My mother is out of the hospital in what I think is record time -- two nights in ICU and five nights in the hospital!
She looks fantastic and is ready to go on with her life.
She's staying with my brother, Fred, for a few weeks. He has a walk-in shower. That's important because she really can't step into a tub right now.
And he's got a big-screen TV she can sit and watch all day.
We're really happy -- and relieved -- that she came through the quadruple bypass so well. We can't say enough about Dr. Jeffrey Travis, who did the surgery. He's really the best. And the staff at St. Francis was outstanding, especially Marie and John in ICU. They were really wonderful.
I want to thank all of the people who either came by, sent notes and delivered flowers to our sweet, precious mother.
We appreciate that more than you'll ever know.
Thank you!
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Woo hoo!
My mother has been moved from ICU into a room at St. Francis Hospital.
It's amazing how quickly she's getting better.
Tuesday, when she came out of surgery, it was really scary. Her face was all swollen and her eyes were shut tight. We had a little scare Tuesday afternoon when her blood pressure dropped for no reason. But in a little while, she was back up to normal levels. We still don't know what happened.
Yesterday, the ventilator was removed and she could talk a little bit.
Today, she looks almost normal. Like I said, it's amazing how quickly she's recovering.
I have to thank all my friends for their love and support. I think we're still going to need all your prayers because she still has a long way to go.
But she's on her way to recovery. Before we know it, it will be December and we'll be on our way to Japan for a long-awaited visit.
Again, thank you for your prayers, phone calls and visits.
It's amazing how quickly she's getting better.
Tuesday, when she came out of surgery, it was really scary. Her face was all swollen and her eyes were shut tight. We had a little scare Tuesday afternoon when her blood pressure dropped for no reason. But in a little while, she was back up to normal levels. We still don't know what happened.
Yesterday, the ventilator was removed and she could talk a little bit.
Today, she looks almost normal. Like I said, it's amazing how quickly she's recovering.
I have to thank all my friends for their love and support. I think we're still going to need all your prayers because she still has a long way to go.
But she's on her way to recovery. Before we know it, it will be December and we'll be on our way to Japan for a long-awaited visit.
Again, thank you for your prayers, phone calls and visits.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Harry Potter
By the way, I finished "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" around 5 a.m. Sunday.
I picked up my book at Books-a-Million Friday night/Saturday morning with about 250 other fans.
When I got home, I started reading, but quickly got tired and had to put it down.
Saturday night, around 11:30 a.m., I picked up the book again and I couldn't let it go.
It's really, really good.
Alek Ansley, who owns Judy Bug's Books downtown, was right about one thing. I won't say what because many of you are still reading. I was skeptical, but he was correct.
The list of the dead adds up and it's heartbreaking. I know it sounds like I know these people. In a sense, I do. I've been reading about them for 10 years.
J.K. Rowling ends the book on an upbeat, though. It'll make you smile.
Let me know what you think of the book.
I picked up my book at Books-a-Million Friday night/Saturday morning with about 250 other fans.
When I got home, I started reading, but quickly got tired and had to put it down.
Saturday night, around 11:30 a.m., I picked up the book again and I couldn't let it go.
It's really, really good.
Alek Ansley, who owns Judy Bug's Books downtown, was right about one thing. I won't say what because many of you are still reading. I was skeptical, but he was correct.
The list of the dead adds up and it's heartbreaking. I know it sounds like I know these people. In a sense, I do. I've been reading about them for 10 years.
J.K. Rowling ends the book on an upbeat, though. It'll make you smile.
Let me know what you think of the book.
Quadruple Bypass Surgery
I've learned more about cardiac surgery in the last week than I thought I'd ever want to know.
And by tomorrow, I'll know even more.
My mother's scheduled for her surgery tomorrow morning and her doctor told us he should be done by noon.
A friend of mine, Karen Spears Zacharias, e-mailed me and said that my mother is in better shape than Richard Hyatt and he came through OK. I told Richard that, and even he had to agree.
It seems everyone I've talked to knows someone -- either a family member or good friend -- who has had cardiac surgery. And they've all had some advice that I've passed on to my family. Well, some of it.
If I learn any practical information that I can share, I'll do that Wednesday.
Wish us luck!
And by tomorrow, I'll know even more.
