Sorry guys - I've been gone for a while. Long summer days have kept me outdoors and away from my keyboard. I'll be back again when the weather gets worse, or sooner if I get the notion!
Friday, July 22, 2011
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Life, death, and everything in between.
This has been a difficult week.
The father of one of my very best friends is terminally ill. It has been a week of struggle and sadness for her and her family. I love these people, and it pains me to see them hurting. The father is a really cool guy who I wish I could have gotten to know better over the years. Hindsight....
This week, in general, though, has been a slew of cancer diagnoses for my patients. I have seen more new diagnoses this week and more end stage people than I care to think about. Maybe not, maybe it is just standing out because of what is going on outside of my job, but I don't really think so.
I've had "that talk" several times this week. I had a man who's wife died a couple of months ago who just wants to go. He's ill, but not dying. He sat in my office and basically pleaded with me that he's ready. He said he's made his peace, he's hurting, he's suffocating from lung disease, and he's tired. Unfortunately, there's nothing I can do for him except watch him wish he could just get taken. I don't believe in assisted suicide. I'm sorry. I'd love to see people be able to stop their pain, but I believe that my job is to ease them gently into death, not push them headlong into it. I want to make my patients as comfortable as possible by whatever means necessary, but I don't believe in killing them. It's a hopeless situation no matter how you look at it. Although I'm not a particularly religious person, I do believe in God and believe that it's his/her decision to take a person, not mine. But then again, I look at this man's suffering and wish there was something else I could offer.
I think that is another thing that upsets me when my friends and family are in this situation. As I've mentioned before in my blog, as a doctor (and more so probably as a mother), I want to fix people. I became a doctor to heal. When I can't it's frustrating. I know that I can't fix everything, but it doesn't make it any easier to look into the face of my friend's father and know that no matter what I do, I'm not going to be able to fix this.
The same is true for my own father. Don't get me wrong, I would not even think to put what that man and his family are going through on the same page as what we are going through. Still, though, Dad has a chronic autoimmune disorder called Myasthenia Gravis. It affects his muscles. It makes it hard for him to talk, swallow, walk, lift, etc. He has good weeks and bad. He's now reacting to the only treatment that he responded to, and he may not be able to take it anymore. I look at him when he's feeling bad and feel like, "Why the hell can't I fix this?" I'm forever reading and trying to find new things to help. This is another reason why I'm doing to alternative medicine route. So many maladies exist that we as doctors have no clue how to treat. I'm trying my hardest to find something to help him.
So, back to the clinic....
I had another patient this week who has lung cancer. She continues to smoke, and I honestly agree with her. Why not? She's opted not to treat her cancer because she doesn't think she'll be able to tolerate chemo, and that's likely. I asked her if she's ready for what is coming, and she said she cries a lot. I asked her if she was religious, and she said no, but that she believes in God. I asked her if she's made her peace with him, and she said that she hasn't because she doesn't deserve him. That was a tough one. I talked to her for a while, and gave her all kinds of reasons why I believe that's not true, but I know that down deep inside she isn't going to accept otherwise, and that's another think I can't fix. Not in the time I have with her, anyhow.
Another patient who is also someone who I hold dear had her annual mammogram and was found to have a mass. Another one has ovarian cancer that is newly diagnosed.
It just seems like it's all hitting at once this week, and I wish I could fix them.
I don't put this out there for pats on the back. I know I'm doing everything I can do, I just wish that there was more to offer. I wish I could take the pain away from my friend and her family. I wish that there was a way to humanely allow people who are terminal to "Go gently into that good night". I wish that when people found out that they were terminal, that there was a way to take away all their cares and worries and make their last weeks the best that they've ever experienced so that all that they had left was beauty and wonder when they crossed over.
More that that, I wish we never had to lose loved ones. I am SO very lucky. Both my parents are living. My brother is living. My grandparents on my dad's side are living, and my grandmother on my mom's side is living. I even knew my great grandparents, and one of them met my daughter. I'm blessed. I don't even know what I'd do without them. I don't know what my friend is going to do. I have another friend that lost her little brother recently. I don't know how people find the strength to go on in situations like that.
I have a memory of my dad that will always stick with me - it may seem petty, but it is one of the strongest I've seen him, oddly. Maybe this is how I'm going to do it when I have to....
I was in high school and had just broken up with my boyfriend of two years. I was crying hysterically, and no matter what dad did or said, I just couldn't stop crying. I remember I was sitting at the bar in the kitchen and had my head down sobbing. He went into the kitchen, opened the fridge, got out some eggs, milk, and cheese, and proceeded to make me an omelet. (I think that was all he knew how to cook) He set the omelet in front of me and just stood there looking at me. He didn't say a word, but handed me the fork. I stopped crying a little and started to eat, slowly. By the end of the omelet, I'd calmed down enough to move and breathe a little. It was one of the most remarkable memories I have just because it was so simple.
It is little, and it's not the death of a loved one, but that simple act kind of put everything in perspective for me.
I hope that my friend and my patients and their families can find a person to make that omelet for them. I hope that I can have something to do with their ability to get through it. And, I hope that slowly, one bite at a time, people go back to the every day things and can go on with their lives.
The father of one of my very best friends is terminally ill. It has been a week of struggle and sadness for her and her family. I love these people, and it pains me to see them hurting. The father is a really cool guy who I wish I could have gotten to know better over the years. Hindsight....
This week, in general, though, has been a slew of cancer diagnoses for my patients. I have seen more new diagnoses this week and more end stage people than I care to think about. Maybe not, maybe it is just standing out because of what is going on outside of my job, but I don't really think so.
I've had "that talk" several times this week. I had a man who's wife died a couple of months ago who just wants to go. He's ill, but not dying. He sat in my office and basically pleaded with me that he's ready. He said he's made his peace, he's hurting, he's suffocating from lung disease, and he's tired. Unfortunately, there's nothing I can do for him except watch him wish he could just get taken. I don't believe in assisted suicide. I'm sorry. I'd love to see people be able to stop their pain, but I believe that my job is to ease them gently into death, not push them headlong into it. I want to make my patients as comfortable as possible by whatever means necessary, but I don't believe in killing them. It's a hopeless situation no matter how you look at it. Although I'm not a particularly religious person, I do believe in God and believe that it's his/her decision to take a person, not mine. But then again, I look at this man's suffering and wish there was something else I could offer.
I think that is another thing that upsets me when my friends and family are in this situation. As I've mentioned before in my blog, as a doctor (and more so probably as a mother), I want to fix people. I became a doctor to heal. When I can't it's frustrating. I know that I can't fix everything, but it doesn't make it any easier to look into the face of my friend's father and know that no matter what I do, I'm not going to be able to fix this.
The same is true for my own father. Don't get me wrong, I would not even think to put what that man and his family are going through on the same page as what we are going through. Still, though, Dad has a chronic autoimmune disorder called Myasthenia Gravis. It affects his muscles. It makes it hard for him to talk, swallow, walk, lift, etc. He has good weeks and bad. He's now reacting to the only treatment that he responded to, and he may not be able to take it anymore. I look at him when he's feeling bad and feel like, "Why the hell can't I fix this?" I'm forever reading and trying to find new things to help. This is another reason why I'm doing to alternative medicine route. So many maladies exist that we as doctors have no clue how to treat. I'm trying my hardest to find something to help him.
