Tourist Photos

Inspirational song: The Raiders March (John Williams)

Okay, now I am angry. Very angry.

I had written a post I was pleased with, and was in the process of uploading a crapton of photos. I had written the whole thing while waiting in the van for a high school football game to finish, so we could bring home our young bass drummer. I had talked about the scenic drive to see Crazy Horse, Custer State Park, Sylvan Lake, and Rushmore. And I had put in a couple dozen photos. 

The program tried to crash once on the way home, and I said I would wait until I was on wifi to finish adding photos. Then, once I was here and completing the set, it just closed, and all text and photos vanished. For all I know, when I publish this rewrite, it will emerge from the ether, and hang at the bottom like a zombie. Or not. 

I think I will put in fewer pictures. Save some for when I get home. Maybe that will make it load better.

Travel Day

Inspirational song: I'm Tired (Blazing Saddles)

South Dakota ahoy! I have arrived, for a girls weekend. I mean, my buddy's husband can hang around as much as he likes, but this is about my friend who I have missed bunches. 

Today was mostly swallowed up by the drive. I know it was only like six hours, but to a rusty old woman like myself, that was a long time to sit still and steer a car. I didn't actually pack until this morning, and I had to wrassle the car charger loose from the ludicrous amounts of junk the Mr has piled between the plug and the garage door (in the space I can only dream of parking), but eventually I made it out on the road. This is the Space Dolphin's first road trip, and it did really well. I think it would have made it door to door on just the charge plus a full gas tank, if I hadn't needed a stop myself before I made it to Rapid City.

I didn't take many photos, other than one of wide open spaces, and a couple while wondering why the hell a cop had stopped traffic for so long in Guernsey (super wide load eventually came across the bridge, painted in what looked suspiciously like army green). My old buddy Hercules flopped down on the guest bed when I got here, proving that cats have a very long memory.

These folks are really just extended family, not by blood but choice. We immediately settled back into a casual chatter, just like when I used to come stay with them every trip back to Colorado before we moved back. They understood that I kind of needed to unwind after a long drive, and didn't freak out when my mind wandered a bit while I reset over dinner. In the days ahead, I get to look forward to a few touristy things (I have never seen Rushmore, so I want to now), a high school football game (younger kid is in the marching band--I'm so proud!), and a dressage exhibition (older kid's first show). This is going to be awesome. And of course, the best part will be just chilling with my BFF.

(Is that a buffalo...or a flea? Depends on if you read it facing left or right.)

Exponentially More Doors

Inspirational song: Mandelbrot Set (Jonathan Coulton)

I gotta say, hanging out with the kind of people who make complex math jokes is a fine way to while away an evening. It was another game night, with most of the group in person, two remote, and one stand-in to add to the frivolity. I get so much out of these game nights, like a fast-charge to my emotional battery pack. It's really cool that for the last two weeks we have been able to share it with some new participants. I hope they got as much fun out of it as I always do.

I spent most of the day trying to get the house at least back to the level of clean I achieved last week, with a bit more dust and pet hair mitigation for my highly allergic neighbor. Then I made scalloped potatoes for dinner, and an apple pie on the fly after the game had begun. After everyone left, I filled and started the dishwasher, wiped down counters, tossed the empties in recycling, and tried to bring order back from chaos. I want it to last, but I'm trying not to get my hopes up. I'm leaving tomorrow for a girl's weekend with one of my BFFs, and Papa will be babysitting both grandkids on his own while I'm gone. Considering how much Valerie achieved tonight with her first go-round with washable markers, I'm sure my currently tidy house is doomed. 

In between cleaning, cooking, and multiple rounds of laundry, I was glued to the news all day, watching the path of the hurricane. It looks like the north side of it is plowing right through the Villages, where my parents currently live. They are still on their grand tour, but have one of my step-mom's nieces housesitting. I hope she is safe. There is so much rain falling on their neighborhood overnight, but I think the reports say the storm has been downgraded quite a bit by now.

It's going to be a long several days away from my babies. I hope the Mr and my daughter remember to post lots of pictures in the group chat. Especially if there are more shenanigans like tonight.

WNL

Inspirational song: Smooth Criminal (v. Alien Ant Farm)

Seen on Twitter over the weekend: ruin chronic illness in 5 words. The obvious answer, "your tests came back normal." The nurse called me this afternoon, with that same vague answer for my ultrasound yesterday. No specific measurements, just "looks good, recheck in a year." Yeah, whatever. If I can force the portal to work for me, I'll get the details myself. Otherwise, I'll be in for an annual physical in a couple weeks. No need to harass the med center staff for my own pedantic needs.

I'm still struggling with that same weird tension as yesterday. I kept catching myself getting all tense, holding my body still and tight, for no discernable reason. Can't imagine what's up with this. Maybe I need to start drinking chamomile tea or something.

I tried to mellow out with a quick visit with the kids to cuddle a bit, but even then I couldn't relax. My son-in-law had to call my name a couple times to see whether I was okay, while I was zoned out, staring into space while I held Dmitri tightly, so the baby could coo in my ear. Val was expressing her boundaries, so I never got hugs from her. But she was pleasant to be around regardless, and I respected her polite "no" to a hug.

Tension

Inspirational song: From the Beginning (Emerson, Lake and Palmer)

The best part of getting massages in that moment during the session when your body relaxes so hard that your brain turns into tapioca pudding. As one who generally carries on a conversation during each massage, it's always kind of funny when the ability to speak real words rolls over and falls off the edge of the table. Yet, there I was today, so full of tension that I never hit that point of relaxation. I had told my long-term therapist that I was so sore and tired, there was nothing he could do that wouldn't help my situation. Neither one of us expected that my muscles would fight back so hard. It has now been about 10 hours since I left the spa, and I still haven't unwound. If anything, I'm spun more tightly than before. What gives? (Obviously not my muscles.)

