Worth the Wait for the Grand Opening of the New Commissary Today

Wow, what a gorgeous but warm weather today, Friday! It feels like summer now! It's time for shirts and shorts, my dear folks and friends! With plenty of sunshine around Hampton Roads and possibly in other parts of the world, there's nothing to worry about. Thank you, God, we're alive, and doing well, I would safely say!

Yes, TGIF! Thank God, It's Friday! And we're alive and bouncing! (And recovering from a recurrence of chronic lower back pain, slowly but cautiously!) Hope that you're doing great, my dear folks and friends. See the tie-dyed shirt that I'm wearing today? (Please view the photos below, if you will. Thank you.) Thanks to my wife Freny who tie-dyed it when they had a lab in her Chemistry class with her students last year. As you know she teaches Chemistry in one of the high schools in Hampton. She has been teaching there for more than a decade.

Btw, to all mothers all over the world, Happy Mother's Day, in advance! That's right. This Sunday, May 12th is Mother's Day---a special day to honor the life, love, and sacrifices of all mothers worldwide. May God bless you all mothers! And to all of our beloved deceased mothers, may they rest in peace. Amen.

This morning, after having eaten my breakfast (which consisted of two slices of whole grain bread with slices of avocado, and a glass of organic milk, and a piece of pear), I thought about the grand opening of the new Commissary or I'm not sure if today, Friday, or tomorrow, is the opening of that new Commissary building at the naval base we usually visit every now and then (especially on Sundays after Mass) for a couple of reasons, like shopping at NEX for clothes, kitchen wares, electronics, having haircut at it's barber shop, or dining, or grocery shopping at the old Commissary building, etc. That's why I went there to find out. I was right. Today is the grand opening of this new Commissary building in Portsmouth!

Man, what a surprise when I arrived at my destination---traffic was evident and there was this long queue of Commissary customers or shoppers awaiting their turn to get in to the new building! I got lucky to find a parking spot on the new parking lot just in front of the new and bigger Commissary building. Walking to the new store, I saw people carrying each a plate of food, something like hot dog and/or cheese burger sandwiches, etc. I didn't bother going to those booths where they served (free) food and drinks/beverages. I just proceeded right away to where the line of people was. Man, I was already having slight back spasms after thirty minutes standing on line. Thankfully, I found a mounted concrete area where I could sit down while maintaining my spot. I met/saw my old master chief also falling in line, like the rest of us. He said that he came from the NEX building first. That was my original plan, too, to go there first and find out what I can buy, like jewelry, for my wife. But I got carried away by the flow of traffic, of cars directed to the new Commissary building. Now, after another thirty minutes, I was able to get in to the new building. Truly, it was very much spacious and more organized. Nice and new! And it smells good, with that pleasant feeling that you love to shop there!

With the exception of police officers (military and city) roaming around in and out of the new building, trying to maintain security and order, there were Commissary staff/personnel, mostly civilian employees, distributing coupons, free samples, and just being transparent to be readily available if we have a question or need help. I saw some characters and a clown roaming around the aisle, too. And, mind you, I called their attention to have a souvenir photo with me. (See the embedded photos below!) What a shopping (grocery) experience I've had today!

OMG, what a long line of shoppers again (but this time with their carts filled with goodies, other stuff) when it's time to go to the cash register to pay your groceries! But I had to go with the flow, and wait, like everybody else. It's a good feeling that I got a free Portsmouth NNSY T-shirt, and a Smithfield black cap, and free sample AXE anti-perspirant or deodorant. Also, I felt relieved while engaging in a lively conversation with an old couple, Joe and Carol who were in front of me, pushing their grocery cart, too. And they happen to have or share the same faith as mine, when I found out that they go to the same parish (Holy Angels) where my family used to go before, for years. I learned, too, that Joe is a retired US Navy, like me. He and Carol have five successful grow-up children, all boys with their own families. Right now, they said, they're hosting a foreign (female) high school student from China. I told them how much I appreciate what they're doing right now, that of hosting a foreign student from China. (Too bad, I forgot to take a picture with the two lovely, sweet couple! Know why? We were so carried away in our conversation! God bless them.) My back has been acting up again while in that queue! But, there's nothing I can do but be on that line with the rest of the shoppers. My, oh my.., I had no choice but to hang in there...with my back spasms, and wait for my turn to pay my groceries in one of the cash registers available!

