June 28 - Tuesday

 

My friend Wendee just reminded me that I am way behind in my Blog...so I'll just give an update of the month of June.

 

June 1st - 20 months.  For the first time, I didn't think about the anniversary all day.  I thought about Joel all day, as I always do, but I just didn't remember that it was the anniversary until a few days later.  I guess that's progress.  Maybe one day, I'll have the first of the month back as a normal day.

The rest of June has been spent working in the lab on my new projects that I actually started almost a year ago, but with the MS behind me, I can give them my full attention.  I've been working harder than ever trying to meet some deadlines to produce some preliminary results that will help me get funding to continue my PhD after my scholarship runs out.  

I've been doing my training thing pretty regularly with triathlon season in full swing.  I've been racing about every third weekend and now consistently win my age group in local south Fla races.  I don't know what that's going to get me in life, but it's fun anyway.

 

I played a very cool orchestra gig at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts.  It's the major arts venue in the area and Joel and I have been in the audience many times for orchestra concerts, the ballet and Broadway shows, but never in a million years did I think I would get to perform there.  But I got hired to play in a "pick up" orchestra for a choral concert (probably because all the first call flutists were busy that weekend) and it was very very cool.  Only problem was I had a terrible sinus cold and I had to take so much sinus medicine and cough suppressant that I hardly remember the concert!

 

Did I mention I've been working like crazy in the lab???

 

Last Saturday, June, 26 was commencement.  It's been one of my regular playing gigs for the past 4 years and every year I say to the other orchestra members..."one day I'll be up there getting my MS", so finally it was my turn.  My brother was here playing the gig too, so it was nice to have some family there.  (My parents couldn't make it down, they've both been plagued with various health problems over the past few months.  Mom is in the hospital after complications from a fall that caused her to break her wrist).  The orchestra played a big chord when my name was called : )  

 

Kittens are great.  They are huge and hysterical.  When I call all five of them to feed them, they come running at full speed and it seems I live with an entire herd of cats!  I can hear their paws thundering across the tile floors as they descend upon me at top speed.  They constantly amaze me with their tricks...Gracie likes to jump onto my exercise ball and run in place until she loses her balance and goes flying off...it's like a circus act.  PC loves to fetch.  He often drops a ball at my feet and will chase it down and bring it back as many times as I'll throw it.  Spotty likes to "capture" his toys and take them into a corner and growl at anyone who tries to approach.  Fang and Taz just look on slightly confused by all the commotion, but are much more playful now that they are used to the kittens.  So it's been rejuvenating for their 12 year old bodies!

 

PC and Grace 

 

Spot and Taz

 

So, July is right around the corner.  It still represents the time when Joel started the long downhill slide.  That means I'm approaching the 2nd year anniversary and it's caused me to think about what I want to do on Oct 1 2005.  Right now I'm thinking that I'll go to Minnesota to be close to his family and our friends (surprise...that might be news to you guys up there!).  I've not seen the grave marker since it was installed last October, so I want to go to the cemetery and have some quiet time to reflect on the year.  

 

So that's it...I'm just moving along...not really happy, not really sad, just peaceful and content with things right now and eagerly anticipating a 7th consecutive Tour de France victory from Lance.  I've been following cycling all year and it appears he's again going to blow everybody away.  I can't wait!  It's the only thing that makes July bearable!  And NO, I'm not dating! 

 

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