May 27, 2010 Thursday Morning

Spent the last two days recovering from the fall from the ladder. I am slowly getting better but still in a lot of pain and probably should have gone to the hospital or emergency. It is amazing how bruised the body gets the day after such and accident. My side, legs and arms on my left side have bruises. Big bruises. My left hand is still so swollen I can not even get my watch around my hand to put it on my left wrist. I can not close my hand or hold anything that has weight. I can move my fingers a little but with pain. I am still putting ice on it during the day and taking pain pills and motrin to help with the pain and swelling. It is not easy to take a shower or do regular things. Thank goodness it is my left hand and not my right since I am right handed. Going to take it easy again today since I can't do much with it anyway. Typing even hurts.

Haven't commented on this season's TV final shows so here is what I have for you on the ones that were memorable:

V - Was an interesting ending for the season. I do like this show and will continue to watch it next season. I still think the week before episode where Anna says 'break her legs' was classic.

Grey Anatomy - Great two hour show. I was at the edge of my seat the whole two hours.

American Idol - Stopped watching a couple weeks back. Still kept up on what was happening. Hope next season is better.

Lost - This was the show I looked forward to most. I loved the end show but still am confused on a lot of issues. I think I will have to go to some blog spots to get different perspectives and still try to get it all straight in my head. So they all died? They were dead? I am so confused.

Dancing With The Stars - I love Derik. I was glad he and the Pussy Cat Dolls lady won. Looking forward to next season when it starts again in September.

Flashforward - Even though the final show is on tonight and the show has been canceled I will still watch it. I did like this show. Sorry to see it not be renewed next season.

May 25, 2010 Tuesday Morning

Typing with one hand and in a lot of pain.

Yesterday morning after Tony left for work I began working outside on the deck again making a covering for the top deck. About 2 hours into the project I was standing on the top step of the 8 foot ladder when it slipped out from under me and I fell hard. I fell to the deck and on top of the ladder. I laid there for a while in pain and then crawled to the telephone to call Tony at work and ask him to come home. He raced home to find me on the floor, bleeding, cut, and in a lot of pain laying on the floor on a blanket. The first thing I said to him with all the blood was 'don't touch me'. I felt like I was going to pass out. I was in so much pain I stayed on the floor for about an hour. We contemplated calling an ambulance or going to emergency. Tony wanted to take me to emergency. I simply kept thinking if I go to emergency the first thing I will have to tell them is that I am HIV+. That alone made me not want to go. I fell right on my left wrist and my hand and wrist swelled up to the point where I still can not move my fingers or wrist much a day later, and the pain is horrible. I hope I did not break my wrist. Since I can move it slightly I think in time it might be ok. Time will tell. I spent the rest of the day on the couch taking pain pills and Motrin. I can not use or move my left arm or hand at all because of the pain. Went to bed around 10 PM and had a horrible night since I could not find a way to sleep with the pain from my side, legs, arm and wrist.

This morning I woke up in pain. I am black and blue on my side, legs and arms, and my wrist still can not move much. The pain is bad. I still might find myself going to a doctor just in case I broke something. It is very hard to do anything with one hand. Going to take another round of pain pills to get through the morning today. I think I also hurt my shoulders and neck in the fall because I am very stiff in that area today.

I have to comment on a comment from Sunday's post about not going out for a nice dinner for our anniversary. Although it is unfortunate we did not go out for a nice celebration. I have to compare it to a Birthday. As you get older, they do not mean the same. Would I have liked to go out for a nice dinner if we didn't have the kid - yes. But with that said, hopefully this weekend we will. If I had a choice of spending time with my nephew for the weekend or going out for an anniversary dinner, I would choose the nephew. The opportunity does not arise often for us to have him, we can celebrate and go out for a dinner any night now that he is home at his house. So as much as I appreciate the concern for us not celebrating, it is not the end of the world and more important things in life. It does not lessen the relationship or love in any way. Much less, it is not one dinner or celebration that 'makes' the relationship, it is the long term time and trued love that continues. Tony was home in a flash yesterday to help me after I called him after the fall from the ladder. He took good care of me as I laid on the floor in pain. He got me ice, cold compresses and was very concerned to the point of wanting to take me to emergency. It is times like yesterday that makes me glad I have him, not the one day of non celebration of a relationship anniversary. But thank you for your concern, I had Tony read the comment and we will this weekend have an anniversary dinner.

Really hard to type with one hand so I will leave it at that for now. Will write more later to let you know how I am doing. In a lot of pain.

May 22, 2010 Saturday Night

It is Tony and my 17th anniversary of our Holy Union today. We were together four years prior to having the Holy Union. Can't say we celebrated much today.

Friday morning I had to go to the doctor to get my second of three shots for Hepatitis A and B vaccination. The power went out prior to leaving so I could not open the garage door so Tony had to come home from work and drive me there. By the time we got home the power was back on. Talked to Tony's sister who was coming into town and worked it out so we could have Anthony, Tony's 6 year old nephew for the weekend. So I headed to the grocery store to buy kid friendly foods for the weekend. Got home, unpacked the groceries and headed back out the door to pick Tony up to go have lunch with the guys. Had a great lunch and within a half our of being home Tony's sister called and said she had made the three hour trip from Illinois and Anthony and her should be at the back door soon. Tony's sister dropped off Anthony and we spent the afternoon playing. Tony got home around 6 PM and after they both showered we went to Burger King on the Southside to get an Iron Man Toy and then go to Toy's Are Us and spoil the kid a bit. Of course Burger King did not have the Iron Man toys like they should and since Burger King was right next to KMart we went there instead of Toy's Are Us and bought the kid a new pair of shoes since all he had was flip flops packed, $70 worth of Toys, and some other household items. Stopped of at Grandma's house for a little while and then headed back home. Oh, did I mention he brought his little dog named Buddy. So now we also have 6 dogs running around the house for the weekend along with the 6 year old nephew. Watched a little TV and we all went to bed around 10:30 PM. His little dog loves me and spends every minute with me. Although he didn't know if he should sleep with me or Anthony in the spare room so the dog spent the night going from bed to bed every hour all night long.

This morning we got up, ate some cereal and after I showered we went to the Milwaukee Public Museum. Anthony wanted to go to the 'big peoples museum' which is the Milwaukee Public Museum. Spent a few hours at the Museum and then came home for a while before we all got in the 1965 Cadillac Convertible and drove around the lakefront. Even though it was close to 70 degrees the fog was constantly coming in from Lake Michigan. I kept telling Anthony it was the Fog Monster. We then parked and walked the long pier to the end and back. Came home and watched a little TV before I made corn dogs and mac and cheese for dinner, his choice. What a great anniversary dinner for Tony and I. Like I mentioned in the beginning, it is our anniversary today. Guess we will celebrate with a nice dinner next weekend. Right now we are just watching TV. I think we are all exhausted, including the six dogs, all on the couch with Tony and Anthony. Sunday we have a car show we would like to go to. Correction, Tony would like to go to. That is in the air depending on whether we have to drive half way to the Illinois border to exchange the kid and dog with his mom / Tony's sister. I do love having the nephews at the house when ever they can come for the weekend. After 21 years together it is nice to have a distraction for the weekend. Plus, for some reason, him and his older brother, who we helped raise prior to the sister moving to Illinois, love their uncle Dave and Tony because we spoil them rotten when they come to visit. Like a good uncle should.

May 20, 2010 My Side Yard

I thought I would take you on a tour of my side yard. I have put a lot of work into making it my little place to get away. Hope you enjoy the video below.

May 20, 2010 Thursday Morning

Tuesday I spent the day working around the house. The weather here in Milwaukee is getting much better. In the 70s this week and suppose to be in the 80s this weekend and through next week. So nice to have the windows open and get some fresh air in the house. Tuesday night we went to the Harley Davidson Museum for the weekly car show that is every Tuesday night. Had a burger and soda at the car show for dinner. Came home and watched TV for the night. Watched Lost and V. Was so made during watching Lost. The cable went out and had no picture for about 15 minutes until it fixed itself. Jeez, its the second to the last episode. Went to bed around 10:30 PM.

Wednesday I got up and after the dogs were fed and Tony was off to work I showered and headed out the door to get some things done. Picked up food for Barley at the vet and then headed to Walgreen's to pick up a prescription. Stopped off at McDonald's for a Bacon Egg and Cheese Bagel. Got home and was tired so I laid down for a while and took a short nap. Spent the afternoon playing with the dogs and enjoying the nice weather outside. Last night we went to another car show in Hales Corners. Had dinner at the Mexican restaurant the car show was held at. Had a nice dinner. Came home and watched TV until we went to bed around 10 PM.

