Babysitter Today

Today I had my first babysitter in a long time - for me. I mean, the babysitter IS for me.

Joseph got oldest son Jason to come watch me while he had to leave for a few hours. Like a good parent, he had me showered, clipped my toe nails, prepared my food, and gave Jason instructions how to move my leg in and out of the bed. He even remembered to charge the batteries on the walkie talkies. (I am trying my hardest to wait until the Seahawks game is over before I summon my babysitter)

Babysitters have it way too easy.

I am thinking of doing a family Mount Rainier climb - that could be a great goal!

Day 3 - not too funny

Today I realized that my dream of racing the Diva Half Marathon in Honolulu on April 1 is gone. In September I told my Maui friend that let's decided by October 15 if we want to go for it. On October 15 I was getting emergency total hip replacement.

At the end of August, I injured my hip running - by adding too much distance on hills, and not stretching afterwards. After ex ray at doctor, they determined it must be bursitis, take prescription anti-inflammatory and to REST it. Next day I left on airplane for a 12 day business trip, which was nearly impossible to rest. I ended up buying a cute pink can there. One month after that, I took a little fall at the Kirkland waterfront, while watching the Vanderhoff family photo shoot. It was a bad fall, and really set my pain back a reeling. I told doctor pain is worse, he prescribed me the big steroid treatment. No help.

On Thursday I go to Wenatchee to be with my mom who had a stroke. I spent one night in the hospital with her - the second night I fell getting out of the shower, having basically 3 breaks in my hip - completely severing the head, breaking the neck, and dislocating it all. They can usually relieve pain with traction - but I was not a candidate for that since I would bleed out. I had to endure for 24 hours.

So now, I am left with no running in my future at all - ever and forever. WEIRD timing? SO, the question of running the Diva Half Marathon is answered. Next thought - IF I can get a doctors OK, I CAN WALK THAT THING IN 3.5 HOURS! I was not a speedy runner anyway, and I can still wear my cute running outfit.

I have had an

Anterior Total Hip Replacement

and have learned that there are as many hip replacements as their are hair colors for women. I did it good.

I have 2 weeks to decide what my next goal will be (well, after walking again) I fear my new hip made my leg way too long. They do say it takes 2 weeks for the joint to settle in. I can wait before I scream.

My mom - my dad and her are truly forced to hire in-house care now - which is really difficult for them. My heart aches for them and this huge huge life change. I pray for peace for them.

I really wanted to go to church tomorrow, but Joseph said "You cannot sit that long, and you will have to go potty, and you cannot use a regular toilet" I forgot about that. I will be released soon - but my parents won't.

Funnies Day #2

Funny #1: Had to shower today - first time at home. 2 brains, one super-high-speed-but-not-as-accurate-brain which is totally dependent on a slower, more methodical (thus more accurate) brain.

Shower takes FOREVER to get hot water. So, brain #1 says "get the seat in the shower and the water running so when things are ready it will be warm water". Brain #2 thinks it best to get everything, and I mean EVERYTHING organized before shower entrance. Brain # 1 assumes brain #2 will obey - and takes off all clothes ready to make way into shower. Brain #2 does not obey - by the time I am in shower, I am totally frozen and sit and shiver for 15 minutes before I could start washing. I mean, I thought all it takes it getting IN the shower - everything else just magically falls in place.

Funny #2: Joseph feels the dogs should not be in the bedroom while I am getting from bathroom to the bed, so he tells them "out!" and they are required to watch from the hallway. Today I realized that Joseph really missed his calling. He stands at straight attention, holding his hand out to the dogs to keep them out, while telling me to focus and stop talking. HE can do 2 things at once, why can't I??? He needs a whistle so he can be a London traffic cop.

Two Weeks of Hilarity Coming Right Up, I AM Thinking

First 24 hours finished of two weeks of 24 hour around the clock care from my husband for my recovery. He doesn't even know I have a blog, probably doesn't know what one is so I will take this opportunity to tell on him.

I could have died laughing a few times today and last night.

FIRST of all, I have to take pain pills every 3 hours - so he set his cell phone up for alarm through the night to administer them to me. Well, each time the alarm went off, he stood up, put on his sweat pants, walked to my side of the bed, and handed me the pills and water. I obediently drank, and he walked to other side of bed, removed his sweat pants, and crawled back into bed. I finally gave him permission to just stay put, and watch me take my pills.

