Happy, Home Again.

I was in Burbank for 10 days. That's a long time. While I didn't get much done, I still did a lot of stuff. To prove it, I have parking passes for Dodger Stadium, Disney, Angel's Stadium and the Long Beach Aquarium in my car. Next time I see you, they will still be in my car, so feel free to ask to see the proof.

There was plenty of stuff I didn't get to do. Like see my friends more... I mean I saw them, but not like I do when I'm only in town for a couple of days. It was like I had too much time so I had no sense of urgency. Weird. Anyway, now that I'm back I wish I would've seen more of them.

I did see this cutie a couple times:

Boy is she adorable.

BTW, this guy is pretty adorable too:

He got us great tickets for the game on Tuesday... And he got me the coolest present for my birthday! It's a purse that you changes its shell. So you can always have a different look. YAY!

Here's Cedric at the Dodgers & Angels exhibition game. That was fun, I got to hang out with my cousin... even though the Angels lost...And I saw my cousin again when we went to the Long Beach Aquarium on Friday... we took her nieces so spending time with them was cool too. Then, just to make sure I didn't miss out on the true LA experience, I drove through rush hour (ahem AT 2PM!!!) traffic on the 710, 5 and 101 freeways. Wheee!!

I also went to a choir competition at my old high school and saw some people I hadn't seen in a decade or so. I'm sure I did other things...

At any rate, I'm glad to be home and now I'm going to try to get back into a yoga and hiking routine... Yesterday was my first day back at work and it was a doozy. Easter apparently equals coffee time in this brave new world. We were BUSY!

Ok off to work...

Things and Stuff

Gabe has suffered a relapse with his back pain. It's a full-on relapse: he can't get comfortable, no standing or sitting for long, ice packs and ibuprofen, no driving or having any fun of any kind. He basically has to lay there and suffer. It's really frustrating for both of us, although at least I can walk around the house and grab a coke if I'm thirsty.

I don't want him to have surgery if he can help it, but he just went downhill so quickly. He was fine Tuesday and then BAM! on Wednesday he was hurt. The next day he was completely immobile. So, while it makes me nervous and I have various concerns, I am more open to the idea of him having something radical done to alleviate the pain.

On a much funner note, I tried a new class yesterday. It's called Yoga Flirt, which is code for pole dancing with a yoga twist. My legs hurt. But it was so much fun. A great workout, women only and talking out and laughing is encouraged. I'm also hoping that there will be an opportunity to meet some other women who might not be quite as... straight-laced as most of the women (with some shiny, happy exceptions) I've met up here so far.


One of those shiny, happy exceptions is my old/new friend Bethany. She's really cool and interesting, we had coffee last night and I had to force myself to go home! We went on a hike this week, with Lucas. He slowed us down a lot, and it was awesome. I heard birds and saw things I'd never paid attention to on that trail. Here's a picture of Bethany and Lucas, flying.

School Daze

I haven't been putting up posts because the most exciting stuff in my life happens to me on Facebook. I'm only joking a little!

That might be all about to change though, if I do end up going back to school. Meeting new people (with like interests, YAY) and homework and hopefully singing too! I was just talking about how I made a choice to not go to school because I didn't like it. It's kind of embarrassing, really. BUT! To me there's a whole facet of college I never considered that doesn't involve taking classes that you don't want to take for a degree. I just want to go and get a certificate, learn how to do what I want and then move on! Well that's how I feel now. At this point I wouldn't be surprised if you told me I was soon going to be studying for my Ph.D.

What I've become interested in over the past year or so is interior design. I absolutely devour the shows on HGTV and am so fascinated by the transformations. I would like it if that was something I could do. So I'm going to try to do it, and we'll see what comes of it.

I'm a little apprehensive about transcripts, paperwork, registration, being able to get the classes I want, etc. But I just have to take it one thing at a time, so if I can remember that I'm cool. I actually have fun filling out forms, if you can believe it! The thing is not to talk myself out of it before I even start.

