to do again this week. I am pretty much set for my 5th Grade Boys Sunday School class since we cancelled services last week. But, I will try to look at that again too. My treatments the rest of the week are at 4 p.m. except Friday when it is at 11 a.m. Today, I plan on taking over some gourmet jelly beans for the MPRI folks.
Tonight, I got a special assignment from Bud Howard, the chairman of the board of Jill’s House. I guess he figured I needed something to keep me out of trouble. Bud had a big box of left over nuts, bolts, screws, and miscellaneous fashioners. He decided they should all be sorted out so he bought two large plastic contains with about 60 plastic drawers each and asked me to sort everything out. I told him I would take care of it. So, I carried them over to the dining area and set them off the side on a table. I told several folks about them and hope that they will be able to take of that little task. I plan on spending a lot of time trying to get some pictures updated and a Jill’s House picture album started and maybe even see if I can do a video or PowerPoint presentation. I will see how much time I have. Tomorrow night, we are supposed to be having a Jill’s Birthday party. I happened to wonder into Brian’s office when they were working on that and got drafted into making a flyer with a couple of pictures of Jill on it. I did that right before my 4 p.m. treatment.
Loyd, Winnie, and Me
This is a cute story about Loyd, Winnie, and me. Winnie is Loyd’s girlfriend who is visiting this week from Wyoming. Winnie is a young 83 years old and thinks the world revolves around Loyd. The first time Winnie and I met was this Monday morning. When I came down for breakfast, I saw Loyd and said “Hi, Loyd!” and went over and gave him a big hug! Then, I said a couple words which I cannot remember. But before I knew it, Winnie had gotten up from the table and told Loyd she was going back to his room. Loyd yelled Winnie WAIT! Anyway, I guess she was a little upset by something I had done.
The next couple times I saw her that day, she would go over and grab a hold of Loyd and say “He’s mine!” She told me that she told Loyd to lock his room door! Anyway, she was very concerned all day Monday. I saw her today in the lunch room and she said she had finally figured “it” out. She said that the treatments must be making us men act like women. Well, she took special comfort in that and had a complete turn around concerning me. She told me to take care of Loyd after she left on Monday. I told her I would take care of him for a couple days but then I would be leaving Jill’s House on Thursday morning. But I told Winnie I would find someone to take care of Loyd when I left.
During our conversation, Winnie asked me something about what I did (I think she thought I was retired!) I told her I still had to work to pay for their social security. She told me they were both 83 but she was older than Loyd. Lody said he liked younger women. Winnie mentioned that she had lots of money. So, I told Loyd now I knew what he was up to, he was dating Winnie for her money.
I saw Winnie over at MPRI since Loyd had his treatment the same time as me. She asked me how long it took me to walk over to MPRI. I said ten minutes. She said they made it in 7! We talked for a few minutes. Then, she apologized if she had hurt my feeling. It was kind of cute. Then, she said she just had not met any LIKE ME in her 83 years!!! Hum! I am not sure that was a compliment. Winnie told me that she had to use a chair to get into bed at night while at Jill’s house since the beds were so high. At some time, I think Loyd had asked about some of the folk’s addresses.
At supper tonight, I was telling Julio, Angelina, and John about how Winnie was really mad at me for a day but seemed to be warming up to me know. Someone mentioned that I might get a hug some day. I said I did not think they would need to worry about that. Angelia wanted to mail a package to Zack and asked me to read the address for her from our address book as it was kind of hard for her to read. I told her I had an address list and would print off a copy for her. I also had mentioned to Susan about Winnie’s problem getting into bed. She said there was a two step stool that Zack used to get into bed that we could use. I reformatted the address list and printed off three copies. I gave one to Angelina and took the other one to Loyd. He said that is just what he needed. Then, I told Winnie I had something for her. Then, I took over the stool that I had found in the laundry closet. She said she appreciated that and then gave me a big hug! Isn’t God good? And He has a great sense of humor, too!
Joke of the Day
Smoking in the Rain
Two old ladies were waiting for a bus and one of them was smoking a cigarette. It started to rain, so the old lady reached into her purse, took out a condom, cut off the tip and slipped it over her cigarette and continued to smoke.