So, back to the clinic....
I had another patient this week who has lung cancer. She continues to smoke, and I honestly agree with her. Why not? She's opted not to treat her cancer because she doesn't think she'll be able to tolerate chemo, and that's likely. I asked her if she's ready for what is coming, and she said she cries a lot. I asked her if she was religious, and she said no, but that she believes in God. I asked her if she's made her peace with him, and she said that she hasn't because she doesn't deserve him. That was a tough one. I talked to her for a while, and gave her all kinds of reasons why I believe that's not true, but I know that down deep inside she isn't going to accept otherwise, and that's another think I can't fix. Not in the time I have with her, anyhow.
Another patient who is also someone who I hold dear had her annual mammogram and was found to have a mass. Another one has ovarian cancer that is newly diagnosed.
It just seems like it's all hitting at once this week, and I wish I could fix them.
I don't put this out there for pats on the back. I know I'm doing everything I can do, I just wish that there was more to offer. I wish I could take the pain away from my friend and her family. I wish that there was a way to humanely allow people who are terminal to "Go gently into that good night". I wish that when people found out that they were terminal, that there was a way to take away all their cares and worries and make their last weeks the best that they've ever experienced so that all that they had left was beauty and wonder when they crossed over.
More that that, I wish we never had to lose loved ones. I am SO very lucky. Both my parents are living. My brother is living. My grandparents on my dad's side are living, and my grandmother on my mom's side is living. I even knew my great grandparents, and one of them met my daughter. I'm blessed. I don't even know what I'd do without them. I don't know what my friend is going to do. I have another friend that lost her little brother recently. I don't know how people find the strength to go on in situations like that.
I have a memory of my dad that will always stick with me - it may seem petty, but it is one of the strongest I've seen him, oddly. Maybe this is how I'm going to do it when I have to....
I was in high school and had just broken up with my boyfriend of two years. I was crying hysterically, and no matter what dad did or said, I just couldn't stop crying. I remember I was sitting at the bar in the kitchen and had my head down sobbing. He went into the kitchen, opened the fridge, got out some eggs, milk, and cheese, and proceeded to make me an omelet. (I think that was all he knew how to cook) He set the omelet in front of me and just stood there looking at me. He didn't say a word, but handed me the fork. I stopped crying a little and started to eat, slowly. By the end of the omelet, I'd calmed down enough to move and breathe a little. It was one of the most remarkable memories I have just because it was so simple.
It is little, and it's not the death of a loved one, but that simple act kind of put everything in perspective for me.
I hope that my friend and my patients and their families can find a person to make that omelet for them. I hope that I can have something to do with their ability to get through it. And, I hope that slowly, one bite at a time, people go back to the every day things and can go on with their lives.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Overextending
So, here's a list of what I'm doing lately:
1. Asst leader for the girl scout troop
2. U-8 soccer coach
3. Den leader (moving into the position of pack leader) for the cub scout pack.
4. Sunday school teacher for 8th and 9th graders.
5. YMCA board of directors
6. Seneca soccer board of directors
Did I mention full time doctor, mother, and wife?
I had a bit of a breakdown last night and told Phil that it was too much. I believe that I have overextended (again). I know what I have to do, and I'm going to do it - the problem is figuring out where to cut back. Ultimately, I do these extra-curricular activities so that I can spend time with the kids or give the kids better opportunities. I guess where I need to thin out is those things that take time away from the kids rather than allowing me to spend time with them.
When you work full time, you feel guilty for every minute not spent with the children when you're not working. At least I do. I feel like my time is limited with them as it is, and the last thing I want to do is spend more time away. Much of my "home" time, as it is, is spent paying bills, balancing the checkbook, straightening the house, mowing the lawn, and trying to keep everything in order.
So, this all gets to my bigger point. I've been really bad on the medifast lately. I've been doing great during the day, but having wine at night- which leads to cheese, crackers, popcorn, etc. I also have been so stressed that I'm too tired at night to do any sort of activity. I keep saying that when I change my hours in June, it's going to get better, but I realized that the knowledge of more home time made me less likely to say no to people who were asking. So, now I've got myself overextended, and it's not good for my health.
I decided this week to stop. I have gotten back full swing on medifast. I made another incredible meal last night - spaghetti squash covered with ground beef and some sweet peppers in tomato base that a patient had made for us. I souped it up with a little basil and lots of garlic - mixed it together. It was wonderful! Monday, we slow cooked a pig leg with Mexican seasoning. We ate it with spinach and some (a little) mustard bbq sauce. I am trying to work in a walk during the day sometime - whether it's at lunch or right after work. It didn't happen Tuesday, but it did today. I'm also trying to not drink wine at night for a while until I get my diet and my stress back on track.
I have made some decisions about cutting back as well. The only one that I've told is the church. I don't enjoy teaching Sunday School, and I am not spending time with my kids during that time, so it is not something I want to do. I could use that time to go grocery shopping while my kids are in class, so that I don't have to do it when I could be spending time with them. (I could take them with me, and often do, but that usually decompensates into badness - "No, no, no, no, OMG, I'm going to strangle you, no, no, no...") I really need to concentrate on my health so that I can be there for everyone who is depending on me, and this is my first step.
I have lost 30 lbs, but still need to lose 30 more, and I need to get my head on straight to do that.
For those of you that are wondering where Phil is during all of this, he's here. He's great at doing anything I ask of him, but he's busy too. He works more hours "doctoring" than I do. He also works on the farm, helps with the house, helps with the kids, coaches soccer, and coaches wrestling. I can't say anything negative about him - he's great!
I'm not putting this out there to whine. I'm putting this out there because I know a lot of women are trying to balance home, work, health, and weight loss, too. We're all doing the same thing and trying to slog through it. It's freaking hard, and even though my job is to teach people how to do this, I fail, too. I make bad decisions and I allow my life to get the better of me. BUT, I'm also here to say that it doesn't have to be like that. I am going to make the changes I need to over and over again if that is what it takes. I am looking forward to getting some newer, sexier clothes when I lose my weight. I'm also looking forward to having nicer legs (from exercise) and more energy.
I hope that it is helpful for some people to read about my struggles with health, overextension, weight, and life. It certainly helps me to write about it! :-)
Dr. Mindy
1. Asst leader for the girl scout troop
2. U-8 soccer coach
3. Den leader (moving into the position of pack leader) for the cub scout pack.
4. Sunday school teacher for 8th and 9th graders.
5. YMCA board of directors
6. Seneca soccer board of directors
Did I mention full time doctor, mother, and wife?
I had a bit of a breakdown last night and told Phil that it was too much. I believe that I have overextended (again). I know what I have to do, and I'm going to do it - the problem is figuring out where to cut back. Ultimately, I do these extra-curricular activities so that I can spend time with the kids or give the kids better opportunities. I guess where I need to thin out is those things that take time away from the kids rather than allowing me to spend time with them.
