April 2013 Round Up and Pinspirations

Dog image from 123RF. Rope frame by MandaBean (no longer available). Font is Kristen ITC.

What books and/or magazines did I read this month?
I don't think I did much if any reading at all this month, except at the doctor's office. Still need to finish the third Lord of the Rings book. Maybe once May shows are over. You may have noticed that I tend to read in spurts. Maybe I should only include this question on months where I've actually read something? Or maybe I should include some good internet articles I've read? That might keep this space a little less boring! LOL

What movies and/or tv shows did I watch this month?
* TV Time: Just the usual stuff for the most part. I did watch my first episode of Rawhide. Actually, I watched two! It was interesting. Definitely bizarre hearing everyone call Clint Eastwood "kid" though (I think of him as an older gray haired man).
* New Films: We caught a few this month, all quite different from each other. We're nothing if not eclectic!
- Moneyball - This was a lot of fun to watch, especially when my husband is a Bill James junkie. All of the performances were really great.
- Absolute Power - It's worth watching just for the one major scene between Clint Eastwood and Ed Harris. I liked it. Clint Eastwood really is great, and we always love Laura Linney (an early roll for her).
- Men in Black III - The original is still the best, but this was fun to watch. (Not necessarily a great movie, but still fun.) Josh Brolin is simply *uncanny* as a young Tommy Lee Jones. I mean WOW! Absolutely amazing.
- The Iron Lady - This was good. Slow, but not in a bad way; it was very intentional. Meryl Streep is, as always, amazing.
- Space Jam - Not a great movie, but not bad. Some great homages to the classic Looney Tunes, some other sports and animation funnies. Enjoyable (once).
* Old Favorites: Rise of the Guardians, Paycheck, Willow, The Princess Bride

What fun things did I do with my family and/or friends?
Meeting up with all of our college friends at a Georgia Tech baseball game while my best friend Connie was visiting was awesome!


Watching my brother be interviewed on television about his new book was super cool.


And we had the privilege of attending our niece's birthday party again this year. My SIL did such an amazing job on this party! I wish I'd taken more pictures, but I was largely confined to the couch (I was still fully on crutches at that point).


What gifts did I give and/or receive?
A friend at work took me out to lunch and gave me a gift card to our local movie theater as a thank you for all of my help the last six months. That was super-sweet of her! We also took gifts for both of our nieces when we visited them in North Carolina.

What special or unusual purchases did I make?


My "ugly boots." That's what I've taken to calling my doctor "prescribed" high top boots. All he required was a supportive high top shoe that covered the knobs of my ankle. Sounds easy, right? Yeah, unless you're a woman with wide feet.

What new foods, recipes, or restaurants did I try this month?
Didn't do so well with the cooking, but we did try a new "fast food" hibachi place near our house. My parents have an excellent one near them, and we've been hoping to find one for a while. This one was okay. The quality of the meet was good, but the "hibachi flavor" I think of was largely missing. It was good, just not the hibachi taste I was after. And they use *way* too much pepper in their rice, to the point that I almost could not eat it. We'll keep looking (and eating at my parents' place when we visit!).

What Pinspirations did I try this month (besides any recipes above)?
I was barely even on Pinterest this month until the very end, much less actually trying to do something from there. Things are a bit of a whirlwind right now with work, and it is "throwing off my groove."

What illnesses or health concerns did I have?
As great as our niece's birthday party was, it did have one not so pleasant aspect: Luke got stung for the first time.We actually have no idea what stung him. He came in from outside to find me on the couch, and said "Mommy, I think I got stung on my back." And I was thinking, yeah right, no way you would be this calm if that's what happened. I pulled up his shirt, and right between his shoulder blades as clear as day was a sting. There's really nothing else it could have been. There was no stinger left in it, so that was good. We dosed him up with some Tylenol and some Benedryl (just in case!), but he was fine.

In other news, I had a sore throat for three days that has now progressed to phlemy cough, I had been more or less keeping it at bay with Mucinex for the last few days, but yesterday and today I have gotten noticeably worse. If I start having difficulty breathing (and I predict I will soon), it will be off to the doctor for me, probably by Friday.

What were my accomplishments this month?

Click to biggify.

