Wow! I just returned home from this morning's workout at the gym. Seeing as how I had not gone since about the beginning of December, and with the broken ankle and all, it had been almost two full months. I weighed myself as I used to do, prior to any workout.... I only had gained 2.5 pounds since my Dr. appointment back on 12/12. Two and a half pounds! I was feeling like I had gained closer to 10!! Woot! Needless to say, getting in the workout this morning was difficult. I even dropped the weight amounts from where I had been back in November. Already I can begin to feel the muscles starting to stiffen and ache a bit. I'll take the weekend to work out the soreness, and return again Monday morning to return to my regular schedule.
So the cast came off yesterday. I had never considered how tender and sore the ankle would be, after being retrained to one position for five weeks. I wasn't expecting to run a marathon afterwards, but thought I would be able to walk normal. Nope. Got the cane back out and am using it. Doc says to walk on it at my pwn pace, as far as how much I want to work on it and am able to put up with the discomfort. I skipped the treadmill this morning, but did put in twice the distance I used to do, on the bike. The ankle just couldn't do the walking, plus carrying my weight for a long distance. Biking worked pretty good, and I think I got a better cardio workout that way. I scrubbed the whole area the cast had covered after the appointment with a pumice stone to get all that dead skin off. Even before that though I notice I have a couple patches of tender skin, where the cast had rubbed, or was just continuously tight (the top of my foot and a patch on the outer side, about where the break had been). Plus on top of the foot, just short of the big toe was a popped blister from the edge of the cast rubbing from the walking I had done while it was on. Though it wasn't much walking, it was enough to make a blister.
It is Friday! Today a Happy Birthday goes out to my nephew (Sis' son) as he turns 14 today. I have already sent him a text sending him wishes for a good day.
No major plans this weekend. Sunday we have one softball game, so I will be meeting the boys for Bloody Marys in the morning,then game, then drinks at the pub afterwards. Will be a good day.
PeacE
Friday, January 27
Thursday, January 26
Taking It Off
This morning I am headed over to the Specialist to have my cast removed. It has been five weeks to the day since I had it put on, and I am so looking forward to having it off. I know the smell of stinky feet (and who knows what else) has been bad for the past three weeks, and growing daily. The additional back pain from the change in my walking would be nice to get cleared up as well. Most of all, I just want to wash, and scratch that appendage.
Yesterday I had a fun time. I went with Reverend Mother to pick Sis up and go to lunch for Sis' birthday. Afterwards, we walked over to Barnes and Noble to go through things. RM and I stayed up on that side of town to pick up my niece and nephew, then RM had a small birthday party for the nephew. RM and PT are going out of town today, and would miss his bday on Friday.
Think I might stop by McDonald's after my appointment and get me some sweet iced tea....
PeacE
Yesterday I had a fun time. I went with Reverend Mother to pick Sis up and go to lunch for Sis' birthday. Afterwards, we walked over to Barnes and Noble to go through things. RM and I stayed up on that side of town to pick up my niece and nephew, then RM had a small birthday party for the nephew. RM and PT are going out of town today, and would miss his bday on Friday.
Think I might stop by McDonald's after my appointment and get me some sweet iced tea....
PeacE
Wednesday, January 25
One More Day!
Down to one more day until I return to the orthopedic specialist to have the cast removed. It will be so nice to be able to resume walking with a normal gait. I have a bath planned for immediately after the appointment, so that I can soak that ankle and scrub the five weeks of grime and dead skin from it. It itches a little right now because I am thinking how good that is going to feel!
It is Humpday and as usual, nothing exciting is happening here. I am waiting on Reverend Mother to come pick me up, then we are headed to Sis' to pick her up for a birthday lunch. Sis' bday was last weekend. I sort of invited myself along, but only because I didn't want to sit around the house yet another day. I have no idea where we are going to eat.
Guess that is all I have today....
PeacE
It is Humpday and as usual, nothing exciting is happening here. I am waiting on Reverend Mother to come pick me up, then we are headed to Sis' to pick her up for a birthday lunch. Sis' bday was last weekend. I sort of invited myself along, but only because I didn't want to sit around the house yet another day. I have no idea where we are going to eat.
Guess that is all I have today....
PeacE
Tuesday, January 24
Public Libraries
As far back as I can remember, I have always loved going to the library. Yes, even those times I was required to go for research on school papers, or other class assignments, I still always thrived on going to a library. I still remember the first time my Dad got me a library card, and I was able to check out the first books on my own from that little library back in Kirklin, IN. I don't know the exact three books (personal limit for a kid's card) I had selected, but seem to recall they were in the fantasy fiction genre that I seem to love so much. The thrill when Dad allowed me to get an adult card in Frankfort, IN, though I was not even 11 years old yet, and being able to peruse through the even larger amount of books available... Oh! The personal joy!
