Drivers! Start your Engines! or, "My fabulous day".

Most of the time, I present my staid, conservative side to the world. Today, my true colors came shining through thanks to my hubby's company. We went to the company picnic which was held at the Berlin Raceway. For those of you that follow my hubby's blog, please ignore this post and move about your daily business!

Today, we went to the races! It was awesome! Ok, I hate the overuse of that word, but really…

We arrived and "helped set-up" which amounted to 10 minutes of distributing goodies on to the tables. One of the goodies was temporary tattoos. Yes, I have a tattoo of a racecar on my ankle, and I am proud of it!

Once we had finished that, I excused myself and made a beeline for the racetrack. Sorry folks, I wasn't waiting around for this! I took Ian and Spencer with me. "Mom, it's hot." Were the first words out of their mouths.

"Hold on", I told them, "they are having the qualifier rounds. Let me watch a minute." The first pro-stock car enters the track. We watch as they circle around, the flagman swishes the flag around and Ian retorts, "First one on the track, I'm sure they are going to qualify!" The driver zips around a couple of times, the flagman waves a few more different colored flags, and just when we think the whole round is over, the driver goes in to an unexplained skid and smacks the wall. What a way to start the day.

Things just got better. We watched gobs of races, including one that was 50 laps long. We saw lots of car smashes, many fights for the winner's circle, and yes, my throat is sore from cheering on the winners and losers.

What an excellent day!

Expired!

I was in a car accident on January 12, 2009. You probably already knew that. I just passed the six month mark last week. It is hard to believe it was that long ago!

On January 20th, a handicap parking permit was issued for me. I remembered looking at the date on the tag...July...JULY! No way am I going to need a handicap parking tag in July. By July I will be back to bopping in and out of stores, restaurants, businesses, etc.

It's July. Today the handicap parking permit expired.

While I am not "bopping" anywhere. I do go wherever I want to go. It is amazing to me that I get around well and can continue on after such a trauma. The wheel chair and walker are long gone.

I am blessed to be able to throw that placard away today and not need to request a renewal!

(Although I will miss snagging those close parking spots!)

Getting my life back, one scoop of dirt at a time.

Do you realize that I thrive on "dirt therapy"? I mean, I really like to dig, and plant and even weed.

Over the past few years our yard has become completely out of control. Too many injuries, too little time. We have also realized that fresh starts are more our style than maintenance. It has to do with our upbringing. Both of us.

This year Pat has developed a passion for taking back the landscaping. Last week he pulled out a bunch of bushes, weeds and other manner of detritus in the yard. We realized the shrubs he pulled out were hand-me-downs! Who ever heard of such a thing! They came from my parents’ house when they re-landscaped ten years ago and they just refused to die. They are gone!

Today the boys and I put in a nice bed of perennials. When Spencer and I were shopping, he was convinced I was buying too many plants. I assured him I had done this before and knew what I was doing.

I am thrilled with the result!

...but I'm a pink girl!

Last week my boys went camping. All three boys. The big difference is that this camp out is the WEEK LONG excursion. Many asked what I did with myself all week, let's just say I wasn't bored. Life was good!

I knew I needed to wind down my "girl" week with typical "girl stuff" so of course it was movie and toe nail night. Since I planned this earlier in the day, I decided to treat myself to a new color of polish.

I was happy to be watching a great movie (Marley and Me) and having fab toes. I finished the toes and movie and tenderly stepped out into the light of day.

Coral. I had chosen CORAL nail polish! Aren't he only people that wear coral nail polish old ladies and Floridians?

I don't live in Florida.

Oh Crap!

BMP

For me, bmp used to refer to a type of graphics file. Now, BMP also refers to "Bone Morphogenetic Protein". I have some in me now. It is what they used to repair the clavicle section that didn't heal. So along with a new plate, I have some crazy compound in me that's supposed to help my bones grow together better. Look out Lindsay Wagner, there's a new bionic woman on the scene.

Ok, I am typing one handed again for a while, so maybe not so bionic after all!

What was I thinking?

