Two Feet with Two Shoes!!

Wow, what a week so far!! I had my first real physical therapy appointment yesterday and I did so good that they let me take off the boot....permanently!! WOOOHOOOOO!! It's a bit painful to walk yet, but it's soooo nice to do it in two shoes. Just in time, too, because I started getting a heat rash from the boot the day before.

I had my first real leg workout since May today and it was a woopin! The Punisher took no mercy on me but was very cautious about what he had me do. I could barely walk down the stairs when I was done and it wasn't because of my ankle. Amazing how much your muscles atrophy when they're not being used AT ALL. I felt like such a wimp. When I did squats on the smith machine there were only two 10lb plates on each side. OMG, I thought I was going to lose it. I usually have at least a 45lb plate on each side just to warm up with. Baby steps, The Punisher says. We'll get back there soon. It was nice to sweat like a pig for a change though. I swear I'm not wearing pants until my calf catches back up though. I look like I have a peg leg...no kidding. It's really embarrasing. No cute strappy shoes for me anytime soon.

I got my mammo back today and they want me to come back and have another one. They found some calcifications on the left side and just want to be sure. I'm not freaked out at all...I know that's common and it's usually nothing. I'm more worried about getting it out of the way before the big day!! They said I should be able to get in by the end of this week though. Phew.

Hubs is teaching the boys to play golf. It's the cutest thing you've ever seen. They just look like little men out on that driving range and they're both doing really well. I took some pics with my new Treo when I was watching last week but haven't been able to get them transferred to my computer for some reason. Because I'm technically challenged, you say? Okay, yeah probably. I'll try again later.

What a Rip Off!!

What is it with the grandparents in my children's lives...wait....let me re-phrase that.....NOT in my children's lives???? I have the greatest kids ever. Granted they're a little crazy and loud but they're boys, cut them some slack!

We'll start with my parents. My mother comes once per year at Christmas. When they were little she would get so offended that they acted like they didn't know her. Ya think? Now that they can sustain a memory for longer than a week we no longer have that problem. The best part is that she only lives three hours away. THREE HOURS. Wow, I know that's some horrific trip to endure in the car all by yourself. Maybe I should cut HER the slack. Hmmpff. My father is not well and cannot really get around. He asks me all the time though why I don't let The Things come and stay the weekend. It's because of all the drinking and pain killers and your inability to walk very well and drive. PLUS if someone fell and needed stitches, who's going to drive them to the ER? I just continually make excuses. I don't have the heart to tell him the real reason why. The saddest part is that he'd be a really cool grandpa if he could actually do anything with them. Makes me sad.

Now to the inlaws. My MIL used to be awesome. She used to drive down once per month and bring all kinds of goodies. Then she married a man more than 20 years younger than her and now we never see her unless we all fly to Amarillo. Wooohoooo, can't wait to get to beautiful West Texas! Ugh. Hubs can't stand her new husband so you can imagine how often that actually happens. You guessed it!! Once a year at Christmas! My FIL, who would also be an amazing grandfather, lives in Tulsa. He's so fun and great with kids. Guess how many times they boys have seen him EVER? About 5 times total and The Things are 7 and a half. When he and his wife come down they stay for 1 day. Usually, they don't even spend the night. We can't figure it out. I hate it for hubs, too, because he really loves his father and doesn't understand why he puts so much distance between them.

There are no Great Grandparents for The Things on Hubs side, but I still have mine. They're awesome and probably the ones The Things most like to see. If my grandparents were younger I know they would take the boys on trips and have them down for the summer. But they're closing in on 80 and that's really not possible. They're actually here this weekend and the boys are so excited they can't stand it.

So that's my plight. It makes me sad. My favorite memories growing up were with my grandparents and my children won't have that. How did I get so ripped off??? Anyone out there with awesome parents that would welcome two entertaining little boys into they're life and adopt them as grandchildren? At least at Christmas I can pretend that they boys have Grandparents around them that love them and are excited to spend time with them. Too bad Christmas is only once per year.