Back From Burbank

Honey, I'm home! That's right, back from Burbank and happy as always to return to the land of peace and greenery. I couldn't actually stay as long as I planned! I wanted to come home too badly so I left late Thursday night.

I went to Disneyland by myself, since Kate, Giddy and Bliss all have jobs and things. It was really nice and relaxing but not as much fun as when I go with a friend. I did get to go on Tower of Terror twice, which I wouldn't subject any one else to!The Peter Pan ride was magical as always and It's a Small World has gotten a fair amount of spit and polish and is all shiny and new again.



While I was down in the LA area I got to see only some of my good friends! A couple were just too busy this time around. But I got to see my childhood friend and give her a birthday hug and a little present. We've known each other 23 years now! Zoinks!!



Gabe is doing MUCH better which is great! I have my husband back, and he has his freedom back. It's fab. The acupuncture really was the magic we had been looking for. He's still going to see an orthopedic surgeon on Monday, just to be on the safe side.



I met up with an old high school friend and her 2 year old today, they just happen to live down the street from me here on the Central Coast... how bizarre! She's not some one I was super tight with in school, we were in choir together but she was a year older and I was pretty much a hag to every one anyway. But she remembered me when I sent her a message on Facebook, and was way into meeting up! So it's nice to think MAYBE I might have another local friend to add to my teeny tiny list. She also does yoga and still loves to sing, so we have some common interests. She is in a choir at Poly so I'm going to go check them out tonight. YAY!

Holding Steady

My mom left on Monday morning, it was nice to have her here. All she did was cook! I thought I must've gained 5 pounds in a week. But no, I can't blame her for my current state. That is all my fault. Part of it is not being in LA and having to look at starlet wannabes everywhere I go. People around here are all kinds of body types. I'm even starting to snap out of the idea that in order to be beautiful you've got to be a size 2 or smaller. Still, I don't want to keep extra weight on, and I definitely have been gaining slowly over the last year. About 15 pounds of slowly!

I've been doing about 3 yoga classes a week and I have to say I love it. The instructor works us very hard, so it's a great workout and yet also very calming. I have a bunch of free time on my hands, and it's better to take care of myself than to sit on the couch and eat bonbons. I'm not sure I can say that I'm totally bored yet, but I am out of the habit of hanging out with people. Which in one way is good, I don't feel lonely like I did when I first got here. Don't get me wrong I'm still annoyed with the fact that I have a total of 2 and a half friends up here, but I've gotten used to a certain amount of time just for me. What I do with that time is the important thing. I've got to try to be somewhat useful!

Gabe's feeling better so that's a nice change. He's back to his normal witty self, and we're getting to hang out a little more. Valentine's Day was nice and mellow, low-key. The acupuncture really helped him! Now he's been referred to a surgeon after his MRI results came through. I'm not worried though- if he has to have surgery to be better, I want him to have it.

Ok, off I go to work again!

Let It Snow.... a Little

It was pouring when I woke up this morning... And then! SNOW! For real, outside of my house. Where I live all the time! I was tripping out. So was my neighbor, out in her driveway looking kind of stunned.I got a little snow on my coat while I was out taking this picture.
I'm so proud of myself for having braved the elements. I guess I'm not as much of a wuss as I used to be... but my thermostat in the house says it's 70 degrees in here and I'm FREEZING.

Speed Review 2008

No, this is not a critique of the year's methamphetamines! This is an idea I picked up from Mary. I guess you're supposed to do it in January but whatev. What one does is take the first sentence from the first blog post of every month of the last year and then see what you get... I found Mary's quite interesting although I'd probably read her interpretation of the dictionary with some awed respect. I had quite a year! And all over the place, as usual...

We made it, just ahead of a massive rainstorm. I might be lying but... I don't think I've ever been away from Burbank for an entire month. I liked doing this cross stitch because it required effort and concentration, mixed with some pretty immediate gratification. Well, I didn't get the job. Checking in with Cedric... my husband's waiting in our convertible. Yesterday was my first day as an employee at Starbucks. My mom is here so I have been busy! I know I've been a little whiny one-note lately, but I'm being proactive. I was down in Burbank the past 3 days and as usual, I stayed pretty busy. It hasn't exactly been happy times in my head lately, although everything is exactly the same on the outside. Monday's party went great! Getting more and more excited for Christmas, although I am trying to soak it all in.

