Can you believe summer is coming to an end?
We've had a really great summer this year, it was nice to only be working a tiny bit, we got a fair bit of stuff done in the yard, we had a wonderful break at the cabin, got to see several friends for the first time in years... it was a great couple of months.
And now, as I do every year at this time, I am ready to welcome September and the good things about it. I am always reminded at this point in the summer how I am such an "all or nothing" person, and how unproductive I am when I lose momentum. So, I'm kinda looking forward to getting some things done because I'll be back in routine again! That's the plan, anyway!!
But one of the things I'm really happy about this summer is that I've been able to come back really well from my back injury in June and I'm running about 7K at this point. I have to say, I'm pretty darn proud of myself for keeping my running up over the summer, although it was a pretty easy routine with the slow re-building, but I was pretty faithfully running 3 times a week for July & August. I certainly didn't do that last summer!
So, I have 3 running goals this fall... and I'm inviting you to be a part of it!
1) RUN FOR THE CURE, SEPT 30! I'm running with my Sole Sisters team for the 5K.
2) With RUN FOR THE CURE, I'd like to raise $150... if you'd like to be a part of this event by sponsoring me, that would be awesome! Just click on the link on the right side of this page, that should bring to you my profile on the Run for the Cure site. Thank for joining me in this important cause!
3) OKANAGAN MARATHON - 10K... That's October 7th and will be the true test of my running recovery!!
For anyone who's interested in starting running or getting back into it, our Sole Sisters group is meeting on Saturday am's at 7, Bliss bakery in Peachland. Everyone is welcome and we're having a bit of a "kick-off" day on Saturday, Sept 8th--if you've been toying with the idea... this is a great group to find encouragement and inspiration!
ENJOY YOUR LAST WEEK OF AUGUST!
Monday, August 27, 2007
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Why We're So Happy Mark Married Cara...
My brother Mark and his lovely wife, Cara, are off to Italy in a few weeks. They've been taking Italian lessons for the last several months in preparation and having a great time. There are a million reasons why we love Cara. When I heard this little tidbit last weekend, I was once again reminded how important she is to our family.
Number One Italian Phrases they can pronouce flawlessly:
Cara: "I have need of a doctor who speaks English."
Mark: "I have need of my tambourine."
'nuf said?
Monday, August 13, 2007
It's Official:
After 10 days of being away, staying at the homes (or cabins) of some of our best friends, being fed & entertained and licenced to RELAX--no to-do lists, no obligations, no attention paid to the clock... we have become the laziest people on earth.
We had such a great time with Joel's brother & family at their awesome cabin (two bathrooms, dishwasher & dial-up)... and even though the weather was pretty crappy, we had such a great time, got on our manditory "Patti & Nathan vacation schedule", which is staying up until 2am playing games and then sleeping until 10 or so. The cousins had a blast playing together and got in as much wakeboarding as the weather would allow. Thanks sooooo much "Nathans'" for another incredible week of being made to feel very at home in your home-away-from-home!!
After a week at the cabin we made our way to Calgary for two nights and stayed with the Taubensees for some good catching up/tennis/IKEA/settlers/eating -- they do a mean B & B! We were also so happy to visit the church they have helped start... even in summer mode, we could cleary see that this is a group of people who are, and intend to continue to, living lives of love and truth in Calgary. It was awesome to be there and get to see what we'd been hearing about -- I'm so excited for what God is and will do through this group of servants in their community. Dan & Cathy & girls... we love you like crazy and are "with you" in the adventures ahead, whatever they may be!
Another highlight--a visit with the Birkby family... good friends from way back in Joel's "Coopers & Lybrand" days... the last time we saw this great couple was at their wedding 7 years ago... after which they headed to Bermuda for 6 years and have gone through cancer & 2 kids since we'd seen them last. So great to connect with them, visit their gorgeous home in Calgary, see their beautiful babes, and hang out with a friend who's never strayed far from my thoughts in all these years! Love ya guys!
So, now we're home, sitting on "the deck" with our respective laptops, ready for a sudoku match, facing a day that is a blank slate---SUCH A RARITY! I'm so happy to have Joel here at home, without the pressure to be "trying to get stuff done"---except beat me at Sudoku... which is highly unlikely!
OH! We also celebrated our 15th anniversary at the cabin... it was a very memorable day... starting with a tea and muffin from the "WAYCUP CAFE" --- Wabamun's finest coffee establishment... and then, well, it kind of went downhill from there--- basically I got to visit my mom-in-law while Joel played volleyball. I hear this will all be made up to me sometime this week. I'll keep you posted.
