Day 1 and 2 recap

So I used some AA points and upgraded my seat to first class.  Started off the day with a mimosa.  We got to NYC early, about 11 am so our room wasn't ready.  We were able to drop our bags and go in search of lunch.  We knew gymnastics was that day so we looked in the car and found a few watch party locations.  We stayed about a block from Rockefeller Center so we started there and got there just in time to see Simone Biles do her second vault.  We got a table at a restaurant there where we could see the screen and watched the competition.  It was an incredible way to watch.  Our first official stop was at the Roosevelt Island Tramway.  It was neat.  I had no idea it was a thing until a few months ago.  It was so stupid hot and I hadn't gotten to unpack anything so we stopped at a drugstore and got sunscreen so as not to pull a Jay.  This was pre-subway so we walked MILES.  

We got back to the hotel, changed shoes and decided to split an app and a margarita at Hard Rock, get A a t-shirt.  I do like HR nachos and I am kind of afraid to admit that in public.  The final stop for the day was Top of the Rock.  I liked it so much better than Empire State.  I told HMF that I was game for anything so she bought us tickets to the beam.  I am pretty afraid of heights but I was pretty proud of myself for not freaking out too bad.  I really didn't think it was going to be a big deal until the beam rose up and you could see over the plexiglass, well I assume you could if your eyes were open.   Glad I did it, won't do it again.  We had a busy day so we went back to the hotel, I took a quick shower and fell asleep with my glasses on.

started out the day with a mimosa

Olympic watch party at Rockefeller Center

The best caprese panini

obligatory Hard Rock trip

HMF at Top of the Rock

We saw the same sunset

When HMF bought 'the beam' experience tickets I had no idea what it was

I had bruises on my legs from the death grip

I told her the next time the hammer wasn't going to be a prop

I loved this sweatshirt so much we had to make a special trip back

Day 2 was probably one of the best days.  We decided we were going to figure out the subway.  HMF travels to Chicago a lot and uses the one there.  I have only been my myself and it doesn't have the same rep as NYC's system so I have skipped it.  We figured what a better place to start than Grand Central Station.  We actually made our way to SoHo with zero issues and it opened up a whole 'nother love for the city.  HMF wanted to go to the Converse flagship store.  You can design your own shoes so we spent a few hours designing them but they would have to be shipped.  From there we went to my happy place, the Fluevog store.  When I walked in the fluevologist (the official term) asked me what I was looking for.  I told her I was there to play Cinderella and she 100% understood the assignment.  I think she brought out every shoe in my size.  I had the time of my life.  HMF even found a pair she ordered.  I could feel her start to suck the energy out of the room about half way through the excursion and so I wrapped it up, bought 2 pair and a bucket hat and we went to Little Italy to grab a quick slice of pizza.  She made the comment that they just didn't seem too interested in helping her.  I admittedly was a little self absorbed but I didn't see it.  Plus they look up my name and they see ALL THE SHOES.  I am an easy mark.
 

first subway trip originating from GCS

figuring out where to start is always the hardest part

Design your own Converse in SOHO

My happy place

We headed back to the hotel but we still had a little time before our dinner reservations so we decided to hit up Saks Fifth Avenue.  I went in with no intentions of trying anything on, let alone buying.  HMF talked me into trying on ↓ this dress.  I felt like a princess.  I spent way too much on a dress I will probably never wear.  The clerk got the few things I wanted to try on and put them in a room with my name.  HMF found a few items to try on and got but hurt because the associate asked if it was ok if she just put her stuff in the room next to mine.  I guess she was supposed to get her 411 too?  I told her she was taking it way too personally and not to act like our moms (harsh I know) and she snapped out of it.  Not without a final dig when the associate said that she just loved my energy and she thought I would be a blast to hang out with (I'm a goddamn delight), she had to make sure she was only saying that because I was spending money.  Whatever man, I know I know I'm cool.

princess dress and new Vogs please ignore the hat hair

Quick shower for me, can't remember Patti's phrase SFP?  And off to dinner.  We just happened to be there for restaurant week and we got amazing food.  HMF got a chicken and potato dish that I thought she was going to make little potato babies with.  

Taking another new pair to see the show

Pre show dinner

You know your from Tulsa when you can smell this picture

We got there a little early and had to stand in line to get in.  The show was everything I had hoped it would be.  I was a little disappointed that one of the leads that was nominated for a Tony wasn't in but the understudy was still amazing.  Am I thinking about going back next month in conjunction with a work trip?  maybe.

