9.30.2009

Doctor visit today

During my visit my doctior called the guy with the cartilage growing
company who said that what is happening to me is rare, but he HAS
heard of it happening. There's a chance it will fix itself and there
is a chance it will need to be corrected surgically.

Usually I guess it takes about 6 months after the initial surgery has
been done before it goes away. So upon my next visit (3 weeks from
now) we'll discuss my options, and there doesn't seem to be too many
right now.

Overall, I will have to wait for another 2 - 2 1/2 months to see what
happens. If I need surgery again...it'll be in about 6 months from
now. What this means for me for the meantime is that I continue with
my recovery as planned and cross my fingers that the problem corrects
itself.

9.29.2009

Number six? Really?

Or am I just making mountains again?


For the past 2 weeks or so, as my knee has been catching and locking up on me, I've become more and more concerned with my healing...which has led me to small pity parties with only me in attendance.  Luckily, they only last as long as I am alone.  Once someone comes over (or home) or when I get messages  it usually cheers me up enough to not think about my knee.  I've got extraordinary friends and family.  Even when I don't think I seem like I'm putting out a Debbie Downer vibe, someone seems to know the right things to say or do.


The catching that's happening is obviously something deep inside my knee and it's cause enough for me to have called the doctor just before 5pm today.  Apparently he works pretty late and shows concern for his patients because I received a call back from him around 9pm.  Once I explained that my knee is now catching multiple times throughout the day and causing me pain on the regular he asked me to go in tomorrow morning so he can take a look at it.  He reminded me that there's probably not a whole lot he can do, especially from just taking a look at the outside of the knee.  We quickly talked about an MRI to check if we can see anything as far as progress goes.  He also indicated that it's possible he'll have to go back in arthroscopically.  Fortunately I still can't walk yet and arthroscopic surgeries are cake.  There would be little rehab for the procedure.


My gut feeling is that this surgery hasn't taken.  Wow.  Writing that down makes it real, doesn't it.  Maybe if I strikethrough that I still have a chance?  Ahhh...that feels a little better.  Still not quite reality.  


Other than that silly knee thing, today was fantastic.  I woke up late, got lunch made for me, was dropped off at PT and even though once I'd crutched home the doors were all locked, Brandon showed up soon after I had gotten there and let me in!!  I got great news earlier and I'm going to try to make it up to my grandma's on Friday.  She's a guaranteed "pick-me-up!!!!"  What else is a fantastic pick-me-up?!  


SHOPPING.
Handmade sweater jackets

I'll need these for my "uniform" for next year

I need these just because

This is funny and matches my wallet

Who DOESN'T want a mustache?

Upon my search of stuff for Jody and Amanda

I found things like this

But I can make things like this

But not like this. Link 80, go crazy.


Autumn is settling in quite nice

The weather today was beautiful.  I woke up early (for me anyway) for the second day in a row and went to breakfast at Vintage Cafe with Jack & Jill.  I got a delicious breakfast quesarrito (yeah...not quite a quesadilla and not quite a burrito) and tea for under $4!!!  The 3 of us got to sit outside and people watch and while Jack barked at other dogs, Jill and I conversed with ourselves.


After I made it back home, Jack (from Florida...not Jill's dog) came over to visit with Alissa and I before he heads home to the east coast tomorrow.  It was nice visiting with him while he was here!!!  I was able to talk Brandon into making elk chili for dinner and invited Jody and Amanda over to taste the scrumptiousness that B makes.  I also had some crane melon delivered which is almost gone already.


After reading The (not so) Little Things about banned books (including The Giver, which is still top 7...but probably only because I hardly read any more) I went and ordered up a couple books.  I'm actually pretty excited about them getting here.  I've actually wanted to read the past couple weeks and that isn't a feeling I've had in YEARS.  I ended up getting the 2 books by Lois Lowry that followed The Giver and I also got Scepticism, Inc.  Although I have absolutely no doubt that I will start all of these books (at separate times, of course), only time will tell if I actually finish them.


Tomorrow is physical therapy, pool time.  I'm hopeful that my knee won't lock while I'm in the water.  I AM looking forward to "walking."  I can imagine it will be the reason I will be excited to wake up in the morning.  


I think a miracle happened today.  A ton of things totally fell into place.  I got 5 robots from AdamD (check it and reserve yours: 100 Robots).  I communicated with ALL but 2 of my closest friends and BOTH brothers today.  I ate grapes instead of ice cream, cookies, brownies, yogurt or candy.  I had tea instead of coffee or a mocha.  I'm gonna keep that PMA and say tomorrow will have such treasures. 

9.28.2009

Pawn Stars

New favorite show.  It's like Antiques Roadshow, but for dirty bikers and low ballers.  


