Dave & Teddy's Most Excellent Adventures 2012

[CyncySpyder]

Couple of pics of our ryde along the river the other day & surgery update

My incission is almost completely healedray::bowdown: Dr's visit today was all postive & I even helped my buddy do some light yard work yesterday with no ill effects to speak of:clap: Still taking it easy for the most part, continuing PT daily on my own & with my therapist twice a week. Everything on schedule for me to return to work on the 14th, which I'm actually look'n forward to :shocked::roflblack:

 

[MarkLawson]

Good news is like a morning sunrise... always welcome.

 

[pro10is]

Dave, you were in so much pain before the operation. Now that it's mostly over and you're healing well has the original pain gone? Are you happy with the results? - Jim

 

[CyncySpyder]

Jim, its a NIGHT & DAY difference, 100% Happy with the results, Yes!

Dave, you were in so much pain before the operation. Now that it's mostly over and you're healing well has the original pain gone? Are you happy with the results? - Jim

Before this whole experience, I never had back issues, even tho I grew up the fat kid & probably should have. I honestly didn't think my original issue was back related, as my back felt fine, but it was my left butt-cheek & leg that was causing the excruciating pain. Come to find out thru the MRI, it was a ruptured L5-S1 disc that was inpinging on my sciatic nerve in my left butt-cheek that was causing ALL my pain. As soon as my surgery was complete, and I awoke from sedation, that pain was totally gone, I mean it was immediate. prior to surgery, it felt as if someone was taking an Ice Pic and shoving it in and twisting it around, so it was easy to tell if it had worked or not. The pain I've been dealing with since the surgery is all associated with the actual incission thru my back to get to the disc & cut away the protruding part that had ruptured out. I was worried prior to surgery, cause just about anyone that I had talked with that went thru back surgery, all had negative things to say. When I brought this up with my surgeon, he surprisingly agreed, that more often than not, depending on what is needed, their are complications that can last a lifetime, especially in situations where spinal fusion is needed. He reassured me, based on my MRI that I had the best chance of full recovery with no ill effects, based on which disc it was, being only one disc, and that the pain was actually being caused by the sciatic nerve being compressed & not from the spine itself. So yup, I have had a good experience so far, minus the infection & need for a folow up surgery, but I haven't noticed any numbness or tingling in my leg or foot, back doesn't hurt, minus a little tenderness at the incission still, but overall, so much better than before. I mean, I couldn't even walk standing straight, without holding pressure on my buttpps:

 

[CyncySpyder]

Kind of a mile-stone day for Teds Red Sled- Just clicked over 25,000 Miles of Smiles

We were out for a ryde today & took a few pics along the Ohio riverfront where we are hosting a Special Guest, The American Queen, which is The Largest Paddle Wheel RiverBoat in the Country and is docked at the Cincinnati Public Landing, what a huge and beautiful ship:2thumbs: On our way home, I noticed Teds Red Sled clicked right over 25,000 miles in 56 Wonderful Weeks of ryding:yes: We had 13,700 miles on our previous 2010 RT-S, so altogether, we've got a little over 38,700 miles of Smiles of Spyder Experience, with Teddy logging close to 30,000 miles of making people :2thumbs: :2thumbs:We are truly blessed and are so glad to share many of our experiences with ALL of YOU:bowdown::firstplace::bowdown:

 

[CyncySpyder]

Teddy got to witness a bit of history as we went back & watched her leave port

 

[CyncySpyder]

Now I remember why I've put off clearing out the garage for so long

So, a month or so back, a fellow Spyder Owner had to sell his beloved Spyder, and Teddy & I were lucky enough to "Inherit" his very unique Spyder Lift and Uni-trailer that he had built for his Spyder. They have been sitting untouched in Teddy's garage ever since he dropped them off for us when he delivered his RT-Limited to its new owner in Central Ohio. With my back getting better, I've started to clear out the garage a little, since I have to remove a couple Metro-Shelves to get the Spyder Lift mounted to the front wall. Well, I started this process yesterday and didn't get very far at all, just so dang emotionally draining. I think I need to give a little backstory here for you to understand better.

