USMB Coffee Shop IV

[beautress]

Getting old is certainly not for the fainthearted, I will agree. Right now I deal with soul-crushing pain pretty much all day, every day. I am not a fan of surgery but if a hip replacement will help, I am willing to give it a try. I have at least one appointment every week this month. First up, my last will and testament and a medical power of attorney. My partner questions why I might want my will in order...duh! While we all hope surgery goes well, shit happens. I've always been a good scout, always prepared (as best I can be). Then come a dentist appointment. I have to make sure that all possibility of infection is minimized because they will begin administering immuno-depressants about two weeks prior to surgery. A full physical and a couple of other routine maintenance checks round out the agenda.
Unfortunately, my daughter is dealing with some family issues and will be unable to come over to help me with my convalescence. Fortunately, my brother just retired from his 35 year teaching career. Mostly I need help with the critters, as far as I know. I've done a lot of research about the surgery and recovery, it should be doable but I am not what I used to be and may encounter difficulties I do not anticipate.
In the meantime, I am still climbing up and down ladders and crew stairs. I am not looking forward to light duty because I will have to come in during the day, bucking rush hour traffic for over 50 miles, both ways. I actually like working graves for many reasons. The staff at the University has asked me again to come back to teach. They have been unable to find anyone who can communicate using layman's terms as well as I can. I had lunch with a former colleague a couple of weeks ago and he mentioned that I am quite the legend...and they need help. Flattery is nice and I might be tempted if I get accustomed to dealing with the traffic.
Apologies for rambling. I am feeling very deeply how others are suffering, like beautress' friend, Mrs R, Gracie, et.al.
Take care of yourselves.

Your life could change after hip replacement surgery, gallant warrior. The best of good wishes to your fight with bone and joint issues.

 

[beautress]

Well at least we know Ernie is alive... He was pretty buggered up for awhile if my remember is working properly... Who knows, maybe he cut his hair and started a church or sumthin...

Cut my hair??? Well maybe one or 2...View attachment 263567

Mr. Ernie!!! Good to see you. I used to be freedombecki, but forgot a password. I asked about you when I got back here. My husband died 3 years ago this month, and it looks like I'm going to lose someone I was becoming very fond of to lung and brain cancer. We won't know for a week or two.

 

[beautress]

On a lighter note...

 

[Ernie S.]

Did Ernie S. post yesterday? Or did I dream it?

Yeah he popped in to say hi.

Yeah, I'm still alive and doing fairly well. Life here is crazy as usual. I'm putting in a lot of time to business matters and my hobbies.
Doc Holliday's keeps growing and remaining profitable. We are days away from signing a contract to buy the building we lease. We have a commitment from the owner, secured financing and a positive appraisal. All that remains is up to the lawyers to agree on the wording of the final contract.
Dealing with lawyers, bankers architects and contractors always has delays, but at least everyone agrees in principle.
The plan is to add on to the building and install a kitchen and we already have a few appliances on hand.
Yesterday, we held a benefit for The Lighthouse, a local shelter for battered women. I cooked my world famous Boston Butt that as usual left me exhausted and off my sleep schedule. The whole process takes between 17 and 20 hours, so it tends to kick the crap out of this nearly 70 year old body, but I love to do it and love to support such a worthy cause.
We were able to raise over 2 grand and packed out the house on a Saturday afternoon.
I'll try to check in more regularly in the futyre. Miss you all!

Well we've missed you. Glad things are still going well for you. I look at your Doc Holliday's website now and then and wondered how you were doing.

I personally am doing pretty damned good for being near 70 but if I knew I'd live this long, I'd have taken better care of myself. The knee is about 70% and the muscles are still a bit weal. I can get around without a cane but I don't take long walks very often.
The bar is a source of pride. We have a great staff offer vacation and health insurance just like a real business LOL
Bars are not a real high profit business plan. We hover around 10 to 12% profit margin and have be in the black every one of our 64 months since opening the doors.
Since we opened up in February of 2014, 23 other bars have opened up here in Foley. 21 are no longer in business and the other 2 are just hanging on. One is barely in the black after about 8 months and the other is owned by a local real estate guy who just runs it because he can't find a tenant who can run the business and pay the rent. He doesn't particularly care if he makes a profit.

