Second Place!

We won second place in this year’s Christmas decorating contest!

So Much! Updated with some pics!

Wow....it’s been awhile....

SO much I have to write about...so much has happened since I last wrote...I don’t even know where to start!

I’m feeling so happy and blessed to have all three kids here for Christmas...Callie flew in from San Francisco a couple days ago, and I’ve already got her hooked on The Good Doctor.

When she got here after her red eye flight, she curled up on the downstairs couch with Aidan, and they fell asleep...

 And today we learned and played a new song together…her on the electric guitar and me in the acoustics—Can’t Help Falling in Love, the Hailey Reinhart version. We sound pretty good together, I must say...I’ll put up a video next time we attempt it. 

Oh! I finally got my first Fortnite win!

The house is decorated inside and out, and the presents are wrapped and under the tree=I’m ahead of schedule this year, for once.  The upstairs tree has an annoying flickering lightbulb though, and I need to change it but keep forgetting. Lol. 

Here’s a pic right after I put the ornaments on...Zuri, being the wisecracker she is, thought she was the “present,” instead of just a tolerable nuisance. Lol.

Healthwise, its been a pretty rough last few weeks, but I have a very good neurologist now that will help out the mess I’ve made of my C-spine over the last couple decades of what he calls “thrill seeking.” That’s what I call surfing, racing, jet skiing, and all the other competitive sports I’ve done all my life. AND I’ve finally got to be tested (after several years of “forgetting” for that Pheochromacytoma. I’ll start that test on Tuesday and will hopefully have results by next weekend. 

Here’s my report from the MRI I had over a year ago...my neurologist said he’d bet the MRI I get next week will look significantly worse. 

But the coolest part about my neurologist is that he has a daughter with autism and she actually had a painting chosen by the UN for an autism awareness postage stamp. It’s called “Crazy Love,” and when he realized I have Aspergers, he was very interested in how I adapted to challenges in communication and social skills in life. He’s authored 15 books on ADHD, and he told me about some of his theories and ways he’s come up with to cope with challenges. Right off the bat, out of the blue, he asked what my IQ was. I sat there for a second, wondering what he thinking, but I told him, and he said that I’ve clearly used my “brilliance” to adapt. I laughed and said my “brilliance” is really just watching others and imitating social norms. He said that it was still brilliance, because many with the lower functioning autism having quite mastered it.

I told him I was nowhere near mastering it. I couldn’t even maintain eye contact with him. 

Then he said I was the “most adorable sweet pea,” and it wasn’t in a sexual or flirty way, but like a fatherly way. 

I LOVE this doctor. He UNDERSTOOD me. He GOT me, and he made me feel good about having autism. And not only that, after his exam, he knew exactly where the problem is stemming from—my neck—and is already taking steps to help before even having the results of the MRIs. I had an EMG, which is a nerve conduction study, today. He discovered there is clearly some nerve involvement which makes one side weaker than the other. So, he prescribed a couple of medicines, and I’ll start occupational therapy next week, too. 

AND, he asked me to become a part of a foundation he’s involved in — to be a mentor to others with autism, and other developmental disabilities. But the STARability Foundation doesn’t focus on disabilities, it focuses on abilities, which every single person has in one way or another. We focus on strengths, not weaknesses. Anyway, I contacted the lady he told me to contact, and we are meeting next week. I’m SO excited about this—it’s been a passion and a dream for so long, and now there are so many things in the works to make it a dream come true. I’m BEYOND excited. I’m so glad I didn’t listen to my inner voice that wanted to skip this morning’s appointment!

Okay, so other things....It looks like Joe is going to PRINCETON! And he also won a big trophy today in a math competition. And last weekend, his team won their Model UN competition and he got Outstanding Delagate, an award he has been seeking for a couple years now. I’m BEYOND proud!

Aidan is doing great in her job, working hard six days a week, and quickly making the right kind of friends. Her boyfriend, Adam, has a great job and treats her like a princess—he won’t let her open a single door. He’s a very well-mannered country boy, and he had Thanksgiving dinner with us.

Here’s a quiz thing she took on FB—how perfect!

And Callie likes college life so far, although she misses her friends and cousins in Santa Barbara. 

My job is still awesome, and I love going to work every day. 

