Back up for air!

Hi everyone! Sorry about the extended break but as per my last post, lots going on! I could get into all of it, but really, I'd rather not...I will keep it light by just throwing out some highlights from the past two months.

We are pretty much all moved in and I still can't believe I live here! Love my street, my house, and my neighbors (so far)!

Oh, and I DO NOT have Osteoporosis, an underlying bone disorder, a disease, a thyroid problem, a Vitamin D deficiency, and since we are being honest here, Gonorrhea and Syphilis have been ruled out as well, phew!

I am still on "lay off status" at work, but there have been many advantages to not going to work everyday, with the exception of a paycheck, but whatevs....

I walked two miles yesterday for the first time since the fracture diagnosis almost two months ago, yes! Felt good to be outside by myself again.

The kids and I still miss our old house and our neighbors, but that's how life goes sometimes.

Both kids are playing soccer right now and so far the verdict from both of them has been, "Meh..."

Ok, and I know we are all super excited about Halloween coming soon, I am planning to be an oppressed/repressed housewife from the '50's, you know, June Cleaver! I do have to be invited to a party soon or else it's kind of pointless, but anyways, that's it in a nutshell, thanks for reading!

About 24 hours in the ER, my report findings!

So it all started with some on again off again pain in my hip area about four years ago, after my dear son was born. I would complain, get sent home with some Motrin, then be ok, then would aggravate the pain again, etc. Until this year after a day of hiking when it felt like my hip area seized up and I couldn't walk, like at all.

I was in the middle of getting an MRI when they pulled me out of the tube to say, "Did you know you have a fracture?" I was like, "what? who are you talking to?" I figured out it was me, but that's how surprised I was. I was then sent to the ER which I knew meant a long wait so I asked if the ER was busy (ha ha ha! I know, what a smart question!). They said I was a "trauma one" which meant I had priority over everyone except dying people...score! This means I would get in pretty quick I thought.

I get there and they put me on a gurney and put the bracelets on, including one that said, "FALL RISK". Nothing makes one feel old quite like wearing that kind of bling! so I wait, and I wait, and I wait....There is no room for me so they put me in the hallway right by the triage board, definitely NOT boring in that spot. I saw things I really could have gone my entire life without seeing. Including:
Drunk, belligerent people demanding cigarettes and drugs. I.e. "Nurse! Doctor! (raspy, crackly voice) I need a cigarette! Can someone take me out for a cigarette???" Hmm, I'm no doctor, but pretty sure that would not help your situation, regardless of what it is.

As I was laying there minding my own business I see a set of O.M.B's! Let me tell you, I really really did not need to see those. But that is what happens when some old drunk dude has his legs up with his gown on right at your eye level. Ah! I shudder every time!

A lady right behind me had an alcohol induced seizure, followed by her being so combative that she had to be restrained. Another man told me randomly that he should probably stop drinking if he doesn't want to lose his legs. I did not ask him for this info, but he freely shared as we were both laying on a gurney in the hallway. I felt like I might as well be out on the street with all that was happening! If you want to see reasons not to drink, try hanging out at the local ER.

More randomness...As I was getting some Xrays done one of the techs comes over and starts to tell me, in a very heavy (and somewhat effiminate) Vietnamese accent, the story of his hernia surgery. I will try to recall verbatim:

Him: "You know as patient, is very code in hee."
Me: "Oh, well I am not cold."
Him: "Wayo, when I had surgery for hernia, I was very code. Do you know that mostly it's da mens that get hernia?"
Me: "Yeah, I think I heard that somewhere."
Him: "It becaw when da baby is in da mom, da testico not descended yet."
Me: "I..did not know that, no."
Him: "Wayo, now you learn someting!" (this was followed by loud laughter on both our parts)

This conversation went on in further detail, complete with hand gestures to make his point very clear, but you get the drift. I realize this was incredibly politically incorrect, but felt I had to describe this conversation phonetically for the true experience to come through...moving on...

