Moody Meow

I head to CHICAGO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOO!! Friday I will see both Cat and Julie with Tali, and we shall explore the downtown area and raise all kinds of hell. I started packing last night, yeah, I know, it’s early. But I am really looking forward to this trip. (Plus work sucks at the moment) I am going to put my mark on that city, and spend lots of time with amazing women! YAY for ESTROGEN! (end caps excitement)

I think everyone should applaude my man. He rode his bike to work this morning! I’ve not yet filled up my gas tank, but when he told me how much he spent, I blanched a little. So, both for health and economical reasons, he tried to go old skool and rode the loverly bike (and took my rockin’ ass Chrome bag which is so massive that he was able to carry everything. Mad comfy bags!! I highly recommend them for their comfort and resistance to weather). Yay for D!

I rode my bike on the trainer last night. And of course I felt tons better (my bits are a touch pained this morning though). I also made some seriously delicious quesidillas last night. Then I talked to Lex, worked on work stuff, and tried to remember to call Tali (which I failed to do, yes, I am fired!). I was in bed around 10:30, reading the 5th Harry Potter. And I fell asleep quite content.

D’s on drugs. Just thought I would share it (if you say it out loud, it’s fun!!)
Today SIN CITY COMES OUT!! And some of the peeps are coming over to watch the flick and eat some grub. If you are allergic - take a bloody pill!

I’m going to Chicago!! I get to see CAT!!! TALI and the fucking Sears Tower!!
Okay…time to find more coffee!

I am in SUCH a good mood. Share the love! I will have links later… I am compiling them..

I tried not to cry when I dropped her off, carrying home back with her. She met my gaze and smiled that smile that always set things right. I know I will see her again soon. I know this is just another moment that will pass, but when I drove off I felt my heart sink into my toes. The whole way home was blurred by tears. It was a great visit. And I think with her here, and with D’s love, I felt better rapidly. We talked. We laughed. We ate a lot. And I think in the interest of my sanity, that I will forgo London next Spring Break and head back out to Colorado to spend some well-earned time with my family. There may be some that venture forth with us, but even if we go at it alone, I know that I will be able to steal moments with my beloved Mother, and that will make the journey worthwhille.

Her final gift to me during this visit was an enticing perch for the cardinals. A bird-feeder, copper topped and wooden, it hangs from Seemore quite elegantly. Mom put it up on a bent nail on the porch. The only creature it enticed was a squirrel, who tried to leap to the sunflower seed snack from my windchime. The poor guy didn’t realize that metal is slick, and not conducive to climbing. I was startled out of my pity party by the loud banging of my chime. After peeking out the window, I watch the little bugger try again, attempting to climb the copper pipe of the chime. He scurried away when he realized that a beagle (that woud be Pip) was watching his movements.

Tonight, I am going to return to life’s mundane activities. I shall read, do laundry, and head to bed early.
Thanks to Mr. Chris, Frankie and Julie for making Mom’s last night here so fun…..

She’s not here for much longer, this mother of mine. And I extended invitations to many, with only a hint of a reaction. It’s sad, really. I painted the many in colors that only a few deserve to wear. I didn’t have a reason as to her questions of “why.” I only had to assume it has something to do with me. And more than a little it hurt. I see where the priorities are, and at this point I am refusing to chase friendships.

But, we shall see some of you on Tuesday.

Our porch fan is the best money ever spent, I think. I’m cruising through Harry Potter with ease. Today Mom heads to Brooksville to deal with some family trauma, leaving me alone at home without a car. Not a big deal, really. I have books. I’ve got the internet. I’ve got D on the other line… I shall entertain myself. I have a new set of headphones for the iPod so I can

Her belated birthday presents included: a blender (which matches our other silver appliances), a fan for the porch plus extension cord, and clothes. All will be put to good use.

I got some pretty pictures of the sunset from the porch the other night. I was facinated by the shade of lavender that painted the sky. I felt like I lived in a classical work of art. The images I stole from the eve fail to do justice to what I felt and saw. But for a moment, my life was crowned in purple, and I was more than a little content.

Things are fine.
Resting well…
Got my presents from Mom, which included practical gifts.
Had a lovely time last night.
Slept late today.

Now, I am going to go back to reading Harry Potter.