Thank God, after almost half an hour standing, pushing sluggishly my grocery cart, I got served!  With all the haul I got on my cart---fresh vegetables, i.e, broccoli, Vidalia onion, celery, vegetable salad; different fruits, i.e, bananas, strawberry, cantaloupe, water melon; canned goods, cookies, Italian sausages, a bag of shredded cheese, a dozen 7.5 oz. packages of frozen gourmet TV dinners (fettuccine alfredo, macaroni and cheese), cereals, two half-gallon carton organic milk, and two cases of Dasani bottled water, etc.---I paid almost a hundred bucks. But I was able to save $$ with my manufacturer's coupons with me. Well, that savings I got I gave it to a young teenage male bagger who helped me push my cart to the parking lot and load my groceries to my van.

From there at the new Commissary building, to home sweet home...tired and already hungry! Mind you, I was snacking Milano cookies on the way home, while listening to American Idol, season 11, first runner up Jessica Sanchez's maiden album Me, You & the Music. (Yes, I was glad to see her in a cameo role in Glee last night! She was dancing with her group while singing an upbeat new song.)

Well, this is all for now, and thank you, my dear folks and friends, near or far. Until next time around. Take care and have a wonderful and peaceful weekend, everyone! As always, I pray, "May God bless us all!"-chris a. quilpa, 10 May 2013

Recovering Slowly with Faith, Music (and Photos)

Hi, everyone! Good Wednesday to you all! Thank God, we're alive! And I'm doing much better today than the past few days! But I have to be cautious because my back spasms come and go. I can't tolerate being in upright position, sitting or standing, for a longer period of time. My back hurts so bad that only lying down seems to be the relief.

Yes, I'm recovering slowly but I'm getting in there. That's right, my dear folks and friends. We're getting better, after three-four days of being on bed rest and with prescribed pain medications, from a recurrence of my chronic lower back pain that incapacitates or debilitates me, at time. It's my lumbar spine that has been damaged, with degenerative discs disease (DDD) and/or degenerative joint disease (DJD), eventually, as a result of that MVA (motor vehicle accident) back in 1990, and then those seven invasive procedures on my lower back/lumbar spine. And it is this physical disability, and other medical /health condition, that led me to early retirement from the US Navy in 2005. Despite my permanent physical disability, I was able to complete a total of twenty years serving our country honorably and proudly. That qualified me for a monthly paycheck. Thank you, Almighty God! Thank you, Jesus, and Mother Mary!

This morning while I was about to eat my cereals, somebody was knocking at our door. It was one of the employees of Virginia Natural Gas Co. who was to install a new reading meter. I had to lead him to the backyard where our old gas meter was. While keeping him company, I took some photos of our red roses there outside. I even cut three of them and put them in a vase. They smell so good! They're so pretty and adorable, to me. I can't help but took pictures of them. I was so captivated by their redness and sweet smell! See the photos below. Tell me, aren't you guys thrilled to see, and smell, them, too?

As of now, I'm trying to take it easy, doing bed rest as necessary, while managing my pain and physical disability. God knows, I have had good days and bad, like the rest of us who have "disability." Back spasms come and go. At times, the feeling is kind of unbearable and depressing. But I have to look at the positive side of life and let the day go by, by staying active as much as I can, with my faith and prayer. And music like the songs of American Idol, Season 11, finalist Jessica Sanchez from her maiden album, Me, You & the Music, which I just bought a copy today, the only one left on the shelf when I went to Walmart this afternoon. Mind you, while I was in the parking lot coming home, I couldn't wait but to listen Jessica's. I kind of like the songs for they're upbeat, and truly representing the rock/pop genre. Listening to her keeps me going and feeling good. And smiling while witnessing simple, fleeting moments can make a difference in my recovery.

