GM's Thread About Everything/GM's Thread About Nothing (5 Viewers)

[nirad3]

Welp........

Y'all heard about my hospital trip after having abdominal/flank/back pain?

I was awaken Tuesday night/Wednesday morning with pain again and couldn't go back to sleep. Considered going to ER early that morning but initially decided to just get an ultrasound and see my PCP the next day. But after consultation with my best friend who's a cardiologist, opted to go back to the ER yesterday afternoon. It was PACKED, but they got to me real fast... bloodwork, ultrasound (as opposed to CT scan done on Saturday), and met with the ER doc.

ER doc was absolutely certain I didn't have pancreatitis. He was confident it's just an extreme case of pulled muscle(s) in my back/flank. The stomach pain I had last week was likely tied to the oral steroid I was taking and then the subsequent back/side pain was completely unrelated. I have poor ergonomics at work and have a crappy mattress.

So spent 3 days in the hospital for basically nothing. I'm waiting to see the billing to decide if I'm going to request arbitration because of the misdiagnosis this past weekend.

At minimum, though, it was a nice wake-up call to improve my diet and perhaps cut back on binge drinking. But yeah, I have a completely healthy pancreas AND liver and can go back to life as normal. Pain meds and muscle relaxers, new mattress in my future and maybe some light weight-lifting a few days a month.

how did you pull muscles in your back?

Most likely just bad posture/ergonomics at work PLUS a crappy mattress. Plus I'm pretty damn inactive aside from the occasional 15ish-minute walk around my business park when I'm at the office on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

I should try yoga.

 

[nirad3]

You also might up your fiber. You can also get stomach pain by getting plugged up.

My schedule is pretty regular.

 

[nirad3]

Anyone have a good mattress suggestion? Especially one that will last not only usual "sleeping" time but also a few hours/day of lounging to watch TV?

The way my household/family dynamics are right now, I spend most of my time in my office/room, either working or watching TV (on the bed) or sleeping.

The mattress I bought like 6-7 years ago was not the best and is now likely a major culprit in my recent back issues.

I've looked at Sleep Number but I definitely can't afford the $2,500 price tag.

 

[SFBayDuck]

Welp........

Y'all heard about my hospital trip after having abdominal/flank/back pain?

I was awaken Tuesday night/Wednesday morning with pain again and couldn't go back to sleep. Considered going to ER early that morning but initially decided to just get an ultrasound and see my PCP the next day. But after consultation with my best friend who's a cardiologist, opted to go back to the ER yesterday afternoon. It was PACKED, but they got to me real fast... bloodwork, ultrasound (as opposed to CT scan done on Saturday), and met with the ER doc.

ER doc was absolutely certain I didn't have pancreatitis. He was confident it's just an extreme case of pulled muscle(s) in my back/flank. The stomach pain I had last week was likely tied to the oral steroid I was taking and then the subsequent back/side pain was completely unrelated. I have poor ergonomics at work and have a crappy mattress.

So spent 3 days in the hospital for basically nothing. I'm waiting to see the billing to decide if I'm going to request arbitration because of the misdiagnosis this past weekend.

At minimum, though, it was a nice wake-up call to improve my diet and perhaps cut back on binge drinking. But yeah, I have a completely healthy pancreas AND liver and can go back to life as normal. Pain meds and muscle relaxers, new mattress in my future and maybe some light weight-lifting a few days a month.

how did you pull muscles in your back?

I do this with high intensity putting on of socks.

I now brace myself when I sneeze after throwing out my back doing that.

 

[SWC]

I do this with high intensity putting on of socks.

i am truly glad that our gb nirad is ok but damn el scarfo this made me laugh out loud take that to the bank brocahcho

 

[mr. furley]

Welp........

Y'all heard about my hospital trip after having abdominal/flank/back pain?

I was awaken Tuesday night/Wednesday morning with pain again and couldn't go back to sleep. Considered going to ER early that morning but initially decided to just get an ultrasound and see my PCP the next day. But after consultation with my best friend who's a cardiologist, opted to go back to the ER yesterday afternoon. It was PACKED, but they got to me real fast... bloodwork, ultrasound (as opposed to CT scan done on Saturday), and met with the ER doc.

