It's Monday.....MC

Gorgeous here today, maybe in the low 60s.  It was supposed to rain, but since I've got guys up on the roof making holes, I suppose it's just as well that it isn't. I hope the weather holds.  I really hate when it cools down and everyone gets out their jeans and sweatshirts, and then it heats up again.

Paige, if whatever is going on doesn't resolve itself pretty soon, then get yourself to a doctor and get it checked out. We always expect the worst, but it could turn out to be something easily taken care of.

My "over protective watch dog" is standing at the front window, tail wagging, watching total strangers going up and down a ladder.  I think he's wondering why they're not inside, scratching his ears.

Joyce

Paige - I assume you injured your back. Having just done that myself, I can only offer my deepest sympathy and this advice. If you can handle ibuprofen, take 800 mg every 6-8 hrs. It sounds like a lot but it's what the dr. told DH to take and what I was given after my surgery. One day when my back was at it's worst, I even took 2 tylenol in between the ibuprofen. I was a little worried about the damage to my stomach, so I took a Pepcid AC about an hour after I took the Ibuprofen. I also used the Thermacare wrap for a few days. I hope you feel well enough tomorrow to compete with Gracie. (((Hugs)))

cakana

was a little worried about the damage to my stomach, so I took a Pepcid AC about an hour after I took the Ibuprofen. I also used the Thermacare wrap for a few days. I hope you feel well enough tomorrow to compete with Gracie. (((Hugs)))

Thanks Cathy.  Are you feeling better yet?  To make matters worse, Thurs I started with what may be ulcers or IBS or something, so ibuprofen or aspirin seems like even more of a risk.  I honestly am not sure what I did to my back - could be clenching my stomach all night plus sleeping on a futon?  I dunno - I've always had back problems, but this time blows.  A friend gave me some Aleve which is supposed to be easier on the stomach, and I went to my storage unit at lunch to get my heating pad which feels heavenly right now!  Also got my ThermaWraps for tomorrow.  I have no health insurance so there's no doctor visits in my future.

Whaa whaa, I should stop complaining.  I'm just mad b/c if this happened next weekend I'd whine and rest and get through it.  I'm mad that I walked on uneven gravel yesterday for that demo at the danged charity event, too.  I should have just stayed home and rested my back.  Grrr.  Ok, enough whining.  My coworker went home early again today - she was in a car accident a week ago, so who am I to complain?

Feel better, Paige!

Jackie, sorry about the building burning down :(  They've been talking about knocking down one of the arenas in the area that many people think is a city landmark, not sure which is worse -- burning down by accident, or having your city tear something down.

Barb, yay for facials!  And, for sometimes-thoughtful bosses.  Care to share more about your bouncy flash -- what type do you have?  We have some colleagues that are big into photography and have flash setups but I'm not sure yet about how much I would use it yet, so we haven't taken the plunge.  Still learning the world of DSLR!  But I'm always curious about the equipment people choose, and why, and ultimately how it works out for them. 

I've not been around much, I've been really tired and what little energy I've had, has gone into some small house projects.  That, and a game on Google+ LOL.

Paige, I hope your back pain eases up before the Rally event.  Good luck to you and Gracie.

I got so mad driving back to the office after lunch.  I was already irritated because of a ridiculously long wait in the drive thru line at the bank.  Then I'm driving on this little two lane, winding road behind three other vehicles. The speed limit is 30 mph and we're approaching a stop light when this fool with three kids in the car passes me and cuts in between me and the car in front of me.  I had to brake hard to avoid rear ending her.  I wanted to pull her out of the car and give her a piece of my mind and a few bitch slaps.  Lucky for her, I've mellowed in my old age.

I'm seriously considering taking off Monday. 

 You all probably recall that I've whined on here about my Dad, and getting upset about feeling like he either ignores or forgets about me.  The general concensis was that I should just talk to him.  Well, true to form I've been putting it off for the last several months, you know just-in-case ignoring the problem would make it go away....   Big shock, it didn't.  I finally made arrangements and we're meeting for dinner tonight.  He asked if he should be concerned, which kind of gives me hope, but then again, I don't know.

Anyways, we're meeting in 2 hours and my stomach is now in knots.  I know iDog vibes/prayers were wonders, so if I could get some calming ones, and maybe some "its-all-been-a-misunderstand-I-do-want-you-&-your-family-around" ones would be great too.