When you work full time, you feel guilty for every minute not spent with the children when you're not working. At least I do. I feel like my time is limited with them as it is, and the last thing I want to do is spend more time away. Much of my "home" time, as it is, is spent paying bills, balancing the checkbook, straightening the house, mowing the lawn, and trying to keep everything in order.
So, this all gets to my bigger point. I've been really bad on the medifast lately. I've been doing great during the day, but having wine at night- which leads to cheese, crackers, popcorn, etc. I also have been so stressed that I'm too tired at night to do any sort of activity. I keep saying that when I change my hours in June, it's going to get better, but I realized that the knowledge of more home time made me less likely to say no to people who were asking. So, now I've got myself overextended, and it's not good for my health.
I decided this week to stop. I have gotten back full swing on medifast. I made another incredible meal last night - spaghetti squash covered with ground beef and some sweet peppers in tomato base that a patient had made for us. I souped it up with a little basil and lots of garlic - mixed it together. It was wonderful! Monday, we slow cooked a pig leg with Mexican seasoning. We ate it with spinach and some (a little) mustard bbq sauce. I am trying to work in a walk during the day sometime - whether it's at lunch or right after work. It didn't happen Tuesday, but it did today. I'm also trying to not drink wine at night for a while until I get my diet and my stress back on track.
I have made some decisions about cutting back as well. The only one that I've told is the church. I don't enjoy teaching Sunday School, and I am not spending time with my kids during that time, so it is not something I want to do. I could use that time to go grocery shopping while my kids are in class, so that I don't have to do it when I could be spending time with them. (I could take them with me, and often do, but that usually decompensates into badness - "No, no, no, no, OMG, I'm going to strangle you, no, no, no...") I really need to concentrate on my health so that I can be there for everyone who is depending on me, and this is my first step.
I have lost 30 lbs, but still need to lose 30 more, and I need to get my head on straight to do that.
For those of you that are wondering where Phil is during all of this, he's here. He's great at doing anything I ask of him, but he's busy too. He works more hours "doctoring" than I do. He also works on the farm, helps with the house, helps with the kids, coaches soccer, and coaches wrestling. I can't say anything negative about him - he's great!
I'm not putting this out there to whine. I'm putting this out there because I know a lot of women are trying to balance home, work, health, and weight loss, too. We're all doing the same thing and trying to slog through it. It's freaking hard, and even though my job is to teach people how to do this, I fail, too. I make bad decisions and I allow my life to get the better of me. BUT, I'm also here to say that it doesn't have to be like that. I am going to make the changes I need to over and over again if that is what it takes. I am looking forward to getting some newer, sexier clothes when I lose my weight. I'm also looking forward to having nicer legs (from exercise) and more energy.
I hope that it is helpful for some people to read about my struggles with health, overextension, weight, and life. It certainly helps me to write about it! :-)
Dr. Mindy
Friday, May 6, 2011
things we'll always remember
OK, I admit, I've gotten away from the healthy dieting thread. There is a method to my madness. I'll get back to you on what that method is. :-)
Today, I was in the car with Emma, her friend Sofia, Lee, and his friend, Max. We were driving home from a soccer game that I coached along with a great assistant coach. The kids were high on game endorphins and talking nonstop.
Emma and Sofia were telling me about their adventures during Lee's game. We were in a small town in WV, and the field borders a small stream and a large mountain. The girls went exploring when we were playing, and they were full of stories of why they were wet up to their knees, how Emma saved Sofia's life, and how Sofia saved Emma's life. They also found many mystical creatures and endangered species while they were exploring. Sofia suggested that they write down the stories of the cool adventures that they have had together and call it the "Best Friends Scrapbook." I was grinning from ear to ear.
I told the kids that these are the things that they'll always remember. Being on the soccer team with their best friends. Exploring the woods with their best friends. Emma and another really close friend were exploring the woods about 4 years ago, and they both found a creek. They were 6 and wanted to go in, so we just let them take their clothes off and play. They had a blast, and now, 4 years later, they are still talking about it and remembering it fondly.
It got me remembering some of my fonder memories from childhood, and I thought I'd share.
I remember living on Halley Street in Erie, PA, when I was less than 5 years old. We lived across an alley from an ice cream place. The alley was paved in asphalt shingles, and in the summer, they got really hot and squishy. I sooo remember the smell of the tar combined with the smell of the fresh cones and ice cream from the shop. I remember that on VERY special occasions, my parents would let me go there and get ice cream. I would get vanilla with those sweet nut crunchy things on top. I'll never taste anything so good, I don't think, as long as I live.
I remember living on Station Road in Erie, PA. One great memory was staging a play - The Fox and the Grapes- with my brother and some friends of ours, the Laroux's. We invited the entire neighborhood and they all came. We charged 25 cents or something, and put on a great production. It was one of the few times that my brother and I worked together without trying to kill each other! Also, at that address, I remember laying in the back of my father's old pick up truck and staring at the sky. I was convinced that I was staring at Aurora Boorealis (sp?) I also remember walking with my brother and my best friend, Jill in the woods behind that house. We heard a really loud, horrible noise. We thought it was a bear. We started running really hard out of the forest. I tripped and fell, and Timmy picked me up and kept running. Jill was 2 years older than me, so she could run faster. Turns out, it was a wreck on the interstate near us, but is sure sounded like a bear!
I remember travelling back East with my family when I was 12 or so. We went to Ohio for a family reunion with my mother's family. My cousin, Matt, and I got to know each other a lot better on that vacation. Mostly, I remember walking with Matt through the forest around his house. We found all kinds of cool vegetation and fauna. I wasn't used to the lush forest environment - growing up in Texas - it was WAY cool.
I remember so much from my life in Texas. I had great friends and great times. I loved laying in my brother's pick up truck and staring at the stars. NOTHING is as beautiful as the night sky in Texas. As I got older, I loved sharing that with my boyfriend at the time. (I didn't have a lot of boyfriends, mind you. I was really a one guy girl.) It was so very peaceful. I would often go out there and write poetry. (Yes, I was THAT girl) I also loved going to lake Amistad with my friends - especially Ramon (who is now deceased, and missed every day). We would take a half 55 gallon barrel, put a grate on it, cook fajitas, and drink beer. We had so many great nights at the lake doing that.
College was a blur of some of the most wonderful times of my life. Many of those wonderful memories surround the Delta Tau Delta (Phil's frat) house and the brothers there. I couldn't even begin to list the wonderful memories I have from then. I will, however, relay the best one. Phil and I had been dating for about a year. We used to sneak out the window in the bathroom of the restroom on the top floor and sit on the roof together. (Lots of people did). From there, we had a great view of the campus and McDonough field where they would have concerts and such. One night, we were out there by ourselves - again, looking at the stars - sitting on a cheap lounge chair. Phil had his arms around me, and he'd been quiet for a while. He finally said, "You know what? I think I love you." I said, "I think I love you too." He kissed me, and we've been blissfully happy ever since. Of all my wonderful memories from college, this is still the best.
I have so many more stories to tell about our marriage, kids, life in general. These are just some of them that stood out when I was telling my kids to enjoy this time with their friends - these are the things we'll always remember.