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Friday, July 27, 2007
Cousins...
Even thought these little guys only see each other once or twice a year, (although this year we've been lucky to see each other 4 times, including a week in Mexico), they have such a special bond between them. They are 4 boys and one very spunky girl (who doesn't seem to notice she's the only girl), and are 5-11 years old. In the last week they have spent the better part of every waking moment together, without one fight, tear or problem. What an awesome place to be, sitting on the beach in the Okanagan, Joel & Nathan, (37 year old twins), reunited while Patti & I sit on the beach, reading, chatting, laughing and doing a lot of eye-rolling at our big boys.
Last night all 5 fell asleep on one bunk watching a movie. It had been a hard day of playing on the beach.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Bye Bye Brass!Saturday, July 14, 2007
from my new favorite TV show...
Flight of the Conchords on HBO, Sunday nights. We don't have HBO, but so far all episodes are available on the internet, either on HBO.com or YouTube... these two best friends have moved from New Zealand to New York to make it big with their band. When one gets a girlfriend (Bret, in the pink shirt), the other (Jemaine) has a hard time letting go...
My favorite line is the barely audible "I always see you there."
My favorite line is the barely audible "I always see you there."
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Do it NOW!
So, I was in my laundry room, noticing the boys' backpacks hanging on their hooks, with their lunch bags kind of peeking out. I thought to myself, "I should take those lunch bangs out of there and wipe them out and put them away for the summer" and then I thought, "oh, forget it, I'll do it on the evening of September 3rd". But then I decided to do the responsible thing and take care of it then and there. Brodie's felt oddly heavy for an empty lunchkit... and so did Adams... and then gthere was the smell.
It was at that point I realized I was living every mother's nightmare... my 11 year-old was obviously making his own banana liquor on the side, starting with fermented bananas which he was planning to keep in his backpack until the process was complete.
In short,if your kid has a lunch bag still in his backpack from school, check it now, just incase they forgot to eat their snack on the last day of school.
Brodie, never wanting to miss out on a good business venture, was apparently going to make his own wine.
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Who Needs a Deck?
For the last "several years" (Joel insists it's only a year, I say three) we've had a unfulfilled dream of a deck in our back yard.
Things you should know before reading further:
1) Joel works a LOT more than 9-5, so his spare time is precious and so are his kids, and so is havings a little R&R so that he stays sane with the pressure of his job.
2) While he would love to learn how to do "BUILDY" stuff, he would admit to a very low natural skill set in the "handy" department.
3) I try really hard not to be too naggy about stuff around the house that takes ages to cross off the list or doesn't get done due to 1 & 2.
4) I have still clung to the dream of a deck and have been purchasing items for it when they're at the end of season (since i've had 1-3 end of seasons to pick up deals... depending who you ask.) and have had several large boxes of furniture in the garage for (1-3, depending who you ask) years.
Well, this spring came and went, and besides that fact that I had a written and witnessed contract that I would be sitting on my deck June 1st this year, we are, sans deck. Time ran out for Joel and I did get a quote for having the deck built, which came to the amount of $10,000. GULP. Not this year, thanks.
So, we've agreed that this year we would tackle the first step to the deck, which is to get a pad for the hottub (which is currently taking up 2/3rds of our small concrete patio, leaving us with virually no where to sit in our back yard.) And that this summer we (and when I say we I mean Joel) would move the irrigation lines around to fit the deck that is coming next summer, along with making our patio pad a little bigger. Bored of this story yet?
Anyhow.... yesterday I was in a "be part of the solution instead of bitching about my lack-of-deck", so I went on a tear... cleaned the shed, cleaned the garage, and got those several boxed out of there and assembled my own darn patio furniture to put on my "pretend deck".... I've always wanted an outside livingroom type space in my back yard, and deck or not, I can still have it... I'll just consider the grass (where it's not dead) to be green shag. I might get a tent next week and set it up in the shade, since the hot tub is supposed to end up in this spot soon.
Anyway, this is where I will be hanging out, in my outdoor with green shag living room. Come by anytime! (ok, call first)... and please note that if we were 18 inches higher we could see the lake.... next summer.
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
My Favorite Thing about the end of the School Year...
is possibly reading Brodie's journal. I can not for the life of me find the entry regarding square dancing.... a comment along the lines of it being boring and "grose". However, this post-Easter entry is pretty funny... I mean come on!