My mother's scheduled for her surgery tomorrow morning and her doctor told us he should be done by noon.
A friend of mine, Karen Spears Zacharias, e-mailed me and said that my mother is in better shape than Richard Hyatt and he came through OK. I told Richard that, and even he had to agree.
It seems everyone I've talked to knows someone -- either a family member or good friend -- who has had cardiac surgery. And they've all had some advice that I've passed on to my family. Well, some of it.
If I learn any practical information that I can share, I'll do that Wednesday.
Wish us luck!
Thursday, July 19, 2007
More health news
When my mother went in for a routine stress test last week, her doctor found what he called an "abnormality."
He sent her to a cardiologist and he did a heart catheritization on Tuesday.
I took Tuesday and Wednesday off. I knew that Tuesday would be spent in St. Francis, sitting around and waiting. I took Wednesday off just in case she needed some help at home.
We got to the hospital around 6:15 a .m. Tuesday and spent the whole time waiting. First, for her turn in the cath unit. My friend Geri Davis was kind enough to come and entertain us for a while. She brought her sketchbook from her recent trip to Italy, along with some photos.
Geri left as they were taking our mother to the cath unit.
Then we waited to for her to come out of there.
It took just a short time.
They took her to recovery, and asked us to wait. By us, it was me and my sisters, Nancy, Dorothy and Patty. Dr. Samir Mewar came out and told us the bad news. Our mother had numerous blockages that ranged from 80-95 percent.
He recommended Dr. Jeffrey Travis.
We went to the outpatient wing and stayed with her while she slept and ate and got her vital signs taken.
Dorothy, Patty and I walked over to the A&W/Kentucky Fried Chicken place for lunch. Nancy decided to stay with our mother, just in case Dr. Travis came.
Our brother, Fred, who said 6:30 a.m. was too early for him, joined us for lunch.
About an hour later, Fred and Patty left to go shopping for some things at Lowe's.
Finally, around 4:30 p.m. Dr. Travis came and explained what her options were, and made an appointment to see him Wednesday morning.
We got her home, just as Fred and Cheryl's daughter, Jessica, got there. Cheryl had been at our house, painting the bathroom.
Our mother was fine. Just a little sore, but OK.
Wednesday morning was another early one, this time all of us went to Dr. Travis' office, because Patty and Fred weren't there when he came to talk to us on Tuesday.
He went over everything, and she's going to have a quadruple bypass next Tuesday.
We went to the breafast buffet at Shoney's. We were joking that it will probably be the last time we'll be able to eat sausage and bacon and eggs in a long time.
Then we went to visit one of her friends, Kazue Yonekawa, who had lunch ready for us. Mrs. Yonekawa and her husband, Masafusa, own Tokyo Japanese Restaurant, and she's a wonderful cook. Even though we were stuffed, we ate some more.
After all, that's what the Okamoto family does best -- eat.
So now, we're just waiting for Tuesday's surgery. We'll probably go to Atlanta this weekend to shop.
Fred says she'll rehab at his house. He's got a walk-in shower downstairs, complete with rails and a shower seat. And she can watch TV on his big screen, which she'll love.
Everyone I know says this surgery is so much easier than it was years ago. And the alternative is not an option. Dr. Travis said without the bypass, she has a 50/50 chance of having a heart attack or stroke. And none of us want that, of course.
So please wish us well!
He sent her to a cardiologist and he did a heart catheritization on Tuesday.
I took Tuesday and Wednesday off. I knew that Tuesday would be spent in St. Francis, sitting around and waiting. I took Wednesday off just in case she needed some help at home.
We got to the hospital around 6:15 a .m. Tuesday and spent the whole time waiting. First, for her turn in the cath unit. My friend Geri Davis was kind enough to come and entertain us for a while. She brought her sketchbook from her recent trip to Italy, along with some photos.
Geri left as they were taking our mother to the cath unit.
Then we waited to for her to come out of there.
It took just a short time.
They took her to recovery, and asked us to wait. By us, it was me and my sisters, Nancy, Dorothy and Patty. Dr. Samir Mewar came out and told us the bad news. Our mother had numerous blockages that ranged from 80-95 percent.
He recommended Dr. Jeffrey Travis.
We went to the outpatient wing and stayed with her while she slept and ate and got her vital signs taken.
