Cross another mall off the list

Finally got some extended time out and away from the house today after the "snomeggadon" or "snowpocalypse" or whatever the weather dudes and dudettes were calling it.  Not that we're completely dug out. I'm just one person, and with a finicky snowblower and not great back, there's only just so much snow I can haul, push, shovel, blow, etc in the one day. And yesterday I was too damn sore from snow "wrangling --  as a friend put it -- that I couldn't do more. So my car remains trapped. Seriously, quite trapped in quite a lot of snow still. And there's only one escape chute out of the end of the piles at the end of the driveway (4ft piles mind you -- gee thanks Mr Plowmen). It's much easier getting out of the driveway than in. I didn't quite think of that when I managed the hole just wide enough for Michael's AWD Venza. D'OH! 

But nevertheless we got out, went out to dinner last night as we were getting cabin feverish, and went out today for breakfast, and to a mall for M to walk because we've been slug like since the snow. Ok, well, I was definitely not slug-like on the day after snow-day, but I was yesterday. Recouping. And so we needed to get back to the walking routine especially after he'd been so good and doing so well up in Boston. So we hit a mall today and can add or cross yet another local mall off the list. And naturally had to also stop for more caffeine beverages. He's decided he likes DD coffee just fine and it's cheaper than Megabucks, but I'm not sold as I've had both lattes that were sickeningly sweet and then overly burnt and not sweet at all, so I'm still probably gonna want my caramel lattes from somewhere other than DD. And we stopped to pick up some last minute food stuff for a big family dinner as M's cousins are in town from KS and the others came over too and it was a wild, woolly, wacky time with all the kiddos running around, and Olympics watching, and cookie baking, and catching up. I'm exhausted just from having watched it all whirl around me! 


M's really doing better, although today was one of the 'bad' pain days -- they still come and go. And while he's cleared to drive I kind of haven't really let him yet. Having issues there that probably will be a separate post. I don't know why. But he's thrilled to be back up in the front seat -- although he also admits that it was secretly quite cool and neat to have his own personal chauffeur these past many weeks.  And I won't even get into whether I have my own personal issues over fact that he's likely headed back to work toward end of this coming week. Although he may work from home some, it all just seems so soon even though I know it's not. Where on earth have 6 weeks gone??!!  And how will he ever survive those hours at work without any PlayStation Baseball?!   ;-) 


Peace
J

Signs of the apocalypse ...

Jenn having Starbucks multiple days in a row & some kind of coffee 5 of last 8. And damn, there isn't a bloody Starbucks in this airport. I so don't need this new habit / addiction & I kinda liked being the last coffee holdout in the US.
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

More sleep = happier Nurse Jane

We both got more sleep last night -- although M's required some acts of contorsion on his part. As I told him, 'hey, WHATEVER works'.

Yesterday was a longish day -- hell, they ALL have been -- but in a different way. More active, and that's great. But also some nice sitting and chilling. And a real meal for M at a real restaurant type place. ok .. it was the same restaurant I've been eating dinner at with family and stuff off/on since the night of the surgery -- but it is good!

Highlight of the day -- at least as far as M was concerned -- getting caffeine.  I desparately needed something more than ice tea and since I've commented that this appears to be a Pepsi town, or at least the CC has a big time Pepsi deal (dammit), I can't get a real, fully sugared, fully caffeinated god damn COKE anywhere.  So -- it was off to Starbucks. See, this is a big deal because I don't drink coffee. Only once in a blue moon, or in desperation. And then only doctored and latted and creamed [hey a non-fat caramel latte ain't actually that bad!] and sypruped until it's just a hot adult milkshake [oops! this one IS!] with a hint of coffee flavor. thankfully that's what Starbucks excels at.  So I got my hit and felt better. 

And then M wanted to try some.  Now mind you, he's been off ALL caffeine for 18+ months b/c it so screws with his system with the heart problem and the uber doses of meds. The weeks he went off cold turkey ... oh man oh man.  So this was his first real sip or two of coffee in a long time. He tried mine.  He was ok. He waited. He was still ok.  He asked for more.
I told him "my caffeine dammit"  ;-)   So we went back later and he ordered his own latte and sipped it slowly and said it was like the veil that had been over his head was lifted for first time in long time and clarity returned. He may even have seen stars and tweety birds and angels singing. He is one damn happy camper. Such an ecstatic look on his face. Huh -- I think the Starbucks people may be his new BFFs  and I am now distantly behind them.  ;-)

Today -- more walking, chilling. And contacting airlines and such to get assistance getting him home.

Caretaking Lesson:  Don't touch the patient's bananas, or now, his coffee.   And when he says his needs pain pills now -- no arguing, no stopping to get completely dressed, do not pass Go or collect $200, just get the dang pills.

Peace
Jenn