This morning I got up, fed the dogs and got Tony off to work. Have all the windows open since it is already in the 70s and it is only 8 AM. Now I sit here wondering what I am going to do for the day. I am starting to wonder how long I can continue this way not working or having an outlet to leave the house. I am starting to feel a little worthless and need something to spark my mind. Wish I could find a part time job that would not cut into my social security. Sitting home every day is not always fun. In fact it can be very boring. Not having anything to do except clean the house is not a way to make a person feel needed or appreciated. But what can I do? Volunteer work? Not much in part time jobs here in Milwaukee that pay 'under the table'. Will take a shower and hope something comes my way or it will be a very boring day again today.

May 17, 2010 Monday Dinner Time

Friday I had lunch with the guys. Great lunch. Spent the afternoon cleaning and such around the house until Tony came home from work. Made soup and sandwiches for dinner. Watched a little TV at night and we were in bed by 10 PM.

Saturday Tony worked most of the day at his auto body shop getting cars finished that should have been finished Friday at closing. I went to the local pet store and bought a hair trimmer for Vito. A pet hair trimmer that is strong enough to go through his thick hair. After Tony got home from work we groomed Vito and then watched TV for the afternoon since it was not a nice day in Milwaukee. Made a pizza and salad for dinner. Around 7 PM the manager of a restaurant here on the Eastside called to ask Tony if it was alright if an employee named Jerry pays for food with a company check. HELL NO! Jeez, this guys never stops. I wish the cops would just find him. We told the manager to take his order and we would be at the restaurant when he picked up his food and tried to pass one of Tony's company checks. Well the guy then decided to wait and order later, I am not sure if he caught on being on hold so long while the manager talked with us at home. Jerry never did end up ordering food but it makes us wonder how many company checks he might have. I wish this guy would get hit by a bus or at least arrested for his warrant. We stayed up until about 11 PM waiting for a call but finally went to bed when no call came.

Sunday we got up and after reading the morning paper and feeding the dogs I made eggs, bacon and toast for breakfast. I then got the idea to make a canape for the dogs outside so they have an area to go out and pee when it is raining and not get wet. Yah, I know, I am nuts. Only a dog lover like myself would understand. Tony and I went to Home Depot and bought the wood and glass panels I would need. Unloaded the car and started working on my project while Tony watched. I don't mind so much. He helps when I need the hands. I just like having him around. Finished and got one coat of paint on the frame of the canape. That was enough for one day. Spent the night watching TV. Brothers and Sisters was good. Sal I guess is HIV+ from the way the show ended. Have a hard time watching shows when the topic is AIDS and HIV. Hopefully next season now that he found out he is HIV+ the show will go into telling the story of what a person goes through after finding out this horrible news. Went to bed shortly after 10 PM.

This morning after getting Tony off to work and a little done inside the house I headed outside to continue my canape project. Put a second coat of paint on the frame and secured the glass panels. Then headed back to the hardware store for a little more wood to finish the trellis above the frame. Spent the afternoon working on it. It turned out great. I will upload pictures and put them on this post. Making a frozen Lasagna and salad for dinner and will spend the night watching TV. My muscles hurt. I think I over did it a little. But the pain feels good. I am alive.

May 14, 2010 Friday Morning

Wednesday night I went to a meeting at a local restaurant for HIV. The topic was 'After the diagnosis'. Was informative. Got home and watched a little TV before going to bed around 10 PM.

Thursday I got up and after getting the dogs fed and Tony off to work I recorded 4 more 8 mm tapes to a DVD for my sister. It is a slow process. I got the mail prior to going to my ARCW board meeting. Saw a letter from my mom and dad in the stack. Opened it to find a note that said 'Mom and I said if we sold the Florida condo we would share some of the money with the kids'. And a check for $5000. WOW. Talk about putting a smile on my face. I called them right away to thank them and tell them it will go in the bank saving for a rainy day or dog emergency, and Thanked them over and over. How nice hey? I then had my meeting from 12:30 to 2:30 for ARCW client board. I am part of the Client Advisory Board. I feel it is my way of giving back for all ARCW does for me. Had a good meeting and discussion. Stopped off at the bank and grocery store on my way home from the board meeting. Got home and continued the DVD making as I watched TV. After Tony got home he started telling me about what a terrible day at work he had for the day. One good news was our health insurance which has been on hold was approved again for another year. Always scares me when this comes up as an issue. Of course now the bad news is he had to pay 2 months worth of premiums which came to $2800 just to catch up on the payments so we have no gap in coverage for the two of us. He continued that he had a couple customer complaints, parts not showing up, and then on top of all that he found out that his lover prior to me has AIDS and has about 6 months to live. I guess the brother of the ex came in for an estimate and told him the news. They had a bad breakup and Tony has not many good memories of their 3 years together prior to us starting to go out. Even so, no one likes to hear that news. Especially me! Put a damper on the night. We started talking about the fact that 'every lover he had in the past has died of AIDS'. I at one point had to say 'and now me'. I saw this look in his face like he had forgotten I was HIV+. It took me off guard. I know I don't look sick, but I still live with this disease. I do have to do a little research. Is it possible for someone to be HIV+ and not show it? Not test positive for it? Yet pass it on to others? What are the odds that every lover including me he has dated is HIV+? He has tested negative every time. I am glad for him and would never wish this on anyone, still it is an interesting question? Spent the rest of the night watching TV and went to bed shortly before 10 PM. Had a restless night, I am sure it was the news of someone near death because of having AIDS.

Today I got up and after getting the morning duties finished and Tony off to work I began the DVD process again. Hope to get 2 sets of 4 tapes converted today. That will still leave me about 40 8mm tapes and 10 DVDs to make. Like I said, a slow process. Having lunch with the guys again today. Always enjoyable. The sun is finally out today. Haven't seen the sun in a week. Hopefully it will get at least in the 60s today. No plans for tonight.

May 12, 2010 Wednesday Morning

I have been so busy transferring VHS tapes to DVD I haven't written in longer than I wanted.

Saturday Tony and I spent the afternoon at my parents house for Mothers Day. We had a great time but had to leave by 3 PM to be home by 4 PM because the ATT service person would be at the house between 4 PM and 9 PM to fix the TV DVR that stopped working. In fact we had to watch TV from antenna which sucks. The repair guy showed up about 4:30 and gave us new boxes and everything seems to be working good. Was happy to get it fixed so we could DVR Betty White on Saturday Night Live. She was so good. I love this lady.

Sunday morning we got up, read the newspaper, showered, and headed to Tony's mom's house to take her out for breakfast for Mother's Day. Had a great breakfast. After dropping her off at her home we went to Best Buy to buy more DVD cds and cases for the transferring I am doing for my sister. Spent the rest of the afternoon on the computer and watching TV. Went to bed around 10 PM Sunday night.

Monday I had nothing on my schedule so I spent the day continuing to transfer VHS tapes to DVD cds for my sister. Took a long afternoon nap and made a big dinner for Tony and I. Watched Dancing With The Stars and Castle, then in bed by 10 PM.

Tuesday I had an 11 AM dental appointment to have my teeth cleaned and checked. Damn, one cavity. Made an appointment for June 1st to have it drilled and filled. I HATE the drilling and filling of cavities. Came home and continued the DVD making. Got all her VHS tapes transferred. Now I have to work on the little 8 MM tapes she has which will be a bigger project. My sister gave me about 40 8 MM tapes to transfer. These will take much more time. Made dinner and watched TV the rest of the night. Was a cold, rainy day in Milwaukee. Not a good day at all. Had a hard time making it through the day because of the damp cold cloudy rainy weather.

Today I have no plans except to continue the DVD making for my sister. Cloudy, rainy and still cold in Milwaukee. Not a good day to leave the house. Have a meeting this evening on HIV to go to. Should be a nice dinner also since it is at Mo's Steak House.

May 7, 2010 Friday Dinner Time

Met some friends at a car show on Wednesday night. On the way to the car show the Parole Officer for the guy scamming us called and Tony had a long talk with her. They scheduled a meeting for Friday morning. As of Friday afternoon she still had not met with Tony.

