I’m trying to get back into the swing of things. Today is my first day back at work since taking time off for my surgery. Recovery is going well, other than a little stiffness, I’m pain free.
DaughterGeeding accidentally hit DogGeedingII in the mouth with her metal softball bat yesterday. The dog didn’t even yelp, but he’s missing the bottom of one of his incisors and there was a tiny bit of blood. I debated on taking him to an animal ER, but since he didn’t appear to be in any pain or discomfort, I decided I’ll just try to take him to his regular vet today.
It has surprised me at all the low-level tactics my ex-wife has taken since she abandoned me. Heck, she hasn’t even told me why she opted for divorce as her first choice instead of going to a single counseling session or trying separation, and still refuses to have that conversation. Here’s the latest. Our children told me when they were at their grandparents’ over the holidays, their aunt (my ex-wife’s sister) told the kids I physically hit her, which is entirely false and was never mentioned in court or any other legal proceeding or paperwork. I contacted my ex-wife through the court appointed communication app, telling her what our children were told and by whom. I asked if she told anyone else that false information and if she or her sister would talk to our children about the “miscommunication” so they know their father isn’t a wife beater. She only replied with, “I have never told anyone that you physically harmed me.” I have since followed up with two more emails asking if she or her sister would talk to the kids about what they were told, but she refuses to reply or pick up the phone. I know I have to accept I have no control over her actions and a lot of things are just beyond my control, but this just leaves a nasty taste in my mouth.
Here’s the story behind this photo of married Mormon Danny White kissing a Mormon Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader who was married to another man.
I’ve been keenly interested in the James Webb Space Telescope. If you are too, here’s a nifty tracking tool from NASA. Of course, since it’s fully deployed, a lot of the suspense has been taken away.
Are you interested in fictional movies within movies? If so, here’s a database which will interest you.
The touching story of how the late Sidney Poitier learned to read, or improve his ability to read well, cued up for you. If it’s not cued, just go to the 4:50 mark.
As you know, 2021 was a very rough year for me. I rang in the new year by opening the backdoor at midnight to let out 2021 and to welcome in 2022 with an open mind.
This was the first Christmas we experienced as a divorced family. I didn’t have the kids from the day of my surgery, Dec 17, until Dec 28. I had “my Christmas” with them on the night of the 28th. It was weird for all of us, even though we tried to make the best of it.
The word I’m going to focus on for the year, I guess you can say my mantra, is “yield.” I’m not in control of most things or the actions or responses of others. Like the Beatles said, “Let it be.” I’m also going to adopt the MJ from Spider-Man NWH philosophy, “If you expect disappointment, then you can never really be disappointed.” For instance, I thought my ex would allow our children to visit me at least one time during my recovery from major surgery to at least put their minds at ease. I have no control over that. I just had to expect the worst and let it be. Easier said than done. I can’t figure out any other way to deal with this new normal I didn’t seek nor ask for.
Before I found out about my then wife’s emotional acts of infidelity and fell into depression, I used to weigh around 250-pounds, though at my heaviest I stopped weighing myself after I hit 265. Saturday was the first I weighed myself post surgery. All of my weight over the past 14-months have been unplanned.
My recovery is going well but I think I need to take it easy. DaughterGeeding is trying out for her school’s softball team and I’ve been underhand tossing softball sized wiffle balls at her in the backyard. As a matter of fact, we did it at midnight in the backyard one night with nothing but the porch light aiding us. I do get winded easily and had to be careful of a few line drives.
I’d like to see the player-coach role come back, but I guess there are contract legalities preventing that from ever happening. The two modern-day players I think fit that role would be Peyton Manning and Tom Brady.
Dan Reeves was out there playing for the Cowboys while also being on the coaching staff pic.twitter.com/PxHYSLTvam
I’m opening this bag up gradually, but it is opening up. More consistent postings will start the second week of the new year. I haven’t physically seen or hugged my kids since the day of surgery when I dropped them off at school, and I’m about to get them for ten straight nights, so my attention will be on them. There’s no telling if I’ll ever be able to regain my audience. But you folks have been loyal and encouraging, and I haven’t forgotten about it.
As you know, it’s been a hell of a life-changing year for me. This blog was even used against me in court. How will this affect my blogging in the future? I’m not sure. I felt it was important to be transparent with a lot of my thoughts and feelings, even if they were unpopular and made little sense. I tried to be authentic and sincere. In that spirit, I’d like to continue to be that way, though I may be more guarded.
One thing is for sure, you’re going to be disappointed in me and I accept that. I’m a newly divorced man who is still grieving the death of his 17-year marriage, adjusting to having limited access to my children. I’m wounded, damaged, and in some ways, bitter, sad, and angry. In other ways, I’m humbled and grateful. I’m going to express and reveal some things which will make you think less of me. You are going to question why I shared some intimate stuff and why I’m taking shots at my ex and her family. Some of that may be intentional, some of it will be unintended, as I best try to put into words some complex thoughts and feelings. You will be bothered with me being a Donny-Downer, writing about all the things that make me sad and I’m struggling with. This is part of my process of healing and growing. There are going to be times in which I turn comments off just because I have the power to do so.
Christmas by the numbers:
0 – number of presents I unwrapped this year.
1 – hugs I received on Christmas.
2 – number of Christmas cards I received in the mail.
3 – number of phone calls received wishing me a Merry Christmas.
9 – number of texts received wishing me a Merry Christmas.
My recovery continues to go well. I still tire easy and there’s some tingling in my fingertips. My neck is stiff and sore more than it hurts. But as you can see, I’m walking much better and a lot of my strength, balance, and coordination has returned. My spiral could use some work, but it’s my first throw after surgery and with a neck brace on.
If you are wondering why the camera panned or moved, it was because of the wind and just worked out in my favor. Here’s the before surgery video if you’d like to compare.
