A rare evening post...

I am tired of laying on the sofa so I decided to sit up for a few moments and post...  I managed to teach this morning... I ended up turning a garbage can upside down to rest my foot on next to the bike...  it seemed to work out pretty well...

I went to my niece's birthday party this afternoon and managed to eat two packages of goldfish crackers and two cupcakes.... I now have a sugar hangover...  I hope I can manage to stay up until 9:00.... I'm into watching the Glee Project....  I hope I can stay up....

Last day off!

Okay, that isn't actually true - I am going to teach my class this morning although I'm not going to actually teach...  I will just sit there.  I walked about 5,000 steps yesterday and that was a bit more than I could handle...  I got home around 11:30 and then hung out on the sofa the rest of the day.

Today I am also going to my niece Katie's birthday party... it should be fun - I'm going for the cake.

Tomorrow it's back to work.  I shall be taking the bus to and from work...  I think I will suck it up and buy another bus pass this next month.  I don't want to ruin my recovery at all... oh well...

I think that's all I have to tell this morning... soon enough I will be frantically preparing to go to Vermont for four weeks... and I will be lamenting over how I can't afford it. 

Just something you have to look forward to.

Back home

I made my way back home last night and it's pretty much the way I expected it...  same apartment different day.

The plan today is to go to ww and then come back here and ice the knee.  I think It might be nice so I will determine whether or not I want to venture out into the world with my sexy anti-embolism stocking...

I am happy to be drinking my favorite coffee again...

I don't have much to tell you... I am going to go teach at the gym tomorrow...   We couldn't find anyone to cover it... that's alright... we're going to just sit there and tell people what to do.  Should be fun.

I think that's it for now...  I will now carry on with my coffee and icing...

Hello

Friday has finally come....  I have worn a dent in the sofa and this is what I have to deal with...

  Zoe standing on my chest trying to give me some love....

Yesterday's high points include
Hot Tub Time Machine
taking a shower while standing on one leg
going to my apartment to check my mail and take my laundry back
lunch at University Village with Mom
almost rear-ending a car on the ride home...

yep - that's about it.

I am planning on spending the day on the sofa again - I may try to venture out at some point - but there's nothing that I really have to do...

Here's the lowdown on my knee... it's still swollen - about an inch and a half larger than the left one, I'm back to just taking ibuprofen, I can't straighten it all the way so I still walk funny...  I can put my weight on it though and it doesn't hurt.  I'm just awkward...

What else is new?  Nothing...

Sofa time!

Here I sit (lay)..... leg up, ice on, watching The Today Show with my buddy Ann...

Not much to report.  I am glad that I'm not going to go back to work until next week...  Although I can walk unassisted, it's hard to straighten out the leg all the way... it's swollen and a bit sore now as well.  I broke down and took a painkiller before I went to bed... it helped quite a bit.

Here are a smattering of photos for you today....  I will try to stay out of trouble today...  I may go back to my place tonight... but then again I may suck it up and stay with momma again... it's kind of nice.

here I recline...

Day four   three my knee started swelling last night...  it still doesn't hurt too much if I keep it elevated and iced.

Currently I am on the sofa with the puppies on my lap.

My post op visit went well.  I have to lay low at least through Sunday and then if It feels alright I can start doing gentle cycling..  woot woot.  I have some nice photos of the inside of my knee which I will try to post once I get home to my apartment (tomorrow maybe)...


What else?  I am a bit bored... maybe I'll work on some art stuff...  maybe I'll take a nap.  I've been up since 4am...

Yesterday my sister & bro-in-law had to put their puppy to sleep...  technically 15 years does not equal a puppy...  but you know... so that kind of sucks...

Feeling Alright...

I am feeling pretty good this morning...  my surgery went off without a hitch...  My only discomfort was post surgery - my knee was pretty achy, but it seems pretty good this morning... I have my post operative appointment this morning - that's when my dressings will be changed and I'll get my rehab instructions.

Overall I am pleased... my throat is a little sore and my mouth is dry from the anti-nausea patch I am wearing...  I'll probably take that off this afternoon if I can take a shower.... otherwise I'll leave it on just a bit longer...  I haven't felt barfy at all so that is good...

I think it may be time to close my eyes again... don't ever underestimate the power of a good nap.

Ready for it.

I am sitting here next to a dog... she's nice and warm....

I am also sitting here with a bit of a headache from the lack of caffeine and fluids.

I ended up not doing much yesterday afternoon... my lunch plans were canceled...

What do I know?  Not a heck of a lot...  I'm looking forward to the knee being fixed.  I have had a year full of injuries and I hope this is the last of them for the time being... 

I will check in tomorrow - I'm not feeling like typing too much this morning.