I helped conduct interviews for first time. I've never been an interviewer before. I was anxious about how I would know or decide who the best candidate is, but several people told me that I would "just know," and they were right. The best candidate was very obvious. He's only been with us a week, but so far, he's keeping up pretty well.

In ankle related news, I successfully managed to survive a 14 hour car trip when I was fully on crutches and not allowed to walk on it at all. That wasn't fun, but it got done. With purchase of the ugly boots, I have been freed from my orthopedic boot, which means I can also now sleep on my stomach again. It's like heaven! And I am going both up and down stairs on my feet. It's one step at a time, like a little kid, but so much better than crawling up and scooting down. My physical therapist thinks I am doing really well. He said that I exceeded the 2 week goals he had set for me by 50% in most cases. I am now either in or very near to the normal range for all measurements. But the biggest news is that I am OFF the crutches full time. It was tiring at first, and much more difficult than I thought to start walking again, but I am *so* happy to be rid of the crutches.

What were Luke's accomplishments this month?


Luke's reading does seem to be getting a bit better, but the struggle over getting him to read (even for homework) has not improved at all. He did pop up with another spontaneous movie quote, all by himself, one that DH and I had not used. We were so proud! LOL  There were several amusing Conversations With Luke this month. Why do they seem to come in batches? And we're continuing with soccer, though none of us are enjoying this new format/league as much as we did the old one. He has asked to go back to the previous organization, but he *must* be able to get his homework done in a reasonable amount of time for us to be able to do that! We'll discuss it over the summer and see what the fall brings.

What were this month's disappointments or frustrations?
It was terribly hard to walk after a month of not doing it, much harder than I ever anticipated. I expected it would be somewhat painful, but I was not prepared for how unsafe and unsteady I felt on my own feet. I really had to concentrate for a few days on what I was doing. (No walking and chewing gum at the same time for me!) At work, I managed to mess up a spreadsheet so badly that I had to take it home and spend 2.5 hours fixing it. It had to be done by the next day, and it was, but wow, I haven't messed up something that badly in a long long time. And in small and ridiculous news, but disappointing just the same: DH and I were watching a movie that started with the 20th Century Fox logo and theme song. DH just gave a very short, rueful laugh, and said, "I guess the next Star Wars film won't start with this." Now I'm sad! :-(

Anything else noteworthy to record?
The Boston marathon bombing. I was shaken quite a bit by it, since it occurred literally just two blocks from where we stayed when we visited Boston in 2011. Every day, we walked past the faded finish line, still visible on the pavement 2 months later. It is terrible to think of all those people and the terror they endured.

Roger Ebert also died early this month. I thought I was going to write a full blog post about it, but I just didn't have the time. I can't say that I always agreed with his reviews; in fact, it was closer to 50/50. But I respected his opinions and his point of view, on movies and life in general. He was an amazing man with a great written voice and presence. I enjoyed everything I ever read by him, whether I agreed with him or not. Some of his best writing wasn't even about movies, but on his blog, which I always enjoyed. He will be greatly missed, though the influence of Siskel and Ebert will be felt for generations to come. The cartoon below is by Art Shirley, and it still makes me both smile and tear up.


Cartoon by Art Shirley; see more at ArtShirley.com

Monthly Round Up concept courtesy of Katie the Scrapbook Lady, tweaked by me.
Currently feeling: rounded (a couple of weeks late)

Pebbles: A Conversation With Luke

Image from 123RF Stock Photos

While reading tonight's story for homework....

Luke (reading): Sandstone is one kind of sedimentary rock. It is made of grains of sand, mud, and.... pue.... puh.... puddles?
Me: Try again.
Luke: Poodles?
Me (snickering): Are those D's?
Luke: Pubbles?
Me: Almost. Is that a U?
Luke: Pebbles! What is a pebble?
Me: What do you think it is?
Luke: It's a little rain drop that makes a puddle.

Currently feeling: loving his perspective

Film Credits: A Conversation With Luke

Original image Copyright (c) 123RF Stock Photos, modified by me

We were watching a movie from 1996 on the DVR. It starts with the studio logo, then does a short 2-3 minute opening "set up scene", then the opening credits started rolling. Luke was playing with the remote, and suddenly, the movie cut off....

