Rest In Peace my friend

Early this morning my best friend Kim Plogger passed away. It had been 5 years, 4 months & 19 days since we did the kidney transplant. Kim had suffered a great deal her last months. More than most people will know in a life time. But her suffering is over now.

Rest in Peace my friend.

My heart is breaking

This could turn into a rather long post, so hang on, and hope you're sitting in a comfortable chair.

The phone rang today. My heart sank when I saw on the caller ID who it was. I was afraid to answer. It was the husband of one of my best friends. Sam was calling me with news that we needed to prepare ourselves for what was about to happen. Now I know that no matter what you do, no matter how you know that the person that you care about will not suffer any more, there is really nothing that you can do to prepare yourself for a death. I've cried till my eyes hurt and still cry some more.

I've lost several family members during my almost 55 years. Two grandmothers and one grandfather, several aunts, uncles and cousins and several people that I have known for a long time. But none as close as a friend as Kim.

I don't mean to talk about her as if she has already gone. She is still alive. Or at least some faint form of life. I guess I need to go back and start at the beginning for you to understand why my heart is breaking.

In December 1997 my husband was diagnosed with Kidney Cancer. He was sent to see a doctor at UVA hospital in Charlottesville, VA. We both had spent many a night already due to other family members illness but this time decided to stay somewhere other than in a motel in Charlottesville. We had picked up a copy of a hotel/motel coupon book. Stopped at a Days Inn that was in Waynesboro and asked that even though they didn't have an add in there would they honor the same rates for a Days Inn that was in Staunton. They said...... Sure!

And as they say the rest is history. There were two lovely ladies that was working there, one as general manager and the other as assistant manager. Dawn and Kim. Not to mention some super people that worked the desk that proved that they were caring wonderful people. But anyhow, Kim and I just hit it off.

Have you ever met someone that you felt as if you had known them all your life? That is how it was with Kim. What was even more strange was when we realized several months later that we had actually met her father over a year before we met her! Then there were just those little things that really seemed to really draw even more attention to the fact that we were meant to be friends. Both of our mothers name is "Betty". Her husband and I share the same birthday, May 25. We were the same blood type, A+ and finally we would share a kidney named "Sydney".

Kim had been a diabetic since she was a teenager. Over the years the disease had taken it's toll on her. Kim had lost a toe and finally lost her kidneys. In March of 2003 Kim called me one morning to say that she was on her way to the dialysis center. A few weeks later she was put on the transplant list. I know that several of her family members were ruled out right off the bat due to health issues. Some were tested but their kidneys didn't work well enough. Then came the day that we were at her house and it was the same day that even her husband found out that his function wasn't good enough either. That's where my part of this story came in.

I had lost some weight at that point but needed to loose another 15 pounds. To my surprise I did it in a MONTH! Then I was able to start the initial testing here at a hospital near my home. Things went rather well. I passed all the test that were done here then they made me come up to UVA for more testing.

In October my phone rang with the news that a date for our surgery had been set. December 18, 2003. One week to the day before Christmas!

Checked into the hospital that morning, Kim and I both were not scared, nervous or anything. Can't say the same for our families! At one point I told them to hush their crying, I'd be right back!

I never will forget all the long talks we would have. We would talk a lot online at first. Then came the long phone calls. And would we ever talk about anything and everything! One of our favorite topics was about how things floated in Hot Tubs! I'll not say another word about that here! We would laugh till we about wet our panties then laugh some more. I'm really going to miss her laugh.

On January 15, 2009 Kim checked into UVA hospital for surgery to move her pancreas from where it was first put to another location that hopefully wouldn't cause so much trouble. I wish now that they had left things alone. I don't know exactly what caused all the infection, I'm no doctor or expert. But I can't help but feeling that if they had left things alone that maybe she wouldn't be on her death bed now.

I've got an Angel that Kim had given me just before our transplant. It has a built in recorder that Kim had recorded a message on it for me. To my surprise after over 5 years it still plays! I'm going to set it up, record it on video just in case it quits and I never get to hear her again.

I know I'm not the first person that will have lost a friend. Kim is one among many friends I've lost over the years. But none will hurt me as much as loosing Kim. I've got a couple friends that I've had longer that mean just as much to me, Scottie and Lisa. But to watch a good person die little by little is so hard.

Kim, we gave it our best girlfriend. We tried. I tried. Rest in peace when it's your time to go on. Always know that you will never be forgotten and that you were loved.

A little past 3 weeks now.

Well, it's been a little over 3 weeks since I had my surgery. Yesterday and today have been ugly, gray, cold days, so not getting to ride hasn't bothered me. BUT this past weekend........... OMG it was beautiful. Warm.......... PERFECT for riding. But did I get to go? NO. Doctors orders "NO RIDING FOR AT LEAST A MONTH IF NOT MORE IF YOU ARE STILL SORE AT PORT SITE."