Dorothy, Patty and I walked over to the A&W/Kentucky Fried Chicken place for lunch. Nancy decided to stay with our mother, just in case Dr. Travis came.
Our brother, Fred, who said 6:30 a.m. was too early for him, joined us for lunch.
About an hour later, Fred and Patty left to go shopping for some things at Lowe's.
Finally, around 4:30 p.m. Dr. Travis came and explained what her options were, and made an appointment to see him Wednesday morning.
We got her home, just as Fred and Cheryl's daughter, Jessica, got there. Cheryl had been at our house, painting the bathroom.
Our mother was fine. Just a little sore, but OK.
Wednesday morning was another early one, this time all of us went to Dr. Travis' office, because Patty and Fred weren't there when he came to talk to us on Tuesday.
He went over everything, and she's going to have a quadruple bypass next Tuesday.
We went to the breafast buffet at Shoney's. We were joking that it will probably be the last time we'll be able to eat sausage and bacon and eggs in a long time.
Then we went to visit one of her friends, Kazue Yonekawa, who had lunch ready for us. Mrs. Yonekawa and her husband, Masafusa, own Tokyo Japanese Restaurant, and she's a wonderful cook. Even though we were stuffed, we ate some more.
After all, that's what the Okamoto family does best -- eat.
So now, we're just waiting for Tuesday's surgery. We'll probably go to Atlanta this weekend to shop.
Fred says she'll rehab at his house. He's got a walk-in shower downstairs, complete with rails and a shower seat. And she can watch TV on his big screen, which she'll love.
Everyone I know says this surgery is so much easier than it was years ago. And the alternative is not an option. Dr. Travis said without the bypass, she has a 50/50 chance of having a heart attack or stroke. And none of us want that, of course.
So please wish us well!
Monday, July 16, 2007
Your health
Last week, I watched a touching tribute to Joel Siegel, the movie critic for ABC's "Good Morning America."
From everything I read, he regretted not having a colonoscopy when he turned 50. By the time he had one, he was 53, and he had colo-rectal cancer.
Like Siegel, I waited to have one done until I was 53. That was last summer just before I turned 54.
Fortunately, everything was fine.
I wrote about my experience for our old health tabloid called Thrive.
We were supposed to have a photographer come with me and photograph everything, but something got messed up. So there are no photos. And I guess I should be glad. I'm sure I wasn't at my best that morning.
For those of you about to turn 50 this year, go and have the procedure done. It's really no big deal.
Wait. There is just a little yucky part and that's the preparation. For 24 hours before the procedure, you can't eat anything and you've got to take some truly vile stuff that cleans out your system. I mean clean out.
I can't describe what that stuff tastes like. At first, I thought it wasn't bad. But by the time I was at the bottom of the gallon bottle, I was standing at the kitchen sink just looking at it. I really couldn't drink another drop. I did.
You'll spend a lot of time in the bathroom -- and it's not putting on makeup.
Other than that, it's very, very easy.
Colo-rectal cancer is probably the one type of cancer that is completely avoidable. But only if you get tested when you're 50. And earlier if there's a family history.
After writing that story last summer, several people came up to me to thank me.
Dianne Osborne, a local artist, told me she clipped the story and hands it to friends who have put off the procedure. She even made her husband read it.
A couple of my colleagues, who are older than I am, have had it done in the past year.
It's a subject people want to avoid, but I tell everyone I know whom I know is about turn 50 to get it done.
You won't be sorry.
Really.
From everything I read, he regretted not having a colonoscopy when he turned 50. By the time he had one, he was 53, and he had colo-rectal cancer.
Like Siegel, I waited to have one done until I was 53. That was last summer just before I turned 54.
Fortunately, everything was fine.
I wrote about my experience for our old health tabloid called Thrive.
We were supposed to have a photographer come with me and photograph everything, but something got messed up. So there are no photos. And I guess I should be glad. I'm sure I wasn't at my best that morning.
For those of you about to turn 50 this year, go and have the procedure done. It's really no big deal.
Wait. There is just a little yucky part and that's the preparation. For 24 hours before the procedure, you can't eat anything and you've got to take some truly vile stuff that cleans out your system. I mean clean out.
I can't describe what that stuff tastes like. At first, I thought it wasn't bad. But by the time I was at the bottom of the gallon bottle, I was standing at the kitchen sink just looking at it. I really couldn't drink another drop. I did.