I rarely watch Oprah.

I rarely jump on the "free" band wagon.

I have a love/hate relationship with KFC!

Something possessed me to join the crowd and download the coupons for the free Kentucky grilled chicken dinner. I even had to download software to print the coupons. Me. Stray software on my computer?! Nonsense!

I went to KFC the day after the coupons were announced. It was mayhem. I left.

Tonight Ian and I needed to provide dinner for ourselves. Ian loves KFC and I happened to have two dinner coupons. Perfect.

NOT!

We excitedly pulled up to the speaker (I know, I know, we should have walked in!) When the perky order voice asked if I would like to try their new grilled chicken, I chimed back with, "as a matter of fact, I had two free coupons for grilled chicken and would like to use them."

Then, Chirpy (pardon me, this is a tough part of the story...) chirpily informed me that they were not not accepting the coupon that I had painstakingly downloaded from the Internet. I could pull up to the window, fill out a form, and get a rain check.

Raincheck! Wha..? Raincheck?

KFC, if you can't keep the promise. Don't make the promise. Raincheck. Ridiculous.

Uplifting Post

Ok. I told you that getting today's earlier post off my chest would get me ready to have more "uplifting" posts, so when I saw this news story, I just had to pass it along. Hopefully, you will be as "uplifted" as I was!

 

Woman's underwire bra
deflects bullet

Bullet did not penetrate her skin

Updated: Wednesday, 22 Apr 2009, 4:21 PM EDT
Published : Wednesday, 22 Apr 2009, 3:43 PM EDT

DETROIT (AP) - The metal underwire in a Detroit woman's bra is being credited with deflecting a bullet fired at her during a break-in at a neighbor's home.

Detroit police Officer Leon Rahmaan says the 57-year-old woman apparently looked out her window Tuesday when one of three men fired the shot.

He says the slug smashed through her window pane before hitting the bra's underwire. It did not penetrate her skin.

Police say she may have gone to the window after a burglar alarm at the house next door sounded. Her neighbor was not at home at the time.

The suspects drove away after the shooting.

Public Service Announcement (part two)

Ok. I got stalled out. I will admit it! I had good intentions of doing massive amounts of research on the topic of titling your car, house and other worldly possessions in a manner that is best for everyone.

I failed.

Here is my thought process: I don't want to have to worry about someone having the power to take away ownership of my home. Court battles are long and slow moving. Homelessness should never have to enter into my thought process. Insurance, probate and everything else aside, I need to know that I will have a place to sleep at the end of the day and that is safe from court battles.

Whew! Now that is off my plate of things to write about. Uplifting blog posts should be along again soon!

Public Service Announcement

After the second person told me that I should not have my car titled to both my husband and myself jointly, I finally decided to ask why.

It was explained to me that if my car is titled to both of us and the house is titled to both of us, in the case where someone may have cause to file a lawsuit against me related to an accident I have in my car, if the title is in both names, they could have recourse to file suit against my other possessions including my house, which is in both of our names. In the same scenario, if my car is only titled to me, they would not be able to attach to the house because it is a joint possession. This also holds true for children in your household that are driving. Their car should be titled in their name for the same reason.

Now, I am not a lawyer, nor do I play one on TV, but this was stated to me by two lawyers, so I think it is pretty reliable information. However, this disclaimer keeps me from being held legally responsible, blah.blah.blah.etc

Feel free to weigh in on this topic.

Cooking class

I am scheduled to take a cooking class on Saturday morning. I am elated! It is one more step toward normalcy, and I have enjoyed the previous classes I have taken. This class is on eggs, crème brulee, and quiche. I am excited. Pat isn't as excited as I am. He always thinks that until I start using the information that I learned and make him something fabulous to eat. I have never been too excited about crème brulee. It will be interesting to see how that part goes.

Stay tuned for some egg-citing updates! (Hey, I made it until the last sentence before I threw the egg pun in there. What did you eggs-pect?)

