In My Own Words

On Friday, I left my quiet, dark home with excitement as I anticipated the adventure ahead of me. My garage door closed and I rolled down my window to feel the brisk morning air. It was pleasant and I let the wind blow through my hair.

Traffic was minimal and I cruised along I-15 listening to my iPod through my stereo sound system. The music blared and I sang out like I'd made it. Mostly because no one could tell me when I was off key. As I cruised alone on the highway I wondered what would I see, experience, and feel for the next few days.

I arrived at the airport 2 hours before my flight time. I had lots of time to sit and read, reflect, and read some more. Finally I got to board the plane and then I was in the air. I turned on my Feng Shui music on my other (old) iPod and fell asleep. When I awoke, I witnessed this beauty.
This is cloud 9. Up close and personal. My cloud 9. Me. Alone. On a plane. No kids. No hubby (not that I couldn't have been on cloud nine with him next to me- oh wait, that would be cloud 10!) Getting ready to meet 14 other amazing women, who are mom's, sisters, and bloggers.

As we broke through cloud 9 and prepared to land I snapped this. . . my first view of Oregon.
This was my greeting at the airport. . .

where NCS came and joined with us as soon as she could and we chatted a bit, then headed out to find her van so Nobody could return her rental car.

We spotted it right away and oooohed and aaaawwwwed over the fabulousness that is this

After the much anticipated arrival of Annie, Carronin, Tori:), Yvonne, and Suzanne we headed out to lunch.

We ate at the acclaimed Burgerville. The manger was funny. He didn't know what a blog was and he asked if it was a conference and if we'd be back. Nope. Not that weekend.


Then headed to Cannon Beach. Our accommodations were cozy and came with our own private beach access. We didn't want for anything except toilet paper towards the end. We shared and all was ok.

We played games, answered Annie's very good questions that got us thinking and connecting, and we ate. We ate delicious waffles with scrumptious syrup. We ate at Moe's; where I had the best fish sandwich I've ever eaten. We ate fabulous teriyaki chicken over rice. We had snacks and fun. We laughed. We snored. We taxed the hot water heater. Most of all I got re energized about life.

I wanted to address the rest to my fellow partiers. I hope it doesn't come across as cheesy or insincere. I truly feel full after our time together.

I met you Heffalump. You are sweet and tiny lady I can't believe that you have 6 children with your youngest being an adorable and easy baby. I am so glad I got to meet you. I secretly covet your crock pot.

Millie you made me feel like I was at home. You remind me a lot of a favorite cousin of mine that lives in Richland WA. You are genuine and your contenance is full of love. I felt like I'd known you forever. You children are just as beautiful as you are and they know they have a great mom. I was so thrilled when they told me that.

Annie you have the best outlook on life. I loved how you would tell us, "Oh, you are going to love that." You commented on the beauty all around us and you let me play with your beautiful hair. I felt like a better person just for being in your presence.

Carronin I admire the love between you and Annie and the friendship that is evident. You have this beautiful laugh that is contagious and I enjoyed your playful nature. You are a true kid at heart.

Carrot you quieter than I expected. I love your posts, especially the ones that you delete quite soon after posting. You are smart and witty. There is a charm about you that will only be understand in your presence. You are direct and I LOVE direct. I'm not a very good guesser. You said some things that I was thinking and I remember thinking, "I really like her."

Elastic you are so light and funny and know how to make us laugh. We found out during our game that we all have a little Elastic in us, didn't we. You got accused credit for a lot things that you didn't say. You are just better at making it sound funny.

Aubrey you are new to me. A new gift that I am glad I got. I can't believe that I was missing out on you all this time. Your smile draws me in and I found myself enchanted with what you were saying. Your skillz at decorating are amazing. I need your help at our new home.

Yvonne you reminded me of my mom, except you are younger. My mom is one of my best friends. I felt comfortable with you instantly. I felt that weboth share a love of teens. They are doing a great job of keeping you young. You fit in better than I did.

Amanda you are humble and graceful. I was able to meet you last year briefly and so glad I got to hang with you this year. You and I had those few hours with NCS after everyone had left. There were many moments of comfortable silence. I like those kind of moments.

Glittersmama, you are snap shot out of an old movie. You are beautiful and we have the same hair. I just don't know how you manage to jump out of bed and look fabulous. I take a lot of work so I am a bit envoius, but not enough to have a green-eyed monster come between us. Glitter is one lucky girl.

Tori you are my hero. You found my MIA phone and even went with me to the 9ish to 5ish store to ask about it. Remember when they said they were closed, but their door was wide open? That didn't deter us from loading up on the "juice." Thanks for "pretending" to be my friend. I've read that others thought you were quiet. did they not dream about your laugh and Webkinz on the last night, too. You are the coolest, evah. Keep up the good work at home. You really are a strong and smart person. Believe it.

NCS I am so amazed by your skillz. You headed up the organization of this event, shared your home and family with us, provided us with entertainment as we rode around in your van (that was just the funniest, watching all the reactions) and you single handedly kept all our schedules straight. I am in awe. Oh, yeah. You also hosted the greatest slumber party of the summer at your DH's office. A. Maze. Ing. You also shared your beloved Wookie with me. You let him kee me warm and love me. It was just like home.

Nobody picked me up at the airport. For some that phrase would bring sadness. For me, a fullheart and big smile on my face. I remember your phone call and the "other green back pack" toting woman that almost got to meet you before me. You took me for a ride and even went back to make sure I hadn't missed any of the good views before breakfast;). Follow your dream. You will be great at it. I'd love to have you as a colleague in the field.


