Catching Up

So in the past month a lot has been going on, it's crazy to think that it's almost November already! With the world busy outside my window, here I sit alone in my apartment. Not by choice, by demands...the doctors are saying I have come down with H1N1. Not that any of us would really know, they aren't doing any testing. I have a cough...then I got a fever, so apparently that's enough to say H1N1. What that translates down to me is, I am to remain isolated and not allowed to return to work for 7 days, or longer, depending on when my fever resolves. It's already been a long couple days and I feel myself getting restless, so I hope these books I'm trying to read can hold my attention for another 5 days.

September was a busy month, starting with the sprint triathlon that Matt and I did. I wanted to go as a team, but Matt needed to go individual before he deployed...sadly, that meant I also had to do it individual if I wanted to compete. However, this tri went quite a bit better than the one I did back in May. While it was extremely difficult and I didn't do very well, I finished. I also had my breathing and heart pain much more under control, so that was reassuring.

As most of you could guess by my previous post, the following weekend we had a family reunion for my grandparents 60th anniversary. We had a great turnout that included 4 generations =) Sadly, not everyone was able to make it so hopefully we can have another shot at it before too long. Either way it was great to see the grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and all the babies!

The days between the weekends were filled with hanging out with Matt prior to his deployment - it included lots of sushi, big dinners with all the friends and tons of laughter.

Soon after I headed to Dallas, TX for a work conference. It was ok...nothing too exciting to report and Dallas didn't really offer a whole lot to encourage a return trip. My co-workers and I did venture out of the hotel to include visits to the House of Blues, Hard Rock Cafe, Gilley's (but they didn't have the mechanical bull, and that was the ONLY reason we went...), Texas State Fair (where we saw mini herefords, pig races, dog freestyle dancing and an 1,100 lb pig), and the 6th Floor Museum (where Kennedy's assassin was positioned). We kept busy but the stay seemed to be overshadowed by the attempted bombing of a gorgeous skyscraper 5 blocks from my hotel...needless to say, after that report hit the news, my sleep was a little more than restless.

September was busier than October has been, but where has October gone then? Needless to say it's included lots of meals with friends and even more football. The weeks are filled with work which has been overwhelming at times, but it's going well and the busier it is - the faster it goes. Last weekend was a huge surprise to Miah, Christina and I, as Matt was able to come home on an unexpected pass. Once again, we (not quite all as Matty had his graduation from basic the same weekend) were back together. We ate, drank, played, and laughed while we enjoyed our last time together for quite a while. The time we all shared together didn't make us sad to separate, it just made us more excited to reunite once everyone comes back home.

Now, here I am. H1N1. Home. Alone. It's been ok. Time to rest. Time to reflect. It's been a crazy past couple months. And I'm sure a few insane months will follow. I look forward to see what life will bring. Even though I'm sick, it's been a long time that I've been this happy and content. In some areas, it feels like I've hit rock bottom where it can only go up from here, which I know it will. In other areas, I'm on top of the world and no one can take that away from me.

Something About It

Friday was a wonderful day. Why you might ask? If you were to ask, I'd tell you this:

Fridays are usually my clinic day at work, but for some reason we didn't have any veteran's scheduled. Because of this it was a huge catch up and documenting day. I even got to be a little proactive - which is VERY uncommon for me, at least at work. There is usually too many emergencies walking through my door for me to be able to look ahead. Anyway, I had decided that I was going to take full advantage of my no clinic Friday - and leave early. When there is clinic, we don't really know when it will get over so it's hard to leave early - at least planned.

But this Friday I could. I put in for a couple hours of comp. time and it was approved. Next task, to make sure NOTHING comes up to get in the way of me leaving early - which is a regular occurrence. 1:30: my phone rings...I have a half hour to go, I have to answer, but please be a simple question. It was, whew. 1:45: phone rings again...just a fellow co-worker just scaring me knowing I want to leave early and checking to see if I'd answer...how kind.... Now I just pray it doesn't ring again. If it does when I'm in my office, it would bother me all weekend of not knowing how urgent the call was. 2:00: no more calls and I'M OUTTA HERE!

I already had planned to work out today, and now I could get to the gym before everyone else takes up the treadmills. Especially on cold days like this, I change at work so I don't lose motivation between work and the gym (this is something I have learned to do from experience...) I hurry to change and sneak out the back door to the parking lot to make sure no one stops me in the hall because they "need something." Safe!

As I'm driving away and to the gym, I have a weird sense of accomplishment. There is just something about not being at work when you "are supposed to be" and when everyone else is working that just feels glorious! Throughout my whole run I just kept thinking, this is so great - I'd be sitting at my desk and here I am, running.

It's not like I did anything fun or special. It was just a much needed, yet little, break from the regular tasks that can begin to haunt a schedule. Once in a while we all need little breaks like that and this one couldn't have come at a better time.

I ran three miles and still got done over an hour before would have actually been outta work. I was home, showered and relaxing on the couch when I would have just been locking my office door. My puzzle has come a long way. It's a slow process starting as OCD can get in the way of enjoying puzzles, but once you get moving, my organizational skills make it much easier and faster. Then off to a great night of eating at Olive Garden and bowling with friends.

Low key and relaxing - couldn't have asked for better.