That stinks!

Maybe soon I'll be back out on the trails.


OH and one other tiny tidbit of information. My Emachine died! Well, not exactly died, bit darn near it. Had to take it to Dr. Dellis. It had to be reformatted. AND I reckon that all my photos, videos and everything else is GONE! Just shoot me now, PLEASE!

One week before my surgery!

I'm so excited. I guess the word is out for sure now. I'm having weight loss surgery done on March 13. I'm ashamed of myself and how I look. I have no energy to speak of and things are going down hill FAST due to the weight. I've tried before to get shed of it, but you know it came back and found friends to come stay too!

But this is going to be a complete life change for me. No more Diet Pepsi. Sorry Pepsi company! I know I've been a major buyer for a lot of years now and I'm sure going to miss my favorite drink! At most I'll only be eating about 1 cup of food. THAT'S IT TOTAL! If you don't think that is a tiny amount just measure out oh say one cup of mashed potatoes and put on your plate. It sure looks like a tiny amount!

Steak will not be on the menu for at least a couple months. IF I can chew it up small enough, what would make only one meal before, will now last for at least 2-3 meals if not more!!!

One good thing, it will be a long time before I have to buy any new clothes. I've still got at last count about 5-6 sizes smaller than what I am now IN MY CLOSET! AND a lot of them still have the tags on them!!! I don't mind a bit that they are a couple of years old. That does not matter to me one bit. As long as I can finally get in them will tickle me to death.

Well, I'll do my best to try to check in once more before we leave next week to go to the hospital. But if I don't, please keep me in your prayers that I have a good experience with no complications during surgery, a fast time healing from all pain and loose a LOT of FAT!

I can't wait! ONE WEEK AND COUNTING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No riding but wonderful news!

I know that this blog started out being solely for all of my adventures on riding my Arctic Cat. Well there is going to be another chapter added to those adventures. And in the long run it will add to my riding.

What is it? OK, I'll tell. I'm having Bariatric Surgery done on Friday March 13, 2009. I'm having the "Lap Band" done. What it is, is a band that goes around the top portion of my stomach to basically form a new much smaller stomach. Don't ask me how it works, I've even asked Dr. Weiss that question. You would think that with that larger portion of the stomach still there that it would feel hunger. But it doesn't! Go figure.

I'm very excited about finally having something done that will help me at last with my weight. The band doesn't do it all on it's own, it's just a tool to help the person reach their goal. It will be with me till I die or decide that I no longer need to have it in place. But honestly, I don't see it ever coming out.

I know that I've shown photos of places and other people here on my blog, but have tried to never show one of myself. There is a reason for that. I'm not comfortable showing the world the "real" me. In my mind I'm not this big, in my mind I can sit where I want and not worry. In my mind I can do things that any "normal" sized person can do. But the hard truth is that the real me can't do a lot of things.

Worst of all is the way that people that don't know me judge me just because of my size. I know that a lot of people don't, and those people are wonderful caring people that mean a lot to me. But it is those people that don't know me and snicker, stare or flat out say things out loud for me to hear that hurt the most.

I'll admit that the childish side of me can't wait till I get to goal. There are a couple people that I will HUNT out so that they can see the "REAL" me. OH I more than likely won't really say or do anything, but in my mind I'll be thinking "Now say again how you want me to get my FAT A$$ out and stay out because I have no business there!" OR What I'll really be thinking is.... "See I can loose the weight but you are unable to grow a working brain that actually makes you an intelligent human."

I started to post a photo of myself, but I don't have the nerve to do it right yet. Maybe this summer after there has been enough weight loss that you can actually tell the difference I might show a "Before and during" photo. We will see.

But for now all I want to say is keep on riding those trails. I'll be back out there soon. I miss it way to much!!!!!!!!!!!!

RAIN, SNOW and COLD

Due to the nasty weather and other factors I've not been riding ANY for weeks. This really stinks. I hate winter! HATE IT!

TWO WEEKS!

YEP..... YOU HEARD ME!! Two weeks without a cigarette! I'm so darn proud of myself.

Today is Thursday AND Day 4!

Today is very special. It is day 4 without smoking! If you had told me 5 days ago that I'd stop smoking COLD TURKEY I would have laughed my behind off at you. Well not completely cold turkey, I did go on day 2 to see my doctor and begged for some Chantix. THAT stuff is a WONDER DRUG!
Oh I get the urge big time at times. But it will pass usually in a few seconds. Right now I'm taking it one day at a time. I've got to be smoke free for a month before I can have surgery. I'm on my way!
Went in yesterday to get started on the process. Everybody that works in the ARH clinic in Hazard are such wonderful people. Next step is to get some blood work and test done then wait to have results sent in and then to hear from the insurance for the OK. This waiting is going to be the worst part. But if I, a smoker for over 32 years can quit, darn it I can do ANYTHING! Just call me "SUPERWOMAN"!!