Friday night I hit the porch and Saturday I ended up canceling on multiple people and stayed home since I had the house to myself.  I cleaned 90% of my room.  I washed all my clothes.  Working on the unfinished projects.  Also still working on getting out of this funk.  The roommates are helping with this...so are a multitude of other friends.


Today I went to breakfast with Brother, the usuals and Amanda for the first time in over 2 months.  Not only did I enjoy pretty good company, but I was also able to shop at Target and get heavy items since I had plenty of help around.  Later on in the evening I went with Brother to his and Brandon's soccer game.  They ACTUALLY won.  One of the guys on the other team was being a baby and getting all pissy because his team wasn't opening up for him.  So what'd he do?  He decided to get angry and physical.  Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with a physical game, but I DO have a problem with someone getting overly angry and going out on the field with a vengeance when it's not warranted.  


Now...I would have had no issues with him being extra physical with Brother had Brother done something to him first.  BUT he didn't.  This asshole had the ball and was getting mad at Brother for taking it.  Then taking it again.  And again.  So what's he do?  Once Brother has the ball dude throws his elbow into Brother's back and then throws his entire body.  Then I saw Brother take a tumble.  Dude can body check all day, I don't care.  But the elbow?!  What the frick?  I literally almost jumped up from the stands and ran onto the field.  Luckily, I saw Brother get up with a GIGANTIC smile on his face!!!


After soccer Brandon and I hit up Safeway for some ice cream.  He made me a secret recipe Hirata Family Shake.  It was pretty delicious.  Chris came over and shortly after Jack & Jill followed.  The two of them ALSO got to try out the Hirata Family Shake.  


OHHHHHHHHH yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!  I also got to talk to Nick who was IN ITALY!!!!  Well...via facebook chat anyway!  I'm so incredibly jealous of that man right now!!!  Galavanting around eating in Italy and peeping the Vatican!!!  


Two biggest reasons I miss walking: 
1) Motorcycles  
2) Traveling


Breakfast with Jill in the morning!!!

9.26.2009

Tiiiiiiiired

Party time with Kevin, Melissa and the kids.  Party time with Scotty.  Party time with Jody & Amanda.  Party time with Jeannie Mae and Dennis Lee.  Party time with Jack & Jill and the porch.  Party time with Alissa, Kristin, Jack and 984572043 people I didn't know.  Party time with sweet tea.


I'm wiped.  Still jealous I'm not in another country and still on crutches.  Missing people who've moved away.  Thinking I need to call my grandma when I wake up, I'm becoming a terrible granddaughter.  Besides, she's got the most adorable accent and I miss her terribly.  Perhaps a trip to the hills is in the mix.  I'll have to see how my knee will hold up.  Probably not well enough...stupid thing still turns purple and my toes still get pudgy.  My knee still sucks.  I might be able to convince Jeannie Mae to go get grandma so I can hang out with her and talk yarn.


I need to get out of this funk.  I need to finish cleaning my room.  I need to do a massive amount of laundry.  I need to finish some in-progress projects.  I also NEED to get a pedicure.

9.24.2009

Little miss "run home to her daddy"

Ran home.  To her daddy.


I finally went to the new gym at work.  The place is crazy nice with tv's at every machine and a big screen too.  I hopped on the stationary bike and rode for 30 minutes and just over 2 miles with zero resistance.  I went to physical therapy today and got to do "pool time."  I was in the pool just under an hour and did a multitude of exercises INCLUDING walking!  The pool was 4 feet deep, so I was only doing about 20 or 30 percent weight bearing, but it still felt fantastic to go through the motion of walking and taking steps.  My PT also scheduled me for 2 days of pool next week, which is 2 times better than the 1 I'm getting this week.


I porch sat tonight.  Brandon hung out for a bit.  Once B left it was just Jill and I.  It was strange being up there without 28934759420 people, but it was nice.  We had time for "girl talk" and did what girls do?  I think.  I don't really know...I can't remember the last time I hung out with girls who weren't tomboys. 


I've been spending a LOT of time on the interwebzz and today I re-visited moo.com.  They make postcards, minicards (which really are rather small and I use mine as bookmarks), business cards and greeting cards.  All of these...are completely customizable.  My favorite part: you want 100 business cards, but you don't want them all to be the same?  You can design 100 DIFFERENT business cards and the price is the same.


In other news, my friend Nick is headed to Italy tomorrow and I'm insanely jealous.  Yes.  Insanely jealous.  I would LOVE to galavant around a foreign country.  Well, right now I'd just like to galavant around.  A different country is an added bonus at this point.  I want to eat my way through several countries and am trying to figure out where to go next year.  I need to get out of the country.  And by out of the country I mean off this continent.  Due to my fantastic schedule I have already thought about a few places I want to throw money at.  One of the US places I want to hit up is the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum in Birmingham, Alabama.  Random destination, I know...but they have anywhere between 600-1200 motorcycles ON display and there's a shuttle that takes you from the airport TO the museum and a hotel near by.  Other than the fact that it's in Alabama and I can't really think of anything else good there.