Normalcy

This week has surely lasted more than seven days. Pat and I have experienced overwhelming weeks, but we managed to survive. Tonight we had a bit of normalcy. We had a late dinner, unplanned of course. Spencer has been wanting to make cannelloni from a recipe that he found in my recipe book from long ago. We decided tonight was the night! Dinner turned out great and after dinner we watched the movie Wall-E. We were all enamored with it. We decided it would be something worth a second viewing because there were many details we thought we probably missed.

Congratulations. We made it to the weekend!

By the way, I am out and about these days. Did you see the stock market this week? Told ya so!

Progress Report

Enuff said!!

Open Letter to the Media

Enough already!

Don't you realize that as you keep harping on how bad the economy is, you are encouraging fear in people? Your constant banter of gloom and doom is causing the downward spiral of the economy to pick up speed and get out of control.

While we need to keep on top of what is going on in our country, we would like to hear about something else for a while. Please report some good news. Please show us signs of hope.

We are resilient, hopeful people. We are trying to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but you keep putting a lamp shade over the bulb.

Stop.

We need to move forward. You aren't helping.

Sorry I haven't been blogging, I have been too busy walking.

Yes, walking. Ok, I am using a walker to do it, but WALKING! I went up and down the stairs twice yesterday, took a shower at my own house, and WOW!

While the PT was here (for my last visit) she taught me how to get myself in and out of the car and it is my plan to drive myself to my outpatient PT appointment on Monday.

On Pat’s blog he has been talking about me jumping up and kicking my heels in the air. Since we don’t anticipate that anytime soon, my friend Cil made up this picture for me! Thanks sweetie!

On a note of encouragement, I predict an economic upturn in the near future. With me walking and driving and generally getting out again, consumer spending numbers should show a dramatic increase! The stock market should rebound shortly thereafter.

Fontmania!

I found this fabulous site recently. It is really amazing! You can create your own font based on your handwriting! I think it is totally cool. There is only one problem. I really don't like my own handwriting!!

The boys and I each made up a font. Ian's is called Tribal Text

Spencer's unfortunately is called "your font" because I forgot to rename it before I saved it.

Let me know if you try it out. The website is http://www.yourfonts.com/

It's free. You need a printer and scanner. Have fun!

(If you click on the picture above you will be able to see the samples of our fonts.)

The “helpful” list

 

Recently one of my friends remarked that I should make a list of things that I have l learned or are trying to do during my convalescence that could encourage or enlighten someone in the same plight. Here's my list.

 

1. Putting on a smile is generally more useful than putting on makeup.
   
2. Keep cash (especially small bills) on hand so that if you need someone to pick something up you can pay them on the spot.
   
3. When people offer to do something for you, let them. It makes THEM feel good and helps you, too.
   
4. Keep a running grocery list so that if someone offers to pick something up for you, you know what to ask for.
   
5. Keep a running "to-do list" so that if someone stops by and asks, "Do you need me to do anything for you?" you don't forget until after they leave that your plants needed watering.
   
6. Seek help from organizations in your community. A friend found out that I don't have a shower on the main floor and made arrangements with the local YMCA for me to take showers there until I am able to get upstairs to my own shower, for free! Priceless.
   
7. Push yourself to succeed. You can be your own best ally or your own worst enemy. The choice is up to you alone.
   
8. If someone else is willing to coordinate meals, cleaning, or other services for you, let them. It is one less thing to worry about.
   
9. Be prepared to be grateful for casseroles. It is how people express their love.
   
10. Don't beat yourself up for not accomplishing everything on today's "to-do list". You couldn't do it before, what makes you think you can accomplish it now!
    
11. If you are on pain medication, eat lots of fiber. Then eat some more. Wash it down with a little prune juice. Trust me, you'll thank me for this advice later.
    
12. Keep a list of when you take your medications. It all starts to blend together after a while.
    
13. Keep paper and pen by your phone. You can write a note if you are awakened from a nap and might otherwise forget the information.
    
14. Call your friends. They want to hear from you.
    
15. Remember to ask your friends how they are doing. It keeps you focused on something other than your own issues and will encourage your friends to visit you again.

