Some facts

Work has been super, crazy busy. I sprained my finger last month, it still hurts. Had my first session of occupational therapy today. I'm saving for a Prius, but for the moment our credit card debt is still too high to divert any money elsewhere. We're watching the Yankees game, hoping that the Angels will meet the Phillies in the World Series. The Miami Hurricanes beat the FSU Seminoles this year, so the rest of this season's victory is gravy. We've seen some really cool shows lately, most recently Big Bad Voodoo Daddy at the beautiful Delaware Opera House. We bought their new album on LP . Our dogs are healthy. I haven't missed meetings or preaching days even though work has been really, I mean really stressful. The weather is remarkably pleasant, and the stars seem to love me as much as I love them. Our summer vacation in Maine and Quebec City was unforgettably enjoyable. We go to Trinidad next month to see the in-laws, and I'm genuinely looking forward to it. Our friends who don't already have babies, all seem to be expecting. Our 8th wedding anniversary was last month - he bought me a pretty bracelet that I wear almost every day, and I bought him some stone lions ("Singh" in Hindi = "lion") for the driveway, and he loves them. He gave me earrings too, but I discovered my holes have closed for the first time since I was five years old, when they were first pierced, so I won't be wearing those until I can re-open them. A little sad. I'm still wearing the watch he got me for our first anniversary, and the telescope I got as last year's gift still gets plenty of use. Did I mention that I've been working really hard? I'm not designed for 50+ hour work weeks. Mom and Dad are doing okay, going through their ups and downs just like the rest of us. My finger hurts again now... I'm going to stop typing. Missy, when you're blogging more than I am -- that's how I know it's been waaay too long since my last post here.

US Airways Checked Baggage Fees

I should have expected it, but it disappointed me nonetheless. Yesterday I called US Airways Silver Preferred Customer Service line -- the line that is reserved the more frequent traveler, and I had this conversation:

Are there any exceptions to customers who are required to pay checked baggage fees?

Um, I'm not sure...

What about First Class passengers, or Dividend Miles Preferred members?

Oh, okay. I don't know about those. But please let me check.

[Seven minutes on hold; I hung up.]

This morning I simply searched for "US Airways checked baggage fees" and found a single page that laid out the whole policy, including exceptions, and found my answer in a few keystrokes. Yes, First Class passengers and Dividend Miles Preferred members ARE exempt from all checked baggage fees. And there are a bucketful of other exceptions.

Ah, the airlines' customer "service." I really hope that survival of the fittest works its magic in this industry.

What a relief

My back is doing better, all of a sudden. I attribute this change in condition to the massage I got a little over a week ago. I can't believe it took such a little thing to make such a big difference, because I've spent so much money on so many BIG things that were all supposed to help. And the massage wasn't even my doctor's idea - it was mine. I got my first massage about six weeks ago, and I got a little relief for about two days. Nothing to write home about though; it was just another remedy that didn't help very much. Last week I was so tired of the pain that I was willing to spend the $100 even if all I got was another two days' of relief. But so far, it's been over a week already and the pain hasn't come back. Wow!

I still have considerable discomfort, but nothing like the pain I used to have. THIS is when I feel like I should be returning to work. The only reason I came off of Disability at the first of the year is because my job was at risk. I shouldn't have been working though - when you need narcotic pain relief just to function like a human, you shouldn't ALSO have to be chained to a desk 40+ hours a week. But now, finally, I feel like I can perform my job without numbing my body to do it. Here's hoping that it lasts.

A government strong enough

I read quote today that reminded me of Joellyn's recent discussion of government. Here is the quote: A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have (attributed to Thomas Jefferson). I only put my trust in a perfect government that has a pure motive and also has the power to exercise true wisdom and justice. There is no human government that can hope to earn my trust, and that's why I look to a heavenly kingdom that will rule over the earth.

Duncan is home from the hospital

Great relief -- my dog Duncan has been released from the hospital.
The swelling on his brain has subsided, and now the concern is the
less-critical stuff. Like the healing that has to happen with the
stitches and the bruising on his face... watching out for infections
and the like. Totally manageable stuff. He's on pain medications
that make him very sleepy all the time, and antibiotics that make his
stomach upset. But he's eating well, so that helps prevent a lot of
the stomach irritation.

I'm so glad he made it. WHEW!