Our Day at the ER

Today we spent the day at Children‘s Memorial. Z had been puking every 2-3 days, sometimes after coughing from an asthma attack, sometimes for no reason for the last 2-3 weeks. So, Tania decided to take him to our pediatrician to check it out. He puked in the parking lot. When the pediatrician found that out, he sent her (and then me) to the ER to get a head CT, as Z does have a big head (medical term unrecalled).

We got there ~ 1000a. After waiting with people who imagined they had swine flu, we got into the ER, and they told us not to feed him in case we had to sedate him for the CT. They also took “pre-op” blood tests and talked about a possible admission. This increased the stress level about 100 notches. Since he was tired and thirsty, he began to freak out. He was calm when they put in an IV setup for his eventual sedation, but later freaked out again, and even though we were holding him tight at all limbs, he got his mouth down there and ripped it out. No bleeding, etc., but shook us up even more, as he was as agitated as we had ever seen him. He stayed this way for a good hour. When they came to take him for the CT, Tania kinda broke down. This shook up Z to the point where he stopped writhing and screaming. They kinda papoosed him on the table and he fell right asleep.

Even as they moved him to the CT area, and put the lead suit on me, he fell asleep hard. So, luckily, we didn’t have to sedate him after all. When we got back to our room in the ER, he kinda woke up and got to have his milk. He picked the right 25 minutes to nap. He turned back to our Z almost immediately. The CT came out clean, and similar to a routine CT he had had for his big head a few weeks back, when our nuerologist said to come back only for abnormalities.

The attending nuerologist them wanted us to see an opthamologist to make sure he didn’t have a mass near his optic nerve. We then went up to the opthamology clinic, which was empty, waited for a resident to look him over, which was clean. He had enough eye drops to dialate his eyes that it looked like he smoked five joints. The attending opthomalogist (think Gedde Watanabe) also cleared him, and had just the right smartass demeanor to comfort Z and his parents.

We got back to the ER, and the population inside, we were told, had climbed to 90 kids waiting for treatment, meaning likely 300 people in the waiting room. We were cleared to leave and did so, not out of the ER exit, but through the main entrance. We got home at around 445p.

Our theory now is that the puking is caused by Z outgrowing his dosage of reflux medicine. The serious potential problems were ruled out.

The stress caused contractions in Tania, and we feared we would be going back to the hospital for other reasons. Not until next Thursday….

Fun in the Snow

This was Zammy's first time inthe snow where he could actually play in it. he had a good time exploring the climber and sand box, both totally or mostly covered with so.

Lots of fun, that is, until he lost one of his mittens....

Fun in a Box

Christmas 2008

The Next Generation of Goofs

Christmas Eve at the Roses

2008 Greg Gross Open Recap

Unseasonably temperate weather for early August greeted the eighteen golfers in 5 groups that gathered at Anetsberger Golf Course in Northbrook for the 2008 Greg Gross Open. As we have done for last few Opens held at Anetsberger, there was a cut after nine holes, with 12 golfers moving on to the back nine.

The weather meant (for most) a leisurely eighteen holes of somewhat competitive play. Tradition was thrown out the door, however, as those that missed the cut, in lieu of acting as gallery and carrying the coolers, instead retired to the Cypress Inn for a light lunch and what could be later described as a verbal dustup with a tattooed 23 year old. Another player that missed the cut, Kevin Kelly, decided to leave the event entirely, in hopes of triggering a lifetime ban. He should be so lucky. Thanks also to Rene Bernier, who missed the cut but provided fresh beer to most, and sandwiches for the cranky in the group.

The other tradition thrown out due to exhaustion of competitors was the first place tiebreaker. Instead of playing it off, the tie was broken by playing “Guess Today’s Cubs Attendance.”

The Awards Ceremony at Grandpa’s Place was changed slightly with the opportunity for players to steal others prize a la the White Elephant game. No one really took advantage. Special thanks to all that provided prizes.

T-1st Scott Gillman 32-32-64 (won playoff)
T-1st Stan Kitzinger 34-30-64
3rd Troy Navarra 36-33-69
T-4th David Dreckmann 37-33-70
T-4th Chris Libby 36-34-70
T-6th Frank Murtha 35-37-72
T-6th Scott Strangberg 33-39-72
T-8th Craig Lederer 36-38-74
T-8th Michael Dreckmann 37-37-74
10th Bob Lumicao 38-40-78
11th Burke Seeberg 37-42-79
12th Greg Kelly 37-48-85

Tim Seeberg MC
Pat Doran MC
Tom Wolter MC
Adam Berger MC
Rene Bernier MC
Kevin Kelly MC

Congrats to Bob Lumicao for winning the AGA title, though the Tournament Director did make the cut for the first time in the “cut” era, including a birdie on the 108 yard 7th hole. Christopher Libby won the Rookie of the Year, though there was a lot of talk that his group was scoring liberally, as well as Mr. Congeniality.

The tentative plan is to hold the 2009 Greg Gross Open on August 1, so mark your calendar. Additionally, please voice your opinion on the site of next year’s tournament by voting on the left side here.

2008 Greg Gross Open First Round Groupings

· Greg Kelly
· Tim Seeberg
· Burke Seeberg*
· Scott Strangberg*
· Pat Doran

· Michael Dreckmann
· Adam Berger**
· Scott Gillman*
· Tom Wolter**

· David Dreckmann
· Kevin Kelly
· Stan Kitzinger*
· Frank Murtha

· Rene Bernier
· Craig Lederer
· Chris Libby**
· Troy Navarra


*Former GGO Champion
** GGO Rookie

2008 Greg Gross Open Rules

You have decided to play the 2008 Greg Gross Open. Good for you!

Please meet at 1000 am, and we will get started when everyone arrives.

Anetsberger Golf Course is at 180 Anets Drive, Northbrook. Google Maps has it. It is off Techny Road between Shermer and Waukegan Road.

The Awards Ceremony is at Grandpa’s Place, 1868 Prairie St, Glenview, IL.

UNBREAKABLE RULES:
1) Have Fun!

2) There are at least 16 golfers this year. The cut, after nine holes, will likely be for the top 12.

3) One mulligan per nine holes is allowed. The mulligan must be on a tee shot, and if taken, must be played, even if worse than the original shot. Unused mulligans are forfeited, and there can be no boasting about unused mulligans.

4) No player may give another unsolicited golf tips.

5) Shots into the water carry one-stroke penalty. Drop on the other side near the water.

6) Balls hit out of bounds are treated like punts. Drop (without penalty) where the ball went out of bounds.

7) There is no rain date. As always, it should be ridiculously hot, and while we will provide some beer/pop, please bring your own hydration. I will not be going to the ER for anyone. Check weather conditions here.

8) The low scorer must wear the coveted “Pink Visor” on the course, and the high scorer must wear the Pink Visor for the first round of cold, frosty beverages.

9) Ties for first or last place will be played on the 1st hole. Subsequent playoff holes will be the 2nd, then back to the 1st. After that, if there is still no winner, both players will be disqualified, and the Tournament Director will name the Champion.

10) No whining!

11) Opening groupings will be made by the Tournament Director. . Second Nine groupings will be based on Front Nine scoring. Changing the groupings is strictly forbidden.

12) When in doubt, see Rules #1 and #10.

13) Failure to follow these rules will result in disqualification, a lifetime ban from future Greg Gross Opens, and in some cases, death.

See you at 1000 am!
Gregory F. Kelly
Tournament Director

Kelly Reunion 2008

(Almost) The Whole Gang
Sleepy Boy


More to come...