Thats me and my grandson in the back yard. OK, I know it doesn't look like much and your probably thinking " what's all the fuss about "? Well this was the first time I have actually been able to get into my back yard since I moved in 3 years ago. Before yesterday, if my grandson wanted to show me something I'd just look out the door. The soft sand/dirt would never allow my other chair to go out there.

Now before you start thinking, no I still have not gotten the chair. The chair I am in is the chair I am trying to buy however as of today it is not paid for. The company has allowed me to take the chair and try it out. And we have. Yesterday I ran it through the rocks in the front yard and all over the back yard. Only time I had issues was while on our way home from the dealer we stopped for lunch at a local restaurant. Driving indoors was a chore. Felt like I was driving a big old truck downtown.

Sunday, if all goes well and the weather cooperates we will be doing the trail my scouts did while I had to sit it out in the parking lot. That was 4 years ago. Wow, I've been trying to get this for 4 years. That is ridiculous.

Spoke with my sister last night and let her know I had picked up the chair. She referred to it as my " toy ". No Susan, the scooter/motorbike/Vespa look a like your partner bought is a toy. A wheelchair is a mode of mobility allowing those who need it independence. You would think after all those years as a nurse she would have been more sensitive. Although you spend enough time with disabled folks and I guess they become less disabled as you get to know them.

Well perhaps that is the reason my fund raising is not doing so well. All these folks I keep asking for help think I'm wanting to buy a toy. Life be a lot easier if I could simply go out and buy a $20 pair of sneakers to go hang out with my grandson........................

My cell phone cost $600 new, I paid $25. My van appraised at $16,000, I paid $0 for it. Our old big screen TV $100, My laptop, free ( well $98 for a used LCD screen ) No this isn't a commercial for VISA. Its me blowing off steam.

Last night while walking Riley I ran into the neighbor down the street. I've talked about him before. You know the one that calls me whitey and honky but I am only allowed to call him by his proper name or I'm a racist. Anyways, we're talking and I mention that I'm trying to raise $5500 for a new/used wheelchair. I admit I have no shame I'll mention it to anyone who will listen. Well the guy replies back that I should " just right a check " since I have so much money! Than he goes on to talk about his retirement and VA payments only being around $4000 and if it wasn't for his wife's management job he just would not know how they would survive. I sat there while this guy whined about the 2 new car payments he has to make while my wife drives around in her old but functional $250 car. 4 grand plus whatever his wife takes home and he complains. Just accounting for his retirement and VA he takes home in 3 months what I get in a year. And he's telling me how well off I am.

Well I guess he's not interested in making a donation.

Well here is the tally: So far I need $5500. I've raised $0. To bad I can't pay for this wheelchair on lectures. I've gotten a lot.

Its May Day! Does anyone celebrate that anymore? I've been here several times in the last month. I always think I've got something to say, my wife thinks I have an opinion on everything. But for some reason I get here and just draw blanks.

Anybody have the Swine Flu yet? I have symptoms of flu but lucky me it is just those nasty allergies. I get to take daily drugs for allergies. I met that old O2 hose shoved in my nose day after day isn't a very germ free way to go. Of course I could ask my wife to clean it, ( I'd do it myself but I'm sure it would be wrong ) Anyways I could ask her to clean it but her favorite kill all for germs is bleach. I just can't see sucking on bleach covered latex hose. Kinda kills the appetite.

Speaking of killing germs. While we were living down in Mexico we use to have to add a germ killer additive to our water. Even the bottled water needed to be treated. Our house had a tank on the roof that would feed to the tank in the ground. These were our main sources of water. During monsoon season these tanks were filled to the brim. But once the season ended we had to be careful on how much water we used. The city would turn on the water for 2 hours a day. If you were careful with your water use you were fine. If not you had to call for the water truck.

Anyways we use to buy this additive that we would add to our drinking water. Dad taught us that a couple drops of iodine did the same thing and was a whole lot cheaper!! Now a days we keep a bottle of iodine around for emergencies even tho we are back in the States.

Well after 2 years I have found the wheelchair. Now the hard part of finding ways to pay for it. Here is a photo that you can check out. Its been an interesting drawn out process. During the past 2 years I've been stuck 18 times with one time having to call the fire department to rescue me. Another was with a couple strangers who stepped in to give a hand. I got to tell you being stuck outside in triple digit temps is no fun. So my original plan was to purchase new and go through my Medicare/caid to get the chair. However, with the correct settings for my needs the chairs price would of been way up there. My current chair with add ons is in the $28,000 range. and it is only 2 wheel drive. The beast on the left is 4 wheel drive with 4 wheels. Anyways, the plan to use Medicaid began to fall apart when my current chair started acting up. The 4x4 chair is a true outdoor chair and would not be usable inside our little house. So the need for keeping my indoor chair. And thats where thinks fell apart. The indoor chair is breaking down. I need new motors and controller/brain assembly. Lots of big bucks. In fact it may be cheaper for Medicare to purchase a new chair versus repairing the yellow monster. Than Medicare won't even consider a used chair. And finally even if Medicare would purchase used I still would not qualify because I'm not heavy enough. Then there is always the problem that as far as Medicare requirements are all I need is a chair that gets me around the house.

So I need $5500 dollars to purchase the used chair straight out. That way Medicare remains responsible for my indoor chair as far as repairs and or replacment. The outdoor chair is in gently used shape with numerous new parts. Its the best deal I came up with in the last 2 years. Plus it is here in Albuqurque 4 hours away. So anybody who reads this I need help with the money. I would be very greatful and happy to not be stuck in the sun anymore.

Speaking of sun, I did get to see the Dermotologist. And yes I have skin cancer. He hit it with some liquid nitrogen and told me to return in 2 months. While treating the quarter sized area on my face he noticed a smaller spot on my hand that he zapped also. The kids keep asking me whats that on my face. I think it might of been a little easier if my hair fell out instead of this gross puss filled round spot falling off my face :) Of course being a macho type guy as I am going bald would of been easier.

Mom's got cancer. Far worse than my little bump. She is a lot stronger than I am as far as dealing with it. Good thing we kids have parents to look up to.

Well they are calling for the temps to hit the 90's today! I am in no way ready for summer. Maybe I'll stick this old laptop in a ziplock bag and move into the shower for the next 4 months..........