Thursday I spent the day getting a lot done outside the house knowing the weather was not to be good on Friday or this weekend. In fact the weather report says snow on Saturday night. YUCK.
Went to the copy store to make copies of the 8 parking tickets the scammer got with our car as well as other documents so Tony can give them to the Parole Officer. Bought some breakfast and dropped off Tony part of the paperwork and some food for him at his auto body shop. I then came home for a bit before leaving again and going grocery shopping. Came home and unpacked all the groceries. Called Quality Candy at Bayshore Mall to see if the Mother's Day Chocolate Covered Strawberries I order for my mom each year were ready for pickup. They were, so I got back in the car and drove to the mall and picked them up. Spent the rest of the afternoon doing laundry and cleaning before Tony got home. Found out today the scammer even took Tony's nephew's laptop, jeez, it just gets worse. Then Tony's sister dropped off a bunch of binders of his paperwork she had. Went through it, unbelievable. In his work search binder he had a letter of recommendation on made up Downtown Auto Body stationary with Tony's signature recommending him for auto body jobs. Tony had never wrote this letter. Also had a bunch of Tony's pictures from the phone albums he has in his lobby area. I figure to pretend HE did the auto body repairs in the photos. Tony went to his apartment last night at 11 PM to see if he was hiding out there, or even had the nerve to return to the apartment. He would have had to get another set of keys since we have his keys. He was not there. Not sure where he is hiding these days but we will find him and call in his arrest.

Today is cold and rainy. Met the guys for lunch and came home and watched TV that got lost when the DVR broke this week. Got caught up on Lost, V and The Good Wife. Those were the important ones. I am mad CBS doesn't have the last to episodes of Cold Case which I missed and could be the last of the show since it might be cancelled. Will miss Cold Case as much as I do miss Without A Trace. Another show that should never have been cancelled. Making quick food for dinner tonight and most likely will not leave the house and go out in the rain and cold. Tomorrow we are going to my mom's house, Sunday Tony's mom's house to say Happy Mother's Day to them both. We are good sons.

May 5, 2010 Wednesday Dinner Time

Tuesday I spent most of the day doing a little work around the house and napping. Very tired all day. Then last night we got a call from Tony's sister stating that her son has been harboring the employee we are looking for the took Tony for over $5000. So we got in our car and went to the nephews apartment to find out the story is true. Jerry has been staying at the nephews apartment since last Friday when a warrant for his arrest was issued. Tony was so mad I thought he was going to beat his nephew. We ended up taking every piece of clothing or any belongings of the employees with us, including his apartment keys where he has an apartment a block down the street. So we took the keys and went to the employees apartment. Since we had keys it was not like we were breaking and entering or anything. Ended up rummaging through his apartment looking for anything he might have on Tony or anyone else to scam in the future. Took anything of value including his TV. Trust me, he didn't have much be we need to make this guy hurt bad. Spent an hour staking out the apartment before we called it a night. By the time we got home around 11 PM Tony and I were both so hyped up we stayed up until about midnight before going to bed. Not sure were the employee ended up going for the night, but we are on his trail. He even has changed his cell phone number, which we now have the new one.

This morning I woke up to Tony sitting in the living room with the TV on, no sound, and a big red x on the screen. Had to call AT&T for a service call. The guy showed up around 11:30 for his 8 to noon appointment window. He reset the converter box and we thought everything was OK. I then went to Walgreen's and came home to the 'x' on the screen again. So I had to call AT&T and get the guy out to the house again. This time he had to reboot and we lost everything I have DVR'ed for the past two weeks. Lost, V, One Life To Live, Cold Case, CSI's, Good Wife, to name a few. I am so mad. Now I have to find these episodes on the net and watch them prior to next week. I hate this about DVR's. The service people are like computer techs when they tell you you need a new hard drive and everything you have is gone, then think it is no big deal. As we all know, it is a big deal. Took a half hour nap and now just waiting for Tony to get home so we can go to a car show in Franklin and have dinner. Meeting some friends at the car show. No word on the convict / employee today. We are still on the case and Tony plans on going to the Clerk Of Courts office this week yet to file charges against him.

May 3, 2010 Monday Morning

Had a great lunch with the guys on Friday afternoon. After lunch I headed home after doing a little grocery shopping and continued to transfer VHS tapes to DVD for my mother and myself. Tony got home late Friday night and we spent the night watching TV, going to bed at 10 PM.

Saturday was a very nice day in Milwaukee, close to 75 degrees. Worked on the pond and cleaned the house while Tony worked on moving the 1965 Cadillac Convertible out of storage in the back garage. Started right away and after he took it to the shop to check the fluids we went for a long ride along the Milwaukee lakefront with Stella riding in the back of the car. She loves going for rides. Stopped off for a short walk and an ice cream cone and then headed back home along the lakefront. Got home around 3:30 and Tony took a nap while I continued burning DVDs. Saturday night we went out to dinner at Hinterland, a fancy restaurant, because we had a gift certificate from a friend. I had a hamburger, Tony had Dan Dan Noodles with Pig Tails ---- YUCK! I couldn't believe he tried it. In all honesty I took one bite, it was not so bad. Was glad I ordered the hamburger because there was not much else on the menu I would even try or dare to eat. I do not try new foods. I do not like mushrooms. I am very picky about what I eat or try to eat. Got home around 8 PM and spent the night watching TV and burning DVDs.

Sunday was another great day in Milwaukee. After I made breakfast we spent a little time around the house before going for another drive in the Cadillac, this time without a dog. Stopped off at Tony's sister's house for a short visit and then headed home. Tony spent the rest of the afternoon watching a little TV in between naps. Made a little dinner last night and we were in bed by 10 PM.

This morning I got up, beautiful day again. In the 70s. After feeding the dogs and getting Tony off to work I started doing a little cleaning and now started burning Tony and my VHS tapes to DVD. I have 10 of them so it will take some time. Probably have them done by the end of the week. Going to make myself some tomato soup for lunch and most likely take a short nap.

April 30, 2010 Friday Morning

Spent most of the day on Thursday continuing to copy my moms VHS tape to DVD. I have about 10 of my own which will have to wait because Mom and Dad came into Milwaukee last night to drop off more VHS tapes and take Tony and I out to dinner. They arrived about 4 PM and we went to dinner about 5 PM. Went to one of the more expensive restaurants here in Milwaukee called Butch's Steak House. Had a great dinner. Thankfully dad picked up the bill because it was over $130 for the four of us. Tony and I rarely go there on our own due to the price. Spent the rest of the night after they left watching TV.

This morning I woke up not having a good night's sleep. Thought I slept good but having a hard time getting going even though it is sunny and in the 70s today in Milwaukee. Copying another VHS tape to DVD and then making 5 copies for each of my family as I type this. Will leave soon for our lunch with the guys. Might just take a nap this afternoon since I am so tired. Wondering if it is because of the huge meal we ate last night at Butch's and the Atripla.

Haven't talked about another issue. Tony has been helping a convicted convict for the last 10 months by having him work at the shop. In the last 10 months the employee (Jerry) has had Tony pay for over $5000 worth of personal expenses and such. The deal was that it would all come off when Tony purchased a home supposedly he owned which would happen by April 15th. Since April 15th we have heard every excuse in the world about the house all pertaining to his mother not yet moving out. I finally on Tuesday drove by the house and saw the mother outside so I walked up to her and asked her if it is true she should have moved out by now and that Jerry owns the house and can sell it to us. We had heard she was all moved out into a new apartment but was staying in the house getting drunk each night. As I told his mother the story she looked amazed. She told me she has no apartment, has no intention on moving, and Jerry does not own the house. So the scam came to an end. So now Tony and I are trying to put Jerry back in jail and eventually get our money back which will never happen unless we go on Judge Judy or something. I have been telling Tony since January I thought this guy was a scammer and piece of shit. Tony finally in tears called me after I told him the house news that 'I was right, he was sorry'. I hate to beat Tony up too much over this but jeez, this is not the first time he trusted someone and we got burned. We called his PO officer and hopefully a warrant is going out for his arrest today. He was in jail for years due to scams and Tony thought he had turned his life around, hence having him work from the shop on day release the last year. Now he has not shown his face for over 5 weeks, just excuses. Guess the gig is up. Too bad it cost us $5000 to trust someone again and try to give his a new start on life. Just sucks. Will let you know how it all turns out. Tony is just too nice and trusting. I got ahold of Jerry yesterday via phone and told him what a piece of shit he was and that Tony was the only one who gave him a second chance, and this is how he repays us. I told him that Tony is a good person and didn't deserve this. I then ended the call saying 'shame on you'. When is Tony going to learn?

April 28, 2010 Wednesday Morning

After spending all day on Monday trying to make DVDs through this VCR/DVD Recorder I decided to do a little research and see any alternatives. I found a software that lets you record vhs or your vhs recorder onto your computer. So Tuesday morning I went to Best Buy and bought the software. It is called Dazzle DVD Recorder Plus. Spent the morning loading the software and then the rest of the afternoon learning what it can do and beginning to make some DVDs with the software. After a few tries I got it to work great. Been making DVDs since yesterday. Then copying the family ones for my sisters and brothers as well as my mom. Mom was so happy about having the family videos put on DVD from VHS she dug out all the old VHS tapes I don't have and is bringing them to the house here in Milwaukee on Thursday. Mom and Dad are going to drive into downtown and then take Tony and I out for dinner Thursday night. Should be fun. Plan on spending the day transferring my VHS tapes of Tiny and Shadow as well as Tony and my vacations today using the new software. On another happy note. Looked out the window this morning to not only see my rabbit, but a baby with her. I was so excited. Must be a nest under the Model T planted in our front yard. Been looking for the babies while I make DVDs. Not much else to report. Going to get back to transferring VHS tapes to DVD after I finish this post.