There is nothing that brings a more satisfying feeling than going through shelf after shelf of books, and finding one, that after reading it just feels you with joy at finding it on your own. The fulfillment of looking up that research information for whatever reason, and the hunt through the Dewey decimal filing system to locate that specific article/book. The wonderment of all that information around oneself, be it for research, or entertainment, and feeling like you own and control it.
But I feel the way of the Public Library is slowly disappearing. I know many of you older (well, closer to my age anyways) readers would agree. With the internet growing and many places putting all the information out on the 'Web', the days of physical books is declining. Even I have not been in our local branch for nigh on 2 years now. Of course, budget cuts hurt libraries. I know our local branch has changed the hours of operation and cut them so badly, even my kids are unable to get time to go there for school work, as they close too early in the day. Some days, they are only available for a handful of hours.
Libraries offered so many services, and in the larger towns and cities, many of those services are available. Aside form the obvious 'borrowing' of books, services for computer access, media (video, DVD, CD), being able to reserve new releases, and periodicals (magazines, newspapers, etc), one could even just sit in there and read, without taking any materials from the place. 'Going to the library to Study' was always a valid excuse to parents to get out with friends - well, maybe for some people. I always preferred to actually go to the library. If someone didn't know certain information, they would go to the library to find out what they needed (in most cases). Now, the phrase is "Google it!" or "Look it up on the Web".
Physical books have character. As an avid reader, the feeling of a book open in my hands, turning the pages, feeling the weight of printed text on paper, all is a comforting feeling. It brings good memories of my friends (the books) that I have held and recall in my memories of how I traveled through worlds with them. How they taught me ideas and sometimes even, morals and ethics. How I learned how something works, or why and how it happened. The printed word was not the only thing there. Pictures of all shapes or sizes, in color, in plain black and white, and yes, sometimes even sketched. Oh, and how like real people these books are. Each has an odor that tells you about itself. That new book smell as you first open the pages was rare in a library, but sometimes you might be the second or third, and that scent lingered. Sometimes it was the smell of age, as if the book had been unused for many years, waiting for your questing for it to arrive. Many have worn corners, sometimes pages ripped and repaired by tape, sometimes not. Unknown marks and smudges from food, or dirt, or as many of us prefer, we don't want to know. Some I read, even let me know about previous readers and how they cared for the books by showing the bent corners of pages to mark reading spots (obviously did not know how to use a bookmark), or I could scent the smell of smoke from a cigarette, and occasionally a nice pipe.
I sigh with contentment. Yes, I love these places and for what I learned from them. I'm happy to say, that so far my older children have been able to have some sort of affection for books, though in the age of computers, I wonder if I should say, they show the love of reading. I wonder about if I should take them all for trip to our local branch, to let them experience a small portion of what I had when I was younger, before they are gone - the children and the libraries.
PeacE
There is nothing that brings a more satisfying feeling than going through shelf after shelf of books, and finding one, that after reading it just feels you with joy at finding it on your own. The fulfillment of looking up that research information for whatever reason, and the hunt through the Dewey decimal filing system to locate that specific article/book. The wonderment of all that information around oneself, be it for research, or entertainment, and feeling like you own and control it.
But I feel the way of the Public Library is slowly disappearing. I know many of you older (well, closer to my age anyways) readers would agree. With the internet growing and many places putting all the information out on the 'Web', the days of physical books is declining. Even I have not been in our local branch for nigh on 2 years now. Of course, budget cuts hurt libraries. I know our local branch has changed the hours of operation and cut them so badly, even my kids are unable to get time to go there for school work, as they close too early in the day. Some days, they are only available for a handful of hours.
Libraries offered so many services, and in the larger towns and cities, many of those services are available. Aside form the obvious 'borrowing' of books, services for computer access, media (video, DVD, CD), being able to reserve new releases, and periodicals (magazines, newspapers, etc), one could even just sit in there and read, without taking any materials from the place. 'Going to the library to Study' was always a valid excuse to parents to get out with friends - well, maybe for some people. I always preferred to actually go to the library. If someone didn't know certain information, they would go to the library to find out what they needed (in most cases). Now, the phrase is "Google it!" or "Look it up on the Web".
Physical books have character. As an avid reader, the feeling of a book open in my hands, turning the pages, feeling the weight of printed text on paper, all is a comforting feeling. It brings good memories of my friends (the books) that I have held and recall in my memories of how I traveled through worlds with them. How they taught me ideas and sometimes even, morals and ethics. How I learned how something works, or why and how it happened. The printed word was not the only thing there. Pictures of all shapes or sizes, in color, in plain black and white, and yes, sometimes even sketched. Oh, and how like real people these books are. Each has an odor that tells you about itself. That new book smell as you first open the pages was rare in a library, but sometimes you might be the second or third, and that scent lingered. Sometimes it was the smell of age, as if the book had been unused for many years, waiting for your questing for it to arrive. Many have worn corners, sometimes pages ripped and repaired by tape, sometimes not. Unknown marks and smudges from food, or dirt, or as many of us prefer, we don't want to know. Some I read, even let me know about previous readers and how they cared for the books by showing the bent corners of pages to mark reading spots (obviously did not know how to use a bookmark), or I could scent the smell of smoke from a cigarette, and occasionally a nice pipe.
