Up and Walking!

Klogs USA Women's Carolina Clog

See these new shoes?  This is what I ordered to wear now that I am back walking.  They are a dream to wear and give me the support I need for my ankle.  I really like them.  They are not heavy to wear.  This is a new brand to me.  I really like them - a lot!!

I have been walking for about a month now without any assistance.  I am so blessed since I have had little to no problems in walking.  I take it slow and I am getting more sure of myself every day and a little faster each day!  I have read of others who suffer long after their break and recovery and never get back to where they were.  I do not think my foot and leg are swelling any longer.  If it is swelling, it must be slight.  My handicap parking sticker expired on 11/11/13 and I am glad to say that is about the time that I felt I could walk longer distances.

The only thing that I have discovered that irritates my ankle is kneeling in church!  I have to take it easy on kneeling and make sure I do not kneel for a long period of time.  Lord knows that I need to kneel but I suspect He understands when I don't!  :)  I will keep trying until I can!

 I still use my ramp at my home to go in and out of the house.  I do have to say that I have developed a paranoia of stairs, or would that be a phobia of stairs?!!  Either way, I stay away from all steps and stairs!  LOL!  I'm not too crazy about curbs either!

Take care everyone and watch out for those stairs!

Ready to Roll

Here I am, closing in on week 8!  I go to my orthopedic surgeon this Thursday and he will hopefully let me start walking with my boot.  I dream of actually being able to walk in my closet and pick out my own clothes.  Do you know how hard it is for a man and 2 boys to find matching outfits in a woman's closet?! 

Dennis took me to the plastic surgeon this past week and he dismissed me (the surgeon, not Dennis).  No surgery will be needed at this point.  He thinks the scar tissue will be strong enough to allow the skin to continue to heal.  He told me to keep it protected and not to "bump" it to hurt it again.  This is good news for me!  God is indeed good!

This Thursday I go back to my orthopedic surgeon.  He told me that he "might" let me start walking again.  He would do more x-rays to see how things were going.  And if it looked good, I could start walking again.  If that happens, I would like to go back to work on Friday.  That will give me a long break with the upcoming Labor Day.  Plus, it is college day with tailgating all day long! 

First Day of School

It's  the first day of school here.  Dennis and I took the boys to school this morning.  It's the first time in their young lives that I got to take them on the first morning.  Usually, I am at my school greeting my students!  I thought I would miss going to school this morning but I didn't.  Makes me want to retire and just stay home!

I go to the plastic surgeon this Thursday to see what he thinks about my leg.  I suspect he will send me home without having to have another surgery.  It looks fine to me.  This is week 7 and the leg is getting better.  I have 1-3 more weeks non-weight bearing.  In the meantime, I am enjoying being home.

Foot Pudding

When I was a young girl, my uncle hurt his foot.  My mother made him a chocolate pudding with meringue topping.  From that day forward, chocolate pudding with meringue topping was known as "foot pudding."  She did not make it often for us but it was always a special treat when she did.  My brother would request it for his birthday every year.  And, she would make it for him.  

I sure wish I had some of that foot pudding for my foot!  But, since she has been gone for many years, I am thinking this will not happen.  

Teachers report to school this Tuesday.  Not to get off on the wrong foot (see how I slid that idiom in!), I will not be attending since my doctor thinks I need to stay out until I am weight bearing.  That could be right after Labor Day or the last part of September.  This distresses me greatly but there is nothing I can do about it so there is no reason to worry.  Right?!  

The good news is that I was able to attend my church yesterday.  My leg has not been happy about it today but the service fed my spiritual soul and that is far more important than a little pain.  We live an hour away from our church and I had been going to a local church every Sunday.  There is just no place like your church and pastor.  What a wonderful service it was!

I will start week 6 this coming week.  Apparently, my doctor wants me to stay non-weight bearing 8-10 weeks.  I can't wait to stand on my own two feet again!! 

The pain is getting less and less each week.  I suspect when I start weight bearing that it will hurt again.  My stitches are almost out.  I have 5 more left to take out.  Those were under a scab the last time I went to the doctor.  He has me doing flexibility exercises three times a day with my foot. 

