SHHH...IT'S MY BIRTHDAY

As anyone with any common sense would do,  I took off work today.  Well, I took off the morning at least, I mean it is my birthday after all.  Really I HAD to take the time off.  Canyon decided his gift to me would be that he would get his scope on my birthday. (You know about this from past blogs)  Saddly, I did not have my camera with me at the hospital.  I did have my play-skool phone with me though, so we will have to suffer through these somewhat blurry photos together.
Upon arriving at the hospital parking ramp we immediatly got confused trying to get into the hospital.  We needed the second floor skywalk, which seems simple enough.  Well the ramp skywalk is on the second story but the stairway is marked '1'.  We went up a floor and when we looked out the window we realized there is only one skywalk.  It's on the floor marked '1'.   So like tourists, we wandered back down and went across to the hospital.  Once in the hospital we found the stairs and went up a floor, but for some reason (no one there could explain it) there was no handle on the door to get out of the stairway.  So like tourists again we went back down, only there was no handle on that door either.  We were trapped in the stairway.  Robyn saw a man in the hallway through the window and knocked to get his attention.  He freed us, held my hand and took us to the elevator.  He explained what floor we needed and gave us directions.  I felt a little simple, but that's not new for me.  We reached our destination at last.  We said a little prayer for Canyon and started our wait.
Of course Canyon had to go through with the drinking of the "poop lube" the day before his hospital adventure and that was interesting but what was much worse on him was the not eating.  And worse yet was nothing to drink after midnight.  By his 10:00 appointment (which was really at about 10:20) he had a wicked thirst going on.  He said his tongue was so dry it was sticking to his lip.  Robyn wanted to show a non-parched tongue for comparison purposes.  I'll let them show you..

Two dorks in a waiting room

When they finally took us back to Canyon's.. um..  get ready room I knew it was going to be a long day. Somehow, Robyn found a way to tell the nurse that it was my 50th birthday.  They asked if I wanted a birthday scope, but I politely declined (for now anyway, my time is coming).  The nurse offered me a consolation birthday gift, which I accepted.

No one else thought of this gift

The nurse told Canyon to disrobe and put on his gown and what-not.  (I think a what-not is what you tie the gown shut with) Here is a picture of Canyon trying to figure out what the little hole in his gown is for, he noticed it is right over his nipple.

Too sexy, huh girls?

When they brought in his IV bag, I told him I was pretty sure they were going to use that hole to hook him up.

What the heck is 'Lactated Ringers'?

That is when the anistesiologist..anestetisiologist...gas passer came in.  It was the guy that rescued us from the stairway.  I was going to ask him if he would draw me a map so I could get back to the car, but he was way too busy.  He explained the procedure and told Canyon he would give him some laughing gas before they put in the IV.  Then they sent us to the waiting room and took Canyon away.

While Canyon is getting his scope, let me take this moment to let you know about the mystery game we have been playing on my blog.  I have given you a couple pictures of an object we are working on at Speck and have been letting you guess what it is.(it's not a bowling ball)  Bad news, the client that wanted it has changed her mind.  She will pay for the time and material so far used, but she wants us to make something different.  So the game is over and here is a picture and explaination of what it was.

we may finish it for the showroom

It is a giant concrete sprayed vase with a glass mosaic overlay.  She has a mirrored alcove just inside her door where this would have been epoxied in place.  To bad, it would have been sweet.  Her next idea may be pretty cool too, I'll keep you posted.

Back to the scope story.  The doctor came into the waiting room within an hour and told us Canyon was in recovery.  The good news is Canyon has no issues inside.  As a matter of fact, the doc said it was the 'cleanest' scope he had ever seen.  If you have a weak stomach, skip this next photo..

From the top, and from the bottom.  No problem.

The bad news is, they still have no answers for his bleeding.  They have some nuclear x-ray they want to try next week.  Let's pray for some answers then.  

Next a nurse came in and told us we could see Canyon.  He told us that when they gave him the laughing gas, all their voices started sounding funny.  He said the last thing he remembered was trying to raise his eyebrows up and down (he didn't tell me why he was trying to do this, I'm sure it is from his mother's side of the family).  I took a video with my phone of his recovery.  It has sound on my phone but I can't hear it when I play it here.  I hope it works for you.

Isn't that hilarious?  Ha ha  dang my eyes are watering.  Ha ha ha..  what?  heh heh.. what? It didn't work?  What do you mean it didn't work?  Dang it!   Crappy phone video!  Oh well, trust me, it was a laugh riot.

After his recovery, we found our way out to the ramp and headed for home.  I dropped those two off and headed for work.  I wanted to show you a neat table we installed in a local resturant/pub called Saint's.

A place for everyone

They liked it so much, they bought us lunch.

A saint's burger and sweet potato fries. Yum.

Here is another project we are just completing.  It is for WHO radio.  Bob Quinn is the host of a program called 'the Big Show'.  He wanted a portable table for brodcasting from different locations.  I think he will love this.

Glass and stainless inlays ready to be poured

poured, processed and polished and ready for sealer

We do some really different projects for a real diverse crowd.  Where else could I do something so cool?