This weekend we did a quick trip to Seattle for a visit with Joel's brother Dave and his family. In our 48 hours we took in a Mariners/Jays game; went to the Seattle Zoo; ate at a revolving sushi restaurant; enjoyed DIP 'n DOTS; a 45 minute power shop at Target; Pike Place Market where Joel accidentally bought copious of smoked salmon, (anyone want any?); and fish & chips by the ocean. It was a nice little get-away and we were home Sunday night so we could still have Monday at home to get some stuff off the to-do list, and a foiled attempt at getting dinner from Marathon to celebrate Jay & Cher's big move out of the basement. Pizza it was.
a couple more pics from our weekend... love the organutan.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
I think I'm in love...
My good friend Mrs. Cheryl got this link from her best friend Cathy Z. I love these two guys and there are plenty more videos on youtube... enjoy!
Monday, June 18, 2007
That New Puppy Smell
My kids are really enjoying the neighbor's puppies... purebreed labs...
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Thursday, June 14, 2007
Fresh Bread - A Full Life
"My purpose is to give life in all its fullness." John 10:10
Do you ever wake up and instantly have a thought on your mind that you just can't shake? This morning that happened to me, and I was consumed by thinking about the marriages around me, the new ones, the long time ones, the solid ones, the fragile ones... and my own. I was thinking about how when two people are willing, God has something so incredibly special to be celebrated in a deep relationship. I was thinking about how thankful I was for the "deep love" I share with Joel. And then I read this verse, and was reminded that experiencing DEEP LOVE is part of the FULL LIFE that God dreams for each of us
Deep love... love beyond the surface, beyond the fun, beyond the frustrations, beyond the miscommunications & misunderstandings, beyond the shifting feelings... that is one of the things that makes life full. Deep love, whether for a spouse, a child or a friend - what a thing to be celebrated!! and protected and invested in.
Personally, I believe that depth of love is only shared by a few people in your life... it's not experienced with everyone you meet, even that people you really, really like. But if we are willing to open ourselves up to it, we can have it, in our relationships with a short list of people that come into our lives.
Jesus said he has come that our lives may be full, and it's no coincidence that he was all about relationship. Deep love, modeled by Jesus' life & death, is offered to each of us, so we can experience all the fullness He dreams for us.
A full life has nothing to do with what's parked in your driveway, how many vacation photos you have, how new your furniture is, or whether or not your kids are on the honor roll. It's about knowing your are engaged in a deep love.
My heart if full, thanks to the DEEP LOVE of Jesus and a handful of people who I share this kind of love with.
Have a great day, and don't let the deep loves in your life go through the day without being celebrated, protected & invested in!
Do you ever wake up and instantly have a thought on your mind that you just can't shake? This morning that happened to me, and I was consumed by thinking about the marriages around me, the new ones, the long time ones, the solid ones, the fragile ones... and my own. I was thinking about how when two people are willing, God has something so incredibly special to be celebrated in a deep relationship. I was thinking about how thankful I was for the "deep love" I share with Joel. And then I read this verse, and was reminded that experiencing DEEP LOVE is part of the FULL LIFE that God dreams for each of us
Deep love... love beyond the surface, beyond the fun, beyond the frustrations, beyond the miscommunications & misunderstandings, beyond the shifting feelings... that is one of the things that makes life full. Deep love, whether for a spouse, a child or a friend - what a thing to be celebrated!! and protected and invested in.
Personally, I believe that depth of love is only shared by a few people in your life... it's not experienced with everyone you meet, even that people you really, really like. But if we are willing to open ourselves up to it, we can have it, in our relationships with a short list of people that come into our lives.
Jesus said he has come that our lives may be full, and it's no coincidence that he was all about relationship. Deep love, modeled by Jesus' life & death, is offered to each of us, so we can experience all the fullness He dreams for us.
A full life has nothing to do with what's parked in your driveway, how many vacation photos you have, how new your furniture is, or whether or not your kids are on the honor roll. It's about knowing your are engaged in a deep love.
My heart if full, thanks to the DEEP LOVE of Jesus and a handful of people who I share this kind of love with.
Have a great day, and don't let the deep loves in your life go through the day without being celebrated, protected & invested in!
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Brain Mush.
This is what happens to you when you lay around watching TV and your computer screen for 2 weeks solid:
Yesterday I was in the store looking at dried fruit, and I saw a package with a picture of grapes on the front.
1st thought: Dried Grapes!! THAT SOUNDS AMAZING!! Oh, I'd like that!