Thursday Thirteen

I'm stealing this idea from the Speckled Pup since I haven't been inclined to be too creative lately.

1. I love desserts. All desserts...all of them.
2. I don't like being out in cold weather. Hate my feet going numb.
3. I've never kissed a girl.
4. Popcorn and chocolate is a combination from heaven.
5. I have to be on top.
6. I LOVE lifting heavier than the guy next to me in the gym.
7. Panty lines should be an instant fine from the REAL police.
8. Sex in the sand isn't romantic...it's painful.
9. I would never have a toe removed just to be able to wear pointy shoes. Gawd.
10. I want to have a facelift when I'm 50.
11. Spiders totally geek me out.
12. I wish I could have more kids. Got started to late.
13. Drum Rolllllllll.....I've never been a member of a threesome. Call me conservative.


Now for some updates....I'm completely off the "crunches" and totally mobile...wooohoooo!! I went back to the gym yesterday and my chest is so sore today it hurts to breath...that's greatness!! AND my brother came home from the hospital on Tuesday which blows my mind. I got to talk to him on the phone last night and he sounded great. It was awesome to hear his voice as I didn't think I'd ever hear it again just the week before. God is good.

YADA, YADA, YADA....

Okay, I've been a boring blogger this week...I'm sorry, now shut up. My sister sprung me this weekend to go see The Devil Wears Prada. It was really good but it made me sad to know I would never spend that kind of money on clothes. Maybe when the boys leave home. I just have the hardest time when I shop to buy things for myself. I need to go on a shopping trip with Kami and Football Widow so they can girl-me-up. I live in workout clothes and tennis shoes. I don't even own a pair of high heels I think. I have an amazing collection of flip flops though!

I FINALLY had my follow up from my ankle surgery yesterday. Got the stitches out so now I can take a shower. Thank goodness. I'm down to one crutch and am determined to be off of them altogether tomorrow. I have my first rehab appointment today and am very much dreading it. The Doc was pushing my foot in different directions and I thought I would puke. Maybe the PT guy will be a little more gentle. I thought they were scoping me, so I was shocked to look down and see a two inch incision. No wonder it hurt while it was crammed into the boot! I'll still be in the boot for a few more weeks, but I can take it off more during the day now as long as I'm not walking without it. The boys are really excited about me getting off the "crunches" and are already making plans for us to get out and do stuff!

Our brother is doing better and I found out today he may get out in a few days. That totally amazes me. Back in the day they would have held onto him for an entire month. They want to send him to a rehab hospital before going home but he's fighting against it. Guess we'll see later this week who wins.

That's all I got. Sorry it's not witty. I'll try to do better tomorrow!!

NOW what....

Just when we started to relax a bit on our brother's condition, we find out yesterday he has another bridge to cross. They found a blod clot in the leg that's broken and will have to snake down thru the jugular today to put in a "net" to catch it if it breaks off. After he recovers a bit more they'll give him blood thinners to help it break up. They are finding new injuries every day. They now believe he has a broken nose or other bones in his face and a broken hand. I am sure they will continue to find things especially when he's coherent enough to start complaining about pain, etc. They haven't scanned his neck yet and he's still in a collar. I would think that would be one of the first things you'd check but what do I know. He has surgery later today to piece his leg and hip back together with rods and pins. So throw some prayers his way today if you can.

On a happier note, my husband bought me a Palm One Treo phone and I signed all the paperwork on the new "girls" to be implanted on the 8th...woot, woot!!! I can hardly wait. I have to say I got a little anxious at all the risks I had to sign off on but I know those things are not common. I have not briefed The Punisher on my decision to have that surgery yet...he's gonna freak. I won't be able to lift heavy for about 6 weeks. He's chomping at the bit and counting the days until I get off the crutches and out of the boot. He's going to be so deflated. Poor Punisher. I must find him someone else to torture while I'm gone!! Any volunteers??

