Okay who stole the weekend? Here it is Sunday evening, and I’m like…there was a weekend?

Heads up: I have a serious question at the end of this blog. You can skip to that if you don’t want to hear the details of my weekend.

Friday, we had my final pre-op appointment, and all my tests are good so we’re ready to go. While discussing concerns, I brought up my reaction to General Anesthesia which is nausea. Wizard jumped in with, “She’s not overselling it, she gets sick. Really sick. And it doesn’t stop.” Umm…thanks for the help, Wizard??? LOLOL! But he’s not lying, and the doctor doesn’t want me sick (he said retching, UGH!), since we want the bones to fuse. So we talked about ways to minimize that, and we’re all set for Oct 30th. I’ll find out my time of the surgery the day before. Later that day, Wizard and I got our flu shots, then he began the “chase” for his phone. The new phone showed up–and it’s the wrong one. We don’t know if it’s an honest mistake or they are playing games. We’ll see, but I’m less happy about the customer service right now.

Saturday, I went to see BIL in the hospital, then he threw my sister out so we could go to lunch. He wanted her to have a break from the hospital, which is a good sign that’s he’s feeling well enough to worry about her. He’s going to be up and down now as he recovers, but he’s a fighter and determined to recover. By the way, my sister is handling all this like a rock star.

Sunday, I planned to have the day to catch up on some stuff and maybe write, but my day got better! Youngest called and invited me to go look at the wedding venue that his fiance is excited about. We went and looked, and they signed the contracts! I’m so happy about this, it’s for November 2019 so there’s lots of time for me to recover and still be a part of planning. Vet Tech Fiance and her mom are both made of Awesomeness and are making efforts to include me in the planning. I don’t have daughters, so this is pure fun for me! Our last son marrying Wizard is just as thrilled as I am.

And now my question: Do you think people would be interested to hear about my surgery journey? I can do video updates, but my videos will be amateur ones. Some will be me on pain pills   They will definitely be all me–not feeling well, wearing a cervical collar, no make-up and natural weird hair. Or should I just keep it light with just blogs and posts when I can? Obviously, I’m not going to worry about it if I don’t feel well enough to talk on video. I’m still thinking about this and would love any input you have.

Okay that’s my weekend-plus-question. Now I want to hear how your weekend was!

Well hello there, Friday, how are you? So nice to see you again even though it feels like it’s only been ten minutes since we last saw you Okay, it’s time to list 5 things about our week. Here are mine:

1. My Brother In Law wins the Mega-Tough Award! He had open heart surgery and while he’s in pain, he’s getting up, sitting in a chair and walking a few steps at a time. That’s pretty danged impressive! My sister, Biker Witch, is doing well. I worry about her because that’s what sisters do, but she’s been handling all this like a champ.
2. Maggie is mad at me right now because I won’t move the trash cans fifty million times. She’s convinced there’s a lizard under there, which there was, but he escaped to a safer spot an hour ago. Maggie refuses to believe it.
3. I bought new Sketcher sneakers at Target. I think I can wear them for everyday stuff, not for hiking though (I use my old, dirty but reliable, Reeboks.) Finding shoes I can actually wear has been a battle for years. I’ve wasted so much money on shoes, and I hate that. Every time I find a pair I can wear, I want to celebrate!
4. Wizard’s new phone is doing this quirky disappearing act with keyboard screen. He took it into the cellphone store once and they reset it for him. It still did it, so he went back again, and they ordered him a new one. It’ll be here in a day or two, and I’m happy with that response. I did try to get him to upgrade to the same phone that I have, but he refused. He really likes his phone, except for that one weird issues. If the new one works as it should, he’ll be satisfied.
5. Today I have my last pre-op, and this one is with my surgeon. He will go over my pre-op tests, and make sure everything is set for surgery. After that…I can still run Okay I’m mostly kidding. I’m focusing on a positive outcome and getting back to the job I love!

That’s my five, now it’s your turn to share five things about your week.

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

My BIL is doing as well as can be expected so far, and that’s very good news. I wish he didn’t have to go through this, but ultimately, it’ll make his life better.

Now onto Wednesday Worthy. Every now and again, I’m feeling generous and let them keep their shirt on

So what do you think, is he worthy?

First on the agenda, my brother-in-law is having major surgery today, so please keep him in your thoughts. I plan to spend most of the day at the hospital, or doing whatever is needed. Wizard is splitting his time between Maggie and the hospital so I don’t have to worry about her, that’s a huge help.

Now for the weekend. Friday, Maggie had her follow-up shots, and no reaction. Yay! They had me pre-treat her with a half a Benadryl and that seemed to do the trick. Later that day, Wizard and I went to see A STAR IS BORN. I loved it! I saw some brilliance in that movie. They only told the parts onscreen that the audience needed to see. I loved Bradley Cooper’s performance, but it was Lady Gaga who surprised me with her ability to capture the character she played. There were so many character layers they showed through action but didn’t beat the audience over the head with it…I loved just loved the movie. Wizard really liked it too.

