The sun is finally shinning, and I feel like my head is ready to explode!  Sometimes I think these weather changes make my headaches worse.  Already had my morning medications.  They don't seem to be doing anything for me this morning!  Waiting for Susan to get up, as I must remind her It is her dad's birthday today, "Happy birthday Ron".  In case I forget she always reads my blog! ha ha ...remember laughter is alway's the best medicine.( read that somewhere) LOL.
   So what is in store for us today?  Actually after Susan's phone call to her dad (birthday wishes) we are going to the hot-tub followed by breakfast.  This is where I establish a list of what we hope to get accomplished today!  We usually come up with a list of what absolutely must get done.  You know, go to work, eat, sleep, take my med's, etc.  Then I make a second list of things, usually containing five or six things in length.  If we get at least one thing done on this list, we consider we have had a very successful day!  After all it's not just the planing, its also in the doing that helps us get closer to one of our goals of selling this house.
  On my list for today is to finish drawing the lines for the gyproc.  Perhaps cut them out.  Vacuuming could be on my list for today.  But this is one of those jobs I will Leave until last.  It has the ability to totally wreck havoc with my head.  Something to do with the eye, head, hand coordination thing.
  Anyways as long as the sun is out today I think I will try and spend as much time as possible on the deck relaxing.  Trying to think positive thoughts.  Hoping my headache goes away.  All this is part of the healing process in Building the Simple life.........
   

 

  Trying to stay focused!  Easier said than done.  These headaches, or should I say headache, as I have had this one for twenty-three months now!  Some mornings one's positive attitude can be stretched to the limit.  So for today I will try and concentrate on making some salad.  Salad is done and I feel like I am more or less done as well.  Let's see, Susan left for work two and one half-hours ago.  That's how long it took me to do a simple salad!!
  Now to stay focused and try and get a couple of other things checked off the, to do list.  Laundry brought upstairs, check.  Clothes put away and hung up, check.  Vegetables added to the slow cooker for supper, check.
  Well I just finished having some rest.  Wright now I seem to be able to tolerate my headache, so I am going to do some measuring and line drawing on gyprock....  Mission accomplished!!  I guess that's going to be it for today my headache has really spiked now.  So it will just be more rest, peace and quiet.  
  Oh no, hopefully the neighbours dog will quit her barking!  Not sure what is bothering her today as she is usually pretty good.  I guess nobody is home and the other neighbours dog is out and is causing quit a rucas.  So what do you do?
  Still trying to perfect life around here for now.  Waiting for Susan to get home, then we can have some rest and relaxation time in the hot-tub.  After supper hopefully we can sit back and have a very quiet evening discussing what is next on our plans, as we go forward together, to Building the Simple life..........

 

  A few simple steps for today!  Medication as usual, then off for my Saturday morning coffee ritual with Donald.  And then when I return home, some hot-tub relaxation time with Susan.
  As I said earlier it's Saturday and to my surprise there is snow on the lawn.  I am trying to be quiet so Susan can sleep in.  She had a closing shift last night and has a later start shift again today, with another closing shift tonight.  At least a close shift on Saturday and Sundays are earlier than the rest of the week!
  So what could the rest of the day hold for me?  Perhaps I might try and do some measuring and line drawing on some gyproc.  This is in preparation of the cuts and hanging of the boards in the bathroom.  You know all that messy dusty stuff.  What else might I do today?  Don't know, don't care.  How's that for a relaxed attitude!!
   Sure enough my other buddy Burt called and showed up with his grandson, so off to the resturant for a short visit with them.  Now it's back relaxing at home trying to decide what to do on a rainy Saturday.
  Not sure where my morning has disappeared to, but here it is already early afternoon and it is time to say good-by to Susan as she get's ready to go to work.  It's been such a relaxing day so far.  I have decided to tackle a few loads of laundry for Susan, after all the machine's do most of the work, right?  Yes, and one less job for Susan to do tomorrow.  Well the last load is in the washing machine, I think it's time to try and tackle some kitchen chores today.  Cut up some green onions and mixed them into the cottage cheese,  Susan's specialty.  Last load is into the dryer, thank God it is medication time!!
  No I did not get the lines drawn on the gyproc today.  It was hard to concentrate on doing every day living things, never mind trying to concentrate on getting things done today, headache and all.
  But tomorrow is another day, and every day we are seeing progress, somedays more than others.  It's like don't lose the faith brother, keep the faith!  Simple word's with big meanings.  So with all those baby steps that Susan and I keep taking we are all still on the same path to Building the Simple life......