Me: What happened?
Luke: I pressed the wrong button.
Me: What were you trying to do?
Luke: Check to see how much it had left.
Me (confused): How much it had left of what?
Luke (also confused): Why was it so short? They were showing the names at the end. I thought it was long movie.
Me (trying hard to stop laughing): Honey, back in "the old days" when this movie was made, they put the credits at the beginning and the end, not just at the end like they do now.
Luke (very happy): Oh, so there's more?
Me (still laughing): Yes, there's another hour and a half. Turn it back on.

Currently feeling: too funny!!

Wordless Wednesday - April 24, 2013

Currently feeling: love my boys!

Six Weeks and A Day

Image from 123RF Stock Photos

It's been six weeks and a day since I destroyed my ankle. I will admit, it has been a very long and trying six weeks. Things are much much better, better even than I feared they might be at this point when it first happened.

I'm completely off the crutches, I can go up the stairs like a normal person (as long as I have a wall or rail to hold on to), I can balance on my right foot for about 10 seconds (it's not pretty or steady, but I can do it), I can walk without a limp in my ugly boots, and I can walk (with a bit of a limp) in my bare feet. And I did manage to walk on a treadmill today at physical therapy. A little less than a quarter of a mile in 10 minutes, but still. (Guess what you can't do on a treadmill? Limp! You'll fall on your face if you do.)

I'm not quite fully recovered yet. I can't go down the stairs like a normal person (I have to take them one at a time, leading with my good foot), I can't walk backwards (discovered that the hard way when I tried), it is very unpleasant for me to kick anything (even accidentally, with or without my boots), I still haven't been cleared to drive (hopefully next week), and my ankle is quite sore by the end of each day. But things are, overall, slowly returning to normal. Given where I was six weeks ago, it seems quite miraculous. I just need to be a bit more patient.
Currently feeling: trying not to count the days

2013 Georgia Tech Gang

My group of college friends got together again this weekend. First time in almost 2 years that we've all been together, actually since the last time my best friend Connie visited from Texas. We met up at a Georgia Tech baseball game Saturday evening, and both the kids and the adults had a grand time. We did meet another couple and their new baby for dinner beforehand, but they didn't want to bring her to the game in the cold (which we all completely understand). Hard to believe some of us have known each other for over 15 years! Special thanks to the random stranger who took our group shot. Love you all!!!
Currently feeling: very very happy

My Old Enemy....

Relevant super-short (13 seconds, safe for work) video clip:



We meet again, at last. My physical therapist had me doing stairs today. Well, stair is more accurate. I took my "bad" foot, used it to step up on the step, and brought my left foot up beside it. Then I stepped back down off the step with my good foot, and brought the bad foot to rest on the floor beside it. 10 reps, repeat twice. I did have to hold the rails for balance, but my ankle was holding all the weight. It was scary and uncomfortable, but I did it. In sneakers, even! So when I got home, I actually went *up* the stairs in my boots without crutches. Woo-hoo!
Currently feeling: hoping to stay on my feet this time

Wordless Wednesday - April 17, 2013

Currently feeling: spring has sprung

Blog Pictures Not Showing Up

Thanks to everyone who has contacted me to let me know that some of my blog pictures are not showing up. I believe it is a problem with my web hosting company. Info last night indicated they had a hard drive failure. I really thought it would be corrected by now, but apparently not (I'm likely pretty low on the totem pole). Nothing I can really do to fix it, unfortunately, but thank you for letting me know anyway!

Currently feeling: frustrated

Very Loud Baby Steps

Image from WPClipart.com

The new hiking boots may be ugly, but I just walked in them down the hall and back without crutches! It was far from graceful, and I'm about as quiet as a T-Rex in them, but they work. After doing my physical therapy weight shifting exercises this morning (with no boots or brace on, per the PT instructions) and being upset that I was not able to bear more than about 1/2 to 2/3 of my weight on my right foot, I'll consider that a very encouraging development. Baby steps!

Currently feeling: almost there

If the Boot Fits....

Just once, I would like to have to make the tough choice between several pairs of shoes that I like, instead of having to buy the only pair that fits. Occasionally, I get to buy two pair, but it's usually the same shoe in two different colors. Having non-furry hobbit feet (a friend calls them Fred Flintstone feet) is no fun at all! They're wide and "tall" or "thick" (high arch, I think it's called?), and they're about an 8.5, one of the most common sizes, wide or otherwise, so even if wides do exist, they're usually sold out. So what did I suddenly need to do while hobbling around on crutches? Go shoe shopping! But not just for any shoes....