Next year should be amazing.  Hopefully I'll be back to my jet-set, sleeping on planes, never being home lifestyle.  

9.23.2009

Frozen yogurt



For me, today was overall a pretty good day.  For Brandon...not so good.  He was a not-so-hot mess today with problems all over the place.  I actually felt bad for the guy and treated him to some delicious yogurt-a-go-go.  I think he was happy about it even though this picture looks like he's holding in a fart.


Since I've started physical therapy I've noticed a pretty distinct "catch" in my knee during my daily exercises.  This morning it was most noticeable when I was laying in bed.  I was lying on my side in a fetal type position and I rolled over onto my back.  As I rolled over, I streeeeeeeeeeetched my leg out and about 2/3's of the way through it my knee locked up.  Once the pain hit I remembered familiar feeling and I knew exactly how to fix it.  I re-bent my knee back up and then slowly straightened it again.  This time it didn't catch and even though it has caught a couple more times today not once has it been as painful as this morning.


I called the doctor to see if I needed to get in and be seen sooner rather than later.  Once I talked to him, he basically said there is no way to tell exactly what is going on inside my knee unless they go back in arthoscopically, which obviously isn't an option at this stage of my recovery.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I won't need another one ever, but only time can tell with that.  The doc said an x-ray is useless since it's a cartilage repair and the parts that we need to look at are invisible to an x-ray.  When I asked about an MRI he said the scar tissue and meniscus in my knee is so convoluted that it too is virtually useless.  


The doc said for now, I can start on my 50% weight bearing activities, as long as the exercises don't involve bending of the knee and weight bearing at the same time.  Apparently that is something I will need to work up to after the first week or so, depending on how comfortable I feel and if I think my knee can handle it.  I'll be in the pool tomorrow for physical therapy and I think Alissa is going to show me how to get into the gym at one of our stations so I can use the stationary bike there on the days I'm not at physical therapy.


I keep worrying I will need another surgery.  I keep having dreams about the same thing.  I'm crossing my fingers and trying to keep that PMA, but it's not easy when you've got all the time in the world to sit around and think.

9.22.2009

I apologize now

For yet another extremely addiction site: Uncrate


It's the "buyers guide for men" which obviously doesn't help my case in proving that I'm not completely a tomboy and am into dudes, but it's a good site nonetheless. 


To help maintain the fact that I'm still a girl, I DID find Outblush which is the babe version of Uncrate, however they do not have all the ish that I think is way cool like cars, motorcycles, electronics and furniture.  They DO, however have shoes.  Which is my favorite part.  I double checked, so not to make myself a liar and it looks like they DO have cars and stuff...there's just not as much content.  Maybe they need an expert like...me?  Probably.  I would love to have a job where I sit on the interwebz shopping all day long.


If you do, in fact, decide to go get lost on these sites and decide you need to purchase something...you can always check here: The Bargainist to see if there's a sweet deal.


I probably SHOULD get paid for advertising.  I'd probably make a killing doing so.

9.21.2009

4 desserts. 1 day.

I should've taken pictures of all the lovely treats before I devoured them, but I did not.


This weekend consisted of an epic urban adventure, the best of friends, porch sitting, delicious dinners, laughing until I cried, Shirley T's and making new tremendously fantastic friends!!


I'm growing more and more excited every minute about being able to stand up straight with two legs on the ground.  Come Wednesday I will hopefully make that a reality.  I miss standing up straight to put on make up, shower, talk to people, look in the refrigerator, etc.  These are things I generally took for granted.  Lucky for me, I've had to deal with this type of recovery in the past (not quite as bad before) and I took advantage of every walk, jump, skip, squat, shuffle, stair I could.


I think I might make it to the gym tomorrow to get on the stationary bike and try to work off 1/4 of one of those desserts.  Probably won't happen, but it's the thought that counts, right?!  RIGHT?!?!?!  Maybe I need the Scotty work out video instead so I can become a hard body.


Here's a pretty sweet picture of Brother, Grandma, Grandpa and I circa 2003.  Check out my super sweet double chin, thin eyebrows, long-ish hair and 15 extra pounds.  Grandpa LOATED taking pictures...I'm glad he was a good enough sport for this one (even if he wasn't looking at the camera).  




