Bunion Surgery-Bye, Bye Bunion!

After 11 years, I am finally having the bunion on my right foot, removed. (I am posting 3 days after the surgery, since I have been taking goofy medicine.) I have put this off for far too long. I dread not being able to drive for 6 weeks. 

I made a big life decision to not work this year, to gain back some sanity, so this time off is allowing me to have the surgery.

I started getting nervous one week before the surgery. I kept myself busy getting the family and home ready for my long recovery. I stocked the fridge and freezer with meals! I bought a shower seat at Walgreens. We have a small built in seat in our shower but it is crammed in a corner. The seat was about $25. http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/aquasense-adjustable-bath-and-shower-chair-with-non-slip-seat/ID=prod6099551-product I bought the Dry Pro Half-Leg Cast Cover for about $40. This keeps the water out with a great tight seal! (I had to buy an arm cover for my daughter's broken arm, this summer. She was even able to swim.)http://store.drycorp.com/v/vspfiles/photos/HL-15-2.jpg

About one month before my surgery, I had the doctor call in a prescription to a local medical supply company for a knee scooter. My insurance is covering the weekly/monthly rental fee + the crutches.http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=knee+scooter+rental&FORM=HDRSC2#view=detail&id=15ED97FB0E25F482137C83E8E39809F13F738D38&selectedIndex=2

I had the lapidus bunionectomy performed by Dr. Bierman at the Covington Foot and Ankle Clinic in the Multicare building. He is a very informative doctor that came highly recommended.

Remember to stop taking Ibuprofen, or the like, 2 weeks before your surgery. This med is a blood thinner. You can take Tylenol.

Our First Snow for 2012

Last week, there was a "buzz" going on that we were going to have snow. I said, "I'll believe it when I see it!" Well, it snowed yesterday! As some of you may not know, I am truly infatuated with snow. There is something about the stillness and beauty that snow provides. I know a lot of you think of the negative aspects of snow...cold, miserable to drive in, etc, but to me, there is something fresh and exhilarating about snow.

Today, Keira and I were home, for MLK Day. I have been able to complete so many little projects that were long forgotten. This relieves my anxiety and eliminates items off my "to-do" list.
Since I was able to complete some much needed tasks, Keira and I were free to go outside for a walk with Sophie. I absolutely love it!

Keira is outside right now, in the dark, building a snowman. I love watching her relive my childhood memories and hope they continue!

Happy Halloween!

Well, tonight was a success. Keira finally chose a costume, a lil' buccaneer. Arrrgg, me matey! We had some friends over and walked around for almost two hours. The kids scored on candy and if you can believe it, all our candy was gone. I bought almost $40 worth of candy and not one drop is left...I am excited about that. Out of sight, out of mind.

We're off and running, again, tomorrow. Keira has her last soccer game and then her banquet. I am actually going to miss soccer. I have met some great parents on our team.

Oktoberfest Weekend

I spent a very relaxing weekend with the Kasners, in Leavenworth. We were kid free! The leaves are changing colors and falling quickly. There was a lot of laughing and clowning around. It felt fantastic to spend time with my friends. I am exhausted and resting up for the work week.

I think I finally found a hot tub for the cabin and may have a lead on someone or something getting it up the stairs. Which, by the way, the stairs look great. I can't wait to see if the heated stairs work with the snow. Time will tell!

Today, one of my students said he had something funny to show me. It was a letter from the tooth fairy, that he received last night. (He lost his tooth a few days ago and put it under his pillow.) Evidentally, the tooth fairy had been busy and left him this note on a fast food napkin. Hee...hee. I love it!

Autumn Blessings

Fall...one of my favorite times of the year. The weather is changing and school has started. The fall decorations came out of storage (which we found a mouse nest in one of the bins. Apparently, the mouse made a nest out of our scarecrow towels and ate the Indian Corn. We could not find a hole in the plastic bin, so the mouse had to have pushed up the lid and moved in.) Halloween is around the corner and I can't wait to find my Ghost Pumpkins.