  Today I have promised myself to stay calm!!  Susan and I started the day off with a nice relaxation time in the hot-tub!  Took my medication on time.  Things are going well so far, check!
  Now I want to talk about concussions and how they might relate from the sports injuries to people in the real world (work force).  In particular truck drivers.  How many times have I hit my head coming out from under trailers checking brakes (pre-trip), saw stars shaken it off continued on working!  Had a bad headache for a couple of days, oh it's just part of the job.  Or had faulty trailer door catches give way and a huge gust of wind send them sailing around only to hit you in the side of the head and knock you right off your feet, oh well it's part of the job.  Back too work you are 1200 miles from home, huge headache for two or three days while you are still loading and working  to get home.
   One of the first blows that Susan and I remember that I reported.  I took a pipe to the head when I was tying down a load, I slipped on the ice and the snipe (pipe) slipped off a boomer and I hit myself in the head.  This knocked me down I saw stars and was taken to hospital where I received stitches tetnes shot etc..
   Now in hockey and other sports they say you should not return to bouncing and the grinding of the game?  What did I subject myself to?  What about the bouncing down the road in a semi-truck team driving, so no rest for the head injury at all !!! Who knew.....  Then I also had a head-on Head Crash when someone tried to commit suicide, return to work same type of scenario. Fall off of a ladder I hit my head and then back to work.  Slipped on diesel fuel on melting snow and banged the side of my head at Estavan SK on the fuel island and back into the truck, and the list goes on and on...  Now they believe ( Boston university) know that the brain must fully heal from all symptoms.  If not, they are beginning to believe it could lead to early progression of CTE (allzhimer,dimenzia) which might not show up for 8 to 10 years or even longer.
   So now that I have been writing this and trying to think about what the the young lady said to me yesterday" How many times do you think you might have seriously hit your head", "was it more or less than10?"  I said, it was probably more than 10.  I should have said more than 50!!!!   One does not remember how many times things happen until you start writing things down.
    If proper precautions  and treatment are not developed now, it could have huge ramifications and costs to our health care systems in the future.  So I believe we should not drag our heels and expect this problem to go away.
  Soon we will be off to the big city to pick up a few supplies for the lake.  There are things that are cheaper to buy down here or are not available at the lake.  Sometimes things can be cheaper at the lake, one just has to do the research and trust to ones instincts.  This usually gives one the best results.
   Susan has to check out her revised schedule when she goes to work this evening.  They had her working eight days in a row before her requested four day break!  Somewhere in there she needs one day or two days off.  Perhaps we can get another day at the lake in our quest to Building the Simple life.......

  Oh man, I am just stressed right out today.  I Probably have one of my worst headache's, since I hurt myself!  That good you say?  Ya that good!  Tried laying down for a short nap, no go.  Just waiting for med time.

  Why is it people still say to me, "Well there doesn't seem to be anything outwardly wrong with you" !!  People, just do not get it.  Concussion's do not show outward physical signs in the normal sense.  They are inward, such as emotional trauma.  These include thinks such as headache's, screaming in ones ears, dizzyness, and at times disorientation.   I believe one of the biggest factors to recovery from concussion like symptoms, is the elimination of stress.  I believe we witnessed this after the philly/penguins series as witnessed in Sidney Crosby attitude after his post game interview.  He just seemed to be back to the pre-injury Crosby (same nice kid from down the street), after the series was over.(no more stress)  I am not saying this is the only factor, but it might be a mitigating factor. Any-ways the EEG went very quickly today so I am going back to resting and trying to just concentrate on Building the Simple life....

