Goodbye 2008

Another year completed. Certainly this will be remembered as the year we survived the great African Adventure. One of our fellow travelers sent her journal today -- http://sharono.smugmug.com/gallery/6943014_Voft7#444662378_4e8ot -- much more polite than my blog -- and much nicer pix. It was nice to relive some of the experiences through her eyes. Though I did not share all the upset when we only had bread -- I can go a while sans food. This is a photo with the group -- 9 paying customers and the two tour guides. Mark and I are in front. This was the day after my "one Africa safari away from my ideal weight" (thanks devil wears prada for the phrase) experience. Thank God for Cipro LOL. The worse the better for sure ....

It was also the year of finally making it to the running of the bulls. And chickening out LOL.

Sydney turned one. He is CRAZY .. tonight he jumped in my lap while I was eating. He has NEVER gotten table food. Never will. But he deserves credit for trying!

Anthony finished year one of college .. started year two. Mark swears I pushed him ... famous civil rights lawyer agrees to defend me pro bono if need be (REALLY). I got my coveted Manolos (thanks Mark). Saw the first kid I knew as a baby get married. Spent oodles of time babysitting the neighbor's newly adopted baby.

Became addicted to useless blogging. Was able to fit again into my London red dress. Got a certificate from the IPCC for my "contribution" to the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize. Said I would have preferred shoes and make a bunch of climate scientists mad.

Tried to each English to a candidate for the priesthood. Travelled lots for work. Was majorly screwed over by a close friend. Grew closer to other new friends. Let karma take over ...

Oh mine -- in the context of so much history not much happened. LOL.

Ready for my tradition. In 2004 went to Aruba for Christmas. Learned about a Cuban tradition. You take a bowl of water and put by the front door on New Year's Eve. At midnight open the door and throw out the water (out with the bad). Open back door (in with the good).

Went for a walk with Mark to get beer (for him -- I hate beer -- I am having Asti). Me and Sydney escorted him despite the horrid temperatures. I actually entertained the idea of letting him go alone ... but my instinct to watch over him took over. It was like being in Antarctica.

Happy New Year everyone!!! Which means my only blog reader, Mark!!!

Back to Work ... and Mark's Visit to Dr. Martin

Back to work this morning ... at my desk by 7 AM. Good thing to .. I managed to get all the stuff I brought home done by 10 AM ... when my boss returned unexpectedly early. Luckily I completed my to do list (plus I got to tell her about the funny investigation report that covered some cat fights ... tee hee). It was a tiring day after so much lounging. Left a bit after 5 (10 hrs -- but did take a 1/2 hour lunch). Took Sydney for a long walk (well ... just the medium walk .. not the pit walk). Looked pretty ragged at the end of the day.

Mark went to see Dr. Martin the surgeon. Wish I had been there so I could have heard stuff first hand. She thought the low blood pressure was the result of the infection and told him to take half the blood pressure medicine he is on and continue to monitor (his blood pressure has been higher than Christmas Eve .. but still low for such a tall person). At least he did admit blacking out (versus insisting I pushed him, which a High School Physics student would know is impossible). On the swollen lymph nodes .. she thought the neck one ... which is now normal was due to the infection. She said the under arm one (which is nearly gone) was not a lymph node but rather a swollen sweat gland. Apparently she said nothing to be concerned about ... she told him if it was on the other side (the side where he had breast cancer) she might be concerned. She did give him a very thorough exam and found nothing. Oh and when he came home and read about all his symptoms on the Internet (guess he had to confirm everything) he found out neuropathy (a common cancer treatment side effect) can be "dangerous". Bummer -- lost the website. I was too worried about under arm lump, which he kept till last. Anyhow I would be happy if he had seen his family Dr. but Dr. Martin said if the underarm lump came back she would need to remove it (and I presume examine it) so I guess I just need to chill. Ironically my blood pressure is now higher (although still not very high something less than 110 over 70). Or at least it settled at that after I ran home from church. Mark and Sydney walked me over and then I walked home. It was dark so I felt "safer" running :-). Now Mark will think he is perfectly rational. Which he clearly is not as this picture showing him wearing two different color socks proves!

I Hear Bitch Is the New Black

Mark and I had to go to his boss' Christmas open house tonight. As Mark refused to go to the Dr Friday after his Christmas Eve low pressure spell I was hassling him all day about how I was gonna go wearing my running clothes and not taking a shower.