April 25, 2010 Sunday Morning

Had a pretty good birthday on Friday. Nothing special. Took Bo to the vet at 9 AM to get some more puppy shots and then had lunch with the guys at noon. Kind of a general rule that the birthday boy has to buy lunch so I did. Six of us showed up for lunch. One couple even bought and brought a cake to lunch. Stopped off at one of the guys houses to pick up a VCR to DVD recorder. Got the great idea to put some of my old family VHS videos on DVD so they last and can be played since we never use the VCR anymore. Spent the afternoon trying and trying to get the DVR recorder to work. Since I spent most of Thursday trying to get the VHS to tape on my computer and then burn a DVD with no luck, it was kind of frustrating to spend another afternoon with no luck. Ruined two blank DVDs trying. So I ended up putting the project aside for a while. Tony came home from work on and we ordered a pizza and spent the night watching old family videos on the VHS machine since I had it all hooked up to the TV.

Saturday it rained all day so we spent most of the day watching TV or more family videos. Went out for dinner at a local burger place called Five Guys. It was OK. We had not had their burgers prior to last night. Watched the movie Full Moon and went to bed around 10:30 PM. I am not sure what the fondness is the the vampire in Full Moon, his white deadly color is not attractive to me in any way.

This morning I made breakfast after reading half of the Sunday newspaper and now I am trying once again to put the VHS to DVD using another machine. Will let you know how it turns out. This afternoon we are having an early dinner at Tony's moms house. She is making Spaghetti. Cold, windy and rainy here in Milwaukee today. A good day to watch TV until we have to go to Tony's moms house. Much the same tonight.

April 22, 2010 Thursday Morning

I am so tired I might just go back to bed after this post. Dogs got me up and out of bed by 6:30 AM this morning. Tony is already gone to work. I slept like crap last night. Three things kept me up. One: My pinched nerve in my neck made it impossible to turn my head without pain while I tried to sleep. Two: Stella was not feeling good yesterday so I had her sleep on the bed next to her daddy rather than on the couch in the bedroom next to the bed. Well, she gave me about a foot of room to sleep on since she slept side ways. This is a king size bed. Three: With that foot of sleeping room left to me or I would fall off the bed, Bo then needed to snuggle next to me under the covers, sharing that foot of bed space. So that left me about 8 inches to sleep without falling off the bed. I should mention the covers only went half way around me so the cold air didn't help either. Jeez, what I do for these dogs. Good news. For those who keep up on the blog they know how thrilled I am to see the rabbit eating under the front bushes. We never had rabbits in the yard before last year. This morning I look out the window to check on my rabbit and there are TWO rabbits. TWO RABBITS! Sad how these little things make my day but they honestly do. I had been teasing Tony that I was going to buy or trap another rabbit and let it go in the front yard so MY rabbit had someone to partner with. They are so cute together eating the bird seed that falls to the ground. After I go back to bed for a while I have to shower and go to the grocery store to buy myself a Birthday cake for my birthday tomorrow. Yup, another year older tomorrow. Got an email from one of the two flowers I sent on Monday. I sent flowers to Jack and to Suzanne and Erin in the UK thanking them for coming to Milwaukee last year on this date. As some know, I was not feeling good about living at that time and their visit made life worth living again. I honestly owe them my life since the thought friends would care that much about someone they have talked with on the Internet for years, but never met, would do such a thoughtful thing at my time of need. Might just send them flowers every year to remind them of what they did. If you look back on last years postings you can see the video of Jack arriving on my door step. Wow, just thinking about it makes me smile. Going to put some music on and lay back down for a bit so I can start the day over, feeling less tired.

April 21, 2010 Wednesday Afternoon

Woke up today with a pinched nerve in my neck. I am sure it is due to the stress of going to the doctor today to learn my blood results. I spent the morning laying around the house listening to music up until my doctor appointment. Went to my doctor appointment to find out good news. My TCell count is up to 354 from 332 last count and 106 over a year ago. I am still undetectable. My percentage is 21% which also keeps increasing, this is good also. I think it was at 18% last blood test. I guess the percentage has to do with good TCells vs bad TCells. If I am wrong someone let me know. So everything is still headed in the direction my doctor wanted to see. Because of this he thought it was time to start getting some shots since my immune system is getting stronger. So I got a tetanus shot and a hepatitis A and B vaccine shot. While I type this it feels like someone just punched me in both shoulders over and over again. Hurts to even lift my coffee cup. Drinking coffee to wake me up since I took an hour nap after I got home from the doctor. My vitamin D levels are within normal once again also, which is good. Still told to keep taking the vitamin D supplements daily to keep them up where they should be. My next round of blood tests are in August. I do have to go back in a month to get another hepatitis shot, I guess there are 3 in the series. So I guess I am still on the right track. Now I just need to quit smoking. Tony will be home soon, have to feed the dogs, and have no idea what I am going to make for dinner, might just order delivery food.

April 20, 2010 Tuesday Night

Monday I had a very hard time making through the day getting anything done. Pushed myself through the day. Was very tired all day Monday. Made a beef roast with mashed potato and corn for dinner and we were in bed by 10 PM.

Today after Tony left for work I showered so I could go to Sears and return one of the two garage door openers we bought on Sunday. Stopped off at VICI and used a gift card I had for some time on some pet products. I still have not heard anything from the owner. I did get a call last week from the HR head to return my keys and credit card if I was not returning. I gave them to my tenant to return, so I guess my working for the owner of VICI is over. Still mind blowing that she never took the time to call me after a year of working for her. Got home and made myself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch. Took a couple hour nap before getting up to do a little work around the house. Tomorrow I go to my doctor to find out my latest blood test results. I will post them when I get home.

April 18, 2010 Sunday Night

Saturday Tony went to work in the morning while I did stuff around the house. Took an afternoon nap so I would be well rested for the fund raiser for ARCW. Arrived about 6:30 and looked at the silent auction items. We did not bid on anything. Dinner was great and then there was the live auction. The highest bidding item was 4 tickets to Lady Gaga. They went for $3500. Too much for us, much of the items where out of our price range. Got home a little before 11 PM and went to bed shortly there after.

Today I made breakfast after reading the morning paper. We then decided to get a few things done around the house since we were still not able to view the house Tony might buy for either an investment or for us to move into. We went to the hardware store and bought the supplies needed to fix the leaking outside water faucet. Came home after buying lottery tickets and fixed the faucet. A little while later we went to Bayshore Mall Sears to buy a new remote combo for the garage. Only one remote of two worked so we had to buy a replacement. Came home and shortly there after I added the new remote hardware to the garage door opener. We now have 2 garage door openers for the garage. Made polish sausage and baked beans along with a fruit salad for dinner. Tonight we are just going to lay low and go to bed around 10 PM after Desperate Housewives and Brothers and Sisters. Wednesday I go to my doctor and find out my latest round of blood test results. Makes for a tense week until I get the results.

I added another dance music mix that I worked on during the day on Friday (above). Enjoy! It is also added to my Music Page.

April 16, 2010 Friday Morning

Went to my monthly afternoon board meeting yesterday afternoon. Not many showed up for the meeting since it was in the 80s in Milwaukee. Got home and did a little cleaning before Tony got home from work. Made a little dinner and spent the night sitting outside until the prime time TV line up came on. Went to bed about 10 PM and had a very restless night. Between the house being so warm even with the windows open and having to get up about 4 times to go to the bathroom, today I am tired.

Got up this morning and after Tony went to work I got showered and went to Pick N Save to do some grocery shopping. Bought a bunch of fruit and made a huge fruit salad for the weekend. I could eat fruit salad all day every day. Will leave soon to pick Tony up from work and go to Baker's Square to have lunch with the guys. Our usual Friday afternoon lunch. After lunch Tony and I might go look at the house he plans on buying as an investment. After that I plan on taking a nap this afternoon since I am so tired from lack of sleep last night. Saturday night we got tickets to go to the ARCW Make A Wish Fundraiser. Should be a great event. Silent auction, sit down dinner, presentation, and dancing the rest of the night. Got free tickets or we would not be going since tickets are over $100 a piece. A little too pricey for us, even if it is a fundraiser. Got the tickets from two of the guys we have lunch with today. Will be a nice excuse to get dressed up in a suit and tie.

