worldwonderer's Journal

7:26pm: Saw a horrible wreck today. Not gory, but it has really messed with my mind. A loaded horse trailer had gotten turned over, don't know how, the top had come completely off. Some of the horses were standing over to the side, someone had their reins. That was on the way to lunch. Coming back I saw the horses I'd seen standing on another horse trailer (I can only imagine their trauma!). When I got to where the accident had been, they were loading the horse trailer onto the tow truck. There was a horse (dead) inside and two more in the ditch.

I am so mentally shaken by this. My own fault, I tend to give human feelings to animals. But horses are such social creatures and to see their "friends/associates" dead after such an experience -- it just overwhelms me with grief and bad vibes. I just can't seem to shake it.

I hate being such a wuss.

9:04am: I passed the test. I hate getting into such a mental state. I know the material, just flip out over it!

11:12am: Today is the day of finals for the first module in Neuromuscular. Origins, Insertions, actions for the vertebral spine and abdomen are jumbled up in my head. I miss Swedish!

3:35pm: Today is the first day of orientation for Neuromuscular. I'm halfway through! I've attended the graduation of the three full-time students I began with. Now I'm the only one of that bunch still attending. Loving the Massage Therapy though!

9:57am:

9:45am: Still alive
I can't believe it's been so long since I last posted. Life is happening I guess.

Still going to school - Massage Therapy. Just finished the Circulation system module, next will be the Integumentary System. Then I'll be at the half way point and begin the Neuromuscular portion of the curriculum. I think it's just beginning!!

I'm really enjoying learning so much about the body and how it works and how massage therapy helps in every way. I'll graduate at the end of January 2009 and then sit for the licensure test. Lots to it!!

Other parts of my life have had to go on pause. I've been sick as well. Had mono in December, recovered from that and had tendonitis in my left wrist. Recovered from that and overdid it at the gym (trying to make up for lost time!) and hurt my right shoulder. Recovered from that - FINALLY!! Made it to the gym once, yoga once (first time since mid-December!) and now I'm sick again. Caught a cold that I can't seem to shake.

But, I'm still kicking.

12:17pm: Another day

You are The Wheel of Fortune

Good fortune and happiness but sometimes a species of
intoxication with success

The Wheel of Fortune is all about big things, luck, change, fortune. Almost always good fortune. You are lucky in all things that you do and happy with the things that come to you. Be careful that success does not go to your head however. Sometimes luck can change.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

I visited a dusty bear and I find cobwebs on myself! LOL!!!

3:46pm: Update
I am withdrawing from participation in SCA. I haven't participated for a while anyway, but, unfortunately, I haven't missed it. People - yes, but not "playing". I will box up all my trifles and donate it if it is wanted.

I am grateful to the people I met and those who will stick in my heart and memory. Thank you.

I guess I've become mundane.

11:25am: Update
Hello all!! I got a nudge reminding me I hadn't posted in quite a while (thanks Thalassa!).

I am doing alright, still really busy at work - I've been given the duties of a past employee whose position was done away with! So I feel like I'm playing catch up constantly.

Healthwise, doing better. Foot twinges a little once in a while (15th is a year since surgery to remove bone spur). I guess the achilles tendon had quite a bit of damage. I get the "nerve" thing (like a bumped elbow)in the ankle a lot. The knee is better (I guess), still not a lot of range of motion. In Physical Therapy we're working to strengthen the muscles supporting the knee. Squats and lunges so I must be getting better. :) Most of the pain comes from inside the knee towards the back (ligament?).

I'm still doing water aerobics 3-4 times a week. I've fallen in love with yoga. Started as a way to learn to stretch. I have a teacher locally but her schedule is erratic so I've attended 2 other locations. I've started a series of classes to teach me the basic poses, and have attended some "Flow" classes. Still very beginner, but I really like it!!

Let's see - no decorations up yet for Christmas. No urge to do it either. One of those "should do" things. Grandson is gorgeous. He's 19 months old today, starting to be bratty when his mom's around but he's very cool. Husband remodeled an old Radio Flyer wagon and grandson loves it! Which means papa is really happy!! LOL! That's gonna be the best thing about the holidays this year!

Husband's treatment for Hepatitis C continues. Doctor told him the virus has died, but he must continue treatment for rest of initial year (until August). I hope he'll have enough energy to want to do something beside lie on the couch after he's "well". Thank God I have something to do besides watch him sleep or watch the tv!! LOL!!!