As I knew I would know a lot of people there (including my assistant, whose hubby works with Mark) I eventually relented and took a shower and put on a dress (here I am with my best accessory, Sydney!). I continued to hassle Mark ... and eventually he whispered "bitch" under his breath. Now this was great as I had read in the Washington Post that "bitch was the new black" (meaning little black dress). So I said to Mark "Thanks, bitch is the new black" ... and of course he had no clue. LOL. He seems perfectly fine now -- I have taken his blood pressure 1000 times and it is normal to high as usual ... and his lymph node is almost back to normal .... he better describe his symptoms to his Dr tomorrow ... I hate Hippa ... without it I could crash the appointment but this pesky confidentiality is a bummer!

Oh well ... at least I earned the moniker of bitch .... if only from Mark LOL. Now I am truly Sydney's Mummy!!!! It is funny ... I can be called anything by anyone and I usually see a fun side to it LOL. As my childhood nanny whom I saw in July in Spain (after 30+ years) said ... she would have known me anywhere from the constant laughing and making fun of everything LOL -- I cannot help it everyone and everything is so funny. I can't wait to tell my sister about bitch being the new black LOL.

Boxing Day .... A Day in my PJs

Just after midnight I decided that today I would spend the day in my PJs. I thought I need a mental health day ... when I would not worry about Mark constantly.

When we came home from H's on Christmas I put my PJs on (it was just past 7). The plan was spending Dec 26 in my PJs -- I even walked Sydney in them (when we went to Antarctica in 2006 a third of the people in the ship started wearing their PJs to breakfast ... and then in the evening. I was one of them so now I am totally fine with wearing PJs outside. I did not get up at all except to walk Sydney! And zootoo. And I did play Guitar Hero. Sydney was pretty cuddly and stayed on the couch with me some. I still worried about Mark ... though his blood pressure seems more normal and his swollen lymph node is receding ..... He went to the store ... which worried me ..... But he came back.

I watched a bunch of films on HBO on demand .... none good. Except Rendition last night.

I tried to press Mark to go to the Dr today ... with threats of no shower till he does. But he insists seeing the surgeon Monday is good enough. I guess maybe tomorrow I will rejoin the world ... but I swear I need a week this way!

Merry Christmas

Christmas Day 2008 is almost over. Went to mass last night. Mark got sick during the service -- he clearly has issues (his blood pressure keeps dropping suddenly and his lymph nodes go up and down -- he fainted once and almost fainted at church). He has me so worried -- he seems to have some African infection. Don't think he has a cancer recurrence (unless he has the "rare" pulsating kind). But his refusal to see the Dr is very annoying (he sees the surgeon Monday -- does not seem to get that she probably can't help him). Just like his Mom -- who ended up in the ER all day because she refused to seek attention earlier.

Good thing we went to Houeida's for dinner or I would be in my PJs still. Of course I am back in my PJs. Not sure I will change tomorrow -- I am much too depressed.

One good thing is Mark liked the camera I got him. Takes an excellent Sydney photo! Here he is with Christmas Duckie.

Hopefully all will work out -- I still need mental health time off from the world though!

Where has the time gone?

I cannot believe it is Dec 21! Time is just super flying ... and not much blogging. Have been spending lots of time on zootoo -- one of my zootoo friends made this photo. Trying to help Vaughn win the million dollar shelter makeover contest. He is in second place now ... but that doesn't really matter. Top 20 move on to step 2 (a visit to select top 10). And then an American Idol like national vote (I think top 10 are on Animal Planet).

Anthony came home 13 Dec. He is working at his summer intern job at FAA for the four weeks he is here. And the neighbors keep hiring him. I like having Anthony around.

Bobby Webb came and stayed with us for a couple nights. Mark went to dinner with him ... I had to go to yoga. Funny how you can not see someone for a few years and it feels like you just saw them. Bobby is nuts -- keeps dating these women that as Mark politely put it "are not the Ph.D. types" ... and then less politely "more the DD types".