I sigh with contentment. Yes, I love these places and for what I learned from them. I'm happy to say, that so far my older children have been able to have some sort of affection for books, though in the age of computers, I wonder if I should say, they show the love of reading. I wonder about if I should take them all for trip to our local branch, to let them experience a small portion of what I had when I was younger, before they are gone - the children and the libraries.
PeacE
Monday, January 23
Scratch, Scratch, Scratch
It is another exciting Monday around here. Well, I fibbed a bit on that. It's not really exciting. It's just Monday.
Thursday morning I am scheduled to go in to see the orthopedic specialist again, in hopes of having the cast removed from my ankle. I see no reason why they would prolong the period, or worse, re-cast it. I have been getting around the past couple weeks without cane or other assistance, though, my back has been starting to bother me. Between the weird walking gait I have due to the cast, and using the cane, etc, I am sure that is 99% of the back pain's cause. I look forward to getting the cast off to resume a semi normal routine... in that sense of going to the gym, etc. I can feel I put back on several pounds not being able to do my walking and other gym activities. Though, I admit for a while it felt I was doing okay with just monitoring food intake, but not now. Have to start over slowly, to rebuild the ankle support I am sure, as it stills feels a bit tender... and to get in the habit/adjustment of back to working out.
What a though for a Monday.
Other exciting things for this week: Yeah. I got nothing. I think the boys have dental cleanings. Now there is exciting for you.
PeacE
Thursday morning I am scheduled to go in to see the orthopedic specialist again, in hopes of having the cast removed from my ankle. I see no reason why they would prolong the period, or worse, re-cast it. I have been getting around the past couple weeks without cane or other assistance, though, my back has been starting to bother me. Between the weird walking gait I have due to the cast, and using the cane, etc, I am sure that is 99% of the back pain's cause. I look forward to getting the cast off to resume a semi normal routine... in that sense of going to the gym, etc. I can feel I put back on several pounds not being able to do my walking and other gym activities. Though, I admit for a while it felt I was doing okay with just monitoring food intake, but not now. Have to start over slowly, to rebuild the ankle support I am sure, as it stills feels a bit tender... and to get in the habit/adjustment of back to working out.
What a though for a Monday.
Other exciting things for this week: Yeah. I got nothing. I think the boys have dental cleanings. Now there is exciting for you.
PeacE
Friday, January 20
Did I Miss Anything?
I didn't forget about the blog. I even thought about it more than a few times over the past couple of days. Each time I did, and I logged in, only to have a mental wipe that cleared all thoughts of anything I had felt of worth to say/share. It happens sometimes.
But today is Friday, and I am trying to make an effort since the next two days may be just so full of excitement (shyeah, right - as if) that I may forget to write. Not that you would miss any of it.
Hmmm. Five minutes of staring at the screen. That must be all I have for now.
PeacE
But today is Friday, and I am trying to make an effort since the next two days may be just so full of excitement (shyeah, right - as if) that I may forget to write. Not that you would miss any of it.
Hmmm. Five minutes of staring at the screen. That must be all I have for now.
PeacE
Tuesday, January 17
Feeling Mellow
It is an 'Enya' morning. I have a few albums of Enya on iTunes, and I am running through all of them at the moment. Just feeling laid back, soft background music. I like to have the music on when I am running through my morning "computer start-up" time (when I first log in of a morning and got through emails, games, Facebook, etc). Usually I put it on shuffle, so it randomly plays stuff I have loaded in there. Sometimes though I cheat and just skip the current song. Feels weird sometimes to go from some classical etude, then pop into some heavy punk metal tune, but sometimes not.
What have we got today? not much. Been through the want ads already, and nothing worth sending out the resume for. Hopefully some better listings tomorrow. Still have 9 days until I get this damn, smelly cast off.
I suppose I could always start up recording my LPs into MP3s... I just haven't been int he right kind of mood as of yet. That, and I need to figure out how to get the sound working while I am recording. The unit has speaker jacks on it, but the sound doesn't seem to want to work through my computer (via USB) though it records just fine. In some ways, that could be nice, if I just start the record and let it go. Just have to watch for when it completes. Maybe I will be in the mood after bit.
Other than that, Happy Tuesday to you!
PeacE
What have we got today? not much. Been through the want ads already, and nothing worth sending out the resume for. Hopefully some better listings tomorrow. Still have 9 days until I get this damn, smelly cast off.
I suppose I could always start up recording my LPs into MP3s... I just haven't been int he right kind of mood as of yet. That, and I need to figure out how to get the sound working while I am recording. The unit has speaker jacks on it, but the sound doesn't seem to want to work through my computer (via USB) though it records just fine. In some ways, that could be nice, if I just start the record and let it go. Just have to watch for when it completes. Maybe I will be in the mood after bit.
Other than that, Happy Tuesday to you!
PeacE
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