Here’s me in a shirt I bought my self as an early Christmas present. And the second pic is a matching Viking torc and bracelet:

Anyway, that’s just the tip of the iceberg...I’ll try to post pics and videos soon!

New Look

I gave myself bangs for the Halloween costume I wore for a full thirty minutes:

In My Head

This is the latest song I can’t get out of my head. Love the heavy drums...

Took a break, but now am back

Hey y’all,
I got all your emails and pm’s. I’m sorry I haven’t been around, but I decided to take a break from the Internet and blogs in general to concentrate on other things.

Aidan has settled in, and had a job offered to her the first week she was here, and in the most awesome way. She and her friend Reilly had been going to a local Sports Bar and Grill near our house, a family-friendly place, but they also had pool tables, and Aidan likes to play pool. One night, Aidan witnessed an older gentleman (about 65 years old) getting shoved by an obnoxious twenty-something year old guy. She walked right up to that punk, told him that what he did was not right and that the kid should apologize. The kid stormed away and Aidan asked the older man if he was okay. They chatted for a bit, then the owner of the restaurant approached Aidan and said he had noticed her there before and that she got along with everybody. He said he really admired her standing up to protect the older man, who happened to be a long time patron of the bar and the bar owners friend. He offered her a job on the spot, and Aidan has been training six days a week as the new bartender. She’s making more money than she did in NSB and when she’s through training and allowed to accept tips, she could be making more money than I am, at least for the winter season.

And she has a new boyfriend, a real nice kid her age named Adam. He has a VERY good job—one where he only works six months a year and makes more in that six months than most make in a year. He ate Thanksgiving dinner with us, and impressed me right off the bat by opening doors for Aidan, pullling our the chair for her before she could sit, and just being a nice young gentleman. So refreshing!

So, we’ve had some good family time, and Aidan and I have started going to church together on Sunday mornings.

I’ve also been busy writing a book and a screenplay. I have the outline of the book done, and the idea for the screenplay developing in my head. And no, neither is chase-related. All I have to say about the chase is that I believe the main message of F’s chase is: WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE.

With all the changes of Aidan coming to live here, and being busy at work, and getting Joe’s application to Princeton done, I was feeling overwhelmed. So, I booked an hour in a float tank—one of those salt water isolation tanks where you float effortlessly in total darkness and total silence. It was AMAZING. I have never felt so comfortable, and an hour has never passed so quickly. I came out feeling so refreshed and so relaxed that I felt free and weightless. I told one of my friends about the experience and they generously bought me three more sessions. Too generous, you know who you are.

Anyway, I just wanted to give a short updat. I have pics too, and will post them when my laptop charges.

Happy Monday! Let’s get this week started right, with a clear mind and kindness toward our fellow man.

I’m Baaacckkk!

Sort of. Just wanted you all to know that I am going to write a new, long post about my goings on. I have a lot of fun pics to show you and a few adventures to write about. Lots going on, and life is good. So stay tuned!

Smells like....desperation!

I know you’re reading “old friend.”

You've visited my blog 1109 times since August? Wow...really? I wonder if you even know you've been here that often, constantly checking for updates, hoping I'll release a clue or two about what's going on behind the scenes.

You're worried, huh?

It's okay...keep checking and checking and checking, because you're not as smart as you think you are, and I am as smart as I think I am.

Hey....speaking of desperation, has anyone seen that TV show, The Connors? Isn't it the dumbest thing ever? I'd rather watch Laurel and Hardy than the dumb O'Connells. I mean Connors.

There may be dumber shows out there, but either I don't watch them, or they never made it to air time.

You know what I dislike? I dislike when people make a mess, then don't want to own up to their mess, then go out of their way to hire or manipulate others into cleaning it up, because they don't want to get their hands dirty. Like Hurricane Michael. Why people personify acts of God and nature is beyond me, because any rational human wouldn't willingly cause such a mess in the first place.

Wanna know what I did this weekend? I relaxed...

And I worked out very zen-like with my bo staff, and my sword-length staff, and learned a few very cool Jedi moves.

I mean, better moves than even those in this YouTube video:

I also watched a little Good Doctor, a little Jack Ryan, and a little It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. You know, hot television.

I also painted a little, then tried my hand at Fortnite, which I will never be good at. The highest I made it was to second place, and that was mostly because I choose to land in Egypt and hide my way to the center. I'm always in the top 10, but I'll never win because twenty-something year old boys can build like the freaking wind.  And I build like the second little pig.