That's probably because Doc Hollidays is more like a community center than a bar maybe?

We try to be that, and adult day care. We have a crew in every morning of guys in their 70's and 80's who's wives want them out of their hair for a couple hours.
After work, we have nurses, accountants, lawyers, doctors carpenters and welders come in for a couple and evenings we get people who just want to socialize and not get hit on and harassed. We're no drama for the most part and when there is a problem, it's handled quietly and quickly. Since we've been open, the fight has gotten down on the floor just once and it was this old man who took the 30 year old down and put him right to sleep.
It feels good to know I still have the moves, though I'm real glad I don't have to prove it very often.
The other part of our success is we went in knowing how hard it would be to own a bar AND we knew how to run one. Most everyone else that has tried since we opened shared one trait. They were all good at drinking. You can't survive long in this business if you are your own best customer.

 

[beautress]

Sad news, folks. My dear friend EJ is in hospice. Unbeknownst to me, his cancer spread to his brain. I just got back from the hospital about a half hour ago. They have placed a "DNR" (do not resuscitate) placque on door. Today, I drove over to his house to check on him because he didn't answer his phone for a couple of days since I took him his last dinner. Fridays he just always goes out with the boys, so I wasn't too worried when I left two messages on his phone. Today, he hadn't called back, so I went over. He sat in his chair, but couldn't speak to me. I made every effort to call his recently-retired town fire chief son, but couldn't get through. So I called the Fire Department to get his phone number, which they cannot apparently by law give out. When I was crying that his father may have had a stroke due to his failure to speak, but tried to, they said they'd get the message to him, but they were sending out an ambulance. I protested his son needed to know, but they said it had to be done, because it was an emergency. Well, I followed the ambulance to the hospital, and his son and daughter-in-law got there a minute or two later. EJ by this time was pretty unhappy, but was only able to squeak out a moan. I stayed till 10 o'clock, and then had to leave as his daughter in law was staying the night, and we decided that if I went home and got back early, we could share watch responsibilities. So here I am, and I want to again thank Foxfyre for putting EJ on the prayer list here, and what a kindness that was of her. If EJ makes it through the night, it will be a miracle, but unless I get a call, I'm calling it a night. I will be praying for a while and may not be back here for at least a day, depending on the time he passes. He cannot swallow, he is suspended from all eating and drinking, and the last meal I know that he had was the little one I made for him Thursday night and delivered. He spilt his sweet tea, and all the ice. I thought he was just a little bit clumsy, but apparently, that's also the last thing he drank, and not much of it at that. When I went home, I did as much straightening and cleaning the kitchen as I could, thinking he was just sleepy. I hadn't a clue what was really going on. He was going through a final process. He has been so dear to me. If he doesn't make it through all this, he will be sorely missed.

Good night, everybody, and God bless.

Condolences, beautress! My daughter's stepmom died of brain cancer two summers ago. She deteriorated over a period of time until she wasn't even there anymore. So sorry about your friend but I feel the best would be to wish him a swift and painless passing. I'm more interested in how you are getting on with your grief and sorrow. Hugs, Sweetie! All the best to you.

Thanks, gallantwarrior. When you start outliving your parents, a brother, a baby sister, and it starts to look like you're gong to outlive your children, tears well up. That's when I start producing 10 quilt tops a month like last month. Right now, I'm numb, a little tired, and my wrist hurts, so I'm gonna turn in for the evening. Thanks for posting back when you vacationed in Japan. I did a lot of looking up of the places you went to see what they looked like. I enjoyed the vicarious tour. Lovely goodnight, everybody.

 

[Ernie S.]

Well Ernie S. your lookin purty damn good, heavy on the damn part... If I wasn't so damn lazy my hair would look similar...
Congratulation's on Doc's... I would bet a dollar to a donut that you make it sound easier than it actually is... Running a small business is not for the faint of heart...
Take care and sleep well when you get the chance...

Oh it isn't easy, but we have hired a remarkable staff that we delegate to. Gigi runs event planning, Tanya orders beer and liquor and 2 people do most of the promotion. My partners manage the bar and I fix stuff. You'd be surprised how much you can save if you don't have to call in a technician every time the AC stops or an exhaust fan needs replacing.
The biggest added expense in the recent past has been that due to taking on our staff as regular employees instead of as independent contractors, we now have to deal with state and local payroll taxes, unemployment and workers' comp. We have an accounting firm that keeps the books all legal like.