Finally made it

I can hardly believe it

at the stage

playbill pic

Brody Grant walking down the isle to his place on the tire pre-show

He sits on the tire for about 10 minutes writing in his book

The final scene is at the dinner table and those hungry boys chow down

Sorry for all the pictures.  It was an amazing couple of days.  I started crying about 3 songs in to the second act.  I spared you the post show cry make-up.

After the show we went back to Times Square to make the one pound custom peanut butter cup.  It was a long day so we went back to the hotel where the fire alarm managed to malfunction until after midnight.  At that point I told HMF to just let me die.

Days 3 and 4 and the unplanned day 5 were not as picture perfect.  More on that in the next recap.

On to the present day crap.  I still haven't seen D.  We have texted and talked on the phone once but that's it.  He sent me a text this morning that he was at his doctor's office.  I guess that is a little progress.  I am going to the office tomorrow so I will text him and tell him if he wants to come by and see the kids it would be a good time.  I am still not sure how I feel about the situation but if he is willing to try so am.  Baby steps, I guess. 

Facing reality

 So I have been MIA lately because I have had a lot going on that I haven’t really been ready to talk about. Life hasn’t been sunshine and roses in a very long time with D and I have finally drawn the proverbial line in the sand. 

Before I left for my NYC trip, recap to come, we had a serious talk and I told him that I have been really working hard with my body and self esteem issues and I really needed him to step up and get help with me. What I didn’t say was that we have grown stagnant and have been nothing more than roommates for years. Doesn’t mean I don’t love him, or that it couldn’t change, but it is on life support. His anger issues are worse than they have been in years and I have taken the brunt of it and life is too short to tiptoe around adult temper tantrums. I know I am not completely innocent but the last 2 major blow ups were caused by my work computer charge cord not working and me posting that I have covid on facebook. Completely irrational and disproportionate reactions. The last blow up while I am running 105 fever.  You don’t do that to someone you care about. 

I talked to my therapist over the phone and I sent him the following message 

My next appointment with the therapist is Monday August 19 at 2:30. I would really like it if you would meet me there to discuss things, not as a counseling session, more of a neutral space to discuss things. I wanted to give you some time to think about it.

I haven’t heard back. Regardless there are logistical nightmares to work through. 

I need a nap. 

Call me butter cause I'm on a roll

 Look at me posting twice in a month.  

First and foremost, so glad the holiday is over.  This year seemed to be worse than years passed.  I swear every year the fireworks get louder.  I saw an article that OK is the most dangerous state for the 4th, rednecks and explosives make for a dangerous situation.  We made it through, that's all that matters.

We noticed that BD wasn't acting like his normal self and we thought it might have been the fireworks.  Ninja will not accept BD but we decided he needed to come inside so we could watch him.  We managed to keep them from fighting but BD wasn't doing well.  Dennis took him to the vet first thing Monday morning.  He had a high fever but they couldn't see anything that was causing it.  They did a blood draw and sent him home with a steroid and antibiotic.  We got a call that afternoon that he tested positive for FIV.  Awesome.  So looks like we have another inside cat.  The issue will be keeping him and Ninja from fighting since it is transmitted through saliva.  I have done a lot of research on it and it  isn't the death sentence I feared, but since he has a compromised immune system we need to try and keep him away from exposure to outside cats.  The vet said that she has an FIV cat with cats that are healthy and it does just fine.  The issues we face are possible infections and taking precautions to keep him healthy.  If he shows signs of upper respiratory issues or illness it is important to get him started on meds early and for a longer duration than normal.  It's likely he just contracted it recently and that is what triggered his current illness.  So far he is doing OK.  We give him a pill and liquid meds and he has been too sick to really fight us.  Dennis is at the vet with him now for his follow up.  

Given the possible integration issues with BD, I haven't slept well.  Yesterday I woke up at 4am and never went back to sleep.  Last night I was awake every couple of hours.  BD decided he was going to sleep on my feet but I was concerned that Ninja or Mango would jump up and freak out when they realized he was there (Olive has been pretty accepting).  I am struggle bussing today.  It is going to be a double fist caffeine kind of day.

That freaking cat weighs 13 pounds after he got sick so he likely weighed 14 before.  The cat food bills are going to break me.  If the food bill doesn't the medical bills will.  Mine on top of his.  I was carrying laundry to the utility room and hit my shin on the food storage container.  I had just upsized to hold more dry food so I under estimated how big it was.  It immediately caused a huge knot to show up.  