Anyway, it was a nice weekend. Hopefully, you all spent time with your family and had quality time together, like I did.

Have a great Monday!

Wow Moment on The Good Doctor

So, I just watched the Season 1 finale of The Good Doctor. The whole episode was a riveting emotional roller coaster ride, but the end...WOW.

I "got" everything about Shaun in this episode. How losing something dear, whether it be a toy scalpel, or your mentor and best friend,  can just throw you totally off to the point where you make a huge mistake.

I "got" how totally focused Shaun became when trying to figure out a way to save his friend. I have always believed that "where there's a will, there's a way," and Shaun proved that right when he reasoned out and sought a viable answer all over the glass windows in Glassman's office. He begged a now hopeless Glassman to get a biopsy. Glassman said no, and Shaun, very distraught, left the office to vomit.

In this episode, we see Shaun really struggle with his friend's impending death. And because he's a surgeon, he can't just lock himself in a dark room until the overwhelming feelings go away.

In his struggle to manage the overstimulation, he loses focus at a critical moment in a life or death surgery. He gives that autistic blank stare that sometimes happens when we become momentarily lost in thought. And the patient nearly dies.

So, Shaun's struggles are mounting, and Freddie Hightower does a brilliant job of conveying how thoughts race through our minds in times like these, and he didn't have to say a word for me to relate. What a great actor he is, because I totally believe in Dr. Shaun Murphy. There are some Shaun Murphys in our world, and we should take some time to listen to them when they speak.

But the end...wow...what a phenomenal moment--when he bursts in to Glassman's office and announces he's found his toy scalpel that he holds and rubs when wanting to soothe himself in a stressful situation.

He notices Glassman has a band aid on his hand and Shaun immediately notices it (of course). He asks if Glassman got the biopsy, and Glassman said yes. I think that was a crucial and special moment for those who were paying attention. Glassman, by getting the biopsy, showed Shaun that he trusted him, and that he had not lost ALL hope.

Good thing, too, because the cancer, which had been diagnosed as inoperable and terminal in less than four months, turned out to be curable after all.

And after Glassman detailed the next steps, of surgery, radiation and chemo, he added, "And just maybe, we'll get to go to the Super Bowl next season."

That moment was simply awesome. You could see Shaun's mind spinning at this revelation, then with just a second's pause, he opened up his arms as if he hadn't done so in years, and rushed forward to crush Glassman in a fierce hug.

I burst into tears watching it. It was that powerful.

I get not liking people touching you. I don't especially like hugs, unless they're from my kids. But occasionally, I will receive a hug, and I try not to reject them because I appreciate the nice gestures. This was a huge leap for Shaun, and will hopefully open him up to showing more affection (hopefully to Lea) in the future.

And I realize I probably need to show more touching kind of affection to those I care about. I'm going to try.


In other news, wanna know a word I absolutely hate? ASPIE. It's a ridiculous word for a complex set of traits. I will never use that word in a sentence that doesn't have the words "I hate the word "ASPIE," in it.

Here's a little meme thing...that sound for me is the word "ASPIE," and I hate that word with a passion.

My New Lightsaber Staff

I got my new Ultra Sabers lightsaber staff the other day. Here's a short video of my first run with it. The lights look purple in the video, but they're really Guardian Blue.

That was two days ago. The saber was pretty heavy--much heavier than my practice staff, and has a different feel in my hands, so it'll take a little practice to get up to speed with spins and tricks. And my arms are REALLY sore today, lol. 

Wielding the bo staff is all about practice. I try to practice every day, and depending on my energy levels and mood, some days are better than others. Here's a short "fail" clip...

Anyway, I love my staves. I have six--two long practice ones, two short, longsword-sized ones, a long hardwood one, and a short hardwood one. I have a rattan one on order. I also have a lightsaber and a lightsaber staff. I'd like to either make or buy a replica of Rey's staff, but I don't want to spend $500 for a stick, no matter how cool it looks.

For me, spinning it and tossing it around comes pretty naturally, so I'm learning fast. It's also very relaxing to me, and my workouts are so enjoyable that it doesn't really feel like I'm working out, until I realize I've sweated out buckets and my shoulders feel like jelly. I've worked out as long as four hours before, losing track of time because it's so much fun.

