cute dress makes day

It's not a great photo, but trust me, the dress is cute. On a crummy day it has made all the difference. I am continually reassured that my friends know what I need before I get it figured out. thank you.

"nothing gold can stay" -r. frost

Let's just say that I am better with plants than goldfish.

six months

This week marks six months since I returned to LA following my surgery and hospital stay in San Diego. As promised, it has been slower and more challenging than I had anticipated. Orion continues to be an incredible support, as are my parents, friends, and extended "family". My fingers are crossed that the series of six month evaluative tests all check out ok. I still go to 3-5 appointments a week, and walk, walk, walk in place of formal physical therapy. PT is a great thing and now it up to me to maintain and continue to improve. Thanks for the new walking shoes, mom & dad!

county fairs aren't just for Iowa

Welcome to the LA County Fair 2006 -- woo hoo!



The first tip is to pay the extra five bucks for VIP parking, at the end of the day it is the best $5 you'll have spent. The draw on this particular day was the Pat Benatar show, but before that there was much to do...

There were the prize winning baked goods, crafts, and livestock (sorry, no photos of the ewe giving birth to twins who were greeted by a million flash bulbs. Those poor lil sheepies thought they were being born on the red carpet).
Does this look familiar?


I do believe I have the very same homage in my Iowa storage unit, one of the grad school greats that I, evidently, am not doing nearly enough to showcase -- notice the color the of the ribbon. I guess all I need is a frame...humph!

I actually thought this was the best thing I saw in the wide world of textiles



Lili was true to her word and made me understand the beauty and science involved in a porkchop on a stick.



For the first time in my life I won at a carnival game. The magic of colored water and a ping pong ball made me the happy owner of three adorable goldfish (*aquarium* included).



For those of you who don't know, I have been wanting a goldfish for a very long time. So not only did I win something, but I took home valued friends...after carrying them around for the next six hours.



I actually only won two of the fishies, Corn Dog & Funnel Cake (a.k.a. Monique). One was given to me by Shaz, who you can kind of see -- Luke is the one with the beer, Shaz has the great ring. I promised to give her fish, Pat Benatar, a good home.

None of the Pat B. photos turned out, but all in all it was a Sunday well spent.



Until next year........

thursday

I know I promised county fair photos (they are coming), but this week has been full of doctors and tests and spending my days on hold with receptionists. Yesterday was a rough one. After a morning of trying to get my head sorted out, I spent the afternoon back at the hospital re-taking the big tests (CT angiogram and nuclear med scan). It shouldn't have been any worse than expected, but after 90 minutes, 6 nurses, and equally as many attempts to start an IV, I was pretty broken. Last night I nursed my arms with ice and arnica, so today the bruising and soreness is almost ignorable. It is just my spirit that needs some nurturing. All of this is leading up to the six months since I left San Diego on Saturday.

Funniest encounter, the UPS guy this morning who goes, "wow, have you always had that scar?!...so, are you going to be ok?...whoa! what happened to your arms?...I had no idea."

I'm off to get my Coumadin levels checked. I'll leave you with a more hopeful thought...there was a green sighting today.

september is the 9th month

I know concerns have been expressed that I have not been posting. Things are fine. fine, fine, fine. I am making some med changes, so every other day I alternate between feeling pretty darn good and pretty darn awful. In another week I can celebrate six months since leaving the hospital in San Diego. woo-hoo! Until then, what can I really expect??

On my good days I have been trying to cram in the fun.
Orion took me out on the town to check out an Iowa gal who is rockin' Hollywood with her unique rap style and campaign to save the gem sweaters from lonely lives in thrift stores and attics. You should check out her website (especially if your name is Lili) -- the gateway to the world of Leslie Hall. To view the gem sweater collection start here. We missed her when she was at Amoeba, so tonight was a must see!





















[thanks for the photos erincaruso.com]
Once I recover from my big night out, I'll be back to share some images of the LA County Fair.........good times!