9.20.2009

Reminiscing



I still think about this car.  On the regular.  I wish we would have bought it.  I know it'd probably still be in the same condition and I wouldn't be driving it, BUT IT'S A '59 BUICK!!!!!  My dream car.  Not only is it a '59 Buick, it's a 4 door hardtop.  This car...with 2 door doors on it, a slightly lower roof line, different wheels and tires and that beautiful panoramic back window is a wet dream.  I could probably think of a couple little customizations, but those would be the major ones (minus the panoramic window which is stock anyway and my FAVORITE part).  One day I'll own one. 

9.19.2009

5 weeks and counting...




Until I can ride with some d-bags such as these.

9.18.2009

I'm going to stop having a boring life.

Actually...my life isn't boring at all.  BUT...as of the first Saturday in January.  Today was shift sign-ups and I was lucky enough to get the shift I wanted!!!  Come next year I will have Friday, Saturday, Sunday off for the entire year.  I'll also be working "normal" hours.  Even better news is that Alissa also got those days off and is on dayshift as well.  Our shifts are 2 hours different which means we won't be able to carpool, but at least vacations will be easier to plan for next year.  Look out Hawaii, New York, Barber Motorsports Park/Museum, Florida, Disneyland, Disney World and MANY others I can't even remember!  I'm going to get back to my jet-set lifestyle.


Once Alissa got home her and I went to Temple II and Ernesto's for a celebratory dinner!  Taco Tuesday turned into Taco Thursday near the house, so I hobbled over to the taqueria.  Jill came back to the house and watched The Office with Alissa and I, which is always ridiculously funny!!!  Bryce stopped by for a little bit and hung out too!!  After Bryce and the gang split, Jill and I hit up Rick's Dessert Diner!  We had banana cream pie and blackberry cheesecake!!!  Soooooooooooo delicious!  Frick.


I can't wait to get back to a normal life.  Doing normal people things.  Being able to walk and fix my hair at the same time would be pretty swell.  These next 5 weeks can't come soon enough!

9.17.2009

Making mountains out of mole hills...

Due to a major lack of drama in my life, I've taken up a small hobby of creating tiny issues that otherwise don't matter.  I have also decided to go off on tangents over the smallest remarks.  Ahhh...the life of a bored handicap.  It sucks, but at least I realize I'm doing it and a) try to remedy the situation before I start one or b) apologize immediately after I create.  Create what?  Silly problems that aren't of any REAL consequence.  Yeah...it's not nice of me at all and I need to stop, but at least I'm trying, right?  Right?  If not...feel free to call me a c-face and tell me to knock it off.


Today I went to my second session of physical therapy and I'm completely wiped out.  I crutched to my appointment which is about 2 1/2 blocks to the hospital, but probably another block to the office itself.  I was worn out by the time I made it home. Worn out and sweaty.  Worn out, sweaty and smelling funky.  Next Wednesday I'll be at 50% weight bearing and in the pool. I'm excited to do some big boy exercises.  Even though my leg aches and hurts like the dickens right now, I know it's good for me and the healing process.


I got shanghai'd by Brandon to watch the UFC fights earlier.  After the fights was that silly show Ultimate Fighter Heavyweights.  It was just as terrible of a show as I expected it to be and the fight at the end was horrible.  Dude looked like he had a miscarriage from his forehead.


Tomorrow at 1:50pm my entire 2010 lifestyle gets determined.  Shift sign-ups.  Yikes.  I don't have high hopes for a good schedule, but I'm going to keep my fingers crossed just in case.  If I get lucky, my schedule will look similar to Rick Ross' calendar.





9.16.2009

Booya!!!!!!!!

I finally found part of a video I've been searching for over the last like 4 or 5 years.  I'm stoked!!!!


I had a crazy lazy day today and my shoulders and arms finally feel back to normal.  I only left the house for lunch at the taqueria and then for porch time.  While I was at home for the majority of the day, I spent it looking at oddee.com.  Be warned, it's an addicting site with lots of stuff to get lost in for HOURS.  Seriously...HOURS.  While at the porch with Jill and Buddy I met a Montanian with a billion cars and Ben the Bearded made an appearance.  


Tonight I was told I had a best friend and didn't even know it.  Apparently people with this trash.  I think it means people are far more bored than I think they are!!  I can't wait to get back on my two feet (literally).  Knowing I have a friend taking off to Italy in barely a week makes me want to travel my pants off.  Errr...my legs off.  I miss the jet-setter life style I had last year.  I haven't even been on a plane since last December.  I have quite a few places I want to be PRONTO.  Once I am up to par there will be no stopping me.


Tomorrow will be busier, but today was good.  Minus some missed conversations with a couple key people.  Otherwise, I love cool nights and laughing hard enough to make my stomach hurt.

