Buried Under an Avalanche of Paper...

I got back from California last night. Had a terrific time. Thoroughly enjoyed spending time with my aunt and uncle. Got to see Derek, who we found out won't be shipping out to Iraq until September 23. That was a relief. We're all hoping they keep pushing it back, and he just doesn't go. I got to meet Erin, my 13-yr old cousin, for the first time. She was a lot of fun. Saw my grandmother and aunt, whom I haven't seen for 18-20 yrs. Grammy gave me an apron that had been my great-grandmother's. That was really special.

Ate a lot of seafood, played in the ocean, when beachcombing for neat rocks and cool shells. Went wine tasting. Watched Uncle Don, Nathan and Kim throw axes, and then Don, Nathan, Kim and Da play darts. Met my new cousin-in-law, Derek's wife Anna. Got to see Aunt Stacey's neice, whom I declared fast friendship and cousin status when we were both in first grade. We both laughed about it; Stacey didn't remember, but both of us did. It was cool.

Didn't sleep much, which means I'm draggin' today. In addition, the lupus wasn't quashed by the short pred burst, and the pain meds make me sleepy, but don't stop the pain. So, I have an appointment tomorrow, at 7:45am to see my rheumie. I was going in to work late anyway, so I'll just get up normal time, and go to the doctor instead.

Pictures will be put up when I get them from Nathan and Kim. Damion loaned me the camera, told me where to find the power cord to charge it, and didn't give me a memory stick. Blah! Nathan and Kim got good pictures, so I'll just use theirs.

Can't wait to go back to visit.