February 2005

- Saturday, February 26, 2005 -
First full day home and I am learning to empty and measure the 'drains' that Petra has attached. It's kind of weird but it's easier than I thought and it's nothing compared to what she went through. She's having a hard time getting up and down and around, in fact doing much of anything. But she's strong and I know she will get better fast. Vicodin and antibiotics are her new friends. I am her old friend ;-)

- Friday, February 25, 2005 -
We came home from the hospital today. Petra has been in the hospital and I have stayed there with her. No, it was not because I like trying to sleep in a chair. Best news? She is doing ok. We had the roommate from hell and got almost no sleep but we made it through. Petra had morphine, but there was still not much sleeping with this needy, very-high-maintanance old woman in the room with us. She tried the patience of most of the nurses too. I tried to help Petra as much as I could and Petra was as strong as she could be. More about this whole thing on www.petra-b.com in the prose section.

Thanks to those who visited, called, and gave support in other ways.

- Wednesday, February 23, 2005 -
Today was Petra's surgery. Best news? She woke up. Both surgeons said that the surgery went well. She is in some pain and can't move too well. More soon.

- Tuesday, February 22, 2005 -
The night before the surgery. Ack! We went to see friend Jared and one of his band members from Trackfighter. The did a short but good acoustic set.

- Monday, February 21, 2005 -
We got back from Santa Cruz, had a great weekend near the ocean with friends Larry and Robin. This was a much-needed get-away. BTW, they now have free wi-fi internet for their guests ;-)

But on the way home we learned about some tornados in Sacramento, one in our neightborhood! Good day to be gone. No damage on our street, thankfully, but what the $%^#$%, we're not supposed to have tornados here?!?! Could it be George Bush's fault? A vast Republican plot? Or maybe just Satan breaking wind?

- Friday, February 18, 2005 -
Last day of work before we are off for a while. Not exactly a vacation but we ARE going to Santa Cruz, CA for the weekend. Maybe seeing the ocean will help, it usually does.

- Thursday, February 17, 2005 -
Thirteen or fourteen FOP's (friends of Petra) gathered to show their caring and support at Kiko's restaurant. Good friends, mexican food, and margaritas. That must be what heaven is like.

- Tuesday, February 15, 2005 -
This morning was another in a series of blood tests for Petra. Apparently as long as she still has blood they will want to test it.

- Monday, February 14, 2005 -
We had a nice. low-key V-day dinner at 524. As Petra (web site) explained to Mama O, we have the empty nest, so every day can be Valentine's Day! Mama O stopped by for a visit this evening.

We also went to The Beat and bought ourselves some Valentines Day music, on CD unless otherwise noted. Also keep in mind that these lists include purchases by both Petra and me, so I can blame anything on her!

Sarah McLachlan "Afterglow Live" (CD + DVD)
Bright Eyes "Digital Ash in a Digital Urn"
Mark Knopfler "Shangri-La"
2005 Grammy Nominees
Kelly Clarkson "Breakaway"
Loretta Lynn "Van Leer Rose"
Carly Simon "The Bedroom Tapes"
Elvis Costello "The Clarksdale Sessions" (10 inch vinyl)

- Saturday, February 12, 2005 -
We are nesting this weekend, hanging out around the house for most part, with a few errands thrown in here and there. Well, mostly there. But we did catch a great dinner at Todo Un Poco with Karl and Betty (friends). Tasty, so tasty.

Petra had an EKG test this week. She said the doctor told her that she was normal. I explained to her that just because the test results were normal doesn't mean that SHE is normal...

- Friday, February 11, 2005 -
The Kings lost again. I'm not even linking to their web site this time. Yes, they were robbed, AGAIN, by a missed call at the end of the game. But their defense was awful. Once again, their opponent was able to penetrate at will. It doesn't matter how many points you can score, you still have to stop the other team once in a while.

- Tuesday, February 8, 2005 -
Time goes by as we wait for the surgery, still about two weeks away. But life goes on of course as it always does. Tonight we went to the Kings game (web site). They played the Phoenix Suns, one of the best-shooting teams in the NBA. The whole game basically came down to the final Kings shot which was blocked by the Suns, resulting in the Kings losing by two points. It was a controversial block, replays made it look quite a bit like goal-tending, which if called would have made the game a tie and overtime. Was it a missed call? Maybe. But the Kings blew a 16 point lead so I don't have that much sympathy. And then they kicked the ball into the stands and threw headbands and wristbands, along with delivering a lengthy rant against the refs. They should worry more about finding a little defense so that the game doesn't depend on the last shot. Just my two cents of course...

But we had a nice dinner with friends Larry, Robin, John M, and his daughter Marianne (sp?) at Strings. Very enjoyable and good food to boot.

- Sunday, February 6, 2005 -
Busy busy busy. We had a great breakfast (served Sundays only) at Todo Un Poco, perhaps the best restaurant in town. Then we visited my nice Sara (soon to be on the family page), finally gave her the xmas gifts and also her prize for naming my web site!

Then we had a short visit with Petra's (web site) parents. They are pretty concerned about her condition and the upcoming surgery. But then we all are...

- Saturday, February 5, 2005 -
We drove to the bay area to visit Ikea, picked up some shelves and a futon for the middle bedroom. It's a long way and takes a while but it's a great store.

- Friday, February 4, 2005 -
Stopped by Larry and Robin's place (friends) after work to help with some software and discuss the web site they are developing for their son's band, The Evening Episode (site coming soon). Well, one thing led to another and we ended up at Isabellas for dinner and drinks during and after. Watched some of the Kings game and talked a while.

- Wednesday, February 2, 2005 -
Had a great meal at Crepeville with friends Larry, Robin, Mike D, and Cossette. Good conversation and good food, we lingered a while and had a really nice time. Might as well enjoy life while we wait.

Almost forgot, over the weekend we went music shopping and picked up the following CDs:
Green Day "American Idiot"
John Lennon "Acoustic"
The Cure "Three Imaginary Boys" (2CD edition)
Bright Eyes "I'm Wide Away It's Morning"
Gwen Stefani "Love Angel Music Baby"
Jackie Green "Sweet Somewhere Bound"
Santana "Shaman"
Queen Latifah "The Dana Owens Album"
Also acquired recently:
Ani DiFranco "Knuckle Down"

Sacramento Kings web site lost last night. Not much defense. But they won today!

- Tuesday, February 1, 2005 -
Sacramento Kings web site play Seattle (our second-favorite city) Sonics tonight and we will be attending. Go Kings!

Petra's surgery is scheduled for February 23. Such a long way away but at least there is a date now. I wish it was sooner. The sooner it happens, the sooner the recovery starts, the sooner the recovery is over and all is well once again.


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