I'm in style!

Yesterday while I was watching highly educational TV (E! the entertainment network) I found out that the hot hairstyle on the red carpet for award season this year is the "bedhead look".

I have got that covered big time!

Catching up

I am trying to get caught up on all of my favorite blogs. I never realized how much time I spent on this! I am trying to do one blog per day. I have good and bad typing days. Sometimes my shoulder cooperates, and sometimes not, so I am not leaving as many comments as usual.

I really need to spend my computer time more wisely, like getting caught up on bills and entering receipts into Quicken. It's just not as fun as keeping up with all of my bloggety friends!

Good news, Bad news

The good news is that my leg is looking good and my body is producing bone to fix the break. Amazing!

The bad news is the clavicle fracture has shifted and probably will require surgery for repair.

I'm outta here!

I am scheduled to go home Tuesday at 4 pm!

my current condition...

On Monday, January 12, at 9:15a.m. I was involved in a two car accident. I sustained multiple injuries. The injuries presented themselves in stages, so what originally looked like a couple of months with a walker or crutches is now turning into a couple of months in a wheelchair.

I am currently at Mary Free Bed rehab center. My spirits are good!

If you are interested in regular updates you can follow along at www.pizzamaster.blogspot.com

Home. Sweet. Home.

I don't like to travel.

I don't like groups of people.

I have had bad experiences with groups of women.

I was worried about messing up singing/playing in front of people.

Did you notice a common thread? Did you notice that every one of those sentences started with the word "I"? These are the sentences that have caused me stress over the past few weeks.

As I pulled out of the driveway to go to the retreat on Friday, I realized that I was so overwhelmed with ALL of the stressors, any one of which would have had me freaked out, that I was actually rather calm! Maybe numb is a better word, but I was dealing with it nonetheless.

I arrived at the retreat center warmly greeted by the retreat committee members, staying in a room alone (whew!) with just a few there to start out with handling the set up.

Once we all arrived and everyone was checked in and completed with the registration process it was time for me to lead the group in song. By this time I'd had an epiphany. This was not about me! This was about a group of women looking forward to change, and my opportunity to help them focus on God.

Halfway through the first verse I realized these 40 women were singing so loudly, they could barely hear me playing! Well, if they can hardly hear me, they certainly can't hear me make any mistakes, right?! J

Things only got better after that. Playing, singing, pure joy!

Certainly we had some exciting experiences…games were played, food was consumed, laughter occurred, firefighters were called (false alarm that rang for 1 hour-ugh), hearts were moved. Wow!

Why was I so worried? Oh, yes, I lost my focus and used the word "I" too many times.

We have a winner!

Today Spencer competed in the championship round of the Geography Bee at school. He Won!!!

I am so proud of him. I am so geographically challenged that on more than one occasion he has had to give me directions. I am lucky to have him.

Congrats Spencer!

Back to School

Today, my kids went back to school after Christmas break. (I am thankful to live in a district that still calls it "Christmas" break.)

It was a big transition since Pat had been home the whole time too.

It was quiet when they all left, and I had plenty to do to keep me busy today. I like having the freedom to come and go as I please when they are gone, but even when they are home, they are getting rather self sufficient.

I guess the conclusion that I came to this year was that I wasn't as happy for vacation to end and to have "my" life back this year as much as I have in the past.

Interesting.

Oh crap, this is another one of those "getting older" things isn't it?

2009 hangover edition

Today I am suffering from an epic hangover unlike one I have ever experienced on New Year's Day.

This hangover is unusual because it was not caused by alcohol. Instead it was caused by excessive salt, sugar, caffeine, dehydration and staying awake until 8:45 a.m.

The hangover is also caused by disappointment. Disappointment over the fact that the over the hill chaperone doesn't get to play in the Halo Xbox gaming extravaganza whereby 21 people were playing the game in tournament fashion. Not because she wasn't invited, not because there weren't enough controllers and Xbox's to log on to play, but because when given the opportunity, she just couldn't figure out the controller.

As my son would say, "Epic fail! Mom"