I Didn't Leave

Although it looks like I am walking off...

 BOO! I'm right here.  Flashing y'all. giggle

That is the path from the golf course up to our family's home in the country.

[Told ya' it was pretty. :)]

Earlier in the evening Wallene saw this Momma and her two babies eating on the 9th green, which is basically our back yard in the country.

 The Momma was fully aware of Wallene and her camera. . .and was not too keen on my baby's proximity.

 The Momma began stamping her feet and giving little snorts while her babies looked on. . .

 Then she started towards Wallene.  Momma meant business. . .

RUN Wallene! RUN!!

So. . .if you can't tell - we went to the country for the weekend.

We did have fun plans in town this weekend but had to cancel them [BOOO!] because at the last minute we had to go visit the Squirrel in Harrisonburg.  Since the country house is midpoint between home and school we spent the weekend there.  You know me. Any excuse to go and relax.  Besides - we had to test out Oscar's highway prowess.  I am happy to report he does great!  Around town the first tank of gas worked out to be 33 mpg, but I haven't done the math on highway miles.  I do know that I am glad that we had him this weekend because we drove almost 400 miles and gas is 3.70 in the boondocks where we were.  That is up .55 cents in less than a month.

On the pain front I can simply say "Pain?  What pain?" And I am completely serious.  I had forgotten what it was not to be in constant pain and thought it was just something I would have to live with for the rest of my life.  Not exactly ideal but I figured I am pretty lucky [okay, okay A LOT lucky] to be among the living that I would just compensate and work my days/activities around the pain.  When I went to see my primary care doctor last week for a routine check up he asked what I was doing about the pain and I told him.  He didn't like my plan, especially since I wasn't sleeping either, so he talked to me about certain options.  I was in his office for almost an hour talking with him - he is that concerned and caring.  I am so glad we found him.  Anyway we finally decided on a daily drug that doesn't hurt my heart or mess with my liver and kidneys and a drug to take on top of that if the pain is especially severe.  The funny thing about these two drugs is they have opposite side effects - one causes drowsiness and an increase in appetite [studies show people put on a lot of weight while taking it] and the other one [which I have taken before] wires me up and kills my appetite.  They counter act eachother nicely.  I am not starving but I am not hungry either - so I remind myself to eat and that is good, but the first drug is winning a bit in the sleepy/wired war.  Since I don't take the second drug all the time I find myself super drowsy when I am sitting down.  Standing up I am fine [again with the standing up!], but at the computer or riding in the car I could doze off in a sec'. Same with bed.  If I lay down I can be asleep before Pooldad and that is unheard of in this house. heehee  Of course I won't drive while on the drug or until it settles itself out in my body, but if I take it and get a nap then I am not drowsy - so then I can drive.  I can't begin to explain the difference in my world this past week.  Not being in pain has shown me just how much pain I was in and how much I took for granted the simple acts of standing up, sitting down and laying in bed nevermind bending my arms or trying to grip a jar or a pencil.  The family doesn't know what to do with me. giggle  I think they might suggest I start doing laundry or something. Booo!

Today is Wallene's 15th birthday. YAY!  As is the rule in our house - if it is your birthday you get your pick of dinner and "cake".  Wallene, being Wallene, has taken it to another level.  She has requested the following:

• cinnamon rolls for breakfast
• cupcakes topped with butter cream icing and a chocolate/white chocolate chip cookie for her Clubhouse class [it's like Homeroom]
• her sandwich rolled in a fresh made tortilla and oatmeal chocolate chip cookies for dessert
• chocolate/chocolate snack cake for the Mellophone section of marching band [her instrument]
• Shepard's pie with tortillas for dinner
• Lemon merigune pie for her "cake"

I know darn well she can't eat a piece of each of the sweets today - she'd be sick - but I know she wants to share her birthday with all her friends, so I am baking my fool head off this morning.  I have the cookies, cupcakes and tortillas done.  The dough is raising for the cinnamon rolls and when I get off of here I will make the snack cake.  Dinner and the pie will be made this afternoon when I am done shopping for her birthday.

In the most fun news yet - and I promise to tell you all about it later - but I got my first PAID gig for baking last week. So unexpected but exciting all the same.

Have a wonderful Tuesday Tadpoles. It's all good - and if it isn't all that great right now? Just remember - it will get better. I promise.

Hugs from the pond! Skip