It hurt like hell!!  Still does.

Dennis just called from the vet and said his temp is down, but he has lost a little more weight.  they are going to give him another shot and a bag of fluids.

I have had a couple of strange calls with the sa hospital advocate gig.  I got called out on a case with a 10 yo boy whose 2 yo sister died that morning.  He wasn't an SA case but they wanted us to talk to him and do swabs to check for opiates.  The funny thing is (like weird, not haha) was the agency sent me a text the next day making sure I was ok.  A few weeks ago I had a case with a 5 yo girl and they never followed up to see how I was doing.  Not sure why they thought that was worse than doing a full blown SANE exam on her.  I am probably going to step back a little with that volunteer gig though because  we got 2 more volunteers and they are starting to push us to work the 2200-0800 shift.  I am fine working the 1630-2200 shift but I have no interest in the overnights.  I just can't sleep without being in a drug induced coma and would not be able to take ambien the nights I have calls.  That means I would be up all night and I am not about that life.  They have had to cut back on the paid staff and want us to take that over.  I am willing to step up for any shift besides that one.  I have gotten to be pretty good friends with one of the nurses though and I have a feeling she will push to work with me on her cases, the bad thing about that is she is the peds nurse.  

A little over 2 weeks until vacation and I am so excited. I found out there is going to be a broadway in the park concert/performance the week we will be there so we will get to see the Outsiders cast and 2 other shows perform, don't know what they other 2 are yet.  I am trying to talk HMF into seeing a play called Oh, Mary, a comedy play about Mary Todd Lincoln who is played by the male writer of the show.  I have heard it is really funny.  Not sure if HMF would be up for that one but I would go alone.  It is another popular one with a limited run so if we do that one we need to get tickets soon.  I will see her Friday night so we will be able to come up with a game plan.  

OK I need to get busy on some FEMA training since hurricane season is upon us.  

✌

Vacation countdown

 Well, I kind of disappeared off the face of the bloggerverse.  No reason other than there really isn’t much going on. 

 

The countdown to vacation is on.  30 days and some change.  I am so excited.  This trip to NYC is going to be so different from last year.  We have our tickets for The Outsiders, which is good because it is almost sold out through the summer.  The Tony win for best musical probably helped that, even though it was already pretty popular.  I also hear it is popular with the young female demographic because of the male cast.  I was old enough to drink by the time they were even born but I am sure 30 years ago that would have excited me as well.  We don’t really have a firm plan on what we are going to do.  HMF wants to go to 9/11 museum, which I’m good with.  I want to do the ferry to see the statue of liberty since it was raining last year, not sure we would have gone anyway because that would have interfered with my sister’s drinking schedule.  We are also going to try and see another show.  Maybe Water for Elephants or Hadestown?  We will see about the TKTS booth or use TDF when we get there and try to get them a little cheaper.  I also want to see the Vessel but if we don’t, I am not too worried about it.  My sister is already trying to talk me into going back with her next year at Christmas.  As much as I enjoy NYC/Broadway, I am not so sure I ever want to travel with her again.  It kind of makes me sad because we have something we enjoy together but she makes it difficult.  Oh, and they already announced that The Outsiders is going to tour and it is going to start in Tulsa, October 2025!!

 

I am doing good after the surgery.  My weight is holding around 100 so far.  I am fine with that because I am not ready to buy a new wardrobe.  This time of year I gravitate to dresses anyway because of how hot it is so I am not sure how my jeans fit.  I got my stitchfix box last week and all they seem to fit ok so I don’t think it will be too bad.  Just the thought of denim with 114 heat index makes me want to dive into ice water. 

 

Work, blech.  Reading about y’all and your retirement adventures makes me extremely jealous.  I am not loving the transition back to the office.  We found out late last week that our supervisor is leaving for another job.  I am a little nervous that AP is going to put in for the job.  That would make things so much worse.  Maybe we can get someone that dislikes AP and her lead methods as much as the rest of us but the more likely scenario is it will get much worse.  I just have to hope that things work out so I can retire when I am eligible and not have to hang out any longer than I have to.  I really wish this would have happened before my last therapy session so I could doom spiral with her, lol.  The Chief that had a stroke (that’s my age) is doing better.  He has been in a rehab center and they are looking at sending him home this week to do at home therapy.  That kind of reinforces the urge to retire as soon as I’m eligible.  I haven’t looked at my TSP in a long time because it just stresses me out. 