Well, feeling a little bit better as I've said, I was able to go to the post office this afternoon to drop off some mails. From there I drove my way to Walmart where I bought Jessica's album and two pairs of inexpensive rubber shoes that are lightweight to wear for walking. I didn't feel like staying there or roaming around for a long time. I just went straight to the area where I could find the merchandise I needed. Just those tree items. Then, went home, took a couple of pictures on the way home. Here are the ones I took, and I'm sharing them with you guys. Hope you liked/enjoyed them.

Okay, this is all for now. (I'm having back spasm and pain again and I need to lie down. Thanks for your company, and understanding.) Until next time around. Take care and have a peaceful day, everyone! As always, I pray, "May God bless us all!"-chris a. quilpa, 08 May 2013

Photos (c) 2013 by Chris A. Quilpa

Living in/with Pain, Always and Forever?

Good Saturday, everyone! Hope and pray you're all doing well.

How am I doing? Not good, my dear folks and friends. I'm still having back spasms, despite being on prescribed pain medication and bed rest for a couple of days now. In bed resting my back is what my body needs at this time. When in upright position for a long time, an hour or more, I feel so uneasy and uncomfortable. Yes, I can't tolerate standing or sitting for a period of time. Gravity and lots of movement somehow aggravate my condition. Lower back pain and back spasms continue and I feel so helpless that I have to resort to prescribed pain medication to help me. Having this intense recurring chronic lower back pain, I feel as if I re-injured my bad back again, especially my lumbar down to sacrum area. As of now, I haven't been to the doctor/hospital for check up. I'm still observing my condition. If I were to go to the hospital, I would surely have MRI/X-ray of my lumbar spine, which I haven't had for a year or two?

Living in/with pain is not a laughing matter, my dear folks and friends. Especially if you have degenerative discs disease (DDD) and degenerative joint disease (DJD), and herniated discs, like yours truly. Fyi, I have had seven invasive procedures done on my lower back way back in 2002. I have had physical therapy, and even chiropractic sessions done including acupuncture of my lower back. I have had temporary relief from these sessions. But later on, the lower back pain became so chronic and unbearable. Tingling and excruciating to the point that I have had sciatica. Even with ongoing intake of prescribed pain medications and no heavy lifting of things (over ten pounds), and strenuous exercise, I admit I have had good days and bad. There have been moments that I feel so helpless and hapless. But I never lose hope, even if my lower back has been "damaged." At first, it was so difficult for me to accept the fact that I'm already disabled, physically. Eventually, I accepted my condition and that I belong to this group of disabled or people with disability. It was tough and difficult for me to take, I tell you guys. From the outside, I look good especially when I go to church dressed up. People don't only know. But the reality is, I'm damaged physically, internally. My lower back is bad or diseased. That's why I retired from work early unexpectedly.

Surgery, you say? My orthopedic surgeon, when I was still US Navy active duty, initiated the move for me to retire permanently after a couple of years of being on limited light duty at work. He said, eventually, that surgery is not an option in my case. Why? Because those invasive procedures didn't help me at all. My condition got worst. Because my back has already been damaged and to do surgery will do more harm than good. If he recommended me for surgery, I would be having second thought, too. Will I be paralyzed if something went wrong on the surgery? That's a possibility. I still have in my possession my wooden cane, back braces, and that TENS unit. Mind you, I've had moments of feeling so humiliated or stigmatized each time people saw me with my cane, or with a back brace. And I'm not that too old yet to be using these orthopedic devices or equipment. But I have had to, to help me function. But then, in addition to having DDD/DJD of my lower back, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia that up to now is ongoing. So, I ask myself, each time, this question; will I be living in/with pain for the rest of my life? Only our gracious and loving God knows! But the reality is that pain is a part of life which I've already accepted it. This has been my case since I retired from work. As I've said, I have good days and bad. I have had fits and moments of unpleasant emotions and thoughts. My faith, complemented by prayer, is the one that's keeping me alive and going. Despite the pain I've been having, I thank God that I'm still alive. Thank you, Jesus.

