looking back . . .

I didn't want to let this day go by without acknowledging that it was one year ago today that I had my accident.

So much has happened in this last year; I wish I could say that one of those things was my complete recovery, but that's not to be -- at least not for now. It's been a year filled with events wonderful and events tragic.

But I'm not going to focus on the past -- good or bad -- but on the future, instead. "'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.'" Jeremiah 29:11

Here's to the coming year!

:)

loverly weekend . . .

Truly, it's been a lovely, long weekend! I do adore having Mondays off. It gives the weekend lots of depth, and makes the work week far more bearable! ;)

Plus, we get to pack a lot of stuff in! Saturday, Todd and I headed to South Huntsville to pick up a golf cart for Camp MACOBA. We got a *sweet* deal on this baby, and it runs great. It handles the trails out here very nicely, which means Todd was able to take me through the woods and all around -- places I haven't been able to get to since the accident. It was wonderful!!!

We also purchased a large (20' by 10') screened tent. This will give us a place to have both sets of kids and their families over to eat, and have bug protection, too!

All it needs is to have one of the picnic tables brought over. Todd's going to do that sometime soon. I even grabbed my red-checkered tablecloth from Hunter Road for use here! We've got our lawn chairs, too, that we'll put under there for coffee in the mornings. Fun!

Saturday afternoon I made chili and put it in the crock pot, then I made Todd and I some sugar-free gourmet hot chocolate. We took it up to the bedroom and watched the Alabama game on the flat screen up there. We rarely watch TV up there (I watch it up there when I'm alone), so it was like a party.

The hot chocolate (with whipped cream piled high) made it feel like a party too!

This morning, I asked Todd to bring me some Coffee Mate on his way home. What a darling ... he also brought me some flowers!

He said the orange just looked happy -- I have to agree! And perfect for autumn!

I found a pair of shoes at the Dollar Store that I can wear on BOTH feet!! You can't know how exciting this is for me. Never mind the fact that I had to buy a size larger so that my right foot could fit into it! I DON'T CARE!

They aren't the most glamorous of shoes, but they're functional and look halfway decent and they're the SAME! I'm smiling! You can tell there's still swelling in the right ankle, too, but I really think the Mobic is making a difference. It's been a lot easier to walk since I started taking it.

This afternoon I decided it was time to decorate with some fun, fall things!

I think I kept a good balance of fun and pretty things. This is my second fall to decorate in the RV; we moved in early in November last year, and I did put my fall things out (for just a little while). I can't believe that *I* didn't take any pictures -- Camera Queen that I am!

Finally, as I often do, I'll end with a little reminder of one of my favorite things in the whole, wide world . . .

He really *is* such a happy little dude!

:)

one-third . . .

Had a pretty good doctor's visit yesterday. She told me that the foot looks great (considering) and that the x-rays were great too -- she can't even tell where the breaks were! Yay for healing! That was the good news. The tough news was that I'm only one-third of the way through the healing process. She said that the bones take 3-4 months to heal and then the soft tissue takes another 6-8 months to heal after that. Because my injury was so traumatic, it's going to take the high end of both time frames. *sigh* She did put me on Mobic, an anti-inflammatory, and gave me new physical therapy orders.

I only teared up a little. LOL! No really, I did. :)

On the other hand, I've made tremendous strides since the accident first happened and I need to focus on the progress I've made instead of what's still to come! For example, two months ago I would not have been able to give Sawyer a bath in the bathtub! And we had *so* much fun!

He's such a waterbaby! He would have splashed and played for hours. I was the one who had to give it a rest!

And ever the ham! Look how big his hand is! I see future Alabama linebacker material here!

One day he may give his grandma grief over these pictures! But he's so darling, I can't help it!

This weekend is free and clear of obligations! We've got a family reunion coming in Saturday at the Camp, so that should be fun. Alabama is playing their first *real* game of the season, so we'll put on a pot of chili and enjoy some SEC football. Sunday, Todd's on shift, so it'll just be me heading to and from church. Then Monday ... who knows! Perhaps I'll be able to do a little quilting!

Or, since our washer/dryer is STILL not working, perhaps I'll head over to the house and do a week's worth of laundry!

C'est la vie!

:)

already?!?!

It's September? Really?? It seems like just a couple of days ago I was remarking on the fact that it was already July! Next thing you know I'll be wishing everyone a happy new year! :)

The SS conference session went very well last night! Todd did a great job. Overall turnout was low, but we had six, which was probably as good as any of the breakouts (except perhaps the pastor breakout), so we weren't complaining. The a/v all ran smoothly, too!