ER doc was absolutely certain I didn't have pancreatitis. He was confident it's just an extreme case of pulled muscle(s) in my back/flank. The stomach pain I had last week was likely tied to the oral steroid I was taking and then the subsequent back/side pain was completely unrelated. I have poor ergonomics at work and have a crappy mattress.

So spent 3 days in the hospital for basically nothing. I'm waiting to see the billing to decide if I'm going to request arbitration because of the misdiagnosis this past weekend.

At minimum, though, it was a nice wake-up call to improve my diet and perhaps cut back on binge drinking. But yeah, I have a completely healthy pancreas AND liver and can go back to life as normal. Pain meds and muscle relaxers, new mattress in my future and maybe some light weight-lifting a few days a month.

how did you pull muscles in your back?

I do this with high intensity putting on of socks.

flubbed mine walking the dog last week

one slightly off balance step and blam-o, backiotomy

 

[BeTheMatch]

Welp........

Y'all heard about my hospital trip after having abdominal/flank/back pain?

I was awaken Tuesday night/Wednesday morning with pain again and couldn't go back to sleep. Considered going to ER early that morning but initially decided to just get an ultrasound and see my PCP the next day. But after consultation with my best friend who's a cardiologist, opted to go back to the ER yesterday afternoon. It was PACKED, but they got to me real fast... bloodwork, ultrasound (as opposed to CT scan done on Saturday), and met with the ER doc.

ER doc was absolutely certain I didn't have pancreatitis. He was confident it's just an extreme case of pulled muscle(s) in my back/flank. The stomach pain I had last week was likely tied to the oral steroid I was taking and then the subsequent back/side pain was completely unrelated. I have poor ergonomics at work and have a crappy mattress.

So spent 3 days in the hospital for basically nothing. I'm waiting to see the billing to decide if I'm going to request arbitration because of the misdiagnosis this past weekend.

At minimum, though, it was a nice wake-up call to improve my diet and perhaps cut back on binge drinking. But yeah, I have a completely healthy pancreas AND liver and can go back to life as normal. Pain meds and muscle relaxers, new mattress in my future and maybe some light weight-lifting a few days a month.

how did you pull muscles in your back?

I do this with high intensity putting on of socks.

I now brace myself when I sneeze after throwing out my back doing that.

I literally push up flat against a wall if I have time. Wish I was kidding.

 

[BeTheMatch]

Vision Quest, Breakfast Club and Turk 182 all hit theaters today in 1985. Don't try to tell me the world has gotten better in any way over the past 40 years. Because it hasn't.

 

[coopersdad]

You also might up your fiber. You can also get stomach pain by getting plugged up.

My schedule is pretty regular.

speaking of which............I've got 2 boys (28 and 21) and both of them are REGULAR (and have been forever), and when I mean REGULAR, it means 45-60 minutes after a meal, it is time. They are like the playdough house where whatever you put in, something has to come out.

me on the other hand, I can go 2-3 days and then have 1 a day for 2-3 straight days, then rinse and repeat. Don't feel bloated or constipated or anything. My dr. says that is "your regular".

 

[Hawks64]

Anyone have a good mattress suggestion? Especially one that will last not only usual "sleeping" time but also a few hours/day of lounging to watch TV?

The way my household/family dynamics are right now, I spend most of my time in my office/room, either working or watching TV (on the bed) or sleeping.

The mattress I bought like 6-7 years ago was not the best and is now likely a major culprit in my recent back issues.

I've looked at Sleep Number but I definitely can't afford the $2,500 price tag.

I would see if you have a Hasless Mattress by you, no employees in the store to hover over you while you roll around on the beds. So much easier to find what you want, then you order online. It's such a great process.

 

[cosjobs]

Anyone have a good mattress suggestion? Especially one that will last not only usual "sleeping" time but also a few hours/day of lounging to watch TV?

The way my household/family dynamics are right now, I spend most of my time in my office/room, either working or watching TV (on the bed) or sleeping.

