So I’ve been neglecting this blog for a while and the thought has even crossed my mind to mostly shut it all down. Still undecided, but likely I will not. Sometimes I like having the space. Anyway, the reason for this post is I am in need of your thoughts, prayers and good vibes. It’s been one of those weeks around my neck of the woods.

On Monday I found out via blood test I am sick with mono. Google “mononucleosis” if you don’t already know what that is, but it sucks. It feels as though every muscle in my body is constantly in pain for no reason. Constant. As though I just started working out after not doing so in 10 years kind of pain. My throat is annoyingly sore and scratchy, and even after getting good nights of sleep and rest, I still feel as though I only slept for 2 hours each night. After seeing my regular doctor today, I have to get an ultrasound on my abdomen because my spleen might be swollen. A common side effect to mono which means I am benched from any contact sport, including my hockey team playoffs for a month. I knew that, but my doctor explained if my spleen is swollen, as a goalie, one good shot to my left abdomen on the ice and I’d be a goner. Not enough glory in house league hockey for me to risk death. Yeah, death. Lucky my wife, with similar symptoms, had her mono test come up negative. So did her strep test, but just to be on the safe side, she got a script for a z-pack. With me around her body needs some extra zing I guess.

So yesterday I decided to try going back to work. Before my doctor today told me today I should stay home for a couple weeks. Not gonna happen, I need to save my PTO for the all important holiday time. Lucky I can stay isolated pretty well. I may wear a mask though just to be safe. Anyway, it was a good thing I did because as I wondered where one of my employees was yesterday morning I found a voice mail from his wife on my phone. Turns out he suffered a minor stroke the night before and although he was able to move his fingers and toes and speak, he would be in the hospital for a few days. He is only 10-15 years older than me and has a young child at home so my heart goes out to him and his family for a speedy recovery. I am glad it was not more serious. I am a little upset that I cannot go visit him, but people with mono really do not belong visiting others in a hospital.

The last straw of the week is probably the most important to me right now. My best friend found out today that his mom had suddenly passed away in her home. It certainly has come as a shock to all who know him and his family and I am also saddened by the news. I did not personally know his mom very well, but he is my best friend and she was his mother. Really that’s all anyone needs to know. I know he knows I am here for him in any capacity needed, and really that’s all I can do at this time. Although I wish there was more I could do.

So my friends, when you say your prayers tonight, please include a little note of mention for my best friend and his family during this grieving period, and for my employee and his family for a quick and easy recovery. Don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine with some rest.

That’s me in that picture, it’s totally not Photoshopped at all. One part of that statement is true, as is this next one. This is my 300th post. Kind of cool, although the rate has been slow lately, perhaps I felt pressure of the milestone. No, not really, just been busy with life and other stuff.

Like when you read this post it will be my wife‘s birthday. You should go wish her a happy one. Please? I might not hear the end of it if she does not reach her required level of attention love on the anniversary of emerging from her momma’s nethers.We’ll celebrate that feat at a lovely dinner hosted and organized by yours truly. Like how I almost made that about myself? Heh.

Yesterday I became a very happy hockeyman. Yesterday my tickets arrived in the mail. I am now an official NHL season ticket holder. It might not be the Islanders, but it is an NHL team. Plus the Lightning are much closer to my house. Also, the full season was only $298. For all 42 games including the one pre-season game. Also included in that price was all the tax and fees. How could I not go for it? So a little dream has come true for me. I won’t get to all the games, but enough to make it worthwhile while selling the rest.

Thanks to my friend Tara‘s suggestion, I am engrossed in this book right now and I LOVE it. It is exactly my sense of humor and a great story. I actually feel like I need to slow down reading it because I want it to last longer. Thank you for the suggestion.

I also have a new favorite band right now. They call themselves Mumford & Sons and their record is brilliant.This is one of their most awesome songs entitled The Cave.

This goes along with one of my other favorite bands, Guster, and their brand new song. I love it as well…

Those songs just make you feel good don’t they? If you didn’t listen to them, chances are you do not feel as good as my readers that did. Go ahead and play them, if I like them enough to share here, you will like them too.

Finally for your viewing pleasure, I have a picture of my workspace. This is not where I write blog posts, but where I write the code that pays the bills. I took it over a week ago to participate in some bloggy thing but never got around to posting it. Anyway, here it is. It’s dark because we leave most of the lights off. I keep my desk light on to cut the glare, but this picture was taken mid-afternoon. I dunno if it was nice outside because we have no windows.

So we had a great weekend. Lots of swimming, lots of visiting with family and friends. Got to the beach, spent a day in the pool. Cooked burgers and dogs on the grill. Got stung by a hornet. First time I’d been stung by anything in my life. Killed hornets and their nest.

The best part of the weekend though? Making my baby niece giggle.

After the giggle fest, she fell asleep on my shoulder. I still got the touch. I hope to not be so neglectful of my blog in days to come, I’ve been busy. I’ve been doing more commenting lately than writing and I’ve kind of enjoyed that. See you soon.