Another busy week in the Seitz household. I spent the early part of the week at the ER again. I had tried a new blood pressure medication and was having trouble adjusting. My blood pressure shot up and I felt horrible. Of course I started to feel horrible on Monday night during the parent's boy scout meeting. I left Tom and ran home to call the advice nurse and she would only recommend I call 911. I had left Tom stranded at the meeting down the road, so one of our very concerned neighbors stopped in to see if he could help out. He picked Tom up so I could get a ride to the urgent clinic. They basically told me I had to get used to the medicine. I told the doctor I could not go to work or drive the way I was feeling. She told me it would take at least two weeks to adjust to the medicine(that's what they all say). She was willing to give me one sick day(after she just told me it would take at least two weeks to adjust). I guess doctors don't do math. So I went home and took an extra pill(they always start me off on the lowest dose).

So I have slowly been adjusting to the new medication and trying to stick to a lower dose since it is pretty strong. It has its pros and cons like the other meds, but does not seem to be as bad. So far.  I had to go and see my doctor  since I had been to the urgent clinic which meant I stayed home on Tuesday. I was already home on Monday because I had switched my day off with another co worker. It gave me more time on Monday to put out some more Halloween decorations. And go to mass, and walk Cookie and run some errands as well as attend the Mt Hebron Field Hockey REgional game in the afternoon(no wonder I ended up at the hospital!). So Tuesday I took it easy.

On Weds it was Scott's boy scout meeting and I have been making sure to attend with SCott since our upcoming rappelling/zipline trip is coming up and I needed to start collecting permission slips and money. (So I went even though I was not feeling well). Not to mention that I had gone back to work that day.

At least Halloween was a lot of fun. The weather was wonderful-warmer than usual, but with a shower starting around 7pm. Scott went out trick or treating with a few friends and Cookie and I joined them for the walk and to check out all the kids and decorations. One of our neighbor's house had a "witches party" where all the ladies were sitting around a bonfire in the driveway dressed as witches. Cookie was sporting wings this year and the ladies went crazy over her. Even taking her photo. Most everyone was excited to see Cookie in her wings. She was in heaven walking all around the neighborhood, greeting kids and adults and other dogs. She especially loves going up to their front doors and waiting for the trick or treats(no candy for her though). Even though we got sprinkled on for about an hour, Scott and I decided it was a terrific Halloween. And Tom was home manning the house and passing out the candy to tons of really cute kids. Of course our decorations were a big hit(lots of spiders). I even managed to run home and carve my pumpkin that night before heading out! That evening we had a few neighbors over to watch some football and eat pizza and snacks while the boys counted their candy and played video games. The public school kids were out of school on Friday, but Scott had school and a big science lab due so we did not let everyone stay late.

The weekend rolled along and we were still on the run. I had planned on working Friday. Scott was in a 5K walk at school to support our local soup kitchen for the homeless. I also had to work Saturday to make up for my sick day on Tuesday. Tom and Scott were busy taking down Halloween decorations and studying for upcoming tests. On Sunday morning I headed out early to complete my 5K walk with Cookie in tow to raise money for the Brain Injury Association of Maryland. My workplace sponsored our team and we had a great time hiking around a local park. We were sponsoring one of our brain injury patients at the nursing home. In the afternoon I took Scott over to the WAlter's Art Museum for a religous tour with the religious coalition from the boy scouts. We had a rabi, minister, catholic lay person and muslim discussing the history of religion from the Egyptians up to the Medieval times. It was a lot to take in and a lot of people wanting to do a lot of talking in a short period of time. Scott mostly enjoyed looking at all the mummies, suits of armor, knives and weapons and stained glass windows. This was a kick off to his religious medal program. He will be starting weekly classes next week. I thought this was a good addition to add to his Eagle application(when the time comes). Plus someone else is running the program for free. Anything to keep SCott busy!

So I will keep adjusting to my new medication. Work is busy. We have a new OT assistant, but she is going on vacation next week. So more work for the rest of us. Tom has slowed down on his traveling. He did have to go to VA a few weeks ago but just overnight. He also has received several awards at work, but missed his big dinner presentation since he was down in Charlottesville that night. Maybe next time.

Here is part of our walking/jogging team for the Brain Injury Association fund raiser. It was cold! Cookie brought her own coat. Also photos from Halloween night including Cookie and her wings and our Halloween decorations. Scott made a web tunnel complete with strobe light and lots of little spiders. And lastly a shot of SCott at the art museum with the boy scouts.