The mattress I bought like 6-7 years ago was not the best and is now likely a major culprit in my recent back issues.

I've looked at Sleep Number but I definitely can't afford the $2,500 price tag.

Quit watching TV in bed. Get a comfortable chair and your back will thank you

 

[nirad3]

Anyone have a good mattress suggestion? Especially one that will last not only usual "sleeping" time but also a few hours/day of lounging to watch TV?

The way my household/family dynamics are right now, I spend most of my time in my office/room, either working or watching TV (on the bed) or sleeping.

The mattress I bought like 6-7 years ago was not the best and is now likely a major culprit in my recent back issues.

I've looked at Sleep Number but I definitely can't afford the $2,500 price tag.

Quit watching TV in bed. Get a comfortable chair and your back will thank you

Wish I had the space for that in my room.

I'm going to try wedging my way into the living room to sit on my recliner more, though.

 

[Dickies]

Anyone have a good mattress suggestion? Especially one that will last not only usual "sleeping" time but also a few hours/day of lounging to watch TV?

The way my household/family dynamics are right now, I spend most of my time in my office/room, either working or watching TV (on the bed) or sleeping.

The mattress I bought like 6-7 years ago was not the best and is now likely a major culprit in my recent back issues.

I've looked at Sleep Number but I definitely can't afford the $2,500 price tag.

I would look at buying a mattress through Costco. They deliver, set up and remove your old mattress. My brother didn't like his mattress and Costco sent someone to his house to return it free of charge.

We just bought the Tempur-Pedic a few months ago that was about $2,000 and came with a $300 Costco gift card and honestly it feels more comfortable than the $4k+ Tempur-Pedics we tried in the mattress stores. We also liked the Casper cooling hybrid mattress when we were looking at mattresses, which Costco offers a lower cost version of. The mattress stores told us Costco sells lower quality versions of the mattresses and "you get what you pay for" but I tend to think they are full of it.

My parents had a Sleep Number, but it just felt like a glorified air mattress to me.

 

[-fish-]

1/3 of your life is spent in bed. Splurge for the sleepnumber. I bought one about a year ago. You won't regret it.

 

[urbanhack]

1/3 of your life is spent in bed. Splurge for the sleepnumber. I bought one about a year ago. You won't regret it.

Spend $$ on...

• Mattress
• Shoes
• Couch

 

[General Malaise]

1/3 of your life is spent in bed. Splurge for the sleepnumber. I bought one about a year ago. You won't regret it.

Spend $$ on...

• Mattress
• Shoes
• Couch

• Gas Grill
• Knives
• Coffee Grinder

 

[cosjobs]

1/3 of your life is spent in bed. Splurge for the sleepnumber. I bought one about a year ago. You won't regret it.

Spend $$ on...

• Mattress
• Shoes
• Couch

• Gas Grill
• Knives
• Coffee Grinder

• tires
• USDA Prime
• OLED

 

[Dickies]

1/3 of your life is spent in bed. Splurge for the sleepnumber. I bought one about a year ago. You won't regret it.

Spend $$ on...

• Mattress
• Shoes
• Couch

• Beer

 

[SofaKings]

1/3 of your life is spent in bed. Splurge for the sleepnumber. I bought one about a year ago. You won't regret it.

Spend $$ on...

• Mattress
• Shoes
• Couch

• Gas Grill
• Knives
• Coffee Grinder

• tires
• USDA Prime
• OLED

USDA Prime is overrated. Especially cost.

 

[AAABatteries]

Damn, my bed sucks compared with apparently most of yours.

 

[cosjobs]

1/3 of your life is spent in bed. Splurge for the sleepnumber. I bought one about a year ago. You won't regret it.

Spend $$ on...

• Mattress
• Shoes
• Couch

• Gas Grill
• Knives
• Coffee Grinder

• tires
• USDA Prime
• OLED

USDA Prime is overrated. Especially cost.

