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! 

 

An Awesome Birthday Weekend

I had a wonderful birthday weekend. It started Thursday afternoon with the raffle for Jamie Jourdan. I wasn't expecting one of my numbers to be called, but was happily surprised when I heard one of my numbers! I got a nice telephone call from Decall (who did a great job) shortly afterward, and we chatted for a bit. So that was an unexpected surprise, and a nice way to kick off my birthday weekend.

On Friday, James and I rented a jet ski for the day. The sun was shining and not too hot for most of the time we were out on the water, with the storm holding off until just after we pulled back into the port.

The place where we rented had some nice jet skis, although they had been limited and were heavy three-seaters. They were perfect though, for getting James accustomed to riding, and good for touring the Gulf and waterways. Thankfully, the red tide and algae that has plagued our coast is gone, although we did see a couple fish skeletons on the white sand beach as a grim reminder.

And although the Yamaha-ha-ha-ha (I'm a die-hard Sea Doo-er) was too heavy and slow for the more spectacular tricks, I was able to show off a little for James.

I also got a chance to show him the experience of the fast-spin-throw-off, where you go into a sharp turn so fast that you can't hold on and are thrown about thirty feet away from the jet ski. It's fun, and I'm glad the jet ski was at least fast enough to throw us about ten feet away. 

I brought the go pro and videoed the whole experience. After we explored the beach at Keewaydin, looked for seashells, and took turns riding, we toured the back mangrove waterways. Before we made it to the inner channel, we saw something that I thought at first was a dolphin in distress. Upon closer inspection, we discovered it was a giant sea turtle. I'm really hoping that footage was caught on the go pro, but I haven't had a chance to watch it all yet.

Maybe the sea turtle is the momma of these waiting to emerge on their quest for survival:

Anyway, I'll upload the go pro video when I get it edited. 

Saturday, we relaxed at home, and I had a good bo staff/swim workout. Sunday was more of the same. Yesterday, James and I mostly relaxed, but went for a little drive for some shopping, which was fun. 

It was a priceless weekend--much different than last year's rush to prepare for Irma! But it's back to work today, although I only have morning patients. 

Happy Monday!

It's my Friday!

Edited to add: I saw this on Mike Cowlings Facebook, and thought I'd share here--one of my all time favorite songs:

Wow, it's already Thursday again, which today, is Friday for me. :)

My birthday is Sunday, and once again, just like last year, we have hurricanes in the Atlantic. Florence doesn't look like she's taking aim at us in Florida, but I'm not counting her out yet. And there are two more taking shape that we need to watch.

By comparison, this is where Irma was last year:

So, unless Florence makes a major wobble southwest, Florida should remain safe.

I got a call from Callie last night. She called to read me a poem she wrote for her poetry class. It was very good. Super good. I asked her to email it to me. She sent me some pics on Snapchat, which is an app I'm not really familiar with, and I didn't realize pics disappear, or else I would've taken screenshots.

Anyway, she's enjoying college and has already made some good friends, and she Snapchatted me pics of her and her friends at a baseball game.

I got my new glasses the other day, and I'm enjoying a break from contacts:

Anyway, I've got to get ready for a long and busy day at work, but it's hand and foot day, which means an easy day despite the busy-ness.

Well, I tried to find a pic of Thor having an x-ray, but couldn't, but this curious comic book cover came up when I Googled "Thor X-ray":

So this is Thor--as a girl. I think I like that. I'd smash that cocky little Deadpool with my hammer, though! 

Happy Thorsday!