Back in 2000, I was recently divorced, living in Florida & caring for my elderly/ill mother. I knew that my moms time with us was quickly coming to an end, and I asked if she thought it best that we move back to Northern Kentucky (where we're originally from) so that when she passed, it would be in the presence of all of her remaining family, as all my brothers and sister live here in the Tri-State area. She agreed & we moved back to KY & thats when I was offered the job at Ford Motor Company. My mothers health held out for a couple of more years before she decided the life she was living, was no longer WORTH living, and she refused to continue her Dialysis treatments 3X/week. My heart sank, but I understood her decision, as I could see & feel the pain she had to deal from numerous medical conditions on a daily basis. Dec. 22 2002 I did as she requested me to do, and helped to end her pain here in this life. Needless to say, I was crushed & lost for the next 6 months, I can't recall anything from that time at all.

Forward 2 years, & I was living in an 1893 house in Mainstrasse Village in Covington Kentucky, & had the upper two floors consisting of 2 bedrooms and a roof-top deck with a view of the Cincinnati Riverfront, and had a neighbor that lived on the lower level of the two family house. We were both renting our apartments, as I had requested to buy the house from the owner numerous times, but he wouldn't sell. On Feb. 8th 2007, my neighbors apartment on the lower lever caught fire around 4:30 in the morning, from an electrical short in the wiring inside the wall behind his bed. He got out & quickly allerted me to the situation and told me to get out as well. I grabbed my pet chinchilla (Louie, named after my mom Louise) and put him in a waste paper basket with a towel over it & I frantically tried to find my cat, Skooter, but couldn't find him anywhere. So there I stood, outside in nothing but socks, boxers & a hoody, all awhile, thick snow flakes were falling all around us on the last snowfall of that season.

I ended up loosing just about everything I had in that fire besides what I was wearing, my Chinchilla Louie & luckily Skooter had lived through the fire. What wasn't destroyed by the fire, was heavily damaged from the thick, heavy smoke and then, from the water to extinguish the fire. It got so hot inside, that the paint on the walls actually bubbled & boild off for the most part. Some stuff of my mothers (some of mine also) that I had stored in the basement after her passing was still there, and the plastic containers kept them safe for the most part from the smoke and water. After the fire, I lived with my brother & stored what was thought salvageable in his basement for about 6 months while I looked for a new place to live, and now, all of these containers are lining Teddys garage here at our new condo along the river. These containers I haven't opened or even looked in since the fire happend and as I started going thru them yesterday, it was like opening an emotional time-vault, where your life at that very moment was caught in time. Wow, how very different my life is today, compared to 4 years ago, or 6 years ago when I helped my mom to pass.

I'm going to make another go at it today, and see if I can make some more progress. Just kind of a hard time, as my moms birthday was May the 8th, and mothers day is right around the corner, I miss her every day so much. But know that she is no longer suffering & pray that she's in a better place.

 

[boomerkc]

Dave, thoughts and prayers with you and Teddy. If you're passing through Kansas City (Overland Park) on your way to Durango, drop me a PM or email and I'll send you my cell phone #. Would enjoy meeting Teddy (and you too).

Jim

 

[CyncySpyder]

Dave, thoughts and prayers with you and Teddy. If you're passing through Kansas City (Overland Park) on your way to Durango, drop me a PM or email and I'll send you my cell phone #. Would enjoy meeting Teddy (and you too).Jim

Hey Jim, really appreciate the kind thoughts and prayers & if Teddy & I can make the Durango trip, I'll deffinately let you know. Right now tho, it honestly doesn't look like we'll be able to make any of the rallys this year, just financially NOT in the cards with being off work for the past 3 months. When I start back to work next Tuesday, I'll get a better feel how things will pan out, but it just doesn't look promising for this year. The dept. I'm in doesn't usually get overtime & before I left on medical leave, we weren't even getting 40/hrs/week, so that just makes the financial situation even worse. But I'm keeping a positive attitude & hoping for the BEST. Missing SpyderFest was crushing for us & if we have to miss the Owners Event & SITA, well that would just add insult to injury:chill:

 

[boomerkc]

Dave, it's only a little group meeting. Don't worry about it. Next year will be bigger and better, because you and Teddy will be there. Look forward to meeting you guys whenever it happens. Keep the faith (like you always do) and let Teddy strut his stuff in the Cincy/Covington area. Hope to get back there, meet and visit you guys and enjoy the view from your vantage point. Give Teddy a scratch for me.