As far as tutorials, I like Michelle's videos, even though they're older, and Jake Mace's videos.

Here's how I learned the backhand flip:

And this is how I learned the behind the back spin I was using in the lightsaber video:

For anyone looking for a new workout, the bo staff is cheap, fun, and impressive when you get the hang of it!

Oh, it's Thorsday, isn't it? 

Happy Thorsday! Girls can be Thor, too!

Asperger Outtake

I told you all the other day that I'm diggin' The Good Doctor.

So, I want to tell you all something else. If you're someone with autism, you might feel really alone, like you're so different than everyone else that you're sure no one will like you. Nothing could be further from the truth, especially as you grow older.

I withheld my diagnosis from my coworkers for several months because I really wanted to fit in and be a part of the team. Yet, as time went on, I'd catch myself in quirks, or babbling about special interests like history or animals, and I knew I must seem different to y coworkers. I walk sorta like Dr. Shaun Murphy, with my hands clasped in front of me. If I don't have any x-rays for a long period of time, I tend to pace the halls.

Eventually, I decided to tell people about my diagnosis. Not dramatically, but more as an explanation of certain behaviors. You don't have to know me long to discover I don't like fruits or vegetables or anything with weird textures. My coworkers playfully tease me about it, and I found an opportunity to tell them why I don't like certain foods. And they weren't like, "Ewwww," or even "Awwww..." but more like "Ahhhh..."

So, it brought some clarity and eliminated some confusion, and they are very accepting, and I'm noticing a measure of respect I hadn't noticed before. I'm not the weird geeky girl, but now I'm more like the subtly brilliant nerdy girl.

And I'm able to open up and embrace it, and I feel more and more like I'm totally accepted and part of the team.

The other day, there was a sign up sheet for our Halloween potluck. I wrote down I would bring chocolate chip squares. Later that day, a coworker approached me and said that one lady known for her chili was talking about bringing that in, but they had decided, as a team, that they wanted to bring in something I would like instead. She said she'd heard I liked baked mac n cheese, so she was going to bring that. I was touched almost beyond words.

I didn't want to be the reason they couldn't enjoy this coworker's famous chili, so I came up with an alternate suggestion. I said, "How about she bring in chili, and I make my mom's chicken and dumpling recipe? That would go well with your baked mac n cheese, and you guys can still have chili, so that'll be the best of both worlds."

So, that was a neat little moment where we realize that despite our individuality, in some things. we aren't so different.

I really do love my job. I like my coworkers--all of them, and as I get to know each person, I realize they don't think I'm weird, or at least weird in a bad way. I feel accepted, like I belong, like I'm a valued member of the team.

It's a great feeling.

I even decorated my little x-ray office with my autographed Big Bang Theory pic of Will Wheaton and Sheldon, and a couple Star Wars bobbleheads. A couple people have commented on them, even reminiscing about that particular episode of Big Bang.

I guess there are a lot more awesome nerds in the medical field than I thought. :)

A Rare Weekend Post

I recently started watching a new television show--The Good Doctor. It's about a young surgical resident who has autism and savant syndrome.

As an adult with Aspergers, I find myself comparing my traits with each fictional representation that comes across the screen. And with each character, I do see a little of myself represented in each unique character.

And I say "a little," because we are unique. The autism spectrum is very broad, and every person on that spectrum can share many traits, or just a few.  Nevertheless, we are each unique. I find that as the general population tries to understand us (and I give them credit for that!), they still lump the entire spectrum into a few almost stereotypical traits. For example, the general population equates autism with a lack of empathy.

I would fiercely debate this in my own unique manifestation of traits. I would argue that many of us are overwhelmed by the sheer amount of empathy we feel, and unable to deal with it in a socially acceptable way, we instead hide it, keeping our thoughts inside of us to the point that the general perception is that we lack empathy.

I believe this article is spot on, at least in my case and many others like me! Click here to read.

That everyone on the autistic spectrum lacks empathy is the furthest thing from the truth...and again, I can't stress enough that everyone is unique, and there may be some people with autism who genuinely lack empathy. However, can't that be said for the entire human race?

People with autism simply can't be lumped into one set of characteristics. Boys on the spectrum generally manifest with different traits than girls on the spectrum. Adults on the spectrum sometimes have learned mimicry to the point where they might be perceived as "normal," in most ways. Children seem to display more of the traits, and there are those who believe autism can be "outgrown."

Again, this is far from the truth, as mimicry and adaptability can go a long way.

Like Dr. Shaun Murphy, I avoid eye contact. I have avoided eye contact with others for most of my life.  I remember when I was younger, I would tear up if I made eye contact with an adult. I don't know why, and still don't know why.

We don't avoid eye contact because we're hiding anything, nor do we avoid eye contact because we're liars. Nothing could be further from the truth, for like Dr. Shaun Murphy, telling a lie is almost impossible for me. I value truth very highly, and I tend to tell the truth sometimes too bluntly (also much like Dr. Murphy).

But as I grew older, I learned to remind myself to make eye contact when talking to someone. In the medical field, eye contact is important, and I've often had to correct myself when I find a patient turning their head to see what I'm looking at. That's when I realize my eyes have drifted and I "reconnect."

Another similarity I have with the "good doctor," is that I'm very quiet. I hold my thoughts inside the majority of the time. One of the reasons I've kept a blog for about 15 years is because I "talk" more
here than I do anywhere else. My mom always said that I knew how to talk, but I just wouldn't until I was about four years old. I guess my mom probably thought I was really weird, but I know she read my diaries, so I feel like she began to eventually understand me.

But I struggle to communicate, and I know that frustrates those who like telling every single step in a process out loud. That's just not the way I work, though, and I don't know if anyone will ever really grasp that. I am not a talkative person, and would be content in a world without spoken language, as long as there was still written language. I learn best by just doing, and doing it my own way. If I end up with the right answer by taking a different route, it's just as good, right?

I remember doing a math problem in front of my dad. He bit his tongue til the very end, probably thinking he could tell me exactly where I went wrong when I wrote down the wrong final answer. To his amazement, I wrote down the right answer. He was genuinely perplexed, but laughed when he said, "I don't know how you did it, but that's the right answer." I still remember that so vividly in my mind...

We do things differently. And every one of us on the autism spectrum does something a little differently from others in close relation to us on the spectrum. Our minds tend to work uniquely...some of us recognize patterns and as we work out problems, pattern recognition comes into play. Some of us, like Dr. Murphy, think in pictures. Or more accurately for Shaun Murphy, he thinks in images of the pages of books he's read. Some of us think in sounds, and some use other senses to navigate problem-solving processes in life.

The point I'm trying to make is that there is no typical autistic person. While some on the spectrum are high functioning, some sadly aren't. That's when autism becomes more of a disability.

I used to think I wasn't made for this world. I used to think I was the only person who saw things the way I did, and I was only partly wrong. I now know what's "wrong" with me, and I also know there are other women out there who share similar traits. And I now realize my autism isn't a disability, but an asset. I realize I am unique, but not entirely alone.

I have come to appreciate all the beneficial traits, like reading and a love of knowledge, and curiosity and integrity and honor. Every one of my "special interests" has benefited me in some way. My special interest in my family's ancestry gave me a wealth of knowledge about those who came before me. And when I look at pictures of those Montgomeries of long ago, I see resemblances, like what my brother always called "the Montgomery chin." Lol... But it's so cool to know who your ancestors are, and so cool when you find pictures of them on the Internet, and they share a genetic trait.

Maybe some of them were autistic, too. I know there were a few successful writers in my ancestry, contemporaries and friends of Robert Burns. In fact, Robert Burns was in love with a fair Montgomery maiden once, but she probably had Aspergers and didn't know he was writing about her in his poetry.

The last episode I watched tonight was about the little boy with cancer who looked just like Shaun's brother who had died around the same age of this boy. Although Shaun's outward appearance didn't show much, I knew exactly what was happening in his mind. Shaun connected with this boy because he reminded him very much of his dead brother. In the sterile world of hospitals, Shaun did get too close to his patient, which led to him giving false hope to the parents and the kid. It was the first time Shaun had been wrong, and when he said it, twice, I knew that besides being bluntly truthful, he was also realizing just how much he wanted to be right, because he wanted the doppelganger of his brother to live. He wanted to save this boy because he couldn't save his brother on the day he died.

