I didn't mean to drop so completely offline again, really. It's been a long couple of months since I went back to work.
First, I found a lump in my left breast and while I wasn't too concerned (size, shape, and family history told me cyst or fibroid), I still made an appointment for a mammogram. All went well until they came back asking for more pictures...of the other breast. That freaked me out a bit, but in the end, all is well.
Then in one weekend, I did a 16 mile run on Saturday, drove up to Penn State on Sunday to commission one of my former Sailors, and after that, flew to Newport, RI to attend the funeral of my second CO. On the way home, with my friend and former boss from that ship watched the events at the Navy Yard unfold in real time. I checked Facebook and e-mail looking for updates from the dozens of friends who work at the Yard, and particularly those who worked in Building 197. While all of my close friends were safe, one of my acquantainces was killed. Returning home was eerie, because so much of the city in the area was still closed - I live within walking distance of the Navy Yard and the shooter's hotel is about a block away from my home.
So that was a rollercoaster of a weekend. The White House/Capitol Hill car incident and the guy who set himself on fire in front of the Air and Space Museum all happened within blocks of my home and on one of my regular running routes. In fact, the self-immolation thing happened about three hours after I finished my 20 mile run, which happened to have passed that exact spot four times as I ran laps around the Mall. It's DC and it's been fundamentally crazy, as everyone in the country and world have (re)discovered recently.
And then there's the dogs...Austin went to his forever home and his new family tells me they can't imagine life without him. Then I got Paca, another lovely border collie mix. She and Harvey were fast friends, even playing with each other happily. She went to her forever home last week and I brought home Osita.
Happy, beautiful girl. Who wants to eat cats. Not cool. So she's looking for another foster AND/OR a forever home without cats or small dogs. And a job. We're working on that.
So I brought home Niko, who has been much more kitty friendly.
(Also, there's a new, lime green couch. At 90 inches, it is long enough for the Brown Shoe to lay full length. And it looks good against my purple wall.) Niko is a little bit lame, with a bad right rear leg. Maybe an old, poorly healed break or maybe it's congenital, but the muscle is atrophied and it doesn't bend much. The first few days were rough with all the stairs in my house, but it only took a day and a half (with a little coaxing) to climb the stairs by himself. Now he races me up the stairs and jumps onto the bed and couch without invitation. The next big task is down the stairs, which he does, but only reluctantly.
And then there's the running - but I'll save that for later. Assuming I survive Sunday.
If you want to track me, you can go here and use the bib number.
Sorry to hear about your sad news, glad you are okay, have fun Sunday! I'm halfway through my sixth hat for the year, and have so new recruit for next years hats!
Posted by: Beverly | October 24, 2013 at 09:34 PM
Oooooh, the Marine Corps Marathon! Is that this weekend already? Hope everything goes well with that, and no DC craziness. Also wishing you excellent running weather.
My husband was also acquainted with one of the folks who was killed at the Navy Yard.
Posted by: BJ | October 25, 2013 at 12:22 AM
Glad to see you back safe and well,and I hope you have a great run this weekend.
The couch looks lovely, such a nice colour and very comfortable and has room for everyone(2 or 4 legs), a blanket might be a good idea as pet hair is difficult to remove from some upholstery.
Osita looks so happy and friendly, shame about her cat problem.
Posted by: Margaret | October 25, 2013 at 05:08 PM
Hope you have a GREAT run tomorrow!
Posted by: Kountrymouse | October 26, 2013 at 01:20 PM