  Oh what a night!  Trying to keep everything in perspective.  I already have a terrible headache.  So my problem should not be trying to stay awake, but rather to deal with the pain... Usually I get about four and one half hours sleep between 11pm and 4 am.  This depends on what I've done the day before.  So tonight I am going to try and use this time to try and reflect on my life.
  First off I was saddened by the realization that my Bruins had lost in overtime to Washington, oh well golfing I guess is in their immediate future.  Also tonight I am going to try and remember where life has taken me in the past.  Sometimes this is hard for me to do when my headaches get to bad (harder to remember things).  And also where I hope it can take me in the future.
  I've travelled everywhere man, breathed the mountain air man.  Well almost every where man!  By truck I have been to BC, AB,SK,MB,ON,and QU.  I have been in all of the lower 48 states including the District of Columbia.  I have walked across the border to Mexico.  I have dipped my feet in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, as well as the Gulf of Mexico!  I have flown over Canada from coast to coast.
  Some of my greatest memories are waking up in the early summer morning in Montana with a light breeze blowing while doing my morning pre-trip, cattle in a near by field feeding, with the sound of irrigation sprinklers going.  Oh what a life,  Breathtaking!  Or on late spring days, with new crops just bursting up through the ground, as I was driving through the Q'uappelle valley in southern Saskatchewan.  Mid summer afternoon winds as they shift the wheat fields across the prairies, as they ripen for fall harvest.  Travelling through Ontario and Quebec, as well as north eastern USA in the fall seeing the leaves show their fall splendour.  The awesome desert sunrises.  Driving the coastline of southern Oregon and northern California to see the the surf and the great sunset's, these are just some of my memories that I fondly remember.  I am sure there are many more memories tucked away in my mind somewhere, but the old computer's data base is a little slow this morning.  So this is what life has dealt me for now.
  What are my expectations for the future?  Not much.  Hopefully someday to be able to be medication free (dealing with headaches).  Short of this, come up with a new miracle drug that will finally work for me.  So far it seems that the only thing that has been working for me is to reduce my activity, try not to read or watch TV.  Try and remove all forms off stress, noise and activity from ones life,  become somewhat of a hermit.  This has not solved the problem of the headaches though at times it makes them much more bearable.
  So we try and keep things very simple around here, it's one day at a time.  Today is another day hopefully my EEG goes well.  Then the rest of the day will be used for much needed rest, this to help get this headache back under some control.  Then hopefully latter tomorrow Susan and I to get back to our goal of Building the Simple life.....      

  I am still trying to learn how to relax.  Did way to much yesterday!  Headache has been back with a huge vengeance, since early this morning.  Not sure how early, I just know it was still dark out.  When will I learn to quit pushing myself?  , I keep trying to rush trying to Build the Simple life, instead of trusting in God, and taking my time.  I know by putting my faith and trust in him, things will work out.  But I still have not learned how to be a patient man.  I believe this is one of those things that I am going to have to overcome.  so that I can have any type of a normal life again.
  Oh well, only a couple of minor things for Susan and I to do around here today.  Then it will be back off to home so I can stay up all night for my sleep depravation E.E.G. for tomorrow morning.  I had one last walk around the campground at the lake.  There was bait of ice on the deck this morning, everything looks good at all sites so I jumped in the pick-up for the ride home.
  Back home, Susan and I unloaded some essentials and then transferred over to Susan's chevy cruze.  Then it was off to the Big city for gas, grocery shopping etc..  Enough to push a sane person off the deep end!
  Thank God those errands are done!  The sun is shinning again! It is finally starting to slowly warm up.  The next 17 hours are going to just drag by...  Trying not to think about staying awake tonight is making my headache worse!  perhaps a walk might be in order anyways I will talk to you all tomorrow.....

  Let the next adventure begin!  Hot-tub time is complete, Susan is just stepping out of the shower.  Time for a quick bite of breakfast, then finish loading the truck, and off to God's country!
  Well we made it up here and finished the last details with the shed.  Golf cart does fit.  Paid for my membership, back nine is already open!  Headache is to bad to go out today.  Saw a friend at the hardware store today.  Have not seen Ron up here since last summer.  Watched some people move in a new unit onto their new site today.
  Susan did some spring yard work, and we more or less did a lot of relaxation.  Just trying to shake loose the city life, and trying to remember hot to really relax.  All this in our quest to Building the Simple life!