Did I expect to be like this? To be physically disabled? Not at all! I have had plans before...to continue working after retirement from the military service, to probably teach, like my wife, in a public middle/high school because at that time, after retirement in 2005, I've got also my teaching license, with endorsement in English, K-12. But I learned as I continue living that there are plans in life that, even you've made/set them for you to do in the future, don't materialize. So, what matters to me at this time is to live life in the present moment well, without any regret or reservation at all. That's it.

This is all for now and until next time around. Take care and have a peaceful and wonderful weekend, everyone! As always, I pray, "May God bless us all!-chris a. quilpa, 04 May 2013

Back to 757 from D-ville with Recurring Chronic Lower Back Pain

Hi, everyone! Good day, folks and friends! Hope you're doing well. Sorry to let you know that I'm not. :(

At the outset, I must confess I'm not feeling well because of my chronic lower back pain that has been recurring for days; but thank God, we're alive! Living in the present moment well, even if I have this uncomfortable and sort of unbearable lower spine/back pain, is all that matters now for me. I know that suffering is a part of life.

Now, after an unplanned and unexpected 2 1/2 days and 2 nights in D-ville, visiting our young adult daughter Tintin, my wife Freny and I are back to 757. In fact, we arrived exhausted and tired, but safely, before midnight last night, after less than four hours on the road. As usual, Freny did the driving flawlessly, with one rest stop (for "pee or pit" break). On my part, it (the road trip/travel back home) was so uncomfortably agonizing because of my chronic lower spine/back pain that contributed to my early and unexpected retirement and permanent disability.

Flasback: When we left 757, I was upbeat and feeling good, in high spirit and kind of excited to be there in D-ville again to see Tintin. But, then, I was feeling tired and uncomfortable when we arrived in our hotel room in D-ville that Monday afternoon. Nevertheless, I managed it (my chronic lower back pain) with my prescribed medication  and rest. I don't know, this time, that it occurred again unexpectedly unlike our previous visits or road trips to D-ville or to The Capital (where our young adult son Andrew works). As everybody else, especially to us with physical disability, I have good days and bad. But I try my best to stay positive and optimistic, even if I'm suffering inside. With my faith and prayer, I continue to try to live in the present moment well. Thank you, Jesus! Mine is minute compared to what you've been through. There's life in pain; there's pain in life. Yes, I know.

So far, I'm on my prescribed pain medication and resting in bed, as I continue writing this blog post, while at the same time listening to new songs of American Idol season 11 runner up Jessica Sanchez like the video above, via YouTube. (I just found it out today, while on the Internet. She performed her new songs at YouTube Space LA, and uploaded by InterscopeGeffenAM, 29 April. I intend to buy a copy of her maiden album Me, You & the Music that was just released two days ago, on April 30. I wish her all the best in her musical career. She's one of the new recording artists that I like listening to these days. She has that powerful voice that can make her a diva someday. Btw, I look forward to watching her performance in Glee on Fox channel, essaying the role of a sophomore student Frida Romero?) Disclaimer: I don't own the video embedded here in my blog post. No copyright infringement intended. It's from YouTube. Thank you, YouTube and the uploader.

Right now, I'm observing myself and my condition. If I get worse, I have no choice but to go to the hospital. Btw, Freny just called me an hour ago to see how am I doing. I told her the degree of my lower spine/back pain is the same or unchanged, but manageable at this time. We'll see how it goes until the end of day, my dear folks and friends. As I've mentioned, hospital visit is a possibility for me if my condition won't change at all.

This is all for now, my dear folks and friends. Until next time around and thanks for keeping me company. Take care and have a nice day, everyone! As always, I pray, "May God bless us all!"-chirs a. quilpa, 02 May 2013