Getting ready for my procedures

I can't believe it's Wednesday already. I am on clear liquids only starting at midnight last night. When you know you can't have something is when you want it the most.  Right now, I'd love to have a hard boiled egg! I've talked to the hospital, and all 3 of the dr's offices.  So I'm now pre-registered.  I have to be at the hospital admitting office at 2pm tomorrow. The internal tatoo via the colonoscopy is scheduled for 4pm. Then they send me upstair and make sure I have a nurse Rachet, to keep me from putting anything in my mouth, including water. The actual operation is scheduled for 9am Friday morning.  I imagine I'll be a hurting guy since they are going to do a full cut and look around in there.  they don't really want to biopsy the growth on my pancrease and liver but we'll see.  As long as they can everything fixed and I can get "back to normal" I'll be a happy camper.

I'm taking my computer but doubt I'll be able to use it till at least Saturday evening at the earliest. That, I'll take one day at a time. Heal first, compute later ;)

There is another hurricane (Katia) coming about a week away.  The Very Early forcast looks like she'll miss Florida and be similar to Irene.  It's way too early to tell. I'm thinking, and praying,  that is one thing I won't have to be concerned about!  I wouldn't be able to put up the shutters and maintain the generator myself. So hopefully she'll miss us completely! In other weather news, there is a tropical disturbance in the western carribbean that is probably going to go to Texas.  They Really need the rain and it should cool it down. It has the potential to develop, so it needs to be watched.

Please check out our store for new items. We're constantly updating it and reducing prices whenever we can.  We've added a new feedback button so you can leave us a comment :)

I'll write more after the procedures and I'm not all drugged up,

Bob

Hurricane Irene & the Northeast - Get PREPARED!

More on Irene. Look out New York and New England.  Here's the latest discussion from the NWS.

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It has been difficult to determine whether the hurricane has gone
through an eyewall replacement. Although the radius of maximum wind
is larger today than yesterday...microwave and aircraft data have
not been very conclusive. Recent data do not show any evidence of a
secondary eyewall at this time. The eye is a little more evident in
the last few visible satellite images...but is not as clear as it
was yesterday morning. The Air Force aircraft has measured a peak
flight-level wind of 112 kt and SFMR winds of 90 kt...which roughly
support the 100-kt initial intensity.

Center fixes from the aircraft overnight and this morning indicate
that the expected north-northwestward turn has occurred. A
northward turn is expected tonight or early Friday as Irene moves
through a break in the subtropical ridge. A mid/upper-level trough
moving through the Great Lakes region is expected to then turn
Irene toward the north-northeast in a couple of days. This trough
is forecast to bypass Irene...leaving the hurricane in deep
southerly flow between a trough over the central United States and
a building ridge over the Atlantic. This pattern will likely keep
the hurricane very near the East Coast of the United States. The
guidance envelope has shifted a little westward on this cycle...and
the new official track has been nudged west as well. The new
forecast lies between the GFS and ECMWF...and is a little right of
the tvca consensus. Since Irene is such a large tropical
cyclone...significant impacts are likely along the United States
East Coast regardless of the exact track it takes.

The environment remains conducive for some additional strengthening
during the next day or two.  The main influencing factor during the
short term will likely be eyewall cycles which are difficult to
predict.  After 48 hours...southwesterly shear is forecast to
increase which will likely start weakening process.  However...
since Irene has such a large and intense circulation...it
will probably be rather slow to weaken.   

Forecast positions and Max winds

init  25/1500z 25.9n  76.8w  100 kt 115 mph
 12h  26/0000z 27.5n  77.5w  105 kt 120 mph
 24h  26/1200z 29.5n  77.8w  110 kt 125 mph
 36h  27/0000z 31.4n  77.5w  105 kt 120 mph
 48h  27/1200z 33.3n  77.1w  100 kt 115 mph
 72h  28/1200z 37.8n  75.3w   85 kt 100 mph
 96h  29/1200z 45.0n  71.5w   55 kt  65 mph...inland
120h  30/1200z 54.0n  64.5w   45 kt  50 mph...Post-trop/extratrop

Hurricane Irene & the Northeast

Here is the 5pm discussion of Irene from the NWS. Everyone is depending on the subtropical ridge to move east and control Irene;s path.  I hope they are right.  She hasn't behaved as expected so far so we'll have to see. If you live anywhere from the Carolinas to New England you NEED to be prepared.  After going over the carolinas, this Could be the first NYC hurricane in decades.  As you can see by their statement below the cone is projected to move as much as 100 miles west.  I hope not!  Stay Tuned and Get Prepared

The satellite presentation of the hurricane has continued to improve
this afternoon.  A large area of deep convection with very cold
cloud tops has expanded near the eyewall and now solidly surrounds
the eye.  Before departing Irene...the Air Force Reserve hurricane
hunter aircraft measured a peak 700 mb flight-level wind of 116 kt
in the northeastern eyewall and a dropsonde measured a minimum
pressure of 954 mb.  These data support an initial intensity of
105 kt.

