The New Job

Yes, I am back to work after a 18 month break. I am now the Assistant Registrar at Schreiner University in Kerrville, Texas. So far so good. I handle student records and work in a Database every day. I love data bases however it will take more than a month for me to a hang of this one. It is nice being back at an University. I have had more flashbacks from my days at Tarleton than I would like to admit. Just this morning the bells were ringing as I got to work. I remembered running across campus to beat the strike of 8 for a 8am class. Thank goodness I don't have a Prof sitting in my desk when I get to my office.

Dirtbikes

I tried something new yesterday. I drove/rode a dirt bike. Well I guess we can say rode. I did end up laying it on the ground twice. I have the bruises to prove it. Matt and Mason have been ridding for a couple of years now. So I decided to see what all the fuss was about. I am still in the undecided column. I need more practice and day that is less than 100 degrees. Check back I hope to add a picture when it is emailed to me.

Addiction

Yes, I have to report I have an addiction. Oh don't be surprised. Actually I have suffered with OCD obsessive compulsive disorder most of my life. But now I have hit an all time low. I can hardly go four hours without checking my Facebook. I am having so much fun catching up with the old gang. I love seeing pictures of everyone's families, homes, vacations and pets. Kevin J takes the prize for strangest pet. He and his family raised a baby buzzard!! They named it Buzzy, go figure. Anyway as I told Kevin this would never happen in Kerrville, Texas. If you see a buzzard it means something has been into your herd of goats and you must go investigate. Or you caught something in a trap and now you have to go clean out the trap. I think it is wonderful that there are several that have traveled extensively. I am just a bit jealous. As my brother says, "Maybe you would broaden your view of the world if you would get out of Kerrville sometime" Hell I would love to but who is going to watch the goats and clean the traps.

When you go for a walk, what do see?

Yesterday and today I went for a walk. This is a big deal for me because I always have a reason not to. My allergies are too bad, it's too windy, it's too cold and my favorite it's too hot. So as I was walking tonight I wondered what do you see when you walk in your neighborhood. I live in the hill country so for one thing I don't see very far. We live at the intersection of two canyons. We don't have a lot of neighbors and the ones we do have pretty much keep to themselves. I want to share with you just the list of animals I saw on my walk. Most of you live in the city or suburbs and I don't think you encounter the variety that I do. Well just leaving my driveway there are the my dogs, cats and horses. Then down the way I startled a herd of whitetail deer and by herd I mean twelve or more. Then up the other way pigs, goats more dogs and cats. Then back up the other canyon another horse, donkey and more dogs. Then the people well I actually only heard two people tonight. Two men drinking beer in a barn and talking. The neighbors well for the most part are nice but like I said they keep and we keep to ourselves. Their is the Italian neighbor and his wife. The single old man in the sports car neighbor. The Spanish speaking tejano loving neighbors, I'm not sure how many people live in that house can't keep track. Then there is the neighbor that is the city code enforcer on weekdays, breaker of county codes on his own property and then he preaches on the weekends and is married to a legally blind woman. So what and who did you pass on your walk this evening?

Not much laughing when I'm in Pain

Oh I have a "lovely" disorder called Trigeminal Neuralgia. I have had one brain surgery (microvascular decompression) and one radiation to the never treatment (gamma knife). You can find more details at http://www.fpa-support.org/. I have been in off and on pain since 1990. Got a correct diagnosis in 1997. First we tried extremely heavy doses neurological drugs, dilantan, tegretal, neurontin. I lived two years in a fog. Then went for the first brain surgery in 1999 and was able to go way down on the drugs. Then in 2004 the pain got extreme and often again went up on drugs then had the gamma knife. I was able to cut back to just Keppra my pain increased again in 2006 that is why I quite work to manage my pain. Now I'm down to an attack once every three weeks or so. Wind and stress are the enemy. I wrap up like a muslium to protect my face from the wind and in Kerrville that can get you shot;-) Matt is a wonderful caregiver and great at getting me through the attacks. It might be time for another gamma knife. When I post that I'm in pain all anyone can do is lift me up in prayer. All prayers welcome.

Of Dirt Bikes and Men

As quick as we got into town following the DC trip we were off to a party. The main activity at the party was dirt bike riding. No I haven't given it a go yet but I did show up this time and get some photos. This was a brave step for me. I have always imagined that if I were there that would be the day of a major spill. All was fine and all survived.

Washington DC Trip

We had a great trip to Washington DC. Mason and Marissa were so amazed at even just being in a city. We stayed just two blocks off the mall and two blocks form the Capital. Of all the wonderful monuments and buildings we saw the greatest expression I remember is taking the kids on the Metro. Marissa's eyes were huge as she commented, "It's just not natural to be this far underground." She and Mason had the wheels turning as they realized that there are other ways to live besides in the country in a small town. Yes I couldn't wait to get out of a large town into a small town but I think there is a great chance that I have managed to raise two city bound kids.