I go back tomorrow to see what he says.  I know it will be a good report!

Life is Rolling Along

These are my new wheels.

What time I am out of bed moving around, this is how I roll!  I have 3 weeks over of broken ankle/leg time - 5 weeks to go.  I have good days and bad days.  This past week I had more bad days than good. I am hoping that this coming week will be all good days.

Things I miss being in a wheelchair:
1.  Going into my closet to pick out my own clothes
2.  Being able to take a shower without it being a major ordeal with wrapping up my "boot" in plastic, getting the shower chair in the shower, etc....
3.  Cooking!  You would be surprised how hard it is to cook when you are sitting down in a chair. It takes a lot longer and you need help to get things out of the top cabinets and pantry. Plus, the oven door does not like me in my chair.  I am a little afraid of it when I use the oven.
4.  Driving - I can't drive which is OK since I can't really get out of the house without help.  I still miss that independence.
5.  Going outside.  I can't really go outside any time I want because my door has a drop on the outside.  It's easy when I have help but not so much on my on. 

Things I appreciate about my chair:
1.  It is comfortable since I have to have my leg elevated all the time.
2.  It affords me the ability to get around.  I don't have to just stay in my bed,
3.  People have been very nice opening doors for me and offering to help.
4.  It allows me to go to my many doctor appointments.
5.  It lets me spend more time with my husband since he is the one who rolls me around outside of the house.  We have had many laughs and shared times with my chair - like the day (as he was talking) he rolled me to the trunk to put me in the car!  

So, we are all rolling along here and doing fine!

Broken Ankle and Leg - Oh MY!!

Rain

+

Deck Steps

Not my steps!

 +

Night time

=

Waiting in the yard, with pouring down rain, and resulting in a broken left leg ankle in 3 places and a sprained right ankle!  Emergency surgery was 3 AM on Saturday morning, July 6th.

  8 weeks non-bearing, physical therapy, doctor visits - what a way to spend my summer! 

But, I am blessed.  It could have been a lot worse. 

Thrifty Thursday - Radishes

 It's time for Thrifty Thursday!

Today's entry - Deniska's home grown radishes.  

Both my boys LOVE radishes and will eat them like candy.

Home grown is much cheaper (and better) than buying in the grocery store.

Now, let me tell you about these radishes.

While cleaning out his room, Deniska found a packet of radish seeds which was probably bought years ago.  He asked if he could plant them and I said "Of course!"

He planted both packs of seed in planter boxes on our deck.

Then, we had freezing weather, rain, wind, cold, heat, horrible weather and good weather.

But, these little fellas just keep growing.

According to my little master gardener, these will be ready in 30 days! 

 (At least that is what the back of the pack said, according to him.)

If all of them produce, we should have a bumper crop from both boxes.

I am very proud of him.

He has big plans for us to have a big garden this year.  

He has a special touch with growing things in his little 12 year old hands.

Menu Monday

 Sometimes, I would like to hide under the cabinet and think no one could see me! 

 But, since I have to plan meals each week, I suppose I should get with the program!

Monday - Turkey breast, dressing, gravy, green beans, turnip greens, sweet potato casserole, vegetable casserole, rolls, and cake pops, ice cream

It's our anniversary so I thought a nice meal might be in order.  I can pull out my good china and set a pretty table.  It's our 18th anniversary.  According to the sources on the internet, porcelain or garnets are the appropriate gifts.  Dennis gave me a new toaster oven!  I gave him a car wash.  Can you tell we are practical people when it comes to gifts? 

Tuesday - Spaghetti with meat balls, garlic bread, corn on the cob

This is Dennis' favorite meal.  I like it because it is not a hard meal to fix.  D is not a big fan of meatballs.  He likes his spaghetti with just sauce. 

Wednesday - BBQ chicken, broccoli, creamed potatoes

We all like BBQ chicken.  It's not a hard meal, just time intensive.  I get home at 4 PM and Dennis likes to eat promptly at 5:30 PM.  That does not give me a lot to time for meals that take a long time to cook. 