Today was long. I'm tired, and tired of constant, nagging pain. Sometimes I get overwhelmed with the thought that perhaps this is my new normal; that there will always be pain when I take a step on that right foot--or even just when it's doing nothing (which really scares me). I have to shake that kind of thinking out of my head real quickly -- no need to borrow trouble! For now I'll just presume it's part of the healing process, continue to pop ibuprofen, and work through it.

James shared a new picture of my Sawyer with his beautiful mommy . . .

This certainly takes my mind off trivial things like feet!

:)

normal is *good* . . .

Yesterday was a GREAT day. It was normal. *I* felt normal! I made omelets and toast for breakfast, I did dishes, I cleaned the toilet, sink, and shower, I did laundry, I organized our closet and my drawers, I played in my sewing room . . .

I felt like I had my life back again!

Here's a current snapshot of the ol' foot:

Can you see it??? There's an ankle over there on the right side! Whoohoo!!! And look at how much the scar is fading across the top of my foot!!!

It's still puffy and there's still swelling across the back of the heel, and I *still* can't get it into a normal shoe, but oh my goodness, it looks *so* much better! In fact, when I compare a picture like this to the picture of this poor foot on May 21, 2010, I consider this to be a major miracle! :)

Physical therapy is coming along well. I have a reevaluation appointment on Tuesday. I don't imagine they'll cut me loose just yet -- I still have a very pronounced limp -- there's still plenty of strengthening that needs to be done. I can't balance on my right foot alone for longer than, oh, about 10 seconds, before it begins to scream at me!

You know what else felt good about yesterday? I was able to walk and hold my precious grandbaby!! I can hardly believe he's just two weeks shy of being SIX MONTHS OLD! Gracious. He's so much fun -- and *everything* goes into his mouth! And if there's not something to grab and put into his mouth, his hands will do!

In fact, it was tough getting a picture of him *without* his mouth being filled with one thing or another . . .

Okay, Grandma, here's ONE.

Oh my, how he melts my heart!

:)

flowers make me smile . . .

Yesterday started off on the wrong foot, pardon the pun. I was flustered, running late, unprepared, and in pain. Not a good combination! To make matters worse, I hit my tender foot getting back into the car, from opening the front gate. I was holding on to it just barely when Todd called on his way home, and my dam burst! I'm not even sure my end of the conversation was intelligible! Bless his heart, he is my knight in shining armor. I had been at work for less than an hour and my darling man shows up with breakfast, coffee, and lunch in hand (because in my lateness, I missed all of these things). Plus, he surprised me with these . . .

And just in case, he also brought a little something sweet . . .

FUDGE! :)

Needless to say, with flowers, chocolate, coffee and breakfast, all delivered with a hug and a kiss by the love of my life, my day brightened considerably!

We can be *so* silly at work!

From work I headed to my last physical therapy session of the week. I have three more regular sessions to go and then I have a re-evaluation. They all liked my pretty toes. LOL!

The ice with the electrons is my favorite part. I could sit there for EVER! :)

Yesterday evening, Todd and I headed back into town for the first worship service of a new church start, ignite city church. My daughter and her husband are part of the core group who make up this new church, and Todd and I wanted to worship and celebrate with them for their first service!

Joc is looking wonderful -- she is *glowing* And her darling husband is wearing one of my all-time favorite shirts. I laugh every time I read it!

This is Joc and her sweet friend, Amy, who is the wife of the new pastor, Robert!

And here's my precious girl and her daddy. It's hard to recall how rough yesterday started, when it ended with such sweet fellowship!

Tonight is Friday Night Sew-in! If you haven't signed up and you want to join in the fun, head over to Handmade by Heidi!!! Just click on the button below . . .

TGIF!

:)

foot update . . .

Last night, after my physical therapy appointment, I headed over to Glamor Nails for a *much* needed pedicure! I needed it for my mental well-being as much as for the well-being of my feet, too!

My technician, Kim, is a darling lady. I've been going there for more than two years, and she's always taken care of me. I haven't seen her since May (before the accident) when I ran into her at Publix, and told her I'd be in soon for a post-Mother's Day pedicure. It never happened. When I went in yesterday, she was very concerned and was a little afraid of handling my right foot, which I understand -- I was a little anxious myself! But she did a great job . . .

Pretty toes! What I really wanted was the scrubbing and scuffing and buffing on my feet, but she wouldn't go hard-core on *either* foot, though she promised she would next appointment! I had to coax her into buffing the bottom of the right foot! And after you've been in a cast/boot for twelve weeks solid, you foot needs *serious* buffing!