A new year, a new me hopefully

Well, I've made a few important decisions. #1. I WILL get rid of the flab on my body. #2. I have STOPPED SMOKING!

Both are really tied into each other. I have made the appointment to meet with a group of doctors that do Bariatric surgery. I'd rather have the bypass done, but if I have to I'll settle for banding. BUT either way I have to stop smoking!

Lord give me strength!!!

Keep me in your prayers that I can do this. Honestly the surgery would be a breeze compared to stopping smoking. It's not been 2 hours yet...... and already I'm freaking out!

That felt GREAT!

Finally got to get out on the trails again today. It's been almost 2 months! That is way to long..... way.. WAY to long. Didn't get to ride for very long, but it beats nothing at all. Jim, Dale and his two boys, Austin & Brandon and myself all went down to WTOP and rode for about 4 hours today.
I can say with great certainty that I'm getting old and really starting to feel it now. My neck is sore from wearing my helmet for even that short of a time. But it kept my ears warm so it isn't all bad!

As you can see Mud Bowl I & II are both lakes! Anybody got jon boats to use?
Looks like bad (colder) weather is about to sit in again, so the riding today will have to do me for a while. Oh well. Sure gives me something to look forward to!

How could I almost forget?

Now I know I'm loosing it, and I've got proof! How on earth could I almost forget that 5 years ago TODAY I was in UVA hospital and at this moment had just woke up from surgery. What surgery? OH I forgot that part didn't I! I gave my bestest friend Kim my left Kidney!

Happy Anniversary Kim & Sydney (the kidney)!!!

Aren't we cute in our matching outfits? Kim is on the left and I'm on the right. THIS is the ONLY photo of me that I'll post anywhere! Not that I look that great, but because it is so special.

No riding. Darn

No riding this past weekend, and it is looking like none this coming weekend either. Had to finish up Christmas shopping and now the rain has set in. I'm not complaining about the rain one bit. Believe me. We really need it. Especially seeing as how we rely on our water to come from our own well instead of using the city/county water line here. Our well water taste so much better.

I am kinda bummed because with all this rain being rain due to the warm temps that we've seen very little snow so far this winter. But with husbands job if it does snow then I'm left without a way to trailer my ride to anywhere to ride at. Last year someone mentioned to me why didn't I just ride it from the house to the base of Crows foot and ride. OH I could have done it, no problem. BUT with what snow we did get I would have been VERY easy to track right back to the house and in Virginia riding where I would have would get me a HUGE ticket and fine!!!!

OH well. Maybe I can get a chance to get back out on the trails soon. I sure hope so.

33 years

Today is December 12. I wonder if Chris knows that I'm thinking of him on his 33rd birthday?

Happy Birthday Christopher!

Mixed feelings

Saturday was the "Christmas Parade" in Middlesboro. A small showing of Holler Crawlers showed up to ride. Granted it was cold and snowing, but that only added to the excitement in the air. I had Miss Kitty all decked out for the event. I was the only one there that was riding "Rudolph"!! The bad part was that the wheels that I got to go under the "Santa Sleigh" didn't work out so it had to be left at the trailer. Lesson learned on that one. But at least I've got a whole year to find the ones that I do need and have them on for the 2009 parade!

It wasn't till later Saturday evening that I heard about the tragedy that had happened at just about time for the parade to start. 4 young people, two of which were ROTC cadets that were to march in the parade, were killed in a traffic accident. Two of those were twins. So sad. I can't imagine what the families are going through right now. All we all can do is to pray that God helps them get through this time.

Another weekend of no riding.

Well the weekend is here and it is another weekend of no riding. This stinks! We were supposed to go down to WTOP for a work day but we both are just flat out so tired from the last two days that it isn't going to happen. That and the fact that the rain should start here any time soon. It's only 39 degrees right now and I'm no fan of getting soaking wet at these temps.
Thursday was Thanksgiving of course. Everyone was up at my parents house for the traditional Thanksging Day Dinner. I'm proud of myself. I didn't over eat today and didn't feel as stuffed as the turkey!
We did play a cruel joke on two little boys. I've got to admit that it was pretty funny. I've had to use a different program to do the video of what happened. I'm not pleased one bit with it. I hate doing something on a program that is so different than what I'm used to. It is unedited but still really funny. If you want you can go to YouTube to watch it. My channel there is "skeeterbait1234" . It is the one listed as "Vanishing Christmas Present". Be sure and pay close attention to the face of the one in the stripe shirt when he finally gets his present open! Priceless!
Well that's it for now. Next weekend is the Christmas Parades. I know we will be riding in the Middlesboro parade. Should have lots of photos and some video of that up shortly after.
Hope your Thanksgiving was GREAT! Ours was.

