Go Fourth!

No, I didn't forget how to spell.  This post is about the 4th of July, silly.

We were able to get away to visit family for the holiday weekend.  We hadn't been down to Missouri in a while, so we were looking forward to it.  Swim Girl would meet us there.

Fast forward past Swim Girl running over a leftover tire thing on the highway and her car shutting off and me calling people and places.  She managed to arrive in a rental car a few hours later than planned.

These are the fences that the Tom's will be whitewashing.

We had a great time.  We spent most of it with Grocery Boy's brother and his family.  I sometimes forget how much fun kids are.  They kept me pretty entertained, although to be truthful, it doesn't take much.

We spent the afternoon of the 4th in downtown Hannibal seeing the sights.  This small town is the home of mud volleyball and Tom Sawyer Days, complete with Tom Sawyer contest, fence painting, frog jumping and Miss Hannibal.  You really should go there one year.

Downtown has changed a lot from dive bars to chic new bistro/bars and outdoor seating.  There is hand dipped ice cream, antique shops, lots of fudge and my personal favorite, the popcorn and candy store.

The Tom's.

Being that I was still using one crutch to motor around, I didn't go far.  Just to the popcorn store and to see mud volleyball for a while.

What?  You haven't ever played mud volleyball?  You haven't lived until you have played.  First you find your grossest shorts, top and shoes.  Then you duct tape everything on.  Including your shoes. Then you go onto the court which is ankle deep in mud; thick Missouri mud.  Then you just play volleyball.  Aside from the fact that you can't hardly pull your feet up to move, it's the same as regular volleyball except it doesn't hurt when you fall.  And you kind of fall in slow motion.  My husband and I played one year, before we had kids.  I think I still have mud on my body from that.

We had a great family function the next day and then we headed home on Sunday.

I hope that you all had a happy and safe 4th.  Next holiday ahead: Labor Day!

And there we go.

Who are these cute kids?

Our family was very kind and made sure that
I was able to easily get to and from the park where the fireworks were.  Thank you.

On Saturday, the kids (and others) enjoyed paddle boarding on the little lake at Uncle Joe's.  Yes, Swim Girl dresses up to paddle board.

Ahhh! I Can Breathe Again!

Well, actually, my leg can finally breathe again.

Ask anyone who has had a cast for any length of time to describe the most uncomfortable part of the experience and I guarantee you that they will answer, "Claustrophobia."

???

It is hard to describe if you haven't had a cast, but here goes.

Ha!  You can see the tan line.
You can also see that I am all
'swelled up'.

A cast cannot be removed.  It is hot and it is heavy.  There are times (for me it was when I was in bed at night trying to go to sleep) when you just want to take the damn thing off because your limb feels so confined, so claustrophobic!  I tried to wiggle my leg and foot in that darn thing desperately trying to loosen it up.  Not so much.

This might help you to understand how wonderful it feels to have the cast off after nearly 6 weeks of confinement.

Fair warning must be given about what happens when a cast is removed. First of all, it tickles like crazy.  The rotating cutter thing just vibrates your whole leg and you can't help but jerk around a little. It doesn't hurt at all, but watch out if you are ticklish.

Cast off!  Oh, lordy, sweet relief.  This was quickly followed by the realization that there is an actual forest growing on my leg. And, it does not smell 'pine fresh'.  One whiff was enough to make me glad that I was already sitting down.   I swear my eyes watered.

I was up a lot today so you
can see my balloon foot.
The doctor says this will
be my greatest issue.

I won't go into detail about all of the dead skin that needs to be removed. Suffice it to say that my foot has quite the red, raw 'new skin' look since I attacked it with a loofah and some foot scrub in the shower.  It will need further soaking and scrubbing.  (In my case, there is also a wonderful tan line that I will have to deal with over the next couple of weeks, but I'll get it evened out!)

As I suspected, I am still not to put any weight on the leg at all for a few more days (until I hit the magical 6 week mark).  No "Rocky" theme song for me yet.

In a few days, I will be allowed to crutch walk (you know what I'm talking about) with both crutches. Then I can lose one crutch and then I can lose the last one and go whole hog on my own steam.  I am to wear the Boot at all times for any weight bearing until I go back to the doctor in 3-4 weeks (I chose 3).

