Blessed . . .

That's all I could think as I drove to work last Saturday - "I am blessed."  Because, you see, when I pulled up the shades Saturday morning, this is what greeted me . . .

When Annie and I went out to look at the backyard, it was even worse up close . . .

The saddest view was the front yard . . .

But I was blessed because I still had a house that was intact, no one was hurt, and the basketball hoop missed Sam's car completely.

I returned home from work sometime after 5.  The pine tree was off of the neighbor's driveway and in a neat pile in the front yard.  I found the culprits in the backyard, going after half an elm.  It turns out that our next-door neighbor, Nancy, and our across-the street neighbors, Dave, Tron and Mya, and our down-the-road neighbor. Bob. were there with chain saws, cutting and piling and clearing.  

I did what any good neighbor would do - I bought the pizza!

And that's . . .

  the number of miles I swam through this morning at the Y -

1, 234!

God-Ordained Visit

I had the privilege of working at Sand Creek yesterday and we had a couple of wild groups.  The first group was Rob's Surprise Birthday Party.  As I was putting one of Rob's friends up on the high ropes, I thought I smelled alcohol, but since I don't really have a good nose for sniffing out things like that, I decided to let him go.  He probably would have argued with me anyway, saying he has just dropped a beer on his shirt.  However, I did catch the group saying they had beer in the car . . . so we kept a close eye on them for the rest of the day.

Meanwhile, Calvin was working with the bachelorette party on the Giant's Swing.  They had carried beverage cans down the hill, but they assured Calvin it was just root beer.  Unfortunately, he didn't discover until they had left, that there was no root in that beer!

For safety's sake, we have a no alcohol policy at Sand Creek and group number two should definitely NOT been allowed on the course.  Group number one wasn't caught with alcohol, they were just suspect.  

It made it frustrating for us for as a staff because none of us need liquid courage.  So after those two groups had  left, God sent an angel of encouragement in the form of my friend, Lee, who happened to be on her way to a party, but she was early.  When she saw the Sand Creek sign, she pulled in to check us out.  Both Calvin and I were able to talk with her for a bit and she said that when her grandchildren came out to zip, she was bringing us lunch.  

We've never had any one bring us lunch and just that encouragement made a rough day smoother!  Thanks, Lee!

 

Friday's Fridge Fiasco

We got a new fridge AGAIN on Friday - no need to go into those details!  Suffice it to say that while they were taking out the fridge that had come last Monday that was to large for our space, the movers asked Sam that all important question, "Where you here when they brought it in?  How did they do it?"  Then they went and did it their way which left two large scratches on the front of the fridge.  That all happened just as their supervisor pulled in to see how they were doing - arg!  Bummer for them!  The good news is that they did get the new too-large fridge out with only banging up two of our walls and the new perfect fridge is in place and ready for food!  Yay! 

 

"Z" is for "Ze's Diner"

It was "Happy Matt Day" on Friday, honoring Matt's adoption eighteen years ago.  Being a "Z", he decided he wanted to celebrate at "Ze's Diner" in Eagan, a 50's type bar and grill. (Hence, Bette in the corner!  She was all over the restaurant, too.)  

We all left there with just one thought, "Greas-ZE" and we won't be going back!  

Sometimes . . .

I just don't remember things like I used to and of course, I'm giving all credit to the concussion!  Here are two out of the three cakes that were were made for Matt's grad party, along with the esteemed bakers!  And yes, they were definitely as good as they looked!

Neighbor Nancy

Matt's Favorite Sister

Tumble Bumble and the Neurologist

I met with the neurologist yesterday, and yup!  It was confirmed.  I have had a traumatic brain injury.  My brain was doing what it generally does later in the day - stuttering, not recalling words - I was at my finest.  So what happens next?  Since my brain is not coming back as it should, I will be going to a brain injury clinic and they will be working with me to (hopefully) restore some of the functions that are missing.  So far, the closest clinic is at Abbott Northwestern, so my neurologist is trying to see if there is one closer to me.  Once we find a clinic, I'll start trying to find a brain!  It will take time, it will be work, but there is hope!