Funny #2: He has to give me an injection every morning in my tummy. He started yesterday in the hospital with a nurse witnessing. I know this is out of his comfort zone. Today, he gets ready for the mission and sees a bruise from yesterday's shot! He kept insisting that is NOT where he gave the shot yesterday - this is NOT his bruise! I said nevermind - just go. So he has to find the fatty place (hahah in tummy that is pretty easy) and swab it real good with alcohol. He swabbed, then kept pulling the skin (fat) up and down and up and down. I said "now you have to swab again - what ARE you doing anyway?" and he thoughtfully said "You don't have as much fat in your tummy as you did yesterday". HAHAHAHAHAHAAH

Funny #3: He is super excited to get the walkie talkies out! He gives me mine, and shows me how to use it, goes out of the room to test it. This is cool. SO, he as in the NEXT room, and I told him I have to go potty (which I need help in and out of the bed) and he said "use the walkie talkie". I said "honey! You can hear me! Just come!" but he would not come until I used the walkie talkie. HAHAHAHAHA

Funny #4: When I am walking, using the crutches, he thinks that I cannot TALK while I walk! HE is always saying "concentrate, don't talk". WOW someone tell this man that women can do ANYTHING while talking!

Gotta love this man. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

I Lost My Head

So, here is a picture of a normal femural head. I "severed" my head, and torked the bloods vessels, muscles, and ligaments around it.

Oh and brother Del was there in emergency room to make sure there was one brain working, and he just informed me "and you broke your neck at the obturator internus" - That sounds pretty cool.

Drug Induced Ebay Shopping

This is really a story that presents disbelief, at least to me.

You know how I was into a running program? I was SO psyched ~ did the 5K, and had begun training for a 10K with my eyes on a half marathon in April. One day while Julianne was at soccer practice, I added too much distance and time to my run, and neglected to properly stretch out afterwards. (dummy me) In a few weeks, I was unable to walk without assistance. Went to doctor, Bursitis. What a total and complete PAIN!!!

Well after nearly 2 months, it STILL hurt. Poo -

Subject change - my mom (who suffered a severe stroke 3 years ago) had a fall - she passed out at her home, and was taken by ambulance to ER) They suspect another stroke. She was too weak to do anything at all on her own, and required 2 people to transport her from bed to chair. Her breathing is really shallow, which is a worry.

I went to Wenatchee on Thursday to be near her, and see how things are. I slept in the room with her on the most comfortable bed ever. After 2 days, they moved her to the Rehab Clinic (rehab for body after a stroke, that is) SO, I decided to stay there too, in a most comfortable bed. Before bed, I decided to hop in the shower in her room.

Nice enough shower, although the shower curtain was horrible, and filled the tile floor with a slight layer of water. The clothes I left on the floor were wet too - rats.

As I stepped out of the shower ever so gingerly so as not to slip - WHAMMO CRACK BANG CRUNCH! RIGHT smack on my hip - the bad hip too!I heard a breaking bone - I swear I heard it. I could not move - my poor mom was in her bed unable to move and barely able to call out to me. She heard the crash even without her hearing aids in. I could hear her calling me, but could not answer, afraid of what I did to myself.

GOOD thing I was in a rehab bathroom - there were bars on the walls everywhere to help me get up! I managed to get to a chair in there and assess my condition. My initial assessment- disclocation. However, I could not confirm my diagnosis without Google.

My mom call her nurses, who put me in wheelchair and rolled me down to ER - SUPER convenient ~ Exrays, morphine , more and more morphine. Not good news at all. The bone that is connected to the joint "head" was completely broken, and at a right angle. The joint head had no support, so it snuck out of the joint (that must have felt really strange to that head - afterall, it has been in that location for nearly 55 years)..

Ligaments and muscles were a catastrophe. Upon further investigation, the doctor surmised the the extent of my crime, I mean accident, that I must have had a hairline fracture instead of bursitis - thus explaining the wretchedness of the injury.

They wheeled my bed to say goodbye to my mom: I began calling people who did not believe me. (I mean really who would?) I was then ambulanced from Wenatchee to Kirkland, my home sweet home hospital. I required surgery within 24 hours since the bone was completely severed.. I discovered the new worst pain I have ever experienced. I was totally and completely out of it for 24 hours but the pain never once let up.

They called in a cool doctor to perform my total hip replacement! "I am too young", cried the new runner!

Back to Blog Title: I have my laptop and can shop on Ebay.

FREEDOM!

This is how I feel! The truth shall set you free - and I am free indeed!