Paige I'm sorry your back is hurting, fingers crossed the heat helps.

I'd also really like some sunny days...

I've forgotten pretty much everything else, but hugs and good vibes to all in need.

Oh Steph I am definately sending you calming....Daddy loves you and needs you and is sorry he upset you vibes :)

ETA: Big big hugs from me and sloppy kisses from Hot and Rock!

Good vibes heading your way, Steph.  I'll go with you if you want. :)   I'm in the mood to straighten out some people today.  lol

TheDogHouseBCMPD

Anyways, we're meeting in 2 hours and my stomach is now in knots. I know iDog vibes/prayers were wonders, so if I could get some calming ones, and maybe some "its-all-been-a-misunderstand-I-do-want-you-&-your-family-around" ones would be great too.

All of the above...you've got from me. Good luck with the meeting.

Nicole, I purchased a Sunpak DigiFlash 2800 from Amazon.com.  It was affordable at $65.00 compared to a Nikon brand at around $300.00.  So, I'm one of those people who dive right in to something and learn as I go.  I am so impressed with this little flash!  For example, pictures that I took in the house with the basic flash resulted with green alien eyes.  With this flash those eyes are normal.  Big brown doggie eyes or big blues of mine and Rick.  The flash is adjustable and you can either have it pointed straight at the subject or pointed straight up or varying in between.  I've been playing with the varying adjustments and you can see a distinct difference.

I need to go research more on the usage at www.sunpak.com

JackieG

Good vibes heading your way, Steph.  I'll go with you if you want. :)   I'm in the mood to straighten out some people today.  lol

Jackie - lemme know if you see that woman on the roads tomorrow - I'm ready to throttle people who do dangerous things w/kids in the car!

 Good vibes coming, Steph.  Men, even Dads, sometimes just don't have a clue that anything is amiss!

Living in GA definitely has some advantages.  I don't like to see the colder weather coming, but I spent the afternoon planting some cheery yellow pansies in my hanging planters to replace my VERY sad looking impatience.  I love the pansies in the middle of "winter" when everything else is bare or brown.  

Hey, if we can't have snow for Christmas, I'll take blooming yellow pansies!

Paige - I agree about avoiding the ibuprofen if you've got tummy troubles. I thought Aleve was almost as bad but maybe not and if it helps, go with it. My back is 99% better and only aches a little first thing in the morning. I feel preachy saying this but if you can at all handle some light cardio, try that too. I was worried I wouldn't be able to handle it but every time I've worked out, I've ended up feeling way better.

Steph - I'm sending you good vibes for your talk tonight. I agree with the advice to have some suggestions for how you'd like things to be. I have a good feeling about this and hope I'm not wrong.

I watched the news when they overturned the conviction of Amanda Knox and got all teary-eyed. I'm so happy for her and her family.

Me too Cathy.  That whole scenario was just plain wrong from the beginning.  I had a neice who spent a semester in Italy studying architecture.  I just kept thinking about how something like this could have happened to her.  So happy for Amanda and her family.

Paige...I certainly can sympathize...I have stomach issues and can't take a lot of nSaids which stinks.  It sounds like you really need something to relieve the pain.  I hope you feel better soon.  Take it easy.  Not that it will help you right now...because you have distinct pain.  But, I'm with Cathy on the exercising.  I have low back issues (spine structure) and what finally helped me is strengthening the muscles that support the spine.  And, stretching.  I know this doesn't help right this moment...because you shouldn't be exercising while in pain.  But, long term...its what helped me through it.

CoBuHe

Me too Cathy.  That whole scenario was just plain wrong from the beginning.  I had a neice who spent a semester in Italy studying architecture.  I just kept thinking about how something like this could have happened to her.  So happy for Amanda and her family.

Same here.  Being in jail would be bad enough, but being imprisoned in a foreign country has to be the absolute pits. It seems like it would be hard to even find an attorney who believed you and who you could trust.

Joyce

 Thanks all :)

For the most part it went well.  We both agree there were things we'd work on, but for the most part it was a combination of crappy schedules and just out and out not thinking.  Which I much prefer to intended exclusion.  Also found out where the cold shoulder from my step-mom is coming from and I *may* be able to do a little bridge mending.  And I was this >< close to getting through it w/o any tears :)   Really appreciated everyone's good thoughts, it kind of made it like I wasn't going in alone, and that helped some :)