Finally I am told by a team of med students and the resident in charge (who was not unpleasant to look at, btw) that I will need surgery to fix my fractures! I was so disappointed by this news, but figured since they ALL agreed that surgery was necessary that I guessed it was, and I signed all the paperwork for early that morning.

So, more waiting and waiting and after about twenty hours without being allowed to eat or drink anything, I finally get a visit from the "Fracture Specialist." He comes in and goes, "You do not need surgery." I was sooo happy and now confused. I said, "What about what that doctor said last night?" He goes, "Pshhh, he was a resident. I am the one who decides." Oh, ok...I did like this answer better. I then proceeded to tell him my own thoughts about my x-rays and he gave the student he brought with him "that" look. You know, the look that says, "Oh look, yet another patient who thinks she can read x-rays!" Whatever! I was right after all...

Well, after all was said and done, no surgery! Now I could eat! I finally relaxed and watched a marathon of Judge Judy, Keeping up with the Kardashians, and a bunch of other mindless TV. Those last few hours almost made up for the twelve hours I spent in the hallway of the ER. They said I could take my time about calling my ride home, so I did! When else am I going to have someone wait on me while I watch TV in bed? Exactly.

What a week so far, and it's only Monday!

Hi everyone! Or maybe, hi you!
This week has been like an emotional roller coaster and as my title states, it's only Monday.

Wow, ok, so we finally, finally found a house that we love and are moving. Everything about it is perfect! I'm sure our realtor agent popped a bottle of Champagne, he is probably so tired of us, ha ha.

Then went to my job today to find out why they were asking me to come get my stuff, I thought we were going to wait and see? Ahhh, not likely. Later it hit me that this is the first time I will not be around on the first day of school and I was so sad :(. I almost didn't cry about it.

Then I went to the doctor and guess what? (No, I am not preggo) My blood pressure is back to normal, woo hoo!

Then I talked with my dear friend's hubby about how her cancer treatment is going ( going well so far, btw) since she was not in a position to talk. I missed her and worried about her and then tried unsuccessfully not to cry, again...

Then I found out one of my cousins is pregnant! They have been through a lot when it comes to this so it is like a little miracle! Nothing like new life to make me feel happy and hopeful again!

Thanks for following this rollercoaster! I feel better just blogging about it all!

Roughing It

(Posted pic is not really representative of my actual family, it is for point making purposes only)

So we just got back from a week of camping with our extended family. We go to a campground in Lake Tahoe, it has all the basic necessities, but you still get covered with a lot of dirt and there is always the bear factor! (Side note: I have never seen a bear there in the 30 plus years I have been camping). The good news is that my kids are now able to really appreciate being at one with nature, etc. However, I think there may have been times we pushed a little too hard in this respect.

First example, a 3.5 mile round trip hike. Yes that is kind of a lot, but on the way there was so leisurely and neat that it was no problem. On the way back? Way different story! Both of my kids (ages almost 7 and 4) told me their legs were not working anymore, the hubs and I took turns carrying them which was not easy going up a rocky trail. They both were thirsty and sweaty by the time we made it back. Both declared they were, "Never, ever, never going hiking again!" Oopsies, so much for making fun childhood memories...

Second example, a family bike ride through the campground! I thought this would also be a great family activity, you know, with the whole being active thing, but it really became unpleasant and dare I say torturous? Yes. So we are all riding bikes together when shortly after we take off (and I mean still within sight of where we just left) my dear son who is four, starts complaining. He started with, "My legs hurt, they hurt so bad!" This is followed by loud moaning and groaning for other campers to see and hear. I tried to be encouraging by telling him it was a short ride, to enjoy the trees and the little animals we saw, but he wasn't having any of it. This continues until he starts crying and saying, "Agua! I need agua!" He had his head thrown back for maximum effect. Keep in mind that we are really not a bilingual household. People passing us probably wondered if they should alert Social Services, geez....One group of ladies passed us and started saying things like,"look at that poor little boy!" By the time we made a half circle it was time to head back, I was laughing at all the theatrics, the hubs was annoyed, and my dear daughter was rolling her eyes, it was a perfect family moment!

