More Changes

Good Morning,

As I listen to the banging of the workers putting a roof on my patio and look out at the bright sunlight and the 50+ temps today I am thinking how lucky I am to be living in New Mexico.

I am also lucky because this morning as I was getting ready to hook my belt - I noticed that the end I was holding seemed longer - it just automatically moved to the 4th hole - this is a belt that 5 months ago I couldn't get to hook at all.

My nurses today decided officially that the machine is gone. I am going to do the dressings myself most days and see the nurses only 2 times a week - huge step forward.

The Maids came and cleaned my house so my sister wont need any shots to stay here and she and I are going to spend a week shopping for art - there are times when life can suck - this isn't one of them.

Going out to dinner tonight with Hans - ok ok - so I have leaked his name.

Spoke to a psychic last night who told me I was going to have an amazing year. I would meet "him", make an investment that would change my life, travel a lot, and find myself in better health each day. Of course we trust every word he said.

Be well my friends - and look forward to a celebration party sometime soon.

Always - Chuck

Art, travel and things

Good Morning,

Been a while since I have been here - but its been a busy week. This week I acted more like a normal person that I have in months. I worked, cleaned house, made travel arrangements, began work on the patio cover and enjoyed the warm weather.

The art you see in the pictures is the art JC and Mary helped me hang when they were here a few weeks ago. This installation is quite large and Ilove it.

They just returned from a mission trip to Panama and are trying to sell the house in Nebraska to move here to Abq. to retire. It will be fun having them close. Anyone want to buy a house in Nebraska - I think I can get you a good price.

These are from my sister and are amazingly detailed hand made clay from Mexico - the color in person is so intense - they are very beautiful.

I have now been without the machine for over a week - I have decided not to name it now - just say goodbye and forget about it. But thank you all who suggested names.

My sister arrives on Sunday and we are making an art buying trip to Scottsdale - and Sedona - AND here in town - we are good shoppers - thank God - we only have 4 days.

I am feeling great - on Tuesday I had a board meeting - and of course board meetings are always a trial - but that made it a full day and I was very tired - but it felt good to be back in the work mode. This will not - i repeat NOT disuade me from trying to retire by 2009.

Blessings to you all - Chuck (ps - spell check is still not working - so Michael - no emails telling me how to spell - i just cant - never have)

Separation Anxiety - NOT

Well it seems as if the machine is gone. The wound looks better when the machine has been off so I belive tomorrow the decision will be made to send it back to the hospital - and I will do that with a ceremony that will rival Michale's Ordination.

Another special event happened this week - you all know sweatpants - the drawstring and such - they fit everyone - well not me - with my old sweatpants I cannot pull the drawstring any tight enough to keep them on me - which is a problem worth celebrating.

Went to a home and garden show yesterday - walked the entire convention center with only once needing to sit down - one more milestone.

Life is good.

Hugs - Chuck

Still Attached

Good Morning - and it is a wonderful morning here in NM - it is going to be 60 today - I was just outside and it is beautiful already.

The news on the machine is that Ihave 6-10 more days on it - and then it comes off. The nurses all got together and came to the conclusion that they wanted to err on the side of caution - ok ok - but after 10 days I can be a real snotty queen - so be prepared.

How funny that there is more interest in the date I had than when the machine comes off - LOL - I love my friends and family. The date was great - he is probably not Mr. Right as he is WAY to young for that - but he certainly qualifies for Mr. Rightnow - nice guy - an IT person - so we had different skills in life that is clear - but he is going to help my buy a new computer. We are going out again - so - that is all you are going to get to know for now.

I am working like mad to get my back yard ready for living in this summer - people are hear daily to give me quotes on things - and it is kind of exciting.

Got a haircut this morning - Jill and I decided to cut it very very short - to cover up the hair loss - and I think it worked. What do you think?

Well - that is all the news that is fit to print today - be well all - and be thrilled that spring is on the way.

Chuck

Cross your fingers

Good Morning,

It is to be nearly 60 drgrees today and tomorrow here in NM - yea! A day for a walk outside.

I have a nurse that believes it is time to remove the machine for good - It has been missing for the past 4 days to allow the skin around the dressing to heal - but at least one nurse believes it is shallow enough to lose the machine - so I am asking you all to send out good vibes as they call the Dr. and ask him - it is his final decision - and I dont see him again until the middle of March.

Other good news actually includes my haveing been on a date - yikes - yes, I said date - and it was very nice. Film at 11.

Turbo Tax did it again and I am getting a ton back from the US and even some from NM -

I am in the midst of pricing out patio shade covers - e gods - I am in the wrong business.

The next big excitment is my sister is coming to visit in 12 days - and I cannot wait. It will be fun to play host to her again - this time she will be able to walk - so look out Sante Fe and the art gallaries - here we come.

Well - that is today's update - much love - Chuck

A Day of Comparison

I believe if you look real close you might see a difference - it felt good to publish these in comparison.

Have a wonderful day - Chuck

Here it is - THE MACHINE

So many of you have asked what this machine looks like and what it does - so here is a picture of the machine - it is connected to the wound highest up on my chest by 6 foot long clear tubing. And to be as polite as possible - it sucks fluids out of the wound - the wound is filled with a sterile sponge that helps the tissue granulate so that the wound will close. Enough said - lol - cause it aint pretty.

Just got back from voting - and what an ordeal - the lady at the table told me that then doubled their expectations for a turnout and the reality is they were getting about twice that estimate - she said she has never seen so many democrats in one place in her life - lol.

Anyway - tomorrow there will be full body pictures - compared with the "off to the hospital" picture - so stay tuned.

Love - Chuck

I was breathless

Friends,

I have just returned from one of the most electric evenings of my life.It was a long night but worth every bit of it. I went to see Hillary in person. I had to park about 3 blocks away - and walked it - both ways - I took my cane and of course the soon to be named machine - but I made it.

Hil was late but what politician isn't - so the wait was very long. I spoke to a woman who had been in line since 2 in the afternoon - they didn't open the doors until 7 PM. I just walked around everyone with my cane and the maching hanging off my shoulder and no one said a thing.

I did find a very helpful aspect to the machine - I found a Hillary Staff member and he was very cute - and with big sad eyes, my cane and the machine - asked him if there wasn't some way to get a chair to sit on - it was in a HS gym - bleachers were certainly invented by the Nazis - he introduced himself - Andrew - and said "come with me". The night was certainly looking up. He took me to a section for press only - it was elevated and I could see the stage very well - he got me a chair and stopped back twice to make sure I was ok.

Henry Cisneros was the first speaker - and he was wonderful - then he introduced Delores Huerto - the co-founder of the United Farm Workers Union - just to be in the presence of someone who changed the face of America was quite special for me. She then introduced out Lt. Gov. and she in turn introduced Chelsy and Hillary.

The evening sent chills up and down my spine. I was enthralled - and convinced - it was a very special night.

Now since I admit to an addiction - that of internet video games - and I found BINGO last night and spent till 3 am playing - I am off to bed.

Thank you all for being in my life - keep the suggestions for names coming in - and I will write again soon. Tomorrow - I will add pictures of the machine - just to end any curiousness.

Love - Chuck