So a LOT has happened this month, but no time to write about all of that now as the immediate real life is getting in the way. So, today, for example we have: 1) woke up in pain from 3-day "sickness", tried to get work done and in the end stayed home and only did about 4 hrs of work off/on through the day with head and gut aches, allergies, sinus gunk and joints, 2) kittens destroyed more today than ever before including major claw marks on all 3 of the new leather sofa pieces, 3) got two very large and unexpected bills in mail and 4) basement is leaking out of almost all walls and floors about 25 gallons of water an hour - no, it didn't rain, but I pulled the knob to turn on the lawn sprinkler system, notices lots of water going through pipes, but nothing in yard, so after a half hour turned it off and then the flood began. Seems the basement has been painted over real thick with water-soluable paint and that there are lots of holes/cracks that weren't ever sealed. Have no idea what to do next tomorrow (besides continue to vacuum up water, be healthy as I have to be at work for several meetings and many others are awaiting email from me on various projects), but the excitement will never cease.

What I do know: I) that stomach ache is likely related to stress and that I need to not let it or any other ailment own me, II) that my neighbors absolutely rock (from taking care of kittens while I'm away, lending me vacuum for flood, and just being good company when I'm down or up), III) that bills and work will get done and I'll do the important items first and enjoy the parts that are worth doing (ie. most parts - research, teaching, managing), and IV) that I feel incredibly fortunate to have people out there that care about me even if they don't live close by (most likely the same people who are reading this... yes, you!).

I look forward to sharing about other recent events including a) trip to Spain, b) beginning of summer midwest style & c) other reasons for taking pictures, but one step at a time. I think I have one more trip to the basement in me before bed...

Drove down with 3 co-workers for a fellow coworker's wedding in Springfield, MO. Bit of a drive and I got my 2nd ever ticket for speeding as I didn't notice that the limit went down to 45mph in Clinton, MO (previous ticket was near Concordia, KS many years ago when they, too, had a somewhat hidden drop in speed limit). Besides the ticket, had a good time celebrating the wedding and doing best at dancing. It was often lonely out there, but the group from Omaha represented NE well on the dance floor. Pretty tired and kitties won't leave me alone tonight (they missed me).

Also, we stopped for lunch at Gates in Kansas City. Oh my goodness - wonderful BBQ! I know it's not the best in KC, but the ribs put everything I've had in CA and NY and most states in between to shame! A nice reminder of a "food stuff" that we have better here than on the coasts. Soo good!

Gave an invited talk last night (arthritis foundation) about a couple papers that Fred and I had done on lymphoma, RA and RA drugs (new one just came out in A&R). It was nice food and good company though a little awkward as everyone in the restaurant could see (and hear if they tried) what I was showing the group rather than having our own private room.

Got to meet with a visiting professor from the Brigham yesterday and today we had lunch together. What surprised me was Warren Buffett, the 2nd wealthiest man in US and my neighbor of sorts, came in and had lunch with another guy right next to our table. Seemed so ordinary - no body guards, nothing else fancy outside of having a tie and business jacket on. Quite a different life he's living here in Omaha especially compared to what one rich man is now doing in India.

One more link - a fellow rheumatologist and friend of Fred's, Norton Hadler, just posted a thought provoking OpEd about drugs that possibly don't do much for us at abcnews.

It's been cloudy a lot lately. Not complaining as the temperature has been perfect and I haven't had to figure out how to use the sprinkler system, yet. Also been wonderful views in morning and night. Then I found these pictures of clouds in Nebraska and wanted to share. Amazing.

So this is long overdue, but I was actually expecting more photos from this trip to choose from. After the ACR abstract deadlines of May 3 (work) came, I flew to CA. That weekend Mandi & I drove up to visit my family in Oregon (see pics of Aunt Dee previously) and then went caving again with a great group at the Lava Bed monument.







Then spent a week working at Stanford, meeting up with colleagues I've missed, enjoying the evenings and was treated to lots of good food (Korean dinner party - does anyone have a good group pic from this?), watched Spiderman 3 & Hot Fuzz (the latter was hilarious!) and a game party at Doug & Melissa's new home (same question for here) where I also got to see a very pregnant Melissa! (OK, Kemmeo, you were pregnant, too, just not very pregnant )

I returned to NE only to drive down to Mt. Hope, KS (my home since I left in '92 for college) to pick up new kitties (see previous post) and spend the week working at the NDB offices in Wichita. Also got to see high school classmate, Christine, who is also pregnant (ack! this is an epidemic!).

The last two weekends I got the ping pong table set up (took hours with the help of Andy, Erin, and Uncle Mark), and had an Indian themed party over memorial weekend. That same weekend Stacie, from CA, came to visit (my 2nd visitor to NE, yay!) and see the sights of Omaha as well as just hang out and catch up. Also, memorial weekend, my sister Sara, Mom & Grandma came to visit and Sara stayed over as well and helped out at the party. They had a rabbit show on Sunday and on Monday I got together with most of my Mom's family and then hung out with my Dad's parents. Long overdue and a very full weekend! As for the party - had lots of great Indian food - some made/bought from local grocer, other was brought in from Tandori Fusion restaurant. Had the movie Lagaan play (almost 4 hrs long, but you'll learn how to play cricket after watching), played ping pong and then some party games later on.





Good times this month!!!