I have been computer-less (or is that computer free?) since last Wednesday.  Kate went to a convention in Boston with some friends and Elanor stayed at their apartment to take care of the dog.  I let her take my computer with her so she would be able to play games and have something to do (Kate was taking her laptop with her and Patrick's isn't working). 

I figured I could go for a few days, especially since I have a computer at work and can use it all day.  Well, it seemed like a long time.  I didn't realize the number of times I reach for the laptop when I'm bored or just want to look something up.  I'm actually very dependent on the machine and I'm not quite sure how that happened.  And I 'm also not sure if I like that.  I think I want to start instituting computer free weekends and see how that goes.  There is way more to life than staring at a computer screen.

Such as beautiful handknit socks.  I finished my Go with the Flow socks made from the Patonyle that Tinkingbelle sent me at Christmastime.  And I have to say that this might be my all time favorite sock yarn.  The stitch definition is so crisp and the yarn itself is soft without being too soft.  It was a pleasure to work with.  These have been sitting by the bed and also have spent time in the gym bag for those days when I finish my workout before Pk is finished his.  Little bits of time that added up to a whole pair of socks. 

Em's birthday is Friday.  We're going to take dinner and go visit her on Saturday night.  We'll put together all the fixins for tacos and some red beans and rice and that way she won't be cooking for us when it's her birthday.  Kate's going to make a chocolate cake so all Em will have to do is sit back and enjoy.

I didn't get back to knit night.  I overdid it at the gym and felt really sick Wednesday night.  It turned into a bout of dizziness which took two days to fight off.  I have labrynthitis (a disturbance of the inner ear).  If my inner ears get inflamed (or my sinuses get inflamed and impinge on them) I get dizzy.  The room spins.  Fortunately, I have medication and it almost always works but it takes time and for a bit I feel awful.  The medication tends to make me sleepy (doesn't all medicine seem to make us sleepy?) so I've been fighting off slumber for the last few days and losing the battle.  I slept on and off all weekend.

Even at the concert last night!  It was good music.  Leo Kotke is one of the best guitar players ever.  He is so talented and so enjoyable to listen to and I wanted to close my eyes and sleep.  It didn't help that the people in front of us seemed to have inordinately large heads (ok, not really, but her head was right in my line of sight) and I had to contort my neck to see the stage.  It's an old theater and while it's architecturally beautiful and there are no really bad seats, if the people in front of you are taller than you are, you're screwed.

Easter is next week and for the first time ever, I have not bought any Easter candy.  Pk and I are working to be healthier and putting the sugary treats in our path is just torture.  I love Easter candy and so does he.  We might break down and buy some Peeps just to let them get stale.  I love them when they're stale and all chewy.  I'm cooking ham and potato salad and baked beans and cheesecake for Easter dinner.  I've only ever made cheesecake once and couldn't find the springform pan so I bought another one.  I have been craving cheesecake lately so I'm looking forward to this. 

Easter was mostly a secular holiday in our house.  There were eggs to dye and eggs to hide and Easter baskets to fill.  There were new dresses and lacy anklets and chocolate bunnies.  Pk and I will dye some eggs, just not the 3 or 4 dozen of years past.  We just don't need that many hard boiled eggs!  The funny thing is, I am not sad about this.  I won't miss buying Easter grass and finding it all over the house for days.  I will miss jelly beans so maybe I'll buy a small bag. 

The group went well at work.  I work two jobs really.  In one, I am a case manager and take care of paperwork and listening to people's troubles and help them find solutions (they usually know what they have to do, they just need help remembering).  I also work in the Social Rehabilitation program.  People with severe and persistent mental illness tend to isolate themselves and soc rehab helps bring them back into the community.  I run groups on medication and wellness; interpersonal relations and developing a wellness plan.  I like my group work best of all.  It's the most individual focused and I get to really relate to others.  I get more job satisfaction out of a well run group than a well filled out form.

Back to work tomorrow but it's a short week.  Pk's company closes for Good Friday (odd to find that a company still closes for a religious holiday) so I took the day off. 

Have a good Monday.