2nd thought: Idiot, those are raisins.
So, I think it might be time to go back to work a little.
Yesterday I was in the store looking at dried fruit, and I saw a package with a picture of grapes on the front.
1st thought: Dried Grapes!! THAT SOUNDS AMAZING!! Oh, I'd like that!
2nd thought: Idiot, those are raisins.
So, I think it might be time to go back to work a little.
Monday, June 11, 2007
PRIDE
Even thought I didn't get to actully RUN in this event, it was so much fun to be there and cheer and take a few pictures of my running friends!
I'm sooooo proud of everyone, especially Cheryl, Audrey, Mel & Colleen, who JUST finished their learn-to-run course with Stephanie and ROCKED THE PAVEMENT!!
To see the pic's, go to
solesistersrun.blogspot.com
(there is a link on the right hand column of this page)
I'm sooooo proud of everyone, especially Cheryl, Audrey, Mel & Colleen, who JUST finished their learn-to-run course with Stephanie and ROCKED THE PAVEMENT!!
To see the pic's, go to
solesistersrun.blogspot.com
(there is a link on the right hand column of this page)
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Driving Miss Daisy
It's a GREAT DAY people!
1) Kicked the habit, gave up the smack, totally off the dope... My name is Dawn and I am a FORMER pill popper.
2) Drove myself somewhere! Two days ago as we were discussing my upcoming Physio appointment, I suggested to Joel that I could maybe drive myself. His response was an... "ooohhhh, uh, I don't know about that. I'm not sure you could handle any sudden movements... I think you've lost your 'sudden'." But, today I thought I was probably up to it, & decided I'd do a small test to the corner store to buy some milk so I could continue on my Chai Latte binge... Of course, that meant that within 2 blocks of home I had to drive through a school zone right at kindergarten drop off time, but hey, I love to live on the edge. (No kindergarteners were harmed in the making of this blog.)
So, with that small sucess under my belt, I did, indeed, drive myself to....
3) My Physio Appt!
Having never been, I really didn't know what to expect. What I got was a good working over and a nice assessment. He figures that I have... really weak hip flexers, (a muscle group) and so my back muscles overcompensate for what those muscles SHOULD be doing and eventually they had enough and the overworking caused them to spasm. So now I am left with a couple of little joints that aren't really moving at the moment, which is what I have left to work on. After he beat me up a little (in the nicest way) he gave me some excersizes to do and some stretches. He also warned me that since I've never had a treatment before, he doesn't know how I'll react and might FEEL beaten up later. BUT, he also said that I should be running again in about a month... and that it is a common situation with runners, wih solutions. YEAH!!!!! I think I feel better just knowing that! I'm so happy. I see him again in a week.
4) Generally feeling 10 x's better than yesterday... getting a few little things done here and there, taking breaks, trying not to push it... as he said, "I still need to protect my back" while it finishes healing, so with that in mind, no heavy lifting, and when I feel it getting tender, listen to it & take a break from what I'm doing.
So, there you have it! Mystery solved!
THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL YOUR CARE & SUPPORT & WELL WISHES!
I hope this is the last blog entry dedicated to this gimped up chapter of my life!
1) Kicked the habit, gave up the smack, totally off the dope... My name is Dawn and I am a FORMER pill popper.
2) Drove myself somewhere! Two days ago as we were discussing my upcoming Physio appointment, I suggested to Joel that I could maybe drive myself. His response was an... "ooohhhh, uh, I don't know about that. I'm not sure you could handle any sudden movements... I think you've lost your 'sudden'." But, today I thought I was probably up to it, & decided I'd do a small test to the corner store to buy some milk so I could continue on my Chai Latte binge... Of course, that meant that within 2 blocks of home I had to drive through a school zone right at kindergarten drop off time, but hey, I love to live on the edge. (No kindergarteners were harmed in the making of this blog.)
So, with that small sucess under my belt, I did, indeed, drive myself to....
3) My Physio Appt!
Having never been, I really didn't know what to expect. What I got was a good working over and a nice assessment. He figures that I have... really weak hip flexers, (a muscle group) and so my back muscles overcompensate for what those muscles SHOULD be doing and eventually they had enough and the overworking caused them to spasm. So now I am left with a couple of little joints that aren't really moving at the moment, which is what I have left to work on. After he beat me up a little (in the nicest way) he gave me some excersizes to do and some stretches. He also warned me that since I've never had a treatment before, he doesn't know how I'll react and might FEEL beaten up later. BUT, he also said that I should be running again in about a month... and that it is a common situation with runners, wih solutions. YEAH!!!!! I think I feel better just knowing that! I'm so happy. I see him again in a week.
