Champions

The little Ducks won a huge game today by getting a 110% from all the kids. I'm pretty sure every kid scored points in a 44-22 drubbing of the iNiners. Dylan scored two beautiful rushing touchdowns and Sam had one rushing TD. The team scored 3 safeties and had the iNiners on their heels the whole game. This was a much needed win after falling in the playoffs the last four years. They worked their butts off and came up with a game they will remember forever.

Championship Moms

These ladies have a lot of flair going on.

Cake Boss

They both consumed a quarter of each cake. I didn't think they could but they did. It was Mom's idea to let them try.

Birthday Boys

A couple of 12 year olds today. Love these guys.

The Bend

The Physical Therapist really started to work the knee to do stuff it doesn't really want to do. I need to get it to bend about 130 degrees and at the moment, it's at about 85 degrees. A person needs about 110 to walk up steps, one foot after the other and to ride a bike. It seems I have some work to do and it ain't all that pleasant.

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Just Another Day

The knee continues to improve, slowly. I ran out of the longer acting narcotic yesterday and while I believe that's the plan to get me back to no narcotics, it did mean some extra pain the last 36 hours. I still have short term pain meds but I realize now that the long term stuff is better. All in all I'm doing well but the days are adding up and improvement is slowing down. I have another pt session in the morning then a day of more exercise and the continuous motion machine. It's hard to tell which day of the week it is at times. I'm getting there.

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Two weeks Home

My in home PT has run out and it's out to PT early tomorrow. I'm fearing they may kick my ass a little but I've been keeping up with the exercises at home so hopefully I'll be ready for them. The knee does continue to improve and sleeping is a little easier. I think getting out of the house tomorrow will be good for me. I need to see some different turning leaves than the ones I can see from my window.

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All Hallows' Eve

The kids are out trick or treating with friends and I have these spooky dudes looking at me. The house smells like pumpkin guts and burning wood. This what fall is all about.

Halloween

The Fantastic Mr. Fox and Fantasy Football on the way to school this morning. On another gruesome note, I just got the staples on my knee out. It was annoyingly painful but it went pretty fast for having 38 of them.

Fiddling Fox

Sam played at Edison High in the greater Springfield area orchestra this evening. I think the football and basketball coaches would have rather seen at practice but Sam wanted to be part of this multiple grade school orchestra concert. He had been practicing for it all month. It's good that he likes things beyond sports, keeps him well rounded. His ears are part of his Halloween costume, TheFantastic Mr. Fox. A Roald Dahl book.

Two Weeks

With two weeks almost behind me, I'm starting see some faster improvement in my leg. I've graduated from a walker to a cane and the swelling is going down quite a bit. The whole thing is still a little painful but that's to be expected. My Pt session on Wednesday was pretty brutal. She had me doing some things on my feet that was causing some severe discomfort but I went back at trying them again today. I know this is a long process but I'm getting through it step by step.

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House Arrest

The knee is improving a little everyday and I'm getting more and more energy. It's amazing how a little surgery can knock you out for a while. Everything seems to be going how it's supposed to be going while I did expect to have more movement in the leg by now, I'm not terribly disappointed. My big activity this week will be getting the 30 plus staples out on Friday. That and a couple more PT sessions.

The biggest problem with doing this surgery this time a year is that I'm missing all the good leif turning action. Their are a few spots on the way to work and school that are pretty spectacular and I'm going to miss those spots at peak. Maybe I'll get out and see something this weekend.

One week home

It's been a week since leaving the hospital and while I've had some better days than others I'm still experiencing some good pain. I did more moving from upstairs to downstairs and spent more time on the motion machine than past days but that sucka is still really stiff. I know everyone's knee is different and healing times may vary but it's clear I won't be in the early healers club on this one. More PT and exercise tomorrow.

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Bed - Chair

And back again. Same old routine around here the last week and while I don't really feel like running around in the leaves, the same thing, day after day is kinda a drag. The knee is still really swollen and the pain is still high but I have good parts of the day. Hanging with the kids in bed before their football game as fun.

The boys lost their game today but combined for 6 touchdowns. Sam threw two TD passes to Dylan, ran a TD and had a pick 6. Dylan also had a pick 2, he intercepted an extra point conversion attempt by the other team. This is the team they will see in the championship game in two weeks. I hope their defense improves a little by then.

