Since BJ has a new job, he won't have as much vacation time as me for a while (if ever), so I don't feel bad about taking a week off. I decided to do it while BJ is on a business trip so I can truly just do my own thing and keep to my own schedule. So far, it's been FABulous. I'd venture so far as to say pure bliss, even. Don't get me wrong, I love BJ and miss him when he's gone but..... being by myself for days on end is a real treat for me.

Yesterday I went to the garden center and bought some plants, then spent a few hours in my yard. It was actually sunny yesterday. Today? Not so much. I hope the sun comes back because I have barely touched the surface of what needs to get done. I think I've had six weekends in a row where I couldn't get to my garden because it was either raining or we were on a trip. Six weeks is a long time to let a garden do its own thing.

If it's raining tomorrow, I think I'll make the rounds in the blogosphere and see what y'all have been up to.

I went to the doctor today for something I'll share with you in a couple of weeks (NO! I'm not pregnant), and since I was in there I decided to ask her what this head pain I've been having is about. It seems weird that six months would go by before I'd start feeling pain where I bonked my head. It has been getting progressively more tender (not unbearable and not constant, thankfully), and now I get stabbing pains in that spot. Seems to get worse if I'm tilting my head downward (like to work in my garden, read a book, etc.), or if I've been on my feet for a long time.

She took a look and said that she couldn't see anything externally that might be causing the problem, then said that it sounds like maybe scar tissue might be pressing against a nerve in my head. Since I have an appointment in 2 weeks with my neurologist, she said to bring it up to see what her thoughts are. I said that the scar tissue theory didn't sound particularly scary, and she replied, "well- it's not scary, but if that's what it is, the only way to get rid of it is with surgery."

Good grief. This will have to get a lot worse (knock wood) before I'd even consider that option.

In other news.... I highly recommend my friend as a house guest. Normally I'm ready to have the house back to myself after just one overnight, but I honestly didn't feel that way with her. She was here Thursday through this morning and we had a great time. We went on three hikes on Saturday...

...OK, we started three hikes. We'd go a few dozen feet and then round a corner and find knee-deep snow. We ended up hiking at the outlet mall that day.

The next day, we went to the Japanese Gardens and a few other places. Sunday showed us much better success with the outdoor activities.

I introduced her to Lancelot Link, Secret Agent Chimp (of which I own every episode, thank you very much.). Finally! Someone who appreciates monkeys dressed in human clothes as much as I do.


BJ was truly frightened to learn that there are more people in the world that enjoy the same humor that I enjoy. Poor guy- it was a real eye opener for him.

I'm going to shut off my trusty laptop and enjoy some chick flicks. I'll be by tomorrow to visit my pals in the 'hood, if today's weather is any indication of tomorrow. In the meantime, I leave you with cuteness. Our new little fawn: