A Little Smokey....

That is what my cyst toe looked like last Thursday morning. I woke up at 3am with tremendous throbbing pains in the damn thing. The cyst had reared its ugly head a couple of weeks ago and then, somehow, it got infected. It is truly amazing, how much a toe can hurt. I spent Thursday morning trying to find some freakin' doctor to go to for it. All of the podiatrists in town were in Chicago for some sort of Podiatry Seminar all weekend--This of course, would only happen to me. I was forced to go to the family doctor's office. It was lanced and I was given a perscription for antibiotics. I was never ever so greatful for having something poked with a needle. And today, roughly four days since, my toe is no longer red or oozing or painful....

I have started to feel much better about my existence lately. Yesterday, the in-laws came over for an early Easter celebration. I have to say it was an awesome visit. My husband's father and his brother helped him build a banister/railing for our upstairs. I know I have said this before--I did not marry "Mr. Handyman". His father has great woodworking skills. I have to say I was a bit fearful about the visit. My husband's mother has "a touch of the OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder)"--her house is "museum quality" clean as I call it. And I really like to live in my house (translation--I am a slob because I have other things I enjoy doing way more than cleaning). They worked on the railing for awhile then we went out for a late morning brunch at a cheesy little family restaurant. We came back home while the "men" worked on the railing, grandma, future sister-in-law, my son and myself, colored Easter eggs, baked cookies and watched "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory". I was proud of myself--I planned ahead and had activities ready. I think that may have helped keep the OCD under control. We never heard one thing about how we should paint the house or make any other improvements on it or how we should do anything better....we truly got to enjoy each other's company at the visit. Wow--just simply enjoy each other's company...what an amazing concept.

Saturday, my brothers came down so that we could go to a wedding reception. My former boss's son got married. The crazy thing is about 4 years ago, my boss came back from taking her son to college and tells me that that when they walked into his new apartment, his two roommates just happened to turn out to be my brothers. I think I have heard her tell that story about 10 times....she usually focuses on how my brothers quickly tried to hide their beer cans. This time I I got to hear my brother's side of the story--not only were they drinking beer when their new roommate and his mother walked in, but they were also watching porn so they were fumbling to turn off the tv at the same time. They have been friends ever since. The actual wedding had been the previous weekend in Wisconsin. This was a reception for those of us that didn't feel close enough to drive several hours but wanted to join in the celebration. I had yet another good visit with family members. I got to talk to both of my brothers and my sister-in-law freely. In fact, my youngest brother admitted to me that he has been smoking since he was 12 years old. I am amazed that he has managed to pull that off living with our mother. If she only knew...thank the gods, she doesn't!

It has been nice to have some good, relaxed time with family over the weekend.