Crying In My Beer

I am crying in my Dr. Pepper, beer, milk..whatever. And no, not because Yabu Jr. blew himself up. That's so yesterday's news...

I went to go to my local grocery store the other day and found it gone. Like it was never even there.. gone.

Let me explain to you the local grocery store experience. This is a store I go in to 3-4 times a week. This has been so for 12 years. I have spent 12 years of my life developing a relationship with my local grocery store employees..you know the butcher, and the baker and all the checkout gals who saved coupons for me for the stuff I buy a lot of. I could go in there and save an average of $20-$25 and sometimes even up to as much as $50 because those gals took care of me and saved those coupons for me.

There was race talk, and updates on the kids, grandkids, husbands, job prospects, everything. I went for a little tea and sympathy on the kid blowing himself up thing. I counted on it. It would have been a short conversation, they always are, but a little human contact, ya know? Maybe I wouldn't have even told them. Maybe I would have just listened that day to whose grandkid was doing what..or which boy the younger girls liked. With them, it's hair, makeup and school...and boys.

There was the bread guy who always gave me the freshest bread. They stocked my favorite wine just because I liked it. For a while, they couldn't keep it in stock because all them gals decided to try it and they really liked it too. They got to where they'd stock 6 and nobody better get greedy.

I hate that the big chains run the little guy out of business. Greedy bastards. Now, that is my only f-ing choice unless I want to take my life in my hands by going across the highway. I broke down under the underpass once. THAT was a scary moment.

Now, I have to go find a new grocery store and start all over again. And, there is a choice of 3 near me, so it's going to not be a simple choice.

All gone. You bet your ass I'm crying in my beer.

Just Another Dull Day on the Ranch...

And I like it that way. Did I ever mention, that dull, boring days are pretty usually just fine with me? Yeah, excitement around here is never usually a good thing.

In light of recent events, it really puts health care on my mind. You see, we're doing it both ways. The kid got the best care, right now, from civilian specialists. The senior chief is going the VA route to have a hernia taken care of. If we would have went with the civilians, it would have been done already. But no, there has to be 57 appointments to get him in the system and then once he's in the system he has to have a complete and total physical before they will even THINK about scheduling him for surgery. So all total, I'm going to guess that it's 6 months before this gets taken care of.

As a person, I'd rather have it done right now, than have to wait and be miserable for 6 months. It's not that the quality of the care isn't good, it is...the problem is the interminable wait.

That's what I see being the big problem with the public option. The wait. You could die waiting before you ever got to the second person in line. I mean, for real.

I don't know how civilian doctors determine the priority of who they see first and all that, but it seems like at most hospitals you get pretty good care. And quickly, even.

They did not let my son be in pain for a second. The very second that he said he was hurting they were there. That is awesome.

It's going to cost a pretty penny, even with insurance...but you know what? It was worth every single penny.

Screw public option. Let's get the crooks who milk the system with fake injuries. You think when health care is FREE..those people won't be clogging up the system? Ha. Think again.

It's just a bad idea. Trust me.

They Say..

Don't ask me who "they" is, because I don't know. They say, though, that burn victims and their families experience dramatic change overnight...that their whole lives change in an instant. I would have to say this is true.

A few of my nearest and dearest really didn't comprehend what "he blew his eyebrows off meant." And quite a few did. They also say a picture says a thousand words. I would have to say that was true, because the pictures of Yabu Jr. freaked a few out. And the ones today, you'd truly believe it was a miracle. As I hear more and more of the story as to what happened, I am truly, truly humbled by just how blessed he, and us...really are.

Some were cliche and asked me if I beat his ass, or expressed that boys will be boys. Those kind of pissed me off. My baby's face was swelled up 4-5 times what it should be...he was helpless...completely helpless. As was I, in a way.

I cannot say enough about the burn center, Doctor's Hospital, in Augusta, GA, was the absolute best place for him to be. Those folks were awesome.

Life has indeed changed for him and for the rest of us. Without a doubt it caused our whole lives to change. I can truly mark these last 3 weeks as some of the best and some of the worst of my whole entire life. Hands down.

Sometimes, what "they say" is true and you can't get it until you get it.

No Time For Tears

Well, we're home at last. Yabu Jr. is hanging in there. He's in really good spirits and it took him all of 10 min. to be playing video games with his brother Joe.

He's eating good...albeit through a straw but nourishment is nourishment.

I am completely amazed at how tough he is. He isn't complaining of any pain at all, which is wonderful. They gave him the good stuff, but he hasn't really wanted any. He doesn't want to go to sleep, he wants to hang out with his people.

