home to the other paradise (Iowa)

Well I seem to be recovering nicely from the premature stroke I suffered a couple of weeks ago. We were getting ready for our departure from Florida, and we went down to the beach for a last
time for this season.

Last lunch at the beach

after lunch nap time

I liked the emblem

It was a nice goodbye to Florida. Then locked up the condo and headed north to old Dixie.

all safe and secure from the hurricanes

 Florida is the only place in the US where you go north to go south. I got proof of this in a picture I took in Georgia..

only in Dixie could you see this

yup

We drove up to Macon Ga. and grabbed a motel and slept a bit.

sitting out side the suite

Then it was up at the crack of dawn and back on the road to home.
We got to the cabin and it looked just as we left it. I was glad to be done with the drive. We drove up to Knoxville the next morning to see the new house as we were besides ourselves with anticipation.
We really like the house..here are some pics of it..

Then it was off to my mothers house for Easter. The plan was we were all going to Dan and Robins house for Easter as we usually do, however, my mother took a fall and broke her hip, so we all decided to drive up there and surprise her and dad!

My dad an Joe

Mom recovering

Me, and the 2 Deans out for breakfast before Easter Service

a bunch of Petersens hanging out

It was a lot of fun seeing the family! Back to the cabin I go...
It is time to go to Los Angeles for a show. I was kind of nervous about it, as I am worried about another stroke! I feel good, have not smoked and am taking the meds my Dr prescribed..

Interstate heading out of LA

Thats where I am going...up in them hills

view out my window...no wonder they call it the high desert

The flight went well and I landed, picked up my car and plugged the Hotel address into my GPS...I did not realize the show was an hour north of town in the hills. They call  it the high desert. I was surprised at the hill (mountains) around LA..  Really quite a stunning picturesque landscape out here.

snow capped mountains just out of LA

The show went well... Started off slow and picked up steam as I realized I wasn't going to have any health problems. My speech is getting better each day...feeling of confidence slowly creeping back into my bag of tricks...I think I am gonna be OK! 

our booth

I got to get to sleep...flying back to Iowa tomorrow!

what the heck?

I just got out of the hospital...what? I know!

I will go back  to the beginning...at least since last post.
I had to do a 10 day show in Indianapolis so off I went

our indianapolis booth

...On Thursday, I think it was the 6th day of the show I got real weak and had a bit of trouble talking...it only lasted about a half hour, then went away. I figured maybe I was sick or something. I did not feel very good the rest of the show.

had to fly through NY to get bak to Florida?

I liked the view of the clouds from up here 

There is my condo...seriously..there it is

I flew home on Monday and was feeling better so I didn't think it was anything serious. I had to fly out 3 days later for a show in Atlanta. I got there on Thursday and felt pretty good

booth in Atlanta...AKA scene of the crime

...Saturday i was not feeling 100 percent. Sunday I went to the show and about an hour into it I started sweating alot.
All of a sudden my left arm started tingling and my speech became very slurred.. I was terrified and very confused.This time it was much more severe and lasted several hours. I refused to admit what it was although deep down I had an Idea.I flew home Monday afternoon.

where the everglades meets fort laudrdale

I got off the plane and right away bonnie asked if I had been partying with the people in Atlanta, I said no, she said well you look like you haven't slept. I said I wasn't feeling well, so we went home and I went to sleep. Tuesday I slept in until 10 am and was still exhausted...Slept most of the day then woke up Wednesday and couldn't talk again...Bonnie rushed me straight to the hospital.
They ran me through every test imaginable..and it was confirmed...I had a stroke...and i got chewed out by several doctors..If it happens again I must go straight to the hospital.  It is kinda strange,when something like that happens to you, It is surreal...I didn't want to admit I had a problem. It is hard to explain. anyways the doctors told me it is the most common type of stroke for smokers to have.
I have smoked for 38 years..and I am done.. Doctor told me with my dads history and my smoking...not a good combo. So I quit. don't even want one. Funny how death makes such a good deterrent. I mean everybody knows smoking kills you, but not really. you think its the other guy, not me. well I survived Cancer and a stroke. Enough already...I need to appreciate my health more. so should everyone reading this post...both of you! LOL!

Off the soapbox and back to reality...I am feeling much better now and we are planning to head to Iowa Tuesday so we can go to my brothers house for Easter! I need to spend more time with family!
I gotta get to bed...stay healthy and safe!