boo

That's right, not boo hoo, just boo. We had 450 trick or treaters last night, yumpin yiminy. They bus them in from all over town. Nice safe neighborhood, good treats, close houses. Just the kind of place we targeted as kids.

This blog is winding down, I just don't have much to say about my health, since it is fine. I had my next to last bone marrow biopsy last Friday, and I was a little nervous since I have had this lingering cold for about 4 weeks. Thought maybe those white blood cells weren't getting it done. Not to fear, the doc called today and said I am clean, at least my bone marrow is clean of leukemia. So, 3 more months of chemo and we are done with this. I still take my daily, weekly and monthly doses, and still have minimal impact from them.

The daughter of a guy I work with is 6 months ahead of me with the same treatment from my doc, ALL = same disease, and she had a rough go right from the start, into dialysis as soon as she got to Stanford, and didn't get out of there for 7 weeks, and then had to stay near the hospital for some more time to keep her treatments going. She is fine now. Some months before her treatment ended she got the OK from the doc to have a few drinks now and then, with no problems.

So Beauch and I were going up to the Jade Festival and camping for a couple of nights back in mid-Oct, and I asked the doc if I could have some beers, and he said OK. I had 2 beers a night. And I had taken some Nyquil the week before. The next blood test my liver function tests high abnormal, and the doc says 'Well, I guess no alcohol'. Sheesh. Can't argue with that, the beers weren't that great anyway.

The freaking house remodel continues to go haywire at every opportunity. Nothing goes right unless it is done by someone that doesn't speak English. Figure that one out. Kitchen floor installed with the vapor barrier upside down, and had to be redone twice. Bathroom sinks lost in transit. Kitchen countertops cut too small, then the wrong color. New microwave needed microcircuit board replaced 3 times. Kitchen cabinet drawer fronts were wrong, as were the replacements, 3 times, and we finally gave up on that and kept the first ones. Bathroom tile job kinda sketchy. Found the big distressed look dining table on EBay 3 days after the new one we ordered was delivered, for less than half the price. Ouch.

The really amazing thing is the gall they have when they screw up. 'We're really busy now, why don't you install the new drawer fronts yourself?' Guess my answer. 'Do you mind if we take out a chunk of your countertop to match the color? We lost the piece that was cut too small. You will have to take out the stove and move back to the garage.' Guess my answer. The funny thing is I don't yell anymore, not for years now. I have learned how to tell them how far they are from reality without raising my voice. I love to summarize for these people, it helps them to see the light. Basically it ends up as 'So, you have screwed me 3 times, I didn't have an orgasm, you're not attractive and didn't use lubricant, I am not drunk, you have AIDS and herpes and don't wear a condom, and you want to know if I want to go again?'

Anyway, we are nearing the end of the remodel, our kitchen is functional if not finished, we have moved out of the garage, I bought the big screen TV Monday in time for the Patriots dominating performance! Landscaping is chugging along, and the whirlpool tub was set in its place today and can be used in a couple of days. I don't know where the glass wall and door are for the shower, and there is a lot of trim and tilework yet to be done in the kitchen, and we need a big honking buffet table, and if Dana has anything to say about it (she does), lots of other furniture.

Mikey played a gig tonight with the HS jazz band at a restaurant downtown. He was playing bass, which was a surprise as he usually plays guitar, but that's what they needed. Sure could use Earl and Mikey Greco to school him. Come on out, bring your axes. Johnny came home for the weekend, first time back from Sonoma, he needed supplies. I took him to Costco and stocked him up. He is having a great time at college, the kid was made for academia and babes. We all went to the HS football game to see Mike play with the marching band (he and the guitar are in the pit with the other non-marchers). First HS football game in a long time for Dana and I, first ever for Johnny.

The biggest miracle of late is that our marriage has survived the remodel. It was pretty close at times, but we are seeing the light at the end. I thought this would be done by Sept. 1, but now I will be happy to be final by Dec. 1. We are sick of the GC and his crew, and they are sick of us.

All of you that have sent me emails wondering if I was OK, thanks for your concern. When I am quiet all is well, and I hope to fall completely silent this coming Feb. Shhh. Make noise by voting.