criplomats

We had a friend-filled week! Last Sunday, our friends from Pakistan, Joseph and Sunera, came for brunch and an afternoon of playing Viticulture (finally a board game I can relate to).

We had a mini family reunion on Labor Day. My cousin Chris (who’s also in the Foreign Service), came for coffee along with his wife Ayoung and daughter Annabel – and lo and behold, his mom Donna and her husband Jeff. Donna and I have been trying to see each other the entire time we’ve been in DC, and it finally happened (she lives here, too). We had a wonderful visit.

Later in the week, my friend Stacie came over – she is just back from a year in Pakistan. We talked for hours getting caught up. On Friday, my work friend Chris brought lunch and we had great time catching up. Later in the afternoon, Tammy came for a mini happy hour – she always is up to something and makes me laugh!

Saturday, Marcus, Joseph, and Sunera returned for board gaming with John. We ordered Thai food from across the street, and I watched while they played. I had a fun outing to the salon downstairs – finally! I feel like I’m slowly returning to normal. I also made it downstairs to the gym for a couple of light workouts and some bike riding!

John and I watched a very pretty and interesting movie last week, “The Biggest Little Farm” – about a couple who started a sustainable small farm in California – beautiful photography and baby animals. We also watched a fun but silly movie, “The Hustle,” as well as the very interesting “Frost-Nixon” (John’s been reading a lot about Nixon and Watergate). We also watched a pretty good movie with Emma Thompson called “Late Night.”

Nice, busy week!

John and I took a huge step yesterday – we drove about an hour to Frederick, Maryland, to have lunch at Volt. It was the first time I’ve been in a car in months. We had a great lunch, then took a scenic route home.

Last Sunday, Rick and Claire came for brunch. That evening, we saw Edward and Barbara, who were in town briefly from Chad. We went to nearby Ris for a yummy dinner.

The rest of the week was uneventful. I’ve been watching “Orange is the New Black,” and John and I binged on “Mindhunter” (thanks to Muffy for that recommendation).

Physical therapy is very different now that I can put weight on my leg again. We’re focused on strength and balance. I’m learning to use a cane, and although walking is slow and awkward, it’s progress!

This was an exciting week! Thirteen weeks after my accident, the doctor gave me the go-ahead to start walking agin! It is slow going as my muscles struggle to regain strength and I still must use the walker, but it is thrilling!

I had two visitors this week: Lea, my deputy-to-be in Monrovia came Monday morning for coffee, and dear Yomaris came to say good-bye on Thursday before heading off to Santo Domingo (thank you for the bouquet of cheery sunflowers!).

John went to an Indian cooking class Wednesday night, and to an all-day board game party yesterday with Marcus at our friends’ house in Leesburg.

I read “The Feather Thief” yesterday – a fascinating true story about exotic birds and the lengths fly tiers will go to get their feathers (as in fly fishermen). Who knew there was such a feather underground? I also had a good catch-up convo with my grade school friend Karen, and with cousin David.

We started off the week with a delightful visit from Scott, Laura, and their three-year-old Hazel, whom we had never met before – she’s adorable and loved John’s balloon animals. Scott stayed all day playing board games with John. John had another board game night with Marcus on Thursday – he’s so happy to get to play some of his games, since I am not a particularly enthusiastic partner.

My A-100 friend Sarah brought me lunch on Wednesday, and I really enjoyed catching up with her. It’s the first time I’ve seen her without a lot of other people around, so it was especially nice!

John has been cooking up a storm – osso bucco, salmon, short ribs, chicken with fennel and sun-dried tomatoes – amazing!

I cut back on my work hours slightly – on PT days, I’m cutting back to five hours instead of eight – it was just making me too tired. I think the rest of my body is starting to rebel against the extra work it has to do to make up for my left leg!

Thanks to Joan for sending me a puzzle this week!

Storm rolling in this week

115 was my happy number this week at physical therapy…a little more bend in the knee than the week before – progress!

The consular chief from Santiago was in town this week, and came for coffee Monday morning. I’m glad our apartment is downtown, so I can still meet people face-to-face to talk.

Friday my sweet friend Tammy came for a glass of wine after work – she is always a tonic and makes me laugh! And she brought me a lovely ristra from a recent trip to New Mexico (and piñon coffee for John!). I also had a nice phone chat with Joan in San Antonio – always fun to catch up!

I started binging on “Orange is the New Black” this week – I had started it a couple of years ago, but fizzled out with it. I’m enjoying it so far. I watched several episodes yesterday while John was playing board games with our friend Marcus, who we first met in Pakistan.

John and I went old school this week, and watched “All the President’s Men” (he’s been reading a lot about the 1972 election) and “Blood Simple” – classics!