I should add that our bank does not lend money to bars but was so impresses with our steady growth, our business plan and our attention to detail in our loan proposal that they made an exception.
Next order of business is to get the contractor in to pour the pad for the addition and then coordinate knocking out the wall, erecting the steel to close in and repaving the parking lot so we can be back in business after only a couple of days down time.

 

[Foxfyre]

Good night darlinks. I really do love you guys.
And we continue to pray and/or send good vibes and/or positive thoughts and/or keep vigil for:

Harper
Pogo’s friend Pat and special comfort for Pogo,
Rod, GW's partner,
Kat's sister,
Dana, Foxfyre's friend recovering from heart transplant
Wellness for Foxfyre's sister and Hombre's sister
Montrovant for continued progress in his transition.
JustAnotherNut for strength and wisdom dealing with challenges.
Gracie & Mr. G in difficult transition and for positive trend to continue.
BigBlackDog aka BBD for healing and wellness
GallantWarrior for pain relief and healing,
Ringel for healing and Mrs. R facing serious health challenges in difficult transition
Beautress's and her friend EJ.
Seagal and Mr. Seagal.
All those we love and care about who aren't on the list.

And we keep the porch light on so those who have been away can find their way back and we hope they do.

 

[Sbiker]

Got a call out of the blue yesterday from a guy I used to work with. How'd he get my number? He was looking through some old stuff and thought he'd try the one he had. Now, I don't mind old buddies contacting me but after a short conversation I couldn't help but notice he'd make out really well in the USMB Rubber Room. Or maybe on a conspiracy theory forum. I'm not entirely sure I want this level of crazy in my life right now. He used to be a nice enough guy but after the conversation yesterday...I don't know.
My daughter called with a new dilemma to share. My older granddaughter broke up with her boyfriend. He wants understand why but the girl doesn't really have any answers. So he showed up last night at the daughter's place determined to camp on the front porch until the granddaughter spoke with him. My daughter is a soft touch but I'm pretty sure the neighbors will have called the cops to get the kid removed. "True love" at 17 is such a drama!

It's a terrible.. What would my daughter do, when she will grow up to 17?

It's tough to tell what any particular child might do as they mature. Teenagers are notoriously difficult because they insist that they are adults but are really poorly equipped to be adults. Best most of us can do is let them become themselves and be there to help pick up the pieces when they make mistakes. Believe me, they will make mistakes. How old is your daughter now, Sbiker? Do you only have one daughter?

I remember myself at 17 - it was very expressive. My daughter is now 13, I think, I have only 1-2 years of silent life and than would see )) Yeah, it's my single daughter, all other children are sons.

 

[Sbiker]

Well Ernie S. your lookin purty damn good, heavy on the damn part... If I wasn't so damn lazy my hair would look similar...
Congratulation's on Doc's... I would bet a dollar to a donut that you make it sound easier than it actually is... Running a small business is not for the faint of heart...
Take care and sleep well when you get the chance...

Oh it isn't easy, but we have hired a remarkable staff that we delegate to. Gigi runs event planning, Tanya orders beer and liquor and 2 people do most of the promotion. My partners manage the bar and I fix stuff. You'd be surprised how much you can save if you don't have to call in a technician every time the AC stops or an exhaust fan needs replacing.
The biggest added expense in the recent past has been that due to taking on our staff as regular employees instead of as independent contractors, we now have to deal with state and local payroll taxes, unemployment and workers' comp. We have an accounting firm that keeps the books all legal like.

I should add that our bank does not lend money to bars but was so impresses with our steady growth, our business plan and our attention to detail in our loan proposal that they made an exception.
Next order of business is to get the contractor in to pour the pad for the addition and then coordinate knocking out the wall, erecting the steel to close in and repaving the parking lot so we can be back in business after only a couple of days down time.

Sound great! I like to visit bars and drink different drinks too!

Some of my friends are a owners of different pubs, and it's very convenient!