Environmental conditions are expected to remain favorable for some
additional strengthening during the next day or two. The uw-cimms
objective secondary eyewall formation technique continues to
predict a high chance of an eyewall replacement during the next day
or so. In fact...a recent trmm microwave pass showed some evidence
of a secondary eyewall. These eyewall cycles can produce hard to
predict fluctuations in intensity. For now...the new intensity
forecast call for some additional strengthening followed by a
leveling off of the intensity. In 3-4 days....increasing
southwesterly shear and cooler SSTs should induce gradual
weakening...although Irene is expected to remain a large and
powerful hurricane...or even grow in size...as it nears New
England. 

The hurricane has been moving northwestward or 310/10 kt. Irene is
expected to turn toward the north-northwest then north through a
break in the subtropical ridge over the western Atlantic during
the next couple of days.  After that time...the hurricane is
forecast to turn north-northeastward around the northwestern side
of the ridge.  Between 72 and 96 hours...there remains uncertainty
as to whether Irene turns back toward the north ahead of a
mid-latitude trough moving into the Great Lakes region at that
time.  The new ECMWF shows much more amplification of the trough...
which has resulted in its track shifting over 100 miles to the
west...and this skillful long-range model now defines the western
edge of the guidance envelope.  Overall...the guidance envelope has
shifted a little westward at days 4 and 5. The new track forecast
is close to the previous advisory and is between the GFS
and ECMWF models.  This is also close to the tvca and experimental
hurricane forecast improvement project...hfip...consensus tracks.

Forecast positions and Max winds

init  24/2100z 23.1n  74.7w  105 kt 120 mph
 12h  25/0600z 24.3n  75.8w  110 kt 125 mph
 24h  25/1800z 26.1n  76.8w  115 kt 135 mph
 36h  26/0600z 28.2n  77.3w  115 kt 135 mph
 48h  26/1800z 30.1n  77.3w  110 kt 125 mph
 72h  27/1800z 34.3n  75.8w  100 kt 115 mph
 96h  28/1800z 39.5n  73.0w   85 kt 100 mph
120h  29/1800z 47.0n  69.0w   55 kt  65 mph...Post-trop/extratrop

FINALLY, My surgery is scheduled

My surgery has finally been scheduled.  It will be Thursday September 1st and Friday September 2nd.  details to follow.  Have to go to the DR tomorrow morning for pre-op tests and blood test.  More info to follow.

Keep a close eye on hurricane Irene! Make sure you are prepared. It may be too late to order off the internet but go to our hurricane page and download our preperation information and safety tips!

BE PREPARED!

http://stuffnthingscorp.com/Hurricane_and_Tropical_Weather-W1.aspx

 

Getting prescriptions filled and everyday stuff. Storm update.

The pharmacy faxed my prescription renewals to the Dr last thursday and they still don't have the approval to refill them. I hate south Florida!  They sent another fax to the Drs today.  Hopefully they'll get approval. I'm out of 2 and am just fed up with the whole thing!

Pat went to the Dr today and her BP was 170 over 96.  The stress is really getting to her too.  He gave her new prescriptions and we did manage to get them filled.  Now I just need to get her to take them as prescribed.

Check out the latest on Irene
The last few visible satellite images show a hint of an eye... while
recent microwave data show an eyewall that is open to the south.
The latest satellite intensity estimates from SAB and TAFB were 77
and 90 kt...respectively...and support maintaining an initial
intensity of 85 kt. The reconnaissance aircraft scheduled to
investigate Irene this morning had issues with the on-board radar.
This required a change in aircraft and the new plane just passed
through the center...reporting a minimum pressure of 980 mb...about
the same as during the previous mission.

A shear analysis from UW-CIMSS shows about 10-20 kt of southwesterly
shear over Irene....and the SHIPS guidance does not weaken this
shear during the next couple of days.  As a result...the SHIPS/lgem
models do not show much strengthening during that time.  On the
other hand...the GFDL/HWRF models are much more aggressive and make
Irene a major hurricane within 24 hours. The new intensity forecast
is higher than the statistical guidance...but not as aggressive as
the GFDL/HWRF. The updated forecast is slightly below the previous
advisory.

