Hey, things can get better!
I have always considered myself to be an optimist at heart, but I'll confess that for the last several months, I've had a really hard time seeing the positive side of much that has been happening.
So I am VERY glad to be able to finally post some GOOD NEWS! Much to my astonishment and completely against my expectation, the procedure to inject steroids into my spine not only went flawlessly and nearly without any discomfort, but it WORKED! I am not in pain! At least, nothing worth paying attention to beyond a little ibuprofen! I have not taken a nerve drug pill for a week, and suddenly it seems like my brain is a lot less cloudy and distracted! I am so very, very thankful and HAPPY to come around this corner! Now the prospect of going on a 7 day bus trip with Mom in October is something to look forward to, not dread! And I can go to work and stay all day (okay, there is a downside there, but still!) and get my job done. And justify my boss' faith in my honesty and commitment to working.
And stuff! Ya know? Oh, and my son and his family are safe and sound in Little Rock, didn't even lose power. "THERE art thou happy!" (remember the Zefferelli Romeo and Juliet, when the friar is beating Romeo up for being such a wuss? I love that scene!)
So, yes, a "pack of blessings" is on me and I am very grateful. Now! Back to that grad school stuff!