Wandering Aimlessly

I never really fully grasped what it meant to be in denial, but this week I've experienced it. It's a pretty content state of being, until reality crashes in on you.

My grandpa's in the hospital. I knew he was going in for surgery, and I knew there may be complications. To condense a long story, his emphysema resulted in a so-far week-long hospital stay (with no concrete end in sight) for a typically leave-the-same-day surgery.

The doctors knew it wasn't the surgery, but his lungs, that would be the problem. Because of the emphysema, the anesthesia basically shut down his system. He's breathing on his own (with the help of a high dose of oxygen), but hasn't been able to eat in a week. I'll spare you the details.

Needless to say, I knew he wasn't doing well, and yet I went on with my life. My attitude was that of "If I don't ask how Grandpa is, he'll be fine." He's always been at the back of my mind, but I avoided finding out exactly how he was doing.

I talked to my mom last night, and it's not good. The doctors can't figure out why his system won't start up again. When the doctors don't know what's wrong... ugh. He has a good attitude, as always, but he's still in Critical Care (finally was transferred out of Intensive Care).

It's easier not to think about it. These are my mom's parents, the grandparents I'm closest to. Really close to. I wish I could visit him, but I'm two thousand miles away. He can't talk on the cell phone in his room. He can't really talk all that well, anyway, with the shallow breathing.

I just... he has to pull through. He's not even 80. Please, if you don't mind, keep Grandpa Jim in your thoughts.

On a happier note, my sister's coming to visit tonight. I can't wait to see her.

Posted by kate at 08:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

... Michelle!

I hope your day is just wonderful, and that the year to come is as good to you as you deserve. ;) Love ya!

Posted by kate at 07:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I get (possibly unreasonably) irritated when someone baits you and won't stop, and when you give in, you've failed their little test.

It's like someone offering a chocolate bar, which you politely decline. And then they say "No, really, have the chocolate. It's for you. I bought it for you, and if you don't have the chocolate, I'll feel bad. Please take the chocolate. Go ahead, eat the chocolate. Please. It's yours." And no matter how many times you say no, thank you, they keep insisting until you finally take the chocolate. And then they turn around and say "Look, she took the chocolate. It was my last piece and she ate it! I can't believe she took the chocolate! She's no longer worthy."

It sucks even more when it's related to your job, and not to chocolate at all. At least with the chocolate, you'd have something yummy in tummy at the end.

Posted by kate at 07:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

My. Feet. Hurt.

Megan-from-Wheaton is in town this weekend, and we have been doing nothing but walking, walking, walking. Yesterday I went to breakfast with Megan, her friend Jen, and Jen's roommate at Mel's (the one in Sherman Oaks, not the one on Sunset). We then drove down to pick up Karey from the Orange County Airport, which is faaaaaaaaaar. Boy is it far. Luckily, no traffic. Then we hit Venice Beach. It was not the warm, sunny California weather we all expect, but we did a lot of people-watching wandering up and down the not-boardwalk. Always entertaining, that.

Then Jen and her roommate both got tattoos. I was proud of myself for being able to watch, but ow. Looks painful.

After the inking, Jen, her roommate, and Megan had a concert to go to, so I headed off with Karey to meet my friend Crystal for dinner. Crystal lives aaaaaaall the way down in Redondo, so I don't see her often, but from Venice it was just a hop, skip and a jump away. Dinner was tasty.

Today was Disneyland! I hadn't been since I moved here, so I was well past due. Jen, Karey, Megan and I drove down. A couple of Jen's and Karey's friends met them there, so Megan and I kind of went off on our own. It's just too difficult to do Disneyland with seven or eight people. Meg and I had a great time, though. We did Pirates of the Caribbean, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, got pictures with the Winnie the Pooh gang, and did the Indiana Jones ride. Then we went over to California Adventure where we rode Soaring Over California (one of the best rides ever), got fast passes to Tower of Terror, and ate at a little Mexican restaurant. Then we went back for Tower, did MuppetVision 3D, and browsed the stores.

We exited the parks for a while and wandered Downtown Disney. More browsing through stores, some purchasing (oops), and Megan made a Build-A-Bear before we went back in to Disneyland. We rode Snow White's Scary Adventure and It's a Small World, and by then it was after 9:00 and we'd been walking for nearly twelve hours. Did I mention the feet hurting?

That was a lot of fun. I'm considering getting an annual pass. Jen says the basic one's only about $100 for southern California residents, which is paid for by the time you've been to the parks twice. Perhaps I'll do that. I'll look into it, at least. Because, Disney! I was a happy, happy Kate today. *laugh*

But now I'm a tired, worn-out, achey Kate.

Before bed, however, I have to wish Jamie a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! It's after midnight where you are, so I feel like I can safely post this now (since my track record with keeping up with this blog daily shows that I likely won't get around to posting tomorrow). I hope your day is just delightful, my dear! Miss you!

Posted by kate at 10:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I can't believe it's been so long since I last blogged. I suppose a lot has happened since the most recent post. Most importantly, Emily visited the last weekend in January. Her plane got in an hour "early", for which I'm sorry I didn't check the status sooner. All worked out, though. We ate at Mel's Diner and did a wee spot of driving through the hills. We went to the Getty Center, which is something I'd been wanting to do for a while. The gardens, while nice, were not as breathtaking as I imagine they will be when all the flowers bloom. It was, however, an extremely clear day, so the views of not only Los Angeles and the Valley, but also the OCEAN were quite gorgeous! The art museum part was... crowded. It was a nice museum, but I have to say I'm spoiled by the Art Institute of Chicago. I'll have to go back on a week day in the spring, when it's less crowded and more colorful. Had Cold Stone, rented a movie, and fell asleep right fast.

On Sunday, Em and I had a brief walk in the morning before hitting the mall for what was probably the least exciting mall trip ever. I did come home with a new cell phone, though, which was good. Our quest for shoes for Em had just begun, and had just begun to be unsuccessful. That afternoon brought All-You-Can-Eat Sushi and a peek at some kittens I just really wanted to take home. Then a drive through Beverly Hills to Santa Monica, where the Shoe Quest continued at the Third Street Promenade. We were able to watch the sun set over the ocean before heading back for a second helping of Cold Stone. Heh.

It was great to see you, Em! Come back soon and often.

Last weekend was entirely uneventful, especially when compared to the one previous. I accomplished laundry and grocery shopping and a thorough viewing of almost the entire Garden State DVD. I think the only "extra" I didn't watch was the movie with commentary. I may watch that eventually, though, because I LOVE that movie! Probably one of my favorites ever.

Some crazy things happened at work. Major "restructuring" that left many people with questions, and a few good people without jobs.

It's Wednesday, but I keep thinking it's Thursday. Yesterday, all day, it was Wednesday to me. I like it better when this type of thing happens in reverse, where you can go "Oh! It's Thursday already! Only one day left! Man, I really thought it was only Wednesday..." But the direction I'm "off" in is a bit depressiong. "Oh, you mean I have three days left to work this week? Darn." Someday I will love my job, and it will be more of a "YES! It's only Wednesday! And here I thought I only had two days left this week to come in. Now I am overjoyed to find I have an extra day!" Someday, my friends. Someday.

Posted by kate at 07:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)