  The sun still rose this morning, the birds are still singing, and yes I still have a headache!  So the the world did not come to an end when the mighty Canucks (presidents Cup) lost in the first round of the Stanley cup play-offs to L.A..  And yes, there were also were many tears shed across the world for the losses of Pittsburg Penguins and Sidney Crosby, as they bowed out to the Philadelphia Fliers.  But remember the joy and happiness of the fans that support the teams that were considered the under-dogs, L.A. Kings,  Flyers and their joys and excitement.  So congratulations to those two teams on their victories.  Isn't this what we would have wan't for our team's!  Especially if they had won?  What if our team had been the underdog and won?  Isn't this what Disney Movies are made of!  So I say again, " CONGRATULATIONS" to the winners!
  Well it's medication time again.  Susan will be up soon and we will get our morning routine under way. We will have the usual hot-tub relaxation time, then a change of pace.  Today the pick-up get's fuelled up.  Then the golf cart will be loaded for our departure tomorrow morning to, God's country!  We will be spending some more leisurely activity up there, in the way of still getting organized, for the summer season.  Such as what we will need to keep up there.  What our storage capabilities will be with the new shed?  The possibilities of a future deck extension.(this will be small)  Should we Bring up our family Bar-B-Q?  We never use it at home, and the one at the lake is worn out.  We also have a patio set at home that is like new and is never used.  We could definitely use it at the lake.  We will definitely have room to store this as well.
  Looks like thinks are progressing very well around here.  Susan has the truck all fuelled up.  I managed to rinse off the golf cart, and we somehow got it loaded onto the pick-up in record time.  It (the golf cart) is all tied down and the pick-up is loaded, with all that needs to go this trip.  So in the morning when we get up, all that needs to be done, is load the last groceries, clothes, med's, and ourselves!  Let the next adventure begin.
  Susan has been very busy checking out different ways for me to have internet service while I am at the lake.  This is so I can continue to keep up with my blog.  More research into this is going to be required.  Hopefully I will be able to log onto the cabins this summer for a reasonable rate.  Plus she has done the laundry, put it away, and hung every thing up!  Wait, I've died and gone to Heaven.  Nope I still have a headache, Ha! ha! ... My sense of humour has not left me...laughter is the best medicine!
  Susan is off to work now.  She has the close shift, should be home around 10pm.  Then a half hour or so to unwind in the hot-tub.  She has left me with instructions to wake her up early.  Susan wants an early start for the lake in the morning.
  It seem's pleasant  to walk around ones surroundings and see all the extra space that one does not need.  Especially now that Susan and I have determined that these are things in life that we do not need.  Like a lot of space in a big house!  This huge yard that one of us always has to worry about in the summer time.  Who is going to cut the grass?  I know last year I always ended up with such huge headaches trying to maintain this yard.  I am not looking forward to this again this year.  Another one of our projects on our list of must does is to try and have every thing done in the house and yard so we can eventually have it ready for sale.
  God willing all part of our journey to Building the Simple life.......

  Yes it's going to be sunny and warm here again today!  Always an optimist, you have to be.  It's part of keeping things simple, besides I looked at the weather forecast this morning.  Plus, to be on the safe side I also looked outside to the West.  My mother did not raise any fools.  One also must keep ones sense of humour through adversity, or as I believe you could go totally insane!
  So this morning I find myself back into somewhat of a routine waiting to take my medication, for Susan to get up, hot-tub and meditation time.  That's where I get to relax.  Susan talks, I listen.  She has a calming voice.  Then I'll be waiting for my call from Donald "is it coffee time yet?" or "are you ready?"
  I noticed God has answered a few of my prayers as of late. and I thank you!  Like what you might ask?  Well apparently my crows have decided that there is a better location to have there morning roosting, mating calls!!!  And my song bird's have returned!   Yay.!!  Why is it we only pray to God when we are really hurting or sick, but never when we are happy and content?  Another one of life's mysteries.  So even though I still have constant headaches, at times worse than others, I am trying to make it a point to thank God for the little prayers that he has answered every day.  They may seem small, but the little prayers add up to a lot!  I just think this is all part of "Building the Simple life".