I had an ultrasound to get a yearly update on my thyroid. The tech went super fast, and it was over in under five minutes. She said that she only saw two nodules, where in April of '21 there were four. I don't know whether to assume it was because they actually disappeared, or because she went so quickly through the whole thing. Dr Google suggests it is unusual for them to spontaneously vanish. I guess I'll wait for the radiologist to give me the official report before I assume they healed themselves. Something fun to hope for.

I didn't get to see the babies in person today. Looks like they had a big day without me. Val got shots and a new art table, and Dmitri got to listen to Val living her best life. See the photo for what he thinks of that.

Back to Earth

Inspirational song: The Rainbow Connection (Kermit the Frog)

Much as it would have been nice to take another whole day off to rest, we had to get back at it. We had both littles this afternoon, rocking matching rainbow outfits. I failed to get photos of Val, but I took several of Dmitri. 

It was a fairly uneventful babysitting gig. The boy was pleasant and easy most of the time, and the girl was content to do her own thing most of the day. Naturally, they watched Tangled (Val and Papa) while I cuddled Dmitri, and then we all went in and watched the latest Star Wars series. It bored Valerie to sleep, and I was content to nap with her.

It's nice being back in a familiar groove. The last week was heckin' awesome, but quiet time is welcome too. I have just enough time to rest up before my next adventure, which I'll discuss in days to come.

 

Power Off

Inspirational song: Hey, Hey, What Can I Do? (Led Zeppelin)

Saoirse was doing really well when we were going to training classes. They were interrupted when I got sick again a year and a half ago, and we never went back. So for all that I wanted to make her an official service dog, we didn't get all the way there. It's a pity, because she and I are so close that she really picks up on when I'm feeling less than well. It's just that she and I have no idea what she can do to help from there.

The last couple weeks were really rough on my available energy reserves. I had been slowing down a bunch over the last few days, but as of today, I'm officially out. My stated goals as of this morning were to eat a bowl of cereal with banana, and to water my flowers. It took most of the day, but I did it. 

I was the only one home for most of the day. Our houseguest worked until past dark, and the Mr has been out celebrating the neighbor's birthday since lunchtime (and it's almost 11 now). I adore my neighbors, but there was no way I was going to survive a brewery tour feeling like this. Let them have their fun. I was just fine staying home and napping through a depressing football game. My doggie checked in on me often enough, not that I could do more than pat her cheek and assure her I just needed rest.

 

We Started at the Top

Inspirational song: When You're Hot You're Hot (Jerry Reed)

Dmitri does not read this blog. That's why I am totally safe putting up a photo of the Christmas present I bought for him today. I'd give it to him right away, but he hasn't figured out how to hold stuff very well yet.

Today was the final full day of my parents' visit. We went up to Rocky Mountain National Park during the day, and down to Boulder for the Stampede and dinner this evening. This wasn't the first time we went up to Estes and beyond with them, but the last time we did it, neither of our daughters had started school yet. It has been a while. We went up Fall River Road, the narrow, one-way, improved dirt road that goes straight to the visitor center at the top, and then down Trail Ridge to get home. The aspens were starting to turn at higher altitudes, so we got to see early color. We saw elk, moose, and a marmot, but no big horn sheep this time. While up at the visitor center, I picked out a stuffed elk for Dmitri, so he can have some toys of his own that aren't just hand-me-downs. But I'm going to hold it for a few months, so he can figure out how to hold and shake a toy first. I'm sure Val will help him unwrap it this Christmas, as he won't have a clue how to do that this year.

My dad said he really enjoyed the pep rally in Boulder. He walked along with the college kids down the mall, getting high fives from football players, and hollering with the cheerleaders. Now if only his enthusiasm would translate into a win by the team tomorrow, that would be something. Maybe it will be a good thing that they'll be on the road by kickoff. But hey, dad, if you want to listen on your way down the highway, it will probably be on AM radio, 850KOA. Don't expect miracles.

This was a very good trip overall. We are all glad they came out this week. It would be cool if we lived closer for more frequent visits, but this one was worth the wait.

Do You Remember

Inspirational song: Kayleigh (Marillion)

This visit has been absolutely terrific, but my energy bill is starting to come due. I'm not talking about money. I'm talking about the enormous nap I needed to take this afternoon. I've been go-go-go for too many days in a row. I slept hard last night and barely got up in time to make it to my appointment with the rheumatologist in Northglenn. As it was, I was five minutes late. By the time I got home, I stumbled inside and was back asleep within the hour. I'm not really sure how I managed to steer the car the right way.

We had another simple evening of home cooking and visiting. Mostly it was me doing the cooking (my turn to provide) and everyone else hanging out and cuddling babies. The conversation was lively and the food was good. I specifically asked my dad what he remembers of my maternal grandfather, the one I based my character on for one of our role-playing games. We learned some really cool things I had no idea about, like how he once rigged up a proto-weed trimmer with a washing machine motor and coat hanger wire, years before string trimmers were on the market. Man, if only grandpa had patented and sold the idea. I could have been an heiress. 

I'd love to repeat more of what I learned, but my energy budget just ran out. I'm lying down, about seven feet away from where the box of my nighttime pills is sitting, wondering how the heck I'm gonna get them in my hands or mouth. Tomorrow will be a trip up to the mountains, to see how much early fall color we can find. Thank goodness it's mostly just sitting in a car.