I'm off to take the boys swimming at a neighbor's house. She's the best!! She sprung us from the house yesterday and took us to Target. You would have thought it was Six Flags as excited as we were to get out!

I Don't "Get" It


Why is it when a person is strange or quirky it suddenly becomes the rest of the world's fault for not "getting" them? I'm a reasonable, tolerant person, so why is it my fault when you feel misunderstood? Explain to me in your Oddball Person Terms how it's my brain malfunctioning and not yours. Every person's different in their own way. Football Widow's glasses have to be in her cabinet a particular way. I don't "get" that, but I'm sensitive to it. Thing 2 has to have the things on his dresser in an exact and particular spot or he comes apart. I'm sensitive to that, too. Hubs wants us to refer to him as "The King"...I totally "get" that but that's another post! What I don't "get" is when a family member you've been super close to all your life suddenly decides he doesn't want to be a part of your life anymore. No explanation, even when you hold his feet to the fire with questioning. My brother has systematically taken all his family members out of his and his children's lives with the exception of our 91 year old grandmother. I suppose he figures she's not going to be around too much longer anyway, so what could it hurt. He makes jokes about being the "estranged" brother or son...depends on his relation to who he's talking to. First I was heartbroken, then I got mad. It was easier being mad. Yesterday, I found out he's in an ICU across town fighting for his life after crashing his motorcycle into a tree. I immediately returned to heartbroken and spent the day crying and saddened by the fact that I haven't had much time with him over the past 2 years.

It makes me wonder though. Will he realize how valuable his family would have been when they could help his wife with their three kids while he spends months in the hospital? Will he value the time he may have missed watching his nephews grow up and now spend it with them? All I can do is hope. I will not hesitate to jump in and do all I can while he starts his long road of recovery. How will I feel in the end if I'm dismissed again when it's all over? I will go back to being mad probably....that's easier anyway. I know I'll have no regrets though and that's more than he would be able to say. I love him in spite of himself, I miss him terribly, and I hope this traumatic event changes things for him and he allows his family back into his life. Until then I'll take what I can get and know that I never gave him a reason to stop loving me.

On another note...can I just say I HATE being a pedestrian??? I'm not even good at that since I'm still on "crunches". Hubs won't let me drive until I get my stitches out and my ankle stops being sore. I feel like a prisoner in my own house. He's returned to work so I have no way to take the boys anywhere and they're "bored to death" as they put it. Long week for ThirtyTen I'm afraid. At least after I get my stitches out we can go to the pool..."crunches" and all. Until then I fear I'll go nutty and no one will "get" me after I return!!

Here's Sunday Six as brought to us by Kelly. Thing 2's answer is first followed by a very annoyed Thing 1. When he heard me call his name, the first thing out of his sweet little mouth was..."you better not be going to be asking me all those questions!!"

1. Why do people have names?

--- “Cause if nobody had names, people wouldn’t introduce theirself”
--- “Mommy! I said I don’t want to do it! Because so people can know them.. jeez!”

2. Can boy names and girl names be the same?

--- "”Yes."

3. Who named you?

--- "Mommy and Daddy!"
--- “Um..hellooooo....you” (with a DUH look on his face)

4. What is your best friend's name?

--- "Um,Michael B.."
---“Zach”

5. Do you like your name?

--- "Yes Ma’am."
---“Yes, not really.”

6. If you could have a different name, what would it be?

--- "I would not ever want another name."
---“Michael!....am I done??? Hmmmpff!”

Crutch This!

I have learned a few things about crutches this week and thought I would share them in the event you find yourselves in the unfortunate condition of needing them.

Things you CAN do:

1. Use it as a door stopper to stop an automatic door from closing on you while you're attempting to crutch through it. You may then use it to whack the rude person in front of you that did not hold the door in the first place.

2. You can stop one of the Things dead in their tracks while they're whizzing by. Simply raise it like a gate and watch them flip over it. Only then do you have their attention.