Keira has yet to decide on a costume, which is quite odd. My child usually has this planned out in July. (Odd, I don't know where she gets that trait from.)

The days are short and I am already planning to get the cabin ready for winter. The forecast says the temperature will be dropping in Leavenworth this week. Fortunately enough, I have had heated stairs put in and I can't wait to see if they'll work this winter!

May you feel blessed this time of year. Keira and I are definitely blessed!

A Win for Starfire

Keira's soccer team won this morning! 3-1 at Phoenix Field. The field was real grass that was wet and bumpy. The girls played hard and Keira was at her "wits end." She fell quite a bit and finally had it when she was stepped on by the opposing team's cleat. Melt down! All turned out well as they kicked in the final goal with only a few minutes to go. I am so proud of her and her team.

Fish Pedicure

Today I made an appointment to get a "fish pedicure." I love trying new things and this definitely was new. I saw this on Good Morning America and Dianne Sawyer demonstrated this new pedicure. The fish do not have teeth! They eat the dead skin off of your feet (by sucking.) I slowly placed my feet in the fish tank and they went to town. It really tickled, but after a while it was an intense vibrating feeling.

After 15 minutes, you take your feet out and they are very smooth. Next, you get a normal pedicure.

What an experience for $30 dollars!

Go Team Starfire!

Keira's team finally scored a goal! One small step for man. One giant leap for mankind. Hee...hee. The girls have lost their last 2 games and tied their 3rd game, last night. It was an exciting game and the parents were on edge! They attempted a goal kick many, many times. It was great to see the smile on their faces when their team scored. This just may be the "push" they need.

I think Keira was a little embarassed when I jumped up screaming, "Yo, baby, yo!"The girls have improved so much since the Jamboree. I am truly proud of all of them!

Soccer Season Begins!

Keira had her Soccer Jamboree this Saturday. Her team is called, "Starfire," and is sponsored by Balanced Athlete. The game was held at Wilson Field, which is gorgeous, with shredded tires and AstroTurf for the field.

Keira volunteered to be goalie and did her best! The Jamboree only lasted 20 minutes, but it was a great game. The team lost, but the girls had fun.

Luckily, Soccer and Girl Scouts will be the only focus this season. (Keira will start up gymnastics later!) Whew!

The First Week of School

I finally made it through the first week of school. Here are some things I learned this week:

Susie's family went to Disneyland this summer and her dad got 2 warts (which I assume were blisters.) Her mom had to bandage his foot each day and at night he would pick at the warts until they opened. Great!

Johnny came in from recess holding his stomach, whining and moaning. When we went to computer lab, he continued and I asked him what was wrong. He had tears in his eyes and said he wanted to go home. I asked why and he said that he heard there was going to be a fire drill. (He obviously was very worried about a pending fire drill. This is new for me.) I told him there would be no fire drill, but he just wanted to go home and be with his "blankie." Some kids snickered and I gave them the "stink-eye." I asked if he could hold on for another 30 minutes (the end of school) and that I really wanted him to stay. I reassured him there would be no fire drill. He said, in a whining voice, "Okaaaaaaaaaaay. I think I can make it."

And lastly, I went to our School Counselor and asked her if she could run a therapy group for "pencil sharpening." Evidently, the students had never sharpened their pencils before (Thanks, First Grade Teachers!) and I have just about lost my mind. Their pencils are sharp and they still want to sharpen! Needless to say, our pencil sharpener will mysteriously break this weekend.

Toodles to all!

First Day of School for Mom and Keira

Today was the first day of school for Keira and I. Keira started third grade and I started second grade. I woke up last night at 1 a.m., 2 a.m., 3 a.m....I guess teachers get the "First Day Jitters" too.

All turned out well...Keira loves her class and teacher and I love my class! (Although, I can tell I will have a few zingers this year.)

I am truly exhausted and I have blisters on the bottom of my feet (it was not a good idea to wear high heels the first day.)

Tomorrow is a new day!

Family Reunion-Mom's Side

Yesterday, we had my mom's side over for a Family Reunion. Go team Bailey, Baechler, Hansen, and Kiene!