9.15.2009

First day of therapy

Physical therapy, that is.  I crutched the 2 1/2 blocks to the hospital where the physical therapy office is.  Once I got there I decided it was a bad idea and even though it wasn't very far, I should get a ride home.  My shoulders were/are extremely sore from all the walking/crutching this past weekend and even though it's not a far walk home, it's definitely a lengthy crutch.  


My physical therapist (PT) wasn't bad.  She's a younger lady and tried really hard to make stimulating conversation.  Our communication was awkward and forced, but she tried her best.  It's difficult to entertain while getting your atrophied quadricep knead like it were a loaf of sourdough.  I got on the stationary bicycle with zero resistance for 10 minutes.  It felt good.  Very good.  It was some of the first "exercise" I've gotten in a long time.  My PT gave me 7 exercises to do, along with 2 elastic tension bands (basically wide rubber bands) to work out with at home.  I also get to start some pool exercises next week.  When she measured my flexion, I was at 128 degrees (which is 6 more than last week).


I originally asked Brandon to pick me up from the doctor's office and he said he would whenever I was ready.  Alissa messaged me while I was at the hospital still and asked if I wanted a Bliss from Temple.  Who am I to deny goodness?  I told Alissa I would LOVE to go and asked if she could pick me up instead of Brandon.  I make it to the front of the hospital and who's waiting for me?  Brandon.  On his motorcycle.  With only one seat and no crutch holder.  So what do I do?  I did what ANY girl in my position would do.  


I HOLLER!!!  I was like..."Yo baby, let me get a ride home on that thing."  Brandon and I both laughed and Alissa pulled in soon after and the three of us hit up the local delicious coffee spot, Temple II.


I made it out to my aunt & uncle's for family dinner and was given a few gifts for my birthday (since it was the first time I'd been able to see a few of my family members).  We had scrumptious Sloughhouse corn and chocolate cake.  It was a dream and thinking about it now makes my mouth water.

9.14.2009

Cheese skirts, porch parties and amazing parents

This weekend was exhausting.  I didn't do a whole lot, but what I did do took a lot out of me!!!!  Thursday night Brandon's friend Vinny came in to town and on Friday the 3 of us hit up Squeeze Inn for delicious cheese skirts!!!  Later on Friday Kip and Scotty rode over to the house and we ended up at Buddy's place for moto night.  Upon a grocery store run with Jillington I decided I needed cookies.  Not just 1 type of cookie either...I had to pick up 2.  Once we got back to Buddy's I ate an entire row of mint Oreo's to myself.  Brandon showed up a little later on his mean little scoot.   Kip, Scotty, Brandon and I took off from moto night and turned it into beers and Shirley T's night!  


Saturday I woke up to the amazing smell of fresh rain.  I slept through the rain, but at least I got bask in the smell!  It was 2nd Saturday so Brandon and I went to look for body painting (and unfortunately we showed up too late to watch the actual painting happen).  After crutching 10 blocks, even though it was colder outside and there was a breeze, I was hot, sweaty and feelin' stinky.  What better to do after a work out, but head to a party, right?!  Jill had a birthday party on her porch for one of her friends so B and I headed to the porch.  The night was a success.  I got to stake claim in a corner of the porch with an amazing couch Jill had set up for me and declared it the Handi Corner!!!  The night entailed iced tea, a dance party, beers, bicycle stacking championship, hollering, drunk unknown asian who hated Paris (a girl, not the city) and a massive cupcake fight that I was lucky enough not to have been part of.


Sunday I had planned on sitting around slummin' it all day.  This only half way happened.  I definitely woke up late enough for it to happen!  I headed over to my folk's place to hang out and while I was there Jeannie Mae washed and vacuumed my car for me and Dennis Lee kept trying to feed me peaches and cream, chinese food and cereal!  I've truly got amazing parents!!  I got an invite to a sweet BBQ and decided to head out for a bit.  I ate soooooooo much at the BBQ I literally stuffed myself.  I had steak, chicken, fish, salmon, rice, salsa, hummus, chips and cupcakes!!!  I could barely crutch out of the house because I didn't think my stomach could function for movement.  


Today I'm awake ridiculously early.  For me anyhow.  I woke up just after 8 because I'm too paranoid about missing my first physical therapy appointment.  What time is my appointment?  Oh...you know...1:30 this afternoon.  Yeah.  THAT paranoid.  I know I'm gonna hate the work out and it's going to hurt.  Lucky for me, the PT office is only 2 blocks away, so I think I'm going to crutch there.  I hope I'll have the energy to crutch home.  If not...I can probably call the roomies.