This made my heart smile ~

Julianne posted this to Kelly's facebook wall:

"This is I LOVE MY SISTER WEEK. I have a sister who has made me laugh, wiped my tears, hugged me tight, helped me succeed, saw me fall, cheered me on and kept me strong. Sisters are a promise that we will have a friend forever.
I saw this and immediately thought of you.....nobody else
I love you Panda Bear! :D"
Kelly's reply to Julianne's wall:

"Awwww I love you too little sister! I am going to miss you SO MUCH that it makes me wanna cry haha! You are growing up much too fast. Thanks for keeping me in line when I'm out of line. You are awesome. We gotta have another day of hanging out before I leave. Saturday was just too fun. And I wanna go to your soccer games. And eat more Panda Bear. And go see a movie. The list can go on..."

Confessions

I have waited for this exact moment to make my announcement/confession:


I have lost 50 (fifty) pounds in all. This endeavor began in March 2009, starting with Atkins diet, then doing HCG diet for one year (40 days on, 40 days off, etc.) Last March I was at the lowest weight since 6th grade - I am 10 pounds more than that now.

After losing weight, I planned to begin exercise - I also wanted to do something I had never done before too. After having 2 feet surgeries, each taking one year to heal, I decided to try running, which I had NEVER EVER done before.

10 weeks ago I began the Couch to 5K program, with my eyes on the goal of yesterdays 5K race in Woodinville. I was hoping beyond all hope to at least finish, within one hour - but was wanting to finish in 45 minutes.

I am glad I wore pink so my family/fans could find me in the crowd.

I started out too fast, had to pull back in order to not have to walk. I did take 23 steps total in the 5K race, which I am elated about.

I crossed the finish line with my family cheering me on - in 38 minutes. I am in total and absolute shock. I can run.

The only thing that is sore on me is my neck - I think that is from looking behind to see how many people were slower than I was. I actually finished right in the middle of all registered people. There were walkers too...so I was probably on the low end of the runners, but much faster than the walkers :)

KUDOS to Julia O'Connell, who encouraged and coached me.

I have also discovered a ton of gadgets - Ipod Nano, Blue Tooth ear buds with mic so I can listen to music and talk on phone wirelessly, cool fabrics that keep me dry, great shoes, visors and caps, and beauty everywhere!

Running Just Got More Fun

Besides my discovery of Sports Beans - running was amazing today.

I have always run by myself, and one is supposed to be able to talk while running. Since I have always run alone, I didn't really test that out....well except for the first 3 weeks when I would curse out loud because my knees hurt so badly and I was really dying - for realz.

Today I ran (like, as in running) into a little friend named Josh. Josh, age 10, was on his bike and wanted someone to talk to, so I invited him to tag along with me. It did slow my pace considerably, I must say. Since I had always run alone, I thought, "why not give this a try?"

Josh told me how his parents have just been through a divorce, his dad remarried and his mom soon to remarry. He spoke of the changes he has gone through this summer- moving to new house, changing schools, gaining new siblings. I asked how he is handling the changes - he said he likes to climb trees to watch the sunsets because the colors are amazing.

We talked about marriage, children, exercise, and how to keep a positive attitude in the midst of struggles. I shared with him of people I know who have horrible lives and are entirely negative people, then another friend whose husband is dying and she is super positive and cheerful. We talked about what makes people the way they are...can we choose to be cheerful or must we succumb to circumstances of life? I taught him the word "propensity". He liked that.

I shared with him how there are parentless children, who when are brought into homes, refuse to allow themselves to love and be loved - always looking somewhere else for love. It is their choice to accept or move on.

We passed some beautiful vibrant blue wild flowers, and I remarked how brilliant they are. He stated "my mom loves blue - it is her favorite color". I asked if he would like to pick some to keep for her - he will see her tomorrow. We did - he said, "oh thank you! I will ask my dad to put them in a vase for her."

Life is made up of choices - some people choose to self-destruct and destroy others, while other people have legitimate circumstances that could destroy them. Each has a choice of how to continue.

Josh told me of his 4th grade teacher and how happy that man was. He always made Josh smile and told Josh to find happiness in all situations. I prayed silently that hopefully in my years of teaching, there is at least one person out there who could say the same thing about me.

Josh has chosen to find his happy place - in a tree to watch the sunset. Lord, please keep me in the tree watching the sunset - it is a beautiful place.

After we parted ways, we shouted for one block back and forth "see you later!" .."bye!"

Guess what I had no consciousness of? I was TALKING while RUNNING.

God bless little Josh. Keep him in the tree top.

I LOVE....

I love JESUS

I love my FAMILY

I love my CHURCH FAMILY

I love my FRIENDS

I love my JOB

and..now....

I love RUNNING!

Nine weeks ago I started the Couch to 5K in 9 Weeks - I have one run left of week 9! I cannot even believe it!

In the nine weeks, I have run in Alaska next to glaciers, alongside the ocean in Maui, on Orcas Island around a secluded lake, circling Fishermen's Bay in Lopez Island, and of course, my neighborhood.

