Camel Riding in Chicago

Yesterday Kym and I went to Chicago for the Adventures in Travel Show. Dad and I have been twice before. The first time we went it was so much fun that when the next year rolled around, we signed right up to go again. The second time, though, it was much smaller and less interesting. We didn't go last year. This year, though, they were having the zipline again, so I asked Kym if she would like to go. And because I'd been a past attendee we got the tickets for half price.

We got to Rosemont just before 10:00. I'm wringing the last little bit of privilege out of my handicapped parking permit (which expires on Jan. 31), so we had a really good parking spot. When the doors opened, we went straight to the zipline, but it wasn't slated to open for 15 minutes. While we waited, we decided to try scuba diving at the exhibit nearby. We were one of the first ones to try it. They suited us up with wetsuits, masks, and flippers and we climbed into the pool. There they fitted the tanks and gave us a quick lesson, then let us swim around trying it out. They took our pictures underwater, too. They will send that to us later. By that time there were starting to be a large group of people waiting for a turn, so we had to get out. They had hairdryers available, but running them both at the same time kept blowing the circuit breaker. And of course, the rest of the day we had to go around with no makeup, deodorant, or moisturizer. Still, it was really fun.

By the time we finished there the line at the zipline was too long, so we wandered around to the booths, picking up pens and other freebies. Some of the best things we got were a "stress ball"-type squishy train car, a combination compass/calculator (as Kym said, "Hey, because how often do you need a compass and a calculator at the same time?", causing the woman at the booth to give her a weird look), some cosmetic products from a mud festival in Korea, a chapstick on a carabiner clip, and lots of other stuff. After scooping up loads of brochures, DVDs, and other loot we stopped for a drink, where some total stranger saw the SIUE sweatshirt I was wearing and proceeded to tell me about his teaching career in high school and college. Why does this kind of thing always happen to ME? Anyway, after sitting for a few minutes, we went over to ride a camel.

We got to pet a zebra, who was very sweet, while we waited in the brief line. And Kym decided to do the zipline next because the line was much shorter. The woman who helped us get on the camel took our pictures with my camera while we were riding (there is one stunning shot of both the camel's butt and mine - THAT's a keeper). It was an experience. Not sure I'd ever want to ride one very far, but how often do you get to ride a camel, anyway? By the time we finished with that, we discovered that the zipline was closed, so no zipline for Kym! I wasn't going to do it this time because I wasn't sure I could climb the rope ladder with my ankle. We made another circuit to pick up more pens, and then headed home. It was a fun day, and Kym actually had a good time, too.

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In other news, I was released by physical therapy on Thursday. They gave me a t-shirt and a 30 min. personal trainer session at another place, as well as a month of wellness membership so I could keep coming to therapy just to use their machines. On Friday, I was released for the THIRD time by my doctor. The first time was with a restriction to sit half a day (which they said they couldn't accomodate), and then 10 days or so ago for full duty (when they said they "weren't comfortable" with my having not actually SEEN the doctor before he released me totally). He has actually seen me and released me now, but I still have to go see the company doctor (I think Thursday) before I can go back to work. This was a last-minute addition to the process, triggered by the nurse's "lack of confidence" in my doctor because of the second release. Whatever. It's peak season at my tax job, so I've been spending lots of hours there anyway (I've done 35 returns already -- more than a quarter of the way to my goal, and it's not even February yet).

I could actually get used to a life of going to the gym during the day and working in the evening. I've been going to my deep water exercise class, too. When I do have to go back to work I'm going to miss the old ladies in my class! Tomorrow I have a 10:00 appointment for a foot massage (you get one free), then I'll work out, maybe swim a bit.... Yes, I'm spoiled. :)

Back to Work

Today I was released from the doctor to return to my real life, bill-paying job!! I have to call work on Monday and find out the process for returning. This time Skeeter can't keep me out because I have no restrictions. I'm sure I'll be tired and sore for a few days, but I really have nothing to lose by trying to go back. The nurse at work said that if it turns out that I can't manage, I could just go back on disability, so there's no risk, really. And in the meantime I could be bringing in some actual money. I have to admit that the disability pay started and continued without a hitch, but it just wasn't enough, particularly since my disability spanned the Christmas shopping period. I hope that I can arrange to still drive inside the gate for awhile till I'm used to the walk back to my work area. 