He was a little irritated about the picture. Rick put it up on his facebook page first. Sean said.."Dad just HAD to put up a picture didn't he." There's a video where he gives Rick this look that just makes me laugh.

He's been laughing and joking as well, which is really good. He's having nightmares but he's never alone, not even for a second, so there's always someone there to soothe him. We're camped out in the living room because I'm just not comfortable with him going up and down the stairs. The bandages on his arms are so heavy, he's a little wobbly on his feet. Good lord we do not need him to fall down the stairs.

He's going to be spoiled rotten for a little while and that's just fine by me. He isn't asking for anything outrageous. Stuff like..orange juice and whatnot.

He donated one of his balloons so he could watch the cat play with it. Let me tell ya what...his laughter is really music to the ears.

Joseph M. Still Burn Center was where he was at and let me tell ya, those people were AWESOME! I cannot say enough for the professionalism and the courtesy of the entire staff. The first night I was there, I had to sit in a chair and rest my head on the end of his bed. I took a 2 hour nap in the car and it was some of the best sleep I've ever had. Rick and Joe were across the street at a house they had set up for the families to stay in. They said their experience was wonderful too. They were with a bunch of other people who had loved ones who were burnt and the churches took turns providing food 3 times a day.

The last night we were there, one of the techs brought me a recliner and let me tell ya, that was wonderful too.

It's amazing how when something like this happens, all the little stuff becomes glaringly important. I'd like to take a moment and say thank you very much for all the support I've received from everybody. It means so much to me. More than words can even express.

This has got to be one of the longest weeks of my life.

There really has been no time for tears. Seems a bit pointless to cry about it now..it's all over and he's on the mend. He's been showing significant improvement every day and I think it would scare him to see Mommy break down and cry.

God really does look after little kids and fools. I am just so grateful it wasn't worse than it is.

Burn Unit

So, my little dude is in the burn unit in Augusta. He's hanging in there and pretty damn chipper ..all things considered. Eating like a horse. He's not in life threatening danger, he just really made a mess out of his face.

Suffice it to say, he will never, ever play with fire again. Cutting the apron strings on that one is going to be hard...if it ever really happens.

Lord, it's been a long day.

Turn For The Worse

My little dude is in a bad way. Prayers would be appreciated. They're talking about sending him down to Augusta. No real word yet.

This momma is scared as she's ever been. Dammit.

Long Night

It was definitely a very long night. Little dude is hanging in there, but his face is a bit of a mess.

I'm telling you, you cannot make this shit up. He is now afraid of ANYTHING having to do with fire..and this momma is a little glad.

This will probably be one of those things that might be funny ...in 10 years or so..or at least when his eyebrows grow back.

Good lord, children will be the death of us all.

I'm fairly certain he won't be playing with fire any time soon.

Damn.

No Superbowl For Us...

Well, what a day it was. It's not even over yet, either. Did not watch one second of the Superbowl.

We have now dubbed our youngest "Yabu". I know I should do a link, but y'all know what I mean.

He was in the backyard just before the Superbowl...with a friend. They were playing with fire as boys their age are wont to do.

Sitting upstairs, taking a quiet moment before the start of the festivities...we are startled by a BOOM..that shook the house.

I went hauling ass downstairs to investigate just as the youngest appears ...hair singed, no eyebrows or eyelashes, face burnt. Oh yes, folks, oh yes.

A mother's worst fears confirmed. First had to figure out if he could see...which he can..thank God...well, just thank God in general.

He blew up a 24 oz can of butane. Oh yes. Poor baby is miserable right now. And me...a nervous wreck. Getting this one to adulthood is gonna be tough.

Mothering boys is not for sissies.

The Great Debate

The great debate of the current NASCAR season is whether or not Danica Patrick should drive in the Nationwide series tomorrow. She finished 6th in the ARCA race....and it was her choice as to whether or not she should drive in the Nationwide race at Daytona.

All they votes are for her driving. I do think they are failing to take into consideration that if she drives that race, she will be kicking the full time driver out of a ride. When you're racing for points, that's a big deal. Jr. has already kicked him out of the 88 for that race and Danica is not racing full time this season. So...SHOULD she race Daytona and kick the full time driver out of a ride? Just because she can?

Or, should she just let him drive, and drive her schedule?

My vote is that she sit this one out and let Kelly Bires go on and drive it. That, in my opinion, would be the Right Thing To Do.