Do I like running now? YES!!! I am soon to run over the Brooklyn Bridge in New York, and along the Hudson River, dividing Manhattan and New Jersey.

It is nothing short of a miracle, I tell ya. It was a dare to myself - to do this - to see if I could say I am a runner.

I am in the 5K Covey Run August 20.

Please congratulate me. My next dare = Couch to 10K ~ yes?

Maui

Oh how I love thee - mom/daughter trip to visit Jordan. I am on a WORKING vacation for sure. I have to get up at 5am to work work, and I have to video five of Cane Fire's gigs while here. (Jordan sings lead in that band)These gigs are super late nights and I am super too old to do this I think.

My other work here is to continue my Couch to 5K running program. I just finished week 6 of 9! Woo hoo!

My sweet niece Jody is coming to visit next weekend from Oahu - and will get it on a few of Cane Fire's gigs too.

Oh how I love Maui.

Goin' fishin' with my men in Alaska We got quite a haulThis year I let hubs catch the big one We roasted the after-filet-carcasses and heads alongside marshmallowsSis in law and I in our Millers Point new hats

AND I even kept up with my Couch to 5K program while there! I am on run 1 of week 5! Woo hoo! I may make it!

Couch to 5K

So I started this cool program ~ The Couch-to-5K ® Running Plan.

I got myself some great running shoes from Super Jock and Jill, a new pink Ipod nano with a cool wrist band so I can hear the program in my ears, (the program was free), and a few running pants and tops.

Cheaper than a gym, right?

MY KNEES ARE KILLING ME. I am afraid I have my brothers knees. I will keep it up. I just finished week 2 today.

I now take my Labradude with me - on a short leash with a spike collar so he cannot tug at me and drag me over. It does not hurt him one bit - if he stays right by me.

The program (Laura from the UK) talks to me the whole time and plays music to go with the speed of the desired steps.

I walk, run, walk run, walk run...etc.....

Today I noticed something extremely disheartening. As I walked, I looked at my dude, he was cheerfully walking along. When I ran, I looked at my dude, and he was cheerfully walking along.

I think I need to increase my running speed.....

Nothing Sweeter than.....

1) Jaron bringing a giant apple pie and ice cream for his dad for Fathers Day

2) Joseph barbecuing steaks for Fathers Day

3) Phone call from Jordan

4) Jason saying "I love you" while hugging dad

5) Julianne, on her way to bed, shouting down the stairs "Goodnight Dad, I love you" then realizing it was worth it to go down the stairs to give him a special hug.

Happy Fathers Day to the father of my children

Great is Thy Faithfulness

Driving over Stevens Pass with a heavy heart, the mountains called for me to marvel at their beauty - at the same time, this song came on my CD - (by Jordan) It blessed me and I hope it will do the same for you today.

(Sorry, you have to copy and paste it to hear it)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hk1vHtxuLrI&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

Thou Oh Lord, Art a Shield About Me

King James Bible "But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head." Psalm 3:3

Yes, God knows everything - all - nothing is hidden from Him. Ever.

He has hedged me in, and protected me from myself time and time again. My Lord had to create a layer of hedges, in fact. On my own, I would deceive even myself into believing what I would like to believe, rather than truth. Hedges distort and/or prohibit our visual perception, so we must learn to trust in that which we cannot see, which is faith - and that also a gift from God.

Personally, God has grown my hedge from my church, my family, and friends. They know me better than I know myself, which strikes me strange since I used to dwell in introspective pondering. My husband and 3 sons are the best!

Alas! The past 4 years have created a new and better hedge for me. This hedge amazes me and I have learned to trust it - knowing God Himself placed the hedge about me for my protection. Without this hedge, I would undoubtedly be an instrument of turmoil, breaking peace and sacrificing family.

I pray that you will know God's hedge of protection in your life and see His hand leading you through and bow your knee to Him.

Thank you God, church, and family and friends.

I Am Tired - Nah - Let's Keep Going!

Wow - I am not tired at all~

January: Lake Chelan with family
Benefit concert for our dear neighbors


February: Scottsdale, Arizona with nephew for business trip, then a quick visit to sister and her family in Tucson.

March: Cruise to Mexico with husband and dear friends

L.A. business trip, then Catalina Island with my sister (same sister)

Girls Day with friends and wine tasting
April: Easter Mountain Springs Lodge
Atlanta, with nephew for business trip
Puerto Rico, with nephew for business tripOPC Church in Puerto Rico!
DRIFTING! KARTING at lunch time

May: Business trip to Oregon alone

Useless Bay with church family
Whistler with partial family

CARPE DIEM!!!!!