Saturday, various things were going on, then I met a friend for lunch. This is a fan I met online years ago, then met in person at a conference, and we just kept in touch. Anyway this friend wanted to donate to my daughter in law’s Homeless Christmas Gift Bags that she does most years. So we met for lunch and I picked up her donation. Holy Generosity!!! Her donation filled my huge trunk and part of my backseat! Full-sized bars of soap, toothpaste, cup of noodles, canned ravioli, it’s amazing! I didn’t ask her if she wanted to be identified, so I’m not revealing who it is, but WOW!!! Both myself, and my daughter in law, are so appreciative. I was so touched, and it was a great a reminder of how many special, wonderful people there are in the world. If anyone else would like to donate, here is the GoFundMe Link I usually give her cash directly to save fees.

Sunday, I repacked the donated items into boxes to store them, and to make it easier for my son to pick them up later. I have more room to store them than they do right now. I also worked on my new phone, there’s a lot to learn but it’s a lot easier than I expected. I will have it where I want it by the time I have surgery. I already have my audiobooks on there

I want so much to finish Savaged Devotion and the Wing Slayers. I remind myself daily (hourly if I have time, LOL) that the surgery is soon, and once I’m recovered enough to work, there’ll be no stopping me!

That was my weekend. How was yours?

How can it be Friday??? Well to be fair, we didn’t get home from San Diego until Monday afternoon, so we sort of lost a day So I’ll accept that it’s Friday, and time to share five random things around our week. Here’s mine:

1. When Wizard and I got home Monday and got out of the car, guess who was here to greet us??? THE SNAKE!!! HE CAME BACK! We got everything in the house, and Wizard chased him into the street, and then we lost him again. We figured he had of made his way back to the front hill but weren’t sure where.
2. Two days later, I took Maggie out with me to get the mail, and jokingly told her to “Your job is to find that snake.” Honest to God, she found him! He’d slithered to the trunk of a plant, curled around it and died (probably from a car, but we’re not sure). Wizard and I had looked for that snake and couldn’t find him. It took Maggie less than two minutes, LOL! I know it was coincidence, but it was freaky.
3. Wednesday I did all my pre-op tests. Luckily the doctor visit, blood work and x-ray were all in the same building, so I got it all finished in a couple hours.  Then Wizard and I bought our new phones. Now my kids, sister and the rest of the universe can stop teasing us for  while
4. How many coyotes does it take to make a pack? I saw four yesterday morning when Maggie and I were walking. I spotted them, and they saw us too. I put Maggie in a stop/sit (it’s a quick command that drops her wherever she is) and I stopped, staying still. All four coyotes headed back up into the hills to where the wild life preservation was before the fire. Once they were far enough away for me to feel safe, I moved to the trail the farthest away from them and headed to the street. We were fortunate. I know they’re hungry and hunting, but they aren’t desperate enough to attack a full grown human with a dog. Maggie was really good, doing exactly what I told her too. She doesn’t always do that, but I’m assuming she sensed either my caution or the danger of the coyotes.
5. Thursday, we went to see Baby Slayer. He’s cute as ever! We always have fun with him! Plus Special K helped Wizard with his new phone. Umm…Wizard doesn’t adapt well to change

That’s my five. Today, Maggie goes to the vet for the remainder of her shots. Keep your fingers crossed for her, we believe she had a reaction to her rabies shot almost two weeks ago. Because Maggie’s Vet Tech is also my future daughter in law, she’s already talked to the vet about Maggie’s reaction to the rabies shot last time, and they advised me how to pre-treat her to, hopefully, lessen any reaction. Either way, these shots are important, so we’re going to do it and get her through it.

Now it’s your turn to share your Friday 5! I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Yesterday, I went to a specialist to get a cervical collar fitted, and brought the contraption home with me. This surgery is getting a little too real. It’s just three weeks away now. I know I have to do it. The good news is that I was able to celebrate my son’s wedding! Once the official pictures were done, I put on my flat sandals, and by the end of the evening, I kicked those off to dance on the sand without causing myself any more harm, so yay! I’m pretty sure that love and sheer will fueled by joyful adrenaline made it possible.

Wizard and I are still beaming from our happiness for our son and his bride.

And now it’s time to evaluate another Wednesday Worthy candidate, and today I’m feeling the cowboy vibe   He’s a little too polished for me, but I like the beard scruff and rolled up sleeves of his shirt.

But the real question is–what do you think?

I’m late posting this! We were gone for the weekend, but I’m home now, and my son and daughter-in-law’s wedding came off beautifully! Here’s a picture of the bride and groom at the reception:

And this one when they were introduced at the reception. I love this one because she’s laughing in joy, and my son is looking at her with such love and happiness. This captures them as they truly are.

And here I am with my son before the wedding:

One of my favorite moments was an hour before the ceremony, and I asked him, “Are you nervous?” He smiled at me, and said, “Nope. Nothing to be nervous about when you’re marrying the right woman.” I love my boys! That’s what his older brother said when he married, and it’s what his younger brother will say when he marries next year. They know what love and marriage is, even in the turbulent and sometimes shallow times we live in.

And typically, I had one minor glitch. The stylist who was supposed to do my hair didn’t show up, but another stylist graciously worked me into my schedule put up my hair so I didn’t have to deal with a frizzstorm. She determinedly pinned, sprayed and spelled it into submission. It was such a different look for me, that easily a half-dozen people, including my youngest son, did a double take when they saw me, LOL. But I was happy with it. Seriously, my hair’s only shoulder length, but OMG, it could be a horror film called FRIZZ ON THE BEACH if left unchallenged.

This was one of the best weekends of our lives–we got to see one of our biggest dreams for our son realized when he exchanged vows with the woman who is his Happily Ever After.