Her friend saw this and said, "Hey that's a good idea! But, what is that thing you put over your cigarette?"
The other old lady said, "It's a condom."
"A condom? Where do you get those?"
The lady with the cigarette told her friend that you could purchase condoms at the pharmacy. When the two old ladies arrived downtown, the old lady with all the questions went into the pharmacy and asked the pharmacist if he sold condoms. The pharmacist said yes, but looked a little surprised that this old woman was interested in condoms, so he asked her, "What size do you want?"
The old lady thought for a minute and said, "One that will fit a Camel."
Today, I got up around 7 a.m. and went down for breakfast. ((Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention that I did get dressed first!) After eating my two bowls of Cheerios, I went in for our 8 a.m. morning Bible Study time (my second one). We had a good session and talked about today being Bud Howard’s 81st birthday. Also, tomorrow evening we are supposed to be having a memorial party for Jill Berhman. So, there are a few things going on this week.
We also talked about trying to get some of the pictures of the residents together so that folks coming into Jill’s House in the future would be able to see some of the original residents and get a sense of the history behind Jill’s House. So, I will be working on trying to get some of my pictures ready today. I also got assigned to lead the devotional time on Friday. So, I will be working on that in the next couple days. I also hope to get my daily devotional done and also to start on my men’s small group Bible study started today and completed before I head home. So, I will have plenty to do again this week. I am pretty much set for my 5th Grade Boys Sunday School class since we cancelled services last week. But, I will try to look at that again too. My treatments the rest of the week are at 4 p.m. except Friday when it is at 11 a.m. Today, I plan on taking over some gourmet jelly beans for the MPRI folks.
Tonight, I got a special assignment from Bud Howard, the chairman of the board of Jill’s House. I guess he figured I needed something to keep me out of trouble. Bud had a big box of left over nuts, bolts, screws, and miscellaneous fashioners. He decided they should all be sorted out so he bought two large plastic contains with about 60 plastic drawers each and asked me to sort everything out. I told him I would take care of it. So, I carried them over to the dining area and set them off the side on a table. I told several folks about them and hope that they will be able to take of that little task. I plan on spending a lot of time trying to get some pictures updated and a Jill’s House picture album started and maybe even see if I can do a video or PowerPoint presentation. I will see how much time I have. Tomorrow night, we are supposed to be having a Jill’s Birthday party. I happened to wonder into Brian’s office when they were working on that and got drafted into making a flyer with a couple of pictures of Jill on it. I did that right before my 4 p.m. treatment.
Loyd, Winnie, and Me
This is a cute story about Loyd, Winnie, and me. Winnie is Loyd’s girlfriend who is visiting this week from Wyoming. Winnie is a young 83 years old and thinks the world revolves around Loyd. The first time Winnie and I met was this Monday morning. When I came down for breakfast, I saw Loyd and said “Hi, Loyd!” and went over and gave him a big hug! Then, I said a couple words which I cannot remember. But before I knew it, Winnie had gotten up from the table and told Loyd she was going back to his room. Loyd yelled Winnie WAIT! Anyway, I guess she was a little upset by something I had done.
The next couple times I saw her that day, she would go over and grab a hold of Loyd and say “He’s mine!” She told me that she told Loyd to lock his room door! Anyway, she was very concerned all day Monday. I saw her today in the lunch room and she said she had finally figured “it” out. She said that the treatments must be making us men act like women. Well, she took special comfort in that and had a complete turn around concerning me. She told me to take care of Loyd after she left on Monday. I told her I would take care of him for a couple days but then I would be leaving Jill’s House on Thursday morning. But I told Winnie I would find someone to take care of Loyd when I left.
During our conversation, Winnie asked me something about what I did (I think she thought I was retired!) I told her I still had to work to pay for their social security. She told me they were both 83 but she was older than Loyd. Lody said he liked younger women. Winnie mentioned that she had lots of money. So, I told Loyd now I knew what he was up to, he was dating Winnie for her money.
