I love when my friends offer to help paint! It's such a great deal of help, and makes the biggest impact :) BUT there is a downside to it as well, namely, preparing the walls to be painted. Normally this wouldn't be such a big job, but since we just got the drywall up last weekend, Ross & I have spent every night after work at the house, drywall mudding the seams and getting it ready. So after an 8-hour day of work, it's home to make dinner, then over to the house to work for another 3 hours, then back home to shower and sleep. Repeat.
We've been dong this for about 2 weeks straight now. So understandably, we're beat. And I can't wait until this week is over.
Too bad drywall mudding is not a one-day process, but more like a 4-day process since it takes about 4 layers of 'feathering' and sanding, and drying time in between.
AND in all of this, my back is not healing as quickly as it should be. Last week, I felt great, not taking pain meds, etc. The neurosurgeon even said I was a great exception in not needing surgery after the herniated disc (it was great to see that I proved him wrong!). But this week, working every night at the house, the healing has taken 2 steps back. I'm torn between getting the house done, and letting my back heal. I just want to do EVERYTHING I can to help.
Anyway...I can't wait til Saturday to see all of my girlfriends and their respective others! It's amazing to see how many people WANT to help...and encouraging :)
And even though we'll be painting on Saturday, this feels like a break from what I've BEEN doing.
Mudding is no longer fun.
Not after being buried in it for 2 weeks!
Then on Sunday, I finally get a break from the house and some much needed girl time :) My best friend, Ang, & I are going to check out a Bridal Show for her wedding. Should be a great day! I can't wait to catch up with her this weekend!!
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Friday, April 1, 2011
Dropping by to say Hi...
It's finally April, yet we're still seeing snow flurries. It's actually coming down pretty hard as I look out my window at work. Which is def. the cause of my lackluster mood today, even though it is Friday. The only thing keeping me going is thinking about working on the house and getting it done! Ross & I have been making a lot of progress. We've really stepped up and kicked ourselves into gear to get this house move-in ready by May, and I still think we're on schedule to hit our target. Of course, that's not to say everything will be done...but done enough that we can live there. And as stressful & tiring as it is to be working on the house almost every night after work, and on weekends, it's fun to see all the progress. Everyday we have something new to show people...."look what we did!" we exclaim everytime someone comes over. Surely they're getting tired of hearing that. And surely we're only the ones who could possibly be excited about the new drywall mudded seams :) BUT our room is finally looking like a room! And even more importantly...a home!
I'll try to remember to take more progress pictures this weekend too. I know you just can't wait to see more drywall :)
And until then, I'll pretty much be looking forward to Monday and having the chance to sit at work for a nice 8-hour break! Ha! (my managers often joke about this with me now seeing how exhausted I am come Monday morning!)
I'll try to remember to take more progress pictures this weekend too. I know you just can't wait to see more drywall :)
And until then, I'll pretty much be looking forward to Monday and having the chance to sit at work for a nice 8-hour break! Ha! (my managers often joke about this with me now seeing how exhausted I am come Monday morning!)
Friday, March 11, 2011
Loves of Life
I'm in a much cheerier mood today, so I'm reverting to writing a much more positive post today! Things that I LOVE :)
1. Steroids. And pain killers. Let's just call them miracle drugs 0:) You can thank them for my good mood today. And me not feeling ANY pain today....whoo whooooo. I slept a blissful 12 hours last night, catching up on all the sleep I've been losing due to all the pain I've been in, the throbbing leg, the aching back, and not being comfortable in general. But after starting another (and 3rd attempt) steroid pack, life is blissful.
2. Snow. Ok, ok, I'm as tired as the next person when it comes to this cold and dreary weather, but as much as we are all sick and tired of snow, it never gets old to see the snow blanketed on all the trees. It's a Winter Wonderland out our way, and it sure is beautiful. AND the roads are clear....take THAT mother nature :) The best of both worlds.