I’m sitting on my porch, rested and suffering only from a pretty decent case of the cramps. The surgery went surprisingly well, without any complications. I don’t know the extent of the removal, and I won’t find out for two weeks when I go back to see Dr. Brown.

We arrived at Arnold Palmer at 8, checked in (we parked with valet) and were ushered to a holding room with other women and children destined to go under the knife. I must say, the chairs in that waiting room had to be some of the most uncomfortable I have ever had the pleasure of resting in. Compounded by the fact that I was starving, I was a little irritated and wanted the whole thing to just begin. D and Mom were able to procure coffee from the Cafeteria (and it was Starbucks too, damnit!) I tried to bribe D into letting me have just a sip, but he said he would only agree if I gave him my Mac. So, I had no coffee. Then we were called into the OR prep. I put on the super-fashionable gown, and tried to keep my ample butt from peeking throught the ever-widening gap. D and Mom sat besided me as I laid down upon the hospital bed. A nurse, one of an army that greeted me and asked me a battery of questions, made me comfortable. The next nurse put in my IV. Then there was another that working with the anesthesia doctor. More questions. Drugs were injected into my IV. My head got wobbly. The anasthesioligist came in (she was wearing funny red shoes and looked like someone I woud have a drink with) and told me what I would feel and how I would come off the drugs. Dr. Brown made a quick visit. More nurses. Then I fell alseep. D said I was snoring. And that was that.

What seemed like 10 minutes later (the procedue itself took less than a half hour) I was in a recovery room. An adorable little Irish nurse talked me through the waking up proces. I didn’t have a problem waking up, it was like trying to fight extreme exhaustion. I wasn’t cold (they put a blanket on my and I got to keep my socks!!) I had a little apple juice. Dr. Brown came in and told me that I did great. She will run her tests, and then we will talk about what’s next. She seemed very pleased. About twenty minutes later they wheeled me downstairs and we were off.

I truly have to commend the nurses and doctors at Arnold Palmer. They all visited multiple times, making sure I was okay. Their friendliness and professionalism really made the experience a pleasant one. And I really mean that. As nervous as I was, they put me at ease, and they smoothed the path through a trying time with such grace and understanding that I have more faith in the medical field now. It was a truly lovely day.

Now, I will rest for the rest of the day. I will eat. I will nap some more. And tomorrow I should be back on my feet. Thank to all of you for you kind words, prayers, groovy vibes, happy smiles and wine (you know I had to bring in the booze!) I think I will be up for some visits or an adventure maybe tomorrow…for now, I need to eat something.

no time to talk!!
Will write tomorrow!

MAN!!! I HATE giving blood. Pierce me. Don’t stick anything in my veins. Ugh. So, they weighed me. I’m down a little in weight, yay for me. It’s great now that I have running going, because post-surgery there will be no excersize. Blech! But I found out a little more about the procedure. It’s going to take about 5 hours from admission to home. I will be completly under, which doens’t scare me. But, I remember (and I think I always will) how shitty it feels to come out of anethstesia (or something). I should be home around 3 in the afternoon.

And I am still wearing the medical bracelet they gave me. I don’t know if I was supposed to take it off or not. Oh well. It’s fashionable in a slightly medical way..

I’m off to nap now. I had an egg salad sandwich for lunch, and I don’t think I’ve ever tasted anything so delicious. That could be because I was starving.

And thank you all for sending me happy vibes. It really does help. =) I love you all…..

I am training again today, so there will be scant posts.
I have coffee.
I have a blister.
I have a runny nose.
I have to take a nap today.
I have to make sure D takes a nap today.
We have to finish cleaning the house before Mom gets here.
I have Thursday off so I can spend it with Mom.

My brother-in-law leaves or Iraq tomorrow. Please send Alexis and the kids happy thoughts, good wishes and warm vibes. Their family needs all they can get.

Have a good Monday, and remember that if coffee doesn’t make you feel better, then tossing it down someone’s shirt will!! Hehehehe!

But I won’t.
I’m at work today, trying to finish a few projects up prior to my time off.
I really feel like being catty…..but I am going to go back to drinking water and wandering through my massive stack of paperwork.

There are unsaid conversations that hang in the silence. Just know that much, will you? And yes, this is meant to be obtuse…… I really feel like being catty, but chocolate calls.

And it sucks.
Training again today. I wrote about the possum on lunch.