It's been one week

The knee might actually hurt more a week after surgery than it did last week at this time. I have been shedding the effects of the injected pain blockers all week and have the night sweats and chills to prove it. The oral pain meds continue, as does the continuous motion machine, walking and stretching. Mom left yesterday and she was a huge help getting through a tough week but the boys are starting to pitch in more to help out.

The PT says the amount of stiffness and pain at this point is a little odd but as we talked today we realized that my knee was such a twisted mess for so long, the soft tissue is having a hard time adjusting to the new "straightened" knee joint. She thinks once the swelling goes down, I will start to see significant improvement quickly.

I'm going to miss another boys football game tomorrow which sucks but if I'm lucky, I will catch the playoffs.

A Stitch at a Time

Well, staples really but as nasty as this looks, it's in good condition. Got back from the hospital at around 6:30 last night, ate some cereal, took some pain meds then went to bed for almost 12 hours. Mom and Nicole are making sure I've got everything I need and while it hurts a bunch, it seems to be getting a little less painful and slightly looser every day.

D-Day plus 1

The surgery went well yesterday. In the operating room at 7:30am and out by around 10am. Mom and Nicole hung out and met me in my room. The pain was pretty extreme last night but it has subsided quite a bit today but it still smarts. I got up and walked 80 feet on Friday, 130 feet and stairs this morning and a nice 400 foot trip around the ward this afternoon.

Having Mom and Nicole staying with me in shifts has been fantastic. I believe Nicole is staying with me again tonight. I've also spent most of my time in a chair today, which is better for my body than stretched out on the bed. Baby steps.

Checked In

My left knee lasted me a little over 50 years. It's time for the upgrade.

October Sky

The light is fading fast for weekday football practices. Only a couple more weeks until it will be dark at 5 and we will not have practice.

Fox Business

Nicole helped the Fox News people understand how the affordable care act is working. They add some truthyness every once in a while.

Tick Tock

That's what a knee is supposed to look like, mine, not so much.

Ward Fest

Our friends Larry and Kate Ward (far right) moved to Boston last summer but returned for a visit this weekend. We had 20 people over to celebrate the visit. It was kinda a mini Halloween party since we are not having one of those this year. 5 days and counting.

It's starting to look...

As seen at Market Street Bloomingdales yesterday. Seems a little early but I liked it.

Bay Bridge

On the plane on the way home from another Council meeting in San Francisco. It was informative and fun as usual. I've been fighting a cold so my only night out was Tuesday which was a lot of fun. Went to bed at 8 last night and feel much better today. I'm right over Denver right now so about 1,300 more miles till I'm home.

Shoe Fetish

The boys and I had a good time shopping for shoes today. We ended up at World of Hoops store at Pentagon City mall where Dylan scored the black Micheal Jordan "29's" and Sam got really bright Nike's. They both seem like good shoes and they fit well, Sam with an 11 1/2 and Dylan in a 10. These kids love shoes and know a lot about them. It was fun watching them try things on and the excitement they get from walking out of the store, bags in hand. We also pick up some fancy USA socks that match their LMVSC Patriots uniforms. We picked up new football gloves and had a late lunch at Fiona's as well. It's been a fun boys weekend but we are all looking forward to Momma coming home tomorrow.

Yes I Did

The temp is 59 degrees at 7:30pm so it's time for the first fire of the season. It's getting down to the mid forties tonight and I've been itchin to light one up for the last few weeks. Nicole is in California so the boys and I are watching Irish football and Nats playoff baseball. Good times.

A Beating

The little Ducks were firing on all cylinders today in a 45-0 drubbing of the Vipers. While the Viers played poorly, the ducks came out on fire. Dylan intercepted 3 balls and returned 2 for touchdowns, he also caught a long pass from Lucas for a TD. Sam intercepted 1 ball but went to his knee immediately because we were winning by so much, Dylan did the same with his third interception. They both could have easily scored on those picks. Sam scored on a long throw from Nick as well. Mick scored twice, a pick 6 and a long pass from Lucas, Nick scored on a pick six as well and Lucas scored a safety. It as an all around beating.