I do not, however, have to wear the Boot all of the time.  I can sleep without it.  I can sit outside without it.  I can sit around the house without it.  Hallelujah!

I think that I can hear my leg and foot breathing right this minute!

So, 3 more weeks of semi-confinement.  I like to think of it in terms of 'house arrest'.  I am out of the slammer and a little more mobile.  I just can't go too far!  Pretty soon I will be on probation.

Hmmm.  I think I feel like watching "Orange is the New Black" for a while.  Laters!

OK.  Click if you dare.  6 week photo updates.

Anticipation

There is less than one week left in my forced idleness.  Thank goodness.

While I am frustrated at the lack of mobility, I am getting a little nervous about 'walking' again.  6 weeks with no weight on the left leg will do that to you.  What will happen when I can actually use it? I see visions of a blubbering, heaping mess on the floor.

I don't know what my instructions will be.  I only know that I am to bring 'The Boot' to my cast removal ceremony.  Well, that's what it is in my mind anyway!

That's not me at the top of the Rocky stairs, but I can
still visualize!

Will I be walking out of the office, crutches raised above my head in celebration and the theme from 'Rocky' blaring?  I don't know.

I do know that I will then begin the tortuous path to recovery known as 'PT'.  Can't wait for that painfest. Letting tendons and ligaments get 6 weeks worth of scar tissue built up before moving them ought to be a walk in the park.  Uh huh.

And yet, I will be glad to be able to get moving and stop sitting around with my leg up so much.  At least if my leg swells, I can adjust the boot.  This cast has been rather stubbornly un-adjustable, despite my efforts.

Oh, I have no doubt that I will overdo it at first.  I will sit around with my leg up napping for a couple of days, frustrated and sad.  Then I will suck it up and be more reasonable with what I can and can't do.

While it may not be the forts that I usually aspire to complete, I do still have plans for the summer.  A couple of little trips and then a trip to the Big Apple (hopefully).  I have a basement and a spare room that need deep cleaning.  I have closets to get at and I would like to help my sister overcome her painting obstacles.  I would love to be able to drive somewhere, open my car door and get out and walk to my destination.  Going upstairs would also be a treat since I haven't seen our second floor in over a month.  And let's not even talk about the joys of a proper shower where both legs get clean and both legs get shaved!

Oh, wait.  Does this mean I will have to start cooking again?  On second thought, I think I might need another couple of weeks in this cast.

Cast-ing a Different Shadow

For those of you who just can't wait any longer for a look at the artwork on Cast #2, this post's for you.

Ta da!

I don't know if I have mentioned it before, but I use paint pens for these.  There are several different kinds.  I know that I use Sharpies and a couple of other brands.  I got most of them at one of my local big box craft/notions stores. The cast is rougher than the boot, so it kind of chews up the tips a bit, but nothing got ruined.  But, don't try to use the really fine line ones.  Those will get destroyed.

I also happened to have some big acrylic paint markers (I think Montana 92? sorry but I am laying in bed and am too lazy to get up and look-see previous post on crutching) that I used here and there. The trick is to not get the cast too wet.  Tee hee.

Again, I did the center and right side (my right).  TFIOS Addict and her mom did the left side.  Then they got bored and didn't want to finish the back.  So, I am backless.  Good help is hard to find.  It was kind of fun to lay in the recliner while they were slaving away on the left side.  I really got a kick out of that.

So, anyway, here are the pics.  I will need to freshen up my boot before next Friday.  I kind of have paint marks on the inside of my car door from that.  It is difficult to maneuver the thing out of the car without smacking it around. Just don't tell my husband.

OMG the cat is snoring!

I did this side.

I tried hard to get the left side, but it's a little difficult.

Oh yeah, this is the curve of the heel.

The Art of Crutching

I am not sure that 'crutching' is a real word.  I am pretty sure that it isn't.  I don't care.  What else are you supposed to call it?  'Being on crutches'?  'Crutching' is easier to say and a lot shorter.  And people know what you mean.

My carry all bag and crutches.