I look forward to a nice afternoon of nap, food, and later in the evening, company and fondue!

I have a funny story to tell about our visitor last night, but I am training someone to take over while I am out with the surgery stuff. So, there will be very little in the way of posts. Have a loverly day!

Friday night - 8:30 p.m. - bring booze and a snack - we are watching Constantine and eating fondue. It makes sense, really it does. Hell. Fire. Fondue! So, come one, come all.

We watched Frida last night. I caught bits of it on one of the indie film channels, but I wanted to see the whole thing. I loved this film. Salma Hayek playes the tortured artist with grace and depth. The whole cast is quite well done, although I thought Ashley Judd trying to play with an Italian accent was a little hard to swallow. The struggle between Frida and her husband Deigo Rivera played out with both tenderness and bitterness. I don’t think I finished the film understanding why she put up with his philandering ways (although she was just promiscuous). I am interested in reading her biography and finding out more about her. I think I will take a short jaunt down to Winter Park to check out the bio and see if it’s worthwhile.

In other news. They fixed our drain last night. The kitchen drain broke on Saturday afternoon, so we couldn’t use the kitchen sink. It was problematic, but we made it through. It was nice to be able to use the sink properly again.
I’m almost done with Psychonauts. This last level is making me tear my hair out! And I think they fukt me on the save system, which could lead to my blowing up the PS2, but we will see if it’s as bad as I think it is.
My surgery is a week from Friday. Joy.
Mom flies in on the 3rd. She leaves on the 10th. Seven days of Momma’s love…happiness. =)
I ran this morning and got a wicked blister that tore open. It’s mighty painful. So, today at work I am wearing socks and flip flops (I can’t have anything rubbing on the back of my foot) and I must say that I am mad fashionable. Look at me rockin the sexy socks!! Woo hoo (end caffinated explosion).

We had a blast Saturday night/sunday morn with the little gathering at the casa. All the gifts were wonderfully chosen and highly appreciated. Sunday we went to Colorado Fondue with Chris and Julie. I fully intended on making it to iBar later that night, but my tummy rebelled, so I stuck close to my Pepto. If you called and I didn’t get a chance to talk to you I will call you soon!!

I had a loverly birthday with loverly people and I couldn’t have asked for more…

on that note…..it’s time to go back to playing Psychonauts.

If you try to call me today and I don’t answer, that’s probably becauase I am cleaning and listening to the Kingdom of Heaven soundtrack REALLY loud. So, leave a message

Again…it’s at 8. Bring booze.

Love you all !!

The following music:
Old Depeche Mode
Old The Cure, and the newest album as well
Adam F “Colours”
Brainbug “Nightmare EP”

The run this morning was a little less than satisfying. The beagle boys run at different speeds, and I am somewhere in the middle. So, there was a lot of push/pull. I had to bring them with me because I was running alone. D stayed behind, immersed in sleep. We did well this time, because he didn’t even realize I had been gone (he had to eventually wake up to move his car…. #%$%%$@*%((_*)$*! landlady and parking in the grass).

I made a most excellent chicken picatta last night. It was a simple recipe, and turned out quite tasty. Although, the use of butter and olive oil makes any dinner nummy.

I’m kind of in a wierd space today, so I am going to wander back to work. D and I are going out tonight for my birthday dinner, kind of a date thingy. And tomorrow is the gathering. If you’ve not contacted me yet, I’m assuming you just aren’t coming. I’ve got a count down for the ammount of food to make…so if you change your mind in the next 24 hours, let me know……

I’m really glad it’s Friday.

I am wearing fun socks.
I got ordered my new license plate. It says :moodi
I just went to panera and they didn’t mess up my sandwich. It was delish.
Two of my coworkers are taking me out for my birthday tomorrow.
I am in a fantabulous mood… today is a good day. Just thought I would share the joy.

The prognosis is good. See, I went to bed obscenely early. I woke almost naturally, finding a reason to hurry myself out of bed through the siren call of the beagles. D stayed where he lay, wrapped in sleep and blankets. I tried to hurry all creatures from our bedroom so that he wouldn’t wake. It worked for the most part. Food is a good animal motivator. Feeling better is a great Erica motivator. So, after food and poop, I hooked the beagle boys up to the coupling lead, strapped on my iPod shuffle, and walked outside into the warm morn.