Dr. Mindy
Today, I was in the car with Emma, her friend Sofia, Lee, and his friend, Max. We were driving home from a soccer game that I coached along with a great assistant coach. The kids were high on game endorphins and talking nonstop.
Emma and Sofia were telling me about their adventures during Lee's game. We were in a small town in WV, and the field borders a small stream and a large mountain. The girls went exploring when we were playing, and they were full of stories of why they were wet up to their knees, how Emma saved Sofia's life, and how Sofia saved Emma's life. They also found many mystical creatures and endangered species while they were exploring. Sofia suggested that they write down the stories of the cool adventures that they have had together and call it the "Best Friends Scrapbook." I was grinning from ear to ear.
I told the kids that these are the things that they'll always remember. Being on the soccer team with their best friends. Exploring the woods with their best friends. Emma and another really close friend were exploring the woods about 4 years ago, and they both found a creek. They were 6 and wanted to go in, so we just let them take their clothes off and play. They had a blast, and now, 4 years later, they are still talking about it and remembering it fondly.
It got me remembering some of my fonder memories from childhood, and I thought I'd share.
I remember living on Halley Street in Erie, PA, when I was less than 5 years old. We lived across an alley from an ice cream place. The alley was paved in asphalt shingles, and in the summer, they got really hot and squishy. I sooo remember the smell of the tar combined with the smell of the fresh cones and ice cream from the shop. I remember that on VERY special occasions, my parents would let me go there and get ice cream. I would get vanilla with those sweet nut crunchy things on top. I'll never taste anything so good, I don't think, as long as I live.
I remember living on Station Road in Erie, PA. One great memory was staging a play - The Fox and the Grapes- with my brother and some friends of ours, the Laroux's. We invited the entire neighborhood and they all came. We charged 25 cents or something, and put on a great production. It was one of the few times that my brother and I worked together without trying to kill each other! Also, at that address, I remember laying in the back of my father's old pick up truck and staring at the sky. I was convinced that I was staring at Aurora Boorealis (sp?) I also remember walking with my brother and my best friend, Jill in the woods behind that house. We heard a really loud, horrible noise. We thought it was a bear. We started running really hard out of the forest. I tripped and fell, and Timmy picked me up and kept running. Jill was 2 years older than me, so she could run faster. Turns out, it was a wreck on the interstate near us, but is sure sounded like a bear!
I remember travelling back East with my family when I was 12 or so. We went to Ohio for a family reunion with my mother's family. My cousin, Matt, and I got to know each other a lot better on that vacation. Mostly, I remember walking with Matt through the forest around his house. We found all kinds of cool vegetation and fauna. I wasn't used to the lush forest environment - growing up in Texas - it was WAY cool.
I remember so much from my life in Texas. I had great friends and great times. I loved laying in my brother's pick up truck and staring at the stars. NOTHING is as beautiful as the night sky in Texas. As I got older, I loved sharing that with my boyfriend at the time. (I didn't have a lot of boyfriends, mind you. I was really a one guy girl.) It was so very peaceful. I would often go out there and write poetry. (Yes, I was THAT girl) I also loved going to lake Amistad with my friends - especially Ramon (who is now deceased, and missed every day). We would take a half 55 gallon barrel, put a grate on it, cook fajitas, and drink beer. We had so many great nights at the lake doing that.
College was a blur of some of the most wonderful times of my life. Many of those wonderful memories surround the Delta Tau Delta (Phil's frat) house and the brothers there. I couldn't even begin to list the wonderful memories I have from then. I will, however, relay the best one. Phil and I had been dating for about a year. We used to sneak out the window in the bathroom of the restroom on the top floor and sit on the roof together. (Lots of people did). From there, we had a great view of the campus and McDonough field where they would have concerts and such. One night, we were out there by ourselves - again, looking at the stars - sitting on a cheap lounge chair. Phil had his arms around me, and he'd been quiet for a while. He finally said, "You know what? I think I love you." I said, "I think I love you too." He kissed me, and we've been blissfully happy ever since. Of all my wonderful memories from college, this is still the best.
I have so many more stories to tell about our marriage, kids, life in general. These are just some of them that stood out when I was telling my kids to enjoy this time with their friends - these are the things we'll always remember.
Dr. Mindy
Monday, April 25, 2011
I'm Baaack....
Did you miss me?
I just spent a week in Florida, and I tried very hard to stay away from any and all computers with the exception of my ipad and kindle for reading and some looking up of local eateries and such.
I have to admit, I WAY blew the diet. I didn't even bring medifast to the beach. Oddly, I didn't do as bad as I usually do when on vacation. I think the medifast has changed the way I handle fatty and high carb foods. I just cant do it like I used to.
We had a really nice vacation with family and friends. It was Phil, his brother, our great friend, Dave, my parents, another great friend, Pete, and another family with whom we travel well. Their kids and our kids are about the same age, and get along great. The weather was perfect, and we had a wonderful time. We are all good cooks, so the meals were pretty spectacular - particularly the one that was cooked by our friend from Spain. She made paella with fresh seafood that was out of this world, and the same night I put some fresh oysters on the grill just long enough for them to pop so they'd be easy to shuck (idea courtesy of Matt). They were salty, barely warm, juicy, and succulent. She also made crayfish that night, and clams in garlic sauce. Oh, what a night. We had some white wine, some frozen daiquiris, and a ton of laughs.
Another night, Matt made a grouper with Chinese sauce on it that we ended up eating in fish tacos the next day. It was out of control good. He also made some Korean roast beef one night that was too good to even describe. We had that with black beans and rice and a salad. We had tuna steaks and shark steaks another night.
Also, Phil and Pete went wild boar hunting on Wednesday, so on Wednesday, we had wild boar ribs that were spectacular.
For breakfast, Dave was in charge of the Lox and bagel. Silvia made everyone omelets one morning with farm fresh eggs (that we brought). My mom made her famous breakfast tacos another morning. Matt and Phil had donuts from Krispy Kreme (Fresh NOW) and we went through pounds of coffee.
We also went sightseeing to St. Augustine, the Fountain of Youth, and the oldest Plantation in the country. It was pretty cool. I'd like to go back to St. Augustine sometime. When we went, Emma's pump wasn't working right, so we spent the whole day chasing sugars. She didn't come down below 400 the whole day, and it was a, "So, do we take her to the hospital, or see if this works?" kind of day. On the other hand, we did do a walking ghost tour, and that was pretty cool. We really had a wonderful time there.
The best part of the entire vacation, though, was being able to relax with friends and family. It was great talking late into the evening. The kids had a ton to keep them occupied, and also had a blast. We shared stories of how we met, what we used to do, and what our goals and ideas for the future are. It was really a great trip - one I hope to repeat again sometime.
I love that our kids get these kinds of experiences. Last year, we took a similar trip with Pete, his wife, Suzanne, and their kids. We went to Lake Norman, NC, and had such a wonderful time. We also ate well, and we did a TON of stuff with the children. We really travel well with these guys, and it's such a blessing. In fact, I'm considering a trip to their hometown to hang out with Suz and the kids while the boys do another fishing trip in August.