 

I met up with Shana, the girl that used to teach most of the dance classes I took.  At one time she taught 4 of the classes I took each week so we got to be really good friends.  She has cut back to only 1 class, but I still haven’t gone back.  Anyway, she set me up with the girl, Hailey, that does my hair, who is another theater nerd like me.  The first time she did my hair she said that she was writing a play with some of her friends, and I told her I would go so Shana and I met up for dinner and for the show and caught up.  I really do miss her.  Anyway, the show was pretty funny, part improve, part scripted, part mixed media.  Pretty much what you would expect from a local theater troupe but it was good.  It was a byob place so we stopped at QT and got a drink to take in.  We also went to a bar afterwards, which I haven’t done in ages.  I literally can’t remember the last time I went to a bar in town.  I learned that I am way too old to hang with a bunch of 20 year olds, lol.  I had a good time but I noped out around midnight and Shana and another friend that we met up with was just getting started. 

 

I can’t believe it is almost the 4^th of July.  I am kind of surprised that the neighborhood doesn’t sound like Kiev already.  Last year was quiet because of the Fathers Day storm and all of the dried brush at the curb for city clean up crews.  I figure any day now they will make up for it.  Poor Bai hates it and to be honest so do I.  I have always been afraid of fireworks.  I have memories family fireworks shows and hiding underneath the chairs.  I couldn’t have been 4 because my uncle was a firefighter at the time so he claimed to be a professional and set the fireworks off.  I just knew they were going to fall over and burn us all.  I can’t say I feel much different now.  They just freak me out a little.  Needless to say we don’t go and watch the fireworks.  Bailey and I will be sufficiently drugged.

 

What’s left of the royal family is in town.  Dennis hasn’t talked to his brother in almost a year and has no plans on going around while they are there.  I am still not 100% sure what the tipping point was that made him decide to pretty much cut contact.  He hasn’t really talked to any of his siblings.  He has talked to his sister that lives locally a couple of times but only a couple of times.  He is all up in his feels though and is rehashing a lot of things with me to the point that I just want to scream.  I have never been a big fan of his brother but at this point I kind of wish they would just fight it out and get it over with.  He claims that he will never have a relationship with his siblings again.  I told him once that if I would never be friends with my sisters if we didn’t have to talk to each other and he has taken that to heart and says that he is tired of putting in the effort to make himself fit in with them.  I get it but it stress me the fuck out. 

 

So, not sure what the weekend has in store other than hiding from the noise.  My sister is going to take my sister to dinner on Thursday so I don’t have to worry about her being alone for the holiday.  I might just curl up under the A/C with a book.

Back to the office

Well the time I was dreading has come.  I am back in the office 3 days a week.  6 weeks flew by.  Thankfully the office was quiet. 

 

I haven’t had a lot going on, thus the lack of posts.  We finally got the roof replaced.  It only took them one day to complete it.  My biggest hesitation was how Bailey would react and how we would mange him.  Dennis had a brilliant idea (few and far between) to go to his mom’s and work upstairs and close the pocket door at the top of the stairs with Bai.  I would text her if he needed out or if I was going to come downstairs and she would go to her sewing room, she stays there most of the time anyway.  He had a really good after a little bit of stress at first.  He knew where the door was.  Dennis kind of ran in between so he could check up on the progress.  He took Bai for a walk in the morning and he watched the door the rest of the day.  We kept him on leash when we took him downstairs and it worked out great.  I was home in time to feed everyone. 

I admit I might be a little biased but he is so stinking cute.  Also, the in-laws house hasn't been updated since the 70's.  I low key love it.  Of course I would give my pinky toes for one of the old green stoves!!  I'm weird that way.

Counseling is going ok.  I'm not sure about it.  I'm not sure what I expected from her.  She doesn't give a lot of input/advise but lets me vent.  The pre-pandemic therapist was into the whole tapping and stuff.  Not sure I liked that either.  For now I am giving it a chance.  

My health is fine.  My weight has stabilized somewhere around 100lbs.  I was a little concerned someone would (AP) would comment on my weight but she wasn't there today.  Not sure anyone else knows anything because I didn't make it a big deal.  There is a new flavor of the week, that took some of the heat off too.  Our Chief, who started with me, started the same day at the same lake had a pretty serious stroke while he was working at Ft. Sill and had to be airlifted to OKC.  He is doing much better but they will have to put him in inpatient rehab.  