I had this huge plan to make pulled pork with a crock pot. I bought and carefully transported the pork roasts to the cabin. My grand plan was to let the roasts cook in the crock pot the day before. Yeah, whatever! It was over 100 degrees and there was no way in H E Double Hockey Sticks I was adding more heat to the cabin. So I snuck into Safeway and bought the pre-made pulled pork. It was a hit!

I am exhausted, but very glad for the family I have. I am very blessed.

It was amazing to look around and see how many babies we have now! Keira has been the only baby for so long.

We tried to take a picture of the great-grandbabies and GG, but it was quite a task! So I chose the best picture I could (look in the background.)

Melting in Leavenworth

This weekend, my brother, sister-in-law, niece, Keira and my mom, stayed in Leavenworth. It was unbearably hot! Yesterday, the temperature was 102 degrees. I handled the weather ok until last night. Keira and I stayed in the upstairs bedroom, of our cabin, and it was like a "slow-cooker." I am ready to be in air-conditioning.

We went to Blackbird Island to cool off and we were not the only ones. (I think the whole town was there!)

There is a fire burning in the Alpine Lake Area, which has fire crews going past the cabin, via helicopter, every 15 minutes. We checked the US Forestry Service website and we are not in any potential danger, YET. I took some photos of the helicopters and their water buckets flying over the cabin. About 2 miles from the cabin is the landing site for the helicopters and the fire crews. Supposedly, the fire is so high up, that you cannot access it via truck.

We watched rust colored plumes float above the mountain ridge and the sky has been quite hazy. At times, you can smell fire, which makes me unsettled, but this is life and the chance I took when purchasing the cabin. Thank goodness I am insured!

Mud Mountain

We went to Mud Mountain, yesterday. What a beautiful park! It is in the middle of nowhere (out past Enumclaw and Buckley.) The park had a small water area; 3 playgrounds; large grassy area for the children to roam; picnic areas; etc. It was very nice.

We released the children to "roam!" However, they kept coming back.

Back To School Shopping

Well, I think we're finished shopping for school. I have taken a second mortgage out and we'll be eating Top Ramen for the next year (oh, the memories from college days.) Any donations are welcome! (Just kidding!) I do not want to complain because Keira is finally choosing "girly" outfits instead of standard jeans and tshirts. However, she informed me that she has always worn camoflauge on the first day of school, since Kindergarten. We did not purchase any camo, nor did I see any in the store (I think it may be out of style.) I'm just going to ignore the camo until it's brought up again.

Keira has chosen to participate in soccer, gymnastics, and girl scouts, this fall. Arg! I am doing my best to be supportive and not selfish...however, I think I'll need to start seeing a therapist. Oh, wait! That will take more time out of my schedule.

Family Reunion-Dad's Side

Saturday, we had a family reunion in North Bend. I was a little worried about the weather, since it was POURING RAIN all morning. Luckily, it stopped before we arrived and miraculously started, once again, on our way home. It was so nice to see family I haven't seen for awhile. It was definitely a way to reconnect.

Keira was a wonderful help to her aunt and uncle, as well as a wonderful playmate for the other children.

Parent Night at Camp

Keira is having a blast and is absolutely DIRTY. Last night was "Parent Night" and I was able to come for dinner before their sleepover. The firefighters came from Station 44 (where my godparents volunteered...awe the memories.) Of course, I am always on the prowl for a date, so what could be better than firefighters! Woohoo! However, I noticed that I am old enough to be their mother.

The best part of the night was when a little girl next to me told us that her mom couldn't make it because she was "passed out." Trying not to give away my shock, my friend stated, "Oh, she must be really tired and just passed out from exhaustion." "Nope," the girl said, "She just passed out so my dad dropped me off and went home." I really did not want to ask for a further explaination.

Campers Beware!

Carly, Keira, Lauren-Julia, Brianna, Ashley, Amy the first day of camp! When we pulled up it was just like the camp movies, from years past...and no not the scary movies, either. Kids were running everywhere. Parents were running everywhere.