I saw Winnie over at MPRI since Loyd had his treatment the same time as me. She asked me how long it took me to walk over to MPRI. I said ten minutes. She said they made it in 7! We talked for a few minutes. Then, she apologized if she had hurt my feeling. It was kind of cute. Then, she said she just had not met any LIKE ME in her 83 years!!! Hum! I am not sure that was a compliment. Winnie told me that she had to use a chair to get into bed at night while at Jill’s house since the beds were so high. At some time, I think Loyd had asked about some of the folk’s addresses.
At supper tonight, I was telling Julio, Angelina, and John about how Winnie was really mad at me for a day but seemed to be warming up to me know. Someone mentioned that I might get a hug some day. I said I did not think they would need to worry about that. Angelia wanted to mail a package to Zack and asked me to read the address for her from our address book as it was kind of hard for her to read. I told her I had an address list and would print off a copy for her. I also had mentioned to Susan about Winnie’s problem getting into bed. She said there was a two step stool that Zack used to get into bed that we could use. I reformatted the address list and printed off three copies. I gave one to Angelina and took the other one to Loyd. He said that is just what he needed. Then, I told Winnie I had something for her. Then, I took over the stool that I had found in the laundry closet. She said she appreciated that and then gave me a big hug! Isn’t God good? And He has a great sense of humor, too!
Joke of the Day
Smoking in the Rain
Two old ladies were waiting for a bus and one of them was smoking a cigarette. It started to rain, so the old lady reached into her purse, took out a condom, cut off the tip and slipped it over her cigarette and continued to smoke.
Her friend saw this and said, "Hey that's a good idea! But, what is that thing you put over your cigarette?"
The other old lady said, "It's a condom."
"A condom? Where do you get those?"
The lady with the cigarette told her friend that you could purchase condoms at the pharmacy. When the two old ladies arrived downtown, the old lady with all the questions went into the pharmacy and asked the pharmacist if he sold condoms. The pharmacist said yes, but looked a little surprised that this old woman was interested in condoms, so he asked her, "What size do you want?"
The old lady thought for a minute and said, "One that will fit a Camel."
Monday, September 15, 2008
My MPRI Experience
Week 9 – Treatment #36 – Monday, September 15, 2008
Today, I picked Ed up from Betsey’s house shortly before 7 a.m. and then we headed to Bloomington. We got here in a little over 4 hours. Gas prices are over $4 in Illinois and Indiana. I think it is $4.15 here in Bloomington. I ate lunch and chatted some in the dining room. I walked over to MPRI about 3 p.m. for my 4 p.m. treatment. Right before I got there, Courtney called and told me they were down. So, I stayed there for a while and chatted with the folks. I picked up my treatment schedule since I had misplaced my original one and dropped off a package of runts. They were a big hit. The therapists had some extra time to enjoy them since the beam was down and they could not do any treatments.
Then, I walked back to Jill’s House. They are supposed to call me when they are ready for my treatment. Ed and I are supposed to be going out to a local retirement home where they have a cafeteria style supper and wine testing. It is supposed to be $5. So, that should be something interesting. I guess I will see if I get treated today.
We had a going away desert for Jill and her Mom, Sharon. After my desert, I went up to my room and got my computer so I could work on the pictures I had taken last week at Zack’s going away part. I think I took 85 photos. When reviewing my photos, George, Sharon, and Sara all wanted copies of my pictures. So, I ended up copying some of George’s pictures to my laptop and then copying all the photos to the others computers. So, we did a lot of photo sharing.
I called over to MPRI around 7:30 p.m. They said they would call me back after getting there current patient treated. They called me back and told me to plan on a 9 P.M. treatment. So, I went over to MPRI around 8:30 p.m. and got my treatment shortly before 9 P.M. Courtney, Amy, and Jenna (my three favorite women) were there. Even though it was late, I was glad to finally get my treatment in. I felt sorry that the therapists had to work so late since some of them had been in since 7:30 a.m. that morning.
Ed got called for his treatment at 6:30 p.m. so we did not make it to the wine testing. We had talked about going to Smokin’ Jacks instead. But, then, I found out that my treatment was at 9 P.M. so we decided to just eat in. We are stilling planning on riding home again this weekend.
