Thoughts From an October Weekend

I've had a really bad month. I've had near constant Asthma which although never abating did allow me 4 days of prednisone-energy in which I broke both our our lawn mowers and slammed Nyssa's friend Josie's hand in the car. It has been a rotten time for me physically and for part of the time mentally.
I've learned things like, daytime TV sucks. And TV at 4:00AM sucks. And I have been broken of my desire to not take medicine or to at least not have my children not know how much medicine I take. And I have absolutely no control over my body. Here is a list of symptoms and side-effects from my asthma and all of the medicine, it is I think, incomplete: (If you want, you can skip this list of pity and get to my better point below)

Fever...Sweats and chills.
Ohhhhh the cramps in the feet. You know those 15 second charlie horses that are kinda ok, cause they remind you you are live and you tug your toe and they clear up? Try not clearing up for 45 min.
Constipation.
Dry heaves. There is nothing like asthma at the porcelain throan
post nasal drip. Front nasal drip.
Near constant cough, with occasional throat sputum. Now I have near constant throat sputum...or as I am teaching Nyssa, Loogies.
wheezy
Head and neck-pain.
Chest soreness
3am chest cramping. Look up Proctalgia Fugax, and then imagine it all across your chest,
swollen, sore, adams apple
I lost my voice and sound like the monster from Young Frankenstien... Putting on the Ritz!
Unable to lay down.
Indegestion.
Slight ankle and knee joint pain.
Major sweating
The need to sit when coughing.
Feinting. It is especally great when the first feint is in front of your mother in law
Shaky leg also known as scarecrow syndrome
hand and body tremors
paranoia and aggravation
and apathetic specialist doctors. Who do not apparently give a shit if you can talk, play with your kids, or sleep at night. But he married his nurse so he can't be all bad.

HOWEVER, and at the same time, I am really enjoying my family right now. As I walked into the room just now I type Nyssa was singing imaginary words in a falsetto. A kinda of female Gregorian chant and Leila who is walking good is now learning how to run which is like 2 years earlier than her big sister did/is...and starting to think about talking. Right now most words and things (and all animals except the cow) are Groooooooowls. Which is effing funny. If you ask her, What time is it? she goes, "Ghhhhaaaaaaaa"
Leila is 1 and a momma's girl right now, but when we get off by ourselves, we get along pretty good. And she has teh best and most enthusiastic smile. She is going to be a handful to keep up with and although that will cause me trouble it will also be good for me.
Nyssa is so sweet. She is funny and playful (and far to obsessed with weddings) and thoughtful. She trys and thinks of things and ways to make the people around her happy. I mean not always, she is 3 and dumped a bucket of water on Leila last night when Leila was sitting freshly dressed in the bathroom. But she is testing out not only the world but herself. She has the ability to shift herself internally, to sometimes address her fears or dislikes. She is great. Saddled with a lame father she has been very patient and sweet and kind to him.

I just find it interesting that I can be bored and frustrated and depressed and at the same time be thankful and appreciative and amazed at the great luck I am having with my family.

OTHER THOUGHTS:
I've had a chance to watch the bulls quite a bit this pre-season, and I've actually enjoyed it. They look pretty good. I'd trade Luol Deng. But, Noah looks to be in shape. Thomas does his athletic things sometimes. Heinrick has a ncie role on the team. And Salmons can score for us. I think Rose might struggle this year and hasn't played much because of a sore ankle, but the rest of the team finally seems to be maturing. FINALLY.
One guy I've seen and been really interested in is Taj Gibson a 6'9 rookie from USC. What stands out about him is how solid he is. He runs the floor, he plays defense, he passes and picks, and he knows where his shot is on the floor and he hits them. In short he has been playing within himself and being very successful. Right now he looks to be a great bench addition and a guy to keep watch on.

ISU beat Nebraska in Lincoln yesterday for the first time since 1977. They scored 9 points. and were able to turn the cornhuskers over 8 times (I think). But they did this missing their starting QB and running back as well as 3 or 4 other starters. It was a tough minded victory on the road for a first year coach that hopefully portends good things ahead.
Then last night I watched Gene Chisik and his unranked and falling apart Auburn team get it handed to him by LSU. I am no ISU enthusiast, but Mean Gene never wanted to be in Ames and bad mouthed the team he was handed, proclaiming he could only win with his guys. Maybe they never showed up, but Gene never won. ISU coach Rhodes has in his first year eliminated several of The Carpetbaggers loosing streaks. I don't know the numbers exactly, but ISU had extended in-conference losing streaks and road losing streaks heading into this season their success is a direct reflection on Chisik's miserableness.

Across the state: (really in Michigan) Uof I let a game they should have won slip away only to take it back with 2 seconds to play on what was just about the ONLY good pass by their QB in the Game. They were the better team, but their O-line played poorly, their QB was inaccurate and has no presence once the pocket gets tight. There is a lot of talk about big ten Championships and BCS bowls...and good for them, but Iowa is not an elite team.

I think thats it for now.