New office

So, here's a few pictures of my "ribbon cutting" we had with Mama and Daddy. I didn't really feel like going back over on a Sunday, but the picturs are nice. Thanks Erik for the posts - you are singlehandedly keeping the blog alive! Merry Christmas to all!

PS You'll notice the picture on the waiting room wall - reframed, but the one from Jackson that hung so nicely in Mama and Daddy's for so many years. I'm trying to give it a nice home since they don't have room for it!

No "Bishop Binns" For Now

Found out last night (please don't call anyone in my stake and tell them I told you this . . . :)) that our Bishop will be released this coming Sunday and that my current home teacher (and the last 1st counselor that I replaced) will be the new Bishop. The 2nd counselor and I will remain in our callings for the foreseeable future. I'm actually quite releaved. I'm enjoying the calling and really didn't want to know all of the things about the ward members that I don't know at this point. So . . . yeah! So, now the question is . . . is this an indication that we will be moving to Quincy . . .?? Hmmm. Inquiring minds want to know.

I just talked with M&D and they are passing through Albequerque, New Mexico. Having a great time and getting 34 MPG out of their Avalon (pretty amazing for a car of that size).

New Offices, New Worries, Another Holiday Season of Stress

Matthew,
So, Brother, how's the new office going so far? Any unexpected trials or blessings yet? I'm sure that you're enjoying the new digs and the shorter commute. Did you bring your equipment with you (you own it, right?)? Did your staff move with you as well? Did you ever get that whole embezzlement thing settled with your former employee?

Sharene,
It was nice talking with you on your birthday (sorry I didn't catch you, Matthew, but at least I made it with an impersonal email :)).

All,
It should be fun to see M&D again here in the lone star state. I'm sure by the time they arrive they'll be a bit tired of driving, but at least they won't have any time constraints to deal with. Amy has loaded up on flour, sugar, yeast, and other baking supplies in preparation for Mama's arrival (I'm hoping/assuming I'll be able to get at least one batch of cinnamon rolls out of her while she's here!!)

Jazz Band

Hey Erik,

I just wanted to let you know that Caitlan made her high school's jazz band. She plays alto sax, but they want her to play the tenor for the jazz band. So, she'll be learning how to play that next Monday at their first practice. It all brings back great memories of Shorewood band concerts and listening to you as you played in their jazz band. The tradition continues....:)

The Results are In (2)

Spent 3 hours with my new orthopedic doctor. I am much more comfortable with his advice and recommendations (especially since they are exactly what Dave Badger recommended as well). Looks like I'm in for surgery after the first of the year (since the supply of donor tendons is short due to the 'end of the year' rush to avoid deductables). So I'll have my leg straight for about a month -- which means that I will not be able to drive (UGH!!!!) and who knows what else. I am a bit concerned since Emily needs to go on a visit to SF and I might need to fly to Quincy, IL for an interview (neither of which is easy to do with a leg that isn't allowed to bend). So, we'll see.

Anyway, I'm not looking forward to it, but I suppose it's for the best (in the long run).

The Results are In

Well, in spite of both my family doctor and the orthopedic specialist telling my that the initial prognosis was no surgery and no major damage, the MRI revealed that my ACL is completely severed. The good news is that the ortho doctor says that he's never seen a knee as stable as mine after this type of injury and that I should seriously consider not getting surgery to repair it. It might, however, require that I never step foot on the basketball court again. He suggests that I get back to exercising regularly by jogging, swimming, or biking (none of those three hold nearly the fun quotient that basketball does). Then in an undetermined time frame I can try playing ball and see how it goes. Then determine if I should get surgery or have a brace custom made so I can play again. They put a movement gauge on my knee and it said that I have an additional 2mm of movement versus my good knee. The average additional movement for an ACL tear is 5-7 mm, so the doctor wasn't really sure what to tell me. My plan is to get a second opinion and try to get in touch with Dave Badger to get his opinion on the matter.

I can't tell you how disappointed I was to hear that news. I've never had issues with my legs before and this is one of the worst things that can happen.

Pain in the arch!