 

[CyncySpyder]

Cincy Spyder Ryders Meet/Greet/Ryde to Rabbit Hash tomorrow

Since Sunday is Mothers Day & a 40% chance of rain, we'll meet tomorrow Saturday the 12th at 1pm at the OverLook at Eden Park and head out on a nice ryde through the twisties along the Ohio river thru some great country roads lined with many miles of beautiful farm land and ranches. Anyone and everyone is invited to ryde along. I know Jesse said he'll be along with Teddy & I for the ryde. Not much in Rabbit Hash besides the General Store but its known as a local bikers dream, as the roads getting there make for an Awesome Ryde. There will be pulled pork, burgers & ribs at the local grill'n stop & the general store offers all kinds of drinks. Teddy & I rode out there a couple of days ago & took some pics that I'll post. Hope we get a bunch of Spyder Ryders along for this ryde, as I'm sure it will be a Good Time. This is the same town that is nationally known as having a dog for the Mayor. Teddy got to meet him on our recent visit, but they didn't seem to be too fond of each other :roflblack:

 

[boomerkc]

Hey Dave, the Mayor knew Teddy is more popular with the public than he is and was afraid Teddy might decide to run for Mayor, Teddy would win and the Mayor would be out of a job. Very simple. Wanted the scoundrel out of town away from his fire hydrant.

 

[CyncySpyder]

Only 3 Spyders on todays ryde but it was a great ryde thru the KY countryside

 

[CyncySpyder]

Hope those of you that are Mothers had a good Mothers Day yesterday

It rained most of the day today, so Teddy and I didn't ryde any at all today. Spent most of it in the garage going thru much of the containers of stuff left over from when my mom passed and the fire from my old apartment. To say that I'm emotionally drained is a mild understatement. So many memories, so much information to be gone thru. Actually found hand written deeds for property from my moms side of the family down in Breathitt County Kentucky, dated from 1908 & still in perfect condition & totally legible, I was amazed to be holding papers that were over a hundred years old. So many memories. For those of you that are lucky enough to still have your Mothers in your lives, please, let them know what the mean to you, as they will not be with you forever. Once their gone, even if you've done everything you could while they were here, you'll still wish you could've said more, done more, shared more. Do it now while you can.

 

[Zygos]

How True!

Cyncy..........you are so right......

 

[ThreeFeet]

It rained most of the day today, so Teddy and I didn't ryde any at all today. Spent most of it in the garage going thru much of the containers of stuff left over from when my mom passed and the fire from my old apartment. To say that I'm emotionally drained is a mild understatement. So many memories, so much information to be gone thru. Actually found hand written deeds for property from my moms side of the family down in Breathitt County Kentucky, dated from 1908 & still in perfect condition & totally legible, I was amazed to be holding papers that were over a hundred years old. So many memories. For those of you that are lucky enough to still have your Mothers in your lives, please, let them know what the mean to you, as they will not be with you forever. Once their gone, even if you've done everything you could while they were here, you'll still wish you could've said more, done more, shared more. Do it now while you can.

I KNOW how rough it is to go thru your parents stuff. I failed in that matter, I have a 12 X24 ft shed that still holds almost ALL of my mother and stepdads things. I haven't been able to do anything about the stuff. Way to depressing and my guilt feelings are WAY to close to the surface. Soo you take care and good luck on the memories. And hope you can get it all straightened out.