You'll spend a lot of time in the bathroom -- and it's not putting on makeup.
Other than that, it's very, very easy.
Colo-rectal cancer is probably the one type of cancer that is completely avoidable. But only if you get tested when you're 50. And earlier if there's a family history.
After writing that story last summer, several people came up to me to thank me.
Dianne Osborne, a local artist, told me she clipped the story and hands it to friends who have put off the procedure. She even made her husband read it.
A couple of my colleagues, who are older than I am, have had it done in the past year.
It's a subject people want to avoid, but I tell everyone I know whom I know is about turn 50 to get it done.
You won't be sorry.
Really.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Harry Potter
OK, I saw the movie last night in a sold-out theater.
I went with my mother, two sisters, my brother, a sister-in-law, a brother-in-law and one niece.
My niece, Jessica, gave it two thumbs down. She said it was the worst of all the Potter movies.
My brother, Fred, who has never read any of the books, but who has seen all of the movies, didn't understand a lot of it.
The rest of us liked it.
This is the darkest of the movies so far, but that's because the book is, too.
Harry feels isolated from everyone, but he learns at the end that friendships really matter. And he knows who his real friends are.
I've read reviews that say the magic is gone. Those reviewers are crazy.
Every show last night was sold out. There was applause throughout the movie from a very enthusiastic audience. Applause at a movie!
Before going into the theater, I saw a group of Springer Opera House kids. Izzy Brown asked if I had my ticket. I said I did. They didn't and had to buy tickets for tonight.
So this first weekend, I'd recommend that you head out to Hollywood Connection's Ritz 10 and buy tickets in advance. Otherwise, you may be disappointed like Izzy and her friends.
Do I recommend the movie?
Of course!
Tell me what you thought of the movie.
I went with my mother, two sisters, my brother, a sister-in-law, a brother-in-law and one niece.
My niece, Jessica, gave it two thumbs down. She said it was the worst of all the Potter movies.
My brother, Fred, who has never read any of the books, but who has seen all of the movies, didn't understand a lot of it.
The rest of us liked it.
This is the darkest of the movies so far, but that's because the book is, too.
Harry feels isolated from everyone, but he learns at the end that friendships really matter. And he knows who his real friends are.
I've read reviews that say the magic is gone. Those reviewers are crazy.
Every show last night was sold out. There was applause throughout the movie from a very enthusiastic audience. Applause at a movie!
Before going into the theater, I saw a group of Springer Opera House kids. Izzy Brown asked if I had my ticket. I said I did. They didn't and had to buy tickets for tonight.
So this first weekend, I'd recommend that you head out to Hollywood Connection's Ritz 10 and buy tickets in advance. Otherwise, you may be disappointed like Izzy and her friends.
Do I recommend the movie?
Of course!
Tell me what you thought of the movie.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
The new Harry Potter movie
I know I said in last week's To Do that we were going to the midnight movie this morning.
Well, we messed up and didn't buy the tickets in advance and the show sold-out.
So my youngest sister, Patty, went and bought tickets for the 6:30 p.m. show tonight.
I'll let you know what I thought of the movie tomorrow.
I'm such a big fan of the books and have been pretty happy with the movie versions so far. So I can't wait to see it.
And I really can't wait to get my little hands on the seventh and final book next week. I bought my copy months ago.
Yes, I am a Harry geek. It's so sad. Someone my age ...
Well, we messed up and didn't buy the tickets in advance and the show sold-out.
So my youngest sister, Patty, went and bought tickets for the 6:30 p.m. show tonight.
I'll let you know what I thought of the movie tomorrow.
I'm such a big fan of the books and have been pretty happy with the movie versions so far. So I can't wait to see it.
And I really can't wait to get my little hands on the seventh and final book next week. I bought my copy months ago.
Yes, I am a Harry geek. It's so sad. Someone my age ...
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Self-Help
I just came back to the newsroom from the Studio Theatre in the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts. I was invited to what was a dress rehearsal for a show called "Self-Help: The Comedy."
It starts Thursday, and it's written by two comedians, Debbie Kasper and Sheila Kay, who also star in the show.
It's done without an intermission and runs about two hours, but it really, really doesn't seem like a two-hour show. And you'll laugh and laugh and laugh some more.
