Recovery

After the last post the next day the pain from the adjustment had abated. Only a new problem popped up and that was I was feeling very sick indeed from my lack of intestinal movement (if you get my drift). The doctors failed to inform me that narcotics would cause constipation. You should take something like Miralax or something of the sort the whole time you're one it. So I hadn't and it had been on day 10 before all the medicine and pills I put in my system finally decided to work. So I'm still dealing with the repercussions of taking all the "aids". Pleasant no? In other ways though I'm doing better. I went to the piercing shop Friday and had all my jewelry put back in that I couldn't do myself and that went well. I stood at the counter for a minute or two without too much pain on my crutches.

Today I was able to get up this morning and stand at the sink and brush my teeth, wash my face, put in my contacts and put a pony tail in before needing to lay back down. So hopefully I'll just keep progressing. I'm also hoping to get a wheel chair with a leg attachment (to hold my leg straight out) from Goodwill Medical Services but so far there are none in stock. I have a normal wheel chair from Tim's grandpa but the foot pedals don't work for what I need. If I do get one I'll be able to actually go to a store and shop around, sit in class comfortably next week, etc. Maybe even the State Fair? Keep your fingers crossed for me getting a chair quickly! I'd really like to get back out into the world outside my bedroom.

Surgery

I had my knee surgery on August 18th, a Tuesday. I don't feel like describing it right now, but I may come back later and add the details. Things didn't go well at the hospital, most of the staff was horrible. I came home and things have gotten worse. I haven't been comfortable for any amount of time since my surgery. I have 2 more weeks before I go in again, and the way the PA tightened up my brace today hurts and I don't know what to do. I've left a million voicemails for these people with the problems I've had and talking to someone is like pulling teeth. Its a terrible experience, all of it, and I don't know how I'm going to make it through the whole time.

Picture time

I uploaded some pictures from my mom's camera today, along with the newest ones since Tim's birthday. I just noticed something about Flickr today. When uploading the pictures, even if you put them in order when you add them to upload, they go in whatever order they upload fastest. Does that make sense? So if one finishes before another before it, then its out of order from there on out. Its kind of a pain and I don't like it. I mean its organized in the separate months, but in the photo stream its all wonky. Anyway, not really a big deal I guess.

Today is Jen's graduation party at 3 pm. I'm not sure what time I'm going to head over or if I'm going to wait for Tim or not. He has his end of the year deal at the gun club until like 6:30 or something including tear down. So who knows. Tierney is here and Avery is still at Robin's. She should be home soon, sometime this afternoon. Last night I went and saw the Hangover with Lorna and it was pretty good. I'd recommend it, on dvd maybe. Tomorrow I'm going to see a friends new baby, Monday I have to work, donate plasma, meet with the mortgage guy, and get my piercings taken out, then Tuesday is my surgery already. Time flies!

Birthdays

Tim's birthday was August 3rd and we celebrated by going out to Snuffy's for dinner and malts. It was yummy! My birthday was August 7th and we went to Pinz (with the intention of bowling eventually) and ate at Harvey's which is the restaurant inside. Most of the people invited didn't show up, so for awhile it was just me, Tim, Lorna and Chris, and Sarah. My mom brought Avery over after she got home from Robin's and we opened presents and then played in the arcade for a little bit. Avery was pretty tired so she went home. Shortly after, Lorna, Chris and Tim left. Jen and Tristan showed up and we moved on over to TGI Fridays in Maplewood where Andrea and Peter came. We had a super snotty waitress, finally got our drinks and hung out for a bit. I had a grasshopper that was blended with ice, and it was so chunky I couldn't drink it out of a straw. I was slightly disappointed. An old coworker from Southview (Schelle) also came out a little while later, and at the end it was Sara, Schelle and I just talking till Fridays closed. It turned out to be a decent birthday after all.

This week has been kind of busy with doctors appointments and preparations for surgery. I also have been talking to a realtor and mortgage broker about getting my own place. I had my eyes on a little house in Maplewood by Weaver Elementary school and it was only on the market for 9 days before someone bought it. I'm a little disappointed, but hopefully I'll find something similar or even better in that price range. I have an appointment with the mortgage guy on Monday and the realtor is sending me some houses to look at tomorrow. So I'll be able to pour over that stuff while I'm laid up from the surgery!

Maddens 09

We just got back from Brainerd today and it was quite a trip. Avery enjoyed herself thoroughly and I must say I did too. I'll start with what we did from the Friday evening we got there.

We arrived around 5pm and stopped at Target for a floaty and beach ball for Avery and Claritin for Dad. We at at a place called Pancho Lefty's and it was pretty bland and blah for Mexican food. When we got back we got in the pool even though the weather was cool, the outdoor pool was heated and it was nice. There was a icecream shop called Chrissy's where they had really good Kemps icecream. There was also stuffed animals and candy in the shop.

AJ (my dad's old boss) and Jack (the person who took his position when he got promoted) were there with their families. AJ and his wife Jodi had a boy named Devon and a girl, Kelsie. Jack and RoseAnne had a boy Ryan, and a girl Samantha. Samantha was 13 and she immediately took a liking to Avery. They all played together pretty well and Avery really liked Sam too.