3. You can hurl it like a javelin to get your children's attention after you have exhausted blowing your whistle a million times.

Things you CANNOT do:

1. You cannot flush a toilet. I mean, you can, but just be sure to push the handle gently or it will break off the toilet. Ooops.

2. You cannot slow a ceiling fan. Unless you have incredible upper body strength and can withstand the noise.

3. You cannot scoot a load of laundry down the hall. You'll just get tangled up and end up as part of the load.

4. You cannot wear a low cut tank top while using crutches unless you want to show off your girls. Crutches pucker your shirt up in the front making all that's inside a peep show.

5. You cannot have sex standing up. I'm serious about this one.

If you have experience in this area, feel free to add to my list. It's our duty to prepare all future gimps.

Still Alive

Just reporting t.hat I am, indeed, still alive. Hubs went back to work today, so I have sneaked into the office to try to catch up on everyone's blogs! Can I just tell everyone what an amazing husband I have??? He has waited on me hand and foot since Friday. He's been so very sweet, but I'm sure he'll be relieved when I get off my "crunches" (Thing 1 is completely unable to pronounce crutches, so that is how we refer to them around here now). We are fast fooded out...hubs isn't much on cooking so he's been hitting the drive thru's. I have never been much of a fan of drive thru food to begin with, so I doubt I touch it for a LONG WHILE after I recover!! Thank goodness the Schwan's man delivers today. I'll stock up on some easy stuff for him to prepare!!

Thing 1 and Thing 2 have been adorable as well. They put one of their whistles on a string and put it around my neck so I could call them when I needed them. Unfortunately, their hearing is as selective to my whistle as it is to my voice. They do come eventually, though, and are always more than happy to help mommy out.

I still can't get up for more than a few minutes at a time or my ankle begins to swell pretty quickly. It's really uncomfortable in the boot when it's swollen, so I'm doing my best to stay down. MuscleMomma and I took The Punisher out to lunch for his birthday yesterday and it was so great to see him! I had to break it to him that I wouldn't be back until after the stitches came out on the 18th. He's really going to freak, though, when I tell him that HUBS TOOK ME TO THE PLASTIC SURGEON AND SET A DATE FOR MY IMPLANTS!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, you heard me right. He rocks...he's the king! He couldn't take me moping around about missing out on all my competitions, so he told me while I was recovering that this is as good a time as any to have it done. Otherwise, I would have to take off another 3-4 weeks from heavy lifting again later down the road. CAN YOU BELIEVE IT??? All these years I've wanted to have it done and it's finally arrived! We scheduled it for August 8th so we can be sure I'll be off my "crunches". I'm going to use Dr. Robert Schwartz in Dallas. He's really cool and comes highly recommended. I am no longer down in the dumps and will be counting down the days to the "new me".

Thanks again to all the well wishers and people that have been here to help me out. I am truly blessed!!

Surgery Update

My lurker friend down the street was nice enough to bring me and the Things lunch today and she brought me her laptop so I could update my blog.....yippeeee!! I have felt so disconnected since laying around on the couch.

My surgery went well and better than expected. When they got in there and got out all the damage and debris, they discovered the tendon was completely intact. That's a huge relief and should greatly shorten my recovery time. So I'm on the couch with my foot bandaged and in the boot. I have to stay on my "crunches" until I go back to see the Doc on the 17th. Hubs has been waiting on me hand and foot and the THings gave me a whistle to blow whenever I need them. My friends have been bringing me awesome food so hubs doesn't have to cook. And yes, Football Widow, it counts when you feed the Things! My sister came and picked up the boys on Saturday and took them swimming and to dinner. They had an awesome time. I am so blessed to have so many people in my life that care about me. Thanks also to all of the cyber hugs that were sent on my last post :-)!!

I'll post more when I'm able to get around better...hopefully later in the week. Happy 4th everyone!!