April 15, 2010 Thursday Morning

I have no clue what I did all day Tuesday. Were did that day go?

Yesterday I got up early and headed to Home Depot to buy some flowers and strawberry plants for a hanging basket and pots in the yard. Spent the morning planting. It was in the 70s hear in Milwaukee. Took a little nap in the afternoon and then went to Walgreen's to pick up milk and a prescription. Last night Tony and I saw the play Legally Blonde - The Musical. It was very entertaining. Got home around 10:30 PM and watched American Idol to see who got kicked off the show this week. I have no problems so far with who has gotten the boot to this point.

This morning it is even nicer than yesterday and have done a little clean up outside. All the windows are open. So nice to get air in the house. This afternoon I have board meeting with ARCW. So nice out I think I will lay outside until I got to that meeting today.

I keep forgetting to say how good Bo has been the past week or so. No mistakes in the house. In fact it is so funny. He use to pee by squatting almost like a girl dog until recently. He has been watching Vito pee and decided last week to give it a try lifting his leg. The first couple time he had a hard time balancing. It was too funny. In the past week he has mastered the act of peeing like a big dog and lifting his leg. So cute to watch him grow and learn from the other dogs.

April 12, 2010 Monday Night

Saturday afternoon we went to my parents home and brought Bo with us. My sister and her two kids are in town and always nice to see her and her kids. They are getting so big. I think the older I get the more and more I enjoy spending time with my family. Makes you wish you would not have wasted the prior years with fights and family crap. Bo was a perfect angel. He never wanted to leave our sides. I think he was afraid we would leave him. LOL He sat in his car carrier the entire drive there and back and walked on his leash and harness for the first time like a pro. Saturday night we went out for dinner with Tony's family for his brothers birthday. Had a great dinner and conversation.

Sunday we were both up early because of the damn dogs. Jeez, its the weekend for Pete's Sake. Fed the dogs and read the paper. Tony drove to McDonald's to get us some breakfast. I usually cook breakfast on a Sunday morning but just did not feel like making the mess. Soon it was 10 AM and now what do we do with the day. We decided to drive to Seven Mile Fair in Racine which is really a huge discount rummage sale of crap. Ended up buying a little of this and that and headed to a friends house we have lunch on Friday's with. They were suppose to be home but were not. Was not really out of our way and we then took the long way home from Racine along the lakefront. Had a nice drive, very relaxing. We do this often in the convertible during the summer when we are bored. Got home and spent the afternoon doing little things around the house. Tony settled in for a nap on the couch around 4 PM. Spent the night watching the TV show Brothers and Sisters and then off to bed.

Today I was up by 6:30 AM and had the dogs fed and Tony off to work by 7:30. Did a little work on the screened in porch with molding and such before it started to get chilly and cloudy outside and called it a morning. I still have to paint the new wood I have replaced and would like to get that done by the end of this week. Showered and made my monthly trip to Walmart for household necessities. Got home around 2 PM and took an hour nap till about 3:30 PM. Vacuumed again and watched Judge Judy as I did a little cleaning. I was going to make a roast for dinner tonight but I did not take it out of the freezer early enough so I think we are going to have a frozen pizza instead. It will not make Tony happy after a long day of work but I don't have the energy to cook, much less I forgot to mention I went through the drive through at McDonald's for Chicken Selects prior to Walmart. Yah, I am addicted to McDonalds food. I swear they put crack or something in their food which makes me crave it daily. Thank god I don't eat a lot or buy anything huge. Tonight we will watch Dancing With The Stars and CSI Miami before heading to bed. I don't have anything on my schedule until Wednesday night when we go to the PAC to see the musical Legally Blonde. Hopefully I can do some painting tomorrow if it doesn't rain.

April 10, 2010 Saturday Morning - Hachiko

Friday night Tony and I watched the best movie I have seen in a long long time. It is called Hachiko-A Dogs Story. It stars Richard Gere. I dare anyone to watch this movie and not be crying like a baby by the ending. It is based on a true story. Tony and I were a mess by the end of the movie. Don't let that stop you from watching the clip or renting the DVD. It is that good. I put a link to the trailer below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaS37E3gKOU

Friday we had lunch with the guys. I spent the afternoon cleaning and took a short nap.

Today we are going to my parents house to see them and my sister as well as her kids who are in town for a belated Easter. Tonight we have a Birthday dinner for Tony's brother at a local restaurant. Please check out the trailer above and rent the movie, you will be touched.

April 8, 2010 Thursday Night

Last night's Ugly Betty was so good. Am I the only one who loves this show and will be sad to see it end next week? Last night Justin came out to his family. The story line has been so good. Tony and I had tears in our eyes as we watched. I include a link to the video: http://www.queerty.com/how-justin-suarez-came-out-to-mom-20100408/

Spent today trying to get my prescriptions filled with generic rather than name brand drugs. Difference in price each is $60 vs $10.00. Was a cloudy day here in Milwaukee so I took a long nap with the dogs this afternoon. Made fried spaghetti for Tony for dinner from last nights dinner and now just watching the night away with TV. Check out the link to the video above, it is so cute.

April 7, 2010 Wednesday Morning

So I went to the Dermatologist yesterday to find out from him that the Atripla and the fact my immune system is over reacting is why I have the rash on my neck and forehead. So the Dermatologist gave me 4 prescriptions. Three of the prescriptions are creams or foams to put on the rash, the other is an allergy pill. Stopped off at Walgreens on the way home and dropped off the prescriptions to pick up the next day. Got myself a Cheese Steak sandwich at Subway and spent the afternoon napping because I was so tired from being up the prior night itching. Made a meatloaf for dinner which did not turn out and tasted so bad it ended up in the garbage. Went to bed around 10 PM and woke to hail coming down about 11:30 PM. There was so much hail the grass was covered and it sounded like the sky was falling for about 10 minutes.

This morning I got up and showered so I could get gas in the car, stop off and buy Barkley some more special food for his skin and coat at the vet, and then headed to Walgreen's to pick up my prescriptions I dropped off yesterday. The Pharmacist had three of the four prescriptions ready, the fourth would arrive some time this afternoon since it is not something they usually carry. After finding out three of the prescription would cost $60 each and the fourth when it comes in would be over $100 we decided on forgetting the allergy pill since I already am on an allergy pill. Jeez, why do I pay close to $800 a month for health insurance if 4 prescriptions would cost me about $280. Have to still go back to Walgreen's again later today to pick up two prescriptions we settled on once the pharmacist gets the ok for a generic form which should be cheaper. What a bunch of crap to get rid of this rash. This on top of the $50 copay I had to pay for the doctor visit. The meds for my rash that I settled on are: Neosalus Hydrating Topical Foam which is for treating or preventing dry, itchy skin or minor skin irritations caused by various skin conditions; Clobex lotion (a generic form) to treat the itching. And Derma Smoothe/FS which is a steroid to reduce the action of chemicals in the body that cause inflammation, redness and swelling. I decided against the Xyzal allergy pill because I am on an allergy pill. The pharmacist will call me when I can pick up the other two prescriptions this afternoon. Going to spend the day doing not a whole lot today. I have to vacuum and go back to Walgreen's, that all I plan on doing. It is cloudy and drizzling in Milwaukee today. When it is like this I have NO energy.

April 6, 2010 Tuesday Morning

Monday I had a very hard time getting going during the day. Had to push myself through the day. Spend the afternoon taking a nap and didn't get much done around the house. I did finally get a hold of my doctor about my rash that is getting worse. He recommended I go to a dermatologist and made an appointment for Tuesday. Made some dinner and Tony and I spent the night watching Dancing With The Stars. Went to bed by 10 PM listening to the falling rain.

This morning I got up to thunder storms. Had a good rain this morning with lots of thunder and lightening. I love thunder storms. It is just about over. All showered and ready to go to my doctor appointment. I sure hope the doctor has some relief because this itchy rash is driving me crazy. Very hard to sleep the last few nights I feel so itchy. Will let you know what I find out from the doctor. Other than that I plan on spending the afternoon napping because I could go right back to sleep I am so tired. Must be the lack of sun.

April 3, 2010 Saturday Night

Friday the weather was great here in Milwaukee. In the 80s by the afternoon. Went to lunch with the guys, stopped off at the bank on the way home. After being home for about an hour I went to Walgreens to pick up some stuff and prescriptions. Spent the afternoon re-arranging the living room furniture. Switched out the entire room from one side to the other. Friday night I made a light dinner and we went to bed around 10 PM.