3. Physical Therapy. Hopefully they can get me all fixed up. The neurosurgeon is a big-meany head and scared the *bejeesus* outta me yesterday by saying that he thinks I will need surgery! Yikes! So I cried and called my mommy, and she made it all better like when she would kiss my boo-boo when I was a kid (to this day, I thought she made up the word boo-boo b/c I was a kid and it was a cute word. Then I finally realized that that's just what they are called!). Anyway, my dad & I are confident that we can beat this thing with the right drugs and Physical Therapy, so surgery will be my absolute last resort! Take THAT big meany-head doctor.
4. Fridays. Ah, yes, who doesn't love Fridays?! It certainly puts a pep in my step :)
5. Talking to my best friend about her wedding planning details! It brings back those fond memories of my own wedding like it was just yesterday, but it's so much more fun to be on the other side of things this time. I can't wait to start shopping for dresses and see all the fun details come together! Especially now that I realize all the hard work that goes into all the little things.
6. My hubby :) Especially after dealing with me through these times and not complaining about it. Just the occasional nicknames, like 'grandma,' 'slow poke,' etc. *Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.* :P
That's all for today. Hope you are also having a cheerful day and a great weekend!
1. Steroids. And pain killers. Let's just call them miracle drugs 0:) You can thank them for my good mood today. And me not feeling ANY pain today....whoo whooooo. I slept a blissful 12 hours last night, catching up on all the sleep I've been losing due to all the pain I've been in, the throbbing leg, the aching back, and not being comfortable in general. But after starting another (and 3rd attempt) steroid pack, life is blissful.
2. Snow. Ok, ok, I'm as tired as the next person when it comes to this cold and dreary weather, but as much as we are all sick and tired of snow, it never gets old to see the snow blanketed on all the trees. It's a Winter Wonderland out our way, and it sure is beautiful. AND the roads are clear....take THAT mother nature :) The best of both worlds.
3. Physical Therapy. Hopefully they can get me all fixed up. The neurosurgeon is a big-meany head and scared the *bejeesus* outta me yesterday by saying that he thinks I will need surgery! Yikes! So I cried and called my mommy, and she made it all better like when she would kiss my boo-boo when I was a kid (to this day, I thought she made up the word boo-boo b/c I was a kid and it was a cute word. Then I finally realized that that's just what they are called!). Anyway, my dad & I are confident that we can beat this thing with the right drugs and Physical Therapy, so surgery will be my absolute last resort! Take THAT big meany-head doctor.
4. Fridays. Ah, yes, who doesn't love Fridays?! It certainly puts a pep in my step :)
5. Talking to my best friend about her wedding planning details! It brings back those fond memories of my own wedding like it was just yesterday, but it's so much more fun to be on the other side of things this time. I can't wait to start shopping for dresses and see all the fun details come together! Especially now that I realize all the hard work that goes into all the little things.
6. My hubby :) Especially after dealing with me through these times and not complaining about it. Just the occasional nicknames, like 'grandma,' 'slow poke,' etc. *Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.* :P
That's all for today. Hope you are also having a cheerful day and a great weekend!
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Gripes about Life
1. Me, walking slower than a turtle. It's ok though. I think it was God's way of telling me to slow down. But don't get me wrong, as soon as I'm back to normal, I'll be back to my 'fast-paced walking' self again!
(are you sick of hearing about my broken back yet?? Yes?!? well TOO BAD! mwahaha.)
2. "If you have nothing nice to say, then say nothing at all." Remember that saying from, like, Full House?! Yep, I still abide by it, or at least try my hardest to (or I just say things to myself only instead). I just wish more people would follow this. Humph. Especially when it's something as stupid as "Well I wouldn't have picked THESE paint colors." Did anyone ask you for your opinion!??! Ok, maybe I did, but can't you lie?! Because in the end, once the house is FINALLY decorated, you'll change your mind and say how great it all looks. Just like everything else.