I have come to realize in my old age just how important great friends are. These guys that I've been talking about (plus a couple others not aforementioned) are the stuff that lifetime memories are made of. Our kids will always remember these vacations with their friends, and I'll always know that even if we don't see each other for years, we'll pick up right where we left off. I'm so profoundly blessed by having each and every one of them in my life. Amazing. Plus, my parents were with us, and I am often struck by how lucky I and my children are to have my parents in our life and well enough to run around the country with us. They've gone with us to Disney, Jamaica, Florida (in general), North Carolina, Tennessee....the list goes on. They love my kids and my kids would be lost without them. Again, blessed, and lucky.
Our trip was pretty uneventful (with the exception of Phil stabbing a wild boar with a dagger in a very Lord of the Flies type experience - but that's his story, not mine...), relaxing, and wonderful. Now, it's back to the ins and outs of every day life. Last night we stopped in Elkin, NC, to rest, and we saw that they were having a wine festival this summer. Phil and I thought, cool- we should go! So, I got out my ipad to look at my calendar, and guess what? We have NO open weekends from now until mid August. Seriously. Between our trips, our kids camps, and work, we have NO open weekends. So, if you're a friend, and it seems like I'm ignoring you, remember how much I love you and that you're welcome to come spend an evening at the pool anytime during the week. I just probably won't be seeing you on weekends!
Dr. Mindy
I just spent a week in Florida, and I tried very hard to stay away from any and all computers with the exception of my ipad and kindle for reading and some looking up of local eateries and such.
I have to admit, I WAY blew the diet. I didn't even bring medifast to the beach. Oddly, I didn't do as bad as I usually do when on vacation. I think the medifast has changed the way I handle fatty and high carb foods. I just cant do it like I used to.
We had a really nice vacation with family and friends. It was Phil, his brother, our great friend, Dave, my parents, another great friend, Pete, and another family with whom we travel well. Their kids and our kids are about the same age, and get along great. The weather was perfect, and we had a wonderful time. We are all good cooks, so the meals were pretty spectacular - particularly the one that was cooked by our friend from Spain. She made paella with fresh seafood that was out of this world, and the same night I put some fresh oysters on the grill just long enough for them to pop so they'd be easy to shuck (idea courtesy of Matt). They were salty, barely warm, juicy, and succulent. She also made crayfish that night, and clams in garlic sauce. Oh, what a night. We had some white wine, some frozen daiquiris, and a ton of laughs.
Another night, Matt made a grouper with Chinese sauce on it that we ended up eating in fish tacos the next day. It was out of control good. He also made some Korean roast beef one night that was too good to even describe. We had that with black beans and rice and a salad. We had tuna steaks and shark steaks another night.
Also, Phil and Pete went wild boar hunting on Wednesday, so on Wednesday, we had wild boar ribs that were spectacular.
For breakfast, Dave was in charge of the Lox and bagel. Silvia made everyone omelets one morning with farm fresh eggs (that we brought). My mom made her famous breakfast tacos another morning. Matt and Phil had donuts from Krispy Kreme (Fresh NOW) and we went through pounds of coffee.
We also went sightseeing to St. Augustine, the Fountain of Youth, and the oldest Plantation in the country. It was pretty cool. I'd like to go back to St. Augustine sometime. When we went, Emma's pump wasn't working right, so we spent the whole day chasing sugars. She didn't come down below 400 the whole day, and it was a, "So, do we take her to the hospital, or see if this works?" kind of day. On the other hand, we did do a walking ghost tour, and that was pretty cool. We really had a wonderful time there.
The best part of the entire vacation, though, was being able to relax with friends and family. It was great talking late into the evening. The kids had a ton to keep them occupied, and also had a blast. We shared stories of how we met, what we used to do, and what our goals and ideas for the future are. It was really a great trip - one I hope to repeat again sometime.
I love that our kids get these kinds of experiences. Last year, we took a similar trip with Pete, his wife, Suzanne, and their kids. We went to Lake Norman, NC, and had such a wonderful time. We also ate well, and we did a TON of stuff with the children. We really travel well with these guys, and it's such a blessing. In fact, I'm considering a trip to their hometown to hang out with Suz and the kids while the boys do another fishing trip in August.
I have come to realize in my old age just how important great friends are. These guys that I've been talking about (plus a couple others not aforementioned) are the stuff that lifetime memories are made of. Our kids will always remember these vacations with their friends, and I'll always know that even if we don't see each other for years, we'll pick up right where we left off. I'm so profoundly blessed by having each and every one of them in my life. Amazing. Plus, my parents were with us, and I am often struck by how lucky I and my children are to have my parents in our life and well enough to run around the country with us. They've gone with us to Disney, Jamaica, Florida (in general), North Carolina, Tennessee....the list goes on. They love my kids and my kids would be lost without them. Again, blessed, and lucky.
Our trip was pretty uneventful (with the exception of Phil stabbing a wild boar with a dagger in a very Lord of the Flies type experience - but that's his story, not mine...), relaxing, and wonderful. Now, it's back to the ins and outs of every day life. Last night we stopped in Elkin, NC, to rest, and we saw that they were having a wine festival this summer. Phil and I thought, cool- we should go! So, I got out my ipad to look at my calendar, and guess what? We have NO open weekends from now until mid August. Seriously. Between our trips, our kids camps, and work, we have NO open weekends. So, if you're a friend, and it seems like I'm ignoring you, remember how much I love you and that you're welcome to come spend an evening at the pool anytime during the week. I just probably won't be seeing you on weekends!
Dr. Mindy
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
unbelievable
Now, I think I'm a pretty open minded person. I try, in my practice, to understand where people are coming from physically, financially, and emotionally so that I can treat them appropriately. I understand that some people have hard times and that the government has programs in place for these people.
BUT>>>>>>>>
I was so irrationally angry yesterday at a convenience store that I came home and screamed at my poor, unknowing husband for no real good reason. (Yes, he gets that a lot, and he's a saint to put up with me like he does - more on the miscommunication that caused the ruckus soon...)
I was in line at the convenience store trying to buy a snack for Emma because her sugar was dropping. I picked out a think of pineapple chunks in juice and a stick of cheese. Feeling very proud of myself that I found her a healthful snack at the convenience store, I swaggered up to the register only to be beat out by seconds by another woman. I must admit that I did begrudge her a little because I was in a hurry, but only a little.
The lady has on the counter 8 cases of name brand soda, a bag of Doritos, and a gallon of milk. She proceeds to get rung up, and the cashier announces that her total for this is 42.80 or something of the sort. She mumbled something I couldn't understand, and the cashier pointed to a little card swiper off to the right. She then re-rings the purchase without tax. Curious, I kind of looked over the woman's shoulder, and come to find out that she's paying with FOOD STAMPS!!! I have so many problems with this, I don't even know where to start.
1. NO ONE should be allowed to use food stamps at a convenience store. It is WAY too expensive. Is this lady going to run out of stamps by the end of the month and end up at the food bank? Likely. I have patients that are trying to feed a family of 6 with food stamps, and they do run out of money, but they're at least trying to buy food that will sustain their children. 42.80 (minus tax) for 8 cases of soda and two other items comes out to about 7.50 per case of soda. Seriously? When Kroger has buy one, get one free at 4 dollars a case??? Why is this allowed to happen?