I am tagging all you bloggers that read my blog. All 3 of you! I check your blogs like every day, breathlessly waiting for new information...

Meet Mustard

I went on a hike today and met a slug. But not just any slug... Ladies and gentlemen! Meet the amazing Mr. Mustard!!

I put my sunglasses down to give a sense of perspective of how freakin' humongous the animal was. And such a lovely shade of , er, mustard. Nature really knows her stuff, huh?
I also liked this tree, and the sky behind it. I wasn't quick enough to snap a pick of the huge hawk flying by behind it. But there's hawks all over the place up here.
Gabe had his first acupuncture appointment and thinks he might feel a little better. We're going again on Thursday. I'm trying not to get my hopes up, but maybe this is a good thing.

My mom is supposed to come up on Saturday, I am happy to say. She hates the drive but I think it will be nice for Joe to have some company. And for me!

A (Not-so) Happy Times Update

It's not that my happiness solely depends on my husband. But obviously, he plays a big part of my life, and the home that we're in together gets its vibe from how we are feeling. I guess I haven't been much into posting because there's not a lot of great news, or because there's no news at all.

I don't mean that it's all a bummer, Gabe and I are still managing to smile and laugh. But not as much as I'm used to! So of course it's a little depressing. He still is in a lot of pain. He's still laying down all day, every day. He's still a little on edge, and although he's not directly taking it out on me, I feel bad that he's so frustrated.

He keeps telling me I'm in charge of morale, which is a good thing! I am typically very upbeat about things. Mostly at this point, I'm frustrated at the lack of progress and I feel totally powerless over the situation. So keeping my morale high can be a little taxing. This sucks way more than I want it to!

And I'm not looking for sympathy, I just thought my 2 readers might be wondering why I'm not saying much lately. All things considered, my life still is blessed and awesome. I just miss my husband! I love it that I'm in such a position to have such a great spouse, that I'm so lucky that usually he'll do anything to get a laugh out of me. This has been a good experience as far as showing me what an awesome dude Gabe is. But OKAY I learned my lesson, can I have him back now please?

As for me, at least I'm still able to get out and do things. Honestly, Gabe wants me to get out of the house and have some fun. He's also probably happy to have me stop hovering!

I've taken up yoga again, YAY! And I've been hiking a bit and on Monday we started watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer from Episode One... then we watched 2 more. I love that show and it's just so awesome to share it with people who are total BTVS virgins. They don't even know who/what Angel is yet. I love it.

Anyways, that's what's happening in my world lately. We're going to acupuncture on Monday, I'm sure that will help. It helped me when nothing else did. Everyone cross your fingers!

What a Day!

I was in the ER at midnight for my poor hubby and that is how my day began...

I had to work at 5...

Then I went hiking at Bishop's Peak...

Then I took a shower and a nap...

Went to a meeting, somehow didn't fall asleep during the meditation...

Over to a friend's house for a little girl talk...

Home again to make dinner and get ready for bed...

It's not as boring as I made it sound. I just don't have much energy left for creative writing, maybe some other time.

But here, I can show you some pictures. I took the lovely and gentle Kate to Disneyland on Wednesday. So here's some pics from there:
I hope you sleep as well as I plan to tonight!

Conniption

I didn't cut all my hair off... just the bangs. So here's what it looks like:


Yesterday, I had a conniption. It was my first one in a long time and I really wanted to not be having it, but I didn't seem to have any choice in the matter. It had to do with my request for certain days off being completely overlooked and I was SUPER. PISSED. OFF.

Don't they know who I am?!

But I quickly got into action and got it all taken care of. Barring any setbacks with Gabe's situation, I believe I am finally going to Disneyland next week. Even if I have to go myself, which hopefully I don't!