3. People that are so focused on helping, helping, helping(!) that they forget that most of the time, we don't NEED help, but more importantly, SUPPORT. It would be nice to hear more words of encouragement, rather than them focusing on all things that are wrong in YOUR life. Especially when WE are happy! So why should they care?! Focus on your OWN life and leave ours alone.
4. An un-ergonomically designed chair. I can't get comfortable. Which I blame for my crabby mood behind this post :)
5. Cold weather. We're halfway thru March, and I'm counting down the days to Spring :) More importantly, I'm counting down the days to camping season and relaxing with great friends around a campfire, roasting marshmallows!
6. Not knowing if the title of this post makes sense. I think 'gripes' is the correct word. Or is it just a word I made up?! I do that a lot -- make up my own words -- and then Ross corrects me. And then I keep using my word anyway because I like my new made-up word!
7. Running out of things to complain about for today. I'm sure there will be something else, but for now, that's all I've got!
Thanks for reading :) TGI-almost-F!
(are you sick of hearing about my broken back yet?? Yes?!? well TOO BAD! mwahaha.)
2. "If you have nothing nice to say, then say nothing at all." Remember that saying from, like, Full House?! Yep, I still abide by it, or at least try my hardest to (or I just say things to myself only instead). I just wish more people would follow this. Humph. Especially when it's something as stupid as "Well I wouldn't have picked THESE paint colors." Did anyone ask you for your opinion!??! Ok, maybe I did, but can't you lie?! Because in the end, once the house is FINALLY decorated, you'll change your mind and say how great it all looks. Just like everything else.
3. People that are so focused on helping, helping, helping(!) that they forget that most of the time, we don't NEED help, but more importantly, SUPPORT. It would be nice to hear more words of encouragement, rather than them focusing on all things that are wrong in YOUR life. Especially when WE are happy! So why should they care?! Focus on your OWN life and leave ours alone.
4. An un-ergonomically designed chair. I can't get comfortable. Which I blame for my crabby mood behind this post :)
5. Cold weather. We're halfway thru March, and I'm counting down the days to Spring :) More importantly, I'm counting down the days to camping season and relaxing with great friends around a campfire, roasting marshmallows!
6. Not knowing if the title of this post makes sense. I think 'gripes' is the correct word. Or is it just a word I made up?! I do that a lot -- make up my own words -- and then Ross corrects me. And then I keep using my word anyway because I like my new made-up word!
7. Running out of things to complain about for today. I'm sure there will be something else, but for now, that's all I've got!
Thanks for reading :) TGI-almost-F!
Friday, March 4, 2011
All I Really Need to Know I learned in Kindergarten
An excerpt from the book titled above that I've been reading. Made me laugh. Enjoy :)
"Transportation is much the topic of the day. You’ve noticed. Our devotion to the car is worshipful. Eric Berne called it the cocktail-party pastime game, “General Motors.”
Despite what you hear, it’s not really a matter of economics. It’s an image issue. In America, you are what you drive. Go out in the garage and look. There you are.
Well, my old hoopy has joined the cripples on the edge of the herd. And a new vehicle (image) is in order.
The silver-gray Mercedes with glove-leather everything really felt like me. The bank did not really think it felt like me to them. The shiny black BMW motorcycle with sidecar kind of felt like me. My wife did not think it felt like her—especially the sidecar part. The Land Rover with gun rack and shooting top felt like me. But there are so few game-covered veldts around town now. The VW Rabbit is Consumer Reports’ choice, but a Rabbit I am just not. If they had named it the VW Walrus or the VW Water Buffalo, I might go for it. The Chrysler Coupe de Coupes de Coupes won’t do, either. Who wants to be an anachronism?
One of my students suggested putting all my money into drugs. Stay home and take all the trips you want. But that’s not me—you don’t bring back groceries from those trips.
It’s clear that what would be fashionably hip is a fine piece of engineering—something that’s luxurious yet practical, useful, and economical. Like a Porsche pick-up truck that runs on Kleenax. Silver-gray, of course.