 

[SeaGal]

I'm going to do my best to send positive thoughts and vibes to your hubby, Seagal. My he have a peaceful and happy life yet. You take care of yourself, too.

So heartwarming gallant...thank you dearly. Our 50th anniversary is in a couple of months. We're having a small celebration with just family. Met when we were only 14.

We both feel blessed and that life is good - we take our pleasures in smaller ways now. Grandchildren, sunset golf cart rides, an evening Crown and coke (him, not me, I prefer wine)

...and bask in the warmth of good wishes. Thank you.

 

[SeaGal]

That's what happened to EJ. He was a county volunteer fireman for 44 years and was a smoker until I mentioned he was flirting with disaster when lighting up a suicide stick after being diagnosed with lung cancer. He at first didn't cotton to it, but after chemo started, he lost his appetite for smoking. When I went to feed his dogs today, I tossed 2 near-empty packs of chewing tobacco. They looked old as the hills, but I hadn't seen chewing tobacco merchandised in an aluminum-foiled sandwich baggie before. That stuff is associated with brain cancer as it works its damage in the mouth and spreads upward from there.

We don't know if EJ will live or die. His daughter in law thinks he has one week at tops, but that was said before he got mad about being attached to a tube in every orifice of his body. At least his fire's back. Modern medicine has come a long way in combatting lung cancer, but I don't know what to think now.

I'm surprised hubby doesn't have lung cancer. He quit smoking some years ago with the aid of over the counter e-cigs. However, his condition drastically worsened in a very short time and we suspect that the e-cigs may have contributed to irreversible lung damage. They have been known to cause 'popcorn lung' - which we did not know at the time because it was early in the e-cig phase.

 

[SeaGal]

Getting old is certainly not for the fainthearted, I will agree. Right now I deal with soul-crushing pain pretty much all day, every day. I am not a fan of surgery but if a hip replacement will help, I am willing to give it a try. I have at least one appointment every week this month. First up, my last will and testament and a medical power of attorney. My partner questions why I might want my will in order...duh! While we all hope surgery goes well, shit happens. I've always been a good scout, always prepared (as best I can be). Then come a dentist appointment. I have to make sure that all possibility of infection is minimized because they will begin administering immuno-depressants about two weeks prior to surgery. A full physical and a couple of other routine maintenance checks round out the agenda.
Unfortunately, my daughter is dealing with some family issues and will be unable to come over to help me with my convalescence. Fortunately, my brother just retired from his 35 year teaching career. Mostly I need help with the critters, as far as I know. I've done a lot of research about the surgery and recovery, it should be doable but I am not what I used to be and may encounter difficulties I do not anticipate.
In the meantime, I am still climbing up and down ladders and crew stairs. I am not looking forward to light duty because I will have to come in during the day, bucking rush hour traffic for over 50 miles, both ways. I actually like working graves for many reasons. The staff at the University has asked me again to come back to teach. They have been unable to find anyone who can communicate using layman's terms as well as I can. I had lunch with a former colleague a couple of weeks ago and he mentioned that I am quite the legend...and they need help. Flattery is nice and I might be tempted if I get accustomed to dealing with the traffic.
Apologies for rambling. I am feeling very deeply how others are suffering, like beautress' friend, Mrs R, Gracie, et.al.
Take care of yourselves.

I know several people who have benefitted greatly from hip replacement surgery - but you must follow post surgery instructions! It's difficult to recuperate when you have animals to care for - I hope your brother can help...can the critters go to a temporary home?...can you go to a temporary home? lol, just kidding.

One of the waves of the future in education is the virtual classroom - teaching via skype. How's your internet connection?

Whatever you decide to do - I wish you the best.

 

[Foxfyre]

Hombre is facing a full hip replacement and has been putting it off. His pain levels are far below what GW has been describing though but then he isn't as active as GW so can rest the hip more too. But usually it is the intractable pain that convinces somebody to go ahead and have the surgery.