This morning we were up by 6 AM. About 7:30 I looked at Tony and asked him what we were doing for the day. A minute later I noticed a jacket in the street and went out to check it out. It was covered in blood. Thought it might be a good idea to call the police about it and when I was on hold Tony got a call on his cell phone from an employee telling him he better get to his Auto Body shop fast because it looks like someone must have plowed into his shop with a car or an accident. We went to the shop and ended up filing a police report. Had to use a crow bar to get into the doors since the impact jammed the door and they would not open. The building was hit so hard the foundation is cracked all the way into the shop and through the office. The front hallway wall is tilting by about 6 inches. I put some pictures below of the damage.

After I got home for a while I headed to Best Buy and bought a 32 inch flat panel TV for in the kitchen so I could move that 26 inch flat panel TV into the bathroom and replace the 22 inch one that was in there. The 22 inch TV will go in the new bathroom if Tony ever finishes it. Spent the rest of the afternoon switching out the TVs and then watching TV. Ordered pizza from Pizza Hut for dinner. My rash on my forehead and back of my neck is getting much worse. At times I want to just scratch and scratch like poison ivy or something. Two more weeks until I see my doctor. Tomorrow we are going out for Easter with Tony's mom later in the day. Happy Easter to all if I do not post tomorrow.

April 1, 2010 Thursday Dinner Time

Happy April Fools Day!

This morning I was up by 6 AM. Got the dogs fed and Tony off to work. Left the house a little after 8 AM to go back to Kohl's to exchange the Levi jeans I bought the day before. They opened early due to a big sale today. I bought the other day a 31 waist but they still were too big on me. I do not like the baggie look, I like my jeans tight. Guess it is just the era I grew up in. I don't know how kids these days were those baggie pants. Exchanged my 505's for 501's in the 31 waist. They fit much better. Got home and spent about an hour with the dogs before going to Walgreen's to pick up a couple prescriptions and a couple other items. Got home by noon and snacked on some potato chips before taking an hour nap on the couch with the dogs while listening to some music. Don't think I got any sleep but was glad to hear some music I have not played in a while. Spent the afternoon doing things around the house with the windows open since it is in the 70s here in Milwaukee today. Moved some of the plants to the front porch to get them out of the main part of the house so Stella can not eat them. Also makes the house look less cluttered with them on the porch rather than the house. Watching the dogs play. Bo is doing great. Playing with Kali right now wrestling with a tennis ball. They are so cute. Can not imagine loosing Bo like I thought we almost did the night before. Going to make burgers on the grill tonight with some baked beans. Might as well take advantage of the nice weather. No email or calls from my boss, although I did get my final pay check yesterday that I submitted. So at least I got paid. Feeling better about the situation with each day that passes. Still feeling bitter about the way this was handled but it is summer and I can keep busy. After dinner we will just settle in and watch TV for the night. Tomorrow I only have lunch with the guys and a stop at the bank on my schedule.

Wow, I did a spell check and I think this was the first time no spelling errors. LOL

March 31, 2010 Wednesday Dinner Time

Had a very scary night last night with Bo.

Tuesday morning I went to one of the big malls here in Milwaukee (Southridge Mall) to do some clearance shopping for new clothes. I only go to the malls once a year and I go right for the clearance racks. Ended up buying a few shirts, a pair of jeans, and a heavy flannel shirt all on sale. Came home and took a nap with the dogs. It was about 50 degrees today in Milwaukee. Everything was going fine until after I fed the dogs. After I fed them I noticed a pee mark on the carpet and when I went to find Bo I found him hiding in the corner not looking good. He could hardly stand and was clearly in pain. Great. My thought was he either ate something he should not have or Stella might have hurt him playing. Spent the night with him on the couch trying to decide if we should take him into emergency or wait it out. We ended up waiting it out and got him on the bed for the night next to me. I was up all night with him. He was not happy and let out a couple whimpers here and there. He also peed in the bed during the night. All night we were on the fence as to taking him to emergency.

Got up out of bed around 5 AM and took Bo to the couch. He was still not doing great so I called the vet when they opened at 7:30 AM. The doctors had surgery all morning but the vet said we could drop him off and leave him and they would look at him between surgeries. I was not about to drop him off and let him sit in a cage feeling the way he was. I gave him some breakfast which he ate right away. I figured this must be good. A little while later I got him outside to poop and pee. No blood or problems there either. Spend the early morning with him by my side. Around 9 AM he started looking a little better. I took him outside again and he pooped and peed again. Long story short, by noon he was doing much better. Took a long nap with him this afternoon. Since we got up from our nap he has been up to his normal puppy self. So the conclusion is Stella did not hurt him, he must have ate something he should not have. I have no clue what, but will keep an eye on him the next few days to figure it out. Bottom line, he is now better thankfully. Was a very scary night. I honestly thought Stella hurt his spine or something and the end result would be expensive and not good. Spent the night in tears wondering if it was his last day. Thankfully it did not turn out that way. It is close to 70 degrees today in Milwaukee. Not really enjoying it because I am still putting Bo as number one. Any outdoor projects will wait another day. Tomorrow it is suppose to be in the 70s all day. Tonight we will just stay home with the dogs and count our blessings.

March 29, 2010 Monday Morning

Not one thing on my schedule for this week. Not one thing.

Thursday afternoon I had a board meeting with ARCW. Was very informative and productive.

Friday after taking Bo to the vet for another booster puppy shot I did a little cleaning around the house in the morning, had lunch with the guys, and in the middle of the afternoon a friend came over for an hour or so to see the puppy and visit. Is always nice to spend time with her.

Saturday morning after taking Stella to the vet for another blood test Tony spend the day working on the bathroom. I spent the day working on the sun room outside replacing boards and such. Saturday night we went to the Pius XI High School performance at the Pabst Theater of Titanic - The Musical. WOW. It was one of the best plays I have seen in a long time. Most Broadway shows we see at the PAC are not as good. I even called the school today and left a message as well as an email telling the school what a great performance it was and to make sure the proper people hear or read my response. The show was truly amazing.

Sunday morning I made breakfast, gave Stella a bath and then Tony and I went to Home Depot to purchase some wood and things he needs for the bathroom construction. He spent the rest of the day working on the bathroom, I spend the day working on the sun room and watching the dogs. It was again nice enough outside to keep the doors open so the dogs could go out when they need to. Bo has been very good. He has not made a mistake in the house in days. Ordered Chinese food for dinner last night, will most likely have the left overs for dinner tonight.

Today I don't know what I will do. Might just do a little cleaning and lay low. No word from the owner where I work. Guess it is a done deal that working there is over. How shitty for her not to call or contact me. I am truly disgusted with the way this was all handled. Have to get busy or I will slowly start to get depressed about the situation. By Thursday it is suppose to get to 70 degrees here in Milwaukee. I am happy that the weather is getting warmer. I am not happy that because I have been working outside I have a terrible itchy rash around my neck and hair line. Have to address this with my doctor when I see him again the end of April. Guess I have to stay out of the sun or make sure I put sun screen on if I am in the sun at all.

March 24, 2010 Wednesday Morning

Monday I did not go to work and did not receive any contact from the owner. It really tore me down and put me into a deep depressed state for the day. I spent most of the day walking from front to back of the house or napping on the couch or bed. I just do not understand why contact with the owner stopped when I did nothing wrong a week ago. I guess she has chosen her side, her son's. It makes me wonder if her and I were truly the friends I thought we were. I thought we were more than just employer / employee. I thought we were also friends. Not contacting me has made me wonder why I went back to work for such a woman in the first place after what that company did to me the last time they fired me. Even an email saying Thank You for your past work but I no longer need you would have been fine. Not calling or emailing me for over a week, is just not professional at all. Monday night I went to an HIV dinner meeting. Got home and watched Dancing With The Stars and then went to bed.

Tuesday I got up, got Tony off to work and decided I would try to get through the day and get something accomplished. The side wall on the glass enclosure is rotting out to I started pulling the wall apart. Drove to Home Depot and bought the wood I needed for the project. Was working hard on it by 11 AM and managed to get a lot done during the course of the day. Of course this is all while making sure the Bo and Barkley were not trying to eat the rotten wood. Jeez. Every time I turned around they had a piece in their mouths. Tried locking them in the house but since I was outside they did not like that so it was easier just to keep an eye on them outside. Bo also loves chasing the birds. Worked hard all day on the replacing of the wall until about 4 PM. Made some left over pizza from Sunday night's dinner for supper along with a salad. Watched some TV and went to bed around 10 PM.

This morning I have to get going and get back to work on the wall before I start to slide down the pity me slope. Vito is not feeling good today and did not eat his breakfast. Hopefully it will pass. Still not sure if I should write one final letter to the owner expressing how disappointed I am in how this whole job thing ended. Not sure if it is worth the time and energy. Should I just turn in my keys and credit card and let it all go?

March 21, 2010 Sunday Night

Twenty one years ago to the date Tony and I met at a bar, both single, and started dating.

