New-tines

Goal for the week: developing new-tines!   Some of you know how much I love to make up new terms…and if not you’ll probably get to know that if you follow this.

It became clear last weekend, which was awesome, that I need to set up some routines to take care of the basics of life in addition to cancer treatment and equine therapy.  Either that or get used to eating take out all the time which isn’t my jam.  Before I started riding again, I often grocery shopped and cooked on Sundays, sometimes all day, but that went by the wayside a year ago when I started riding in earnest and any nice Sunday was a riding day.   Nonetheless, now, as in before cancer, I still need to get basic groceries, do some prep work, do a little yard work (as little as possible per usual), pick up scripts and other necessities, and make sure the dogs get enough exercise.   I am most relaxed when I have routines and the dogs like it too.

Critical to determining my new-tine routine was setting a regular work schedule, health permitting.   Mission accomplished until further notice.  My manager and I have figured out the work schedule and developing some systems to keep track of my work hours and projects when we aren’t in the same place.   I’m hoping to be in the office as much as possible – I perk up instantly when I get to the office, and how lucky am I for that?  Yes, yes, I know.  Since I need to be out most Fridays for treatment for the next few months we created a plan for now; of course when surgery/recovery (estimated to happen in October) and radiation treatments start in late November/early December, we’ll probably rework things but it’s good to have a “game plan.”  I know it’s important to my healing to stay engaged with my work because I love it.   I’ll miss traveling like I normally do but I’m hopeful I can stay engaged as we welcome our new Dean, Kerry Abrams, and introduce her to alumni around the country.   It should be an exciting year at Duke Law.

I have some work to do on some of the other new-tines…plus getting excited to see my dad who arrives tonight from Oregon.   When I have company routines are a little harder, but I’ll be sure to pick up groceries this week and also get out to see Banner again.   For the record my dad says he wants to “see” the horse but not ride it.

Speaking of Banner – I hadn’t gone out to see him for a couple days that coincided with some sleep issues.   I went yesterday after work and got there in time to feed him his dinner (they’re fattening him up fast which he needs!) and also give him his first bath since he’s arrived in NC.   He was a good boy so that was a relief.   I was happy to see and hear he’s settling in with his pasturemates and has been adopted by the “boss mare” in the group a sweet old 26 year old Morgan named Bailey.   After his bath I hand-grazed him for a while and just enjoyed the surprisingly pleasant early evening weather.   And guess what?  I slept almost the whole night.  Because of course.

I gotta work on my youtube skills.   In all my spare time.

Also: I still have hair.  It still looks sort of like this:  

I keep pulling on it but so far it’s not ready to go.  Should be soon.   So if you see me and it looks like this – behold the magic of fabulous wigs!