Maybe for Burger or hindquarter, but for steaks and brisket, it's clearly superior. I always look through the choice ribeyes first and then see if the primes are worth the surcharge

 

[ChiefD]

Damn, my bed sucks compared with apparently most of yours.

We bought one of them Costco mattresses and just laid it on our box spring. I think it was like $499.

Love it.

 

[nirad3]

The health rollercoaster ride continues... went to my PCP and he looked at my labs from my hospital stay and subsequent ER visit. He says I DID in fact have pancreatitis after all. Oof.

So no booze and laying off fatty foods for at least two weeks. Recheck with him then, and also have an appointment with a GI specialist. And colonoscopy on the radar too.

One of my simple pleasures in life (at least right now) is going on short business trips where I'm able to go have a few beers and a gut-buster burger or something at a local dive wherever I'm at. That's on hold, at least for now. I'm in balmy (-10 degrees when I got into town yesterday) Rapid City, SD and was looking forward to at least having a good chicken sammich at a place that me and my Dad (may he RIP) went to about 9 years ago when we were here. Google Maps said this place was open last night, did the 5-minute walk (in the blistering cold) only to find out it was closed. So I had to eat at the Irish pub connected to my hotel, and the only thing I could really eat was a chicken Caesar salad... which was horrible. Had a NA beer and just retreated to my room to watch some hoops and fall asleep.

The good-ish news is that my doc doesn't seem to think the pancreatitis was caused by alcohol, so there's hope on that front. I'm guessing that I'm just going to need to completely revamp my diet, which I will gladly do if it means I can still have a handful of beers every so often.

Thanks for letting me vent/whine. Getting old is no joke.

 

[Gatorade]

The health rollercoaster ride continues... went to my PCP and he looked at my labs from my hospital stay and subsequent ER visit. He says I DID in fact have pancreatitis after all. Oof.

So no booze and laying off fatty foods for at least two weeks. Recheck with him then, and also have an appointment with a GI specialist. And colonoscopy on the radar too.

One of my simple pleasures in life (at least right now) is going on short business trips where I'm able to go have a few beers and a gut-buster burger or something at a local dive wherever I'm at. That's on hold, at least for now. I'm in balmy (-10 degrees when I got into town yesterday) Rapid City, SD and was looking forward to at least having a good chicken sammich at a place that me and my Dad (may he RIP) went to about 9 years ago when we were here. Google Maps said this place was open last night, did the 5-minute walk (in the blistering cold) only to find out it was closed. So I had to eat at the Irish pub connected to my hotel, and the only thing I could really eat was a chicken Caesar salad... which was horrible. Had a NA beer and just retreated to my room to watch some hoops and fall asleep.

The good-ish news is that my doc doesn't seem to think the pancreatitis was caused by alcohol, so there's hope on that front. I'm guessing that I'm just going to need to completely revamp my diet, which I will gladly do if it means I can still have a handful of beers every so often.

Thanks for letting me vent/whine. Getting old is no joke.

Vent all you want. At least you now know what it is and can start a plan to help. There are healthy food options that do taste good. Ask your doctor about wine instead of beer. It may be a healthier option.

 

[Hawks64]

1/3 of your life is spent in bed. Splurge for the sleepnumber. I bought one about a year ago. You won't regret it.

Spend $$ on...

• Mattress
• Shoes
• Couch

• Gas Grill
• Knives
• Coffee Grinder

• tires
• USDA Prime
• OLED

USDA Prime is overrated. Especially cost.

Agree to disagree, at Costco, it's a huge difference and their American Waygu is even better.

 

[General Malaise]

Not even a year ago at this time my 2nd oldest son was floundering as a sophomore at Oregon. His fall term was spent joining a fraternity and focusing on becoming a professional DJ, both noble pursuits if and only if grades were being maintained, which, sadly, wasn't the case. He was put on probation, then double secret probation which culminated in a 3rd term of a very Mr. Blutarsky like 0.0 GPA.

There were a lot of painful conversations along the way, stress placed on our homelife, finances and general well being for all involved. As upset as I was over a child of mine flunking out of school, it probably paled in comparison to what he was going through. There was some counseling, there were some tears, there many hugs before finally there was some acceptance and an understanding that the best next thing for him was to come home, get his old job back and go to work.

