My two big outings.

I've been out of the house twice in 11 days now. And since I'm laying here unable to get comfortable, I thought I would distract myself by telling you about them. Poor you if you have nothing better to do then read about my exciting adventures right now.

My first and most exciting outing was to the 'open air' MRI. We reclined the car seat all the way back, placed some pillows strategically, stretched my legs up onto the dash board and with only a few moans, were on our way. Laying on a hard metal table being told not to move for 40 minutes is rough but at least I didn't have to be in the claustrophobic little tube. 'Open Air' is the only way to go. After 30 minutes of lying in a horrendously uncomfortable position, the technician came in to shoot dye into my veins and do some more x-rays. By this point, I was in a lot of pain and was trying to be brave but tears were trickling down my face and annoyingly into my ears. Yup, when you're laying completely flat, that's where the tears end up, in your ears. It's annoying. Loverboy stood holding my hand and then leaned over, kissed me on the cheek and sang into my ear the James Taylor song that was playing in the room except he was changing the words to fit with what was happening at that moment. I couldn't laugh but it was still sweet and as always left me wondering what I would do without him. (By-the-way, the results of the MRI show a herniated disc. L5 I think. The same one I herniated 10 years ago and had surgery to repair. Who knew you could herniate a disc twice? After a week and a half on steroids, the pain hasn't subsided and I fear I may soon start growing hair on my chest or developing large, bulging muscles. So, it's on to plan B....going to see a specialist on Friday...)

Memorial Day my family headed off to the church BBQ/swim party and I prepared to endure another day in bed, alone. The day was o.k. and when they all got home later and decided to head to the end of the culdesac for a neighborhood party that had just begun, I decided to be adventuresome and join them. I reasoned the fresh air would do me some good. I didn't want to make a scene so loverboy drove me four houses down (not conspicuous at all) and tossed a blanket under a shady tree and deposited me there and then ventured out to mingle.

Every now and then I'd see him talking to someone and point over in my direction, no doubt explaining that that pathetic heap over there was his wife. Later, out of pity I'm sure, one lady he'd been talking to came over and sat down and talked to me for awhile. Out of probably 75 people at the little street party, she was the only one who came over to visit me. Unless of course you count the 3 dogs who tried to come and pee on me. Apparantly I'd planted myself on the local neighborhood pee spot.

The first little guy came and sniffed me and then turned around and started backing in towards me. I don't know much about dogs but I knew that wasn't a good sign. I tried to push him away hoping his owner wasn't looking on at the crazy lady laying on the grass abusing his dog. The second smelly little thing followed a few minutes later, peed a mere inch from my blanket before I even knew what was happening, then turned and started to kick up grass on me (grass with pee on it I'm sure) as if trying to cover the evidence. After doggie number 3 showed up and lifted his leg, I had had it and called for my coach to take me home....back to the shelter of my cozy little room and my soft bed...with no one trying to pee on me.