 

[Foxfyre]

 

[Foxfyre]

I was going to put this on beautress 's quilting thread but thought it just as appropriate here where more would see it. But I immediately thought of her when I saw it:

 

[gallantwarrior]

Getting old is certainly not for the fainthearted, I will agree. Right now I deal with soul-crushing pain pretty much all day, every day. I am not a fan of surgery but if a hip replacement will help, I am willing to give it a try. I have at least one appointment every week this month. First up, my last will and testament and a medical power of attorney. My partner questions why I might want my will in order...duh! While we all hope surgery goes well, shit happens. I've always been a good scout, always prepared (as best I can be). Then come a dentist appointment. I have to make sure that all possibility of infection is minimized because they will begin administering immuno-depressants about two weeks prior to surgery. A full physical and a couple of other routine maintenance checks round out the agenda.
Unfortunately, my daughter is dealing with some family issues and will be unable to come over to help me with my convalescence. Fortunately, my brother just retired from his 35 year teaching career. Mostly I need help with the critters, as far as I know. I've done a lot of research about the surgery and recovery, it should be doable but I am not what I used to be and may encounter difficulties I do not anticipate.
In the meantime, I am still climbing up and down ladders and crew stairs. I am not looking forward to light duty because I will have to come in during the day, bucking rush hour traffic for over 50 miles, both ways. I actually like working graves for many reasons. The staff at the University has asked me again to come back to teach. They have been unable to find anyone who can communicate using layman's terms as well as I can. I had lunch with a former colleague a couple of weeks ago and he mentioned that I am quite the legend...and they need help. Flattery is nice and I might be tempted if I get accustomed to dealing with the traffic.
Apologies for rambling. I am feeling very deeply how others are suffering, like beautress' friend, Mrs R, Gracie, et.al.
Take care of yourselves.

Your life could change after hip replacement surgery, gallant warrior. The best of good wishes to your fight with bone and joint issues.

I've been doing lots of research about the hip procedure. Seems it's one of the most successful implant surgeries. There are generally two ways you hinder recovery: either you baby the joint and don't do the strengthening exercises to facilitate healing of the muscles surrounding the joint, or you feel so much better because the persistent pain isn't there any more and you overdo things and injure the healing process. I want and need to get better so I have already started doing pre-surgery conditioning exercises. I'm also looking forward to hanging out with my brother for a while. He's one of those people who can keep you laughing. I'm sure that after the first week, I'll be able to do some things that don't require a lot of physical assertion, like cooking and such light work. I'm trying to get a lot of things done before surgery but there is always something else needs done. I'm looking forward to my partner acting like his usual 3-year-old spoiled brat self. My brother has taught all grade levels and can certainly handle any crap the partner can dish. Or, I may be totally wrong and the partner will turn on the charm. He can be very charming if he doesn't have to sustain the charade for too long.

 

[gallantwarrior]

On a lighter note...

View attachment 263608​

That meme is one of the truest I have ever seen! LOLOLOL!

 

[gallantwarrior]

Got a call out of the blue yesterday from a guy I used to work with. How'd he get my number? He was looking through some old stuff and thought he'd try the one he had. Now, I don't mind old buddies contacting me but after a short conversation I couldn't help but notice he'd make out really well in the USMB Rubber Room. Or maybe on a conspiracy theory forum. I'm not entirely sure I want this level of crazy in my life right now. He used to be a nice enough guy but after the conversation yesterday...I don't know.
My daughter called with a new dilemma to share. My older granddaughter broke up with her boyfriend. He wants understand why but the girl doesn't really have any answers. So he showed up last night at the daughter's place determined to camp on the front porch until the granddaughter spoke with him. My daughter is a soft touch but I'm pretty sure the neighbors will have called the cops to get the kid removed. "True love" at 17 is such a drama!

It's a terrible.. What would my daughter do, when she will grow up to 17?

It's tough to tell what any particular child might do as they mature. Teenagers are notoriously difficult because they insist that they are adults but are really poorly equipped to be adults. Best most of us can do is let them become themselves and be there to help pick up the pieces when they make mistakes. Believe me, they will make mistakes. How old is your daughter now, Sbiker? Do you only have one daughter?

I remember myself at 17 - it was very expressive. My daughter is now 13, I think, I have only 1-2 years of silent life and than would see )) Yeah, it's my single daughter, all other children are sons.

For some odd reason, people tend to worry more about daughters than sons in western cultures. Probably an emotional hangover from less liberated times. 13 is still a nice age but you're right about having only a few years left before your daughter wants to be her own woman. I always wish other parents the best of luck. You know your children will make mistakes, you just hope none are fatal. Of course, modern times add the complication of social media and the internet, something not faced by my generation. Well, we did have a party line telephone and bathroom walls...