The doctor said I need sturdy high top shoes that cover the knobs of my ankle. I knew that wasn't going to be as simple as popping in to Rack Room Shoes (who carries virtually no wides), but I had no concept of how truly difficult such shoes would be to find. After visiting my favorite local shoe store that carries hard to find sizes (lots of wides, narrows, and larger women's sizes) and striking out, I headed to Lady Foot Locker. They (or at least the one near me) only carry medium width shoes. Next up was Sports Authority, who also does not carry wides. What is up with that, people?! Not all women have skinny feet!! Why didn't the doctor just say I needed a unicorn horn; that might have been easier to find. I don't mind being told I need to wear certain shoes, but they need to exist!!

DH and Luke looked around Sports Authority while I got on the phone. I called two Dick's Sporting Goods, three different New Balance Stores, a couple of regular Foot Lockers, and the premiere running store in Atlanta. They all carry wides, but NO ONE had wide high top shoes for women (not even hiking boots; boots yes, wide women's boots, no), and no one carried mens sizes small enough for me to wear those (I would need a 6.5 or a 7 in mens, and most stores don't go smaller than size 8). I called REI to see if they carried wide women's hiking boots, and they said yes, "we have a few styles."

Apparently, "a few" means two (they had other hiking shoes in wides, but those didn't qualify as high top), and I could only get my foot into one of them. Naturally, it was the uglier of the two pair. Behold:


Vasque Wasatch GTX, image from Zappos

Now try and tell me those are not the ugliest things you have ever seen. I would have picked almost any other pair on the wall over those, but nooooo, those had to be the only ones that fit (of the two that even came in wides; the other 15 or so pair were medium only). They're heavy and awkward and hideous, and I hate them, but I didn't really have any other choice, so we bought them. They're going to look *great* with my work pants, don't you think? ::sigh:: I will say one thing for them, my ankle isn't going anywhere! In fact, I almost felt good enough in them to try walking without the crutches at the store. Almost.

There was actually a man there also trying on high boots, and he had also had an orthopedic boot sitting next to him! He broke his ankle in 3 places about 8 weeks ago, though he's been off his crutches and walking in his ortho boot for a couple of weeks now. His doctor told him the same thing, to buy high stiff boots. At least the men's selection was over twice what the women had, and they had about 6 styles that came in wide (which he also needed).
Currently feeling: not as happy as that guy, but following doctor's orders

Disabling Anonymous Comments

Image from 123RF Stock Photos

Hopefully, this will not affect most people who actually read my blog on a regular basis, but I am disabling the option to leave anonymous comments. I think I can count on one hand the number of real/valid anonymous comments I've received in the last almost 10(?!!) years of blogging, and the volume of spam has increased to almost unmanageable levels in the last few months (probably due to my post about Luke's last birthday). If this causes and issue for any of my "real" readers, please let me know! erinmarie AT rocketmail DOT com
Currently feeling: tired of the evil secret agents

Approaching External Crutches Separation

Image from 123RF Stock Photos

As of today (Friday, April 12), I have been on crutches for a month. Believe me when I tell you, that is even less fun than it sounds. See everything in that picture up there? I have been unable to do *any* of that, simply because it requires being able to put weight on both feet. I also have not been able to drive, step in and out of a bathtub, stand in the shower (I've been sitting in a lawn chair in our "shower only" bathroom and using a hand-held sprayer, and I still have to have help getting in and out), carry anything at all in my hands (like lunch or a cup of hot cocoa at work, or a glass of water from the kitchen), cook/clean (okay, so maybe there is one perk), or walk up/down stairs (I have to crawl up on my hands and knees, then have my husband help me up; or I scoot down on my rear end and have my husband help me up). It is getting *really* old!