Sick Sam

Dylan went to basketball tryouts tonight but Sam stayed home with strep throat. He's pretty sick but in a good mood. Dylan was really solid once again at the tryouts and the new recruits look really good. Not sure who's on the team yet but the boys look good for making the roster and with some new blood, we are bound to have a pretty good year.

Mmmmm Wine

I'll have one of each I believe. Grandma brought me this from Santa Fe. It may be my new hanging around home and drinking wine shirt since it probably won't show red wine spills, being burgundy colored and all.

Game On

A couple shots from last Saturday's game. I will add a bunch more to flickr soon.

Rainbow Warrior

Parent teacher conferences today so the boys spent the day in SACC. The teachers like the boys and think they are doing just fine. Sam decided to paint his face in SACC. I picked them up early so they could hang at home for a while too.

That Time Again

While we aren't having a big Halloween party this year, we are having a few folks over in a couple weeks. I will be in the hospital on our traditional party date. That will be scary enough.

Fall Football Fun

The boys won a tense football game by the skin of their teeth this morning. The final was 24-20 with the other team failing to score with the ball on the 3 yard line with three seconds left to play. Dylan ran down a kid on the previous play to save the TD. A wake-up call for the little Ducks.

Dylan also scored on a 50 yard run with 1 second left on the clock before half, that put the Ducks up by 6. He had a really good game at QB and on defense. Sam had three touch downs on the day with a long end run, a pass from Brandon and a momentum changing pick 6. He also stepped it up big time by breaking up a half dozen passes and pulling a ton of flags.

They won the first two game of the season in blowouts so they needed a close game to grow as team and they got it today.

The leaves are starting to change too.

First Pumpkin

Bought a pumpkin a week or so ago and the critters hollowed it out in no time. I'm glad they enjoined it.

A Winner

Dylan won his SCA (student council) class rep election today. He will be serving with his secretary brother and friends Timmy, Tommy and Zach. He gotten some nice wins the last couple weeks. He was named a sergeant for Patrols as well. It's a good start for both boys this year.

Autumn Sky

It's starting to trend cooler around here but the 10 day forecast does not point to any fires coming soon. The sky is looking very fall like and a few trees are showing color. My favorite time of the year.

Masonic Temple

We did something none of of had done before in the DC area. The George Washington Masonic Temple is about a mile from our house but we had never been inside. It was a cool little tour with the best view of Alexandria available.

Gelato Fun

Had a nice dinner in Old Town tonight and topped it off with some Gelato for the boys.

Enthusiasm and Sportsmanship

Dylan scored a nice award for being a positive force on the field today. He also threw a TD pass to Sam and a point after score to Mick. He is always the first kid to cheer for the other players and handing flags back to the other team. Sam played well too and had a nice 50 yard TD run. The little Ducks are 2-0 with a 34-17 win today.

Iceland

Rachel came to town for a visit and brought presents, including, cupcakes, framed pictures and these little liquors from Iceland. I think we will save them until tomorrow.

More Practice

It was a beautiful night for a football practice. I kinda enjoy hangin out with the guys watching the kids have a ball playing ball.

Back at it

Sam made it back to basketball practice today for the first time in about 4 weeks. His shin splints and twisted ankle kept him out but he was back and moving pretty quickly today. Dylan looked good too, even with a stiff neck from some sort of spasm he got yesterday in gym class. These kids are beat up.

Productive Sunday

Beautiful Fall day here in Alexandria. 70 degrees with low humidity, I almost built my first fire of the season last night but a roaring fire with all the windows open seemed wrong. The fire season isn't that far off now anyway. Tackling projects around the house is way easier with this weather. We cleaned out the shed, changed oil and tuned up the generator, cleaned the screen porch replaced the floater valve on the hall bathroom toilet. Floater valve replacement is a new skill I learned a few months ago when I replaced one upstairs. I used to pay a plumber $90 to do this fairly straight forward repair but I'm turning into an expert.

The other thing about replacing floater valves and changing oil in the generator is the feeling of accomplishment. Nothing beats the good feeling after successfully fixing a problem. My work life is often filled with big problems that require multiple steps over weeks or years to solve. These problems don't return a sense of accomplishment like the small problems that if resolved successfully pay you back immediately.

Speaking of long term investments, the boys and I went up to the park for some football practice today as well. We threw,ran and caught passes for about an hour. We've been doing this for years and I was astounded at how good they've become. They both throw really well and they have developed great hands. All these years of trying to get them to understand good fundamentals of throwing and catching is paying off. This is going to be a fun football season to watch.