Thursday - Beef stew with vegetables, cornbread,

I will need to pick up some potatoes and celery for this meal.  The beef stew will cook in the crockpot while I am at work (those are my favorite recipes!)

Friday - salmon patties, green beans, hash brown casserole, brownies

Although Lent is over, we still like to have fish every Friday night throughout the year.  I have to admit that it is not easy for me to have fish every Friday.  But, since my husband thinks we should do this, we will.  I try not to complain...too much!

Saturday - homemade chicken filet sandwiches with tomatoes, cheese, and spinach

This is an easy meal to have on Saturdays.  We usually eat out on Saturday nights after Mass so this is a light meal. 

Sunday - hamburgers (with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, cheese), chips, pasta salad

Hamburgers are always a good quick meal on Sunday. 

  

I really should explore some new meals.  I get in the same rut with having the same meals over and over.  Anyone have a suggestion on how to deal with that problem?

 

We were bowled over!

Dennis and I took the boys bowling on Friday.  

It was packed with parents and children.  Everyone had the same idea!  

We bowled two games. 

 N won the first one.  

D won the second one. 

 And, I called it a day!

No one would believe I had a whole year of bowling in college! 

 I think my high score was in the 40s!

 

We all had a good time.

After the game, we all went to the chiropractor!

I see lots more games at the bowling alley (along with trips to the chiropractor for me!)

Day 3 - Virginia Beach

Today is our last day at the beach.  We will be leaving for home in the morning.  Today, we went to the movies and saw Oz.  We really enjoyed it very much.

 

Saw this sign all around Virginia Beach.  I thought it was a great way to remind people to watch their choice of words while out and about.

Virginia Beach - Day 2

Day 2 at Virginia Beach!  It was a beautiful day but chilly!

Then, we went to Dennis' mom's house where Deniska mowed the grass.  He was so happy to be outside working.

 

After a hard day's work, both boys were treated to Ben and Jerry's ice cream!

 

Virginia Beach

 What a handsome boy - and look - he's smiling!!!!

No hidden treasures found today!!

 

King Neptune on the boardwalk.  Lots of people out even though it is still a little chilly.

 

Birthday gifts

I had a great birthday.  The boys and Dennis gave me money to get a pedicure.  

Who doesn't love a pedicure for the spring?

 I had a wonderful birthday from my friends.  One of my friends, Tara, surprised me with a surprise birthday party at a meeting that I was attending.  She bought me this beautiful flower and angel, along with a Pig Popper!  I think that is such a funny toy!

My friend, Gail, brought me a birthday cake.  It was gone before I could even take a picture of it!  I think I got 2 pieces!  The boys really enjoyed it while I was at work!!!

Source

The only blimp on the day was when my tooth broke off while I was eating dinner.  So, that is a trip to the dentist with $$$ in the forecast!  I am not so happy about that!

This week's meal plan

Happy Monday to you!  

Dennis and I bought some roses for our table.  We felt like the flowers just brightened the whole house.  Aren't they pretty?

This week's menu is simple:

Monday:  Parmesan chicken fillets, turnip greens, rice, millk gravy, and homemade coconut pie.

Here's the pie I made for Monday's meal.  

I thought it was very good.  

D and N were not as impressed since both said it was "disgusting" since it had eggs in it.....

Dennis and I both liked it (more for us!)

It reminded me of my early childhood days when my mom would make this for my dad on special occasions.  I wish my children had liked it as much.

Tuesday:  Nachos (chips, taco meat, tomatoes, onions, cheese, sour cream, salsa) and the leftover coconut pie.

Wednesday:   Chicken pot pie (with vegetables), sweet potato casserole

Thursday:  Taco soup, cornbread, sour cream

Friday:  Holy Friday.  We will be eating at Red Lobster since it is also my birthday!

Saturday:  Honey BBQ wings, broccoli, celery, carrots, ranch dressing

Sunday:  Easter Sunday.  Ham, yeast rolls, potato salad, green beans, brownies with ice cream

Have a good week everyone!