I wish I could've gotten over it that fast. I got so overwrought that I had an emotional hangover for hours! I couldn't shake the anger that I felt. I went on a five mile hike and that finally made me feel better. Then I went to a meeting later which usually does good things to the mood of an alcoholic like myself.

So it's all good. And I really need to work on how I react when I don't get my way.

Quick Pictorial Update

I got bangs: And took a lovely walk with a good friend:

In the very middle of the above picture is Morro Rock. This is such a limited view of what it looks like from up there (top of the Cuesta Pass, east trail). The views are 180 degrees panoramic.

And Here I Am...

... feeling sorry for myself.

Yesterday I was supposed to get a haircut, right? Well, that didn't happen (poor me, right?) because I ended up having to go into the mattress store to cover for my husband's business partner. Who got the nerve to have kidney stones. Supposedly kidney stones are supposed to be worse than childbirth on the pain scale. I forgive, I guess.

So, yeah I didn't get a haircut. But at least I can still walk upright, unlike some people I know. Plus, all I had to do was reschedule, which gives me more time to ponder the change(s) I'm going to make on my hair!

Two people I know are down for the count and I'm still worried about myself. Does the selfishness ever fade?

Once again to the happy side of life, I made two sales today at the mattress store! Woo-hoo! It makes me feel good to contribute to the business.

Plus I have met another LA transplant that seems to be pretty cool. I went to her house yesterday and hung out with her and another lady and they were both nice, but Cristel (the transplant) seems to be just about my speed which is awesome.

So there is some good news to be had, as usual. I would do well to remember that. I guess we all would...

Fizzle

Things did not go as planned for me, which as you may well know I don't handle gracefully. It's not that big of a deal really, and I was happy that I decided to stay home with Gabe. He was in so much pain and pretty much out of commission, unable to walk or stand for any length of time.

I take my mobility for granted I guess. I never thought of the effort required just to stand upright and make myself a plate of food or grab a Diet Coke. To be honest, I go nuts when I'm bedridden. Gabe is much more suited to it than I apparently. He's been laid up pretty much since Christmas and can still manage not to snap at me just because I can walk and he can't. If the tables were turned, I'm not sure I could say the same.

So my trip to LA was cancelled. Disneyland must wait a few more weeks. I'm hoping (again) to go down fairly soon, the 20th or so. I can't say I wasn't disappointed, but I feel I made the right choice to stay and take care of my husband. I couldn't just abandon him there in that bed!

He's on the mend (we think, we hope) finally and seems to be getting around a little better. He's not going to push it, he says, and I believe him because he's pushed it before and ended up worse for it.

I am better too, this whole situation was just getting to me and I was irritated. But he dragged the truth out of me and I feel much lighter. I got my toes done Tuesday (finally, OMG) and am getting a haircut today. I'm not going short, this time.

Ach! I have to go to work now!

Busy Bee

I haven't even had time to post due to being completely busy. I have been working a LOT. I was originally scheduled for a little over 20 hours and then my boss asked me if she could add hours on for me to train some one. I said yes, and that probably put me over thirty hours, although I am a little afraid to count.

So I have been working more than normal, and it's a little more stressful than normal. Due to the fact that I'm training one (sometimes 2!) people and a change-over in the management, it's been a little rough. I have the next three days off which I am grateful for, and Gabe gave me yesterday off from the mattress store.

On top of that: holidays and people visiting. My mother finally showed up on Thursday night, with my godfather in tow. So that was a nice surprise! We went to Solvang and Chumash Casino yesterday.

During this whole week, Gabe has been out of commission because his back is all jacked up! He does a lot around the house, and so I've been trying to keep up a little bit with that too. I'm not doing a very good job, but I've also tried to keep him comfortable and happy. Anyways, enough complaining. Poor, poor me. OVER IT!!!

On a much happier note, I am taking these days I have off to go to Disneyland, finally! I get to hang out at the Park with my lovely friend Kate and even have coffee with some gals tomorrow afternoon. YAY!

We're having some people over tonight for a game night and I'm so tired but I'm looking forward to it! YAY!

Then I'm getting in the hot tub! YAY!