  Hello fireworks!  It was one of those mornings, up at three-thirty am., lights flashing headache, private light show!  And four hours to medication time.  So this is what it's like to have a hangover.  Only problem, I wasn't drinking!  An hour or so of hot-tub time and the headache level is down a bit.  One problem though.  When I came in, Susan remarked "you didn't wait for me" and"what time is it?" rolled over and went back to sleep!  Not sure if I am in the dog house or not...... hummm?
  Possibly I will put some effort into getting those two cuts on those boards done so they can get installed on my day's off..  Could this do the trick?  Such decision's to make this early in the morning.  Fifteen minutes to med's.  Then off to contemplate this dilemma at coffee with Donald, while I try and catch up on the latest gossip.  I mean farm news.  Like I'll remember it after I am home anyways.  Just another form of relaxation, that seems to help.  As long as one does not over do it, and it is usually quiet in there on Saturday mornings.
  One has to experiment with what works and does not work for ones self.  I am not talking about self medication., but about levels of physical activity.  Stress levels, noise, human emotions.  Any type of activity that seems to stimulate the brain.   Which in turn increases the screaming in my ears and increases the levels of pain in my head, wonderful.
  Time to think of some very positive things for today.  The sun is shinning, I had a wonderful drive out east to the River Bend Colony where Burt got his pork.  We went across the south saskatchewan river on "the ferry", or as Nicole would say, "ferry, ferry, you call that thing a ferry"in disgust!  She was used to the impressive B.C. ferry fleet.  Not Saskatchewan's Highway Dept.'s local barges!  But they work and serve the public very well.  In the winter they pull them out of the river and have ice crossings.  We were on grid roads saw lots of geese, ducks, swans, and all kinds of spring bird's.  All in all a very laid back and leisurely morning.  Just like a pair of farmers out checking the pastures trying to figure out what crops one should be planting this year.  Burt stopped in Warman to have a late breakfast, and see what was happening over in the next town.  Then it was off to home, to drop me off.  I was Just in time to see Susan off to work.  Talk about timing.  Must have earned at least two browny points!  
  Let's see if I can earn some more of those points.  It's time to try and do some measuring!  Measuring is done, cutting is done!  Headache is not done.. Gone to warp drive, beginning to frustrate me, as Michelle says," you know it'll still be there tomorrow.  Still trying to learn how to adjust this transmission in my body from overdrive to dead slow...  Easy to give the pill hard to swallow it.
  Sure Rome wasn't built in a day.  But this is not Rome!  It is a very small main bathroom.  Such is life with all it's twists and turns.  Put in a couple of boards in place.  I guess I am definitely done for today.  I should know better.  There is no rushing my pursuit of Building the Simple life!  Just slow down, relax, stay calm, live for the moment.  Thank God for the thinks that unfold as your day progress!....

  Good morning I am 57 years old (YOUNG) and still kicking!  Back to my normal self, well back to where I was before I started the extra pain medication.  One of God's tests.  So, do I not complain as much, about what he has dealt me?  Not sure.
  Anyways it is not raining outside even though it is in the forecast.  I will continue to think positive about a clearing trend with sunny breaks for today.  When Susan get's up it will be time for some relaxation in the hot-tub and then off to the big city (Saskatoon) to pick up parts for the yearly tune-up on the golf cart!
  Other plans for today include, I still have to make those backing blocks for the bathroom towel bar's?  Headache got the better of me yesterday after the salad, so I took an extended rest.  I will see how I do after we come back from the city today.  Perhaps I will at least get them cut.  Or not!
  Wood cutting was not high on the priority list for today.  To much big city time!  Noise at the Travel Lodge for brunch, or should I say lunch with Susan was great (still not cooking).  Then home.  It's raining.  We (Susan)  were trying to find some mag wheels for my golf cart on the internet (half price on the internet and have them shipped to our U.S. address).  Just have to get one of our friend's who are still in trucking to pick then up in Great Falls Mt.  I think It is about time that Canadian business' should realize that they should quit price gouging.  Especially that our $ is hovering around parr or just above....
  Then it was off to supper with Donald, to the Sports Page another noisy venue!  The food and company was great.  So my headache is up there very high right now, but it was worth it!!  And let's not forget I managed to sneak away for a quick coffee with Burt this afternoon as well!  No wonder my head feel's like it is ready to explode.
  I have had my evening medications.  This has been one exciting day.  Thank you to every one for the birthday wishes.  They have helped, and make one feel appreciated, and not alone in this long journey to Building the Simple life.  PS: did not make any meals today.   I will get back to regular Man Servant duties tomorrow.  Oh no it's Saturday.  I think that might be part of my weekend, have to check my contract..........shop steward........... even in pain I believe God want's all of us to have a sense of humour .