I had PT session number seven last night. I asked Tracy, my therapist, given that I only have four appointments left after this week, if I'd be ready to be released. She laughed at me. I guess that means no. Then she told me that on the twelfth appointment I'd be re-evaluated and the doctor would prescribe additional sessions. I had to laugh -- evidently TOC (where I go for therapy) gives out tee-shirts to their patients on their last session. Tracy said there was no way she was handing me a TOC shirt when I was still walking all gimpy. She said it would be *terrible* advertising! LOL!! I love this group!

Overall, I'm doing great. The healing process is coming along nicely and I'm working my way through therapy and my exercises nicely. The wound from the 'break out' is finally starting to completely heal over. And the swelling over the top of my foot is fading, too. They told me it would take nine months (or possibly more) to be *close* to pre-accident condition. Ugh. Isn't it amazing that a single moment in time can effect the next hundred of thousands of moments to follow?

The swelling concern, now, is on the right side of the ankle. It's where I have the most pain now, too. Advil has become my good friend. They've added ultrasound to my therapy routine, to help. It's nice, but I'm not sure it's made much of a difference yet. She said it can take a couple of sessions, when the swelling is this acute. Last night she measured the swelling -- 31 cm! Egads! My neck measures 33 cm!

There's a closeup of the *wound* healing. I need these for posterity. :)

Here's where I really see the difference between the healthy foot and the healing foot! I have to laugh -- if I hadn't taken the photo myself, I'd have to question whether or not the foot on the right was really a foot -- and if they were really part of the same body!

I'll just focus on the toes, for now!! Kim even gave me sparkly, pretty designs ... I have classy toes!

:)

i can't get enough . . .

Last night was the last night of our ladies summer Bible study. It was fun, and I'll miss that interaction when AWANA starts back up next week. Todd has mentioned, though, that he may be doing some Wednesday night speaking to AWANA leaders at other churches about Camp MACOBA. Fun!

Before church last night, Kim brought Sawyer over for a little visit. She said Sawyer missed his grandma, but really, Kim knew Sawyer's grandma was missing him! She also sent me a couple of new pictures . . .

and . . .

And of course I took some of my own, too . . .

I love this new foot fascination!
Kim says he gets angry if he's sitting in his swing
and can't reach his feet! And *everything* he can grab
goes straight to his mouth! It was so cute when I was
holding him last night, to have him reach for my face!

Of course,
Sawyer wanted to have a little quality *grandpa* time too!

Todd went yesterday and filed the paperwork to get me
my very own handicap decal:

Bright RED! It's a temporary pass, for six months.
It will be very helpful.

And here are the exercises the therapist gave me
to work on last night . . .

I was already doing some of it.
Today I've tried walking (in the boot) using
the walker as support. Yay! It's getting there!

Tonight we are meeting Joc & Jason in town for dinner. She had her 12-week appointment yesterday, and mommy and mini- are doing great!

Long weekend coming up -- hopefully next week I'll be able to start driving and things will start getting back to normal again! I'm anxious to move back to the RV and resuming LIFE!

:)

what a happy day!

Yesterday was *all* words, so today will be mostly photos . . . and mostly photos of what I wrote about yesterday! :)

I had a *great* visit to the orthopedist today! She wrote me orders for physical therapy! Yay! First they are going to transition me to 'full weight bearing' in the boot, and then they'll progress to 'full weight bearing' without the boot! I have to go three times a week for the next four weeks. And, I got a handicap sticker. Which means as soon as I can walk to my car, I can DRIVE! I'm seeing light . . . the end of the tunnel is getting closer! I have my first PT appointment TODAY!

Then I went to my family doctor, who told me the bite site looks very, very good and that I dodged a big bullet! Whew! :) In retrospect, four days in the hospital is preferable to what could have happened with a brown recluse spider bite.

I get to see this little fellow today, too!


Here are the baby wrens . . . can you see them?
I counted at least four!


Aren't they cute??
They are *so* noisy when Mrs. Wren is
there with a juicy worm. But they know
if they see me, they need to pipe down and get small.

There's the little nest, tucked into the corner.
I didn't move the plant to get a good picture,
because I didn't want to frighten the baby birdies.

One of the benefits of being at the house this
summer was we were here for the figs! They are ripe and yummy.

And sooooo happy! :)


Last one: Sawyer Practices His ABC's!


Here's the back side of the Russia block
I'm back to working on. I really do love this quilting stencil.


And here's the sweet package I received from Karen,
at Little Pieces of My Life.

See?! A present for me!

Cute little pin, isn't it??

And aren't these edges beautiful handiwork???

Yay! And I'm off!

:)