Do you see what I see?

My window view for the last couple months included a barren oversized flowerpot, and sometime during my extended weekend a tropical paradise grew outside my office.

As I watched the palm fronds dance in the wind, my thoughts went into overdrive. Some might stop at thinking it's a beautiful flower/plant arrangement. Me, not so much.

Wow, those palm fronds could really come in handy! Just think if it were Black Friday and our office neighbor was Target instead of The Ultimate Tan... it's 3am with a line of people wrapped around the parking lot when the sky opens up and unleashes a flood of rain.

You don't have a tent and forgot your umbrella, but spy the palm fronds waving across the parking lot. Next thing you know, you're in Survivor mode and start weaving the palm fronds together to form a roof to your soon to be shelter. Thank goodness you took Basket Weaving 101 in college.

So, is this what you see in the photo too?

The Extended Weekend

I'm surprised this is my first blog in May, considering I spent my free time over the last two weeks with my leg elevated because of a calf tear. I suppose I didn't have much new to talk about and thought better of it to post the seriously bruised pics I've taken.

Anyway, last Thursday I was knocking through things at work because I had to leave early for a dentist appointment and then had the next day off of work. I was quite flustered and remember tweeting this picture at lunchtime, wishing I could bring Jinkies back to work with me. It was simple, he was an additional stress reliever to the regular 3rd Rock from the Sun episodes I watch over lunch.

The work day would finish up okay, I'd learn I didn't have any cavities, head over to visit with Theresa who would stop in on Sparky the next day... and then I would return home around 5:40 to find my little buddy Jinkies had peed blood on the stairs. I was not ready for this. I had thrown my work cares out the window and was looking forward to my day off.

Thankfully the vet let us come right over. Poor Jinkies ended up being an absolute mess. Scared to death, drooling like Turner from Turner and Hooch, alcohol swabbed for the blood draw, peeing on himself, and then the subcutaneous fluids administered to him started to leak from behind his shoulder blade.

Friday morning I found out the blood tests all came back within normal range, which definitely gave me a sigh of relief. With Mom and Theresa stopping in on the pets during the day, it allowed me to enjoy my time with Tom on our way up to the Cubs game.

Well, the first hour went without a hitch anyway. Between the flat tire and some of the most fantastic driving I've seen in quite sometime, it will be a drive I won't soon forget. Thank goodness the donut tire held up the rest of the way there and back!

Two things to note in this photo. The Cubs marquee was painted green because it was a throwback to the 1930's during the homestand, and that's what color the marquee was back in the era. And please note the weather was rainy.

Not only was it rainy, but it was COLD, see your breath cold! We took a walk around the stadium, grabbed some food, and then headed to our seats about a half hour before the game. The tarp was just being pulled off the field, so we watched the field get prepped and the teams warm-up.

We didn't last too long in our original seats because the wind was blowing straight at us. Besides not wanting to get chilled to the bone, I wasn't real thrilled about the tears continually running down my face. Below is a pic from seats #2. We found ourselves under the upper deck behind home plate. Still cold, but lacked the biting wind.

After the 3rd inning, we went in search of hot cocoa and relocated to some seats right along the walkway, so we could nab the hot cocoa vendors as then popped up the stairs with a fresh batch.

Just like in Spring Training, the Cubs weren't able to pull out a win for us. I still haven't heard Go Cubs Go this season, and that may have been my last chance. Despite the crazy travel and the inclimate weather, it was a fun day with my big brother.