2. SODA??? SERIOUSLY???? Now, in their defense, the food stamp program doesn't allow cigarettes or alcohol to be purchased on the cards. Instead, people buy cases of soda, then sell them to their friends for cash to buy the cigarettes and beer. It's a little harder now because it used to be that they would just sell the stamps themselves. Now, with the declining balance card, they actually have to purchase something and resell it to make any cash for ciggys. Aside from that, soda IS NOT FOOD!!!! It is horrible for children - it rots their teeth and makes them obese. It sucks calcium from their bones and replaces nourishing water. Plus, all but 2 cases were caffeinated. So, assuming that this woman had kids, they are probably having trouble in school due to being all sugared and caffienated up. I have seen people give their kids mountain dew at 8:00 at night. Then, they come in and tell me their kids can't sleep and are falling asleep in school. REALLY? Nooooo..... I honestly cannot believe that the food stamp program allows this and actually puts the card reader in convenience stores. With the incredible obesity crisis that we're facing in the nation, the government is allowing people to buy Doritos and pop on their dime. Un-freaking-believable.
3. Ok, so I'm in line behind her as she is ringing up a fortune in pop, and then her husband comes in to start carting the cases out. I think that she is done and try to deftly maneuver my way up to the counter around the mountain of soda, but, OH, she's not done. Next, she takes out her own (hard earned, I'm sure) money to buy 4 packs of cigarettes and 4 lottery tickets. So, now I'm even more miffed because I'm in a hurry, I'm astounded by the flagrant lack of concern about what she is spending the taxpayer's money on, and she's starting another transaction. Wow. Has enough money to buy $6 a pack cigs (name brand, of course- camel ultra lights), but has to buy her pop with the food stamp card.
4. THE KICKER. The woman raised her arms to stretch when in line and revealed approximately $800 dollars worth of low back art. Seriously. It was one of the nicest tattoos I've ever seen - fairies and lilies and vines from one side of her ample low back to the other. I can only assume it's about $800 worth.
Wow. I still can't get over it.
So, I was plenty irritated when I got through the line. Then, Phil called and told me that the suddenlink guy was at the house and waiting for me. I had to deliver the kids to piano and pick them up, make dinner, and make it to girl scouts by 6:15, so I was rushed. I asked Phil to stop on his way home and pick me up some white wine. Unfortunately, I called him from my nephew's phone at piano, then left and went home to get my phone. I went home to meet the suddenlink guy. I got even more frustrated because the guy had to go through my house, and as he was doing so, I kept having to move all of the crap that Phil has never put away (i.e., guns, tools, fishing poles - in my DINING ROOM) and I had to move out the couches which had dust bunnies the size of the dog behind them. So, I was embarrassed, irritated, and rushed. We all know that this is NOT a good combination.
About 40 minutes later, Phil texted back to my nephew's phone, not knowing that I was no longer using it. He said, "pinot grigio?" My nephew (or his mother) did not know that he was texting me, so they said, "How about a nice Chianti?" Then they had a little Silence of the Lambs banter. In Phil's defense, we've had that banter hundreds of times, so there was no way that he would know it wasn't me on the other end of the line. (And, I must admit, that if my nephew knows that movie, I'm a little worried.) So, Phil comes home at 6:15 with 4 bottles of red wine. I know nothing of these text messages, and I'm already mad because of his stuff everywhere, so Phil is greeted with, "Gee, thanks, hon. I ask for one freaking thing, and you can't even get that right. And, by the way, you are not doing any outside projects this weekend, so don't plan anything - we are going to clean up this damn house so our kids aren't living in a pig sty. And, don't expect me home right away from scouts because I have to go out and get my own damn wine because you couldn't even get the right kind!"
I'm so embarrassed. Poor Phil. Have I mentioned that he's a saint and the best husband in the whole wide universe????
He sputtered a little. He was SOOO confused. He didn't have time to explain about the texts because I had to go to girl scouts. When I got home, he had moved his guns, boxes, and fishing poles, and had his phone ready to show me that he was not, in fact, screwing up, but following what looked like a conversation with me.
Actually, it would have been a comical situation if I hadn't have been insane when it happened.
I've never claimed to be easy to live with. Luckily, Phil can handle me. He will say that he has his own issues that are hard to live with, so we even each other out. I think he got the short end of the stick sometimes....but we love each other more and more every day, and that's really all that matters.
As always,
Dr. Mindy
BUT>>>>>>>>
I was so irrationally angry yesterday at a convenience store that I came home and screamed at my poor, unknowing husband for no real good reason. (Yes, he gets that a lot, and he's a saint to put up with me like he does - more on the miscommunication that caused the ruckus soon...)
I was in line at the convenience store trying to buy a snack for Emma because her sugar was dropping. I picked out a think of pineapple chunks in juice and a stick of cheese. Feeling very proud of myself that I found her a healthful snack at the convenience store, I swaggered up to the register only to be beat out by seconds by another woman. I must admit that I did begrudge her a little because I was in a hurry, but only a little.
The lady has on the counter 8 cases of name brand soda, a bag of Doritos, and a gallon of milk. She proceeds to get rung up, and the cashier announces that her total for this is 42.80 or something of the sort. She mumbled something I couldn't understand, and the cashier pointed to a little card swiper off to the right. She then re-rings the purchase without tax. Curious, I kind of looked over the woman's shoulder, and come to find out that she's paying with FOOD STAMPS!!! I have so many problems with this, I don't even know where to start.
1. NO ONE should be allowed to use food stamps at a convenience store. It is WAY too expensive. Is this lady going to run out of stamps by the end of the month and end up at the food bank? Likely. I have patients that are trying to feed a family of 6 with food stamps, and they do run out of money, but they're at least trying to buy food that will sustain their children. 42.80 (minus tax) for 8 cases of soda and two other items comes out to about 7.50 per case of soda. Seriously? When Kroger has buy one, get one free at 4 dollars a case??? Why is this allowed to happen?
2. SODA??? SERIOUSLY???? Now, in their defense, the food stamp program doesn't allow cigarettes or alcohol to be purchased on the cards. Instead, people buy cases of soda, then sell them to their friends for cash to buy the cigarettes and beer. It's a little harder now because it used to be that they would just sell the stamps themselves. Now, with the declining balance card, they actually have to purchase something and resell it to make any cash for ciggys. Aside from that, soda IS NOT FOOD!!!! It is horrible for children - it rots their teeth and makes them obese. It sucks calcium from their bones and replaces nourishing water. Plus, all but 2 cases were caffeinated. So, assuming that this woman had kids, they are probably having trouble in school due to being all sugared and caffienated up. I have seen people give their kids mountain dew at 8:00 at night. Then, they come in and tell me their kids can't sleep and are falling asleep in school. REALLY? Nooooo..... I honestly cannot believe that the food stamp program allows this and actually puts the card reader in convenience stores. With the incredible obesity crisis that we're facing in the nation, the government is allowing people to buy Doritos and pop on their dime. Un-freaking-believable.
