Welfare Check

 I thought that title might get your attention!  Recently we have received several calls and emails wanting to know how we are doing since the Blog is MIA.  Someone said they were doing a welfare check and I got so excited...free money.  Turns out that also means checking in to see how we are doing....

Well, where to start?  First of all, doesn't this whole virus thing suck?  We had such big plans for this year and almost everything had to be cancelled.  Fortunately, St. George has not been impacted like much of the world so the shut downs were short lived although we are still very careful about what we do, where we go and wearing masks and washing hands.  Some of you may recall that I am a germaphobe and it has only gotten worse.  I am bathing in hand sanitizer several times a day.  We have also limited our trips to Park City because it has been impacted to a much greater extent.  So in answer to peoples inquiries, we are doing fine just not doing much.  We have completed many puzzles, read a ton of books and binge watched TV.  Highly recommend Schitt's Creek.  I am personally sick of politics and can't wait for the elections to be over, one way or the other.  Enough about that.

There are a couple of bright spots in 2020 worth sharing.  As previously mentioned in the last Blog, Julie arranged a trip to Vegas with my two daughters to celebrate my birthday.  This was fortunately before all hell broke loose with the virus.  Not only did the two daughters show up, but much to my surprise, my third daughter from Maryland flew in to surprise me.  I have never felt more loved and we all had a great time eating at our favorite restaurant, Lake Side at The Wynn and going to our favorite show, LOVE (Cirque du soleil to Beatles music).  We also got in a hike at Red Rock.  It was a great time and little did we know that it would be the last travel and major outing for all of us for some time.

Me and my girls! Lt to Rt (Kelly, Katie, me and Melissa who was pregnant at the time!) 

Me and my girls! Lt to Rt (Kelly, me, Katie, Melissa)

Another bright spot, Melissa and her husband Mike had a beautiful baby girl in June.  This is my first granddaughter and their first child.  Her name is Brooklyn Grace.  We unfortunately have not been able to visit her since she is quarantined in California.  We do get pictures every few days which we can't stop looking at until the next one arrives.  Here she is!

Brooklyn Grace

I know, she is beautiful and those eyes, how could you possibly say no to anything she wants.  I know what my daughters are thinking, you had no problem telling us no...

My shoulder is almost completely healed.  We are working out on a regular basis in anticipation of doing everything next year that we had scheduled for this year.  For example, we still want to take Julie's dad on a hike across the Grand Canyon. If anyone wants to go, let us know and we will include you in the planning.  It is an easy 24 miles stroll with some hills.  😏  We will also take our annual Mountain bike trip with Western Spirit.  It will be something less technical (dangerous) but scenic, perhaps the ride from Bryce National Park to Zion National Park.  We will keep you posted in case there is some interest on your part.  Yes, it is camping but they cook all the meals and carry all the bags.  Just riding, eating and fun!  

Finally, Julie's dad (Paul).  His surgery went really well.  He spent eight days in the hospital.  We were unable to visit him because of virus concerns.  We got regular updates from the nurses and were able to speak to him from time to time when he was not harassing the nurses.  When he finally came home his wife Kathy remarked that it was the best eight days she had in some time.  I think she meant that the surgery outcome was good, not the eight days apart.  😉  While the surgery was a success, they found two lymph nodes with cancer so it was back to chemo once he healed.  Paul handled the first round of chemo like a champ so we thought this would be similar.  Well, it has been much worse.  He has had two types of chemo each with a two page list of side effects, none of which you would want.  He is through with the IV chemo and now only on the pills.  He has been a trooper throughout it all and has suffered from several of the side effects.  Paul will be done with chemo at the end of October.  We are hoping to be able to take a trip to Hawaii to celebrate.  I have purchased matching Speedo suits for Paul and myself.  We will of course take pictures if we are able to go.

Lt to Rt. Julie's brother Sean, Julie, Paul and Kathy

and of course Cooper

August 14th was Paul's 73 birthday!!!  Happy Birthday Paul!!!  💗

That is all for now.  We really appreciate everyone reaching out.  We hope things will be back to normal soon.  In the meantime, here are a couple of photos to illustrate our quarantine activities...