Nothing really to up date

In case you're wondering where I've been, well there hasn't been much to talk about. This weekend made the 3rd or maybe the 4th weekend in a row that I've got gotten to go riding. That really stinks too.
Today would have been really good, but today is also November 23rd, my youngest sisters birthday. Today she turned 45!! Just about the entire family took her out to eat at a new BBQ place in Cumberland Gap. I'll admit as much as I LOVE BBQ.. well I'll be hunting another place to go the next time I take a major craving for BBQ. It wasn't that bad, but it was FAR from good. OH well.
The only real thing to talk about is that I've made a major decision in my life. I'm going to have the "Lap Band" done ASAP. I'm sick and tired of the looks, the snickers and just flat out looking at what is in the mirror looking back at me.
More on that in the months to come. Till we meet again, hope that everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving! See ya'll soon I hope!!

Witness to history in the making

This will be the only political post in my blog that you will ever see. I make it a policy not to talk politics. But, tonight we the whole nation, have taken part in making history for our nation!
I know that outside of my family and personal friends, nobody really knows that I am alive. That is the way it is with most people in this nation. But tonight we all were important. We voted. We changed this nation.
I had made up my mind months ago on who my vote was going for. And after listening to all the television, print and even phone attempts to change my vote, I was even more sure of how I was going to vote!
When are the idiots that decide all the "messages" that goes out going to learn that mud slinging is NOT what most of the people want to hear. The one that really got me going was the one that made an issue out of Obama's middle name! LOL. NOW you tell me, did you have any control over the name that your parents gave you? LOL
I'm glad that it is over. Mainly so I won't have to listen/watch all the negative adds on my TV.
Congratulations to our president elect Obama.

NOW lets get back to talking about riding in the mountains!

Now that is what I call a Birthday Party!

What better way to celebrate your birthday than out on the trails with friends. That is just what we did today. My friend Dellis (Partsman as we know him) had his birthday on the trails today. A good group, minus a few missing people that will remain nameless! BUT YOU know who you are and shame on you! Anyhow, I made a mad dash to Wally World this morning to pick up a dozen Cupcakes. They sure were pretty... before they made the trip in the back of Jim's box across 2 mountains! lol But they did make it anyhow, a little lop sided but that didn't matter. They still were good!

Put a candle to put on it. Of course being the nut that I am instead of picking up Numbers or small candles I opted to have only one on it...... this "?"!! lol I think he liked it.

Well today we did the Cawood loop again. But this time with a twist. Jim came and rode with us today! His riding has improved so much. He's really doing well. He has even found out that it is fun to go through some pretty good water/mud holes! Now this one that he went through I've seen several try. Most get hooked to and pulled out. But that darn Arctic Cat just clawed himself right through! And Jim didn't have to really do anything other than back up a little bit and take another run at it. I've seen most that if they do make it have to get up on the front rack and ride it out...... but all he did was sit there. Go CAT Go!

Well it's late and I'm tired. Think it is time to give it up for the day. I'll admit that with two full days of riding I'm beginning to feel them. Don't want to admit it but I will.

I hope that before the week is out to have the video up of the "Water hole adventure".

Till then.... take care!!

Oh How we need RAIN!

Can we say - DUSTY! Beautiful day today... couldn't be any better other than getting rid of the darn dust. We need rain so bad. It was warm.. really warm for November 1st! But we need some rain!!!

OK, got that out of my system.

Met up at Colmar this morning at 10. Had a good group riding, even picked up an extra at the parking area. Started out with 6 rides, 9 riders. Myself, my husband Jim, Carl, Roy and "B", Donnie & Lavon and Wayne & Lisa.

I've known Wayne & Lisa for several years and this is the first time that I've ever seen them in any condition other than spic-n-span, sparkling CLEAN! I worried that they both would really HATE riding today in the dust, but they actually said that they loved it! So much so that he is going to go this week and see about trading in his HARLEY in on his own ATV! That's cool!

Bless their hearts, Donnie & Lavon drove down here again all the way from Paoli, IN. Since the last time they were here back in September they bought a RAZR (not sure of the spelling but it is a SidexSide).

Heading out tomorrow to ride with Dellis and the gang. Will be heading out to Cawood, Kentucky. I've been there so much that I think I could do that ride with my eyes closed, but it is a great ride. If it wasn't I'd stay home. One other thing makes tomorrow special. It is his (Dellis) birthday! Last year we had a good party for him. I've got to get out early enough in the morning to find some cupcakes and take. Guess I'll be making a VERY early morning run to Wally World.

Better get in bed or I'll never make it. See ya'll tomorrow evening or Monday morning with an update.

He's BACK!

Who's back? My Floating Ghost! Now during the day he doesn't look so bad. But at night, when your car headlights hit him.... and floating right beside you is a GHOST.... THAT is when he looks the best!