There's a lot of audience participation.
And if you go, don't sit in the first two rows. That's unless you want to be the center of attention. You'll be picked on by the two women.
Darlene Hughes Kittrell, who's the marketing director for the RiverCenter, was sitting right up front for some reason that I'm sure she's regretting. Right after the show, she was still laughing and she said she was sweating. I know she's used to being in the spotlight because she was an anchor at WRBL-TV 3 for many years. And I first met her when she was in "42nd Street." I was background scenery, but she was the star.
Maureen Gottfried was another singled out. I'm hoping to get photos of her on stage, being coached by Zelda Bing, the self-proclaimed love goddess.
When I interviewed Debbie Kasper for a story in this week's To Do, she said that a lot of people compare it to "Greater Tuna." There aren't as many costume changes or characters, but the two actors do a really good job.
So what's the show about?
It's a parody of self-help seminars that were so popular a couple of years ago. The press material says it's about "women's rights and men's wrongs."
But it's more than that. It discusses body image, self-esteem and relationships between men and women -- all in fun.
It really is hilarious.
The dates are 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. Saturday. And again, 7:30 p.m. July 19-20 and 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. July 21. The 10 p.m. shows are for adults only. Actually, the 7:30 p.m. shows are not for kids, either.
Tickets are $29. If you have a valid college ID, tickets are $10 in the box office, starting at 7 p.m. on show nights.
Get a group of girlfriends together and go. You'll really have a great time. Several women dragged their husbands and I saw them laughing, too.
So it's not just for women. Take your monkey boys.
It starts Thursday, and it's written by two comedians, Debbie Kasper and Sheila Kay, who also star in the show.
It's done without an intermission and runs about two hours, but it really, really doesn't seem like a two-hour show. And you'll laugh and laugh and laugh some more.
There's a lot of audience participation.
And if you go, don't sit in the first two rows. That's unless you want to be the center of attention. You'll be picked on by the two women.
Darlene Hughes Kittrell, who's the marketing director for the RiverCenter, was sitting right up front for some reason that I'm sure she's regretting. Right after the show, she was still laughing and she said she was sweating. I know she's used to being in the spotlight because she was an anchor at WRBL-TV 3 for many years. And I first met her when she was in "42nd Street." I was background scenery, but she was the star.
Maureen Gottfried was another singled out. I'm hoping to get photos of her on stage, being coached by Zelda Bing, the self-proclaimed love goddess.
When I interviewed Debbie Kasper for a story in this week's To Do, she said that a lot of people compare it to "Greater Tuna." There aren't as many costume changes or characters, but the two actors do a really good job.
So what's the show about?
It's a parody of self-help seminars that were so popular a couple of years ago. The press material says it's about "women's rights and men's wrongs."
But it's more than that. It discusses body image, self-esteem and relationships between men and women -- all in fun.
It really is hilarious.
The dates are 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. Saturday. And again, 7:30 p.m. July 19-20 and 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. July 21. The 10 p.m. shows are for adults only. Actually, the 7:30 p.m. shows are not for kids, either.
Tickets are $29. If you have a valid college ID, tickets are $10 in the box office, starting at 7 p.m. on show nights.
Get a group of girlfriends together and go. You'll really have a great time. Several women dragged their husbands and I saw them laughing, too.
So it's not just for women. Take your monkey boys.
Monday, July 9, 2007
It's a small world after all
You know when someone says, "It's a small world."
It sounds like such a cliche. That is, until you think about it.
How many times do you run into someone you know in an unexpected place?
I was at Epcot in Orlando, standing in line for some ride, when I saw someone I knew from Columbus. Another time, I was in Philadelphia, leaving the hotel to walk to the museum when I bumped into Janice Biggers. We said at the same time, "What are you doing here?"
Last week, my niece, Jessica, asked if I'd met the new reporter at WTVM 9. I said I haven't covered local media in years, so I told her I had not.
Jess said, "She's from back home." To Jessica, Columbus is not yet home. She was born in Hollywood, Fla., and grew up in the Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood suburb of Cooper City. So even though her parents no longer live there, it's still home to her.
Anyway, Laurie Bernstein, the newest member of the News Leader team, is from Cooper City. She graduated from Cooper City High School with my nephew, Scott. And Laurie and Jess played soccer at CCHS. When Jess was a freshman, she was one of two freshmen to make the varsity soccer team. Laurie was a junior then. So they played on the same team for two years.