Irene has been moving west-northwestward or 295 degrees at 10 kt. A
mid/upper-level trough moving over the northeastern United States
is expected to weaken the western portion of the subtropical ridge
during the next day or so. This should allow Irene to turn
northwestward within the next 24-36 hours...and the track guidance
is in excellent agreement during the first 48 hours. Later in the
forecast period Irene is forecast to turn northward as it rounds
the western portion of the ridge. The spread in the guidance
increases by day three...ranging from the coastal mid-Atlantic
states to well offshore...with the UKMET along the left side and
the GFS/NOGAPS along the right side of the guidance envelope. The
updated track is closest to the ECMWF and is a little left of the
multi-model consensus. It is important to remind users not to focus
on the exact forecast track...especially at days 4 and 5...since
the most recent 5-year average errors at those forecast times are
200 and 250 miles...respectively.

Forecast positions and Max winds

init  23/1500z 20.5n  71.0w   85 kt 100 mph
 12h  24/0000z 21.3n  72.3w   90 kt 105 mph
 24h  24/1200z 22.3n  73.8w  100 kt 115 mph
 36h  25/0000z 23.6n  75.2w  105 kt 120 mph
 48h  25/1200z 25.3n  76.5w  110 kt 125 mph
 72h  26/1200z 29.2n  77.5w  110 kt 125 mph
 96h  27/1200z 33.0n  77.5w  100 kt 115 mph
120h  28/1200z 37.5n  76.0w   65 kt  75 mph...inland

http://www.wunderground.com/wundermap/?lat=30.1&lon=-64.6&zoom=4&type=hybrid&units=metric&rad=1&rad.opa=80&rad.stm=0&rad.type=N0R&sat=1&sat.opa=50&sat.gtt1=109&sat.type=IR4&hur=1&hur.wr=0&hur.cod=1&hur.fx=1&hur.obs=1&hur.hd=0&hur.mdl=0&hur.gpce=0&hur.opa=75&hur.opa2=75&hur.img=srg.

Hurricane Irene

As a lot of you know, I'm a bit of a weather buff.  As long as there is a threatening storm I will be posting updates. I will also attempt to post current evacuation routes as they become available.  Here is my first "Discussion" post from the NWS in Miami.  This is the general information that is used to compile the public advisory for the given time period.  If you have any comments or questions, let me know.

Data from the last Air Force hurricane hunter aircraft around 1700
UTC indicate that the central pressure was steady and the winds
have not changed during the day. Since then...high resolution
satellite images reveal some convective bands wrapping around a
cluster of deep convection near the center...suggesting that Irene
could be slowly intensifying. However...Dvorak T-numbers are 4.0
and 4.5 which supports keeping the initial intensity at 70 knots.
Another plane will check the hurricane around 0000 UTC tonight.
With the exception of the disruption of the outer circulation by
the high terrain of Hispaniola...which probably will slow down the
intensification process during the next 12 to 24 hours...all of the
ingredients are conducive for Irene to intensify over the next few
days. The official forecast calls for Irene to become a strong
category 2 or category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane
wind scale as Irene moves across the central and northwestern
Bahamas. In fact...both the GFS and the ECMWF global models insist
on making Irene a large and strong hurricane with minimum pressures
around 945 mb and 952 mb...respectively. 

Irene is moving toward the west-northwest or 295 degrees at 11
knots. Currently...the motion of the hurricane is being controlled
by a narrow subtropical ridge to its north. However...the future
track will depend on the development of a large mid- to upper-level
trough along the East Coast of the United States. This pattern will
induce a gradual northwestward and then northward track through the
forecast period with a slight decrease in forward speed. There is
more confidence in the forecast since most of the track models...
with the exception of the GFDL...have now followed the lead of the
ECMWF model. The guidance is now in better agreement in turning
Irene northward along 78 or 79 degrees longitude. Although it is
still too early to be certain...the guidance trend continues to
lessens the threat to South Florida but increases the threat to the
Carolinas. 

Do not to focus on the exact forecast track...especially at days 4
to 5...since the most recent 5-year average errors at those forecast
times are 200 and 250 miles...respectively.