What I really want from transportation is not an image but a feeling.
I remember riding home a summer’s eve in the back of an ancient Ford pickup truck, with two eight-year-old cousins for company and my uncle Roscoe at the wheel. We’d been swimming and were sitting on the inner tubes for comfort, and had a couple of old quilts and an elderly dog wrapped close for warmth. We were eating chocolate cookies and drinking sweet milk out of a Mason jar, and singing our lungs out with unending verses of “Ninety-nine Bottles of Beer on the Wall.” With stars and moon and God o’erhead, and sweet dreams at the end of the journey home.
Now that’s transportation. The way I like to travel. And that’s me. If you hear of a dealer, let me know."
- Robert Fulghum
Such a random book, but an easy read. And a few good excerpts along the way!
"Transportation is much the topic of the day. You’ve noticed. Our devotion to the car is worshipful. Eric Berne called it the cocktail-party pastime game, “General Motors.”
Despite what you hear, it’s not really a matter of economics. It’s an image issue. In America, you are what you drive. Go out in the garage and look. There you are.
Well, my old hoopy has joined the cripples on the edge of the herd. And a new vehicle (image) is in order.
The silver-gray Mercedes with glove-leather everything really felt like me. The bank did not really think it felt like me to them. The shiny black BMW motorcycle with sidecar kind of felt like me. My wife did not think it felt like her—especially the sidecar part. The Land Rover with gun rack and shooting top felt like me. But there are so few game-covered veldts around town now. The VW Rabbit is Consumer Reports’ choice, but a Rabbit I am just not. If they had named it the VW Walrus or the VW Water Buffalo, I might go for it. The Chrysler Coupe de Coupes de Coupes won’t do, either. Who wants to be an anachronism?
One of my students suggested putting all my money into drugs. Stay home and take all the trips you want. But that’s not me—you don’t bring back groceries from those trips.
It’s clear that what would be fashionably hip is a fine piece of engineering—something that’s luxurious yet practical, useful, and economical. Like a Porsche pick-up truck that runs on Kleenax. Silver-gray, of course.
What I really want from transportation is not an image but a feeling.
I remember riding home a summer’s eve in the back of an ancient Ford pickup truck, with two eight-year-old cousins for company and my uncle Roscoe at the wheel. We’d been swimming and were sitting on the inner tubes for comfort, and had a couple of old quilts and an elderly dog wrapped close for warmth. We were eating chocolate cookies and drinking sweet milk out of a Mason jar, and singing our lungs out with unending verses of “Ninety-nine Bottles of Beer on the Wall.” With stars and moon and God o’erhead, and sweet dreams at the end of the journey home.
Now that’s transportation. The way I like to travel. And that’s me. If you hear of a dealer, let me know."
- Robert Fulghum
Such a random book, but an easy read. And a few good excerpts along the way!
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Slow Down! I can't walk that fast....
So here's the latest update about my problem with my back. Last Thursday I was so hopeful that it was healing and that I would be in brand-spanking-new shape in no time. I was feeling great.
Wrong.
Friday and Saturday I was still so sore, and staying on pain meds. Sunday I got a shooting pain down my left leg, some tingling, and my left foot going numb, on and off. Quite annoying. Especially when one tries to walk. It IS interesting, I must say, to walk on a numb foot. Humph.
So on Monday, I came into work, b/c I'm such a good sport about being a good employee *:)* even though my leg was still throbbing and my foot kept going numb. I called my doctor and scheduled an appt. for that afternoon. I even had mom drive me, b/c I was so uncomfortable. After 40 minutes (!) of waiting for the doctor (another annoyance I can't quite understand....I mean, I had an appt....why can't they seem to make it on time?!), she finally came in to give me a look over.
