Starting My Goodbyes

Time is suddenly flying by, especially after coming out of my post-tooth-extraction haze. Speaking of which, I went back to my dentist and she confirmed that I do have dry socket. Thankfully it's not infected, so it's a minor complication (all things considered). They put in medicated gauze, which I'm going back today to get removed/replaced. I was a little sore, but the constant pain subsided within an hour or two. HALLELUJAH! Unfortunately I had to go to work with a mouth full of gauze...

... my last shift at REI! A mouth full of gauze! The first day of our biggest sale of the year! Thankfully it wasn't too crazy, but it was quite the way to go out. A group of my coworkers came out last night to a BBQ feast in Brighton for a going away shindig. I hate to just call them coworkers, because they have all become my great friends. I was excited when I started working at REI, I knew it was a cool company and I would meet some interesting folks. I never expected to meet and become friends with so many genuinely great people. They're a misfit family that kept me smiling on the hard or crazy workdays. I'm sad to say goodbye to them, but it's only temporary!

Finish line!

While this weekend was great overall, I also had some really tough moments. Adam participated in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, something that we had been working to do together. Unfortunately we weren't able to raise enough money for both of us to participate, which made me feel like crap. We later found out that many of those that donated thought they were donating to our team page and the donation would be split evenly between us. In the end it was better that it all went to Adam, because he was able to walk (if it was all split between us then neither of us would have met the goal). We were both really bummed we couldn't walk together, but I took out all of my building stress out on this one issue. I was a blubbering mess on Saturday, but I was thankful to meet up with Adam at his halfway point for the day, and for ladies night with Callie and Kelsey. I met Adam at the finish line on Sunday, and I could not be more proud of him. I'm so grateful for all of the people that opened their hearts and donated to a great cause. And I'm grateful that I was there at the finish line to celebrate with him! He walked to celebrate the life of his mom, and while I never had the chance to meet her I'm confident she would be proud of his accomplishments.

Next on the to-do list is to go up to New Hampshire for my Wilderness First Aid + CPR class tomorrow. I'll be in class 9am-9pm for two days, with Ladies Night: Wilderness Edition at a campground with Callie & Kelsey in between. It only seems appropriate to stay in the wilderness while earning a WFA certification.

One more week. Holy crap.