 

[gallantwarrior]

I'm going to do my best to send positive thoughts and vibes to your hubby, Seagal. My he have a peaceful and happy life yet. You take care of yourself, too.

So heartwarming gallant...thank you dearly. Our 50th anniversary is in a couple of months. We're having a small celebration with just family. Met when we were only 14.

We both feel blessed and that life is good - we take our pleasures in smaller ways now. Grandchildren, sunset golf cart rides, an evening Crown and coke (him, not me, I prefer wine)

...and bask in the warmth of good wishes. Thank you.

Fifty years! I am impressed. And nowhere is it written that small pleasures are somehow diminished pleasures. Have a glass of wine for me some evening. (I prefer wine, too.)

 

[gallantwarrior]

Getting old is certainly not for the fainthearted, I will agree. Right now I deal with soul-crushing pain pretty much all day, every day. I am not a fan of surgery but if a hip replacement will help, I am willing to give it a try. I have at least one appointment every week this month. First up, my last will and testament and a medical power of attorney. My partner questions why I might want my will in order...duh! While we all hope surgery goes well, shit happens. I've always been a good scout, always prepared (as best I can be). Then come a dentist appointment. I have to make sure that all possibility of infection is minimized because they will begin administering immuno-depressants about two weeks prior to surgery. A full physical and a couple of other routine maintenance checks round out the agenda.
Unfortunately, my daughter is dealing with some family issues and will be unable to come over to help me with my convalescence. Fortunately, my brother just retired from his 35 year teaching career. Mostly I need help with the critters, as far as I know. I've done a lot of research about the surgery and recovery, it should be doable but I am not what I used to be and may encounter difficulties I do not anticipate.
In the meantime, I am still climbing up and down ladders and crew stairs. I am not looking forward to light duty because I will have to come in during the day, bucking rush hour traffic for over 50 miles, both ways. I actually like working graves for many reasons. The staff at the University has asked me again to come back to teach. They have been unable to find anyone who can communicate using layman's terms as well as I can. I had lunch with a former colleague a couple of weeks ago and he mentioned that I am quite the legend...and they need help. Flattery is nice and I might be tempted if I get accustomed to dealing with the traffic.
Apologies for rambling. I am feeling very deeply how others are suffering, like beautress' friend, Mrs R, Gracie, et.al.
Take care of yourselves.

I know several people who have benefitted greatly from hip replacement surgery - but you must follow post surgery instructions! It's difficult to recuperate when you have animals to care for - I hope your brother can help...can the critters go to a temporary home?...can you go to a temporary home? lol, just kidding.

One of the waves of the future in education is the virtual classroom - teaching via skype. How's your internet connection?

Whatever you decide to do - I wish you the best.

It's difficult to find temporary homes, or help, for livestock. Chickens and turkeys are pretty easy because they are free range. Just need to make sure the food and water are available even though they prefer foraging on their own account. The goats are the problem. They tend to be rude, headstrong, and pushy. I'm considering getting a cattle prod to help manage them because my brother won't be here that long and I'll need to take up the chores after a few weeks. I prefer recovery at home in my familiar environment but recognize the danger of being tempted to do too much too soon.
My brother is planning on making the drive up through Canada and back. He told me he was planning on driving around the country and visiting places he'd always wanted to see so he'll just make the trip up the Alcan as an adventure. If I'm up to it, I'll try to take him out for some sight-seeing, too.
They are really excited about my return to work on light duty. I won't be able to work on the flight line so they are lining up several office-based projects for me. I'll also fill in at the Operations office. At least I'm not totally useless and can still earn my keep. Biggest problem for me will be the change in hours. Except for a few short stints, I have worked graveyard shift for over 20 years. Now, I'll be coming in on basically an 8-5, Mon-Fri schedule. That also means fighting rush hour traffic the entire two hour commute, both ways. That also means that my two-hour commute will likely increase to three hours. I'm going to try to negotiate better hours.
Thank you for your best wishes. The CS has proven repeatedly that those best wishes, good vibes, and prayers do help.