Baby Got BACK

On Wednesday, I had an L4-5 microlaminotomy and diskectomy. They removed the piece of disc that has been pressing on my nerve for many years. In other words, OUCHIE.

But...here it is Saturday and I have a huge bandage on my back but the nerve pain is gone as is the crampiness and numbness that I was feeling in my legs for a couple of days after the surgery. I'm doped up and watching bad tv and reading good books

I'm stuck at home...which is fine as it was just hailing 5 minutes ago...

It snowed a little bit yesterday.

I am getting the staples out of my back on Thursday and then I'll start physical therapy in 6 weeks for the herniated disc.

Thanks for your well wishes, calls and cards. It really means the world to me.

xo

Almost Spring

What is there to do in Junction City the weekend before the first day of Spring?

You wait for the slightest break in the clouds...

And head for the Daffodil Festival, of course!

On the drive there, you marvel at the sights...

Maybe one of these will be part of your life in December?

Tromping through mud is so worth it (even if your husband thinks you don't know how to drive in mud (hmph!)....

You learn the difference between sheep,

Alpacas,

and Llamas.

Buy your kettle korn for the ride home and your cinnamon rolls for tomorrow morning and take a bundle of spring home with you...

Happy Almost Spring!!

Dream Come True

Shhhh....my little secret for wanting to work from home....

This little sweetie sleeping under my desk. :)

(not to mention working in pjs and socks).

Happy Birthday to Me....

December, 1969

39 years old today. I can't believe it. 39?!?!?

I was going to make a list of things I will accomplish this year ~ as in GOALS. A big list of "to do" before I turn 40. My mind started churning and then I got really tired. It made me feel broken ~ as in a "here's a big list of what needs to be fixed about me".

So instead, I took a bath with some Lush "The Comforter" bubble bar and I am choosing "being" instead of "doing".

My #1 (and only) goal for my 40th year is to be happy.

Happy Birthday, indeed. :)

2007, photo by dancing mermaid

Happiness is a conscious choice, not an automatic response.

~Mildred Barthel

Making Friends in Oregon

Malcolm and I went to a surprise birthday party today for Earl. We met Earl and his wonderful wife Rebecca through MeetInEugene.

The theme for the party was to recreate a local ice cream shop that Earl had always wanted to go to and had since closed down (I heard at the party that it was a Farrell's at one time ~ some of my So Cal homies are already smiling about their Farrell's memories).

We were to dress in costumes that were "nostalgic over-the-top kids' party, such as magicians, clowns (non-scary, please), cowboys, ponies, pirates, ninjas, whatever." So...I went as a cowgirl and Malcolm was a pilot for UPS.





(too bad you can't see my pink cowgirl boots).










We partied with a hippie, a zookeeper, a fortune teller and a rodeo clown.













We ate pizza and ring pops and candy necklaces and pixie sticks.

And then we had some out of this world ice cream cake made by Rebecca who is a renowned pastry chef in Eugene.

Earl the birthday boy making a wish.

We didn't get to stay too long because I'm trying to manage some back pain but we had a blast and can't wait to spend more time with our new friends ~ but maybe not eat so much sugar next time! :)

One more peek at the cowgirl cutie...;)

Somebody Loved

Rain turns the sand into mud

Wind turns the trees into bone

Stars turning high up above

You turn me into somebody loved

~The Weepies

I don't know what I would do
without this man.
And because of this man,
I'll never have to find out
what I would do
without this man.

Oh Hail No!

Our backyard, Saturday, March 1st.

*

And we thought spring was just around the corner. :)