I had a dream the other day where I was at Brandon's wedding.  No.  I was not marrying him.  Gross.  BUT, for whatever reason, he had 3 groomsmen and then I was sitting at the table with the wedding party wearing a black dress like I was IN the wedding as an "optional" groomsperson.  I even had to make a speech.  I was the first to make the speech, like I was the best man or something.  My speech went something like...


"Well, here we are.  I want to say congratulations to Brandon for actually getting married and settling down to an amazing woman.  I also want to say congratulations to (insert girl's name here) because we all thought Brandon was gay."

9.11.2009

If I could grow a beard...

I would.  Abso-freaking-lutely.  Or totes (totally...just shortened, yeah...I'm not really feeling that word either).  Whatevs.  Perf.  I can't think of anything else I shorten right now...or I'd throw those in there too.


I had a massage delivered to me today by Jill.  It was amazing.  I'm glad she has a mobile service for the disabled!!!  Haha.  Jill and I also had lunch at the thai place by my house.  It's close enough to crutch to, even though I still broke a sweat getting there.  Since Peet's is on the way home from the thai place, we stopped in there too.  While on the way in I saw the most adorable boy in front of the coffee shop.  He was picture perfect 1960s.  He was wearing slacks, dressy-ish shoes, a long sleeve collared shirt with the sleeves rolled up and 50s style Ray Bans.  He had the perfect JFK hair part and classic style.  Oh yeah...he was probably only 18.  To say he was 19 would be pushing it.  The guy's gonna be a lady slayer when he gets a few years on him (so long as he keeps his impeccable style).


Later in the night porch sitting ensued.  There was bbq, drinks and amazing people!!!!  I like the porch because I can sit down the whole time and it's hard to tell I'm a handi.  It's pretty easy to keep from getting injured while I'm there too.  There's not a whole lot of movement and I try to secure a spot where I can elevate my leg when needed.  Today was good.  Very, very good.  Hopefully I won't be paying for being out when I wake up!

9.10.2009

No more machine!

I went to my post-op today.  My dad rode his bicycle downtown and met me, then we drove my car to my appointment.  On the way there, I pointed out Brandon's car and told Pops how the car was hit the other day while parked on the street.  I also told him how when we walked out and the lady randomly asked Alissa, B and I if the car was ours because she had backed into it, Alissa and I started laughing hysterically and walked into the coffee shop, leaving Brandon outside to pretend to be distressed over the situation.  My dad also found the story humorous and we laughed together and B's expense.  I love my dad.


The doctor said I was 3 weeks behind schedule for what the cartilage implant company expected, but that I'm doing well for my particular situation.  If I were to have been a normal patient, I would have only been non-weight bearing for 4 weeks instead of 7.  BUT...due to my particular situation and that this was my 5th surgery, I'm not doing so bad!  


I no longer need to use the CPM machine.  My doctor's a character and when I said, "Really?!" He responds with, "Heck yes!  Throw that thing out the window!!!!"  We laughed and then he told me he doesn't advise throwing the machine out the window, especially since it'd probably cost me a pretty penny or two to replace!!  


I no longer need to wear the gigantic brace.  He said I could still wear it, but also made it very clear that the reason people are usually required to wear the brace is for a reminder.  A reminder that you can't just jump up and start walking every where.  I don't think I'll have this problem, especially since I still keep having nightmares about doing just that.  I really don't want to do anything to put my knee at risk.  I'm done having surgeries for a while.


I'm to start physical therapy next week.  I'll be going twice a week for at least 6 weeks.  I really hope I don't have to pay the $30 or whatever it is EVERY visit.  I've got my fingers crossed that it's covered by insurance since it goes with the surgery. I'm also going to try to get some extra time in on a stationary bicycle when I can.  I'm tremendously excited to start physical therapy, even though I know it will hurt.


I'm up to 122 VERY painful degrees of flexion.  As I was laying on the table, he wanted to see how far I could bend my knee.  So I bent as far as I felt I could go...then he helped me out and pushed on my leg a little.  I thought I was going to cry.  It hurt, but he was happy with the progress I've made for strengthening, he's just worried about my bending.  I can also put about 1/4 of my weight on my leg.  This is going to be terrifically helpful for my daily activities...such as showering.  Or standing.  


To celebrate my knee brace freedom I went to Jill's house to porch sit.  Her roommate Bryce bar-b-qued us some delicious hamburgers and corn.  We talked a while, I did a lot of knee bending, we talked some more, we drank beers of the root variety as well as the wheat and barley variety, we talked even more, we yelled at cougs and pre-cougs, then we saw RACCOONS.  That's right.  Freaking RACCOONS.  These little brave souls travelled from across the street and into the apartment complex down the street.  I tried to yell "raccoon" but I think I had cougars on the mind because that's what came out instead.  I was pointing at them and was hugely excited.  Once Jill and Bryce turned to the street and saw these spectacular creatures, Bryce RAN downstairs to see these things eye-to-eye and I quickly stole his seat to get a better view!!!  The raccoons ended up meandering into the apartments, but it was still an amazing sight!!!