A day without posting

nope - I can't do it....

Today - Laundry!
Teaching for the last time with a bum knee...
Lunch with a girl I went to high school with...

cleaning up the apartment so I can come home to a nice place and not fall all over things...

AND NO EATING PAST MIDNIGHT...

it's going to be hard.

Yep - I'm a superstar.

What do I know? 

It's going to be nice this weekend.

My check in time is noon on Monday... that means I better sleep in really really really late because I'm not allowed to eat or drink anything after midnight on Sunday.  I'm not worried about the not eating part - I'm worried about the not being able to have any coffee.  That's the challenge.

I modified my waxing appointment today - I'm only getting my brows done.  let's see how it goes...

I don't really have anything planned this weekend.... Maybe I'll head down to the open studio hours at the Project Room and crochet with Mandy Greer...

Last day of limping to work!

I am pretty excited that after today I don't have to limp to work anymore... okay, I may limp - but not because of the knee injury... it will be because of the knee recovery...  woot woot.

I have a bit of a sore throat - hopefully that's just allergies and it won't interfere with the ability of them to surgerate on me!  (I spelled that wrong on purpose)...

What else do I know...  I had been eliminating sweets from my diet, but I fell alongside the wagon a little bit yesterday... I'm back on today (although we're having doughnuts today at work....).... Don't these people know that they're interfering with my weight loss goals by doing this???

Yesterday I returned a knee brace and a pair of socks I bought at REI a few months ago...  It's enough to cover the cost of my eyebrow wax tomorrow... I have canceled the armpit waxing and leg waxing... I think I may see how long I can go without shaving my armpits....   I may start plucking...   hopefully I can get everything waxed just before I go to Vermont....  oh the decisions I have to make and the challenges I am faced with.

Besides the knee situation and the money situation I have cramps.... great.  Oh well - at least I have the majority of the next week free to recuperate and catch up on sleep...  There are worse things in life than shaving your armpits...

Bloggers and Lonliness

I received an email last night to participate in a research study about bloggers and their feelings...  and pets.  It was the chance to get a 20 dollar Amazon Gift Card so I'm all for it...  It had a lot of questions about how I felt about things and whether or not I felt like I had people to talk to and people who understand me.... hmmm... interesting.

I realized yesterday that I hadn't gotten anyone lined up for my class coverage on Saturday's while I'm in Vermont... oops.  Ah Well - it will sort itself out I think...

I am contemplating giving up my waxing regimen.... and I am getting no sympathy from my family... and I'm sure I'll get no sympathy from you guys either...  it's hard.  It's one of the little things I have left... 

On that bright note I think I shall leave...

T-Minus five days...

hooray - I get my knee fixed in five days.  I can't wait.

I only have three more classes to teach and then I get another week off!  Maybe I'll catch up on sleeping - or cleaning - or something.... maybe I'll work on my online dating profile.

I've started using Google + and I don't quite get it...  I think I like it, but I don't have enough people I know who use it yet for it to make sense...

Okay - I just got an email from the Vermont Studio Center asking for money... argh...  I can almost afford it... 

Random post this morning - I guess that's alright...

Pre-Op!

Today I got to sleep in a few minutes... I tried to sleep in until 7:00, but I only managed to make it to 6:15ish...

In the past 12 hours I have canceled/re-booked/canceled and re-booked my train tickets from Vermont.  THIS IS GOING TO KILL ME!  I have started pasting links to my artwork on Facebook... you never know - someone might want to buy prints of me stalking Ann Curry... or a bunch of Pushpins...

It might happen.

It's weird - although I am feeling so out of control when it comes to finances I feel pretty good otherwise...  It's a Strange thing...

To change subjects here are some of the photos I took at the Mad Houses Exhibit on Sunday...

Hmmm... down but not out.

I had a busy day yesterday...  I made reservations for a hotel in Burlington Vermont and finalized my transportation to and from Vermont... only $200 or so more than I was expecting...  I have to send in a payment this week...  I only have about half of it though...  the question is, who do I ask for a loan???  my Mom?  My Dad?..... poop.  what can I sell?  I'm looking into applying for a few more grants but I don't know if it's going to work out....

Yesterday I went to half price books and sold some dvd's...  I got $25.00 for them!  Every little bit helps I guess.

I also managed to get down to see the Mad Art Homes exhibit...  it was great... I like the idea of taking over a house and installing art in it....  I've thought about doing that sort of thing before... 

The exhibit is put on in some older houses that are slated for Demolition... it's put on by the same group that I met with a few years ago about doing a proposal for their first window project... I never did a proposal because I was working on my show at 4 Culture - I didn't have the time or energy to do both... 