That's about it. Hello to my friends, you're still in my prayers! Hugs and I'll catch ya later!

12:35pm: First day of November - wow! The year is flying by! Almost holiday time though, I really don't like holidays. Too much pressure from myself to try to make everything turn out nice, to get everyone to get along (fat chance!), and never enough money to make it as nice as I'd like. Plus I have to act like everything is exactly like I want for all the "grumps" who "hate the holidays". I hate having to be an example for grown ups!!!

I'd really like to be able to go off all by myself from now until January! LOL! Oh well.

Work is a little stressful, we're short handed. If we want time off, instead of using our leave, we have, in the past been able to come in early or work late to make up the time. Since we currently have no custodian, if we want to avoid using our leave, we get to be custodian. I don't mind, but coming in at 7 am, cleaning bathrooms really leaves me feeling completely unprofessional - sweaty, bleachy smelling, etc. Perhaps I'll use my leave!! It adds up quickly though if you have physical therapy twice a week and have to allow for travel time. But, I could always clean and go home at lunch for a shower and change - rush back to work and then leave early and still have leave. Hmmm, I'll have to think about it! Wish they'd just hire a custodian!!

12:33pm: Mom to hospital tomorrow for biopsy of spot on lung. She's doing great since she got the shunt/stint ? in her leg. Color's good, she has some energy - still not smoking (yeah!), bought some walking shoes! Good for her!

My leg is better - range of motion has improved to 119 from 90. Still not to 125 where it was, but I'll take it. The yoga is wonderful - I actually slept last night. Feels so nice! Water aerobics is extremely helpful. Still working on the weight loss. Was up 3 lbs. yesterday, hopefully it's cause I'd been drinking water all day! I'll crack back down though and get the loss going again hopefully!!

2:17pm: A week already!
Can't believe it's been a week! Mom's home with a shunt (?) in her right leg. Color much improved - she hasn't smoked since Tuesday week and can tell the difference already! Less coughing, and able to walk to mailbox without getting breathless!

My range of motion in left knee has decreased. I'm hoping this is not a permanent change, but will do what I can to keep it moving. Hurts most of the time.

Work is shorthanded. They let the girl go that they had reduced to part-time. Haven't hired anyone for the vacant program assistant position and fired the custodian last Monday. So we get to pitch in and do all the jobs - don't know where salary $ has gone to . . .

Sounds worse than it is. I have lots of blessings to keep my eyes on. Not much to relate though!

2:16pm: Thursday Update
Mom's in hospital. Put in Tuesday (she thinks she may have had a heart attack - didn't call anyone!!!!) after she went to the doctor 'cause it hurts to take a full breath. The doctor had his nurse drive her to the hospital and admit her.

Run tests, say one thing then another. Latest is: heart catheter today to see if blood is circulating correctly. A PET scan (noninvasive lung x-ray) will be done outpatient after she's discharged to see if the "spot" on her lung is anything. A biopsy may have collapsed the lung so I'm glad they've chosen that path!

Let's see . . . physical therapy is 2 days a week, down from 3 times weekly. We've gotten the range in bending left knee up some, now we're working on strengthening those muscles and trying to increase hyperextension of knee (currently at 0). Water aerobics is doing good, trying for 3 times weekly. Yoga is just beginning, I think it will help a lot. Trying for 2 times weekly. Weight is down 17 lbs. since July 11th, body fat percentage down as well (YIPPEE). Still a ways to go.

D's treatment for Hepatitis C is going well. This is his second time at treatments, 1st time about killed him! This time he's striving to maintain daily routine, eat when he's not hungry and taking medication to help with effects of treatment. So far he's on week 8 of 52. 1st attempt only got to week 6 before he quit. Lots of fatigue and not much interest in anything.

Grandson has sinuses, 4th ear infection in 2 months. Another doctor appt. Saturday. His mom recovering from Strep throat, on medication.

Everyone else doing fine. Stretching finances to cover medical expenses not much fun.

I need to step down as Arts/Sci officer though. I emailed Gianetta, haven't heard back. I'm unable to give the position the time it deserves.

Not feeling like doing much in yard - not a garden, just a yard. I did try to pull up most of the sandspurs. I need to check and see if I've missed some this weekend. Fun plans!

