A Sad Realization

Each day after work I take Buster for a walk. If it's nice out I like to take him around what Rob and I call the "big loop" in our community - which is about one mile. Now that it's getting warm (and in my effort to work off the weight I gained on our cruise), I'll take him for a run around the big loop and then walk a second loop.

Well today we ran then met up with a friend to walk the second part. During our walking portion we ran into a few puppies - one who was 4 months old and another who was a little over a year. They were all playful and rambunctious, but Buster was calm and didn't really want to play too much - something I've noticed a little more of this last year. I thought that he was just tired from the walk but then it dawned on me: Buster isn't the youthful little puppy in the group anymore. As much as I love my cuddly puppy, it breaks my heart to think that he's getting old. And even though he's six years old (going on seven in October!), when I look at Buster I still see the little dog that snagged our heart all those years ago.

Breakfast for dinner

We had a busy Saturday and by the time we sat down for dinner it was after 10pm. Instead of a heavy meal we made pancakes for dinner, giving me the chance to try out some new gadgets including an electric griddle and a pancake pen. The pen turned out to be great, allowing me to make lots of fun shapes.. something I've always loved to do with pancake batter. Here's a sample!

In Anticipation of "The Royal Wedding"

Next Friday, Prince William will marry Catherine Middleton. Although I'm American and not related in any way to the royal family (or a British person), I'll admit that I am actually excited about their big day.

It's sad to admit, but I get excited and care about most weddings. For instance, when we were on vacation there were two weddings on the beach and we stuck around to watch one of them. I'm not sure what intrigues me the most - the anticipation of the bride coming down the aisle, what she'll be wearing, the groom's reaction before and after he sees his bride, the music, the flowers, if either of them will get choked up during the vows, and in this case, what the guests will be wearing (I think the hats the British wear are so much fun!).

In addition to the general anticipation of a wedding, this one is extra special. I was watching the show "The Middle" on ABC last night, and the episode focused around the mom (Patricia Heaton) preparing to watch the royal wedding. She got scones, a hat, the commemorative tea cup and plate, and even upgraded her TV so she can watch this highly anticipated event in high definition. When things weren't going according to plan she broke down to her family and explained why this is so important to her. Catherine will start the day as a commoner, arriving in a car to her wedding, and she will leave as a princess in a horse drawn carriage married to the man she loves. It's an extra special fairytale the whole world will watch in anticipation - and I'll be one of them.

I've Got a Smart Phone!

Rob and I recently got the Droid Thunderbolt phones. Rob has wanted to get a smart phone for a while, but I've been hesitant since I really didn't want to be connected to all of my email accounts and social media networks 24-7. However, after getting the phone I will admit that it's comforting (if that's the right word) to be able to check in all the time. We've had these fancy gadgets for nearly two weeks and while there is still a lot I need to figure out with it, I'm relieved I can check all four email accounts, post to Twitter, check-in on 4 square, and oh yea, make phone calls.

Bucket List: Bathsheba in Barbados

When I was a kid I saw an ad for Barbados in a magazine. I thought the picture was so pretty and put the picture on my closet wall, vowing that one day I would go to this island to see the neat rock formation they included in their ad. So when we started planning a vacation a few months ago and narrowed it down to a cruise, the only itineraries I looked at had to include a stop in Barbados.

On Thursday, April 14, we arrived in port and of course the excursion we booked included a trip to Bathsheba - the rock formation I saw years ago in the magazine. I was so excited - this was one of the few things I actually had on a "bucket list" as a kid and I was going to be able to check it off.

As far as I recall, I think the photo in the ad looked like the above shot (although I'm sure the sun was out a little more for their photo shoot). Below is another pretty shot of Bathsheba, which is on the eastern most part of the island. After this, the next stop is Africa!

I came, I saw, I conquered.

Sometimes things just don't go away...

I was a cheerleader in high school and being relatively small I was always the flier in our stunts. I always enjoyed it and never really complained when we tried different builds.. not even when I fell during practice because my bases couldn't get their timing right. Fast forward 10 years, and my one partiular injury still flares up every once in a while. I went for MRIs, X-Rays, chiropractors - basically everything but acupuncture (I can't get past someone sticking me with that many needles) - and without going for surgery there isn't much they can do to fix the messed up vertebra that are pinching the nerves and muscles in my neck. The pain comes and goes but every once in a while it will flare up bad. Like the two days before we were supposed to leave for vacation.

The way this relapse happened was stupid, too. I was cold, rushing to walk Buster, and had my shoulders tensed up. I felt the muscle in my shoulder pinch as I was rushing but didn't think anything of it because I had so much to do once I got home. Not really a good move because I was down for the count. After a night of no sleep and all tears, I called my orthopedic doctor to get a refill for my anti-spasm medications, but he was on vacation and his nurse suggested I see my primary care doctor. I was able to get a 1pm appointment with my physician and explained that I was traveling out of the country in two days and needed to be able to move. He loaded me up with prescriptions and off I went to get the drugs. I was hopeful the meds would help, but when I asked the pharmacist a few questions she warned me that I shouldn't drink while on these medications (ok, no big deal due to my Lenten resolution) but the one that really sucked was being told to stay out of the sun. Seriously? I'm going on a beach vacation?!

I was pretty upset about it but took extra precaution - I wore a big hat, clothes that covered more and increased my SPF to 30. Considering everyone I spoke to said I would "singe" in a few minutes of being out in the sun while on steroids, I was paranoid about this vacation. At least my paranoia paid off and not get as burned as the other people on our trip. Best part was that I was able to move my neck... at least until the next time it flares up over something stupid.