Squeezal

The other week Tom and I were watching a TV show on the Travel Channel (Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations for those who are interested). It was an interesting show about this guy traveling to the most remote parts of Vietnam.

At one point, his guide takes him to a village where there is a "cafe" which was not normally open that day. The guide talked to the owner and soon returned to tell Mr. Bourdain that they would open the cafe and would be serving *!^*E&# (something in Vietnamese I did not catch). The traveller turned to the guide and asked, "What's *!^*E&#?" to which the guide replied, "Its like, uh, squeezal." What's a squeezal?!?!?

Eventually he figured out squeezal is porcupine, but that doesn't change the fact that I just love the word squeezal. Squeezal squeezal squeezal!

Back to Work...

Today is my fourth day back at work. My office is full of the neatest people! They've all been very supportive and welcoming as I get back into the groove. I've managed to work full days with a little fatigue but not much.

Tuesday Tom and I met with the musicians for the wedding ceremony and reception. Tom is having a hard time finding a first dance song that agrees with him. I told him we have to avoid the Seinfield thumb dance at all costs.

Otherwise the music planning was pretty quick and easy. The flutists (is that the right name?) have just returned from a conference where they found some Japanese flute duo music they are going to play for the prelude. Neat!

The Jazz combo sounds like it will be exactly what we hoped for: low key music people can dance to or carry on a conversation over without yelling. I also really hope that the hotel suite will go over well and our friends will party on into the night. There's much to celebreate with four weddings this fall and one coming up next year.....

RSVP Gripes

So yesterday I got the first of the RSVPs back - cool!

Unfortunately I also got the first RSVP with uninvited guests written in on the RSVP. It would never occur to me to write in the name of an univited guest on an RSVP. And I'm not so concerned about the cost, but the number of people allowed at both the garden and the reception location is strictly limited so the LAST thing I need is someone "deciding" their kids/guests are more important that the people I want to invite. Grrrr.

Note to self: Some people need a copy of whatever Miss Manners book is out there.

Here's hoping for no more univited kids/guests......

Amy and Andy get Married!

Yesterday was Amy and Andy's wedding at the Sculpture Garden - it was gorgeous! It was so wonderful to see them so happy and they had a gorgeous day for a garden wedding. Amy had a faboo shimmery green dress that couldn't have looked better in the sunlight.

Later we went to their house for the reception. It was so nice to be among friends again, talking, laughing and enjoying life. I keep going off on the lucky tangent, but I can't help thinking these days how absolutely blessed I am to be surrounded by such wonderful and dynamic people. They never cease to amaze me....

I remember the first time I met Andy. We had a conversation about how awesome Arrested Development is on Adam V.'s couch. My friends have good taste :)

Here's to a lifetime of happiness for Amy and Andy!

12 Days in the Hospital

Oy Vey!

So I went in on July 27th to have minor abdominal surgery, came home for 2 days, and by Saturday ended up in the ER unable to eat or drink. I was admitted to the hospital where I sat with the doctors assuming I had swelling in my stomach from the pain meds for 5 days. During this time I also managed to get pneumonia. On Weds, a test showed that I had an erosion (like a perforated ulcer) in my stomach and off I went again to surgery. I came out with an NG tube which removed everything I comsumed from my stomach. This was followed by a systemic infection that landed me in ICU for 4 days with a racing heart rate, low blood pressure, and a temp of 104.

After MANY procedures, far too much poking and proding, and tubes everywhere I got back to the main floor, where I stayed for 5 more days. I can't begin to express my appreciation to my friends and family who reminded me all along the way that I am loved. My finace really stepped up to the plate, spending time at the hospital every day and taking over wedding planning tasks. I sure do love that guy :)

After I got back to the main floor, Adam V, Dena, Adam and Heather came to visit - that really lifted my spirits! I got home on August 10th and have been working back up to normal activity. Yesterday I managed to be out and about for 7 hours for Amy and Andy's wedding! As sad as it may sound, that was very exciting for me.

I'm going back to work on Monday, and we'll see how that goes. Speaking of which, I work for the most awesome company and people. I have had zero pressure and several coworkers have called to check in on me. My boss, without any prompting, took it upon himself to work out extra time for me to finish my wedding planning. I *love* where I work.

The wedding invitations got out a bit late, but I think I can be forgiven. My mom deserves a medal for coming down after I got out of the hospital and spending two days helping assemble the invitations.

I'm fortunate and thankful to be alive. Had I been anything other than a relatively heathly 30 year old woman with an attentive nursing staff, I may not have been so lucky. I know I scared the bejeezes out of my poor Tom and my parents. I'm sure I could write a decently thick book on my experience but I'd rather not gross everyone out :) I think its sufficient to say that I am a lucky, lucky, lucky woman and I have been reminded not to take anyone or anything for granted...