And then we see empathy come to the surface in a unique way. Shaun's brother loved the book Shaun had given him for his birthday--To Kill a Mockingbird. But Shaun's brother hadn't been able to finish it before he died tragically. He had almost finished it, but hadn't read the last few pages.

So, Shaun brought the book into the hospital, sat down by this "brother figure," and read the last couple pages to the boy. By doing this, it brought closure, and an acceptance. Like many others with autism, leaving something unfinished is like breaking one of the ten commandments. And without his brother being physically there to finish it, it must've weighed heavily on Shaun's mind. I could read the satisfaction of having finally found a measure of peace and closure on Shaun's face when he closed the book.

And the book reading is also similar to the dripping water faucet in his apartment. In Wyoming, where he lived before, the water dripped at a rate that was comforting to Shaun. In his new faucet, it developed a problem where the rate of the drip increased, and it nearly drove him crazy until he was able to adjust it back to the same drip rate as he'd enjoyed in Wyoming. When the fix it guy came and fixed it so that it didn't drip at all, Shaun nearly lost it and stormed down to the guy's apartment just to tell him that he did it wrong.

It reflects on another autistic trait heavily manifested on television and movies--a reluctance to change. We like what we like, and the things we like are the things we find that soothe us after a day of overstimulation. In my case, I can't live without a very long bath every night (sometimes a couple hours long). The bath helps me unwind, and I can enjoy silence, or some music, or read things that interest me. I keep a stack of books on the step to the bath, sometimes two or three stacks. And tonight, I'm writing this blog while in the bath. It's my ''alone place," which probably will sound really weird to everyone out there reading this who doesn't have autism. But I bet the ones with autism can think of a daily ritual that involves alone time, too.

I don't know...this was just all on my mind as I finished watching that last episode. I have more to say, but I'll save that for another time...

Just remember, just as you don't fit into a mold of personality traits, neither do those on the autistic spectrum. We are all unique. Our minds all think differently, but our minds just think a little more outside the box than yours. And sometimes more literally than yours as well. I remember one time when I was making pancakes, my dad asked me to make him a very small one. He laughed when I handed him a plate with a pancake about the size of a half-dollar on it. But I wasn't being sassy or trying to be funny--I took his words very literally. I took a lot of things way too literally back then.

For example, I was afraid to see Airplane! in the theaters, because the trailer said, "You'll die laughing," and I didn't want to die.

I don't know...this was just all on my mind as I finished watching that last episode. I have more to say, but I'll save that for another time...

Callie’s First Published Piece!

I’m so proud of this kid. She had her first article published the other day. She reviewed a speech by award winning poet and author, Kevin Young.

I love that kid so much!

Happy Thorsday!

Two years today....

Mom,

It's been two years today since you went to live with our Savior in Heaven. I think about you every single day. I miss you every single day. When something good or exciting happens, I still start to reach for my phone to call you before I realize that you won't answer. I guess after doing that for over 40 years; the habit sticks.

I was talking to Aidan today, and she told me about a short conversation that you had with her on the day you passed. I really wish I had known that that day would be the last--I wouldn't have gone to work...

But Aidan was home, and she told me your eyes were closed and you initially thought she was me. She said you whispered, "Mindy, I'm scared."

And Aidan, always knowing exactly what to say, replied, "Mimi, you know where you're going, right?"

You replied, "Yes."

Aidan said, "You're going home to be with Jesus, and when you're with Him, you won't be scared. I promise. And we will meet you there one day."

You replied, softly, "Yes. I know."

And those were the last words you spoke. Aidan said she hadn't told me that before, because she didn't think she could get through it without crying, and because she didn't want me to know you were scared. I understand that, because I still have your voicemails saved on my phone, and I still haven't been able to listen to them.

I'm comforted to know Aidan was able to comfort you on the day you began your new journey.

I had a dream about you a couple nights ago. In it, you seemed young, healthy, and happy. I believe that's actually the reality--in Heaven, you have a new body that doesn't age, doesn't hurt, and I believe you are enjoying being able to breathe without any effort at all.

But I still miss you. I am so glad I was able to take care of you in your final years. I know sometimes it was hard, for both of us, but I don't regret it, and I cherish the fact that you didn't have to spend your final years, and especially your final days, in a hospital or nursing home.

We are all doing well...I think you would be proud of the kids. Monet is happy, too, and doing very well. We visit her when we are in the area, and Patty keeps us updated with a million pictures and videos, like this one, where she's contentedly playing with a toy:

I think you would get a kick out of this picture where Monet is very interested in what Patty is doing with her toy:

Mom, we are all thinking about you today and remembering the happy times. I love you and miss you so much, and can't wait to reunite with you in Heaven.

Times Change...People, Not So Much

Remember that recent viral video about the little girl riding the alligator?

Well, you probably know that I love looking at historical photos. Here's one I recently came across that shows that we aren't so different nowadays...

I'm not sure where this photo was taken, but I'd be interested in learning!

And here's one more pair that maybe shows we have changed in some ways...

Here's a model posing in Paris, showing her intellectual side:

And here's another model, Paris Hilton, in Paris, reading today's equivalent of the newspaper:

I've got more of these, and will try to post more in the next few weeks. Some are amusing, like these, and some things just show where humanity still has made little, if any, progress...

Happy Tuesday!

Oh yeah, we got the Tesla back!

The Bottom Dropped Out

UPDATE: Got a prompt and courteous reply to my email concerning the warranty—the repairs ARE covered under warranty, and there’s no charge for the repairs! Woohoo!! My faith in Tesla is recovering...

Well, Thursday was a strange day. I arrived at work, and everything was normal. I backed the Tesla into my normal spot, got out, worked a full day, and at the end of the day, got into the car.

It started, and I pulled out of my parking space. Once I turned to go right out of the parking lot, the car started acting in a funny, yet not very funny way. I'd never experienced anything like it. It sounded like my tire was riding hard on the rim. I got out and looked at all the tires and didn't notice anything wrong.

I was baffled at what the problem could be. I texted James and told him something was really wrong with the car. He asked if it would make it home. I said I didn't think so, but I'd try. I got back in the car, opened the owner's manual, and couldn't find anything related to the problem I was having. I thought maybe if I turned off the car and allowed it to "reset" it might help. So I did that, and the car moved forward a little, and I thought maybe I could make it home. I got to the next business and applied the brake a little and that terrible scream of rim on metal made me wince as the whole left front end lurched straight up. I pulled into a parking spot and called Tesla, who said they'd have a tow truck there...in an hour and a half.

Since I was destined to wait, I thought I'd walk back to work and grab a Coke Zero out of the fridge and use the restroom. When I walked in the front door, my friend said, "Is that a part of your car in the parking lot?"

I looked. And saw this:

I was dumbfounded, because I didn't feel this piece fall off, and I didn't know what it was. The office manager said she thought it was the wheel well. That made sense, because without the wheel well guard, the Tesla's sensors would go nuts and not allow the car to move without some major lurching.

We walked out to the parking lot and picked up the piece--sure enough, it was the wheel well. They couldn't believe I hadn't noticed, but I really didn't. It hadn't made any sound, and I didn't notice anything was wrong until I'd turned out of the parking space. It didn't occur to me to look behind me to the parking spot, because I hadn't heard or felt anything fall off.

Well, I walked back to the car after assuring my coworkers I was fine and would be okay (they're the BEST), and James came to wait with me and give me a ride home.

The next day, one of our docs (who also has a Tesla) and I did some research as to how that could have happened, and what we discovered was a little shocking. Apparently, this kind of thing can happen with no warning, and could've been much worse. The wheel well guard coming loose and falling off is a prelude to the whole front suspension dropping out. If that happens on the highway going 70 mph, you're pretty much toast. It appears there have been several complaints about this, and Elon Musk seems to be brushing the problem under the rug (more about this in a minute).

This is what could've happened:

So, we get the call saying the suspension had indeed failed, and the car was ready to be picked up an hour and a half away in Dania Beach. And oh, the bill is $2500. I was like, "WHAT?!" How can a car company, charge us anything for the repair of a vehicle still supposedly under warranty, with a potentially fatal defect?

I'm going to call them today and dispute this, especially after I read this article which exposes some pretty shady cover-up practices by Tesla. Obviously, this is not "normal wear and tear" (less than 9,000 miles on the car), and should be under warranty. We'll see what happens...

I will say the rental car place was more agreeable to deal with than Tesla. I was there as they opened Friday morning, and they gave me a free upgrade, so my ride to work was pretty sweet:

So, anyway, James and I are going to head to Dania Beach after work, and hopefully, I can use some of the information I've learned to get them to cover this major malfunction under our warranty.