9.09.2009

Henry Rollins is a BABE.

The man is a freaking dream boat.


Jill came over today and we had girl talk with Alissa.  Amazing.  I also signed myself up for a massage on Thursday.  It's funny how hard people laugh when they walk in the house and just see tasty treats strewn about.  Yikes.  


I have my second follow up appointment tomorrow morning and I've got my fingers crossed that the doc will say I can start my physical therapy.


I can also say what I did not do tonight.  I did not watch the Sons of Anarchy season premier.  With uber dreamy Henry Rollins and Charlie Hunnam.  I don't watch that show.  Okay.  Maybe.  Don't tell anyone.  Gotta keep my rep.  Or something.

9.08.2009

Picnic and nude chicks covered in graffiti

Since my last update, more than just a picnic and seeing graffiti clad ladies has happened...that just seems to be the most interesting title!!  


Friday night Chris and Amber came over and Chris made a ridiculously delicious 842084935267 course meal.  There were a bunch of hors d'oeuvres and the main course was a veggie lasagna that was delectable!!!  Chris made enough to feed an army, which was good because quite a few people happened to be over when dinner was served!  Saturday Amber took me to McKinley park for a picnic and card games.  I very poorly worked on my tan and saw absolutely zero results because I chose to sit in the shade when she told me to point at a spot to put the blanket!  Apparently pale skin is what I'm into these days!  


Saturday I went to my folk's place.  Dad showed me my birthday presents!!!  He got me a BUNCH of stuff for my bicycle!!!  I also got to hit up Temple II and see some old friends.  I also got to see Tav who refused to touch my knee scar.  He's not as tough as he looks, I guess.


Sunday night Brandon and I met up with Kip and Melissa for dinner at Chevy's on the river.  Melissa yelled at the waiter.  Brandon yelled at the waiter.  Kip yelled at the waiter.  I had to be his shoulder to cry on.  I'm such an angel.  I can't believe my friends are so mean sometimes.  Juuuuuuuuuuuuust kidding!!!!  But Melissa really did yell at him.  Hahahaha.  It wasn't a mean yell...it was sort of just a loud HEY! and he was a VERY good sport and joked about getting yelled at with all of us.


Tonight Brandon and I hobbled over to Bonn Lair and met Kip and Scotty for drinks.  Man Brandon walks fast.  I'm a fast cripple, but I was sweaty and breathing heavy by the time we made the 500 feet to get there!!!  I watched Coraline tonight too.  I was stoked when the beginning menu came on and all I saw was a needle, thread and button.  I thought to myself, "I'm going to LOVE this movie regardless."  I was very correct.


I see the doctor Wednesday.  I'm ready to start my rehabilitation.  Hopefully they'll assign me a physical therapist and say I can ride a bicycle in 2 weeks.  I wanna rule the streets already.

9.04.2009

Ice cream cupcakes

Are my new second favorite dessert.  The only thing above them are the key lime tart pie from Cafe Mekka in Nevada City.  By far the best key lime cheesecake/tart/deliciousness that I've ever put in my mouth.


My knee seems to be stagnant as far as flexion and swelling goes.  I ice it multiple times a day, but the thing is still swollen on the inner knee are.  It's also still turning purple and my toes grow twice the size when I stand for too long.  I'm going to ask the doc about this when I go in for my check up next week.  I'm pretty sure it's normal though.


Tonight the roommates and I got served a "loud party notice" from the local law enforcement.  I think it's because Alissa talks so loud. Or maybe it was just a joke.  Regardless...our street cred just went up.  That's right.  We throw raging parties.  Parties so loud that the cops who were on our street 100 feet away could hear us and decided to serve us with a notice before anything even happens.  Yessssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Hopefully our neighbors saw and are now mad jealous.  Maybe they think we're outlaws.  Maybe they think we've done something terribly bad and that's why the cops keep showing up at our house, perhaps to interview us again and again.  Yeah...we don't mess around!!!


I got a package in the mail today from my brother in Connecticut.  My dad informed me of this via text.  I asked him what was in the package.  His response:


"Don't know.  I don't open private mail.  


It's a federal crime."


I told him I'd be over tomorrow to pick it up.  


"Pray.


That was supposed to be pray


Otay


Fucking spell check"


My dad rules.

9.03.2009

A lengthy and amazing birthday

First off, I wanted to make sure I thanked everyone who sent me a happy birthday message, email, text, facebook, myspace or called.  I tried to get everyone, hopefully I succeeded.