Well, look out world, because I am ready to jettison these crutches! I saw the orthopedist yesterday. He did say I am healing more slowly that he anticipated (had to resist doing the Will and Grace "told you so" dance (never mind that I can't dance right now); see YouTube video link here), but he is ready for me to start walking on it. I am to work my way up from bearing weight with the crutches to no crutches over next 7-10 days, at my own pace. Also, no more orthopedic boot; I am to graduate to high top shoes instead. Yeah, because that will be easy to find in April for wide hard to fit feet. They have to come above the knobs of my ankle and be sturdy (he suggested Timberlands and the like). If I cannot walk unassisted by the time I go back in three weeks, he will cast it. So let's get to walking!

Easier said than done, though. It's scary after not doing it for a whole month! Walking is apparently NOT like riding a bicycle. I'm sure a lot of it is me. I am absolutely terrified of reinjuring it. And after a month of all medical professionals insisting that I put little to no weight on it, it's hard to convinced myself to bear down.I feel somewhat safe walking on it with the orthopedic boot, but the thought of doing it in just plain shoes (high tops or no) is frightening.

Today, I had my first physical therapy appointment since being told to bear weight on the ankle. I warmed up in my sock feet (yes, plural!) on the recumbent bike, which my ankle was fine with, but it was *killing* my right calf! I guess it's just not using those muscles in so long, especially out of the boot, but owie. I also started on my weight bearing exercises. Nothing exciting yet, just things like shifting  my weight from one foot to the other (doesn't sound like a big deal, but A) first time in a month, and B) owie!). The goal, obviously, is to eventually be able to stand on the injured foot with my left foot completely off the ground, so that I am truly bearing all of my weight on my right foot. Still a fair way off from that, though. I mentioned that the bottom of my foot is really hurting, and he said that all of the muscles on the bottom of my foot have contracted, so I have some more exercises to try and stretch those out. He also showed me how to just use one crutch, which is very counter-intuitive at first (you hold the crutch on the opposite side from the hurt foot). I made a lap around the room, and both he and the other therapist said I was doing *really* well for only bearing weight for a day! Once I get going, I do okay, it's just those first few steps that take some thinking and some convincing my body to "just do it." Hopefully, the high top shoes will help (if I can find any).
Currently feeling: ready to get these feet moving

Assistance: A Conversation With Luke

Original image Copyright (c) 123RF Stock Photos, modified by me

Luke has been a tremendous help since I've been on crutches. He has been so great about helping me, especially to get in and out of the car when DH drops me off or picks me up near the door of a restaurant or store. Tonight, before bed....

Luke: I want Bengal to sleep in my room tonight.
DH: Luke, you know we don't leave the bedroom doors open at night. Not even Mommy and Daddy let the cats sleep with us.
Luke: But you let the cats sleep with you every night!
DH: That's only while Mommy is hurt and sleeping in the other room. I can hear you over the monitor if you need me, but I have to leave the door open so I can hear Mommy in case she needs me.
Luke: But what if she needs me?
DH: If Mommy needs you, I promise I will come and get you.

Awwwwww! ::sniff sniff::

Currently feeling: well loved and cared for by my son

Wordless Wednesday - April 10, 2013

Currently feeling: love seeing the other Gastons (and not sure why L looks psychotic)

Sexy: A Conversation With Luke

Original image Copyright (c) 123RF Stock Photos, modified by me

After picking him up from spring break daycare, where they were listening/dancing to music....

Luke: Daddy, can you play "Sexy Ladies"? [NOTE: he means Gangnam Style, which I don't think we have, though we've heard it on the radio a few times]
DH: Do you know what the song is about?
Luke: He thinks she is sexy.
DH: What does sexy mean?
Luke: Hot.
Me (slightly shocked): And what does hot mean?
Luke: Super-lovin'
Me (cautiously): And what does that mean?
Luke: That he loves her a super lot!

If you haven't heard the song (not sure that's possible, but just in case), here is the official Gangnam Style YouTube video link. For those wondering, most of the song is in Korean (and we do know more or less what the song is about because one of DH's coworkers is from Korea). If you like a cappella, Pentatonix did a fantastic cover of Gangnam Style (YouTube video link). And here is the YouTube video link to Klingon Style (the Star Trek parody version), which is a hoot!

Currently feeling: too many words he should not yet know (even if he doesn't know/understand exactly what they mean)

Physical Therapy (a.k.a. Voluntary Torture)

Base image from 123RF Stock Photos, modified by me.