Saturday we went to the Cafe in the main lodge area and had a pretty good breakfast. My dad went golfing and we had slept in till about 9:30 even though a alarm in an empty room went off from 6-7 am. When my dad got back he took Avery to the Adventure Cove park and Mom and I went to the Westgate Mall. I was not impressed. It was worse than Stevens Points Mall, and I thought that was pathetic. So we didn't waste much time there. When we got back Avery went swimming with the kids and I watched. They had a bonfire and Avery had smores and hammed it up with AJ who she was feeling pretty chummy with. I had icecream at Chrissy's again.

Sunday I was woken by the alarm again which this time when we called the front desk, someone actually came and turned it off by 6:25. But by then the damage was done and I was awake for good. I took a shower and went to the coffee shop to read for about an hour. I came back around 8:00 and my dad was up then but Avery and my mom were still asleep. He was going golfing again and we had facial appointments at 10. Avery was supposed to stay with the kids but she didn't like being alone and came with me to my appointment. It was okay, but I'm not comfortable with people touching me and it was half facial, half massage so I wasn't too thrilled. We finished before my mom because she was getting an eyebrow wax too so Avery and I went back to the room. We had lunch at the cafe and my dad joined us after golf. We went swimming for a bit and my mom got in while I took a shower and went to check out the free magazines and snacks a the meeting place. At 5:30 we dropped Avery off at Adventure Cove for the kids party while we went to the awards dinner. It drug on till about 9pm when I went and got Avery.

Monday we let Avery and Dad sleep in and we had a great brunch at the "town hall" I think it was called. We were stuffed and came back to the room so dad could go golf in the Classic and we could go to the Pine River Riding Stables for horseback riding. There were kittens lounging in an old stroller and they were absolutely adorable. A little grey tabby took a great liking to me, and loved to stretch his claws on my legs. Avery didn't want to ride her own horse so she went with me. My knees definitely took a beating and by the time we were done, they weren't feeling too great. They also had donkeys, goats and an emu there. Also in a little pen called "Puppyville" were spaniel puppies and golden retrievers. They were chompy little fellas and Avery mostly spent the time trying to get them not to steal her sunglasses off her shirt. We went back for the company picnic. We had some time before it so Avery and I got a rootbeer float while mom napped. At the picnic there were games and a jumpy for the kids. The food was really good and she had a fun time. I got a little bit of a sunburn for the first time.

Tuesday (today) was our last day there and mom and I got up for brunch again. We woke Avery up around 9 and got ready to go. On the way out of Brainerd we stopped at Paul Bunyon Land and Avery had a blast on a bunch of rides. There was also a small petting zoo with some really bored looking animals. The donkey paced backwards and fowards nonstop. The chickens didn't move a muscle, but the goats were pretty fun. They had a little play ground looking thing outside. There was also a small cow who happily chewed on my hand when the food was gone. We headed home after that. Avery's playing in the tub, and I think she might actually sleep all night in her own bed. I'm crossing my fingers.

Brainerd

Friday Avery, my parents and myself will embark to Brainerd, MN for a grocers convention and general weekend getaway. We are staying at Madden's on Gull Lake. I have never been there before, but apparently its a great place. Avery will be going to a kids day camp, my mom and I will be going to a spa (her for a massage, me for a facial) and other random activities yet to be determined. We'll be back Tuesday and I will resume work Wednesday! So a nice, and needed, couple days off.

I redyed my hair last Saturday and got a haircut Tuesday. The shortest layer is significantly shorter than I've had my hair in a long time, and yet no one noticed. Oh well, I like it and I think it looks good. If only I could chop off pounds of my middle like my hair...

That's really it as far as news goes. We've been trying to go to Stillwater Summer Tuesdays, but so far the past two have been rainy and blah. Avery gets excited to see Mikai, then I have to tell her its not a happening deal. Today I scooped water off the tarp on her pool twice. Many bucket loads. Not fun, and she's only been in that thing twice. I'm sick of this weird July weather. Give me a real summer eh?

Cirque du Soliel

Today was a exciting day for Avery and myself. Avery had Mikai's 5th birthday party to attend and I had Kooza. Avery put on her swim suit at about 10 am to be ready for the party we didn't need to leave for until 3 pm. She was more than ready. When we got there she swam for awhile (I had to get in too, she wasn't enjoying the life jacket business). So we played in the water for 45 min or so, then got dried up and had some food. It was a county fair theme so there was corn dogs, cotton candy, popcorn, etc. Very cute and fun. Tim got there around 5:45 and I had to take off to get back to the house by 6:30. They finished eating and played games, ate cake, and opened presents without me.

I think this is my 4th Cirque du Soliel experience if I recall, and it was great. It makes me want to run away and join the circus! I'd have to become super flexible, or something amazing first. Guess that won't be happening any time soon! But its late and bed is sounding good. Pictures to come.