I went to Rehoboth Beach, DE and all I got were these Crocs

OK...that's not entirely true. I got a fairly decent tan, had some great meals and drinks, and most of all?

R-E-L-A-X-A-T-I-O-N

Pics from the great vacation to come. (Oh, and who knew the Delaware coast was so beautiful? Huh. Not me!)

A tired dog (or three tired dogs) is a happy dog!

My stepdaughter G. holding court with (from left to right): Max, Ty & Fae:

Do you prefer Bordeaux or Apple Brown Betty with your Prairie Dust?

We're (well, I should say I'm) finally getting around to determine what color to do the shutters on our house. John has painted the front and done one coat on the back, so I'm determined to have the shutters painted and hung up before I start back to school in September. Our first pick for color was Olympic's Bordeaux. A very deep magenta/wine color, hence the name. However, the Olympic brochure had paired Apple Brown Betty with the color we chose for the body of the house -- Prairie Dust. So, I figured that the Olympic people must know something and we bought a quart of Apple Brown Betty.

I primed two shutters yesterday (with gray primer, as Lowe's said that when trying to cover a bright color -- hideous pink, gray works better) and today painted one in each color.  I realize that normally one paints two coats and lets them dry before making a decision, however, I knew right away. Bordeaux is the clear winner over Apple Brown Betty. (Although, I'm thinking it maybe should be renamed to Apple "Orange" Betty.)

Mustard weed

So, this is growing in our front yard. Directly opposite to our neighbor's house. I'm dying to cut it down, but John thinks we should let it grow.

New fave pic

Even at book #16, Stephanie Plum still makes me laugh

As you can see, I'm reading the newest book in Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series, "Sizzling Sixteen." I wonder how much longer Stephanie has before she's done, but even at the ripe old age of book #16 in the series, I STILL laugh out loud while reading. (Which is a problem when reading in bed and your spouse is sleeping.)

I must say that I'm over 1/2 way through and there have been a few fleeting moments when I've thought, "Let me guess what's going to happen here." And it does. BUT, there were some things that I was totally wrong about and was nicely surprised.

So far, 1 1/2 thumbs up. (Is that humanly possible?)

If it can happen...it will happen

WARNING: This has the potential to be a long rambling post.

So, since early Sunday morning, I've been sick. Stomach sick. (No further details needed.) I was sick throughout the day and still felt pretty weak yesterday, so I stayed home from work.

This morning, I felt OK, so I pulled myself up by the bootstraps and went to work. I was only there for a half hour or so and then started feeling weird. Hot flash/color draining from my face weird. I decided I'd had enough, so I called the doctor. I got patched through to the triage nurse and he asked how quickly I could get there, as there was some open time with the nurse practitioner.

Problem #1: Time Warp
I tell the triage nurse that I can be there in 15 minutes. Um, hello? I've been going to that doctor's office for 10ish years. It takes half hour from work. (But, in my weird state, this realization hasn't come to me yet.)

So, I pack up my stuff and go to the car.

Problem #2: Bridge Over Troubled Waters
I had parked in what's called the "jungle" at work (basically, in the bushes). I also parked right on the edge of a small bridge with a concrete abutment. In my weird state, I go forwards instead of backwards and "bump" into the abutment. I then realize that I've hooked something on the car to something on the bridge. I back up, go forward and I hear scraping. LOUD scraping. A HUGE plastic "thing" is protruding out of the wheel well.

I fix it and drive away. 500 yards later? LOUD scraping. I pull over and fix it. And AGAIN in 500 yards. I then decide I'll just have to drive with it and ignore it. The time warp then hits me and I call the doctor's to tell them I'll be late. They're less than friendly and tears start a-flowin.

I make my way to the doctor's (ignoring the dirty looks I'm getting from fellow drivers and pedestrian gawkers). I end up having to wait and then get escorted into an exam room.

Problem #3: Mistaken Identity
Nurse Practitioner comes in and says, "You're too young to have back pain." In my weird clueless state, I think she's referring to my bad posture and say so. She's silent for a few minutes and then she says, "You're Jane Doe, right?" Um, NO..."I'm Jane Smith." Good thing we cleared that up early on. That could've turned VERY ugly.

She tells me to go the nearby hospital and get bloodwork to make sure I'm not dehydrated, etc... Due to the car issue, I decide to walk to the hospital (which is practically next door) and get the bloodwork. I check in and take my turn in the waiting area. I then get called in.

Problem #4: Bloody Embarrassing
In my weird clueless state I tell the phlebotomist to draw the blood from my right arm. Um, hello? Again? I ALWAYS get blood drawn from the left arm. But, again, in the clueless state I'm in, I put forth the right arm. Of course, she has trouble getting blood from the vein. Because, you know, I never get blood drawn from that vein or arm. She finally fills the first vial and then has to move the needle around to fill the second vial. I feel the blood draining from my face, tears filling my eyes, and a general feeling of weakness. The phlebotomist also notices this and sounds the warning. "Bring me a cold facecloth ASAP!" I hear, "Put your head down!" Yes, I almost passed out. I was transferred to a recliner and was totally embarrassed to have cold towels all over me.

I finally convince them I'm fine and walk back to my car. I have to head to the grocery store to get Gatorade & Saltines. I also decide that I will buy a pair of scissors there and cut off (or attempt to cut off) the huge plastic "thing" dragging from my car. I go into the store, pick up the Gatorade & Saltines and head to the office supplies aisle.

Problem #5: Don't Run with Scissors
So, apparently this grocery store isn't allowed to sell adult scissors. All they have? Two pair of kids' scissors. One a "safety" pair and the other a purple Crayola pair. I'm thinking neither are going to do the job. Luckily, there is a pharmacy nearby and I do find an "adult" pair of scissors. I cut the "thing" off and am able to drive away.

I think that covers it. Murphy's Law? You betcha.