Joke of the Day (from George)
A public school teacher was arrested today at John F. Kennedy International Airport as he attempted to board a flight while in possession of a ruler, a protractor, a set square, a slide rule, and a calculator. At a morning press conference, the Attorney General said he believes the man is a member of the notorious Al-gebra movement. He did not identify the man, who has been charged by the FBI with carrying weapons of math instruction. "Al-gebra is a problem for us," the Attorney General said. "They desire solutions by means and extremes, and sometimes go off on tangents in a search of absolute value. They use secret code names like 'x' and 'y' and refer to themselves as 'unknowns,' but we have determined they belong to a common denominator of the axis of medieval with coordinates in every country. As the Greek philanderer Isosceles used to say, 'There are 3 sides to every triangle.'''
When asked to comment on the arrest, Senator Obama said, "If God had wanted us to have better Weapons of Math Instruction, he would have given us more fingers and toes." Democratic leaders told reporters they could not recall a more intelligent or profound statement by the Senator.
Here is another:
Cloak & Dagger
A soldier at the Pentagon got out of the shower, and realized that his clothes were missing. While searching around for them, he accidentally locked himself out of the locker room, and he found himself completely naked in the halls of the world''s most powerful military organization HQ. But, luckily, no one was around to see him.
So, he ran as fast as he could to the elevator. When it arrived, it was empty. He breathed a sigh of relief and got in. When the doors opened on his floor, there was no one waiting outside. "This must be my lucky day," he said to himself. He was now only a few yards from his office.
Suddenly, he heard footsteps coming from around the corner. He heard the General's voice. There was no way he'd make it to his door in time, so he ducked into the closest office available, and found himself in the laboratory for Research & Development. The Head Scientist looked up from one of her experiments with puzzled interest.
The soldier thought quickly, stood up straight and saluted.
"I am here to report the partial success of the Personal Invisibility Device," he said.
"I see," the Head Scientist said. "But the Shrink Ray seems to be working perfectly."
Thursday, September 11, 2008
My MPRI Experience
Week 8 – Treatment #34 – Thursday, September 11, 2008
Today, I had my 34th treatment so now I am now to just 10 left and so after this Friday, I will be down to single digits. Two weeks from today, I will be packing up and heading home for good. That will sure be different. I took over another case of popcorn today for the Therapists. Today, I got up again before 5 a.m. and headed to the YMCA with John. Today, was a short workout day so I did not get in my swimming. I am almost down to fighting weight now. I almost quit my stair-step workout today since I hate that so much but I pushed ahead and finished my 30 minutes. I think I walked 3.39 miles on the stair stepper today. I did not plan on going to the gym tomorrow since I am driving home but I may go ahead and go since this would be only my 3rd workout this week. Since Ed is riding with me, I could always have him drive if I need to. I mentioned to a couple therapists that tonight we are having a going away party for Zack tonight at 7 p.m. Ben had asked about a tour of Jill’s House so I told him he might want to come over for that. Zack’s Dad showed up yesterday afternoon and so he is really excited to have his dad around. They will be leaving to go back to Kansas on Friday morning. I may add some more to this later today if I get a chance or if something exciting happens. I made it to my first morning devotional this morning at Jill’s House. We are meeting at 8 a.m. in the Chapel. I may need to shorten up my breakfast time so I can get in there by 8 a.m.
Joke of the Day
Grass Eater
A man was riding in the back of his limousine when he saw a man eating grass by the roadside. He ordered his driver to stop and he got out to investigate.
"Why are you eating grass?" he asked the man.
"I don't have any money for food," the poor man replied.
"Oh, please come to my house!"
"But sir, I have a wife and four children..."
"Bring them along!" the rich man said.
They all climbed into the limo. Once underway, the poor fellow said, "Sir, you are too kind. Thank you for taking all of us in."
The rich man replied, "No, you don't understand. The grass at my house is over three feet tall!"
How about this one?
The Three Basketball Players On The Roof
There were 3 basketball players, one each from IU, Notre Dame, and Purdue, standing on a burning roof in Indianapolis. The fire department came with a blanket and yelled to the Notre Dame player to jump. He jumped and they moved it to the right. He hit the sidewalk with a splat.
They then called to the IU player to jump. He said that he wouldn't jump. They said they liked IU better than Norte Dame. So he jumped and the fire department moved the blanket to the left. The IU player hit with a splat on the sidewalk.