And that he did. He was able to reclaim his job parking cars for a new hotel in downtown Portland where his bosses really liked and appreciated him for his hard work, dedication and reliability. In August, we were presented a final bill from University of Oregon in the amount of $6,000 related to some grants and scholarships he had once earned that got kicked back due to his academic belly-flop. Not the biggest bill in the world, certainly something his parents could have paid for him but we all agreed that this was his bill to pay. UO billing office told me that he could pay it off in monthly installments and if he stayed current, nothing would go to collections and the interest rate was less than 1%. I was very thankful for that.

Fast forward to today. My son just left my office to do his taxes and get pre-approved to finance a newer used car as his is about to fall apart. His boss and his boss' boss promoted him to Manager on Christmas Eve. The hotel valet area is his to run and manage. It's hard work, he's there all the time, but he is salaried, has health insurance, 401K and paid time off. The $6,000 he owed Oregon is down to $3,000. He's making more money than his mom and step-mom make. His confidence - once shot - is back. He's smiling, laughing, interacting with his siblings, going out to lunch with his dad, working out and has had a quite a few lovely ladies over to the house since he's been home.

It's quite the turnaround. Not even 21 and he is out there shopping for a new/used car with pre-approved financing. More proud I could not be.

 

[Joe Bryant]

The health rollercoaster ride continues... went to my PCP and he looked at my labs from my hospital stay and subsequent ER visit. He says I DID in fact have pancreatitis after all. Oof.

So no booze and laying off fatty foods for at least two weeks. Recheck with him then, and also have an appointment with a GI specialist. And colonoscopy on the radar too.

One of my simple pleasures in life (at least right now) is going on short business trips where I'm able to go have a few beers and a gut-buster burger or something at a local dive wherever I'm at. That's on hold, at least for now. I'm in balmy (-10 degrees when I got into town yesterday) Rapid City, SD and was looking forward to at least having a good chicken sammich at a place that me and my Dad (may he RIP) went to about 9 years ago when we were here. Google Maps said this place was open last night, did the 5-minute walk (in the blistering cold) only to find out it was closed. So I had to eat at the Irish pub connected to my hotel, and the only thing I could really eat was a chicken Caesar salad... which was horrible. Had a NA beer and just retreated to my room to watch some hoops and fall asleep.

The good-ish news is that my doc doesn't seem to think the pancreatitis was caused by alcohol, so there's hope on that front. I'm guessing that I'm just going to need to completely revamp my diet, which I will gladly do if it means I can still have a handful of beers every so often.

Thanks for letting me vent/whine. Getting old is no joke.

Dang Buddy! Hang in there and hope you're feeling better soon.

 

[nirad3]

The health rollercoaster ride continues... went to my PCP and he looked at my labs from my hospital stay and subsequent ER visit. He says I DID in fact have pancreatitis after all. Oof.

So no booze and laying off fatty foods for at least two weeks. Recheck with him then, and also have an appointment with a GI specialist. And colonoscopy on the radar too.

One of my simple pleasures in life (at least right now) is going on short business trips where I'm able to go have a few beers and a gut-buster burger or something at a local dive wherever I'm at. That's on hold, at least for now. I'm in balmy (-10 degrees when I got into town yesterday) Rapid City, SD and was looking forward to at least having a good chicken sammich at a place that me and my Dad (may he RIP) went to about 9 years ago when we were here. Google Maps said this place was open last night, did the 5-minute walk (in the blistering cold) only to find out it was closed. So I had to eat at the Irish pub connected to my hotel, and the only thing I could really eat was a chicken Caesar salad... which was horrible. Had a NA beer and just retreated to my room to watch some hoops and fall asleep.

The good-ish news is that my doc doesn't seem to think the pancreatitis was caused by alcohol, so there's hope on that front. I'm guessing that I'm just going to need to completely revamp my diet, which I will gladly do if it means I can still have a handful of beers every so often.

Thanks for letting me vent/whine. Getting old is no joke.