Basically, it comes down to the fact that she thinks I have a herniated disc. Whoopie. So she scheduled me for an MRI on Wednesday, and dosed me up again with a 2nd round of steriods, and more pain killers. Me Like Drugs :)
I haven't seen the results for the MRI yet, but even so, it's not like they can do anything about this, besides Physical Therapy. It all comes down to my spine healing on its on, and the disc going back into place. I feel great today, although I just took a horse-sized pain pill. I'm over trying to be 'holistic' and dealing with the pain on my own. Not worth it.
So I hope that this heals soon. And once it does, I'm all revved up to take better care of myself. More exercise, less sitting during work, drinking more water, etc. All things that are huge contributors to having less back pain.
Go Me! Wrecking my back at the age of 24. Whoot. Whoot.
Wrong.
Friday and Saturday I was still so sore, and staying on pain meds. Sunday I got a shooting pain down my left leg, some tingling, and my left foot going numb, on and off. Quite annoying. Especially when one tries to walk. It IS interesting, I must say, to walk on a numb foot. Humph.
So on Monday, I came into work, b/c I'm such a good sport about being a good employee *:)* even though my leg was still throbbing and my foot kept going numb. I called my doctor and scheduled an appt. for that afternoon. I even had mom drive me, b/c I was so uncomfortable. After 40 minutes (!) of waiting for the doctor (another annoyance I can't quite understand....I mean, I had an appt....why can't they seem to make it on time?!), she finally came in to give me a look over.
Basically, it comes down to the fact that she thinks I have a herniated disc. Whoopie. So she scheduled me for an MRI on Wednesday, and dosed me up again with a 2nd round of steriods, and more pain killers. Me Like Drugs :)
I haven't seen the results for the MRI yet, but even so, it's not like they can do anything about this, besides Physical Therapy. It all comes down to my spine healing on its on, and the disc going back into place. I feel great today, although I just took a horse-sized pain pill. I'm over trying to be 'holistic' and dealing with the pain on my own. Not worth it.
So I hope that this heals soon. And once it does, I'm all revved up to take better care of myself. More exercise, less sitting during work, drinking more water, etc. All things that are huge contributors to having less back pain.
Go Me! Wrecking my back at the age of 24. Whoot. Whoot.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Couch Potato
Leave it to me to actually injure myself and have no clue how I managed to do so! And I'm embarrased to even admit as to how I hurt myself.
On one hand, I think 'ok, it could sound awesome' ....like so.... "I was working out last week, and because I'm so awesome and athletic, I strived so hard and pushed myself so much that I actually hurt myself while working out. What a workout! Burn calories...BURN!"
Or on the other hand, I sound like the biggest fattest couch potato that ever existed.... like so.... "I finally started working out again, but b/c I'm such an uncoordinated and out of shape lard-a**, the simplest workout was too much for this gal to handle."
Hm...I think I'll go with story #1. Makes me sound awesome :) But aside from that, I did in fact hurt myself. And since I have done nothing physical for the past week, besides working out, I've come to the conclusion that that must have been what did it.
But back to the story. Last Friday, I had noticed my back was hurting. No big deal. I have those 'off' days. But saturday, it was getting bad. I was so uncomfortable. Walking was becoming difficult. Sitting hurt too. And on Sunday, Ross threatened to divorce me after seeing what our future may look like together when we're near 80 years old. Me -- unable to walk or sit, or move. I hobbled around, wincing in pain at every slightest movement, so Ross replies, "I want out. Now. Before you get any older!" ha! Oh dear. I don't blame him.
So on Monday morning, I went straight to the chiropractor, thinking I just needed an early adjustment. No big deal. I went in to work late, and sat there for an unbearable hour, until I finally had to call it quits and go home early. My mother-in-law (who is a nurse) advised me that I should go to a doctor since the pain pills she had given me the night before did not help.
So I headed to MedExpress on my way home from work at 11:00 am. The doctor there told me she thinks that one of my discs could've slipped.
WHA?! How the heck did I even accomplish such a thing?? At such a young age?? Oh boy.
