FEELING REALLY UNEDUCATED: ALONG WITH ANXIOUS, CONFUSED, ETC.

My eye troubles and the doctors' visits have me feeling stupid, insecure, scared and a little frustrated.  I've had numerous drops; horribly bright light shone in my eyes; machines poking for pressure; waiting rooms to occupy; many miles to travel; foreign buildings to find;  parking to pay for; and still no answers.  It doesn't help that the parts of my eye that COULD be running amok are foreign sounding to me and the "Hmmm"s that doctors are murmuring and shaking their heads in frustration of not having answers.  We go back to the doctor in downtown Houston today (two and half hours drive with half of it in a major city); find the parking garage; and then hopefully receive treatment to restore my clear sight.  It might be as simple as a needle withdraw and injection of antibiotics or surgery.  In either case, nothing by mouth since midnight and the appointment is late this afternoon.  Which is worse, the dirty screen I'm seeing through or the smells of breakfast?  Don't ask at this point.

CRACK OF DAWN: CRACK AT NEW SIGHT

Tomorrow is my second chance at new sight. If all goes as well as the first surgery, I will be able to see better than I have for over half a century.  Imagine being able to glance at a bedside clock in the middle of night and seeing the time; absolutely delightful.  Imagine being able to take a shower and actually see what bottle you grab to wash your hair; unbelievable.  Imagine being able to roll and see the smile of your Grandlove upon waking; precious beyond words.  Imagine glancing up at the television and being able to read the program guide, without squinting; nice. 

Unless you've struggled with seeing it would be difficult to know what a gift newly restored sight is.  If you're down in the dump, think no one is happy or just what a free smile:  Show up at the Eye Center Tuesday morning and you'll be amazed how wide smiles can be when the world comes into focus for those of us who undergo the surgery on Monday.

BILLBOARDS: TRUTH?

This doctor's promises ring hollow with me and I have the scars to prove it.

Don't you wish that you were Emily and not Steven?

Wonder when we will see the tapes of Ryan?  Probably wouldn't surprise any of us.

NEW TIME: NEW BAKERY DEMANDS

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I wonder if I can order either of these cakes for the end of the year "celebration".  After all, we celebrated the beginning of the journey of our daughter and her chosen one.  Now that his out of control anger has killed any possibility of a healthy relationship, I guess I should contact the wedding baker and place the order. 

No, I'm really not going to order a cake, but I like the idea of the designs.  Have to keep my  sense of humor during these times of packing away wedding portraits, family pictures, etc. 

WORN OUT: RECHARGING

Not long after daughter and Grandlove left, Bentley claimed his comfort spot and passed out.  He had to be with the baby throughout the entire visit and fretted constantly when closed doors kept him separated for all the action.  Kissing the baby, catching flying food from the high chair and getting belly rubs kept this little guy on high alert for the duration of the visit.  His "nap" lasted for quite a long while and a few squeaky, sleepy yips punctuated his dreaming.  If he could talk, he probably would let us know that he likes it when the company comes, but he LOVES it when they go home. 

SUFFERING HEROES: WE ALL SHOULD BE SO BRAVE

These two brave soldiers' scars don't show, unless you look deep into their eyes.  The war is claiming too many young people and the dogs who give all to keep everyone safe.  Suffering PTSD, whether the canine version or human type, is one of the price of "WAR".  Too costly for too many.

SO MUCH LOVE IN SUCH A LITTLE GUY: MESSY, BUT ADORABLE

This was his first ice cream cone and boy did it top off the great lunch he ate!  Nothing much left at the end, just a bit of a cone, a messy face, smiles all around and a satified tummy.

At the end of supper, at home, we laughed at all the "leftovers" stuck to his fair skin.  If you check out the satified look on his face, you can tell that this little guy loved his Nana's Chicken Spaghetti, carrots, fruit, and vanilla wafers for dessert.

At the end of a long day, who doesn't need a shampoo "mohawk" and a few toys in a bubble bath?

We ran errands, went to an appointment, ate well, played hard, bathed with good toys and finally passed out next to a very tired Nana who was reading in bed.  Life is good.