Friday afternoon we had lunch with the guys. Enjoyable as always. Came home and one of the guys we have lunch with came over to the house to see the puppy. He stayed for a little over an hour and soon the afternoon was over. Friday night I made soup and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches since neither of us was hungry from lunch.

Saturday I did a little of this and that while Tony worked on the tenants bathroom doing some caulking and replacing of the shower faucet washers. I then laid down at 2 PM and Tony woke me and the dogs around 4:30. I could not believe I took such a long nap. Had a cup of coffee and the both of us took showers because we had invitations to an invite only party at the Art Bar 6th Anniversary party. Free food and drink from 6:00 to 8:00. We made the most of it. I was with one of the owners prior to Tony for 5 1/2 years so I always feel important and Tony and I are always treated good. Got home a little before 10 PM and went to bed around 11 PM.

This morning after reading a little of the Sunday Newspaper we showered and drove to Tony's mom's house and took her out for breakfast. Since Easter is in two week we should do it today because we won't next week because Easter being the following. Stopped off at Menard's after dropping Tony's mom off at her house after breakfast. Bought a bunch of stuff on a list for projects around the house. Got home shortly after noon and worked on cleaning the pond pump and doing a little yard cleaning since in spite of the snow we got yesterday it was 50 degrees today and most of it melted. Tony and I went out for dinner at the restaurant we had our first dinner at 21 years ago. We go there often and the food is always good. Home early and will watch a little TV and go to bed. No email or call from the owner where I work so if I do not hear from her by tomorrow morning I will not be returning to work there. Made up my mind if she can not face what her son did and call me I don't want to work there or for her. Bottom line - right? Will let you know what happens.

March 19, 2010 Friday Morning

Feeling very depressed and not liking where I am at.

The weather here in Milwaukee has been getting better with spring approaching. It was in the 50s on Wednesday and the 60s yesterday. Of course this is Wisconsin and we are expecting snow tonight and parts of the weekend. By the end of next week it will be in the 50s again. Spend the last two days working around the house, mostly outside. Got the side and back yard looking good. The pond is all up and running, fish all survived the winter freeze. The puppy has been for the most part very good. He seems to make one mistake a day just to test me I think. Other than that with the warmer weather I put a dog door in the side door and the dogs can go out in the secured side yard any time they want when I am home. Bo loves to sit outside and try to catch the birds. Only problem so far is the fact I spend most of my day taking things out of his mouth that he finds in the yard to chew on. Bark chips, leaves and even rocks I am pulling out of his mouth all day. I have dog toys everywhere for him and all the dogs except Barkley take their turns playing with him. He still needs to be attended to all day. Went out for dinner last night with a long time friend of Tony's. Had a nice Mexican dinner at a new local restaurant.

Today I feel .............. sad. Guess that is the word. I hate these highs and lows. I know the lows come when I am bored and do not have a plan or purpose for the day. I try to push myself as much as possible during the day but still find myself needing a short nap in the afternoons. Tony is off to work, I have walked from front to back of the house many times, looked out the window, watched my rabbit eating bird seed under the front bushes, played with Bo, fed the dogs..........now I just feel 'sad'. My sister sent me 3 books called A Case for the Creator, A Case for Faith, and A Case for Christ. I read one full book yesterday and got about 3/4 through the other. She sent them to help me because of my struggles understanding God and religion. The second book I am reading, A Case for Faith, is very good. It is giving me answers to my questions. Still not sure if I can buy into it all. But I am open minded and love reading these books in hope that something sparks and I feel more comfortable with the thought of death. Another reason I am feeling sad or down is because I still have not heard any word from my employer about what took place with her son at work on Monday. I was hoping for a call from her. Not sure what I expect her to say, I know there are things I would like to hear such as that I am wanted and that her son was wrong calling me a whore and telling me he was going to kill me. I guess something said rather than nothing is what is making me mad and sad. I am seriously thinking of putting together the work I have, putting it in an envelope and sending it to her saying I am done and moving on. Of course thanking her for the last years side work and income. I do love her dearly and am very surprised she has not called me. We would usually have talked many times by this time in the week so it is hard to know what she might be thinking. I either have to just go into work on Monday and do what I always do or call and end to it all. I am so torn. On the one hand summer is here and I can enjoy the summer working around the house without having to go to work two days a week, enjoying the summer. On the other hand, mornings like this make me realize I need a purpose in life and being home 7 days a week is not good for the mind. I do enjoy getting out of the house those two days a week and feeling needed, but do I need the stress? So what do I do? Do I shoot myself in the foot letting go a job where I make my own hours a couple days a week making good money because of my pride and fear of her son? Or do I swallow it and continue as things were? For some reason I have developed a rash on my forehead right at the hair line. I am not sure if it is stress or the sun from being outside this week. I really wish someone would help me make this decision. Tony is no help since he tells me to just stay home. Maybe I should put an end to it and start doing some volunteer work instead. Guess I will have to make a decision by Monday. Any help or words of advice are appreciated.

March 16, 2010 Tuesday Night

Spent Saturday just doing things around the house while Tony went to work for half the day. Spent the afternoon watching TV and playing with the dogs.

Sunday Tony got working on the bathroom again so I did the grocery shopping and such. Spent the day as well close to home not doing a lot.

Monday I went to work to work my usual Monday 5 hours doing inventories and such. A short time after getting to work I approached the IT person about not being able to access files I need and that I have not been able to for a while. My user name and passwords were not working. He was his usual 'helpful' self. After the third time going to his office with no help I let him know I would talk to the owner about the problem. I guess he did not like this response because a short time later he blocked me in the hallway and went off on me. He was like a mad man. Called me a whore and kept chest butting me trying to pick a fight. I was having non of it and he was not liking that at all. It ended up him telling me he was going to 'kill me'. He said it several times. Said many other hurtful things also besides calling me a whore. He stated I was not welcome here and should have never returned to the company. He is the owners son, unfortunately. I kept my cool. The entire building of other employees heard all he said at the top of his lungs and saw how he was trying to pick a fight with me. I was visibly shaken. Told the other owner of the situation, finished my counting and got the heck out of there. Did a little work at home before emailing the owner and HR manager about what had happened. Since there are cameras everywhere they can easily see the entire event if they look on the DVR. Spent the night rethinking the fact of working for this company. Spent a very restless night thinking very hard about if it is all worth it.

This morning I got up and said 'it is not'. I emailed the owner and HR person and told them I would not be returning until I heard from someone as to how yesterdays situation was handled. I will not go to work in fear for my life. The owners son is nuts and a loose cannon. As of now I still have not heard a word from anyone which really pisses me off. If I do not hear from someone by next week I will turn in my keys and not return. Went to the DMV this morning to update my drivers license. Tony went with me. Took a short nap this afternoon and now I am up watching Judge Judy waiting to make dinner.

March 12, 2010 Friday Afternoon

Wednesday I worked around the house and outside a little in the yard. It was close to 50 degrees in Milwaukee today. Wednesday night I made chicken and rice with a nice salad for dinner. Woke up around 2:30 AM Thursday morning with that sick stomach feeling. Ended up throwing up a lot. Seemed to never end. Went back to bed for a while until I was up again at 4 AM this time not only throwing up but with the runs. The runs is an understatement. At times I didn't know which end it was going to come out. Was not a pleasant experience at all. Tried to go back to bed but by this time the dogs were up and I felt like crap. Tony left for work and I spent most of Thursday going from the couch to the bed and napping. Said to myself if this throwing up continues one more night I will have to call the doctor. Went to bed early Thursday night and had a good night sleep.

Woke up today feeling really good. Guess it was something I ate? My chicken dinner? Tony didn't get sick. Hmm. Just glad I feel so good today and made it through a night without throwing up again. Got up early today and was doing things around the house by 7 AM. Tony left shortly there after to go to work. Spent the morning outside cleaning up the side yard and working on the pond. Got the Otter shooting water into the pond. Ready to go pick Tony up to go have lunch with the guys. Then I will most likely spend the afternoon watching TV or napping since the rain is moving in soon. Glad I got as much as I did done this morning outside prior to the rain arriving. My back and chest hurt but that is most likely from the throwing up non stop the day and night before. Other than that. I feel good today.

March 9, 2010 Tuesday Night

Saturday night we did not go out for dinner. Tony and I took a nap and when we got up my stomach did not feel good. Within time I was throwing up. The phone rang a little while later and one of the people we were to have dinner with was sick also. So we said we would do it another time. Made some soup and sandwiches for dinner and went to bed around 10 PM.

