BURRITOS

On vacation we ate Mexican/TexMex a few times. (I am still clear on the difference between Mexican food and TexMex) But it did mot satisfy my craving for Little Chihuahua. Tonight we went to my favorite burrito place, Little Chihuahua. They have fancy burritos, not plain beans and rice burritos. I order the Black Bean and Fried Plantain Burrito (pictured below poorly). It is delicious. Like, dream about it good.

The salsa and black beans give it a spicy kick while the fried plantains are sweet and delicious. The roasted red peppers give it a roasted taste. The whole thing just tastes so good that I have dreams about this burrito. They also have a wild mushroom burrito that I want to try but I can't get past the black beans and fried plantain burrito.

Isn't it funny when you have a food that is so good that you dream about it? A few years ago we went to Vegas for my brothers wedding and Brenda and I ate at the restaurant Todd English's Olives at the Bellagio. I can still taste the food. It was that good. I would go back to Vegas just to eat.

Do you have a food you dream about?

Until tomorrow...

SHOT IN THE ANKLE

Today I went to the ankle doctor because my ankle still hurts. Surgery was May 9, today is October 11 so why is my ankle still hurting? It has been 5 months. I get that I heal slowly and it should still ache a little but it should not hurt with every step.

The doctor agreed. She wanted to have me get an MRI but the chances of The-Insurance-Company-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named giving me another MRI are slim. So she gave me a shot instead. She took a big long needle and shot something into my ankle. We now wait and see if that fixes it. If not an MRI in January when I pay for it.

So far today it feels better. Yay!

Until tomorrow...

GOOD NEWS!

After a month I finally got the MRI on my leg. The verdict is that I have an asymmetrical fat lobule in my calf. It is not big or bad enough to be a lipedema.

It is not a bruise or torn ligament or cancer. I don't know what to do about a fat lobule but I am sure a doctor will tell me soon. It is not life threatening. Life is good!

Until tomorrow...

MRI

Sitting here in the waiting room of the MRI department thinking about the nice nap I will soon get to have. I love to take a nap in MRI machines. Wrap me in a warm blanket and I am good to go. I fill out all the paperwork and told them where all my metal is located (markers in my breasts and clips in my ankle) and now wait. I got here too early because I never know what the parking situation will be.

Hospital paperwork is so funny. First they make me verify my name, social security number, date of birth, address and then have me fill out another form with all the same information on it. Doesn't that seem stupid to anyone other than me? Couldn't they just make the form so they could have me verify it and then they print it on the rest of the forms that need the information?  I am telling you I could revamp healthcare and save the industry! I would be hailed as the Lee Iacocca of health care.

MRI is finished.  I asked the woman to not give me the updates before each MRI test.  "This test will take 3 minutes".   I had a migraine and wanted to fall asleep.  I love sleeping in MRI machines.  Put that blanket on me and wrap me like a burrito.  I will fall asleep.  This place even gave me ear plugs instead of those bulky things to put over your ears.

I will get the results in a few days.  I have an appointment with my doctor on Thursday morning. 

Wish me luck!

Until tomorrow...

RETURNING HOME

Here we are coming from vacation and we are stuck on the runway. Of course I have to pee. I was waiting until we landed but being stuck on the runway has put a kink in that plan.
Yay the plane is moving!

After sitting on the tarmac for 20 minutes we finally go to de-board the plane.  Finally on solid ground!  Back home.

 First thing to do was to pee.  Then pick up the luggage and home sweet home.

Metal Tree at The Art Museum of NC

Cows on Parade in Raleigh

We had a very good time in Raleigh visiting my brother and his family.  Visiting museums, playing with babies, watching movies.   We saw the cows on parade too.  Watched my brother and his wife run a race.  Met new friends.  Just a fun time all around!

Until tomorrow...

MEETING NEW FRIENDS

Isn't it great when you meet new friends? The feeling that someone "gets" you. The possibility of having someone to talk to or email or go to the movies with. 
It can be such a let down when that potential friendship never blossoms. You call, they email but you can not rekindle what you had when you met.  The friendship just withers. It is sad but you are at a loss as to what to do to nurture it.
This time will be different you say. You will work harder to stay in touch and find things in common.  Friends are hard to come by.
Two days until my MRI!
Until tomorrow...

GATHERINGS

There are many different types of gatherings. Family gatherings, work gatherings, and gathering with friends to name a few. This post is about gathering with friends. I have been privileged to be included in "movie night" at my brother's house. Movie night is when a bunch of friends come over every Friday night to watch two movies. Each person either brings their dinner or eats before they arrive.  Sometime in between the movies there is some sweet like cookies or cake.  The movies are chosen by what the group wants to view.  This group seems to like the same genre of movies.  While I was there there were up to 12 people attending. There is a core group but any additional folks are welcome.

The funniest part is that many of the people bring their electronic toys. So people are working, playing video games, blogging, web surfing, etc. while watching (or not watching) the movies. It is very funny to see.  Although quite helpful when I ran into a blogger error on my iPad!  All those computer geeks in one place...

I have thought about doing a movie night once a month at my house. It is quite fun to gather with friends to watch a movie. It is a great way to hang out with friends.

Until tomorrow...

POSTCARDS

People have been sending me postcards since I was a little girl. I have hundreds of postcards from all over the world. Friends and relatives know to send me postcards when they travel. Sometimes I take out the boxes and look at the postcards and remember people sending them to me. Some of the postcards are my postcards I sent to people and they saved them and gave them back to me for my collection. Some have my little girl handwriting on them. Since my dad traveled for business, he sent me postcards from all his destinations. Even now that he is retired he still sends me postcards from all his vacations.

I love the surprise of opening the mailbox and seeing a photo of some far off destination. This is why I send postcards to people. I want them get a surprise in the mail. I know I love getting postcards in the mail.

Until tomorrow...

FINDING THE PERFECT BAG

This week I needed to shop for two bags. Ask any woman how hard it is to find the perfect bag. I have been looking for one of the bags for months.

First, I have been trying to find a leather bag in which to carry my iPad for a long time in vain. i have searched stores and the internet. either the bags are not right, the wrong size or TOO expensive. I need a bag for my iPad not because I am spoiled but for safety. I worry about it being stolen. Where I live people have been mugged for their smartphones and iPads, so I don't want to carry it out in the open. So I end up leaving it at home which contradicts why I bought it! I want to use it at doctors offices as well as blogging and recipes.

Second, my airline carry-on bag handle broke so I needed to buy another one. Luckily it didn't break running for a flight! That would have sucked!

My sister-in-law and I went on a shopping spree. In two days I bought a new carry-on bag with sturdier handles and a cool bag to carry my iPad. The black and brown photo is the iPad bag.

It was fun having someone to shop with. I went to a store where I had never seen so many bags, purses, pocketbooks, clutches, etc. in my life. It was eye opening. My sister-in-law helped me wade through an overwhelming experience.

Until tomorrow...

FINALLY! A MRI APPOINTMENT

It only took a month, to the day, to get an appointment for a MRI but I got one! Yesterday I got the call that I am authorized. That is good. That means I can get the test done and The-Insurance-Company-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named will pay for it. The test will be on October 8, Columbus Day. Hip, hip hurrah!

Today someone noticed the bump on my leg so I guess it isn't going away. Sometimes I wonder if I am imagining it. You know what I mean? This has been carrying on for so long it seems like maybe it isn't real.

Now I can relax because I finally have an appointment scheduled. Whew!

Until tomorrow...