I am not fond of these new appendages.  I am eternally grateful that I only have a couple more weeks of using them exclusively; with a little help from Betty Sue.  I do not know how people use them for long periods of time.

Crutching has it's very own set of rules and regulations.  A lot has to do with the laws of physics.  I was never very good at science, unfortunately, so I am learning the rules by trial and error.  Mostly error.

Water Torture:  I have become a near expert at spotting water on the floor.  It can be a super tiny drop, but if I hit it while crutching - watch out.  I will go down.  I have had several near misses so now I watch the ground wherever I go, just in case.

Somebody needs their tummy rubbed.

Furniture Dodging:  I have become adept at the sideways crutching move.  I have to use this in order to maneuver around the furniture in my house.  You just move one crutch sideways and hop a little to that side.  Then, repeat as necessary.  You won't get very far very fast, but you will be able to avoid chairs and tables.

Please.

Pain:  I have developed some calluses on my palms.  That part is good.  I have not developed calluses under my arms on the sides of my chest (think of where your bra wraps around).  That remains red and tingly...especially if I crutch too long at a time.  Also, my good leg takes all of the weight for as long as I am up and around.  Anymore, my purpose in taking medication is to keep that leg calmed down.  It is so overworked.

Stair Master:  I am paranoid about the stairs.  I have nearly lost my balance a time or two leaving the deck.  There is no way to get out of my house without going down a couple of stairs.  They scare me silly.

Stair Avoidance:  We have a two story house, with a basement.  I did go downstairs on my bum one day.  That was kind of fun.  But then I had to crawl back up, crawl to the couch and pull myself up to get back on my crutches.  I was exhausted.  I went upstairs one day by crawling up the stairs, crawling to the bedroom and then using the bed to pull myself up to get on my crutches.  I reversed the process for going down (remember:  I have a bionic knee on the healthy leg and it is difficult for me to stand up from the floor on one foot).  Again, exhausted.  I have decided that it is easier for other people to go up and down for me.

Bag Lady:  The other thing about crutching is that it is difficult to carry anything.  I carry a cloth purse/cross body bag with me all the time.  It holds a wallet, phone, kindle, drink, you name it!  You do have to be careful of the extra weight these things add.  Especially since the bag kind of swings around a little.  Remember those laws of physics.

Lunch Lady:  This also means that eating can be a bit of a challenge.  I quickly discovered that there was no way for me to get my food to the table.  Since I am not fond of standing to eat at the counter, I have a system. All of my food goes into closed containers and into my lunch bag.  I can then hobble into the living room to prop my foot up and watch TV while I eat.  Hey, it works.

Workout:  Last but not least, crutching is exhausting.  It takes me five times longer to do anything.  I cringe when I accidentally forget to grab something.  I  pretty much think long and hard about whether I need something so badly that I get up, grab the crutches, maneuver into whichever room I need, grab said object, crutch back and then sit down.  I usually don't need it that badly.

On the positive side, there are a lot of things that I can do.  I can write this blog for instance.  I can catch up on all my Netflix movies and shows.  I can re-read all of the Harry Potter books.  And I can pet the cats.  A lot.  If they let me.

Right, Left, Right, Right, Right, Right

An interesting thing about having this cast on my leg is that I only need one shoe...the right shoe.

They are kind of all over the house now.  The poor lefties are sitting in a closet just waiting to be worn.

I have two new pairs that I wear nearly every day.  I have never even touched the left shoe for those.

As I see my righties sitting in the room, I wonder what it will feel like to wear two shoes again.  It will be awhile as I will be going directly into The Boot from the cast.

Is it okay to buy new shoes in this condition?  In the name of important research, I will check that out and get back to you.

Cast On, Cast Off

Do you remember the picture that I posted of my shiny new cast last week?  In case you missed it...ta dah!

Of course, I cannot leave such a perfect canvas untouched now, can I?

I am not a contortionist and I cannot remove the cast, like I could the boot, to work on it.  So, with my trusty paint pens and some help from my niece (formerly known as Twilight Girl but whom I will now dub TFIOS Addict) I was able to decorate my life a little.  I thought a high top Converse style shoe would work.  Yes, I know the front is crooked.  Working upside down is not my strong suit.