Ok, but besides these two examples, we had a great time! It is fun to hang with family I don't see that often and the lake is always so clear and beautiful. My kids love seeing all their cousins and they run around exploring everything. It really is good times, we will do it all again next year!

My review of two short plays, category: tragedy!

Summer is here which means lots of free time for the kidlets! Today I had my five year old niece and my six year old daughter at my house all day. This of course, inevitably, leads to my watching at least a million different plays, shows, dances, etc. I am used to this but felt I must describe two of the plays I (was forced to) watch. They were tales of tragedy which reached a dark and disturbing level that left me shocked and also with a mental note to monitor more closely what they watch on TV. Here is a synopsis of the first play:

Young girl crying in a chair (very young, like five years old). Slightly older girl comes in and asks younger girl: "What's wrong?" Younger girl, sobbing, replies: "My boyfriend just broke up with me!" Older girl: "Why?" Younger girl: "Well, I had a cat and my boyfriend did this to it! (Stabbing motion) and now it's gone!" Me (from the audience): "Oh my gosh! Your boyfriend sounds like a mean boy!" This is followed by two glares for interrupting said play...anyways, it ended shortly after this, like right after, actually.

Next play: Older girl (like six years old) sitting in a chair, sobbing, with a blanket pulled over her. Younger girl comes in and asks older girl: "What's wrong?" Older girl: "My boyfriend just broke up with me!" Younger girl: "Well why?" Older girl: "Well, I had a baby and he took it!" Younger girl: "Where did he take it???" Older girl: " I don't know, but he took it away!!!" Me (from audience): "What is with these girls and their mean boyfriends? I mean you see how much trouble boys can be? etc etc." This interruption is again followed by two "looks that could kill" glares proceeded by an attempt to silence me by putting hands over my mouth, shees! The play also, coincidently, ended shortly after my outburst.

Yup, this is what's happening around here so far. Next play will hopefully not include the beginnings of Lifetime movie channel material!

I'm still here!

Hi everybody! I am here I have just been dealing with the tail end of the school year. This means for myself, my daughter, and my son. I am also taking an online class on "Psychopharmacology" in an attempt to get licensed. I am planning a surprise party for my dad, working a 50 year celebration carnival for my daughter's school, and even though I have been laid off, I still have to go to a bunch of meetings, how did that happen???
I am busier than I have been since Graduate school! Btw, being out of school for more than ten years, it was very difficult to put my "student" hat on again! That part of my brain has been de-activated for quite some time. It reminds me of that time last year that I attempted a cartwheel after at least 15 years since doing the last one. Oy!
Summer is coming, so I will have more time to post about my adventures, thanks for sticking around I miss my blog sisters on here but just need to get through this. Stay classy, blogosphere!

T minus 31 days to 40!

Sooooo, it has hit me like ton of bricks that I am going to turn 40 in one month! How did this happen?? This has caused a new flare up of my ongoing mid-life crisis, sigh....To put things into perspective and to hopefully help me get a grip, I have come up with a top five list for both the positive and negative aspects of turning forty from my POV. Here goes:

Things I do not like about turning 40:
1. I remember my mom being 40 and thinking she was old.
2. The "young half" of my life is behind me (sorry, but you know it's true)
3. wrinkles around my eyes that stay even when I am not smiling or squinting.
4. Men do not seem to flirt with me as much as they used to, although I am sure I am mistaken about this one....right???
5. I don't recognize the person I see in the mirror when I first wake up in the morning, I mean, who is this chick?

Things I like about turning 40:
1. I have a beautiful family, totally worth ruining my body for, btw!
2. I consider myself successful and love what I do for a living.
3. I don't care nearly as much as I used to about other people's opinions, thank God...
4. Inside, I feel like I'm 20, but then that could be because I am incredibly immature, ha!
5. I am in good shape, mostly healthy, and I try to accept all social invitations while I am still young enough to enjoy going out!

In summary, yay me!!! Oh yeah, I need ideas for how to celebrate :)