General Update

The goings-on for the past couple of weeks:

* The SD got back from her mom's house. It was a very good visit, and I'm happy that she and her mom got along well.

* We flew out one of SD's friends from SLC, and she spent nearly three weeks with us.

* We went camping (SD, her friend, me, Ed, and then our two friends, TSJ and DBA. Girls took a tent, adults were in the RV). The weather was absolutely gorgeous, and it wasn't a long drive, so it was a good weekend for camping.

* Took a little shortie cruise to Nassau (Bahamas) last weekend. SD and her friend had fun (first time the friend had been out of the country), and it was cool to just relax. I'm very glad that we didn't pick a super long trip - 3 days was a little short, but by the end of 7 days I'm climbing the walls, ready to go home. TSJ watched the kitties for us (thanks again!). I managed to set of the Geiger counter at DCA (Reagan National Airport), but no one stopped me. Go figure. (Just as a side note, we had a bunch of pictures taken on the cruise, and I look like crap in every single one. What's up with that? Why didn't the photogenic gene pay me a visit?? WTF?)

* SD is all registered for her new school (Ed took her in this morning to finish the registration process). I can't believe what a PAIN changing schools has been. First, show up with a copy of your new lease, and documentation showing that you're actually planning on moving (utility disconnect notices work), and present all of that information to the residency baoard—because we want to start her in school a mere two weeks before we move!—and wait for an approval letter. Then appear in PERSON and withdraw the student from the original school, making sure to get a copy of the withdrawl notice, and then take all of that information to the NEW school (again in person!) and wait several days for them to check it all out. Then, discuss class schedules & levels, and then appear one more time (in person) to finish the registration process. What BS.

* Mom and Dad aren't going to make it for Thanksgiving. I'm pretty bummed out.

* Work is insane, as usual. All sorts of things going on that have to be finished now. It's been pretty quiet the last couple of weeks, so I guess I shouldn't complain.

* The State of Maryland has graced us with it's ineptitude. We have to go back and pull the cancelled checks for our 2005 taxes, 'cause they don't think we filed (even though they cashed the checks). Idiots.

Business as usual...

A Return to Normal

I've been feeling much better, lately. I'm starting to return to my pre-depo, pre-hyperthyroid self (and she's not so bad, if I do say so!).

Lots of little things that add up to a huge difference. I'm far more emotionally stable. I don't feel shaky all the time. I eat alot less, so I'm loosing weight. I feel energetic - like I can stay up all night again, and be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed in the morning. My brain is starting to work at full capacity again (I can form sentences, and I don't have to strain for words).

I'm back, baby!

Iceland Pictures

I finally have a few Iceland pictures to post. Took me long enough...



This is the south-western shore of Iceland. The picture does not do it justice - it's breathtaking, magnificent; the sounds of the water, the feel of sea-spray on your face, the wind in your hair. It's beautiful.


This is the waterfall Gullfoss. It's not very tall, but the river is wide, and the water cascades down several steps at this point. If it weren't so cloudy, you'd be able to see the Langjokull glacier in the background on the left-hand side. Langjokull (translates to "long glacier") has an area of about 950 square kilometers, and rises in between 1200 and 1300 meters above sea level. Langjokull is about 1/8 the size of Iceland's largest glacier, and Europe's biggest icecap, Vatnajokull


This is Ed with one of the many geyers in Iceland. This particular geyser, Strokkur, feeds from the same hot spring that gives life to Geysir (the one and only - the geyser namesake).


Ed and I at one of the many small falls in Iceland. There are a million little waterfalls, rivers, ponds, hot pots, and steam vents. This one was particular pretty - we were on our way to one of the smaller glaciers, Snaefellsjokull, and stopped on the way back.

Lucky Girl

I've been trying to post Iceland pictures for the last half-hour. Blogger keeps timing out. Lucky me.

StReSs!!

It's been a stressful couple of days here. Ed's been working incredibly long hours, I'm still feeling side-effects from my treatment, SD has a friend visiting & they've both been doing teenager-y things, the ex has called to make a stink about the living arrangements of the kids (specifically, she wants the SS to come live with us), Mom & Dad aren't going to make it out for Thanksgiving, work is very amorphous right now, Ed's stressing about our scuba trip to Rawlings (although I'm stoked - it's the only diving we've done this year, and it took lots of sweet talking & promising to my endocrinologist to get clearance - thanks, Doc! I'm forced to play delicate little princess for the weekend, but I'll still get to dive. :-).

The list goes on and on.

Last weekend was good, but busy. We had a good time with our friend Anton for his birthday, including a quick trip to Dave and Buster's (never been before, but definitely planning on going back!). For the first time in several weeks, I went without a headache. It lasted all of two days, and now it's back with a vengeance.

I'm tempted to cram the next couple of months full of things, because who knows what'll happen when I start on the thyroid medication. I know that in time it'll be easy and beneficial, but getting the right dosage of the right drug will take time.

I'm at the end of my post, and I never know how to conclude. I don't like those cheesy sign-offs ("Well, talk to you later!"), and I don't feel that there's any resolution to any of the above issues that would provide closure. I guess I just leave it as is.