3. Ok, so I'm in line behind her as she is ringing up a fortune in pop, and then her husband comes in to start carting the cases out. I think that she is done and try to deftly maneuver my way up to the counter around the mountain of soda, but, OH, she's not done. Next, she takes out her own (hard earned, I'm sure) money to buy 4 packs of cigarettes and 4 lottery tickets. So, now I'm even more miffed because I'm in a hurry, I'm astounded by the flagrant lack of concern about what she is spending the taxpayer's money on, and she's starting another transaction. Wow. Has enough money to buy $6 a pack cigs (name brand, of course- camel ultra lights), but has to buy her pop with the food stamp card.
4. THE KICKER. The woman raised her arms to stretch when in line and revealed approximately $800 dollars worth of low back art. Seriously. It was one of the nicest tattoos I've ever seen - fairies and lilies and vines from one side of her ample low back to the other. I can only assume it's about $800 worth.
Wow. I still can't get over it.
So, I was plenty irritated when I got through the line. Then, Phil called and told me that the suddenlink guy was at the house and waiting for me. I had to deliver the kids to piano and pick them up, make dinner, and make it to girl scouts by 6:15, so I was rushed. I asked Phil to stop on his way home and pick me up some white wine. Unfortunately, I called him from my nephew's phone at piano, then left and went home to get my phone. I went home to meet the suddenlink guy. I got even more frustrated because the guy had to go through my house, and as he was doing so, I kept having to move all of the crap that Phil has never put away (i.e., guns, tools, fishing poles - in my DINING ROOM) and I had to move out the couches which had dust bunnies the size of the dog behind them. So, I was embarrassed, irritated, and rushed. We all know that this is NOT a good combination.
About 40 minutes later, Phil texted back to my nephew's phone, not knowing that I was no longer using it. He said, "pinot grigio?" My nephew (or his mother) did not know that he was texting me, so they said, "How about a nice Chianti?" Then they had a little Silence of the Lambs banter. In Phil's defense, we've had that banter hundreds of times, so there was no way that he would know it wasn't me on the other end of the line. (And, I must admit, that if my nephew knows that movie, I'm a little worried.) So, Phil comes home at 6:15 with 4 bottles of red wine. I know nothing of these text messages, and I'm already mad because of his stuff everywhere, so Phil is greeted with, "Gee, thanks, hon. I ask for one freaking thing, and you can't even get that right. And, by the way, you are not doing any outside projects this weekend, so don't plan anything - we are going to clean up this damn house so our kids aren't living in a pig sty. And, don't expect me home right away from scouts because I have to go out and get my own damn wine because you couldn't even get the right kind!"
I'm so embarrassed. Poor Phil. Have I mentioned that he's a saint and the best husband in the whole wide universe????
He sputtered a little. He was SOOO confused. He didn't have time to explain about the texts because I had to go to girl scouts. When I got home, he had moved his guns, boxes, and fishing poles, and had his phone ready to show me that he was not, in fact, screwing up, but following what looked like a conversation with me.
Actually, it would have been a comical situation if I hadn't have been insane when it happened.
I've never claimed to be easy to live with. Luckily, Phil can handle me. He will say that he has his own issues that are hard to live with, so we even each other out. I think he got the short end of the stick sometimes....but we love each other more and more every day, and that's really all that matters.
As always,
Dr. Mindy
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Ahhh...the terror and the joy
Well, I finally got out of town for a night this weekend. Well deserved and VERY needed. I need to leave at least once a month in order to get away from the constant reminders of everything I need to do at the house. I can never really relax at my house because there's always laundry to do, dishes to be done, straightening to be done, then there's the bigger projects....
So, we went to Tyson's Corner this Friday afternoon and had an absolutely wonderful time.
Let me rewind a little.
For Christmas, Phil bought me a car. It was a very sweet gesture. Great thought, poor execution. It was a SAAB 900 convertible - 1995. He even traded his Bradley GT for it. (Everyone say "Awww") The problem is, it was a total piece of crap. The seats were rotted, truly. The paint was so flat that even with a full detail, it looked like it had gone through a sandblaster. The engine wasn't really great. The shocks and struts needed replaced. The power seats, mirrors, and seat heaters didn't work. The dashboard lights wouldn't stay on and I had to drive with my left hand on the dashboard toggling the switch to keep the lights on after dark. The stereo didn't work. When you shut the doors, the windows didn't match up, so it constantly pulled air. When I turned the wheel left, it changed the radio station. BUT it ran and the convertible top worked. The gas mileage was better than my Expy, and it was easy to park, so I figured I'd drive it for a couple of years and trade up. Until two weeks ago.... We'd already changed the latches on the convertible top (to the tune of 350 dollars), and then the motor went out on the top. Now, our guy (who's amazing, by the way - Automedic in Elkins - Mark Lentz) said he could easily replace the motor and it would cost less than the darn latches. I was DONE, though. I put my foot down and said, "I love you babe, and I appreciate the gesture, but that's it." The convertible top was the ONLY reason I was driving the darn thing and I couldn't do it anymore. The car was going to nickel and dime us to death.
Off to Fairfax! We looked online and found several dealerships with convertibles less than 10,000 dollars that we could trade this heap for. We went and looked at a few different places. There was a Volvo that I really liked, but, wow. What a place. We went to the "dealer" in Manassas, VA. When we got there, it was in the back of a cluster of these really large metal buildings that housed a few dealerships. Very shady looking in their own right, this place wasn't even one of them. It was a small office with no real lot - the cars were parked in front of the building and in a warehouse in the back. So, we take the thing for a test drive and first thing, the check oil light comes on. Then the AC doesn't work. Then, as I'm driving, the speed drops three times down to 30 on it's own - can we say "bad transmission"? When I took it back, I told them no deal because it had a bad transmission, and they were appalled, then they said they'd fix it for us. Um, no.
Long story even longer, we ended up going to Fairfax Auto Gallery and bought a 2002 BMW 330Ci convertible in really nice shape. Everything seems to work (knock on wood). We went out for Mexican food, then back to the hotel.
The next day, we met some of Phil's high school friends at a Dim Sum restaurant and had a great time with them. Great people - I hope we can see them more often. Plus, Matt's Duck House near Vienna, VA, is AMAZING!!! Great Peking Duck.
So, the terror comes in now. We were following the Garmin home. Normally, there is a bit of corridor H that we follow to Moorefield, then get off and take smaller roads back home. This time, it was extended. Now, Corridor H is supposed to go to Elkins eventually, so we figured we'd follow it as far as it went and see where we ended up. (Note to readers, the BMW is rear wheel drive, and it does not have great tires on it right now.) So, we followed the road, and, even now I'm not sure where it ended up. Somewhere about 30 miles from Davis, Thomas, and Mt. Storm. The Garmin tells us to take a left on some road that leads to Dolly Sods, and we didn't because last time the Garmin was navigating us in rural WV, we had the now second most terrifying driving experience of our life involving the Expedition on a 4 wheeler track with no way to turn around. (At one point, I had the left wheels on the side of a mountain so that the right wheels could stay on the road with a 10 foot drop off the right side of the vehicle. Here's the the 4wd capability of the Expy!). So, we didn't follow the Garmin. Bad idea.