4) Generally feeling 10 x's better than yesterday... getting a few little things done here and there, taking breaks, trying not to push it... as he said, "I still need to protect my back" while it finishes healing, so with that in mind, no heavy lifting, and when I feel it getting tender, listen to it & take a break from what I'm doing.
So, there you have it! Mystery solved!
THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL YOUR CARE & SUPPORT & WELL WISHES!
I hope this is the last blog entry dedicated to this gimped up chapter of my life!
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
My Field Trip to Irony
I left the house today!! Tres exciting!
Alexis picked me up and drove me the 3 blocks down to the school. (I could have walked... if I'd left yesterday). There was a special event for the grade 5's... a graduation ceremony for their "D.A.R.E." program. (Drug & Alcohol Resistance Education)... there were speeches, there was an explaination of the program, the steps the kids have learned to deal with drug & peer pressure issues, there were essays the kids wrote about what they learned and how they will handle these types of situations... there were long lists of why drugs are so bad..., there were certificates & medals, there was cake, there was a lot of hooplaa and it was excellent.
Irony: The whole time I was sitting there, all I could think about was getting home to take drugs.
Now I'm home, I've had a hit, and I'm read for a nap.
Admitting it is the first step.
Baby steps, right?
Alexis picked me up and drove me the 3 blocks down to the school. (I could have walked... if I'd left yesterday). There was a special event for the grade 5's... a graduation ceremony for their "D.A.R.E." program. (Drug & Alcohol Resistance Education)... there were speeches, there was an explaination of the program, the steps the kids have learned to deal with drug & peer pressure issues, there were essays the kids wrote about what they learned and how they will handle these types of situations... there were long lists of why drugs are so bad..., there were certificates & medals, there was cake, there was a lot of hooplaa and it was excellent.
Irony: The whole time I was sitting there, all I could think about was getting home to take drugs.
Now I'm home, I've had a hit, and I'm read for a nap.
Admitting it is the first step.
Baby steps, right?
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Marry Well.
Just a note to the girls who are out there, still "looking"...
Find a guys who....
Can find the humour in all kinds of things,
Who loves to serve you,
Who loves kids, and is a bit of one himself,
Could care less about being "cool",
Cares a lot about integrity,
Is humble,
Can laugh at himself,
Can make sure you are laughing at yourself,
Can tell you the truth,
Can hear it,
Can adjust your pillows 3098 times without complaining.
In the last 5 days, I have been reminded that for all the mistakes I've made along the way, I've made one very good decision. I have married well. Joel rocks.
How's the back? (Cuz I know you're all dying for a fourth exciting entry about this thrilling topic)...
Well, yesterday was frustrating but today was very good!
I was able to get out of bed with relative ease today, Chery brought me a Chai and we sat outside for an hour this am, which was so nice... even though the porch chair was low and back, I managed to get out of it unassisted! I surveyed the house, (then tried not to think about it), retired to the couch until evening, with a visit to the INVERSION TABLE (strap-in-your-ankles-and-hang-upside-down)... that didnt' last long... then Julie visited me, my parents stopped by, and then mark & Cara came for a visit and a game... I sat in a big girl chair at the table... which was a nice change, but I'm feeling it a bit now. "Irregardless" of the drugs and the inability to reach the whole board, I sill kicked butt. (Oh, and someone thought it was funny to hold the cards JUST out of my reach when it was time for me to steal one from him... tuanting the infirm-- tsk, tsk... now I question saying all those nice things about him...)
So, my plan for tomorrow is to try and get an appointment with a Physio here in Westbank.. see where we go from there. Also on the agenda, a supervised walk to the mailbox kiosk, which is one driveway and across the street away. I'm estimating 20 minutes. Should I pack a lunch?
Find a guys who....
Can find the humour in all kinds of things,
Who loves to serve you,
Who loves kids, and is a bit of one himself,
Could care less about being "cool",
Cares a lot about integrity,
Is humble,
Can laugh at himself,
Can make sure you are laughing at yourself,
Can tell you the truth,
Can hear it,
Can adjust your pillows 3098 times without complaining.
In the last 5 days, I have been reminded that for all the mistakes I've made along the way, I've made one very good decision. I have married well. Joel rocks.