So off I go to the pharmacy with my 3 newly written prescriptions. One for steriods. One for painkillers (Vicodin!). And one for a muscle relaxer.
I finally head home in extreme bouts of pain. Driving hurts the worst. I guess my Chevy Cobalt is not ergonomically designed! And headed straight to bed with all my new meds.
Tuesday comes and goes. I can't possibly go to work when it hurts just to sit up. Wednesday, I again work from home. The doctor writes me an excuse for work, but says I should be good to go back to work on Thursday. She told me that I need to continue walking to keep my spine loose. And I'm happy to say that she was right. As I sit here, on my first day to work this week, I can say that it helps to walk around. So I keep making excuses to get up and walk to the xerox machine, or wherever. But I can def. tell it's getting better. And my back is starting to hurt less. You go Spine!!
And I had another adjustment at the chiro. yesterday, hoping that would also help.
All in all, I'm getting better. I waddle a bit less now when I walk.
I still look distorted, with one hip raised higher than the other. But it should go back to normal soon.
How I managed to throw my back out at 24?? No clue. I can't wait to see what I'm like at 50+!
On one hand, I think 'ok, it could sound awesome' ....like so.... "I was working out last week, and because I'm so awesome and athletic, I strived so hard and pushed myself so much that I actually hurt myself while working out. What a workout! Burn calories...BURN!"
Or on the other hand, I sound like the biggest fattest couch potato that ever existed.... like so.... "I finally started working out again, but b/c I'm such an uncoordinated and out of shape lard-a**, the simplest workout was too much for this gal to handle."
Hm...I think I'll go with story #1. Makes me sound awesome :) But aside from that, I did in fact hurt myself. And since I have done nothing physical for the past week, besides working out, I've come to the conclusion that that must have been what did it.
But back to the story. Last Friday, I had noticed my back was hurting. No big deal. I have those 'off' days. But saturday, it was getting bad. I was so uncomfortable. Walking was becoming difficult. Sitting hurt too. And on Sunday, Ross threatened to divorce me after seeing what our future may look like together when we're near 80 years old. Me -- unable to walk or sit, or move. I hobbled around, wincing in pain at every slightest movement, so Ross replies, "I want out. Now. Before you get any older!" ha! Oh dear. I don't blame him.
So on Monday morning, I went straight to the chiropractor, thinking I just needed an early adjustment. No big deal. I went in to work late, and sat there for an unbearable hour, until I finally had to call it quits and go home early. My mother-in-law (who is a nurse) advised me that I should go to a doctor since the pain pills she had given me the night before did not help.
So I headed to MedExpress on my way home from work at 11:00 am. The doctor there told me she thinks that one of my discs could've slipped.
WHA?! How the heck did I even accomplish such a thing?? At such a young age?? Oh boy.
So off I go to the pharmacy with my 3 newly written prescriptions. One for steriods. One for painkillers (Vicodin!). And one for a muscle relaxer.
I finally head home in extreme bouts of pain. Driving hurts the worst. I guess my Chevy Cobalt is not ergonomically designed! And headed straight to bed with all my new meds.
Tuesday comes and goes. I can't possibly go to work when it hurts just to sit up. Wednesday, I again work from home. The doctor writes me an excuse for work, but says I should be good to go back to work on Thursday. She told me that I need to continue walking to keep my spine loose. And I'm happy to say that she was right. As I sit here, on my first day to work this week, I can say that it helps to walk around. So I keep making excuses to get up and walk to the xerox machine, or wherever. But I can def. tell it's getting better. And my back is starting to hurt less. You go Spine!!
And I had another adjustment at the chiro. yesterday, hoping that would also help.
All in all, I'm getting better. I waddle a bit less now when I walk.
I still look distorted, with one hip raised higher than the other. But it should go back to normal soon.
How I managed to throw my back out at 24?? No clue. I can't wait to see what I'm like at 50+!
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