  Good morning!  It's going to be a better day.  Susan got off to work about half an hour ago, she has requested a tossed salad for supper.  Humm, I will see if I can accomplish this.
  Did not take the new medication at bed time last night, slept a little better.  No hallucinations, the headache is not quite as bad this morning.  Susan's remark to me this morning when we got up was "you seem a lot calmer!  I recon that this is a good thing.  At least in this regard I feel better.  In a half hour it is mediation time, and then I should have my headache somewhat under control.  As long as I stay relaxed and calm it (my headache) remains a dull roar.
  So what is on my agenda for today?  I am going to see if I can manage to cut a couple of boards for Susan, and put them in place (I hope).  These are backing for when she hangs her drywall, for the towel bars.  After my morning medication's I will be off for my my morning walk.  And most importantly make a salad for supper!!   Later when Susan is home from work we will spend some quality time relaxing in the hot-tub.
  Well back from my walk.  When I was on my walk I got to reflect on life in the cool spring air.  I thought, what was still going to be needed to accomplish "Building the Simple life".  Oh man is there a lot of work still to be done.  It's like God has put all these tests in our path, that Susan and I must overcome!  And then I remember, just take a deep breath, keep it simple, like baby steps.  One day at a time and then there is nothing that cannot be accomplished with prayer and the Lord's guidance.

  Good afternoon!  Trying to see if I can try and jot down a few thoughts today.  Headache is really bad.  New med's are not doing a good Job, in fact they are making things far worse.  Woke up this morning at 2 am ready to tear somebody's head off.  Some real anger issues happening, for no apparent reason.  Being awake and listening to the crows outside, seeing things and people that are not there is a little scary!!  The second night was far worse than the first night.  Susan and I have determined that I will discontinue them.
  Some good news today. R.U.H. phoned this morning and I am scheduled for my sleep deprivation E.E.G. for April, 26 at 8:15 am.  Hopefully I will pass that and with the Neurologists recommendations I can at least get my regular drivers licence back from SGI.  This will give Susan and myself a little more flexibility in our daily life.
  Tomorrow morning or possibly late today we have a plumber coming in to finish off one last bit of plumbing.  Then I can help Susan finish off drywalling the bathroom walls.  Then there will be the water proof membrane, tiling and grouting.  Oh let's not forget the painting.  Putting up the new light fixtures, countertops,sink and taps.  Let's see how long this project takes us?  I should start  a 50 -50 lottery to earn extra money to help put groceries on the table. Glad to see I have not lost my sense of humour.  And all this is to make it perfect for the next owner.  Susan and I have never sold anything in our lives that was not in top shape.  Would not be able to sleep properly at night if we did.  I guess this is just something that we have learned from our parents and our grandparents.  Which I hope we have passed onto our children who will pass it on to following generations.
  Susan is off to work now, so it is my job to try and plan our agenda for the next week!  See if I can come up with some solution's to lead us to the simple life.  Well for starters we need to go to Sutherland on Friday morning to pick up some part's so I can do a spring tune up on the golf cart.  Try to plan out what needs to go back up to the lake, and in what order.  What has to go in the pick-up, what can go in the car!
  Possibly this is to much of an undertaking for today.  After all this I feel confused! (headache)  Am I not supposed to be Building the Simple Life?.........Bumpa!

  First day after start of new medication!  Not so good. First night, not much sleep.  Seemed to have kind of weird dreams for about the first four hours, and then could not sleep at all after that.  Not sure but I think my headaches might be worse than before.  We will try this new medication again tonight before bedtime.  If I do not see any improvement, I think this will not be a solution for me and will have to discontinue the use of this latest medication.
  Susan drove us up to the lake today to finish up putting the roof cap on the storage shed.  She also finished installing the hardware for the door's and they were put on the shed. They look very good.  The next time we go up to the lake we will be able to take up the golf cart, and do the final adjustments on the shed doors.  All in all it was a very productive day!
  We had a great lunch up there, saw some amazing people that I have not seen since last summer/fall.  I felt very relaxed, which really helped my headache.  Sometimes it's ones environment that does more to help find a cure for you than all the tea(pills) in china.  Anyways after the drive home I have a very good headache again.  So I will have to catch up with everyone with more tomorrow........