That's pretty much all I got.  

 

Springtime in OK

 I used to have severe storm anxiety when I was a kid but as I got older it mostly went away.    I seriously thought when people talked about tornado alley they were talking about the highway that ran by our house. A lot of my childhood memories involve the storm cellar 😳.

 I can say since I have lived on my own I have only ever been scared/concerned 3 times that I can remember.  One was just from the look on Dennis's face after he walked in the house, the second when the tornado went over my old office building about 6 miles from my house, the last is the Father's Day storm last year.  We only took shelter the first time.  I think that last storm has reawakened some of the irrational part of the fear I had when I was a kid.   Of course radar wasn't near what it is now.  We have a commercial from one of our local weather gods that has him saying what time a tornado was going to hit an area that cuts to a family holding up a clock that showed the exact time the storm hit their home.  That and being older and having a better understanding and appreciation of storms has kept me calm.  Let me tell you that is not the case this year.  I am freaking out with just about every storm.  This last one we had felt like there was literal electricity in the air.  I ended up taking a valium to keep me from a panic spiral.  It ended up hitting 40ish miles outside of where I live. Close enough that we had to do the accountability check in robocall for work.  Our Chief's parent live there and his dad rode it out in the closet,  He is fine but the house is destroyed.  Just wow.  

I haven’t been doing much, I remember just how much I love teleworking though.  AP has been an ass hat as usual.  If I don’t respond almost immediately to her messages she will call me.  She was copied on some stuff I needed to update, which I did but she threw a fit that I didn’t send her a message letting her know it had been done.  She has way too much time on her hands.

Thursday I had my follow up with the surgeon.  My weight was about 101, which he was happy with.  He said I am still swollen and I told him I was still sore.  He said that the spot that hurt was where they took the band out and he expects it to be sore for awhile but it will hurt me before I can hurt it.  I would like to go to dance on Wednesday but I forgot to ask him about it.  I will probably wait another week.  He did say I could start eating real food but that I needed to  take it easy.  I stopped and got a burger for lunch and stopped at Costco to get grapes because those were the two things I had been craving.  

I had made plans for Mother’s Day with my mom and the mil and I got a call while I was shopping from Dennis saying his mom was going to call me.  Apparently his sister got off her ass and made plans for MD lunch and that offer looked better than the one we had.  It really hurt Dennis’s feelings but I pretty much expected it.  The worst part is that Friday was his birthday so it was kind of a MD/birthday thing but she didn’t give a fuck.  His family has a history of waiting until the last minute, or at least waiting to invite us or the parents for whatever occasion they are planning until a day or to before.  I didn’t expect any different this time.  I guess Dennis told his mom that since I had invited her and made the plans she needed to call me and cancel with me.  I have never heard her more uncomfortable. Again, I expected it especially since the great grandkid was born in March.  I even asked her when I invited her about it and she made sure to tell me that they hadn’t planned anything so she was looking forward to going. Dennis did get a text from his sister Friday saying that we are invited over for dessert after lunch. He sent her a message back saying that mil had accepted an invitation from me but had since changed her mind, which he had several thoughts about.  She noped out of that conversation quick.  Of course he is still working his ass off at his mom's house.  I don’t get it, that is what gets me.  When someone tells me I am their second choice I tend to reciprocate.  He said “there are some things I need to finish up” but whatever.  Instead of going to eat with us he went to her house and worked and she went to eat at his sister’s.  That made irked me at Dennis.  He told me later that he ate a can of soup for lunch.  I told him I didn't feel bad for him because that was his choice.

Friday was his birthday and he was all pissy.  We met with the contractor to sign the contract and give the deposit on the roof.  They aren’t going to be able to start until mid-June, but that is probably for the best because I probably don’t want to be working from home while they are doing it.  We are trying to figure out a plan of action for Bai but we have a few weeks to figure it out.  Plus it depends on weather and storms.  We did go eat at one of our favorite places, The Brook.  I got chicken fajita nachos and he got fish and chips.  They have the best fries and I swear those were the best nachos I have ever put in my face hole.  I got a half order and only ate about half of them, but I did inhale some of Dennis’s French fries.  I was pretty tired by the time I got home and fell asleep early.  I regret that now because they had predicted a chance to see the aurora.  I thought it would never happen but some of the rangers posted some amazing photos not far from me.  Oh well.  Still on the bucket list.

