We went to the Duke game yesterday and WE WON, WE WON, WE WON.
And we saw the couple who sit in front of us at football games. They have been following my recovery progress and could not have been sweeter to me.
Not only did we win the game but we won the regular season ACC championship. I saw 3 people the whole day who had Duke t-shirts on and of course one of them sat right in front of Don - a big guy dating a Carolina girl and both of them behaved very well, thank you very much. Don thought the guy smelled a little funky. I can't smell so it didn't bother me. It did bother Don so we switched seats. I was glad the guy behaved as I would have had to smart-mouth off to him probably if he had acted up. Some lady to my left shouted out to him when he arrived that if he kept his mouth shut, he might live to go home. She did say it in a kidding voice and he took it very well. I had a feeling they knew one another. The guy and his girlfriend left early, by the way. Of course, to me and Don, the end was the best part. We planned to stay to the sweet end but maybe not to the bitter end ourselves.Since we won, Milo can get over the women's loss on Saturday. He was so bummed about it especially since he had spent his valuable time watching it (on his mom's lap). Now his men have won so he is better.
We had a good day, getting there before the Bowles room opened and staying for the senior celebration and cutting down of the net as this was the last regular season game and represented the regular season ACC championship to UNC. Hansbrough cried and could barely do his speech, he was so emotional. I wanted to go hug him and tell him everything was going to be all right. On the way home, Don told me how cutting down the net got started in the late 40s to early 50s. He really does know everything about football and basketball. Lots of history there and he is always prepared for final exams on the subjects.
I loved every minute of the day - well, almost every minute. We did get in a traffic jam on the way home and one of my many caps came out on the way to the game. (Dentist time. I had and still have an appointment for a check-up on the 16th and I'll have to see if he can see me this week instead or maybe in addition. Luckily, it does not hurt.)
Don was allowed to drop me off near the line to get into the Bowles room and then we got a cart to drive us PART of the way up the hill to the car once we left the game and after-game events. We were a little worried about the walk to and from the game but I managed just fine especially since Don made every effort to let me rest periodically as well as get me as close as possible using university vehicles that were always willing. (It is amazing what a little brain surgery will get you!) Even so, there were lots of stair steps on the way back to the car but that was the path that appeared shorter than walking on land the whole way up. I have had such a difficult time with stairs that it is amazing to go up all those steps with confidence. I do still hold onto railings as I need that extra balance and security but I am not just pulling myself up steps with my arms as I once had to do.
On the ride home there was a traffic jam near Lexington. We never did see a "for sure" cause for the jam-up. But it took about an hour to go .6 of a mile. Both of us were tired by then so it was hard on the nerves but we finally un-jammed and then things went smoothly all the way back home. Don and I are becoming expert waiting people. After that night in the emergency room for 9 hours or so, we decided we need a certificate for being masters of waiting. So we always tell ourselves that after the ER wait, we can handle any wait life can dish out to us. It gets us through.
Milo and Gray weathered my absence just fine but they were ready for some "real" food - (canned instead of dry) - as it was 11:09 pm when we got back to my place. Gray always demonstrates his hunger to me by licking on the kitchen floor as if he is so hungry he could just eat dirt. There was not a morsel remaining of the dry food I left out for them. I did give Milo his med before I went to bed so we now have day one under our belt and it has stayed down so far. He did look a little shocked that I was doing this to him a second time in one day and he now recognizes the little stopper that contains the liquid medicine. Uh oh. That is not good since we have 9 days to go. I feel bad about giving him this liquid med because I can tell it tastes bad to him but I have had pills before for cats and "whoa, Nellie". After the first couple of doses, it is really difficult to get the rest of the pills down whereas you put this liquid as far back in their mouth as possible, squeeze the stopper to push the liquid into their mouth and they are practically forced to swallow it. These little guys catch on fast to meds and pills and I am afraid Milo will be no exception. (But he might be an exception. You know he still gets in the shower every day even though he runs out once the first big drop of water hits him. Then he is right back in there the next day - even races to get to the shower stall for fear he is going to miss out on the big event. Then he gets out and peers in every now and then or bats his paws at drops of water that happen to hit near his "entrance" to the stall. You gotta love him. No matter how mad I get with him over his rude treatment of Gray, I just look at that little "mushed in" face and I say "But you are cute" and I let him continue to live. He always gives me this look of "I knew you couldn't do what you threatened." Poor old Gray races to me when he dares come out into the living room because he knows I will protect him from "that mean thing." What did I ever do with my time in pre-cat life. I think I owned dogs and that will really keep you hopping.)