Dang Buddy! Hang in there and hope you're feeling better soon.

Thanks JB!

 

[General Malaise]

The health rollercoaster ride continues... went to my PCP and he looked at my labs from my hospital stay and subsequent ER visit. He says I DID in fact have pancreatitis after all. Oof.

So no booze and laying off fatty foods for at least two weeks. Recheck with him then, and also have an appointment with a GI specialist. And colonoscopy on the radar too.

One of my simple pleasures in life (at least right now) is going on short business trips where I'm able to go have a few beers and a gut-buster burger or something at a local dive wherever I'm at. That's on hold, at least for now. I'm in balmy (-10 degrees when I got into town yesterday) Rapid City, SD and was looking forward to at least having a good chicken sammich at a place that me and my Dad (may he RIP) went to about 9 years ago when we were here. Google Maps said this place was open last night, did the 5-minute walk (in the blistering cold) only to find out it was closed. So I had to eat at the Irish pub connected to my hotel, and the only thing I could really eat was a chicken Caesar salad... which was horrible. Had a NA beer and just retreated to my room to watch some hoops and fall asleep.

The good-ish news is that my doc doesn't seem to think the pancreatitis was caused by alcohol, so there's hope on that front. I'm guessing that I'm just going to need to completely revamp my diet, which I will gladly do if it means I can still have a handful of beers every so often.

Thanks for letting me vent/whine. Getting old is no joke.

How in the world does one screw up a chicken Caesar salad?

Hope you feel better soon!

 

[nirad3]

The health rollercoaster ride continues... went to my PCP and he looked at my labs from my hospital stay and subsequent ER visit. He says I DID in fact have pancreatitis after all. Oof.

So no booze and laying off fatty foods for at least two weeks. Recheck with him then, and also have an appointment with a GI specialist. And colonoscopy on the radar too.

One of my simple pleasures in life (at least right now) is going on short business trips where I'm able to go have a few beers and a gut-buster burger or something at a local dive wherever I'm at. That's on hold, at least for now. I'm in balmy (-10 degrees when I got into town yesterday) Rapid City, SD and was looking forward to at least having a good chicken sammich at a place that me and my Dad (may he RIP) went to about 9 years ago when we were here. Google Maps said this place was open last night, did the 5-minute walk (in the blistering cold) only to find out it was closed. So I had to eat at the Irish pub connected to my hotel, and the only thing I could really eat was a chicken Caesar salad... which was horrible. Had a NA beer and just retreated to my room to watch some hoops and fall asleep.

The good-ish news is that my doc doesn't seem to think the pancreatitis was caused by alcohol, so there's hope on that front. I'm guessing that I'm just going to need to completely revamp my diet, which I will gladly do if it means I can still have a handful of beers every so often.

Thanks for letting me vent/whine. Getting old is no joke.

How in the world does one screw up a chicken Caesar salad?

Hope you feel better soon!

Thanks GB.

And yeah, you'd be surprised. First of all, it was all iceberg lettuce, and it was barely even chopped up / in leaves. It was just giant chunks. The chicken was OK, though... it did cost an extra $7 but it was on the company so....

I decided to "kind of" roll the dice at lunch and had some chicken tenders and house-made chips at a local sports bar. So far my gut has not yelled at me. I tempted fate the other day and had Taco Bell and had some pain. But...

The whole thing boils down to having both muscle problems AND supposedly gastro problems. From what I am understanding from my doctors, the pains have been in the same area(s). So yeah, I really have no idea what's going on with my body right now.

 

[-fish-]

as you get older, when you see that a celebrity dies and you realize that they were younger than you, do you ever think to yourself, "yeah, I beat them"?

 

[SWC]

Not even a year ago at this time my 2nd oldest son was floundering as a sophomore at Oregon. His fall term was spent joining a fraternity and focusing on becoming a professional DJ, both noble pursuits if and only if grades were being maintained, which, sadly, wasn't the case. He was put on probation, then double secret probation which culminated in a 3rd term of a very Mr. Blutarsky like 0.0 GPA.

