Before and After

This is an old dog, who still thinks he's young, at the beach.

This is an old dog, who is completely worn out, the next day.

A lot like us I suppose. We never think we're too old for anything until the next day.

If Only

If only the NFL donated the monies spent for pink gear to breast cancer research. Now that would be something. We all know someone. Someone's mom, friend, sister, aunt, cousin, daughter, co-worker. I am pretty certain that if I were to ask my few friends that have survived breast cancer what their take on this is, they would agree with me wholeheartedly. That being said, there was much less pink garb this year than last year. Do you think they actually read my email? Seriously. I did not email them last year but I so wanted to. I'll stop now because this could get ugly.

The Bears had a great game today. Matt Forte was on fire and Devin Hester is simply unbelievable at punt returning. Not being able to go to the games this year has been so hard. While we miss our families and friends, we miss the Bears games. Tailgate, champagne, good food, my family and a W, now that's the perfect fall day. We watched the Bears from a sports bar nearby and proudly sang the fight song with each score. Loudly. It was awesome. The bar had a special: all you can drink mimosas for $15. Sign me up. I ordered mine without orange juice. I'm confident that I drank my $15 worth and then some. So there.

And a shout out to the Fighting Illini on their big win over Northwestern yesterday. Always a contentious game in our house since Justin went to Northwestern and Lauren went to U. of I. But it was a nail biter to the end. The Illini won it in the last minute after coming from way behind. Man I love football. Especially when my teams are winning. That's the key.

Lauren goes to see the doctor at USC tomorrow for the first time. He will take X-rays and send them back to her doctor at Rush. Her physical therapy is progressing nicely and she is able to move her foot/ankle a little more with each session. With any luck, tomorrow she will get the okay to go in the pool. Nice to be in California with this great weather, not so nice if you can't go in the pool.

We had to skip the farmer's market this weekend because I cannot possibly eat all the fruits and vegetables I am buying. I really need to get a grip and the first step in doing that is to stay away for one Saturday. Going just for the flowers might have been a good idea but I know that I could not go there and only buy flowers. I just stayed away and I'm proud of myself for not caving.

Saturday was instead spent with Audrey and Henry. Those kids are so special. I know everyone says that about their grandkids, but you've never met Aud and Henry. Audrey is still smitten with her Appa but I got her attention most of yesterday. Nothing compares to the deep belly laugh of a toddler. The kind where they can't even control themselves and sometimes end up with hiccups from. I witnessed a lot of that yesterday. And big Hank, he has lots to say but you can't understand a thing. He will come up to you and look you in the eye and go on and on about something that is apparently very important to him. Not understanding all but two words you respond with, "really?" then he looks at you so seriously and says, "BRGNT!" And he continues about his business. Awesome.

On this week's agenda:

Dr. David Thordarson

Malibu Seafood for whole lobsters

Dog beach with Ozzy, but only once. He is getting too old for twice in one week.

And maybe a massage

Life is good in Southern California.

Another Beach Day

My new routine is drop Lauren off at school and head to the beach. Yesterday it was Leo Carillo State Beach, the only dog friendly beach in Malibu. Simply gorgeous. I wanted to take more pictures but something happened to my camera after I took this one of Ozzy. My camera is completely fried. I think I bought the replacement policy for it but of course that would be back home in Illinois. DOH! Today I will head to Best Buy to see what they can do for me. How do you think that will turn out? I'm not holding out much hope either. Anyway, the beach was gorgeous but then again, I haven't seen a beach that isn't gorgeous. There were exactly 4 people and three dogs including me and Ozzy. So nice not to have to work and be able to go to the beach on a Tuesday afternoon. Ozzy didn't last long. After about 20 minutes he just laid down in the sand next to his water bowl. He did not want anything to do with those big waves. He was a scaredy cat. Every time a wave would come crashing in he would flinch and back away. Very different from the only other beach he has ever been to, the beach at Lake Barkley. No big waves there.

Lauren has started physical therapy for her foot. The first day she was able to move her foot up and down and rotate the ankle in both directions. Not very big moves but certainly a good sign. She said it wasn't really painful, it just felt tight, probably because there is still some swelling. This weekend she heads to San Francisco with the debate team. That means me and the big guy get a whole weekend to ourselves. That has not happened since the dreaded accident in mid July. Totally going to make the most of that. Perhaps a little beach action on Friday, sunset dinner on Malibu beach Friday night, and maybe a drive up to Santa Barbara on Saturday. The drive north on PCH is so breathtaking. I can't wait to show Rick. Hopefully I will have a new camera by then so I can post some pictures.