BUSY WEEKEND BEE

I’ve been back at work for 3 weeks and it’s been non-stop crazy, with no end in sight. And tons going on around work in the rest of my life, too. Today, however, I have the house to myself until evening at least, and while I’ve been up since 6:30 and busy ever since, I’m taking a moment to stop what I’m working on and write something.

Yesterday, I talked to my spine doctor to find out about logistics for when and if I decide to go for the neck operation. I wanted to be able to factor in timing and be able to plan. He told me that I’d most likely stay only 1 night in the hospital, that it would take approximately 2-3 weeks to feel recovered, but that the total sick leave would be 6 weeks. He also told me that I would not need a neck brace at all, which was surprising news considering that my friend Suzanne who had the same operation 6 years ago had to wear a hard brace 24/7 for FIVE weeks and then a soft brace for 3 more. I don’t know why that has changed, and I didn’t ask; I was just glad to hear that no brace would be required.

I’ve had a UTI since Monday and wasn’t able to get a prescription for antibiotics until the end of the day Wednesday, but they are finally working and the pain and discomfort has mostly stopped. Whew!

Next weekend, we are having a “gala” dinner to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the AIC Malmö (formerly AWC Malmö). It’s been a lot of extra prep work getting ready for that plus lots of pushing to get people to sign up. It’s expensive and things are tight right now for lots of people, so I can understand the hesitation, but we are finally over 20 people and hoping for a few more, since we have room for 30. Considering that we have over 160 members at the moment, 20 is super low. That’s only 12.5%. But, it’s certainly better than nothing! I can’t remember how many people we had at our 10 year anniversary party (which was a dinner at a castle), but it was probably around 20-30 as well.

I’m handling the table cards, the welcome sign, and the giveaways, which are very nice white enamel coffee mugs with our logo in color. We decided against putting “25 years” on the mugs so that they wouldn’t be “dated” and any left over could be used for other things, like speaker gifts. I also wrote up a long documents of AIC history facts for the board member who is supposed to be creating a quiz for the evening…but she’s now unsure she can come, if she can’t arrange babysitting (aaagh). And I wrote a speech for the evening. AND we have to get back all the CDs of old photos that I had given to a different board member ages ago, who was going to put them on a flash drive but hasn’t had time, so that we can have a running slideshow of photos going on the screen available at the restaurant. Very glad I wasn’t also taking care of menu orders!

So today, even if “no plans” has been busy. I’m on my last load of laundry, and I’ve gotten up early to take Martin to the bus stop, and I’ve driven all the way to Bunkeflostrand and back, fetching Martin’s bag that he forgot last night, and I’ve called and activated a new AIC member, and I’ve been making plans with Debbie and Camilla for going to see a musical later this month a concert in December. Karin is either in Malmö or Lund (not sure if she has a game today), but will possibly be home for dinner. Martin originally had plans to go see a movie tonight with friends but that might have changed and he might also be home. Anders is gone overnight with 7 friends on their annual “gubbhajk”…he’ll be home sometime after lunch tomorrow.

I’m a busy weekend bee! Buzz buzz!

Next week: pick up mugs, call and sing happy birthday to Kaya, massage, pick up sign and print table cards, book group, hair appointment, 25-year anniversary AIC dinner, and then collapse MUDDY AND EXHAUSTED.

Mood: busy
Music: Matt Bianco—More Than I Can Bear