Tax season has been going great so far. I had the first return of the season in our office (major bragging rights), and I now have four completed returns out of the 14 that have been done in our office. I have several appointments coming up, and a couple of partially completed returns just waiting for people's W-2s to arrive. I'm not at all sure how my own return will come out. I had to take a distribution from my 401(k) to cover some expenses. Because it's an early distribution, I'll have the tax plus a penalty. Oh well. I had no choice. My income is down from last year, and Kym's school expenses were lower than before because her current school is cheaper, so we might not have that much education deduction, either. 

So... I have a regular weekend and two days off before heading back to the plant. My friend Susie and I are going to have lunch one day before I go back, and I need to try and get my car in for some service (recall stuff). I also need to change my therapy schedule for next week because I'll be working on Thursday morning. And one way or another, I am GOING to clean out the hall closet before Wednesday. I promised myself that I would get that done before I went back. (I also promised to paint the bathroom wainscoting, but I'm not sure that is going to happen.) It's going to be weird getting used to getting up early again, but I'm sure the first real paycheck will completely make up for the inconvenience. :)

Tornados in January?

Last night we had an ENORMOUS thunderstorm. The thunder was nonstop for hours and hours, and the rain continued all night -- we got about five inches of rain overall. We were also under a tornado warning for much of the evening, which is pretty unheard of for central Illinois in early January. There is a nearby school district who had to cancel school today because of flooding. It has been unseasonably warm the past couple of days (mid 50's), so we got this rain instead of snow. Good thing, too -- they said on the radio this morning that if it had been snow instead, we would have about 40 inches on the ground. No, thank you!

Taking Stock and Starting Again

Christmas is over for another year, and 2007 is behind us. While I had some really great experiences this past year, I really hope that I can make 2008 better.

Among the good things from last year: 
Laminate on the kitchen floor.
Finally getting Chad to get his dental work done.
Great events at BCPA.
21st anniversary at my factory job.
SPAIN!!!
A perfect Shakespeare Festival season.
"The Lion King" in St. Louis.
Kym moving back to go to ISU (eventually).
New carpet and paint in living room.
Becoming a 7 gallon blood donor.
Florida trip with Susie.

Among the not-so-good things:
Work problems of various kinds -- getting bumped, Skeeter issues.
Many small kid emergencies requiring "loans" that I will never be
repaid for -- car parts, water bills, traffic tickets, unexpectedly
short paychecks, renting moving trucks, etc., etc., etc.
Kym's problem with employment with Redz Ribs.
Chad's housing issues.
Stove repair that had to be handled long distance from Florida.
Knee problems requiring cortisone shots.
The Ankle and all of its many inconveniences.
Poverty due to disability income.

There are, of course, lots more good things and not very many more bad things, so on the whole it wasn't an awful year. It just didn't end well. One good thing that came out of the ankle problem is that I have had a broken-ankle buddy to compare notes with through all of this. Never met him, don't even know his last name, but having him to compare notes with has been a wonderful, reassuring thing. Thank you for being there, David!

I'm still not sure what is happening with work. I guess I will call on Friday and see what is up for the following week. It would be nice to know at least a little in advance of when they want me in there, but it might not happen that way. I have therapy scheduled for the next two weeks, but that can be changed. I start at the tax job (doing my required practice problems) on Thursday. I know I'll get over this money bind, but it can't come soon enough.

Looking ahead, I'm anxious to get started with the tax season, and I'm starting to plan another trip to Spain! This one will be in October, and I hope to stay maybe 10 days. A lot will depend on how quickly I get past my money problems, of course. And before my trip, my parents are taking a cruise that will actually dock for the day in Gijon, just a few miles from Jorge! He is going to meet up with them and take them around for the day, which I think they are all really looking forward to.

OK, let's get this year started!