Then they called to the Purdue player to jump. He said that he wouldn't jump. The fire department said they hated IU and Notre Dame. He yelled back, "Lay the blanket down on the sidewalk, and then I'll jump!"
Last call joke!
The First Cut is the Deepest
Once upon a time, two little boys, Sammy and Tim, were sharing a room in the hospital. As they were getting to know each other a little bit, Sammy eventually asked Tim, "Hey, what're you in for?"
"I'm getting my tonsils out. I'm a little worried," said Tim.
"Oh, don't worry about it," Sammy said. "I had my tonsils out and it was a blast! I got to eat all the ice cream and Jell-O I wanted for two weeks!"
"Oh yeah?'' replied Tim. "That's not half-bad. So, Sammy, how about you? What're you here for?"
"I'm getting a circumcision, whatever that is," Sammy answered.
"Oh my goodness, circumcision? I got one of those when I was a baby and I couldn't walk for two years!"
Today, I had my 34th treatment so now I am now to just 10 left and so after this Friday, I will be down to single digits. Two weeks from today, I will be packing up and heading home for good. That will sure be different. I took over another case of popcorn today for the Therapists. Today, I got up again before 5 a.m. and headed to the YMCA with John. Today, was a short workout day so I did not get in my swimming. I am almost down to fighting weight now. I almost quit my stair-step workout today since I hate that so much but I pushed ahead and finished my 30 minutes. I think I walked 3.39 miles on the stair stepper today. I did not plan on going to the gym tomorrow since I am driving home but I may go ahead and go since this would be only my 3rd workout this week. Since Ed is riding with me, I could always have him drive if I need to. I mentioned to a couple therapists that tonight we are having a going away party for Zack tonight at 7 p.m. Ben had asked about a tour of Jill’s House so I told him he might want to come over for that. Zack’s Dad showed up yesterday afternoon and so he is really excited to have his dad around. They will be leaving to go back to Kansas on Friday morning. I may add some more to this later today if I get a chance or if something exciting happens. I made it to my first morning devotional this morning at Jill’s House. We are meeting at 8 a.m. in the Chapel. I may need to shorten up my breakfast time so I can get in there by 8 a.m.
Joke of the Day
Grass Eater
A man was riding in the back of his limousine when he saw a man eating grass by the roadside. He ordered his driver to stop and he got out to investigate.
"Why are you eating grass?" he asked the man.
"I don't have any money for food," the poor man replied.
"Oh, please come to my house!"
"But sir, I have a wife and four children..."
"Bring them along!" the rich man said.
They all climbed into the limo. Once underway, the poor fellow said, "Sir, you are too kind. Thank you for taking all of us in."
The rich man replied, "No, you don't understand. The grass at my house is over three feet tall!"
How about this one?
The Three Basketball Players On The Roof
There were 3 basketball players, one each from IU, Notre Dame, and Purdue, standing on a burning roof in Indianapolis. The fire department came with a blanket and yelled to the Notre Dame player to jump. He jumped and they moved it to the right. He hit the sidewalk with a splat.
They then called to the IU player to jump. He said that he wouldn't jump. They said they liked IU better than Norte Dame. So he jumped and the fire department moved the blanket to the left. The IU player hit with a splat on the sidewalk.
Then they called to the Purdue player to jump. He said that he wouldn't jump. The fire department said they hated IU and Notre Dame. He yelled back, "Lay the blanket down on the sidewalk, and then I'll jump!"
Last call joke!
The First Cut is the Deepest
Once upon a time, two little boys, Sammy and Tim, were sharing a room in the hospital. As they were getting to know each other a little bit, Sammy eventually asked Tim, "Hey, what're you in for?"
"I'm getting my tonsils out. I'm a little worried," said Tim.
"Oh, don't worry about it," Sammy said. "I had my tonsils out and it was a blast! I got to eat all the ice cream and Jell-O I wanted for two weeks!"
"Oh yeah?'' replied Tim. "That's not half-bad. So, Sammy, how about you? What're you here for?"
"I'm getting a circumcision, whatever that is," Sammy answered.
"Oh my goodness, circumcision? I got one of those when I was a baby and I couldn't walk for two years!"
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Don't Jack With This Lady!