Regrets I have:
Not getting enough sleep the weeks prior; so I could stay up all night.
Not drinking more red bull so I could stay up anyway.
Not riding in Carrot's van.
Not wearing pants while at Cannon Beach (Let's give 'em something to wonder about)

I will never regret going. I want to come again. I'd offer my house if I knew what to do with the kids. Mr. could cook breakfast for us. We'll keep him around. He make a great quiche, eggs any way you like 'em and biscuits and gravy.

You ladies are amazing for letting me crash your blog party.

Bring on '09!!

As I landed in Salt Lake City I was excited to get to my beloved Jeep and get home to my family. I was so excited to see them and wrap my arms around them. The traffic flow was good. The music off. I was remembering the fun I'd had. The ladies I'd met. As I pulled into the drive and opened the garage door, my family came pouring out to greet me. How blessed I am to have great people all around me.

Notes to self

Always dress in layers; except when going to massage therapist. Easier to take off one layer.

When planning a group that requires music- make sure you actually have the music with you.

Follow up with child baking banana bread to make sure said child understands that bread must be checked upon timer sounding. Timer sounding DOES NOT actually mean that the bread is done.

When bread looks like this:













it means that is wasn't done:(

2 weeks is waaaaay tooooo long to go between laundry days for the Mr and I.

You are too old to stay up all night doing a stakeout and playing cops and robbers. (Don't ask)

Well now, THAT was a rough one

So Saturday I am going along doing my wife and mommy duties of shopping, laundry, getting ready for the family Christmas party when about 3 PM I start feeling very tired and hurting all over. I start thinking, "I hope I am not coming down with flu. I did get my flu shot after all."

I laid down on my bed for about an hour then gimped out to the truck to attend the family party with my monkeys. I don't have a really great time, due to hurting so much. I wanted to go visit with everyone, but didn't know if it was the arthritis or something else causing me such pain and discomfort. We had a terrible waitress, who walked off the job when I pointed out that the glass she brought my son was more carbonated water than mountain Dew. What?! Being the therapist, I wondered what else she had going on that no one else knew about.

So we do the party. We ate, we did our gift exchange; in which Mini-Me Monkey tells this funny story using the words left and right and we moved our gifts in the direction that was given. Turns out we have some family members who aren't good sports and they hid gifts they wanted under the table rather than passing them along. Well, the rest of us had fun, and a clear conscience. Following the gift exchange I could take no more pain and Mr. Monkey helped me gimp my way back to the truck and we all came home.

Once home I tried to get my joints warm. No luck. Then about 9 PM my throat started hurting. I'm talking really hurting. Mr. Monkey insisted I try Ny Quil for all the pain. That stuff is so nasty. I used orange juice as a chaser. I take it, hoping it will help. All night long the pain continued in my throat. To tell you the truth I know my body hurt, but the pain from my throat was so much worse that I noticed it more.

I finally got up at 8 AM cause my tummy was grumbling for breakfast. Yeah, like I wanted to pass anything with substance past that painful place. I drank some orange juice and read the blogs of my friends. When Mr. Monkey got up (he slept in- probably because I kept him up all night) I insisted we go find an urgent care center and if not then we will go to the E. R. to find out what this pain in the neck was all about.

Mr. Monkey tells me that of all the people in the house who get sick he hates it worse when I am. Is this because I can't do what I normally do? Is this because he has to do all that I normally do? He says it's because it causes me more pain and he doesn't like to see me hurt. Awww. He's definitely a keeper.

Doctors think they are so clever. I'll get back to this in a minute. We go to Riverwoods Urgent Care. The. Nurse. Was. Soooooooooo. Slooooooooow. We sat in the waiting room for 45 minutes! Now if the office is busy, that is understandable. However, WE WERE THE ONLY ONES THERE!!!!!! What are they doing back there? Grrrr. Finally we go back. The blood pressure machine doesn't work. Darn. She will have to do it the old fashioned way. Then she gags me with that cotton swab. I knew that was coming. Didn't like, but knew it was necessary.

10 minutes later the doctor comes in. He asks me what brings me in here today. I tell him the wretched pain in my throat that even Ny Quil won't take the pain away! He casually says, "yeah, you've got strep throat. I looked at your test on the way in." Uhm, excuse me, but if YOU knew THAT, then WHY ask ME?!!!! Dork. See he thought he was being so clever.

We are given the treatment options. Pills that you take several times a day; like I need another pill to take. A shot that is more intense, more effective, and lasts longer that pills. Hmm. That is a tough one. In a split second I say, "I'll take the shot." I later regret that quick action.

They forgot to tell me HOW BAD IT HURTS!!!! It hurts going in. It hurts afterward. They have to watch you for 15 minutes. Through the walls and closed door, I might add. It hurts to sit. It hurts to stand. I wasn't in enough pain. I just had to have more. It hurt when I went home and went back to bed. It is Tuesday and it still hurts. Who thought this up?

Now colleagues, we need to make a better, longer acting, faster acting medicine with this penicillin medicine. Since it will be so much more effective, lets make it painful, too. Bwahahahaha

Ok, so I realize that they don't sit around and try to punish us for getting sick. It still hurt.

The end result is I sound terrible for two days. My throat hurts for 3 days. I lose 2 lbs. Now today I finally sound more like me. I miss two days of work. I still get to make up the missed appointments. That's how it works in my field.

I called the boys that were scheduled for Monday and today and reschedule them throughout the week. They chuckle at my deep and throaty sounding voice. They also all tell me to get feeling better soon.

I stay in bed for two and half days. Which, by the way is not near as fun as it might appear to sound. Today will be spent changing sheets and sterilizing whatever I think might spread this awful bacteria!

The good thing about all this is that it wasn't on Christmas that I was sick. I'll be better by then. Yay!!!