I liked the work yesterday because it invigorated me... it makes me want to make work...  I haven't had this feeling for a while...  that's a good thing...

Did you notice that I haven't mentioned my knee yet??  I know, it's a miracle.  I have my pre-op appointment tomorrow... that will be exciting.  I am so looking forward to getting this taken care of and being able to walk normally again.  Or at least getting rid of the dull ache that's been there for the past two months..

I think that's all I have this morning... see you tomorrow.

I wish money grew on trees

it would be so much easier...  this is going to kill me...

I am going to have to sell all my worldly possessions and move back in with my mother.

I managed to arrange transportation to and from Vermont.  It only cost me about 200 bucks more than I was intending.


Oye.... I'm trying to remain positive - but it's really really really hard right now...

This is going to kill me....

I really screwed up by not reserving my train ticket to get to Vermont.  I have totally miscalculated the days I need to be in and out of the place so I also have to find accommodations on two extra days....  this sucks big time.  I wonder if I can just spend the night at the Burlington Airport...  I wonder if I can sell a kidney to pay for the extra pain ticket I just had to buy...

I wonder if I will have to sell my car...
Life is good, but it sucks big time right now...

Finally some answers.

I am scheduled for surgery on the 25!  I just have the torn meniscus and it's a pretty easy fix.  The only think that will slow me down is the recovery of the incision.  I am definitely relieved...   Save up all your sympathy for me - I am going to need it : )

While they are fixing my knee they are going to clean up some scar tissue from my previous surgery as well - so it's good news all around.

Last night I went to a crochet party at the Project Room  Mandy Greer had a residency there right now and she had a crochet party.  It was fun...  there will be other parties and if you ever wanted to learn how to do it here's your chance.

Mandy is a Graduate of the MFA program at the UW and her work rocks.  I think she is possibly the first one I knew of to venture out of the "Clay" arena  - being that she encouraged us to use things in addition to clay...  I went to a conference last year and they mentioned her work and there was a little gasp that went up in the room when people saw her work.

What else?  it's Friday...  It's payday...  other than being poor and not having a dating life I think I'm okay...

D-Day

Today is the day!  Just in time for my appointment with the knee guy I tweaked it again... not as bad as last Friday, but it's not great... It will be nice to have some sort of game plan.

Work has been really busy - I am really tired...  I haven't had any time to get my apartment cleaned up... I did manage to get some dishes done (because I woke up early)...

If I ever want to have people over I better get things tidied up.

I have been arranging play dates like crazy - I find myself getting into a rut and just wanting to stay at home with Crusty II and the television... I'm definitely not going to expand my social circles by doing this...  I need to do more. 

I'm starting to think about what I am going to do while I'm in Vermont...  oh the possibilities.  I think I will also take time while I'm there to work on my job search (for teaching positions...).  It should be interesting...I just need to find a way to pay for everything...

I think I shall now focus on getting myself ready to face the truth about my knee... hopefully it's going to be something that we can fix fairly easily...  maybe I'll get painkillers!

Dear Cold,

Please go away cold.... I'm tired of you.  I don't feel horrible, but just bad enough to not want to do much beyond the norm.

This morning I get to hang out a little bit more than normal - I have to go to the King County Archives and they don't open until 9:00.  That means MORE COFFEE!  okay, maybe not more coffee - but more time to enjoy it.

Tomorrow is the day when I find out about my knee... woot woot.... it's about time.  I must say overall it's feeling better - but it's definitely not perfect.  I am suspecting there will need to be some surgical intervention involved.  I just want to get it fixed so I can have some normal use back.  Being injured sucks. 

This weekend I have a few things lined up.  I have a t-shirt making play date on Saturday and then I might meet a friend from High School on Sunday for something (don't know what just yet)...  I still have to clean up my apartment... it's not going to well... I was so tired last night I fell asleep on the sofa before I could get around to cleaning..

I think that's all I've got this morning... I am phlegmy...

Better but still tired

I am managing a transition that is somewhat coherent - back into real life.  I have the night off tonight so I think I will probably work on getting my apartment cleaned up...

Last night the gym was really slow in the cycle area, but hopping in the membership area.  They have a really good special going on since they sold the gym... nothing to join, 15 dollars a month... If I didn't already work there I might be tempted into joining..

Change is hard sometimes.

As for my real job - it was busy but nothing out of control...  a consistent hum...

What else?  I don't know... I'm feeling a bit dissatisfied... not in a bad way but in a "you need to be doing something different" sort of way.  I need to get back to work on my Words on a Shirt Project...  I think that might make me feel better...  oh... oh... oh....

I suppose I should suck up some more coffee before I start getting ready.

It goes on and on...

My head hurts this morning... but not enough to not go to work (damn work ethic..). 

