“If I were any later, I’d be moving backwards!”-  Me, to the cats as Sami waits outside for our departure.  

Headed out to the coast for the weekend.  Ciao!

Sixteen years ago, after a harrowing hospital stay- my baby girl lost the battle to remain in the warm confines of my womb.  Sixteen years ago this today, she was born via C-Section and my world hasn’t been the same since. 

We celebrated this evening as a family by heading out for dinner at McGrath’s, where my father slipped our server a note on a napkin indicating that today was her birthday and it’d be an appropriate time for her to don the ‘fish hat’ and be treated to an ice cream sundae and a round of “Happy Birthday”, sung heartily by the staff and crowd of approximately fourty patrons.   She was horribly embarrassed, but happy nonetheless.   Later, she said that it was likely her best birthday ever.  I’m glad.  Despite all our differences, I love her more than words can express.  (well, most of the time. :-)  )

This weekend, we are taking a family trip to the coast.   (Scott- wish you could be with us!).   Tagging along will be Sami’s boyfriend, Max.  It’ll go down something like this:  Friday night, I’ll be packing up the car for the weekend and will be heading down to Eugene to pick up Max before heading to the coast for the night.   We’ll be tent camping for at least one night.  Then, Saturday after her dialysis treatment, my parents and possibly my brother, Kris will bring their new (to them) RV and settle down for a brief one night stay in a nearby campsite.  It’ll be their first overnight trip and I am excited to see how they fare.  Having watched the movie “RV”, I have to admit that I’m a bit fearful about the sewer hookup.

Hoping for good weather- I am dying to get out and shoot photos.  Hope the kids are up to walking- I haven’t been to the coast since before I first lost weight, so I am sure I’ll fare better than I have in the past.

I’d better get packing-  I have to get the car cleaned out and then packed.   Additionally, I am doing most of the cooking while on this trip, so I need to get our meals ready to go.    Nice to have a ‘to do’ list that includes the words “before we head out of town”.    I’ve forgotten how much better those words make me feel. 

It’s been another one of ‘those days’.   This schedule has me crazy, but I need to adapt to it and try to keep it up- even after the beeper rotation is over.   I want to be around more for Sami this year and this is the only way I can accomplish it.

At appx 10AM, I ran home for lunch and whipped up the most delicious little stir-fry.  For once, I didn’t overcook the veggies- they were just ‘this side’ of raw and I LOVED it!  I had leftovers and was very suprised when Sami asked me if I would share them with her for dinner.   I was fully expecting that I would have to cook something else for her as she usually hates stir-fry, but she actually requested this!    I’m back on the wagon and I tell you, it’s going to be so much easier when she’s onboard with me.

In other family news, my folks had to take their pet rat, Olivia (who is a cutie!) to the emergency vet clinic last night as she was having a lot of trouble breathing.  Respitory issues are common in rats as are tumors, so they were quite concerned.   The vet administered subcutaneous fluids (for dehydration) and antibiotics for a suspected infection and Mom and Dad brought ’Livia home and watched her closely.   Today appeared to be a rough day for her, too, but this evening she accepted a banana slice from my father and seems to be on the mend.  I am so relieved.  Not only is she an absolute sweetheart, but she is very near to my mother’s heart.  Losing her little furry girl would be heartbreaking for her. 

Right now, things are going well.   Nothing too exciting, but still going well.   It’s these little victories that really count.  Well, I’ll just take them however I can get them.