After work I headed out to a side job.  I'm going to do some unique things for this couple as well.  We discussed different ideas for an hour or so and how to procede and then I headed home just in time for Idol.  My favorites made it through but a really good singer was sent packing.  I guess at this stage a good singer goes home each week.  That about wraps up this birthday.  It's gonna be tough to top this one, we will see what happens next year.  Robyn and I have an anniversary coming up, maybe I will get scoped for our 21st.
Speaking of good singers, you have to check out this link, and watch it until the end, it made my eyes tear up.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLLMzr3PFgk

WOW!!


Peace

Dan

THE NEXT DAY AND EASTER TOO

Saturday.  The morning after what shall be forever called 'Blue Friday'.  I woke at 7:30.  The true warriors rise early,... then go right back to bed because, really, there was no reason to get up that early.  But while I was taking my early morning nap others were stirring.  Robyn was on the couch having a cup of coffee when mom came up and sat down.  Mom said "Did we have fun last night, or what?"
It turns out she was really asking a question because after a moments silence she continued, "Because my arm is sore and I don't remember coming home last night."  Robyn busted out laughing and told her how she got in the mosh pit and slam danced with a table full of drinks, and how getting her in a car to come home was harder than getting a boy to brush his teeth.
But she wasn't the only one feeling it.  We were all tired.  But I had things to do.  I needed to run to the bank before they closed and I wanted to stop by the shop and check on the kitchen pieces we poured Friday.  I also know mom and dad like to bargin hunt at the Goodwill so I asked if they wanted to come with me and make a stop at the new Goodwill out here in Waukee. (It was much easier to get mom in the car this time)  So we went to the bank first and then headed to my shop.  As we were pulling up dad asked if we had a restroom because 'doody' called.  Much to my horror, I realized I left my shop key at home.  So I called Debbie and told her we needed to make a pit stop at her house because it was closest.
This picture will tell you what happened next.

Tuff way to treat a hangover

Now, I consider myself one of the primere unpluggers in the tri-state area.  From past blogs you know I have had plenty of experience.   Mom tried, Debbie tried and I tried but this was one tough clog.  I asked my dad if he was by chance missing his wallet.  I don't know what could cause this blockage.  It happened that my brother David came by to pick up some furniture to haul back to Sioux City.  I want to tell you that if you are squimmish you may want to skip this part, but when he gave it a shot, he held nothing back.  I thought he would break the toilet bowl in half.  He was a blur of frenzied activity.  Water was flying everywhere, I think it hit the ceiling.  And all this to no avail.  I told Debbie she would have to call a plumber, preferably one with a mop.

So we all washed our hands and loaded the furniture and went to my house to pick up Robyn.  She texted she was hungry, and so were we.  

Robyn suggested a chinese buffet and we all agreed.  It all looked so good, of course I ate too much.

Thats alot of grease

When I say it all looked good, I should clarify and say that dosen't include this.. YUK!

Dad didn't care, he ate it anyway

After lunch, David said he had to get heading back to Sioux City, but he wanted to visit our nephew Deano before he left.  We found out that he was at a public indoor pool with his kids and his cousin, so we stopped by to say hi.  In this picture try to figure out which one was out all night.

Where's the caffine?

After a short visit David said he had to get going and the rest of us made plans to get together at deano's and play card that night.  Mom, Robyn and I went up to the Goodwill while dad took a little snooze on the couch.  The girls found some outfits for a babyshower that is coming up.  It happens to be David's daughter who is having a baby.  We will be going to Sioux City in a couple weeks and I can't wait to blog about that adventure.

We sat down to play some cards when I got a call from my sister Debbie who was on her way to work.

Canyon, give me back my beer.

She told me she found a plumbing snake and wanted to know if I would give it one more try before she had to call a plumber (Dad did offer to cover the cost, but I don't know how with his wallet in the toilet) So I had to throw the game and go over to her house and pretend to be a plumber.

I carefully tried the snake in the stool.  I didn't want to scrach the porcelin.  I removed the snake and tried the plunger one more time.

When I got back to Deano's I found out that my protegee was kickin booty and raking in looty.

Good job, mini-me

After a couple more games it was time to go home.  Everyone was coming to church in the morning and having Easter dinner at our house right after service.  I knew we left just in time when I looked in the back seat..

She won't remember going home, again.

I didn't sleep well (my back was still hurting me) So I got up around 5:30 and Blogged about 'Blue Friday'.  Then, about 7:30 I took care of business.  Here, see for yourself..

Then I washed my hands and we got ready for church.  It was a great day.  The church was packed, the music was great, and the message was perfect.  Here is a blurry picture of our family at church.  It meant the world to me that so many came.

We took a whole row.  Awesome!

They talked about the hope that we have because of Christ's resurrection.  The fact that He never fails to deliver on His promises to us.  The fact that He does what He says he will do.  He said He would be killed but that He would rise on the third day, and he did.  He proved himself alive to more than 500 people before His ascension into heaven.  That alone proves He was who He claimed to be, and there-in lies our hope.  He IS the way.