There were a lot of painful conversations along the way, stress placed on our homelife, finances and general well being for all involved. As upset as I was over a child of mine flunking out of school, it probably paled in comparison to what he was going through. There was some counseling, there were some tears, there many hugs before finally there was some acceptance and an understanding that the best next thing for him was to come home, get his old job back and go to work.

And that he did. He was able to reclaim his job parking cars for a new hotel in downtown Portland where his bosses really liked and appreciated him for his hard work, dedication and reliability. In August, we were presented a final bill from University of Oregon in the amount of $6,000 related to some grants and scholarships he had once earned that got kicked back due to his academic belly-flop. Not the biggest bill in the world, certainly something his parents could have paid for him but we all agreed that this was his bill to pay. UO billing office told me that he could pay it off in monthly installments and if he stayed current, nothing would go to collections and the interest rate was less than 1%. I was very thankful for that.

Fast forward to today. My son just left my office to do his taxes and get pre-approved to finance a newer used car as his is about to fall apart. His boss and his boss' boss promoted him to Manager on Christmas Eve. The hotel valet area is his to run and manage. It's hard work, he's there all the time, but he is salaried, has health insurance, 401K and paid time off. The $6,000 he owed Oregon is down to $3,000. He's making more money than his mom and step-mom make. His confidence - once shot - is back. He's smiling, laughing, interacting with his siblings, going out to lunch with his dad, working out and has had a quite a few lovely ladies over to the house since he's been home.

It's quite the turnaround. Not even 21 and he is out there shopping for a new/used car with pre-approved financing. More proud I could not be.

you are a good effen dad no schtick

 

[Mr.Pack]

When I met @Thorn in Milwaukee a long time ago, I was impressed he actually understood what I do for a living. That’s rare

I met Thorn in Milwaukee too

 

[Drunken knight]

1/3 of your life is spent in bed. Splurge for the sleepnumber. I bought one about a year ago. You won't regret it.

Spend $$ on...

• Mattress
• Shoes
• Couch

i'll add tires to that list.

 

[General Malaise]

Not even a year ago at this time my 2nd oldest son was floundering as a sophomore at Oregon. His fall term was spent joining a fraternity and focusing on becoming a professional DJ, both noble pursuits if and only if grades were being maintained, which, sadly, wasn't the case. He was put on probation, then double secret probation which culminated in a 3rd term of a very Mr. Blutarsky like 0.0 GPA.

There were a lot of painful conversations along the way, stress placed on our homelife, finances and general well being for all involved. As upset as I was over a child of mine flunking out of school, it probably paled in comparison to what he was going through. There was some counseling, there were some tears, there many hugs before finally there was some acceptance and an understanding that the best next thing for him was to come home, get his old job back and go to work.

And that he did. He was able to reclaim his job parking cars for a new hotel in downtown Portland where his bosses really liked and appreciated him for his hard work, dedication and reliability. In August, we were presented a final bill from University of Oregon in the amount of $6,000 related to some grants and scholarships he had once earned that got kicked back due to his academic belly-flop. Not the biggest bill in the world, certainly something his parents could have paid for him but we all agreed that this was his bill to pay. UO billing office told me that he could pay it off in monthly installments and if he stayed current, nothing would go to collections and the interest rate was less than 1%. I was very thankful for that.

Fast forward to today. My son just left my office to do his taxes and get pre-approved to finance a newer used car as his is about to fall apart. His boss and his boss' boss promoted him to Manager on Christmas Eve. The hotel valet area is his to run and manage. It's hard work, he's there all the time, but he is salaried, has health insurance, 401K and paid time off. The $6,000 he owed Oregon is down to $3,000. He's making more money than his mom and step-mom make. His confidence - once shot - is back. He's smiling, laughing, interacting with his siblings, going out to lunch with his dad, working out and has had a quite a few lovely ladies over to the house since he's been home.

It's quite the turnaround. Not even 21 and he is out there shopping for a new/used car with pre-approved financing. More proud I could not be.

you are a good effen dad no schtick

Thanks GB. I want you to know that your positive feedback, encouragement and kind words mean a whole heck of a lot to me and you can take that to the bank, brobuddy.