Winter Update and Other Things....

I know it has been some time since we posted which I'm sure some of you are relieved about.  In our defense, we have been busy.  Retirement is so, so busy.  First of all, I'd like to officially announce that I am hereby dropping out of the Democratic Presidential Primaries.  Yes, I was running but just like the other hundred or or so candidates, I finally realized that this was not going to work.  Besides, the Democratic party needs another angry, old white man like a hole in the head.

Now on to more pressing issues...  I successfully went vegan for a total of 60 day.  It was the longest 60 days of my life.  Next time I decide to do something like that, please just waterboard me for 60 days, it will be easier.  First of all, the plan to go vegan was to protect the environment from cattle flatulence, isn't that right AOC?  Well, going from a mostly meat diet to strictly vegetables and quinoa will have you producing more gas than any cow is capable of producing on their best day.  It also occurs when switching back to meat, but in that case is well worth it.  For the record, I did not experience any of the health benefits espoused by Vegans, and with one exception, I hated each and every meal.  I am happy to report I am 100% Vegan Free!


I know it looks like me, but it is Jay Cutler (Former Quarterback for the Denver Broncos and Chicago Bears) in my shirt.

On to some more serious stuff...  I had my shoulder surgery December 20th.  The surgery went well.  I had a full tear of one tendon, partial tear of another and last but not least my bicep tendon was torn where it connects to the shoulder.  Two weeks into my recovery I was not feeling great.  Julie would drag me outside for a walk and I would have to quit after a quarter mile.  This is certainly not me or indicative of my other shoulder surgery 4 years ago.  Shortly after that I woke up through the middle of the night and thought "I am not getting enough air when I breath through my nose" so I switched to my mouth.  It did not make much difference.  I became a little tense but eventually fell back asleep.  Later that morning I had the same thing happen.  This time I had a full blown anxiety attack with it, my first and hopefully my last.  I asked Julie to drive me to the hospital so they could sedate me.  It is funny that I wasn't worried about what was wrong, but very much wanted to be sedated.  Off to the ER.  Long story short, I had blood clots in my left leg from the surgery that moved into my lungs.  The good news is that they were stopped there, I was released after 24 hours and I am on blood thinners for 90 days.  You know you are getting old when you are taking the drugs advertised on Fox News...  One more thing about that.  I am much better and walking 40+ miles per week.  I have my 9 week check up next week and hope to be released for running.  Yay!

Now for even more serious stuff.  Sorry.....
Julie's dad Paul aka Petey was diagnosed with Esophageal cancer.  He found it early and it does not appear to have spread.  He recently finished Chemo and Radiation therapy.  He did great through all of this.  It did slow down his work outs, but it also slowed down his eating so he slimmed down quite a bit, but not too much.  Once his esophagus has healed, he will undergo surgery to remove the cancer.  This is not insignificant surgery.  They remove most of the esophagus and then pull up the stomach to take its place.  Eating is a challenge for some time so they install a feeding tube until he is capable of swallowing.  The recovery from this surgery is not easy but if you know Paul, he is tough and stubborn.  He will not let it get him down.  I am still planning on our June hike across the Grand Canyon with Paul and others.  (You hear that Paul?!)  We are accepting all prayers for Paul and his healing, so don't hold back.  On a bright note, I am excited for his feeding tube as it can be hard to get rid of used motor oil. Paul has graciously agreed to give it a try.  It is all about protecting the environment after all.

Petey on one of our hikes.  What a stud!  💖

Finally, we have a trip to Las Vegas at the end of the month to meet up with two of my daughters for dinner and a show.  We are very excited about that.  Julie is going to Dallas in early March to visit a friend.  We have friends coming out in April to run a race. We have a half marathon in May in Ogden, Girls weekend in June as well as the Grand Canyon hike.  If you want to come see us, please get on the calendar early.

Snow Canyon State Park (3 miles from our house in St. George)

Swaner Preserve Park City (1/4  mile from Park City Home)
P.S. 3 miles to the slopes

Best wishes,
Dave and Julie