All the night before Brandon kept telling me how I needed to go to bed early because I had to maybe wake up early.  I barely got any sleep all night because our house was ridiculously hot and I was filled with anticipation.  I mean...26, that's a milestone, right?!  At 6:30 I got a birthday call from New York.  At 7:30 I was sung the happy birthday song by my amazingly adorable 4 year old cousin and at 8 I decided I couldn't sleep any more and got out of bed and got ready for the day.  While I was in the shower grandma called to wish me a happy birthday and left a voicemail telling me I was lazy because she'd already been awake for 3 hours!  Super adorable!!!


I got a phone call from Bryce just after 9 and decided I was going to go wake up Alissa and Brandon.  I felt too bad about thinking of waking them up and finally they rolled out of bed around 10.  Both of them were completely surprised to see that I was up, awake, showered, in my birthday skirt outfit and ready for the day to begin!  They took me to an unknown destination for tasty birthday breakfast (Fox & Goose!!!!) where I got an olallieberry scone with devonshire cream, amongst other delicious treats.  We got back to the house and I fell asleep in a food coma.


There was a loud pounding on the door and next thing I know, Maria and Orlando are in the house with ICE CREAM CUPCAKES (WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!) and an ice cream sundae!!!!  They couldn't stay long, but they wanted to make sure they stopped by to say hello and happy b-day!  After eating ice cream...I decided a nap was in order.  I awoke from about an hour/hour and a half nap and Will said he was coming over to visit for a short while.  While Will was at the house, I put him to work in carrying some pizza and garlic bread back to the house so I could take it to my folk's place for a combined birthday/35th anniversary dinner.


Alissa and I headed out with my bicycle in tow.  We got to my folks house to dine with Bryce, Jody, Amanda (+baby),  Kip, Mel, Sydney, Emre, Brother, Amy, Scotty, Brandon and the 'rents!!!!!  There were more people there than I expected, so it was a pleasant surprise!!!!!  After a FANTASTIC dinner and visit with everyone, we headed home.  Just as I sat down I got a message from Jill saying she was headed to Rick's Dessert Diner with Dan, Buddy and some additional amazing people in tow!!!!  I told her right then that I would be there to indulge some lemon cheesecake.  I realize that with all this food...how could I be hungry?!?!?!  For dessert even?!?!?!  There's ALWAYS room for dessert!!!!  Maybe I'll just put on a couple pounds!!!!!!


After dessert, I headed back home and Peter came over with a care package of Shirley Temple ingredients, apple crisp and a gigantic cup full of Jelly Belly!!!!!!!!!!!!  Peter got Alissa and Brandon a little tipsy and Brandon some how coaxed everyone into his room to watch youtube videos of the Slap Chop Remix and some fat kid on a roller coaster with his mom laughing at him the whole time.  Go B!

9.02.2009

Retiring early?

Brandon keeps hinting at me to go to sleep early tonight. He keeps
saying I'm going to need to wake up early tomorrow for some fantasic
event. So now, it's 2am and I'm in bed trying to sleep. My knee was
bothering me so I decided I. Need. Medicine. So I took 2. It looks
like I have 4 thumbs. I'm typing this out via phone so I hope 1. It
gets sent to the right place and actually shows up on my bloggy blog
and 2. I don't remember.

It's too expensive to take a boat ferry from Alaska to Washington. I
think I'd rather just drive that ish. Silly cooters. Who wants to pay
like 4 grand to be stuck on a boat with your CAR?!?!?! Not me. I'll
leave that crap on the mainland. Maybe we can just go on an amazing
cruise and party like it's going out of steeze.

I can't find ice cream cupcakes here either. Someone should make
those delicious treats for me. Also. I went to get coffee and what
kind of DUMB COFFEE SHOP CLOSES AT 8?!?!?!?!?! Peet's does. I want
to boycott. Once I can hobble further I'm going to. I don't even
care...I'll freaking walk to Temple. And by walk I mean make someone
drive me. It's only one mile.

What the heck?! It's after 2. Sleepy time. Stop topjbg (typing).
Silky thumbs.

9.01.2009

Californication

When I woke up this morning, Brandon was already at school signing up for classes.  Before he left he set up my machine (along with my yarn and needles) in his room.  I was able to finish the entire first season of Californication and half the second.  


I got a call from Sean Hills that I didn't expect.  It'd been so long since I've talked to him I thought he pocket dialed me...and proceeded make sure he knew called me.  Becca and him were in my neck of the woods so I hobbled down to Bonn Lair with Brandon and hung out for a while.  After beers and cider, we came back here and somehow Chris got talked into walking 4 blocks to our house with a fresh out of the oven cast iron pan full of rigatoni.  Delicious meal and good company...what else can a girl ask for?!