I did the front and the right side (my right).  TFIOS Addict did the left side and the back seam.  She also drew in the star for the Converse circle.

Yup.  I did this part.

Love the seam in the back.

My niece was nervous to do this, but she did an excellent job!

Now I have a shiny new cast to paint.  It is glow in the dark again, because seriously, it is a nightlight for getting to the bathroom in the dark!  Plus it provides a nice canvas and is cooler than, say, a black cast, which my niece was hoping I would get.

I do have a few ideas.  One of them has ME nervous, so I will probably sketch it out first.  I will have this one for 3 weeks, so I don't want to mess it up.  

They took out the staples and I took out my camera phone.  It looks good.  Just a lot of swelling, which I need to get used to as that can take a good 6 months to go away.  I am off of most drugs, just a couple of 800 mg Ibuprofens a day.  And, quite frankly, that is to keep the right knee (my new one) from getting so stiff and swollen.  Poor thing has to bear all of my not inconsiderable weight.

I have even dared to look at flights to NYC.  Although, maybe not so much walking this year.  And I am going to STL soon for a little parental units visit.

This baby comes off at the end of the month, so just a few more weeks to endure.  Then the real fun starts...PT.  Luckily, I saved some of the drugs for just such an occasion.

Enter below at your own risk!

Not for the Faint at Heart (or Foot)

Plain old cast

There are going to be some rather graphic photos at the end of this post.  You will have to click to get there, but I wanted to warn you.  If you don't want to see them, don't click!

My neighbor is so funny.  She seems to be the one who has to take me to really important doctor visits.  She was the one who took me to have the staples taken out of my knee 3 years ago.  That was kind of cool.  She said she didn't mind.

This time, I had to call on her again.  She took me to my post op visit yesterday.  I honestly didn't know they were going to take some staples out.  I thought they were just going to take the splint off, xray the sucker and put on a new cast.

Trying to keep busy.

Well, they did take off the cast/splint.  And for some reason, I didn't think about what would be underneath.  I have to say that I am fascinated by stuff like that.  I always watch any procedures that are done to me (where I am conscious anyway).  Lucky for me, Neighbor Ann is kind of the same way.

I was pretty surprised to see 3 pretty big incisions.  Holy scars, Batman!  No wonder they don't want me walking on this thing for 6 weeks.  I may never walk on it again.  I look like Dr. Frankenstein's first attempt at a leg transplant.  Seriously.  It was pretty cool though.

Finally felt like painting!

After some xrays we had a nice lesson about something called Haglund's Deformity (or Pump Bump, look it up). Wanna know what was really awesome?  You could see the staples on the xray.  They were just hanging there in space.

Then the best thing:  I got to pick my cast color!  I chose: Glow in the Dark!  My own personal night light.

There will be painting on the cast.  It will be removed next Friday, but a girl has to have some fun.  I will need help because I can't get all the way around it since, unlike The Boot, I can't take it off to paint it.

So far, my biggest post op complaint is that I am getting blisters on my hands.  Oh, and this thing makes me heat up fast!  And I visit Arizona in July.  You know it's gotta be bad!

Okay.  This is my foot.  It is actually swollen, but not too badly.  Just super puffy.  A balloon foot, if you will.

Okay.  Only click the Read More link if you want to see more pictures.  You have been warned.

Meet Betty Sue

Pedi is intact!

I haven't said anything about this except to family and a few friends, but I just had surgery.  I know, but I had to fit it in somewhere between helping my sister move and helping Swim Girl move again.  Besides, I have a date on Broadway this summer with Computer Boy!

That pesky ankle that I blogged about late last summer (remember The Boot?) finally got to the point where I couldn't take it any more and so I went and had it fixed the other day.  I know they did about 5 different things to it, but they all have big words to describe them and I didn't write it down.  So let's just say they fixed it.

Of course, prior to this surgery, they made me go off of Ibuprofen for a week.  It seems that Ibuprofen is a blood thinner. It was also the only thing keeping me walking.  By the time the surgery date rolled around, you could have stuck a fork in me.  I was done!  And to add insult to injury, I got a major caffeine headache that day.  The nurses did feel bad about that one.  They said that is probably the biggest complaint that they hear.