Movment pulls the tides of this illness. I’m ill, never doubt that, but if I chase a morning moon, sometimes I get better. And that’s what I did. The streets, occasionally illuminated by a sleepy car, were clear of all life. Even the birds remained silent. But Puck, Pip and I danced in the darkness, and I chased the moon through the trees. We galloped (albeit, without much grace) across big streets, and stopped to either sniff garbage or to really take in the moment of that morning. For a moment, it wasn’t 5:30.
It wasn’t four days before my birthday.
It wasn’t just Thursday.
It wasn’t a few weeks before surgery.

It was just right.

A moon, pulling and tugging at the world like taffy, can set things as right as she pulls others wrong. I got pulled the right way this morning, and it felt fine.

By the time we got home, both boys were panting happily. I saw Valentine staring at us through the foggy glass of our front door. The boys charged inside, and I tried to keep them from barging into the bedroom where my sleeping husband rested, but Puck is persistant. With one assertive push against the door, they were in. D tried to fend them off with one sleepy arm. Eventually they settled down, but the huzzie was awake. I took my shower. Rinsing off the sweat and despair that has plagued me for days, I felt clean again. It’s lovely. It truly is.

We finished D’s move into the reading room. With all his stuff in that room, it’s hard to believe that he had everything crammed into his tiny office. The futon is now in his old office, along with a bookshelf and some printers. We are going to use that as a guest room of sorts. It’s also a beagle room, because Pip’s crate lives there as well. Tonight, we must mow, clean the floors and get everything set for company on Saturday. D bought me Constantine last night. We didn’t get to watch it, but I want to. Maybe tonight.
Oooohh yeah! He also took me to the Pita Pit for dinner. I’m in love and I will never eat a sandwich again!! I had the slouvaka (or something) chicken thingy with lettuce, taziki sauce and pickles. Mmmm mm good!

So I am going to take my good mood and get to work now. Have a loverly Thursday….

She moved into her new house in Tacoma this week. She now has a place to make food, and Charlie (only the 3rd cutest dog in the land) has a backyard again.

So yay for Lex!
Although, she described the decor and I am slightly terrified. Paint something!!! (most of the walls are white!).

And she gets her internet hooked up on Friday…so that is a good thing as well.

The birthday thingy is Saturday, July 23rd. I say we start at 8. I think I said earlier before…but we will move it. Bring booze and a dish. I’m making chicken.

My birthday is actually on July 24th, which is sunday, so I figured I would just have to make it till midnight. So, that’s the plan.

Ran this morning. I was more than a little disappointed in my lack of pizazz at the end of the run. I got side stiches. They felt like someone was sewing my lungs to my ribs from the inside. I tried to breathe, tried to work them out. I hate it when my body doesn’t cooperate with me. Damnit. Doesn’t it know that I’m doing this for its own good?

I have the birthday blahs. I have to get my name changed on my registration, and I am getting a specialty plate!! YAY!! (the link later) But other than that I am severly underwhelmed. It could be the hormones. I need to will my period into being so it’s done and over with by the time I go into surgery. I know you don’t need to know all the intimate details of my menstrual cycle, but….well… It’s me, so get over it. Now for your viewing pleasure: Links!

I am getting a specialty plate! It’s the Florida Animal Friend“>Animal Friends plate. I would like to get a Choose Choice or some other Pro-choice plate, but we all know that the Right would not allow such a heinous thing to exist. So, I will go with my other pet cause (get it…pet…. cause… uhm. Never mind). I am trying to get it to say either Meow or Moody…. but we will see what’s avaliable.

I think I have posted links to Engrish.com before, but this site deserves a second look. It’s just bloody funny!

20 Things That Only Happen In Movies

Sex is bad. Especially in poetry! I do wish they would have published the poem that started the conflict. I would have been interested in reading it. I usually love things that piss off the public.

I want to spread my shirt!! Or something… D - I think this is the place to get the “PC ? … Not Me!” shirt! hehehehe.

And Tali is also taking me to see this show . I’m going to be all cultured when I get back to Borelando. I am very happy about my upcoming events in Chicago. Very excited.

10 reasons to eat more fruit!

So, that is all for this morn. I just realized about 2 minutes ago that I left my lunch at home this morning. AAAAAAAARRGGGHHHH!!! Is it time to go home yet?