I told my mom I was going to skip going over on Saturday and go over after work on Wednesday instead.  I had a few things I needed to do that would have been a pita to drag her to.  I have to get some money moved around for the roof project, take my old ipad in to the Verizon store, and go to Target (they never have an electric cart charged).  They have the cutest dresses and with the sore spot on my stomach the little summer dresses they have are perfect and inexpensive.  Anything with a waistband just rubs and is uncomfortable.  My friend that does my nails lives across from SuperTarget and she just happened to call while I was there so I went by and saw her.  Her dog and cats were so happy to see me, lol.  

That brings me to today, Mother's Day.  We had 11:30 reservations at Ti Amos, our normal holiday spot.  They do sort of a buffet with a ton of variety and the food is always good.  It was just me, my mom, and my little sister.  I usually get a small plate and just a little bit of everything and go back and get more of the cream pasta and chicken piccata instead of dessert. Just as I sat down a waitress dropped a plate and I saw something splatter.  I didn't think much of it until I started to smell ketchup a few minutes later.  I moved my arm and realized the ketchup had splatter all over me.  Thankfully I didn't feel up to putting a lot of effort in so wore a Shein dress and a pair of Rothy's.  I have never been more happy with my decision not to wear my Fluevogs.  If I had gotten ketchup stain on a pair I would have not ben nearly as mild mannered about the incident.  No one said anything to us when the plate fell but I got up and asked a member of the waitstaff to get me a bunch of napkins.  I went to the bathroom and one or the waitresses followed me to try and help me get it all off.  When I tell you it was all over me, I mean it was all over me.  When we thought we found it all we would find more.  The manager came over and game me her card in case I couldn't get the stain out but I'm not really worried about it as cleaning would cost more than the dress.  It wiped off the shoes.  The smell was the worst and kind of killed my appetite.  My meal was comped but it was just an accident and our waiter didn't do it so I left more of a tip to make up for it.  The biggest issue was I had a few things I wanted to do on my way home.  There is an Old Navy close so I stopped in and got a little swing dress they had 50% off and ended up loving it so much I ordered another in a different color when I got home.  

Tomorrow Dennis has an appointment with the cardiologist to go over the latest results of his stress test.  His cardiologist team is supposed to be amazing but not the best at communication so he wants me to go with him.  Tuesday I have an appointment with the rheumatologist.  My left thumb has been clicking and popping really bad so I will be curious to see what he has to say.  I normally see the PA but this time I will be seeing the actual doctor.  Wednesday I am taking my mom to dinner, which might be something I start doing instead of going on the weekend and wasting an entire day.  Thursday I have my annual performance review virtually, curious to see how that turns out since I have a lot to say about AP.  

Till next time

 

I survived

 Surgery went about as expected.  

I was supposed to take off the day before to get my mom to the eye doctor for her shot but sharp guy messed all that up with the program the day before and I didn’t get out of the office until almost an hour late.  Obviously nothing got done that day.  I ended up working until about 11 from home and another hour after I got home.  As always, my mom had list of things she wanted me to do.  I reminded her that I still had work to do and get ready for the procedure so she begrudgingly let me head out.  Oddly enough when my little sister does anything she always makes a point to tell me that she had to make up the work.  Like, yup, that's kind of how that goes.  The doctor told her that her eye is doing much better and set up her next shot for 3 months.  While I was waiting for my mom, I got the call telling me my surgery would be at 10 and to be at the hospital at 8.  On my way home I got a call that one of my co-workers had sent me flowers and the florist had left them on the porch.  I obviously had to tell work I was having surgery but they have no idea what it is.  I find it is better to give just enough information to keep the vultures at bay but not to go into detail.  The more blanks you leave the more people like to fill them in.  I really didn't want a rumor starting that I was dying of guinea worm (shout out to my man JC).  

