A Surprise Visit ......

...... occurred here Sunday night.  I got home from a Super Bowl party (go Ravens!  And really?!  The whole lights out thing?!?  It all made for one very exciting Super Bowl!) at around 10:30 or 11:00 and walked into the family room to find Son #1 sitting on the sofa.
What.
The.
Heck?!
Yep, that's pretty much what I said.
He had been texting me earlier in the evening, asking where my party was, but it wasn't at anyone's house that he knew. He told me he was with friends, watching it.

I asked him what time he had arrived, which had been right before he began texting me.  To which I replied, "So you were lying about being with friends?"
He said that he was with Son #3, and he's a friend, sort of, so that wasn't a lie.
I gave him that one.

Then I asked why he didn't call to let me know that he was coming.  He said, "So I could see that look on your face."
I love him.

He's still here, hanging with me.

This morning I had my third infusion.  We doubled the meds this time because they started working last time.  They didn't take the pain away ...... it's still there 24/7, but it was lessened quite a bit, especially the first week.  Before that, I had to take NASIDs or something akin to that every night so that I could get a little sleep during the night.
This past month I didn't have to take one.
At all.
Wow.

So today was blood work, infusion and new braces pried onto my teeth.  And though we don't actually have nerves in our teeth, my teeth hurt.  They are being squeezed in a way I wouldn't have thought possible, being teeth and all.
Fun times.

And now I'm feeling exhausted.  I'm supposed to go to Beth Moore tonight, but I'm not sure if I'll make it.  I'm writing this post so that I don't lie down on the sofa and pass out.
Although the sofa continues to call out to me, so I may still hit it if I don't come up with something exciting to do after this.

Overall, life is good.
Pretty darn good.
In spite of missing Jim.
As usual.

I've been missing him a lot lately.  I'm not sure what's going on with that, but I've been teary and yet happy.
My heart has felt a little more achey than usual, but then I know that comes and goes.

I'm also feeling NY pulling at me.  I really look forward to getting back up there and am looking for any excuse to go before then (spring break).

The animals are all doing well and Oliver seems to be used to having the dogs here for good.  I think he thought they'd go home after a day or so, because they always did before (we had play dates and sleep overs so that they'd get used to us).  He wasn't too happy to find them still here after about 3 days.  He seemed extra pouty for a while, and yes,  I realize that it's sometimes difficult to tell if a cat is being extra pouty.  For people who don't live with a cat.
But he's OK now.  Or at least he's pretty indifferent to their existence.  They, of course, being dogs, still go up to him once in a while to see if they can get him to play with them.  Or to just bug the crap out of him and then watch his fur stand up.
But he's mostly ignoring them now.  Even when they come up to him nose to nose, which they tend to do ..... to people as well as to Oliver ...... he refuses to look at them.  No kidding.  He won't look them in the eye but looks sideways.  He seems to be thinking, "As long as I act like you're not here, you're not.  And maybe I'll wake up from this nightmare and you really won't."

Oliver was very needy for the first week or so.  For those of you who know him .... I know.  How can I possibly tell that he was more needy that usual?  He followed me everywhere (and I mean EVERY.WHERE!) and meowed at me constantly.  He has many meows.  Happy, hungry, mad, sad, pathetic, warning, bored and "I'm just trying to drive you nuts".  I know his meows the way I knew my babies' cries.
It's a gift.
Sigh.

Anyway, he did just about drive me insane that first week, but now he's back to his usual needy, "I'm the head animal around here" self and seems to be fine.

The dogs have been great.  So far there have been no Houdini acts by Koda.  We've plugged any holes that he could miraculously squeeze through (he's like a bat, really).  And everyone has done a good job of keeping the gate shut ..... even the lawn care company, whom I had to threaten with permanent expulsion if they left it open again.
I think they scared the pool guy a couple of weeks ago.  They were outside and wouldn't quit barking at him and wouldn't move away from him, either.  They kept about 8 feet between him and them, but still .....
I finally got their attention (because ultimately they do know who the Alpha is -- or who we both are.  Son #3 is when I'm not here) and they came in.  I'm not sure the pool guy recovered though.  I haven't seen him since.  A different man has been sighted by our pool.

But I have to say that I'm glad they bark like that.  Especially when someone rings the doorbell/knocks on the door.  It gives me a great sense of security.  And maybe makes strangers on my door step wet their pants.
:)

OK, the sofa is winning.  I can't stall a moment longer.
I hope you're all doing well, Peeps.
Happy Tuesday, and for those who need it ......
Keep breathing.
:)