How's the back? (Cuz I know you're all dying for a fourth exciting entry about this thrilling topic)...
Well, yesterday was frustrating but today was very good!
I was able to get out of bed with relative ease today, Chery brought me a Chai and we sat outside for an hour this am, which was so nice... even though the porch chair was low and back, I managed to get out of it unassisted! I surveyed the house, (then tried not to think about it), retired to the couch until evening, with a visit to the INVERSION TABLE (strap-in-your-ankles-and-hang-upside-down)... that didnt' last long... then Julie visited me, my parents stopped by, and then mark & Cara came for a visit and a game... I sat in a big girl chair at the table... which was a nice change, but I'm feeling it a bit now. "Irregardless" of the drugs and the inability to reach the whole board, I sill kicked butt. (Oh, and someone thought it was funny to hold the cards JUST out of my reach when it was time for me to steal one from him... tuanting the infirm-- tsk, tsk... now I question saying all those nice things about him...)
So, my plan for tomorrow is to try and get an appointment with a Physio here in Westbank.. see where we go from there. Also on the agenda, a supervised walk to the mailbox kiosk, which is one driveway and across the street away. I'm estimating 20 minutes. Should I pack a lunch?
Friday, June 01, 2007
Gel Ice Pack, $5.99
Robaxicet, $8.99
Cable TV, $30
Laptop, $1000
Going to the bathroom by yourself, Priceless.
This was a BIG afternoon, folks! I managed to shower (feels sooooo good) and then actually make two, count them two, trips to the bathroom without help!!
The day didn't start so smoothly... Joel got me to the bathroom, then ran into the office for an early meeting... after the kids left I was lying her eand started to black out... Cheryl happened to call just then so zoomed over to babysit me. I've been on the verge of fainting every single time I've gotten up to go to the bathroom, but when it was coming on while I was just lying there... that was freaking me out.
But, by afternoon I was feeling good, I was much more mobile and finally made the big trek (albiet a very SLLLOOOOOOOWWWWWWWW trek) to the ensuite all by myself!
SWEET FREEDOM!!!!!!!!
I think I'll venture downstairs tomorrow, and though the thought of the state of the house does frighten me, I'll be brave!
have a great friday night everyone!
Cable TV, $30
Laptop, $1000
Going to the bathroom by yourself, Priceless.
This was a BIG afternoon, folks! I managed to shower (feels sooooo good) and then actually make two, count them two, trips to the bathroom without help!!
The day didn't start so smoothly... Joel got me to the bathroom, then ran into the office for an early meeting... after the kids left I was lying her eand started to black out... Cheryl happened to call just then so zoomed over to babysit me. I've been on the verge of fainting every single time I've gotten up to go to the bathroom, but when it was coming on while I was just lying there... that was freaking me out.
But, by afternoon I was feeling good, I was much more mobile and finally made the big trek (albiet a very SLLLOOOOOOOWWWWWWWW trek) to the ensuite all by myself!
SWEET FREEDOM!!!!!!!!
I think I'll venture downstairs tomorrow, and though the thought of the state of the house does frighten me, I'll be brave!
have a great friday night everyone!
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Hour 20
BIG NEWS! I just brushed my teeth AND hair!
So, if anyone wants to come visit me, I am a vision of loveliness.
I'm thinking I might have a shower tomorrow... whoo hoooo!
(By the way, thanks for all the phonecalls & e-mails & facebook messages.... i feel the love!... although not one of you is willing to come give me a spongebath... geeeeessshh!)
I just made my 4th trip out of bed, and although it was still a painful and awkward venture, it is a tiny bit better, which is really super good news to me!
My male nurse and I have been having a good time and he's keeping me laughing. I just asked him if he would get our vacuum cleaner out of our room so I didn't have to look at it... I'd planned to do our room on Wednesday night after my run... we decided that actually, I could still vacuum, I'd just need him to hold me up.
Sometimes you just have to make your own fun.
This sucks so bad, but at least I have good company & support (literally & figuratively)
Plus, he looks so cute in his white stockings and duty shoes.
So, if anyone wants to come visit me, I am a vision of loveliness.
I'm thinking I might have a shower tomorrow... whoo hoooo!
(By the way, thanks for all the phonecalls & e-mails & facebook messages.... i feel the love!... although not one of you is willing to come give me a spongebath... geeeeessshh!)
I just made my 4th trip out of bed, and although it was still a painful and awkward venture, it is a tiny bit better, which is really super good news to me!