Hello to my friends, I haven't forgotten you - you're in my thoughts. Just making do right now.

3:42pm: Just a quick post to play catch up! Haven't played SCA in a while, been going to Physical Therapy, Water Aerobics and Yoga. Working on flexibility, seems my left knee doesn't want to bend anymore. Doing okay on the weight - slow but steady. Grandson is growing more adorable everytime I see him. Oldest daughter seems pretty happy, youngest daughter's working full time.

Guess that's about it! I'm doing okay, just busy with trying to remain healthy.

3:19pm: Another day
I'm at work. They've been installing ceramic tile in the lobby. Carpet in the halls. It stinks. I think it's a bad idea. No one cares what I think anyway!

Physical therapy was good yesterday evening. The knee made no noise when bending. Hooray. Still hurts, but there's progress being made. Went to gym. Best pace on treadmill is a whopping 1.8 mph. It's a starting point. Did some upper body exercises, then it was time for water aerobics. I can't believe I've gone my whole live without water aerobics. They're wonderful.

But I was dead tired when I got home. Slept okay. Now I'm tired of being here and want to go home. I don't really want to go to water aerobics again this evening. I really want to go to sleep. Maybe I'll feel better when I leave work. I'll go home and have some coffee. I need the water aerobics and I'll enjoy it when I get there.

I found a yoga class here in town! Starts Wed., 9/20. Same night as SCA. I need to get flexible though. Hmmm.

I want something chocolate. Is that stress related or boredom?

I'm getting a headache. Wanna go home!!!

3:11pm: A better collage
( My Interests Collage! )

2:15pm: my collage
( My Interests Collage! )


Hmmm, I feel unfinished!

12:10pm: Hello to my friends! I haven't dropped off the face of the earth, just really busy at work, so when I get off I just rest.

Thanks!

3:24pm: FRIDAY!
Whew! It's Friday afternoon and I really feel like it's about time! The 4H Awards Banquet is over except for the press release and the year end record keeping program reports are done and mailed off!

I feel like I should be able to get to go home now!

Today is my baby's 23rd birthday. She's really growing up in some ways and still has a way to go in other areas. (Don't we all!) She had a job interview this afternoon, I'm hoping she'll hear from them soon (don't you hate it when people keep you waiting and you need a job!).

My other baby's going to a Dave Matthews concert tomorrow in West Palm Beach. She'll have a good time!

So glad it's Friday!

10:48am: I don't think so!!

Your IQ Is 100

Your Logical Intelligence is Below Average Your Verbal Intelligence is Genius Your Mathematical Intelligence is Above Average Your General Knowledge is Above Average

How can that be? Maybe I'm a good guesser!! :)

3:10pm: Not really absent
I'm here. Been busy with annoying things like work. Ugh!

My daughter had a good time in New York and made it safely home not getting stuck in the airport with no electricity!! Thank goodness!

I began working on a dress for my friend's wedding. I have made 3 and I think the final one can be worn in public and not be too offensive to anyone! It's a very simple pattern, v-neck, short sleeves and it just flows - no waist, no darts, etc. Why you ask did it take so much effort? My wanting to be able to create a mental image into reality is severly hampered by the body I put into the reality! LOL! In my mind I'm not the same size as my physical self. But after much effort I have the flow that I've been working toward. Still not completely thrilled with the v-neck (who'd have thought that was so hard!), but it'll do and it's done; hanging in the closet. I have a pair of heels and a pair of hose and that'll dress it up. And in the end - I'm not getting married and there shouldn't be that many eyes on me!!

A friend had some muhly grass she didn't want so I dug it up from her berm and took it home. I dug up what must have been 20 feet by 4 feet of grass (my eyes and my body do not share the same ideas of what constitutes a "flower bed"!). Planted my clumps of muhly grass, transplanted some black eyed susans, added some day lilies, African Iris and some Florida Sage (blooms red). We've had some rain. Tomorrow I'll go out and see how it's surviving. I think it should look really nice. David helped me install a new gate to gain access to my side yard without walking all the way around! Looks really nice and I have more day lilies I can transplant to the fence next to the gate.

Got to see my grandson last night. The little fellow is 14 months old now, walking, getting independent. He figured out how to turn the tv on and off with the remote last night. Such a sweetie!

Well, back to work.

