Takin' the Blog for a Walk

going stir crazy

Posted by Brien Lee on March 20, 2011

1) sound of music, 2) raindrops on roses, 3) whiskers on kittens, 4) when the dog bites, 5) when the bee stings, 6) when I'm feeling sad, 7) I simply remember, 8) my favorite things, bailey

Was invited to try a new restaurant last night for a friend's birthday. Stir Crazy is an Asian restaurant bordering Brookfield Square on the north at Bluemound. Had a bit of a wait due to the time of day and them not taking reservations, though twas a good time to meet the folks and friends. For my selection I chose the Market Bar. Market Bar is like a salad bar for the wok. You first order a protein and select rice or noodles at the table and receive two bowls. You fill one of the bowls with vegetables, legumes and fruit and the other with sauce. Hand the bowls to a wok chef and they cook it up with the protein right in front of you while you wait. I had shrimp, garlic ginger sauce and brown rice and my wok was delicious and filling without being too hot or spicy. I didn't do anything for St. Pat's day, so I washed it all down with a couple bottles of Guinness. 

The fun thing for me was seeing these guys go to work a few inches away from propane burners similar to a hot air balloon's. People informed me that on occasion, when no one is waiting in line, they'll hit the gong, turn down the lights and turn up the burners. I would've loved to see it. I imagine it's similar to hot air ballooning night glows where they sometimes fire in sequence or on cue. I wonder if they can add more oxygen to the flame to make it glow brighter like the pilots can?

My son is back home after eight days in hospital. It's good to have him here and good to have answers. He wasn't keeping food down, thus losing a lot of weight. When finally he had tests run we waited a long two weeks for the results and hoped they would identify the problem. Come to find out the wrong tests were run, and he lost another precious 13 pounds in those two weeks. He was so thin by this time the doc ordered a CT scan. When they saw the blockage he was rushed to the hospital immediately after living, and losing weight, with the blockage for over a month. The wrong tests may have been run, but in actuality the other tests wouldn't have found it either. 

It was his first time hospitalized and he handled it very well. I can't say enough good things about the staff, nurses and doctors at Waukesha and Oconomowoc Memorial Hospitals, especially on 2SW at Wauk. Memorial, and the caring volunteers at Lake Country Clinic. There was no difference in care because he didn't have insurance, and if anything it was even better.  I also can't say enough nice things about the many family and friends who helped, visited, said prayers, called . . .  especially Grandma. You're the greatest! 

My son was a full time honor student who had to drop out of this semester because he was so weak. He's quickly gaining weight with the IV solution and has nurses stopping twice a day. Hopefully he can avoid surgery, but more likely he'll have to get the blockage removed. His employer is very understanding and it looks like he'll still have a job when he's recuperated.

So things are finally getting back to normal. It's great to be able to spend more time with my son, but it's also good to see the sun. Snow's mostly gone and Bailey has a lot of sniffing around and exploring to do. She's never seen a spring or summer so most everything is a first for her. Enjoying going on some very short walks and hearing more and more birds . Went back to the vet yesterday for the last vaccination and a nail trim. She's now 7-1/2 pounds and heading toward 14 at fully grown.

I'm looking forward to the day I can get back into the blogging groove. It's been pretty crazy around here.