We ended up going to Mt. Storm, and it started to snow. We made it to Thomas, and then things got REALLY bad. I've never been so terrified in my life. It had been warmer in the daytime, so when we got to the top of the mountain, we were driving in pea soup fog and driving snow. We could only see, literally, about three feet in front of our car. We couldn't stop because the visibility was so low and the roads were so bad that if someone came up on us, they'd never be able to stop. At one point, there was a tree across the road, and we didn't see it until we were about 4 feet from it. Honestly, it was like a BMW commercial. Phil swerved and narrowly avoided hitting the tree. The car handled great. Phil was driving because, as a Texas girl, I've never driven a RWD car in the snow. Thank God. Anyhow, it took us an hour to drive the 16 miles from Thomas to Parsons. It was THE most harrowing drive I've ever experienced in my life. I'm surprised that I didn't put a hole in the floorboards with my "imaginary brake".
We made it to Parsons, and a guy at the Sheetz station tells us that earlier in the day, that road had been closed because of so many accidents because the state road vehicles hadn't been able to even get up there. In fact, we saw one stopped before it got really bad.
So, we grabbed a snack at Sheetz. (Diet be damned at this point, I needed something to destress me!)
Got home at 9:30 last night.
It's a nod to the car that we didn't wreck on that mountain.
Phil said he was really worried about messing up my new car. I told him that I knew that, and that I wanted to say, "I don't care if you wreck as long as you try to keep us safe," but I didn't know how to say that and not jinx us, so I didn't. He laughed. I laughed. I had a glass of wine and we breathed a big sigh of relief.
BTW, I LOVE the new car, and I'm so glad that our guardian angel was on duty last night.
Cheers!
Dr. Mindy
So, we went to Tyson's Corner this Friday afternoon and had an absolutely wonderful time.
Let me rewind a little.
For Christmas, Phil bought me a car. It was a very sweet gesture. Great thought, poor execution. It was a SAAB 900 convertible - 1995. He even traded his Bradley GT for it. (Everyone say "Awww") The problem is, it was a total piece of crap. The seats were rotted, truly. The paint was so flat that even with a full detail, it looked like it had gone through a sandblaster. The engine wasn't really great. The shocks and struts needed replaced. The power seats, mirrors, and seat heaters didn't work. The dashboard lights wouldn't stay on and I had to drive with my left hand on the dashboard toggling the switch to keep the lights on after dark. The stereo didn't work. When you shut the doors, the windows didn't match up, so it constantly pulled air. When I turned the wheel left, it changed the radio station. BUT it ran and the convertible top worked. The gas mileage was better than my Expy, and it was easy to park, so I figured I'd drive it for a couple of years and trade up. Until two weeks ago.... We'd already changed the latches on the convertible top (to the tune of 350 dollars), and then the motor went out on the top. Now, our guy (who's amazing, by the way - Automedic in Elkins - Mark Lentz) said he could easily replace the motor and it would cost less than the darn latches. I was DONE, though. I put my foot down and said, "I love you babe, and I appreciate the gesture, but that's it." The convertible top was the ONLY reason I was driving the darn thing and I couldn't do it anymore. The car was going to nickel and dime us to death.
Off to Fairfax! We looked online and found several dealerships with convertibles less than 10,000 dollars that we could trade this heap for. We went and looked at a few different places. There was a Volvo that I really liked, but, wow. What a place. We went to the "dealer" in Manassas, VA. When we got there, it was in the back of a cluster of these really large metal buildings that housed a few dealerships. Very shady looking in their own right, this place wasn't even one of them. It was a small office with no real lot - the cars were parked in front of the building and in a warehouse in the back. So, we take the thing for a test drive and first thing, the check oil light comes on. Then the AC doesn't work. Then, as I'm driving, the speed drops three times down to 30 on it's own - can we say "bad transmission"? When I took it back, I told them no deal because it had a bad transmission, and they were appalled, then they said they'd fix it for us. Um, no.
Long story even longer, we ended up going to Fairfax Auto Gallery and bought a 2002 BMW 330Ci convertible in really nice shape. Everything seems to work (knock on wood). We went out for Mexican food, then back to the hotel.
The next day, we met some of Phil's high school friends at a Dim Sum restaurant and had a great time with them. Great people - I hope we can see them more often. Plus, Matt's Duck House near Vienna, VA, is AMAZING!!! Great Peking Duck.
So, the terror comes in now. We were following the Garmin home. Normally, there is a bit of corridor H that we follow to Moorefield, then get off and take smaller roads back home. This time, it was extended. Now, Corridor H is supposed to go to Elkins eventually, so we figured we'd follow it as far as it went and see where we ended up. (Note to readers, the BMW is rear wheel drive, and it does not have great tires on it right now.) So, we followed the road, and, even now I'm not sure where it ended up. Somewhere about 30 miles from Davis, Thomas, and Mt. Storm. The Garmin tells us to take a left on some road that leads to Dolly Sods, and we didn't because last time the Garmin was navigating us in rural WV, we had the now second most terrifying driving experience of our life involving the Expedition on a 4 wheeler track with no way to turn around. (At one point, I had the left wheels on the side of a mountain so that the right wheels could stay on the road with a 10 foot drop off the right side of the vehicle. Here's the the 4wd capability of the Expy!). So, we didn't follow the Garmin. Bad idea.
We ended up going to Mt. Storm, and it started to snow. We made it to Thomas, and then things got REALLY bad. I've never been so terrified in my life. It had been warmer in the daytime, so when we got to the top of the mountain, we were driving in pea soup fog and driving snow. We could only see, literally, about three feet in front of our car. We couldn't stop because the visibility was so low and the roads were so bad that if someone came up on us, they'd never be able to stop. At one point, there was a tree across the road, and we didn't see it until we were about 4 feet from it. Honestly, it was like a BMW commercial. Phil swerved and narrowly avoided hitting the tree. The car handled great. Phil was driving because, as a Texas girl, I've never driven a RWD car in the snow. Thank God. Anyhow, it took us an hour to drive the 16 miles from Thomas to Parsons. It was THE most harrowing drive I've ever experienced in my life. I'm surprised that I didn't put a hole in the floorboards with my "imaginary brake".
We made it to Parsons, and a guy at the Sheetz station tells us that earlier in the day, that road had been closed because of so many accidents because the state road vehicles hadn't been able to even get up there. In fact, we saw one stopped before it got really bad.
So, we grabbed a snack at Sheetz. (Diet be damned at this point, I needed something to destress me!)
Got home at 9:30 last night.
It's a nod to the car that we didn't wreck on that mountain.
Phil said he was really worried about messing up my new car. I told him that I knew that, and that I wanted to say, "I don't care if you wreck as long as you try to keep us safe," but I didn't know how to say that and not jinx us, so I didn't. He laughed. I laughed. I had a glass of wine and we breathed a big sigh of relief.
BTW, I LOVE the new car, and I'm so glad that our guardian angel was on duty last night.
Cheers!
Dr. Mindy
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