Okay, so the title is a little melodramatic. It hasn't reached torture levels. Yet. I started PT on Tuesday. During my first visit, he measured my range of motion. He was pleased with my (mostly) lack of pain and the amount of strength I still have in my foot and leg. I did mention one thing to him that has been bothering me. I grew up doing gymnastics, so I am very good at pointing my toes; in fact, I still do it largely out of habit. However, I cannot point my right foot at all at the moment. He had me point my left foot for comparison, and he was impressed with just how far I could point it. He thinks right is just stiff, but I'm not so sure. I can't feel any tension on the muscles at all when I try to point it. It's not that I'm pointing it really hard and I just can't point it; it's like my brain is sending signals that are not at all reaching my foot. Absolutely nothing is happening. Very frustrating! He also reviewed some range of motion exercises (towel stretch, point/flex, side to side semicircle, write alphabet) with me that I am to do at home twice a day.

Thursday was a bit more of what I expected from PT. He manually stretched right foot, which actually felt pretty good. When he grabbed ankle and wiggled it a bit, his eyes got really wide. "Have you been a chronic sprainer?" Well, no, not really. I tend to twist it pretty good once a year or so, which makes me limp on it for a few days, but I think I only sprained it once before when I was a kid. According to him, my ankle is *very* loose and wiggly, even considering the injury. I am more flexible than average, but he still was shocked at how loose it was. I repeated my range of motion exercises, then did same exercises with resistance band for strengthening. Next, I had to pick up flat "glass rocks" with my toes and move them from the tray they were in to pie plate sitting next to it. After my 3 minutes were up, he was shocked at how many rocks I had moved. He said I did the best ever for a first timer (makes me think of my friend that we tease about having monkey toes); I moved over half the stones both times (probably 50-ish). He said most people get less than 10 on their first try. Hey, I've always been proud to be an overachiever! LOL Lastly, I put my foot in the center of a (more or less) circular board with small hemisphere on bottom. Without moving my leg (only my ankle, which is harder than you think), I had to rock the board front back while keeping the sides level and equidistant from the floor. Then I switched and rocked it side to side while keeping the front and back level. Finally, I had to fully rotate the board both clockwise and counter clockwise, keeping the edge of the board on the floor at all times.  Ouch! My ankle was sore and cranky after that.

My physical therapist thinks I should be able to come off the crutches or at least move to much more weight bearing by next week when I see the doctor next week, but I'm trying not to get my hopes up. He does think I will probably stay in the boot another 4-6 weeks (ggrrrr). After that, it will probably be another 4-6 weeks before I am "fully functional" again. But here's the bad news: it will likely be 6-9 months (or more) before my ankle will allow me to "forget" that it happened (i.e. it doesn't painfully remind me on a daily or weekly basis). I'm trying to be encouraged that there is an end rather than depressed that it will take until Labor Day or maybe Christmas to feel "over it," but it's getting harder to stay upbeat with that kind of timeline laid out for me.

Remind me again why I insist on doing things so very thoroughly (even hurting myself)?

Currently feeling: trying to stay positive

Wordless Wednesday - April 3, 2013

Currently feeling: weird seeing my brother on TV (cool! but weird)

My Brother, the Author

This is one of those things that I've known about for quite some time, but there wasn't much point in sharing until it was time. My brother, Dr. Jacob C. Warren, is now a published author. He's had an Amazon page for a while now:


Jacob's Amazon Page

But he actually spotted his book "in the wild" at Barnes & Noble in Savannah, GA, about a week before it's official release.



That was on March 19. We knew that his editor (yep, he has one) and his publicist (yes, he has one of those, too!) were working on some television and radio appearances. He was flown out to L.A. a few days ago to film his episode of the PBS program Tavis Smiley.



Can I just tell you how trippy it is to see your brother's name on the cable information page? Awesome! But totally bizarre. Here's a quick screen grab of his actual appearance.



Since I was terribly awful about ever getting this posted, I'm not sure if you can still catch it on PBS or not. You might be able to find it online.

Oh, and the official website is now up and running, if you're interested:


AlwaysTheFatKid.com

As you can see from the above website screenshot, the book was also featured in the London Times. We are so very proud of him!

Currently feeling: go, baby brother!!