Mark got me my coveted pair of Manolos for translating his briefing. Came in on Tuesday and then I wore them Wed. About killed myself -- they are pretty high. Wore them to Dr. Bob's dinner (hosted by Dr. Bob to thank Scout parents) -- so I could be taller than him. But alas I was not --- but pretty close. I am really worried about Mark. He seems to have an infection from Africa. His lymph nodes keep suddenly inflaming ...then decreasing ... and back. He just saw Dr. Rodriguez his oncologist so I have to believe he is not having a recurrence. But is is hard not to worry. He also has lower blood pressure (which is kinda hard to judge as he is taking blood pressure medicine). Passed out before Anthony came home ... And when he came to accused me of pushing him. He had a cold at the time and was not resting. He has also had an ear infection. At least he sees the surgeon Dec 29 so hopefully she will knock some sense into him. I am just too upset to talk rationally with him.

At least I know he is not totally dying as he was REALLY mad that I dragged him to see Seven Pounds with Will Smith. I did not anticipate the level of chick flickness this film would have ... tee hee

Mark is back, a parade and a new haircut

Mark came back from Argentina this morning. It was great because he came in a few minutes after I woke up so I was not obsessively checking on his flight and calling him. He brought me alfajores and turron de jijona. Bummer they did not have turron de llema tostado -- my fave. But -- I should remember the lesson from last Christmas when I over ate and had to go on a 1200 calorie diet. I probably should cut back a bit before the Holidays -- yesterday was a disaster. And that darn Mark bought Oreos today -- have to put them where Anthony can see them when he is here -- but I cannot!

I managed to talk Mark into going to the Scottish parade. Lynn had sorted out having a Cavalier group -- there must have been 30-40 Cavs -- Tris (like Sydney), Rubies, Blenheim's and Black and Tans (Pressley & Bailey). We borrowed Miss Pressley so each of us had someone to walk. Of course, Cavs being Cavs, "walk" does not quite describe it. They went back and forth and jumped and ran and were all together crazy. Sydney was exhausted afterward .... but he never tuned down the energy while we were in Old Town!

In a flurry of activity for a Saturday went to get a haircut. Which as usual looks like the old one :-). The highlights look just the same. I guess Tulip and Heather are consistent! Gonna go to Pet Smart w/Sydney and get some treats. Mark is already fast asleep .....

Anthony went back to Pittsburgh :-(

Took Anthony to BWI yesterday. Traffic was not bad. I continue to surprise myself by being sad when I drop him off -- I am beginning to realize this will go on for the rest of my life. On Sunday Mark made us breakfast .... Anthony seemed to really like it. I miss having everyone together for Sunday breakfast ... but Mark and I still do it most Sundays.

I cannot believe how tall Anthony is getting -- every time he comes down he seems taller. Wearing his gym shoes he is now as tall as Mark! I wish he would get measured so I can satisfy my curiosity. Expect he is 6'2" or so.

Mark left for Argentina today ... house seems so empty after having Cam and Anthony (and Roma and Presley :-)). But in a couple of weeks Anthony will be back (actually in about 11 days) and Bobby Webb will visit. Bobby is crazy ... in fact just about everyone I'm friends with is crazy .... maybe we are all crazy in some way.

I wish I could have gone to Argentina but have used up all my vacation for the year. Have 30 days stored ... but I like to keep that for "emergencies". At least he is not going to one of my fave cities -- Buenos Aires. Went there on our second "big vacation" -- in 1986. Back then the plan was a "big vacation" every two years (1983 wedding, 1984 Europe, 1986 Brazil and Argentina). Then it was once a year. then came living in London and it became an almost every month occurrence -- going somewhere new. I like Buenos Aires because it is associated with Evita (here I am with Anthony at her tomb in 2006). I like the song -- every disadvantage you need if you need to succeed .... no father, no money (no something else -- I cannot recall). Can sure relate to it -- certainly no money growing up and as my father was not around certainly qualify as "no father". Mark would argue the "no father" but that's something he does not know anything about.

I translated Mark's presentation into Spanish for him. Took FOREVER -- mostly because I have to be such a perfectionist. I am still thinking of improvements -- but he is refusing to accept changes! I must have spent over 16 hours. Tried to charge him a pair of Manolos :-). I REALLY want those patent leather Mary Janes ...... despite rumors to the contrary I am just not frivolous enough to buy for myself. Tee hee ... I keep thinking if the IPCC had divided the prize money amongst the lead actors I could have had those shoes. Got a big certificate instead. Very colorful. My boss made me frame it. 1/10,000 of a Nobel Peace Prize ... too funny.

Better finish messing around, walk Sydney and make lunch ....