Updates Great and Small

B. is heading to Cali for six weeks from what we know so far.  We're not sure what changed, but we're glad he will be in his home state and sure hope we can wedge in a couple long weekend road trips down to see him.

H. finishes radiation tomorrow!  He's got sore skin on his chest and back - the radiation goes in on his chest and exits through his back - so both look like a really bad, painful sunburn.  I procured items recommended to try and will do my best to get him to actually apply them.  Parenting an adult is impossibly frustrating.  But we will continue to try to get him to do what needs doing.  It's not that he resists the big things.  He drives to Modesto five days a week and never complains.  He's never complained about any of it, really.  Not an ounce of self pity or struggle about what needs doing - he's just done it.  But the little things - urging him to get proper rest; eat better; apply things to his skin daily as he's been advised to do by the doctor - those things he resists.  Typical, I guess.  He'd be resisting sleeping more and eating better even if he didn't have cancer.

I have two other family members approaching surgery dates in the next couple weeks and it makes me wish I lived closer to those family members.  I also have a cousin going through a bone marrow transplant for leukemia - also far away.  Praying for everyone with all my might.

I worked minimally yesterday and realized I was way ahead of where I thought I was - what a treat it is to have weekends free.  I don't think that's happened in my entire tenure in this position and it's just so welcome.  It feels weird, though.  But I'll get used to it.  Fewer meetings and shifting things off my plate has really helped me accomplish my personal goal - work fewer weekends.  And it's happening!  I could get used to this.

J. and I enjoyed headed to Jackson again on Friday really early and finally enjoyed the seafood buffet. We're not sure why the buffet last week was so incredibly crowded - 'cuz we rushed up there very early (and J., bless his heart, stood in line for an hour+ to secure our place) and yet we could have easily gotten a table without being there so early.  Guess it's just dependent on when people get paid; bus schedules; etc. .  The food was good but as always, it's just way too much work to get lobster and crab meat out of the shells. Splattering liquid and other stuff all over the place for two bites of meat.  (I've had those same thoughts every time we've done a crab feed fundraiser, etc. .)  Yes, it's delicious - but it's a lot of work - and I'm just not that patient.  Thankfully, my wonderfully sweet hubby helped - and found melted butter, too.  It was a nice dinner though I was itching to get back to my machine - I was on a hot streak when J. got to the table.

Though we ended up leaving in the red, we weren't down as much as we brought so that's good.  We're going to all head up next Sunday for a nice dinner.  I'm urging H. to save a little of his weekly $ for our trip up and J. is going to play Black Jack with him, I think.  I'm also thinking we could all play video poker which at least helps you learn the basics of the game.

So far, the promotion that has me going each weekend has been disappointing - meal credits vs. any free play.  I plan to write a letter if I end up getting only food credits for the entire promotion.  They give away weekly free play just to get you up there - so I never imagined in a million years that five weeks of 'pull tab' prizes [that are invalid if not opened by a casino employee] would result in not much play at all.  It bums me out - and I've promised J. that as soon as the event is over, I will go back to going up there once in a blue moon vs. weekly.

My obsession with Titanic slots will abate.  Once I win the progressive!  Let's do this thing!!

Today, I'm going to work on closing out our 2013 taxes.  Hoping to hear from B. tonight via Skype. Piddling around the house and probably getting in the pool for a bit, depending on how hot it gets here today.  It's still a mild 70 at the moment so perhaps it won't be a scorcher.

Here's to a productive week!