Happy Monday!

Hundreds and Thousands are for Winners!

Tuesday Night: I'm so excited for what the future holds --I can hardly contain myself! And I've thought of the best possible way to give Aidan the best possible fresh start, and when I told her about it, she said it would be like a happy dream. So I'm going forward...lots to do!!

Wednesday Morning: Still pumped as God seems to be confirming decisions and opening doors in life. Of course, some major changes can't happen until Joe finishes the school year and is settled in at college, but the time to start wheels turning is now. 

If you haven't figured it out yet, I'm thinking about immigrating to Scotland, the home of many of my Montgomery ancestors. And I've finished investigating the legalities of bringing Aidan with us, and yesterday I received the good news that she will be able to live and work in Scotland. My visa should be very easy because I have a grandparent born in the UK. And if there's a problem with that, I'll qualify for an entrepreneurial visa because I plan on investing the required amount for a Tier 1 visa. And Aidan will be my employee, and will also be investing in the Bed and Breakfast we intend to buy.

We're still looking at properties, but there's a couple properties that are so tempting, we may get the ball rolling now so as not to lose them.

My ideal property is a large home that has been successfully running as a bed and breakfast. Other favorites include gorgeously renovated barn or church conversions. I love the bright, wide open rooms!

It also has a paddock and year-round riding arena where Aidan and I can ride our unicorns.

One of the best things about Scotland is the "Right to Roam" act, which means you can hike anywhere you want--no fences, no "no trespassing" signs, no worries about getting shot. That makes Scotland a true wonderland just waiting to be explored. 

And yes, I know it's cold there. But I'm ready for the change from stifling, muggy Florida heat. Anyway, I'm running late....gotta go!

Feeling for those impacted by Florence

I feel for those affected by Hurricane Florence--especially those along the coast of the Carolinas. Thank goodness it weakened to a Cat 1, but I heard the flooding can still be devastating. I pray for the best possible outcome. It was a year ago when Irma disrupted our lives down here in Naples, so I know what its like to experience a storm like that. Not fun.

Well, it's already "Freya's Day," and we don't have any doctors in the office, but a doctor that sort of leases some space will be there, so I'll probably go in until noon to help him out with x-ray if he needs it.

On Wednesday, I became a patient of our practice. During last Friday's jet ski fun, I aggravated/possibly worsened a meniscus tear in my right knee, and the resulting ruptured Baker's cyst told me it was probably time to have it checked. I can still walk on it okay, but now, even slight twisting or turning makes it very "twinge-y," and those twinges are so sharp they stop me in my tracks. And sometimes when I stand up or turn or twist, it makes a loud crack that everyone can hear. Lol.

So I was somehow able to stretch our x-ray cord long enough to take my own x-rays, and the doctor did some range of motion and other tests and asked me if I wanted an MRI to go forward with an arthroscopic surgery to clean up the area, or if I wanted to pursue more conservative treatment first. Of course, I opted for conservative treatment, so he gave me an injection of Kenalog. It hasn't really helped yet, but he said it might take three days for it to really kick in.

I also have mild to moderate arthritic changes happening in my knee. I guess a life of competitive sports will do that.

Here's my x-ray, for all the bone-curious:

So, not the best knees, but not too bad considering the stress I've put on them over the years, from basketball and volleyball, to surfing, to jet skiing, horseback riding, truck racing, etc...

Here's a pic of the sunrise on my way to work the other day--I still love Florida!

And I know I still have to post some more New Zealand pics, and some awesome sea turtle footage from the GoPro, and I will do that soon.

This weekend, we will probably just take it easy, but still work with the bo staff and swim. 

James has been busy working in the yard--he put new borders around the palms. So, it's a huge improvement--he did a great job! I'm going to video some of the new additions to the yard--special little touches that make it our own--and post it soon, so keep an eye out! Some of the palms need trimming, but I'm going to do that for James this weekend.

And Momma Duck is back...she had lots of eggs, but sadly, only four hatched this time--and they're all yellow! James took this adorable video of them returning from the lake the other day:

Happy Freya's Day! Enjoy your weekend! May my passions be fierce, may my love be strong, may my convictions never falter, may my light never waver, may my curiosity never wane, for I am descended from the Norse!