Forecast positions and Max winds

init  22/2100z 19.5n  68.6w   70 kt  80 mph
 12h  23/0600z 20.1n  70.2w   80 kt  90 mph
 24h  23/1800z 20.8n  72.5w   85 kt 100 mph
 36h  24/0600z 21.5n  74.0w   90 kt 105 mph
 48h  24/1800z 23.0n  75.5w   95 kt 110 mph
 72h  25/1800z 26.0n  78.0w  100 kt 115 mph
 96h  26/1800z 29.5n  79.0w  100 kt 115 mph
120h  27/1800z 34.0n  79.0w   80 kt  90 mph...inland

My Life with the big C

I can't believe it's been eight days since I posted anything here, so guess I should post an update.

They reduced my Coumadin level a little. I've applied for a home testing kit so I don't have to go the the lab every week for blood tests.  That gets to be a nuisance.  Hopefully I'll get approved and can do the testing at home.

We sold 2 32 Bottle Dual Zone Wine Chillers and an Antique Globe standing wine rack this week.  That helped relieve some stress.

I'm still having some chest pains and seriously doubt that they are going to do the surgery.  Maybe it's just me being pessimistic.  I haven't heard from any of the three doctors involved.  The surgeon refuses to do it unless the cardiologit is completely comfortable that my heart can take the trauma of surgery. The surgeon said he will have to open me up instead of using the non-invasive technique to help elieviate stress on the heart. My motto for years has been "Never Give Up" but I feel like I am (giving up). Since it's something I don't have control over, I don't know what else to do.  They told me to stay out of the sun and heat so I can't even go to the beach or dog park during the day.  I'm feeling trapped in the house. Tensions here are terrible and I'm pretty miserable :(  On the other hand, I think of all the things others have endured and am determined to do what I can.  I just wish I had a "normal" life. All I do is sit in fron of this damn computer all day working on our store and practically no one buys anything.

My consulting and tech support business has picked up this month but cash flow from it prettty much stinks.  I only do a few hundred $ a month but it all adds up.

I put on about 5 to10 pounds.  I'm staying between 185 and 190 pounds.  I beginning to retain fluid again so I don't know what to do about that.  It's another reason I don't think surgery is realistic.  My sugar level and blood pressure are low to normal.  That feels weird for a guy who has had diabetes and hypertension for over 30 years.  My BP run around 100 over 55 to 60, which is too low for me, and makes me dizzy.  My sugar stays around 85 to 95, even right after I eat.

As you may have guessed, depression is a bitch and difficult to control. I try Very Hard to not let everything get to me. Some days, it is Really Tough!!

All of this is very hard on Pat as well and she is starting to crack under the pressure.  She keeps busy with the store and sits in front of her computer all day as well. Getting out means going to Sam's, Sheesh!

She and Christine go to the casino and gamble.  They say it makes them feel better, but it makes me VERY unhappy and frustrated!  More tension!  I haven't gone once.  I despise those places!!

I need to go out and see if I can jump start our generator.  I should take my own advice and keep it maintained better. I need to change the oil, filter and perhaps the battery this afternoon.  I also need to make sure I have all the fittings for the hurricane panels in case we need them later this week, or anytime this season..

Please check out our stores.  Who knows, you might just find something you've been looking for at a great price :)

Stuff Things and Goodies

Extreme Weather & my Operation

Need to check out the gernerator today and make sure it will be ready for next weekend.

I think I'll need to buy it a new battery. Going to jump start it from the car today and see if the battery holds. Also need to go thru our online hurricane checklist. We may not get it as a hurricane but almost for sure as a tropical storm.  If she stays just north of the islands, it will most surely be a hurricane. The high mountaines of Dominica and Cuba are a detriment to her growth. At the very least I expect we'll have a very wet end of the week

Check it out at http://stuffnthingscorp.com/Hurricane_Preparedness_Guide_-W15.aspx

We also have a wide selection of Hurricane and Storm related items to help with your safety and survival. You can see them Here  
http://stuffnthingscorp.com/Hurricane-Storm-Safety-C257756.aspx?sid=275

Look at my next post for an update on my personal situation.

Coumadin results

The Dr called and said my coumadin level is still a bit high so I have to reduce it by 1mg / day.  That's the second reduction in 2 weeks.

On the weather fron, it's still hot and very humid. The water out back has come way up in the last 3 weeks. We're now at 22 inches for the year.  That's still below normal but it now rains every day, so we're seeing more and more green each day.

There are 4 areas of disturbed weather in the Atlantic and the second one west of Africa has been named an Invest.  You can check it out by clicking on the the link underneath the image below.