 

[General Malaise]

When I met @Thorn in Milwaukee a long time ago, I was impressed he actually understood what I do for a living. That’s rare

I met Thorn in Milwaukee too

Yo man, how is retirement treating you?

 

[Mr.Pack]

My wife had neck surgery in October, recovery was fine, a little rough but not bad. Then she had neck surgery on Jan. 7th. Three days later she felt something move, turns out the screws near the L5 loosened and there were fractures near the L5. The screws ended up toggling into the nerve everytime she moved. They thought she would heal and sent her to rehab. I have never seen anyone in so much pain. This went on until Feb. 3rd when she had a second back surgery to fix the first one,
This one is working and she's back in rehab. She cannot stand on her own yet and has no control over her bodily functions.
I have been going to the hospital every single day for 8-10hrs/day since Jan. 7th, except for 4 days when I was down with the NORO virus.
It hasn't been a fun ride for her and hoping she will get use of her legs and functions back soon.

Has anyone had any of this with good results?

 

[Mr.Pack]

When I met @Thorn in Milwaukee a long time ago, I was impressed he actually understood what I do for a living. That’s rare

I met Thorn in Milwaukee too

Yo man, how is retirement treating you?

Hey, it was going great until January lol, see my last post. I don't know how I could have handled this stuff with my wife if I had been working.
I was golfing a lot and hope to get back there in Summer

 

[General Malaise]

My wife had neck surgery in October, recovery was fine, a little rough but not bad. Then she had neck surgery on Jan. 7th. Three days later she felt something move, turns out the screws near the L5 loosened and there were fractures near the L5. The screws ended up toggling into the nerve everytime she moved. They thought she would heal and sent her to rehab. I have never seen anyone in so much pain. This went on until Feb. 3rd when she had a second back surgery to fix the first one,
This one is working and she's back in rehab. She cannot stand on her own yet and has no control over her bodily functions.
I have been going to the hospital every single day for 8-10hrs/day since Jan. 7th, except for 4 days when I was down with the NORO virus.
It hasn't been a fun ride for her and hoping she will get use of her kegs and functions back soon.

Has anyone had any of this with good results?

Dang, man. Sorry to hear.

When she regains use of her kegs, let us know.....we'll be there with cups, sausage and cheese!

 

[ChiefD]

Going to my first Wisconsin meat raffle this weekend.

Any tips?

 

[DA RAIDERS]

Going to my first Wisconsin meat raffle this weekend.

Any tips?

Wrap your meat and label it.

 

[Drunken knight]

Going to my first Wisconsin meat raffle this weekend.

Any tips?

don't wait for the last options at 2a

 

[BeTheMatch]

Going to my first Wisconsin meat raffle this weekend.

Any tips?

Buckle up.

 

[mr. furley]

Going to my first Wisconsin meat raffle this weekend.

Any tips?

don't touch another guy's meat

unless he asks. then specify which meat. he might have salami, ham, some tenderloins. you don't want to mis-handle the wrong package.

 

[BeTheMatch]

Going to my first Wisconsin meat raffle this weekend.

Any tips?

I'm assuming you're driving your sled and parking it out front and wearing your bibs into the bar and carrying your helmet around all night? If not, they're going to eat you alive.

 

[Snoopy]

Going to my first Wisconsin meat raffle this weekend.

Any tips?

Beef tips, sirloin tips...

 

[ChiefD]

Going to my first Wisconsin meat raffle this weekend.

Any tips?

I'm assuming you're driving your sled and parking it out front and wearing your bibs into the bar and carrying your helmet around all night? If not, they're going to eat you alive.

No we are not?

Uh oh.....

 

[General Malaise]

My oldest son is going camping on the coast this weekend. He just called me and sad to say we're a text more than talk family so I got nervous when I saw his number on my caller ID. Turns out the kid just wanted my recipe for black beans because somebody that's camping with them is a vegetarian and he volunteered to make my Cuban Black Beans for the group. And that made me so very happy.