  Good afternoon!  Spent the morning in the big city. Dr.'s appointment.  Met with friends, did some grocery shopping and had some lunch.  Got some new medication to add to my drug program (they are just new on the market).  I am to try them for two weeks to see if they will help with my headaches.  I start them tonight.  If they work they will be added to my permanent drug regiment .  Hopefully this will be one of those wonder drugs that work for some patients who suffer from post traumatic concusion symptoms.  I guess in two weeks we will know the results.

  Weather is very slow at warming up today, not sure if Susan and I will be going up to the lake tomorrow or not.  Just have to wait and see.  Not sure with the addition of the new meds, and all.   

  Good morning! And yes it's still daylight in the swamp.  
     I have a lot on my mind today, see if I can remember some of it. It is hard to explain how people just do not get the seriousness and complexity of concussions.   Have you seen the latest on Sidney Crosby floating around (brokeback mtn.).People need to learn to back off!  
    Now I am not a big hockey fan nor a Sidney supporter.  But, he is definitely not the same person/player he was before his injury!!!  Just like I am not the same person I was before my injury.  Watch Crosby's style of play!  So far in the play off.'s, he appears to be more aggressive (to the point of wanting to hurt the other players).  He does not display the same sportsmanship and control he had before!   Definitely, not a role model.  Not like he used to be for my grandson's.  Somewhere inside him there is the old Sidney, that his friends, family,and fans have to give him space and time to find.  This will not be an easy journey for him.  
   This is the same type of frustrations I have come across every day, in my day to day dealings with family and friends. It creates levels of anxiety and frustration. Which leads to increased levels of stress and tension, and higher levels of headaches!!  Which really sucks! Another reason for "BUILDING THE SIMPLE LIFE". Susan was telling me she had read an article in the Star Phoenix paper that Ken Dryden was going to be in Saskatoon talking about concussions and how it can take up to"FIVE" years to adjust! Talk about a change in lifestyle.        
    Concussions are serious! And as a society we should take them very serious. look at the ramification in sports injuries, work injuries(myself included). I think we have been very good at the talk, but maybe it's time to do the walk! What's that saying? walk a mile in my shoes......... Now that I have been there. It's not much fun. So for those who think I now have it made. I have these word's of wisdom, it's great that the wife went to work this morning at 5:30am, I have screaming Jet's in my ears all day long.  My pills only lessen my headaches for perhaps six to seven hours, if I am lucky. I have trouble concentrating on reading simple directions.(I have been at this for about 5 hours).  Most times I end up waiting for Susan or someone else to help me figure out what I am doing!  So the next time you talk to someone who has had a concussion, do not assume you know what they are going through, until you live with them or walk a mile in their shoes.
    I know this is something I am truly trying to learn, easier said than done. Another problem the explosive temper that one did not have before. It was always easy to walk away rather than face an argument, but sometimes the headaches are so bad you do not remember what you are saying or what you are doing. So I have quickly learned to just get up and leave. I hope this has not offended to many of my friends.  This has been hardest on my wife. She has made great adjustments for me! I hope I have learned how to listen when she has said"it's time to go".  I am very lucky my three children and their spouses have kept in close contact and have a good understanding of what Susan and I are going through.   So it's still one day at a time, sometimes one minute at a time but we will get through this with God's help!  Look's like our snow has ended, waiting for Susan to return home from work, more medication and off to my son and daughter in law's for supper, WOW! I don't have to cook!