I am happy to report that I taught yesterday and my knee didn't hurt.  woot woot.

I think it all comes down to the muscles in my legs I think.  I need to make sure they are not tense...  I know - easier said than done.

I am back on the sofa, back with the French Press, back to work....  changed for the better though.

Yesterday I gave five bucks to a homeless couple at the off ramp of Roanoke exit... it made me feel really good.  I don't know what they will use it for but the woman called me sweetheart.  I had a fair amount of wetness in my eyes when I was done.... ahh.... I'm getting sappy.  I need to do more with my life.

Good things are going to come.  I can feel it.

Back amongst the living (sort of).

I am back home (albeit a messy home)...  after a good nights sleep I feel adequate.  I have come down with a cold - it's not too bad, but it would be nice to sleep all day (and then do laundry)... yeah, I know you all envy me don't you?

In reality I have to go teach and then I'm off to a birthday party for my aunt.

Then, I can come home and do laundry... woot woot.

Here is a basic review of camp.  It was one of the best weeks ever.  The campers were great, the staff was great, the directors were great.  It was swell.... there have been years past when I have felt emotionally drained when I was done - not so this week.  I am tired, but emotionally I am better than I've ever been.

I feel complete.

I am tired.

I stayed up until 2:30ish and then woke up at 6:30... 

Lodge is a mess.

I tweaked my knee again yesterday.  doesn't hurt as much as before but it hurts again.

Insert sad face here...  At least I get to sleep in my own bed tonight.

hmmm.... Sore Throat.

I am hoping I am not getting sick.  Last night we had a really really really really long talent show. 

Then we stayed up a really really really long time.

I am tired.

The end.

One Sprained Ankle, One Skinned Elbow

That is all I have to report.

Maybe today I'll get my camera today.

I'm Better

It turns out that I just had a really tight ass yesterday.  My glute was so tight from overcompensating it messed up my knee.

On a sad note - my cousin Taylor had to go home because she has strep throat... We also had one trip to urgent care for a brow laceration.

Hopefully there will no more major injuries this week.

I will try to post some photos at some point... I suppose I would have to get out my camera though...

You are probably wondering...

You are probably asking yourself - "why is Jen posting while she is at camp?"  You may also be asking yourself "why is she up so freaking early if she doesn't ACTUALLY have to get out of bed until 8:00??"  Well let me tell you why?

As with most things in my life lately - I AM FALLING APART!  This time it's my opposite hip and knee.  I'm sure it is the Gods getting even with me for actually going swimming in the lake yesterday and having fun.  I'm sure of it.  There is nothing like being woken up in the middle of the night with an aching leg.  It actually started last night after dinner and has progressively gotten worse.

To top things off this morning - I can't even find the coffee press... I have to drink camp coffee!  It will suffice - but it's just not the same.

I am sad.  I hate feeling like crap when I'm here.  The busted knee isn't giving me nearly as many problems as my hip now.  I want to cry... or take massive amounts of painkillers but that's not going to happen.  (insert sad frowny face here...)...

I just have to wait one more hour until the rest of the campers wake up...  I managed to stay in bed until 6:00... that's all I could manage.

okay, here's a funny story...  one of the campers is the son of one of a guy I went to camp with...   makes me feel old and infertile...  oh well.  What can you do?

I hope the next time I post it will be on a more cheery note.  Being in pain sucks.  I want a refund.

Here it is.

I am at camp...

I slept in until 8:00 this morning and I am feeling good.  You can't beat 9 hours of rest before the big week can you?

Okay, updates on my real life...  they sold the gym so I now am a teacher at Vision Quest.

My knee doesn't hurt too much.

I think I forgot to pack something but I don't know what it is... I'll figure it out.

Okay, it's time for me to eat breakfast - yum.

I am not ready

I still have a ton of things to do to get ready for camp.  It will all shake down by the time I get there...

I shouldn't sit around then... I'll post later from camp if I have time.

Last day before vacation!

Thank goodness. 

I'm sure today will seem like it's going on forever and ever and ever....

I've gone six days without sweets.  I think that will all come to an end today though...  we are having treats from the Dahlia Bakery this morning... you never know - I may be able to resist... if we get something like banana bread I shouldn't have much of a problem avoiding it.

I got the results of my MRI yesterday and although I don't really know any medical terminology it looks like I have a complex tear, an artifact (which I think is my screw), mild effusion (water on the knee), and a previous repair...  oh, also subluxation of the patella (dislocated kneecap)...  all of my ligaments are intact and the graft of my ACL is in tact so that's cool...  I just have an old worn out knee...  It's feeling alright relatively.

Tonight I will be doing laundry and packing!  sounds like fun I know....