Physician, Heal Thyself!!

After the cruise I slept all Sunday afternoon and then took Bandido for a walk. I immediately tripped and fell flat on my face as I reached the sidewalk. My hand is bruised but it wasn't as painful as when I sprained it so I just used ICY HOT on that.

My lip though was split quite deeply with a inch long strip of lip 1/8th to 1/4th inch wide dangling loose. What to do? Stitches? I had had enough of them on my nose so I washed it good with soap and water and hopefully got out all the grit and then kept dobbing at the bleeding and trying to straighten out the lip piece (it kept curling and turning over). I actually stayed up until 2 am working on it every half hour to keep it from bleeding more and trying to lay it down in the gash so it would heal itself. (Good thing I was reading a good book on Barbra Streisand.)

Don't use Mederma! It made it red and nasty--then I read not to use it on an open wound. But the Neosporin, q tips and tongue worked best to straighten it out and finally get it positioned to stay. I prayed it wouldn't look too bad and would heal and finally went to sleep. When I woke a couple of times later in the night I had to clean off more blood but the positioning was staying quite well. Since then I have been drinking from a straw and avoiding eating (except for Tanner's Scotcheroos which were wonderful--he used Guitard Milk Chocolate chips instead of Nestles--really good!)

Interesting dream I had though after going to sleep feeling sorry forself and my misfortunes. I had been talking to my girlfriend Myrna earlier on the phone and I dreamed we were walking and then she disappeared and I was alone in this very dark scary place. I called and called for her and then called and looked for anybody but I was very alone and and very scared and then someone took my hand--I looked and it was Richard! He was smiling warmly and I felt safe and all was well and I wasn't frightened anymore. Nice way to end another of my 'all alone' nightmares.

If my lip heals beautifully, I will become a Plastic Surgeon!!!

Carnival!

What a nice end to a two month hiatus at the Pulsipher home. Jimmy had told us cruises were cheap right now so Meagan and I sailed on the Carnival Elation on March 19th to the 22nd. It was very restful and a great way to catch up after a long year. The last time I saw Meagan she was busy getting married so I especially enjoyed this time together.

The food was plentiful and available 24 hours a day--not quite on par with the Italian luxury liner on the Mediterranean with James, but still good. The first night we were so tired we couldn't stay up for the comedian's chatter at 11:30 pm but we enjoyed meeting our dining partners. A Father and Son bonding from Arizona and California, A Mother and Daughter bonding from Arizona (they were beautiful) and two women from USB In Salt Lake City. All friendly and talkative, especially the guys.

There were a lot of singles on board--Spring Break! So they were fun to watch.

In Ensenada we didn't take a tour but walked the town and bought fruitsicles and churros and I found a great sunhat for gardening in. The highlight of the trip was the 'Las Vegas type' musical and dancing shows the last two nights. Beautiful young girls with great legs and costumes--good singers, choreography and scenery. Very well done.

Since Meagan is getting ready to leave again on Wednesday I especially appreciated her taking the time to be with me. She is very patient with her Grandma. Luckily I didn't embarrass her too much with any falls or other stuff I sometimes do. We paid extra to have an ocean view and were glad we did!!

The beds were very comfy and we were given lots of attention by Elio--but they do not have hair dryers in the room. We had to ask for one...

I didn't take many pictures so will have to wait for Meagan to publish hers. A great trip and I recommend it highly to everyone--it is even cheaper now.

Enjoying Reading

One of the greatest pleasures of not working and having your eyes happy is being able to read. I am enjoying the El Cajon Library and encourage everyone to read Nicholas and Micah Sparks' book 'Three Weeks with My Brother'. It is not only an interesting look into most exotic places to visit in the world but it is the life of the Sparks boys. You get a lot into family dynamics and understand why he and his brother are so close and what great kids imperfect (crazy) parents can raise.

Nicholas who has had about five of his books made into movies (The Notebook, Message in a Bottle, A Walk to Remember, Nights in Rodanthe, The Guardian) published his first book when he was 30 and was astounded to receive $1 million for it. He was a pharmaceutical salesman and writing was just a hobby. He tells us who the inspiration was for the theme of his books and most were family members. You will be amazed at the hard life and tragedies they have had in their life so far. I really loved the most recent book of Nicholas 'The Lucky One'. So enjoyable to find authors you like when they keep writing.

At James & Cambers in Capistrano

Imagine having this out your back door each evening. Life doesn't get much better than that.

Meagan and I drove to Capistrano on Saturday and Linda and Sarah followed to see where the Hardys are wintering.

Jacob was suffering from a sore throat but on Sunday morning felt well enough to walk the strand with me. Wow, did we see beautiful homes and no one on the beach--

What lucky kids to be able to have a whole beach and ocean in their back yard!

The air felt wonderful.

James, Jacob and Roger were having a serious Monopoly game.

Roger Frith was best friend to James when we lived in La Jolla. He brought his wife Caressa from North Dakota to enjoy Southern California Sun!

We enjoyed eating and sunning and walking on the beach--wear your shoes though--there are lots of large and small pebbles and rocks.

Great way to get a walk but Bandido didn't like the rocks and kept sniffing at the surf to see what it was...