 

[CyncySpyder]

Today was my first day back to work

I was amazed this morning, as I thought for sure that I'd have a fight on my hands with Teddy, but that wasn't the case. The alarm went off at 4:45 am & the lil guy stayed in bed while I showered & got ready for work. As soon as I got out of the shower, he was standing there bright eyed & wagging tail, ready to go out, just like usual, not missing a beat. The hard part I thought was when we came back in and it was time to put him back upstairs in our bedroom, the TV on for him, and then close the door behind me as I left. As soon as he saw me pick up his treat ball & toys from the living room downstairs, he took off running for the stairs to the bedroom. Any other time & he knew what was coming next, and he'd refuse to go up on his own & I'd have to physically carry him up, but not this morning. He charged up on his own & was happily awaiting my arrival, jumping up & down on the bed waiting for his toys & treat ball. I thought for sure, as soon as I'd close the door behind me, with him on the other side, he'd start barking and jumping against the door, like he would if I ever tried to leave him in the middle of the day, but nope, not a sound. I'm so proud of him that he's able to pick right up where we left our daily routine almost 4months ago. Wish I could say the same for myself. Couldn't sleep but maybe 2 hours, but am thinking I should be nice & wore out once I get my first day back done & over with. Here's to hoping all goes well. Actually had a Welcome Back CupCake at my breaktable when I came in this morning.

 

[MarkLawson]

It all sounds great (except for the 4:45 am alarm part...)

 

[CyncySpyder]

Interesting.... Seems my Spyder Addiction has caused an Infestation here at work

Ok, need to give you the backstory (you know, there's always a story) So back in April, it was Opening Day here for our local team, the Cincinnati Reds & go figure, Teddy has a Red Mowhawk & Red Bob-Tail & we ryde along on Teds Red Sled (I'm sensing a connection here) So yeah, we usually cruise along the side roads around GABP (Great American Ball Park) where the Reds play their home games and all the fans coming and going usually go ApeSh:cus:t when ever they see us and we're used to getting mobbed with picture requests. So we were cruising around on Opining Day, when out of nowhere, 2 cars in front of us stopped at the light, waiting to turn, we spy a brand new, beautiful white RT Limited with the new tan seat, being ryden by a black guy wearing all white with a cap and matching white scarf, really stood out and hard to miss. I was shocked as I had never seen this guy or Spyder locally & at first, was thinking maybe Fonz (Fellow SL forum member from VA, I think) was on a road trip to Cincy for opening day, but surely he would've PM'd me to let Teddy & I know, right? Ok, gotta catch up to this guy & see who he is, but I was blocked from view & couldn't see which way he had turned, DANG IT 50/50 chance & yeah, we lost him in the throngs of cars, trucks & SUVs never to see him again that night, which was a Saturday night. Well, we went home excited at the prospect Wthat we might have another Spyder Owner amongst our local contingent, but sad we couldn't hook up with him in person. So the next day, being a Sunday and the local Cincinnati Spyder Ryders were having our usual meet-n-greet at Eden Park at 2pm and we had a good turn out, with a couple of newbies joining our little group. We're all standing around & BSn about Spyders, when out of the blue, I hear the familiar rumber of what sounds to be an RT Spyder muffler & I look up to see ................... that very same Spyder with the ryder all in white and a HUGE GRIN from ear to ear cruising into the park.... REALLY??? Needless to say, shock, fate what have you, we finally got to meet in person. And he was shocked to see 6 other Spyder their at the park, as he had no clue about SpyderLovers or our little group & just happened to be out on a ryde & decided to cruise thru the park.... small world:thumbup: So, we get to talking, and he tells me that he recently just bought his new Limited within the past week, and how their was a crazy guy where he worked that had a red one similar to Teds Red Sled & how he rode it all thru the winter and now that it was getting nice out, he stopped ryding it in to work. He also told me how him and a couple of buddies would regularly stand out by the fence and BS about that Red Spyder when they got off from their shift, since he worked midnight shift & was leaving right afte the guy that owned the Spyder would get their for his day-shift shift.I'm sure you know where this is going by now, right? With a BIG GRIN on MY face, I laughed & asked if he worked at Ford & he looked kinda shocked, as he replied, "Yes, how'd you know that?" I busted out laughing as I introduced myself as "That Crazy Guy" & continued to explain that I was on medical leave due to back surgery & that's why he stopped seeing his eye candy every day :roflblack:

 

[Arr MiHardies]

That sounds familiar. Have you posted that before?