Potpourri

This past week was significant in many ways.  I welcomed most, was saddened by some, celebrated a few, was made more than a little uncomfortable by one, and said goodbye to yet another.  I laughed, I sweated, I relaxed some and I cried a little.  I'll leave it up to the reader to decide what emotion went with what event. 

So I don't forget any, (yeah, like that's going to happen) I am going to list them in the order they happened during the week.

Monday was uneventful and relaxing.  I BBQ'd steaks for Jeri and I (and the girls of course).  Later that evening the girls and I piled up on the couch and watched some a couple of movies, retiring early.

Tuesday was the New Year's promise I kept to myself about getting caught up on doctor and dentist appointments.  I had an MRI and a Mammogram, an entire profile of blood work, my teeth cleaned and a 20 year old filling replaced.  What a day!  I was running from one office to another all day it seemed, but got everything done.  It felt good although I must admit that I was a bit apprehensive about the outcome of some of the bloodwork and the MRI.  Friday morning the doctor's office called and said the blood work came back with flying colors!  My cholesteral isn't high at all, and everything else from sugars to potassium is great.  Also, my prolactin level (another way they test for the growth of the pituitary tumor) was 100 points lower than in 1998.  The MRI substantiated the  blood work and reflected that the tumor had not grown.  Generally these tumors are benign and very slow growing.  Many stop growing after a while like mine has.  Autopsies indicate that 25% of the people have such a tumor, but never know it.  I found out I had one because I stopped having a period when I was in my mid 20's.  Saturday's mail brough news that the mammogram came back negative. It was all welcomed news.

Wednesday I ran the mini-van out to the mechanic's shop to have the passenger side door handle replaced.  While I was there Steve called and said that he and Danelle were having to put there beloved cat tosleep because it had cancer.  He and Danelle were both very upset.  Later, I stopped by a a couple thrift shops and went to dinner with Jeri. 

Thursday morning I dropped my car off at the mechanic's to have the oil pan gasket and a worn belt replaced.  I also had the driver's side window fixed because I wasn't able to roll it down all the way.  Steve came over around noon and we spent most of the afternoon trimming the hedge that runs in front of my house.  He always does such a good job, although this year the hedge isn't as pretty because the ice storm last winter played a nasty little number on it in a couple of spots.

Friday I ran a few errands and picked up one of Madison's gifts.  I barely got them all wrapped before the party!  I was very apprehensive about the party because Steve's dad was probably going to be there.  And he was.  I really didn't want him to see me with this extra weight that I've been carrying around, but it was that or miss the party and this was Madison's day and not all about me.  (Oh let's be real here a minute!  Privately it was all about me!  It was!  I admit it!  Damn, why do I have to be so vain?  Better yet, why couldn't I have kept that nice slim figure I used to have?  I would love to have waltzed in there looking like I was still in my 20's or even 30's, but for God's sake who am I trying to fool?  ha!  It was humbling, uncomfortable and I guess even a bit refreshing because he didn't look like any spring chicken either!  He was still slim, but his face had seen better days.  But then again, I wasn't slim any longer and my face had seen better days too......oh, my self esteem did several nose dives that afternoon and I am only now recovering.  Funny thing I noticed though, he did pay particular attention to me-later I reasoned with myself that he was probably using that time, stalling if you will, and really giving me a once over.  In fact, he stood next to me nearly the entire time!  He could have gone and sat somewhere else, but instead he stood near me instead of sitting on the sofa or in a chair.  He also made it a point to say what a goodjob I'd done with Steve and how he wished he'd have done things differently and spent more time with him when he was younger.  Oh, more about this later.  I have a lot to say about this one.)

Saturday I worked in the front yard with Kevin's help and got it completely weeded, edged and barkdusted.  We also got my pink dogwood tree planted!  I worked  in my yard from 9am until 7:30pm that night.  I was throughly exhausted and slept fitfully because I was overly tired.

At some point between Saturday and Sunday I was saddened by the news that Presdent Reagan had passed away.  Thank God he is out of his misery and his loving family can finally move on.  What a devastating illness!  It doesn't affect just the person afflicted, but the whole family suffers the long agonizing death too.  God Bless Nancy for sticking by him all these years.  It couldn't have been easy.  She bears the true spirit of a Saint. 

Sunday I was so sore I could hardly walk!  I took a couple Tylenol and got my housework done and headed for the Mall for a baby shower gift for my niece, Stacie.  Her shower was at 1pm.  We had a great time and I finally left at 5pm with Madison!  I'd asked Danelle to pack her a bag so she could spend the afternoon with Grammy.  We had so much fun!

I'm sure I'm missing some stuff.  If I think of anything else I'll update later.

It's back to work this week for me and I am kind of glad.  It's not as hard on me,  you know?