Sunday was Tony's 49th Birthday. Happy Birthday Tony. We got up and drove to Tony's mom's house and took her out for breakfast. Dropped her off after breakfast and came home for a while before going to the American Kennel Club Dog Show at State Fair Park. Spent about 2 hours walking around watching the dogs. Came home and after watching TV for a while I took Tony out for a Birthday dinner at a local Italian Restaurant. Got home and spent the night watching the Oscars. In bed and lights our by 10 PM.

Monday I went to work and worked my usual 5 or so hours. Got home and after doing a little work on the computer I took an hour nap. My sinus's are killing me. Went to bed around 9 PM.

This morning I was up at 4:30 AM throwing up again. This is happening way to often and I will have to address this with my doctor when I go in next the end of April. I really hope it is just a spell of stomach acid and in time it will get better. Switching meds is a scary thought. Tried to go back to bed after the morning throw up but the puppy was up and wanted to play. Tony got up and I stayed in bed. By the time Bo brought me the fifth shoe I said 'this is enough' and just got up. Pushed myself to go in for a couple hours work. Feel like crap today. My face hurts so much. I have taken every sinus pill I have with no relief. I just got off an anti biotic a week ago so I am really not a happy guy right now. I am hoping it is the fog and the damp Milwaukee weather. Took a couple hour nap hoping I would wake up feeling better. No such luck. Making some dinner right now. Will watch a little TV and go to bed early. I have to start feeling better. This is scarring me. I attached a video of Stella and Bo playing. Stella is so good with him. She could do so much damage and is so careful with him. Enjoy.

March 6, 2010 Saturday Morning

It has been quite a busy week around here. The good news is Jacque Pierre Beaumont IV, otherwise known as Bo, has been surprisingly good. Since last Sunday he has only made about 4 mistakes in the house. I consider that very good for a dog that never was even taught to pee or poop outside before he came here about a week and a half ago. The last two times I caught him 'in the act', the minute he heard my stern voice you could tell he knew he was a bad boy. Both times I put his nose in it, gave him a tiny little pat on the butt, and took him outside where he finished his peeing. Then I make a big deal out of it and give him a small treat. He has really been a good boy. Took him yesterday for his first vet visit. He got his first puppy shot and check up. He was very good and laid in my arms most of the appointment.

I worked Monday and Tuesday about 4 hours each day. Wednesday morning I had a dental appointment to have a tooth drilled and filled. I HATE the dentist. I sweat like a pig as I squeeze the hand rails on the chair as the dentist injects my gums. It is horrible. As a kid I would just let the dentist drill and fill without shots I hated the needles that much. I am older and wiser now and take the five minutes of shot pain so I don't have the hour of drilling pain. Dentist said she had to drill pretty far down being so big and told me to take some Advil or pain meds when I got home. I still was not feeling much pain so I laid down on the bed with the dogs and took a nap. Boy was I sorry I didn't take something for the pain because when I woke up I felt like someone had my tooth by a pliers. Took a bunch of pain meds and was better a little while later. Spent Wednesday night at home watching TV.

Thursday I went into work for a few hours to do a supply inventory and clean the owners office. Was home by 1 PM and spent the afternoon ordering product and updating spreadsheets on the computer. Spent the rest of the day cleaning and watching the puppy.

Friday morning was 'Bo's' first vet appointment. As I said above he was very good. Came home and did a little around the house before going to pick Tony up and have lunch with the guys. Tony had to buy lunch since this Sunday, March 7th, is his Birthday. The Birthday boy has to buy lunch that week. Had a great lunch and came home. Took a couple hour nap before getting up and doing some shoveling of ice and snow off the deck so the sun can melt what is left. It is going to be in the low 40s this weekend. We still have a lot of snow on the ground here in Milwaukee. Last night we went to a fund raiser at a bar called Bucket Head here in Milwaukee. It was for the Brew City Bully Club which we are members of. It's goal is to stop dog fighting and bring awareness to Pit Bull dogs being good dogs. Had a great time. A band called Left On Sunset was playing all night and they were great. Had a couple drinks and we were home by a little after 10 PM. The fundraiser was a great success. A great turn out for the event.

Today we both got up early. Not sure why since we have no plans until dinner.

March 2, 2010 Tuesday Afternoon - In Defense of Tony

I could not let the comment by Sammy go by without addressing it.
I would hate to loose Sammy or anyone who takes the time to follow my blog. I appreciate all comments made to all my posts. In this case I have to respond. Sammy, Tony may not be the best husband, but he is not the worst either. We have been together for 21 years this month. We have some good times as well as some bad times. I have to ask myself the question: Would I be better off with him or without him? The answer is simple. I am much better with him. You have to remember you are reading MY side of the story. I am sure he would have a very different point of view on many things I discuss in this blog. I am not the easiest person in the world to live with either. I am demanding, possessive, like to get my way, and have HIV to name a few faults of my own. He has never pushed the subject regarding how I got HIV. I think that is a big plus in itself since I can not say I would be able to do the same if the tables were reversed. He has stood by me during the worst point in my life a year ago. He continues to stand by me and support decisions I make. I will be the first to admit I am not the easiest to live with. I am not with him for financial reasons. It helps having a man who pays his part and then some of the bills, but if I had to do it on my own, I could. He might not be romantic, sympathetic, helpful around the house and many other things, but he is supportive when needed, helpful in many other areas. I am not defending what was said on Saturday night by him. I have said hurtful things in the past also I am sure. Did I really mean them? NO. Would I take them back if I could? YES. So with that said, please do not think Tony is not a good man. WHEN IT COUNTS, HE IS!

March 1, 2010 Monday Night

Saturday Tony took Stella to the vet for another blood test, then spent the day working on the bathroom. I spent the day cleaning and keeping an eye on the puppy. He was pretty good all day. I think he made one poop mistake and about 3 pee mistakes for the day. Each time I caught him in the act and let him know he was a bad dog and took him outside. Saturday night we had a party to go to so we put him in his crate and hoped for the best. He was fine when we got home after 11 PM. Had a good time at the party. I had three drinks. Tony had about 5 and I knew by the time we left it was time to get him home. He can be a mean drunk and was. Got home and after I did EVERYTHING I let him know that it was not fair for him to walk in the house after a party or night out and just take care of himself and his own needs while I take care of the dogs, get us a water, turn on the TV and everything else. Well, he got mean, told me he hates me and that he hopes every night when he goes to bed that he does not wake up in the morning so he doesn't have to spend another day with me. What a nice thing to be told hey? I let him say what he wanted, I walked away and took the dogs to bed with me. About an hour later he came to bed. I was not happy. About 2:30 AM I woke up pucking my guts out. I just can not drink anymore on the meds I take. Guess three drinks is too many.

Sunday we were both up around 7 AM due to the puppy. Not much was said between Tony and I all morning. About 10:30 AM I told him I had to call the girl who might want the puppy and it was his last chance to tell me what he wanted to do. I laid out my case, pro and cons. He said nothing. About 11:30 I asked him again and told him it was not fair not to say anything. He simply said 'I wouldn't have brought the puppy home if I didn't want him. You always do what your want so your going to do what you want this time also'. I sat there silent. OK. So now I am the bad guy. A little while later he was sleeping on the couch. I called the girl who wanted him and told her we had changed our minds. I guess I wasn't going to win this one giving the dog away. I was happy to hear the girl say she had decided not to get the dog anyway. Of course I did not tell Tony this. Let him think I did this for him. I had made the decision to do it for him anyway prior to the girl saying she didn't want him. Spent the day watching the puppy and TV and just doing a little paperwork. Went to bed around 10 PM Sunday night. The puppy in my arms. For the record his name is Jacque Pierre Beaumont The 4th. Yup Tony named him. Guess he had a dog like this one named the same when he was a kid. So we will call him Beau (Bo) for short. He is a very smart dog and catching on quick. I will have to post some more pictures and a video of him playing with Vito and Stella. Vito and him are best friends already. Stella (our pitbull) is so careful when she plays with him. Stella always pleasantly surprises me daily being a pitbull and being such a good dog. I am so glad I saved Stella. She would have been put down if we didn't save her 4 1/2 years ago.

Monday I got up around 6 AM and spent until I went to work at 9 AM watching the dog making sure he was not leaving any messes in the house. Tony came home at lunch to let them all out. Had Tony take a stool sample to the vet this morning to make sure Beau doesn't have worms and give it to the other four dogs. I got home around 3 PM from work. The vet called shortly after to say no worms and that Stella's blood count from Saturday was still good/normal. Spent the afternoon working at home for work on the computer transferring the count/inventory numbers to a spreadsheet to send the owner. Then I had an HIV meeting from 6 PM to 7:30 PM. It is getting close to 10 PM and I am ready for bed. Have to work a few hours tomorrow. Wednesday I have a dental appointment to drill and fill a tooth, YUCK.