I have not written in a few days but this time, instead of being only a tired thing, it is a busy/tired thing.

Friday night Jason and I attended the benefit for Jason. I can't even begin to describe how wonderful the event was. It is a truly emotional experience to have so many people you care about in one room at one time. Fortunately, Jason and I were so busy talking to folks that we didn't have time to be verklempt at the event. Jason and I were just grinning and happy the whole night.

Jase and I went our separate ways at several points during the night. At one of those times, Jason's nurse from Memorial, who was at the party, introduced herself to Jason. I would have loved to have seen her again, I am not quite sure I remember exactly which nurse she is, but Jason said she was very emotional about the progress Jason has made since she took care of him. Jason was very touched that came to the benefit for him.

The highlights are just too numerous to count, but you can see an overview of the night here:

http://www.pictage.com/668347

There was so much support and love from friends and strangers alike, it was a really great experience for Jason and I both. We both just grin from ear to ear when recap the party. It is an amazing feeling to know and see and feel how much people care. I could go on about it for hours and I just can't thank everyone who participated enough.

Of course, reality must bite at some point and when we finally got home and were getting ready for bed poor Jason passed another kidney stone. He has passed four more I think since then...I believe the total is now eleven. We are both looking forward to the end of that whole adventure.

Saturday I wanted to get up and clean the house before the dogs got home, but Jason and I were pretty exhausted, so we lounged and slept and lounged and slept. It was a good lazy day after our crazy fun night.

We had been waiting on the dogs to get home all day but my mom was kind of running late. Jase and I thought we were going to have to leave for the Steve Earle show before my mom got there but around 7.20pm my mom called and said she was outside. I went out to meet here and collect the pooches, who were going NUTSO in the backseat. When we started back into the house I realized I had locked myself out. Once again, fortune was on my side and Micah showed up about 4 minutes later with the key to the house.

The dogs are happy to be home. They were a little confused about the deck and why they can now go around to the front of the house, but they like the ramp. It is funny to watch them decide whether to take the stairs or cruise the ramp. So far, it seems that crazy Frankie is a stair guy while Chopper sends to take the ramp. They are also really confused about why they now get to go into the once-off-limits spare room/office to go outside. Every time we go "potty" they run to the back door and have to be coaxed to go into the mysterious room.

Even though Jason talked a big talk about not wanting the dogs back, he was really excited and happy when they came in. He had us put the footstool by his chair so they could climb up in his lap. (Madchie the cat is still his biggest bud though. More often than night she can be found in his lap.)

One of the cutest things I have seen in a while was Sunday when Jase wanted to go out the deck. I was in the middle of doing something so he was going to take himself and the dogs outside. He got his studio door open and he, followed by his little herd of crazy canines, toodled off to the outside door. Jase is still having a problem opening that door because it opens in, but he will get the hang of it over time.

Another good thing is that my mom is a wound nurse, so she helped me with the place on Jason's rump that I am dealng with. The good news is that everything looks like it is heading in the right direction. Hopefully it will stay on track because it is has been a huge stresser for me.

After the dogs got in and settled, Jase and I went to see Steve Earle. It was a bit of an emotional show for me because it was Steve Earle playing Townes Van Zandt. I really started listening to both of those artists the year before Jason got hurt, so most everything Steve Earle played made me think of the year before our life changed so much. It was pretty heavy, but the show was amazing. I didn't think the weekend could get better, but yet it did.

Sunday morning Jase and I had a great brunch with Wayne and Lori, their brother and sister-in-law, Bobby, my mom and Micah...as you may know, brunch is my favorite meal, so that was a huge treat, and with such great company...it couldn't get much better.

After brunch Micah came and helped me work on the house some. We are really getting things together now which is great because I am starting to get the gardening itch. I would rather have the house together before I start on the yard.

Sunday night we had some friends over for dinner. It was the perfect low key end to a really fulfilling weekend.

And of course, today is our anniversary. Jason and I have been joined at the hip for fourteen years now. The day started off kind of rough...but, we just chilled and rested and have had an uneventful anniversary which is a good thing sometimes.

It is a little emotional that it is our first anniversary since Jason has been in the chair, but I am trying to keep that bottled up...I just don't feel like crying about it. I think if I started there would be no blocking up that dam. I am just happy that I have a Jason to celebrate our anniversary with, so quiet and low key is much better than a few alternate scenarios.

After such a great weekend filled with mad support and love from every possible angle it would be wrong for me to not end tonights blog with a thank you to everyone who has done anything to ease us a long on our journey through recovery. We love you all.

Take care of each other.

-Lyra