After church we headed home for the big Easter egg hunt, and dinner.  Here's the hunt..

Then some of the kids found Canyon's old fort and thought that would be a great place to sneak away and chow down on all their candy.

BUSTED!

Mike was busted too.  Must have been sour.

Then the real food was set out.  First was delicious appetizers.

Note the traditional Easter pineapple, Robyn is 1/67th Hawaiian

Then the main course.  Fall off the bone ham, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, scalloped potatoes, baked beans, jello, cranberries, and of course deviled eggs.  Surprisingly, we had the perfect amount of deviled eggs.  After some discussion we decided that was because my brother Steve couldn't reach our plates from Florida.  (We missed you, Steve)  I will let this next series of pictures speak for themselves.

There's always room for jello

Just this much more, please

Plenty for everyone

Protecting his eggs, It's a habit

Good food, good friends, good seats

Don't take the pictu...oh..that'll be on facebook

Simon sez.. Eat

exiled to the outdoors, .. and loving it

But here just may be the real Easter ham, you decide....

See no evil...

Hear no evil..

Speak no evil.

Happy Easter.

Peace

Dan

BLUE MOON

It was Friday morning and my back was telling me to take the day off.  I decided that the pain I was suffering was not a Kidney stone because it would come and go (I heard it would be constant with a stone) so I think I may have a cracked rib or a rib out of place.  I am not sure if it happened when we moved furniture or when Canyon tackled me after I smoked him in a game of battleship.  Either way, my back didn't want to go to work.  But I am such a company man that I went in anyway.  We had a kitchen that had to be poured today.  Here is a series of pics that show the process..

forms are ready

special limestone requested by client

Jeremy wishing I would put the camera down and help him

watching it dry

We had the kitchen poured by 10:30 and this company man decided to call it a day and go home.  Not just because I was in pain, but I had family coming in and needed to prepare for a quiet evening out to celebrate my birthday.  The guys at the shop called me at 4:30 to tell me they flipped the kitchen on to carts.

Ready to be polished

We opted to go to a place called Blue Moon for dinner and drinks.  Robyn and I have been there before and like the atmosphere.  It was not until later that I remembered they make people celebrating birthdays go onstage and do embarasing things there (kinda like when all the employees in a resturant sing happy birthday in some wierd tune) but the reservations had already been made.  We were greeted by a couple friends and family.

Robyn's BFF Roxy

Nieces Sarah and Shonna

The instigator, behind Roxy (more on that later)

Man of the hour

Debbie trying to focus on the focus button

All was going smoothly, we had some food, a beer or two and some great conversation.  Some of my friends I hadn't seen inquite a while.  It was great talking about old times (that's what old people do) and my back was doing ok.  I didn't have to move around much, just bend my elbow occasionally..

No, it's just pop.  Really.

Now this next part of the story I have no proof of, but I know these people and I'm pretty sure these are the facts.  The Instigator sent over a Blue Moon signature drink and that was the beginning of the end.

Someone show me how to work this thing

The fishbowl sized drink came with enough straws for everybody (mine is the one with the earwax) and it was like a green flag at Daytona. We were off and racing.

Ladies first

This is how you do it

Two straws at once.  Show-off

These drinks kept showing up.  Sometimes two at a time.  I'm not sure how many were brought to our tables but I'm pretty sure the place was running low on straws.

The instigator gets involved

Dragging my neices down with the ship

Robyn teaching her little brother how to do it

for mom, this was a bad idea

I'm almost certain this next image was the last thing several people remember seeing..

what color was my straw? 

Then the piano guys took the stage and of course I was asked to join them, as well as Bill, another birthday boy.  There was an attempt at a dance competition but I had to surrender to Bill because my back would not allow me to do my signature one handed handstand and upsidedown river dance move.

But that didn't stop everyone else from busting a move..

Robyn does a jig with the piano man

just like American Bandstand (ask an old person)

Mom gets jiggy with it

Our waiter (Will) must have been in training.  He forgot orders, forgot to come back to the table and at times I think he forgot he was working.  My brother wanted the cute little waitress to serve our table.  He asked me to take a picture of her so here it is...

what color paint is that?

My mom requested Wipeout but was in the bathroom when they played it.  Several Blue Moons later she wanted to hear it again.  Well they don't take requests with out proper compensation so I passed the hat and we raised $60.  I took the request up and the piano man thought it was a hundred bucks (they drink Blue Moons too) and here is a video, but it was too dark so it is really just an audio but you can tell we were having a blast..

After a few more Blue Moons the party was winding down so mom took one more spin on the dance floor..

she saved the last dance for dad

I think my mom will shy away from blue mystery drinks in the future.  She lost her balance on the dance floor and cleared a table for Will (he wasn't doing anything any way) so I told her it was time to go home.  She really didn't want to leave.  If you have ever tried to put a cat in a bathtub full of water you can relate to what I went through trying to get her in the car.  Some people decided to go to the casino but after getting home, I thought better of it and called it a night.  

The story on Saturday was rather entertaining too, but I will keep that for the next blog.

Peace

Dan