Luckily for me, this time it was an outpatient deal so I only had to spend a few hours at the surgery center. My husband said the doctor came in and told him they did everything.  I only have his word for it.  I was sleeping.

The very technical process of laying in bed and turning off my light.

They did give me a nifty little block from the knee down.  It made my leg all tingly and kept the pain away for a solid 24 hours.  By then I had my good drugs going, so all was well.

Since this isn't my first time at the rodeo (so to speak) I worked hard to prepare for this gig.  I am living on the first floor in Swim Girl's old room.  There are clothes in the drawers and closet and I have everything set up.  Technology center on the left; drugs, snacks and drinks on the right.  Art supplies dead ahead.

I have to stay off of the leg for 6 weeks. At least that is what they keep telling me.  I keep asking hoping that I will get a different answer like, say, 2 weeks.  So far, the answer has been the same.

Of course, this means crutches and...Betty Sue.

I don't know why I call her Betty Sue, but I do.  She looks like a Betty Sue.  She isn't mine to keep, but she is mine for the time being.  She has a hand brake and a basket.  I only need one of those bells, but Grocery Boy said no way (quite emphatically in fact).  I will decorate Betty Sue.  It won't be permanent, but I think I will paint a name card for her.  Maybe thread some ribbons in her basket.

Now I am getting tired.  It's time to turn off the lights with my crutch and take a nap.  I can't wait to ride Betty Sue.

Betty Sue!  Isn't she beautiful?

It's Snowing...Sort of

Damn but I love that stupid little guy.

Except when he sheds.

They say a picture says a 1000 words so I will let them speak.

Getting My Hands Dirty and Getting Pissed Off

I spent the better part of the end of last week and most of the weekend gardening and planting my favorite annuals.  I went out and bought all of the plants and any supplies I needed.  Believe it or not, that only took me one trip.  I did try and find my favorite mulch and two stores were out, so my
husband rescued me by checking out a third store and voila - mulch.

I love working outside.  However, I really only like it when it is warm out which is why I had waited so long to start at all.  Plus, the absolute earliest you can plant around here is Mother's Day weekend. If you fall for Mother Nature's tricks and plant earlier, you will find yourself replacing everything.

By Saturday afternoon I was all finished except for the placement of a few more bags of mulch and that will happen this week.  I have a hard deadline and I was very excited that I had completed this chore.  My deck looked beautiful and I was sure that in a couple of weeks it would look even better.

Fast forward to Monday.  I went out to eat on my lovely deck after I got home from work and to my horror, every single pot had been dug up and there was dirt all over the place. Pots were on their sides and tender little plants were gasping for life in the hot sun.

There is not a single doubt in my mind who was behind this.  Those smarmy little chipmunks.  They make Rach crazy.  We should have let him have take care of them last summer.

I swear to you that Sherman on his march through Georgia to the sea was not more thorough in his destruction than those stupid little chipmunks.  They put huge holes in all of my carefully planted pots and just plundered the lot.  And here's the kicker - they didn't even eat the damn plants.  They just had their way with them and moved on to the next one.  I bet they thought that they had arrived at the Six Flags of the Deck.

I was able to rescue everything in short order.  Heaven only knows if I got them in time.  I think that I did.  At least it is the beginning of the season and I should be able to replace things if it comes down to it.

In an effort to keep those damn critters at bay I got out the best weapon I have - blood meal.   I dare them to return to the scene of the crime.  If worse comes to worse, there is always fox urine.

And if that doesn't work, I have the big gun coming in tomorrow. That's right.  Rach is staying here for a few days.  Maybe we will take the skirting off of the deck and let him have at 'em.  I will gleefully participate.

Now, I need to go and watch Caddy Shack so that I can get some good ideas.  I was so upset, I couldn't even take pictures.

Update:  It rained an inch yesterday evening, so I had to go out and sprinkle some garlic powder on my plants this morning.  My deck smells like the Olive Garden, but no critters.  My back up plan arrives this evening.

