I keep staring outside my office window, watching the snow flutter down, trying to come up with something prolific to say.

I’m not having much luck. Maybe some updates?

My back is healing nicely, although it is taking goddamn forever. Despite predictions the home care nurses would be finished in early December, they discharged me on Dec. 27. While the “official” care is done, things are still healing and I’m still sporting a bandage. A visit to the family doctor last week revealed I will not have to have surgery (thank goodness), so that is the best news of all.

Dr. M also gave the go-ahead to work out again (there was worry any strain would cause things to pull and tear and delay healing), much to Eric’s evil delight. So last week it was on the bike three mornings, and lifting weights on Saturday. Sunday I could hardly walk — looking like a waddling, 8-months-along pregnant woman — and although today is better, I still needed some Advil to move around.

Lucy had a fabulous weekend. Saturday we had dinner at my boss’, so her Aunt Jenni and Uncle Marky watched her. We enjoyed a nice night (brushetta appetizers, squash-corn soup, warm tomato and balsamic salad, roast beef/sauteed chicken with stir-fried exotic veggies and smashed potatoes, and lemon tart for dessert holygod excuse me while I unbutton my pants). Mark and Jenn stayed over, and we enjoyed pancakes and berries for breakfast.

Speaking of work, we have our first ever conference this year, in Toronto in early April. This, combined with a trip to Washington, DC in September, means two journeys away from home. And unlike last time, I plan on milking and enjoying each one. Not that I’m in desperate need to be away, but because I learned last time that life goes on while I’m gone, three days does not dilute Lucy’s memory or love for me, Eric is a perfectly capable father (not that I doubted him at all) and absence just makes the heart grow fonder. After I returned from PEI and realized all this, I wished I’d taken another day to myself. So this year I plan to do so.

Lucy has started initiating going on the potty herself (we call the toilet the Big Girl Potty, and and she says “Girl?” followed by “Elmo?” because we read this book to her while she’s on the potty), and we probably made 10 trips there this weekend. Only once did we get a little piddle, but hey — initiative is an awesome first step. This week I hope to pick up some potty books for her to go along with Elmo’s Potty Time in our arsenal.

I’ve loved peeking in through the weekend to see the additional “what do you do?” comments — by far one of my most favourite posts.

And, that’s all I’ve got on this gray and snowy day. Hope you have a great Monday, in asmuch as Mondays are great.

Possibly related posts:

1. Tools of the potty training trade
2. Plaid, potty, Scruffy (the bear) and toilet paper stuffing 101
3. On the potty
4. Gotta love the free childcare over the holidays
5. On Dora and Elmo and calenduns: The holidays 2007