I was a little concerned that since surgery was at 10 it would be noon before I actually went back, but it went right on time.  It was supposed to take about an hour and Dennis said it was about 2 hours so that is probably right on schedule.  I don't think I was in recovery very long because I remember coming out of it and the nurses acting like the weren't expecting it but that could have just been a dream.   They informed me that I would not be going home and would have to stay the night.  I wasn't overly thrilled but I was really too sleepy to care too much.  Nurse assistance Betty was getting on my last nerve.  She told me I had to eat something and gave me the menu I could use to order from...broth, jello, popsicle.  I relented and called the kitchen who told me that they had me on nothing by mouth 😠  About that time Betty went off duty and I really wasn't hungry so I just slept.  I asked Betty before she left if I could change into my pjs and she said no I had to wear the gown.  She did give me a robe, which I got to keep as a lovely parting gift, part of the perks of going to the fancy hospital.  I was kind of glad I stayed when the nerve block wore off.  Laying back in bed was pretty painful.  Not long after Betty started her next shift the doctor had come in and told me I could eat pudding!!  The dietician was there and heard him say it so she went and got me some.  When I tell you Betty came back in and went ape shit seeing me eat the pudding.  The dietician was there and said I heard him tell her that!!  I don't think that women lets much get passed her.  I called Dennis and told him they were going to discharge me and I should be ready about noon.  He hadn't been there long when they showed up asking if I was ready for my wheelchair.  They didn't even give Dennis time to go get the car.  Easy peasy. 

Recovery has been fine.  I am still on soft food but I swear to all things holy my body is starting to bleed protein shakes and pudding.  It is going to be a long time before I eat pudding again after this.  My all time low was 87 pounds but when I weighed this morning it was 102.  Not sure how much of that is real and how much is inflammation.  I have probably been more cognizant about getting calories in for recovery so it might be real?  I don't feel like I look like my skin is melting anymore.  Now I just need not freak when the scale does start to move up.  My therapist and I are already exploring that.  

Obviously there hasn’t been much going on. Weather has been the El Niño to el Nina or vis versa that wrecks havoc with the atmosphere.  We are really close to flooding events.  Lots of parks closing.  Luckily we have only had some noisy storms, nothing serious.  I may wish I had bought a boat instead of a car.  I have had some. Extra time to plan the next NYC adventure.  HMF says she is really excited.  I bought the tickets to see the Outsiders but I think we are going to wait until we get there and try rush or TKTS and roll the dice.  Our hotel is close to Rockefeller Center so we will do top of the rock at one point.  I also want to see the Statue of Liberty cruise/ferry.  I am really not as worried about it as I was with my sister.  HMF and I have traveled together many times when we ran so it will be good.

Speaking of, my sister, Barbie had bought tickets for a fund raising event before the surgery date was set and I was feeling well enough to go, so Thursday I met her at the ‘Raise the Woof’ gala.  They had shredded chicken and brisket and I might have eaten a little bit.  We got drink tickets but I gave them to Barbie because I thought wine or Tito’s spiked lemonade might be a bit much.  I told her Barbie that I was going to have them make a lemonade and have the bartender run the glass of vodka under my nose so I could get the spike lemonade experience.  My sister is not one for moderation so she probably would have drank anyway.  My competitive side came out on the silent auction.   There was a session with an animal communicator and we decided I had to have that for Bailey.  No one had bid on it but for some reason that bitch Sarah outbid me.  The war was on.  I swear she tried to outbid me on everything and I took it personally.  I ended up with the session, a spa gift certificate (which I didn’t even want but that bitch Sarah bid on it so I had to) and a sweet little hand painted tile that no one bid on and I felt sorry for.  Barbie got a bike, lol.  

I’m not sure she really even wanted it but it was way underbid.  It’s some fold up commuter bike that’s big in Japan.  As much as she swears she really didn’t want it she sure looks proud.  Luckily her husband was coming to pick her up so he was able to help her get it home as I am helpless.  It was a fun night and it gave me a chance to get out of the house after a week of house arrest.  I didn’t get many pictures as I spent a lot of the time there sitting on the little couch they had in the back.  That and showing that bitch Sarah what happens when you fafo.

That was pretty much the highlight of the week.  

On my way back from DC my iPad was doing funky things so I called my Verizon friend.  My iPad was pretty old and had very limited storage so he upgraded me to a 10 and I spent the weekend playing with it and setting it up.  I have to wipe the old one and run it back to the store so I can get the trade in credit even though it is barely functioning.  Even trying to transfer the stuff it kept scrolling through the app icons so t was in a doom scroll.  I hope I can get it to a point where I can at least see if there is anything I want to keep.  I don’t use it much when I am home but I do use it when I travel.  

I go back to the doctor on Thursday and I hope he clears me to eat like a normal person because we have plans to take the moms out for Mother’s Day lunch.  I am desperate for something to chew!!