Wisdom

Back from a quick work trip in the middle of nowhere Pennsylvania (that earned me kudos and a big thank you that went all the way up to our division Vice President!), and already moving on to the next thing...like getting my wisdom teeth removed. The procedure went well, and fast, but I had to be numbed with Novocaine twice and that needle was not fun. Especially when your DDS accidentally pokes your tongue with it. 

So far, I'm in almost no pain and hope it stays that way. I'm medicating with Advil and Amoxicillin for now, and hoping to stay away from the heavier drugs prescribed. There's some slight swelling, but it's not very noticeable. I have to go out for some "soft-food" groceries at some point, but for now my life looks like that of an old man's nightstand...

Wisdom in a Bag

Glorious

Traveling for work has it's upsides at time, but over all it's not as glorious as it seems. Booking early morning flights that no normal human would book just in order to make it to your destination, in order to accommodate someone else, is just not a good thing. Up at 2 a.m. 4 a.m. Whatever hour before 6 a.m. It's just not acceptable unless you're a farmer. 

So, yeah. I get up earlier. Which means I'm hungry earlier. Which means my eating and umm... other body schedules are thrown off and it all makes for a very uncomfortable day of travel. Did I mention I get up earlier? Which means that I'm pretty much guaranteed to be tired all day in addition to feeling like I'm carrying a basketball in my stomach.

Sometimes in group travel there are perks like big (fun) dinners, or visiting somewhere you've never been. But on a day like today, it's the inside of a hotel for me. Cabs, planes, more lousy cab driving. Cabs that smell. Hotel beds that sink like you're in a taco. And best of all, a room with a view like this... 

Glorious

Lynnsanity

Last Saturday I got a text notification stating that a $19,000.00 transaction was declined on my debit card. I still haven't gotten to the bank to investigate it. I did shut the card down (again), but if the charge is from who/what I think it is the culprit added too many zeros to a processing fee of what should have been $190.00. Hopefully, I'll get to the bank this weekend for answers.

Although, this weekend I'm not sure how I'm accomplishing anything, much less getting to the bank. Things that are on my list? Kids stuff, friend stuff, pick up race stuff, run 5K, birthday party stuff, and oh yeah... breathe. I just don't know how to balance it all, deal with the logistics of distance and not let anyone down or feel guilty about how I spend my time. This on top of having to prep for more work travel next week is causing a lot of tension headaches and jaw pain. 

Oh, and did I mention I'm finally biting the bullet and getting two wisdom teeth removed? Yep, after putting it off for over 20+ years, the left side third molars have got to go. While there is no pain issue, the bottom molar has a lot of loose gum tissue around it (which is normal), but I cannot keep it clean despite any amount of brushing, rinsing and flossing. To avoid infection, the tooth has to be removed. And since you can't remove just one, the entire left side has to go. I'm really not looking forward to the surgery or the recovery period. 

Dealing with all this has left me with more roller coaster dreams (see Joker for reference). Only this time, I was trying to climb the track outside of any train car, and then somehow found myself magically in the train car of the ride as it went careening towards the ground. At least this time, I kept all hands and feet inside the ride.

Pictures

My weekend involved... 

with a little celebrating of...

while Monday night included...

 This morning looked something like...

while my afternoon included...

  

 and a ...

 

Sadly, my tomorrow looks like...

so I'm hoping my night looks a little like...

capped off with...

Yep.

No doubt at times I question my being. Why am I here and why are things so difficult at times? But I'm always reminded of the quote shown above and believe I'm exactly where I need to be. 

I consider myself a pretty tough chick, but I pick my battles. I know in picking my battles, therefore choosing to back down from some issues, others see this as a weakness. I personally see it as keeping my emotional and mental energy reserves in tact. Sometimes, I'm worn out and backing down is all I can do to allow for self, mental perseverance. 

I think it's pretty well known of me and my character, that if I'm backing down, it's not over something critical. Perhaps to you, but not to me. And that's what matters most. I will fight when needed because I am strong enough to do so. But I am smart enough to know when I don't have to. 

Dogs

After a few months hiatus, I will be heading back to the dog training arena next week! I'm looking forward to getting my random pup fix on and hopefully, having some fun along the way like this goofy guy...

Blur

The past few weeks seem like a blur. I won't go into all the details here because there's too many of them, some good and some not so good (hey, that's life) but it's almost Friday and that's a good thing to focus on. 

I try to plan fun "date nights" for me and the Hubs to keep things fresh and fun. Of course, they always seem like a great idea while I'm booking the event, but when the day arrives, sometimes I'd just rather go plop on the couch and veg out. Despite feeling tired from a long day and week, and dealing with grey and gloomy weather, we both made it to Cook, Cork and Fork for Pasta Night.

Since we received a pasta maker as one of our wedding gifts, I thought it would be great to refresh my spaghetti skills, and for us to take a "How to Make Pasta" class together. Making fresh pasta is actually not a hard thing. Mix some dry ingredients together with an egg, let the dough sit, and then roll it out. Yep, it's pretty much that easy. Thank goodness.  I can use "easy" in my life! Besides the great taste, fresh pasta cooks within seconds. Yep, seconds, not minutes! Can't wait to get rollin'!

Last weekend we celebrated this guy's grandma's 93rd birthday! I love this photo of the two of them. He looks like a little kid playing ball (I mean, he kinda is!) and she looks so happy and adoring of her first grandchild. I can only hope that if I live to be 93, that I am still this mentally clear and physically mobile! She may be a bit slower, but she's damn fine for her age. Happy 93rd G.G. Angel! So glad I can be a part of the family and your celebration! 

Tuesday found me awake at 2 a.m because, knowing my alarm was going to go off at 2:30, my brain somehow had to wake me before it went off to prevent waking up my Other Half. I left for the airport by 3:30 and was Boston bound for work by 6. Thanks to United for bumping my window seat to a middle one, I got little to no sleep on the plane but, from what I hear, still kicked ass with my presentation.  

The best non-work related thing about the Boston trip was getting to see a game at the historic Fenway Park. I can't say I was into the game much as I'm neither a Red Sox or Orioles fan, but the nostalgia of the park and sharing it with some old-time fans that I befriended was well worth the trip. Watching David Ortiz (aka Big Papi) hit a double during what is to be his last season was pretty cool, but viewing the Green Monster was the highlight of the night! Knowing that under the paint and cement lays a wooden wall dating back to 1912 was just too cool. I may not be the biggest or best baseball fan, but I appreciate the nostalgia of the park and find these oldies a bit of long lost American romance from yesteryear. 

Boston also provided a brief viewing of the Old North Church and some other historical stops along the way of the Freedom Trail. I've never seen a city such as Boston and can see why it is so admired. It is a young and fun place, but drowning in visible history. I can't wait to go back and absorb more of what it has to offer. Only, one note to self, don't wear heels - ever. If you've never been to Boston, most of the streets and/or sidewalks are brick and not conducive to walking in anything other than flats lest ye be called out as a tourist immediately (which I was!). I topped off the trip with a crab meat omelet and bid adieu to the fair city. Hopefully the next trip will be all leisure and include a crab-roll (sorry Bostonians, I just can't stand lob-stah!).