Laurie went to American University in Washington, D.C., so it's been four years since the two girls saw each other.
I went on the WTVM Web site and e-mailed Laurie, inviting her to our Fourth of July cookout. She had to work the station's Thunder on the Hooch event, so it wasn't until after 7 p.m. before she came to Fred and Cheryl's house.
They chatted for quite a while and we all had a great time.
I'm glad Laurie got to see a familiar face and got to hang out with us. She said she got a little homesick when her family called her earlier in the day.
And it really is a small world, after all, isn't it?
It sounds like such a cliche. That is, until you think about it.
How many times do you run into someone you know in an unexpected place?
I was at Epcot in Orlando, standing in line for some ride, when I saw someone I knew from Columbus. Another time, I was in Philadelphia, leaving the hotel to walk to the museum when I bumped into Janice Biggers. We said at the same time, "What are you doing here?"
Last week, my niece, Jessica, asked if I'd met the new reporter at WTVM 9. I said I haven't covered local media in years, so I told her I had not.
Jess said, "She's from back home." To Jessica, Columbus is not yet home. She was born in Hollywood, Fla., and grew up in the Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood suburb of Cooper City. So even though her parents no longer live there, it's still home to her.
Anyway, Laurie Bernstein, the newest member of the News Leader team, is from Cooper City. She graduated from Cooper City High School with my nephew, Scott. And Laurie and Jess played soccer at CCHS. When Jess was a freshman, she was one of two freshmen to make the varsity soccer team. Laurie was a junior then. So they played on the same team for two years.
Laurie went to American University in Washington, D.C., so it's been four years since the two girls saw each other.
I went on the WTVM Web site and e-mailed Laurie, inviting her to our Fourth of July cookout. She had to work the station's Thunder on the Hooch event, so it wasn't until after 7 p.m. before she came to Fred and Cheryl's house.
They chatted for quite a while and we all had a great time.
I'm glad Laurie got to see a familiar face and got to hang out with us. She said she got a little homesick when her family called her earlier in the day.
And it really is a small world, after all, isn't it?
Thursday, July 5, 2007
The Fourth of July
It was the best Fourth of July we've had in a long time. Everyone, except for Scott, who's in the Air Force and stationed in England, was in town. We even had our great-niece and great-nephew with us.
A family friend, Kazue Yonekawa, who owns Tokyo Restaurant with her husband, came. So did my friend V.J. Roberts and her daughter, Jessica. Oz was in Dallas judging the Miss Teen Texas pageant.
Fred grilled. Everyone brought food.
And we ate and ate until we were all lying around stuffed.
My diet begins Monday. For real.
Everything was wonderful until the fireworks display.
Fred lives in a housing development way out Macon Road. It's probably as far as you go and still be in Muscogee County.
Every year, they have a big Fourth of July picnic and fireworks.
I had taken our mother home so we weren't there when it happened. I had to let the dogs out of the house where they'd been since about 2 p.m.
Fred and Patty and her husband stayed at the house.
Everyone else headed for the fireworks.
Cheryl put comforters on the ground so they could sit and watch.
Jessica was lying on her back when she got hit by debris. And then Adam was hit.
Jess was very, very lucky. Patty said the debris was rock-hard and about the size of a ping pong ball.
Jess got hit on her cheekbone right below her left eye. She was lucky that it didn't hit her eye.
Adam is one of Cheryl's brother's twins. He got hit on his leg.
They didn't stay for the rest of the show.
I haven't seen Jess, but Patty said she didn't quit crying until they put her to bed. And this is a child who never cries.
So I guess even if you're not playing with fireworks, you can get hurt. I'm also guessing they let people too close to where they were being launched.
I'm sure that next year, my family will be farther away. Like maybe at home!
A family friend, Kazue Yonekawa, who owns Tokyo Restaurant with her husband, came. So did my friend V.J. Roberts and her daughter, Jessica. Oz was in Dallas judging the Miss Teen Texas pageant.
Fred grilled. Everyone brought food.
And we ate and ate until we were all lying around stuffed.
My diet begins Monday. For real.
Everything was wonderful until the fireworks display.
Fred lives in a housing development way out Macon Road. It's probably as far as you go and still be in Muscogee County.