 

STG's Hurricane Page

My granddaughter's contractor friends came and fixed the ceiling yesterday.  It's nice to not have a hole in the ceiling any more. They used a complete 4 X 8 sheet of drywall to fill in the hole.  They are suppose to come back some time today to finish sanding it.  Then we need to re-popcorn it so it blends in with the rest of the ceiling.

Coumadin Day

This is going to be very short. Today was my day to go get my coumadin level checked.  I'll hear from the doc tomorrow or Thursday.  I had never taken it before my open heart surgery. I was told they give it to everyone who has heart valve work done.  I have to keep my blood thin enough to flow freely but not so thin that I bleed too much.  Other than that not much new. We added about 150 billiard related products to the website. You can check them out at www.stuffnthingscorp.com.  I'm still too weak and tired to function normally..........

Tomorrow is another day :)

Still waiting

Waiting, it's Monday and I'm still waiting for the surgeon and the gastro doc to co-ordinate and schedule my surgery.  The surgeon's wife is due to have her baby this week and he doesn't want to do any surgery that isn't an emergency. It presents a problem as they have to work together. The gastro doc has to do a colonoscopy and tatoo the area that needs cut out. Then I have to stay off food and water for another day.  that way, I'll be totally cleaned out and "dry" so they can operate. I'm nervous about it as I'm still having chest pains and know that I have a clogged artery that can't be fixed.

Again, the danger isn't about the colon problem or cancer, but about whether my heart can take the stress of another operation.

I'm going to call the surgeon's office this afternoon to find out what is happening.  We'll see how the week plays out.

Bob

Hurricane and Tropical Weather - Stuff Things and Goodies

Hurricane and Tropical Weather - Stuff Things and Goodies

My First blog post - Getting Started

My quandary is what I should do in my first post. I'm going to use this blog to share personal information about my life. That being said I think I'll start it off with a combination of my business, personal and medical history. So here goes:

National Product Administrator for Bausch and Lomb Fiber Optics Division
Helped develop fiber optics for multiple uses including government, AT&T Communications, Automotive uses for General Motors. Had 35 manufactures representatives and B&L's outside sales force.

I worked in the electronic component distribution business prior to starting my own at the age of 27, which I grew to Six Million dollars in just three years.

I got in the fluid sealing industry where I learned to contain fluid from leaking in many different industries and environments. These include Oil and Nuclear power plants, municipal infrastructure, submarine and surface ships, above and below ground exterior walls. I worked with WED Engineering (Disney) on state of the art fluid sealing systems at Epcot and The Magic Kingdom. It was during this period where I began working with personal computers. I created the first complete PC based database program for tracking all valve, pumps and their sealing information at a nuclear power plant. I also integrated the first municipal PC based meter reading system with a city’s mainframe.

This led to running my own software / systems integration business for 25 years dealing mainly with distribution and manufacturing companies. After selling my business and retiring, I went back to work as CIO for a friend and helped take the company from 8 to 20 Million/year in only 3 years. This extensive background has enabled me to become proficient with computers, the knowledge to be able to intelligently buy and sell product, understand and deal with the financial necessities of a business and know how to deal with both vendors and customers. I have dealt with very small businesses of less than 5 people to some of the largest multi-national companies in the world.

Currently, my wife Pat and I own 3 websites, 2 of which are stores. http://www.stuffnthingscorp.com is our main store. http://www.pattysthings.com is a wholesale and bulk site. Our main site at http://www.stuffthingsandgoodies.com is an "Umbrella" site with links to our other sites, blogs, weather and more.

My serious medical issues started in 2003. Before that I had the usual growing up issues. I had plugs in my ears, an appendectomy, 2 hernias, and was diagnosed with high blood pressure in 1978. I also had a benign tumor on my left knee when I was 16. I had a minor MI in 1989. It was then that I quit smoking :) Since then I have had Diabetes, Prostate Cancer, Thyroid and Colon cancers. Surgeries: Hydroseal, Belly Button Hernia, Angioplasty, Thyroidectomy, Bariatric, Gallbladder, 4 Lung Taps, 2 Major Lung Surgeries, Open Heart (Double Bypass 2 Valve Repairs, and am getting ready for a colon cancer re-section. There is a lot to talk and interact about. Please feel free to jump in and share your thoughts and experiences.

I will attempt to add as many appropriate images and sound to upcoming posts so you don't think I'm trying to bore you :) Please let me know what you think and constructive criticism is always welcome :)

Chicago Bears NFL 6-Pack Can Shaft MHP-MH-6101 - Stuff Things and Goodies

Check out this Chicago Bears NFL 6-Pack Can Shaft MHP-MH-6101 at Stuff Things and Goodies