Getting Rid of my Goat

My gallbladder, that is.  Brett said he felt like he was living with a goat because my gall stones made me burp in a distinctly goat-like way.  Its embarrassing enough to be burping at home, in front of the love of my life, who tried to snag a goodnight kiss between eruptions, --but at work?  Downright unprofessional.  I spent a lot of time working with my door closed, or on conference calls with my speaker phone on mute.  I would sneak a burp or two on the stairwell on my way up or down from my office but they still popped out in public occasionally.  I did pretty well managing the acute episodes (severe pain) with my diet but I wasn't always successful and this girl cannot live happily without cheese, cream or well marbled meat.  I love fruit and veggies, truly I do, but every once in awhile a chocolate malt just calls my name.  This morning I had surgery (my maiden voyage with general anesthesia, I was a bit nervous) and they took my gallbladder out.  So far, the recovery is going well.  I'm sleeping a lot and dreaming about milk shakes, pizza and reuben sandwiches.

Yesterday we signed papers for the house.  They were sent to the seller, who does not live in the area, and he signed them today.  I have been told that he dropped them at FedEx and they are winging their way back to the title company.  If the stars aligned, the title will be recorded with the county tomorrow and Oak Creek will officially be ours.

In other updates, the fire down by Aspen Meadows was 70% contained this morning.  There were a few minor flare ups due to root balls igniting (does that sound right, Feral Janice?) according to the fireman who was escorting residents up the mountain.  The road is closed to non-residents indefinitely.  When I checked FB a little bit ago, one of our neighbors had posted that there was a significant flare up and the fire was off and running again.  I hope they corral it quickly.  There is a fire station down the road from Rancho Capistrano with "hot shot" fire fighters -- remember the expert elite group that were killed near Flagstaff Arizona?  Same elite group.  We always felt an extra measure of confidence knowing they were close by.  It sounds like they, and the multiple other agencies that helped, are doing a fantastic job.

At Oak Creek Ranch, Brett has been busy.  He dug out the star thistle on the dressage court and then used his tractor and box scraper to level it out.  Next he attached the harrow and dragged it.  The arena is beautiful and begging to be used.  The surgeon told me that my abs should not be damaged too much by my surgery -- the gallbladder is above the abdomen, wedged under your right boob -- so I'm hoping Winston and I will be out there soon.