Since we seem to be talking about aches and pains (thanks, Erik) - I thought I'd tell you of my trip to the podiatrist on Monday. I've had "plantar fascitis" (sore arch in my left foot - right in front of the heel) for about 18 months and it seemed to be getting worse, so I went in for treatment. The doctor promptly took x-rays - nothing wrong (but I do have an extra bone)- and then gave me a cortisone shot. It was uncomfortable for the first minute or so (slow shot, like mine) and then he hit my sore spot...like a hot poker in the foot. He was asking me questions, etc. and during those 20 seconds or so, I literally could NOT talk. Good news though - it seems to be working - my pain levels are almost nothing now - so I have hope to work some of my 10-15 pounds off that I have gained since my life became so sedentary. By the way - here is Sam's picture of himself...

Strange How Things Work Out or Don't

I spoke with the recruiting firm that's been after me for a VP of Marketing job in Quincy, Illinois. Turns out the guy they had previously identified to take the job (I had interviewed with the placement firm after they'd ID'd him and found that he may not be able to take the job due to non-job-related issues) was not able to move to Quincy to take the position. Then I was to be presented as one of two possible alternatives for the job and the other person (a woman) was found to have misrepresented herself -- so she was eliminated from consideration. Then another person was identified and he suffered an unexpected heart attack and died. So, the company asking for the executive search has decided to re-start the process from ground zero. So, while I'm still on the list -- the process will take much longer than expected originally. I don't expect to hear back from the recruiting firm until after the holidays. Interesting . . . But, the timing (if it does work out) will actually be better given school year, bonus payout, etc.

Strange how things work out . . . . or don't . . . who knows . . .

Speaking of Worrying About Stuff!!

We have a confirmed rumor that our Bishop is being released within the next few weeks. The other ward's Bishop was released last Sunday (he was put in at the same time ours was) and was replaced by his 1st counselor (eeeek!). Hopefully that pattern will not be repeated. We shall see. I've only been in the Bishopric for 11 months now, so I might set a record for shortest time served. Maybe they'll put me back as one of the two Gospel Doctrin teachers.

Ack! Too much stuff to think about...

So, here's the question of the day. Does anyone else feel like they'd like to get rid of some of what you'd think are inherited character traits? We, the family Binns, seem to be worriers, for the most part. (at least I am) I find myself worried everyday about stuff - most of which I think doesn't really need to be worried about. I truly believe that my worries many times lead to good things - like being responsible (occasionally) and other things. But sometimes, I just get tired. Seems like I have been the same since I was 3. Does anyone have a success story with regards to fighting off this seemingly inbred Binns' characteristic?

The Joy of Getting Older

Well, for the first time in my history I've done something to my knee. I was playing basketball last night, cut to the right and went up for a shot and something in my right knee popped. I can still walk, but it feels swollen (inside) and is aching. Hopefully my Dr. has time this morning to get me in. I expect to have to go somewhere for an MRI or something like that . . . ugh! I don't want to have to give that (basketball) up. I still really enjoy playing. Send your positive thoughts and prayers my way!

Daybreak Temple

One of the exiting things about going to Mama and Daddy's new home has been stopping off at the temple site from time to time and taking a picture in front of the construction site. We have had family home evenings about temples, and our bishop, who is an engineer working for a company who has helped design several of the temples, brought over blueprints for the new temple. This "Daybreak" temple will hopefully have a special place in the childrens' hearts as we attend open house, etc., just like the Seattle temple was for us who were there.

My new office is about 3 weeks from being done (construction). Then I move in supplies and start work there the first week in December. (Happy birthday to me...) It is exciting, yet a bit scary. Thankfully, almost all of my patients I have talked to say they will follow. "Build it and they will come" - right?!

Let's try it...

Hello! I wonder if a blog for the Binns clan would fly - so I set one up for us. You can sign up for an account (free) and become an author to the blog - submitting thoughts, pictures, and whatever else moves you. I didn't have an email for Randy, and I wasn't sure if we want children, grand-children, and the like to be authors as well. Let me know. If this just dies on the vine, it is a simple delete. We can change anything y'all like.