Over a Cliff

Young people are amazing.  They are wonderful and they give us hope for the future.  I work with children nearly every day.  I just love watching them and in my mind I call them 'my kids'.  I have 3 children of my own as you all know since I write about them on this blog.  I miss my 3 and love them very much.  I am blessed to have kids everywhere in my life.

Unfortunately, sometimes, life pretty much runs off a damn cliff and you are in free

fall.  In the past few weeks, three young people have died.  One, I did not know personally.  One, I met briefly and one...well, one was one of 'my kids'.

Death is a part of life.  Yeah right.  How easily that rolls off of our tongues, until it happens to you and someone you have treasured and nurtured is gone.  Then it just feels like the ultimate smack down.  It stops you in your tracks and causes your world to blur out while still revolving around you. You know that there are people out there going about their daily routines, but you cannot.  You have had this unspeakable moment hit your life.  A child that you loved, admired and honored is gone from your physical presence.  And you will never be the same again.

It does not matter in the least how these young people died.  They have gone.  They have made their marks on our hearts and now there will be no freshly made marks.  Folks, that is as tragic as it gets.

Because I am older, I relate to the death of any child from a parent's point of view.  I agonize over what the parents are going through and how they are coping.  I am touched by their simple messages or words.  I wonder how that parent is remembering their child.  As the skinny little kid with the scratched up knees?  As the rebellious teenager with a heart of gold?  As the cuddlebug?

It is difficult to know what to say to families at these times.  Almost anything I can think of seems trite and small.  So, like most of us, I just hold those people in my arms both physically and spiritually and offer what little comfort that I can when what I really want to do is wave a magic wand and make it all go back to the way it was.

I called my children this week.  I told each of them how much I loved them.  They told me that they knew that.  I told them that I don't say it often enough.  I tried to cradle them in my arms through the phone.  I looked through pictures.  I thought about all of the classes of 'my kids' and how much each of them touched me during the precious few months that I was allowed to be in their lives.

And in my heart, I grieved.



(If you would like to read the blog/website of someone that I admire who really hits the nail on the head when it comes to living your life, may I suggest that you go to Dirty Footprints Studio  You will certainly find something to take away with you from her thoughts.)

The Life of the Blogless

So here is why I haven't been blogging much recently.  My sister bought a house.  Said house needs lots of work.  Guess who is helping with the work?  Now, don't get excited.  My sister has a contractor doing the actual work.  We are just helping with the painting.  And cleaning.  And taping. And painting.  And sanding.  And painting.  And going to Lowe's and Menard's at 6 pm to get more stuff!

I wanted to make clever videos, but I don't have the time or the energy.  I tried to figure it out last night, but because Movie Maker doesn't recognize the files from my 4 year old video camera, I would have to convert them.  Just writing that sentence makes my brain hurt.  Enjoy the snippets and be glad that you live where you do and not near me.  I would probably be asking for your help.

This is the main staging area for the construction that is happening.  

This is the newly renovated laundry area.  Unfortunately, we didn't have time to paint it before the floor, trim and cabinets were done.  

Now this video shows the grand remodel of bedroom, bathroom and walk-in closet.  

I seriously think that we have painted 200 doors.  Maybe 201.

I have no words other than sometimes we get a little crazy.

We did not clog the toilet!

Bedrooms.  The third bedroom was painted, including trim, but since the boy is moved in there, we didn't want to subject you to his dirty laundry.  Literally.  The pink room is only having the trim painted.  Thank goodness.

So, why is she taking video of a door without a handle?  Funny you should ask that.  When you have a clogged toilet upstairs, you use the new bathroom downstairs.  You have to go back upstairs to get toilet paper and the whole time you are muttering to yourself, "I have to pee!"  You don't shut the door all the way, but you somehow get off balance when you are done and accidentally close the door.  Did you know that doors without handles won't open?  You then squeal like a pig until someone from upstairs hears you.  They start laughing when they see what has happened and they tell their Aunt Denise who is listening to the squealing wondering what the heck is going on.  Luckily, Aunt Denise has her wits about her and gets the door knob and jams it into the door.  It won't open because it is in the 'locked' position.  Finally, it is unlocked and placed in the door and voila, the door opens.  Why was my sister on the floor?