I have had so many good days lately but today wasn’t one of them. And, worst of all, it was all my own doing. I could use being worried about having surgery tomorrow as the reason but it wasn’t. The only thing that contributed to the bad day was a massive headache that I couldn’t take anything for and that definitely was part of the problem. But I got the headache stressing about what all I had to get done before tomorrow and a bunch of little nothings. I managed to wind myself up pretty good. There’s just a huge pile of things that had to happen so my work group could be ready for me to be gone a couple of unexpected weeks combined with now we’re moving into our new space. Now. I can’t believe it. They just told us February 1st last week and then switched it to January 25th which normally would be fantastic news but it meant I had to get my office packed on top of too much already. I was snappy today for sure. I am certain my work group won’t miss me for awhile!

But somehow I did get most of it done and as I type this I am realizing this is my last evening with a gall bladder. I remain so thankful that my “problem” is fixable and that the part that isn’t working properly is optional. Still though, I hate to let go of any parts.

So it might be a few days before I’m back up and chattering away to you here. In the meantime, here’s a couple of small things I keep meaning to mention:

• We made it to the Picasso exhibit last week in Seattle and — I’m sorry I know this shows how little class I have — but I was under impressed. I have trouble with the whole art thing. Picasso is a master but some of his stuff I thought was just bad that sell for millions. Millions! Then you walk out into the main museum and see pieces I think are amazing that sell for several thousand. It’s a puzzle. I think in order for me to fully appreciate Picasso I would need to study more about him. All of that said however, we did enjoy the exhibition and getting to see his works and are glad we went.

• I picked up a new travel magazine called “Afar” while we were in Phoenix and learned something cool out of it. Did you know that “allegra” is an everyday greeting in the Romansch language (spoken in Switzerland) and that it means “joy to you.” I love that! That is my kind of greeting and my new blog sign off word.

Thanks for your good thoughts and prayers tomorrow morning and all of your support all of the time. My life is good. Allegra!