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New League

We had been playing i9 flag football in the southwest Fairfax franchise for the past four years. In a move to split up our team and disenfranchise Sam and Dylan the owner (Don King) of that league decided to move the age break a couple weeks and push Sam and Dylan into the older group of kids. He moved the born on date for all the divisions but only decided to enforce it against my kids. Other kids that should have been effected by the last minute change were allowed to play in the age group they signed up to play in.

I'm not sure what Don's problem is but he is a pretty stupid individual based on my observations over the years and runs a horrible franchise for i9. Dylan and Sam are a couple of the best flag players out there and have destroyed many of the teams of Don's favorite coaches but separating them from the other sixth graders and a group of kids they played with for the last 4 years was pretty low even for that jackass. All to protect his friends from having to play superior players. We immediately withdrew from his league and enrolled in the Central/North Fairfax franchise run by a guy named Todd Peterson.

Dylan and Sam were devastated about not being able to play with their team and for coach Cory but an amazing thing happened in a short couple days after Don's pathetic attempt at bursting 11 year old dreams. The entire team moved to the new league. This required each family to withdrawal from Don's league, acquire a refund on the fees and re-enroll in the Todd Peterson owned league. Todd was more than accommodating to the refuges and provided early registration discounts and let our team play together as a team.

I can't tell you how grateful I am to the families that made the switch to keep the team together and Todd for offering a well run and professional atmosphere to continue to play flag. It's obvious that after our first game that this new league has a clue on how to run a business and a sports league that supports child development. Don isn't qualified to run a lemonade stand. I'm hoping more people being abused by Don King find this new franchise and make the switch. I will certainly be letting people know that they don't have to put up with Don's incompetence.

Football Boys

They each had a pick six while Sam threw for another score and Dylan scored two extra points. Good start to the season for the little Ducks.

Anchorman

Dylan is the morning announcements voice at Clermont Elementary and when the video system is working properly, he will be the face of the morning news as well. I'm very proud of him for taking after Uncle Tom and Ron Burgundy who are really one and the same. Stay classy Clermont.

Key West Refections

I uploaded a bunch of photos to flickr and realized that the 3 day trip was a lot of fun. I don't see Steve that much these days but hangin with him and Patty was really fun. I feel like Steve and I got back in that Dewey Beach groove pretty quickly like when I saw him all summer long back in the day. I'm also looking forward to a nice weekend with the kids, I miss them when we are apart. 

https://flickr.com/photos/76997459@N00/sets/72157647093267000

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Walking with Dinosours

Nat Geo pull up a flower bed and planted this creature in its main entrance on M Street. I didn't get eaten walking past it to the gym today.

Politician Boy

Sam's official duty was greeting people and selling reusable bags to help fund student government at the back to school night. He didn't sell that many but he looked good.

The Big 50

Thanks for all the nice gifts and well wishes. Fun night with Nicole, Dylan, Sam, Linda, Gill and Adam. Onward.......

Modean and Pat-tay

Our friends Steve and Patty joined us in key west for the 3 day run up to my birthday. I was really happy they could make it and we had a great time bumming around that key. Back home now and nursing a very sore knee and some sore other parts of my legs from going 45 mph for two hours in some heavy surf on those wave runners. I can barely walk.

Mommaski

Great time on the water yesterday, followed by some football, pool time, sunset, dinner and a fabulous dessert restaurant. On the plane home now and missing the boys.

Jet Ski Madness

Fun but bumpy trip around the island today. Good times.

Island Hot

Got in around 2 yesterday and have melted into the island pace pretty quickly. Stave and patty are here as well and we had a nice dinner at Pepes then a few drinks on Duval street. Rode bikes to the beach this morning then some lunch, more riding around the island followed by some pool time. Need to get ready for dinner now but theirs no rush.

K thru 6

First day at Clermont Elementary and today's first day of 6th grade. They haven't changed a bit. Except that Dylan had the leg problem in kindergarten and Sam has the problem this year. It's just really bad shin splints so he should be fine.

End of Pool Season

We had one last visit to the pool today and played a few last games of PIG. The boys are heading back to class tomorrow. Big 6th graders now and kings of the elementary school.