My male nurse and I have been having a good time and he's keeping me laughing. I just asked him if he would get our vacuum cleaner out of our room so I didn't have to look at it... I'd planned to do our room on Wednesday night after my run... we decided that actually, I could still vacuum, I'd just need him to hold me up.
Sometimes you just have to make your own fun.
This sucks so bad, but at least I have good company & support (literally & figuratively)
Plus, he looks so cute in his white stockings and duty shoes.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Hi, I'm High!
It's 11:32pm.
I am in bed, thanks to Joel.
I have gone to the bathroom, with help (thanks honey)
I am not in pain unless I try to do something silly, like move anything other than my fingers.
Rewind to 7:40pm...
There we were, Donna, Carleen & I, enjoying a warm night, testing out the race route in East Kelowna... excited about the 10K we are running out there June 10th. Two kilometres in, everything is absolutely fine, I'm in a perfectly normal, straight ahead, flat stride, when what I can only describe as a FLASH of pain in my lower back comes out of no where... "Oh, oh. oh....." I come to a stop... my friends know something's bad... they each grab an arm as I start to buckle...
I try to catch my breath, we're there for a minute, them holding me up as I try to get oriented to what happened and what I'm going to do next... I figure my options are
1) drop to the ground and go fetal
2) keep leaning on them indefinately
3) wait for the pain to pass and start running again
A car stops and asks if we're ok... I still think #3 is an option, so we thank them for stopping and tell them we're ok.
After about 5 minutes I realize that since I can not move, shift weight, straighten or bend, Option #3 may be off the list.
So we decide we need Carleen to get a ride back to her truck so she can come back and pick us up... the run is clearly over, as pretty much all I can do is breath or cry. It was mostly crying.
SO the girls try to flag down a vehicle...
picture us... three women, obviously out for a run on a country road, one of them is obviously in trouble (as her friends are holding her up)... and we are clearly unarmed in our tanktops and shorts (who knows what we have stashed in our waterbottle belts???)
Can you beleive 4 or 5 cars passed us (a couple of women drivers) before finally a car with 3 nice young men from Alberta stop and take Carleen to her car. We couldn't beleive it.
So, after some interesting maneuvering to get me into and out of Carleen's truck (it's a big tall one) and a lot of whincing, crying, and help from D & C to get me home and on my couch... nicely drugged up, ice packed and pillowed... they were able to leave me alone until Joel made it home 20 minutes later. And not a moment too soon a I had to pee and that was a whole 'nother show. After which I fainted, getting to my bed.
So, here I am, wondering what I'll feel like tomorow... hoping and praying that I'll feel a LOT better, that my running days are not over, thankful Joel can run into the office early early, grab his stuff and work at home.... just incase I need to go pee again tomorrow.
p.s. I love drugs.
p.s.s. THANK YOU THANK YOU DONNA & CARLEEN, you both rock, and Donna, you're going to be an AWESOME nurse... that's not the drugs talking.
I am in bed, thanks to Joel.
I have gone to the bathroom, with help (thanks honey)
I am not in pain unless I try to do something silly, like move anything other than my fingers.
Rewind to 7:40pm...
There we were, Donna, Carleen & I, enjoying a warm night, testing out the race route in East Kelowna... excited about the 10K we are running out there June 10th. Two kilometres in, everything is absolutely fine, I'm in a perfectly normal, straight ahead, flat stride, when what I can only describe as a FLASH of pain in my lower back comes out of no where... "Oh, oh. oh....." I come to a stop... my friends know something's bad... they each grab an arm as I start to buckle...
I try to catch my breath, we're there for a minute, them holding me up as I try to get oriented to what happened and what I'm going to do next... I figure my options are
1) drop to the ground and go fetal
2) keep leaning on them indefinately
3) wait for the pain to pass and start running again
A car stops and asks if we're ok... I still think #3 is an option, so we thank them for stopping and tell them we're ok.
After about 5 minutes I realize that since I can not move, shift weight, straighten or bend, Option #3 may be off the list.
So we decide we need Carleen to get a ride back to her truck so she can come back and pick us up... the run is clearly over, as pretty much all I can do is breath or cry. It was mostly crying.
SO the girls try to flag down a vehicle...
picture us... three women, obviously out for a run on a country road, one of them is obviously in trouble (as her friends are holding her up)... and we are clearly unarmed in our tanktops and shorts (who knows what we have stashed in our waterbottle belts???)
