Up, Up and Away...

It's a good thing that the holidays are finally over, right?  Everyone get out your planners, and if you don't have a planner, I want you to call Stacy immediately to make arrangements to get one.  Now, here are some important dates to highlight.  January 30th, I have my semi-annual apointment with the cardiologist.  He will suggest killing me with a treadmill test and if that doesn't do it, the fact that the insurance company will pay little or nothing WILL!  So, on January 31, if you don't hear from me, assume the treadmill did not go well and call a florist.

On February 3rd, Stacy is scheduled for complete knee replacement surgery.  This means two things.  Surgery for Stacy and a fulltime housecleaning regimen as we prepare for her Mother to arrive to help us out.  You may be asking yourselves, "Stacy is so young, why in the world does she need a total knee replacement?"  I would like the answer to be that I wore her out, but neither of us believe that is the cause.  What we do believe is that the knee has gone bad because of a radio stunt gone bad. 

Early in my years in Wichita before Stacy, myself and Rick Gannon, then afternoon ace on KQAM,  accepted an offer for a hot air balloon ride.  What an incredible experience!  If it wasn't for the crash landing after the wind came up while we were in flight, I might remember the occassion a bit more fondly than  do.  Anyway, the same pilot offered to take Stacy and I up in his balloon to re-pay me for doing some voicework or something for him.  After taking the flight, I assume he wasn't happy with the work I did for him.  I will not mention his name so as not to embarass him should he still be alive. (Pete)  We took off that morning from around the 13th and Ridge Road area.  We drifted lazily north over sand pits and the mighty (dirty) Arkansas River.

As evidenced by my current position in life, you may guess that decision making is not my strong suit and you are right. Why would I think another hot air balloon ride would end any different than the first one?  Once again, the wind came up and again, we crash landed in a field near Sedgewick Kansas.  As the balloon's envelope was blown by the wind, we were dragged horizontally in a stubble field.  Pete and I (did I just mention his name) did our best to hold Stacy up and keeping her from being crushed by the basket as my toes tickled the back of my ear, Stacy's leg was also pinned with her shoe in her armpit. 

Stacy has had a numb spot on her knee ever since.  The doctor told her she has the knee of an 80 year old woman.  So, on February 3rd, she will get the knee of a 23 year old foundry worker who manufactured her new knee.  And again, we will discover that our insurance covers little to nothing.

I look at it this way...at least the house will be clean for a while and Stacy can count on complete body searches at airports.  She'll like that!!

That is all...Peters out!