Every year, they have a big Fourth of July picnic and fireworks.
I had taken our mother home so we weren't there when it happened. I had to let the dogs out of the house where they'd been since about 2 p.m.
Fred and Patty and her husband stayed at the house.
Everyone else headed for the fireworks.
Cheryl put comforters on the ground so they could sit and watch.
Jessica was lying on her back when she got hit by debris. And then Adam was hit.
Jess was very, very lucky. Patty said the debris was rock-hard and about the size of a ping pong ball.
Jess got hit on her cheekbone right below her left eye. She was lucky that it didn't hit her eye.
Adam is one of Cheryl's brother's twins. He got hit on his leg.
They didn't stay for the rest of the show.
I haven't seen Jess, but Patty said she didn't quit crying until they put her to bed. And this is a child who never cries.
So I guess even if you're not playing with fireworks, you can get hurt. I'm also guessing they let people too close to where they were being launched.
I'm sure that next year, my family will be farther away. Like maybe at home!
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
The Food Network
If the television is on, I'm watching the Food Network, Animal Planet, TLC, the Travel Channel or HGTV.
That means the traditional network offerings are not what I want to watch. Although I do watch things like "Dancing With the Stars" and "So YouThink You Can Dance?" I watch those shows because I really think I can dance. But ask my dance teachers and they'll just laugh.
I really do like to watch the Food Network. My favorite chef is Tyler Florence for the obvious reason, but his recipes look pretty good, too.
So I was amused to find out that there's a little controversy going on about Giada De Laurentiis' attire on her shows.
Apparently, TV Guide had a little blurb in the June 11 issue in the "Cheers & Jeers: Readers' Edition." A reader named Deborah L. Deel of Christiansburg, Va., wrote: "She must be sooooooo proud of her breasts. Who is she trying to turn on -- the cameraman? It's really kind of sad and pathetic."
I like Giada, and I never really noticed what she was wearing. What annoys me about her is that fakey smile.
TV Guide got tons of mail about Deel's comments and the June 25 issue has a whole page of comments pro and con about Giada's clothing.
The funniest one came from Rob Melcore of Manassas, Va. "I love to watch her stir those ingredients in her low-cut tops. If Ms. Deel wants sexless cooking, she should watch Rachael Ray."
Woo hoo!
I really don't like Rachael Ray. Talk about annoying.
And I know several people who have had to deal with her and they call her a name that rhymes with "witch."
All three of those people say she treats her staff like dirt and she turns on that smile when the camera is turned on. As soon as filming is done, she's berating the staff and cursing at them.
Not a nice woman.
The June 30 issue is on the stands until the Fourth of July, so if you want to read more, pick one up at the grocery store.
That means the traditional network offerings are not what I want to watch. Although I do watch things like "Dancing With the Stars" and "So YouThink You Can Dance?" I watch those shows because I really think I can dance. But ask my dance teachers and they'll just laugh.
I really do like to watch the Food Network. My favorite chef is Tyler Florence for the obvious reason, but his recipes look pretty good, too.
So I was amused to find out that there's a little controversy going on about Giada De Laurentiis' attire on her shows.
Apparently, TV Guide had a little blurb in the June 11 issue in the "Cheers & Jeers: Readers' Edition." A reader named Deborah L. Deel of Christiansburg, Va., wrote: "She must be sooooooo proud of her breasts. Who is she trying to turn on -- the cameraman? It's really kind of sad and pathetic."
I like Giada, and I never really noticed what she was wearing. What annoys me about her is that fakey smile.
TV Guide got tons of mail about Deel's comments and the June 25 issue has a whole page of comments pro and con about Giada's clothing.
The funniest one came from Rob Melcore of Manassas, Va. "I love to watch her stir those ingredients in her low-cut tops. If Ms. Deel wants sexless cooking, she should watch Rachael Ray."
Woo hoo!
I really don't like Rachael Ray. Talk about annoying.
And I know several people who have had to deal with her and they call her a name that rhymes with "witch."
All three of those people say she treats her staff like dirt and she turns on that smile when the camera is turned on. As soon as filming is done, she's berating the staff and cursing at them.
Not a nice woman.
The June 30 issue is on the stands until the Fourth of July, so if you want to read more, pick one up at the grocery store.
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