  Good morning everyone. Susan's running around doing some house cleaning this morning. Giving me some time off. More rest, kinda what the Dr. ordered, rest and more rest! So today we finish loading up the pick-up with some of our supplies. Susan has the closing shift at cosco tonight, tomorrow bright and early we will be off to the lake to start opening up the fifth wheel for the summer season! The quiet at the lake seems to be one of the best therapies for my headaches.                                                                              Susan is off to work now, truck is basically loaded and ready for our departure for the lake in the morning.                                                                                                                                                                At the end of last summer I came to the realization, with manny discussions with Susan that I would not be  returning to the driving for at least five years. As per S.G.I.new rules. We made a decision it was pointless to keep spending money on maintaing a shop, insurance for the truck etc. things that were slowly putting us deeper and deeper in debt. Once that decision was made it became obvious our next step would be to sell the truck and to give up the shop. So first things first get the truck ready for sale. This took nearly three months as I couldn't do much at on time, every thing I do always increases the severity of headaches. So between susan's help on her days off we finally got the truck ready and up for sale and sold! It might sound like we had a lot to do as for the time duration, but we did not. It's just that I cannot do very much at one time, hence the time.                                                                                                 The next order of business after the truck was sold was to get the shop cleaned out  this took until the end of feb when Susan and I gave up our keys for the shop. The closing of another chapter of our lives!                                                                            

Good morning to everyone again. It's daylight in the swamp, ha ha!  Hard to concentrate this morning, not much quality sleep last night. Trying to remember what it was like to get a full night's sleep. I think this must have been fantasy or a dream from another life. Oh well, no flashing light's in my head today.(my own private light show). Still no word on when I get to see the Neurologist again, though He said he would see me after I had my sleep deprivation EEG(to get my class 5 drivers licence back). Susan has phoned several times, they say the requisition has gone in and that the system is very busy. I have another DR.'s appointment on April 16, I will ask him at that time if there is other meds I can take. At time's when thing's get a little hectic like this past weekend with the house full etc., my med's don't even come close to doing the job for me.                                                                                                                                                     I can really understand why there are alcoholics in the world(drug abuse). Because booze can lessen the pain so you do not care that it's there, but oh my God is it ever worse the next  day!! So you reach of the bottle again and the cycle continues.  I decided this was not a course for me a long time ago, when I was first hurt.  I noticed that booze did not have the effect of making me feel drunk. Weird huh? On the other hand coffee, in particular caffeine (food with caffeine in it), such as pop made me into drunken sailor. pardon the expression!                                                                                                                                   I am back, it was med time! It's strange how one's life starts revolve around some pills in a bottle. Just sitting here waiting for Susan to wake up, then out to the Hot Tub! Another one of those accessories of the house courtesy of trucking!                                                                                                                             The other love of my life ,or should I say past life driving! Do I miss it? NO!  Do I miss the money I made in the past, the friends, places susan and I have been? Yes.  Especially some of the great friends and places we have been together.                                                                                                                       Now the other sad part of this brain trauma. MY memory. I had a great memory, maybe to good a memory at times. usually did not loose bet ok, let's google it used to drive people insane! Used to pick wrong answer on purpose in games found it was easier to keep friends that way. now I just seem to pick the wrong answer. 30% I might be able to remember something from the past if the right trigger is found that opens my mind, especially more current memory. Like why did I go to the kitchen or what are we going to the city for?                                                                                                                                             So now I find when I go out with friend's I catch myself starring at people do I know you?  And I will ask the person I am with should I know him? Many, many times the answer is yes he drove with us when we were at kindersley or when we were at kindersley he was at rymers or another trucking company! So it's not that I am loosing my mind! Well maybe, that's still to be defined, time to see if susan wants in the hot tub

So for susan and I the hectic weekend is coming to an end. Yesterday was a little too much for myself. Not much sleep last night. Now that the house is quiet you then realize how much your head can be hurting. Screaming in ones ears is like standing at the end of the runway waiting for the snow birds(Canada's flight team) to take off. Believe me, I am not complaining! I would not change one minute of this weekend. I had A great time with every one. These are things have become normal for me in the last twenty three months.

Well today I start the first day of my journey. How do i get there? Perhaps  (mikkel's words,youngest grandson) by going back in time to the beginning. Susan and I thought we were on top of the world. With every thing planed. Knew where we had come from, where we were at, and where we were going.  Then one day bang! A simple bang on the head,(I thought) our lives have been changed forever. Eventually you come to a point and realize that God has a plan for you!  So you try and accept  what he has dealt you and get on with your life. In our situation this has meant Susan has gone back to work outside of the home and I have tried to learn how to relax. Easier said than done. To go from sixteen plus hour days to zero is really hard on ones system.