12:00pm: Wednesday
My oldest is flying today from Orlando to New York (city)! She's staying for a week, with time in the big city to play tourist and see Ani DeFranco in concert tomorrow evening in Central Park, and then she'll have some time in the Catskills. I'm happy for her, but wish I could go traveling somewhere myself!!! I've inherited my daddy's itchy feet. She'll have a good time, but it's not the same as going yourself.

I've been sewing, but on a mundane dress for a wedding I'm attending. Started with the basic t-tunic shape, not suitable for this occasion so I've been cutting, taking in, ripping out, redoing, argh!! I have a picture in my mind that my hands have trouble making reality!

Anyway, this dress is done basically. I'm planning to add some cotton lace to the neckline to hide my idea of a v-neck and a buckle to the back for the tiebacks to go into (like on some vests). I have the idea that this will make the dress suitable for public wear - LOL!!! I do have some nicer material I plan to make the actual dress for the wedding. I think I need to take the back in some. I've got the front where I like it - fitting without highlighting my belly. Don't even look pregnant in it, how's that for an achievement!!

Babysitting the grandchild Sunday, Monday and into Tues. while youngest daughter and her man go visit Naples/Tampa. I've taken some annual leave and husband will be there to help after 3:30 on Monday! (Whew!). Bradley's 14 months old today and I realize my energy has decreased quite a bit since I was used to watching Young'uns!!!

It'll be fun though. Wish I could go play. If I was off, I could go play in the yard. Sigh.

10:15am: Monday Monday
Back at work - took a few moments to check on my LJ friends. Elfwyn has beautiful photos of her gardening prowness!!!

I did some gardening this weekend. Cut some dead wood back on the Ligustrum hedge. Cut out some kind of horrible Florida vine that wraps around foliage of everything. (Only got 3 cuts before I realized I'd done it!) Pruned back some of the canes on the climbing rose. Only got stuck twice!

Then I helped David mow. We have an acre and a push mower. So we mow in shifts. Whew! Some of the yard had not been cut this year at all (I'm not mowing when it's as dusty and dry as it has been!). Bahia grass - V for victory, bends over and springs back up. You have to go over it a couple of times!

But it looks fantastic now. I wish I could be playing (weeding) in the beds that are supposed to be flowers instead of baby oaks, grass, etc.

I have been invited to a wedding at the end of the month and since I'm pretty broke, I'm making a dress. I decided the basic t-tunic looks (at least the way I sew) pretty medieval and found a pattern on line, printed out pictures of front and back of package and commenced to sew. It's not too bad!! I still have to hem it and I think I will put some lace on the v-neck ('cause I don't think I did so good on that) to hide what I've sewn. David says it looks kind of like a nightgown, so I may make some tie-backs to add to the waist line.

Of course I have some nicer material (still $1. a yard) but it is not cotton. It's some kind of modern feeling material. I may try practicing the v-neck (asked some how-to's at work today) and then try the dress in the better material. It was a fun way to spend the weekend. LOL! I say that now - you should hear the language when you're stitching along and the d**n bobbin runs out of thread!!! And I still am not crazy about the tension, but I'm at a pretty much loss when it comes to that. Sigh.

Learning is such an adventure.

8:44am: Thursday morning
My days are mixed up since I was off Monday and Tuesday was a holiday! Went to the Mathom Trove meeting last night (6 of us!). Then we went to Chili's - always a pleasant stop.

This morning I'm playing catch up. Feeling pretty good physically, financially a little strapped (what else is new?), still another week til another payday - but it's the big bill payday so no extra exists. Sigh. My own fault, spent too much too many days in a row! LOL! It will get better, just takes time.

Today is the 30th anniversary of the day I first laid eyes on my husband. We both began at Blue Cross Blue Shield that morning long ago. I thought he was wierd, he kept staring at me! He had shoulder length wavy blond-brown hair, and shoes with big heels (which at the time was fashionable, disco was "in". It also made him almost the same heighth as me!) I was a slim, 100 lb. long-dark haired 17 year old. Many moons have passed, but I still care for the man. I guess we'll have at least another 30 years together, don't foresee any changes there. I am blessed.

9:18am: Tuesday
Tuesday morning. I feel good, went to the gym after work yesterday. 30 minutes on the treadmill, 10 minutes on stationary bike. This morning my knees aren't too bad, feet okay, I feel pretty good.

Of course, it would be better if I was off, but hey . . .somebody's got to do it!