Can you beleive 4 or 5 cars passed us (a couple of women drivers) before finally a car with 3 nice young men from Alberta stop and take Carleen to her car. We couldn't beleive it.
So, after some interesting maneuvering to get me into and out of Carleen's truck (it's a big tall one) and a lot of whincing, crying, and help from D & C to get me home and on my couch... nicely drugged up, ice packed and pillowed... they were able to leave me alone until Joel made it home 20 minutes later. And not a moment too soon a I had to pee and that was a whole 'nother show. After which I fainted, getting to my bed.
So, here I am, wondering what I'll feel like tomorow... hoping and praying that I'll feel a LOT better, that my running days are not over, thankful Joel can run into the office early early, grab his stuff and work at home.... just incase I need to go pee again tomorrow.
p.s. I love drugs.
p.s.s. THANK YOU THANK YOU DONNA & CARLEEN, you both rock, and Donna, you're going to be an AWESOME nurse... that's not the drugs talking.
Monday, May 28, 2007
GOTTA HAVE IT!
Does anyone (and when I say anyone, I mean anyone, especially our Japanese friend Kelli) have a recipe for SUNOMONO salad? You know that really fresh tasting cold noodle dish? I've seen recipes for it on ALLRECIPIES.COM, but thought I'd ask if there was a tried & true one out there anywhere... i've got me a bbaaaaaaddddd cravin'!
Saturday, May 26, 2007
TAG, I'm it...
as per tag by Tara...
One word answers only... no explanations.
Yourself: happy
Your Partner: humble
Your Hair: growing
Mother: funny
Your Father: softening
Your Favorite Item: laptop
Your Dream Last Night: vivid
Your Favorite Drink: chai
Your Dream Car: undecided
Dream Home: waterfront
The Room You Are In: bed
Your Fear: germs
Where You Want to be in Ten Years: wise
Who You Hung Out With Last Night: neighbors
You're Not: musical
One of Your Wish List Items: vacation
The Last Thing You Did: snuggled
You Are Wearing: pyjamas
Your Favorite Weather: warm
Your Favorite Book: entertaining
Last Thing You Ate: snickers
Your Life: blessed
Your Mood: relaxed
Your Best Friend: Joel
What Are You Thinking About Right Now: food
Your Car: van
What Are You Doing At The Moment: multi-tasking
Relationship Status: married
What Is On Your TV: MAD
What Is The Weather Like: warm
When Is The Last Time You Laughed: tonight
I'm tagging Mel, Cara & Karleigh to do this little "quiz" too!
One word answers only... no explanations.
Yourself: happy
Your Partner: humble
Your Hair: growing
Mother: funny
Your Father: softening
Your Favorite Item: laptop
Your Dream Last Night: vivid
Your Favorite Drink: chai
Your Dream Car: undecided
Dream Home: waterfront
The Room You Are In: bed
Your Fear: germs
Where You Want to be in Ten Years: wise
Who You Hung Out With Last Night: neighbors
You're Not: musical
One of Your Wish List Items: vacation
The Last Thing You Did: snuggled
You Are Wearing: pyjamas
Your Favorite Weather: warm
Your Favorite Book: entertaining
Last Thing You Ate: snickers
Your Life: blessed
Your Mood: relaxed
Your Best Friend: Joel
What Are You Thinking About Right Now: food
Your Car: van
What Are You Doing At The Moment: multi-tasking
Relationship Status: married
What Is On Your TV: MAD
What Is The Weather Like: warm
When Is The Last Time You Laughed: tonight
I'm tagging Mel, Cara & Karleigh to do this little "quiz" too!
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
The Upside of Addiction
Fact: Facebook is as addictive as crack.
Question: But is it all bad?
Thanks to the... hem hem... SEVERAL hours I have spent in this black hole of a website, I am delighted to have discovered the following:
People I never forgot from grade 4 remembered me too.
What all kinds of highschool & college friends are up to these days and where they are.
That the "cutest boy in grade 5" from Slate River School in Thunder Bay, Ontario now lives in Vernon.
Highschool friends from the 80's look normal today.
Not one of my guy friends has hung on to their mullet.
And most importantly, that the people I was closest to a couple of decades ago, are still people I can freely chat with today, and cheer them on in their present life, even if they are far away.
So, in short: kids... crack ain't that bad.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Later Skater
Cheryl & I took the boys to the skatepark yesterday. Tramatically, the event ended with some girls chasing the boys, stealing Lucas' bike and telling Adam they love him. Color the boys unimpressed.
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