in constant sorrow
Rand and I have just finished watching "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" (Does it show?)
We have also just finished our last taste treat from Granny's Frozen Custard. This time though; it was not just the last for the season - it's forever. Granny's will not be re-opening next spring. They are moving to another spot to open another food stand, but no more frozen custard. *SOB!*
Ta-Da!
I am proud to announce the completion of our re-decorated bedrom. After months of comparing various shades of green from various sources, I finally picked two from the 'Earth Elements' collection at Lowes. Prairie Grass and Ancient Bog. Rand and I finished all the painting yesterday and re-hung pictures today. It is a very quiet and soothing room now. I have disliked the original "icy white" sinced we moved in over four years ago.
the party's over
We are in the very last hours of our vacation. My alarm will go off at 3am (less than 9 hours away) and I will be thrown violently back to reality. The temp tonight is supposed to drop into the mid-thirties. It is going to be a cold scooter ride. From here on - no more breaks until well after the holidays.

All my tests are behind me and all looks to be clear. I had much less discomfort with my mammogram this year. I also liked my orthopedic doctor better this trip. I'm still on light duty with therapy 3x's a week.
I'm trying to get up nerve to get my bedroom painted. I know exactly what I want, just finding the perfect color tone, level, and hue for each surface is hard. Sometimes, extreme knowledge - can really slow you down. (For lay-people - it will be green.)
Our new freezer (a Frigidare) was delivered today. A little bigger and an upright. It is frost free and even has a light. We had 'them' haul away our old freezer. They dumped all the "frost" out of our old freezer on the street. It was a nice snow pile. After the delivery guys had left, we discovered their truck was a little 'high' for our street. The truck top had got caught on neighbor Jim's cable line. Snapped it in two. Luckily (?), Jim still uses a dial up modem and recently had just got a dish. So the cable wasn't in current use.
(I don't know if dial-up can be considered lucky)
The garage sale here is tentatively scheduled for two weeks from this coming weekend. Pray for sunshine and warmth.
We spent the rest of today cruising Valley West Mall. They have done a complete remodel. Pretty nice. We came home with a pair of slippers for me (arch and heel supportive!) and a new refrigerator magnet. (for the new freezer of course) I will never be accused of being a shop-o-holic.

the prep is the worse part
Well, I had my colonoscopy on Friday. It was just as much fun as I remembered from last year. For any boomers, this should be a yearly exam - like a mammogram. (I'm sceduled for that on Wednesday.)
The prep is really the worse part. You have to drink a gallon of chilled "gucky water stuff". We time it. I drink 8oz. every 10 minutes. I set up a nest in our bedroom, to be ever so close to our bathroom. Dear hubby Rand brings me the glass-o-crap as needed. By the third glass you have a little trouble getting it chuged. Your stomach is saying no thanks, it has had enough fluids. By the approaching first dozen, you no longer appreciate the loving act of your mate 'helping'. When you're giving serious thought to throwing up because you have over consumed on this slimy cold crap, the cramping sets in. Then you get to spend quality time with your newspaper on the throne - where your expecting to see internal organs following the deluge. You will get out just in time to see your 'other half' turn the corner with another glass. When you just can't take it anymore, that smart ass you're married to will tell you only another 6 or 7 glasses are left to chug. It's finally over and you're shot. You will arrive at the clinic sleep deprived and wasted.
Something good
They got the IV in me on the first try! Way to go Larry!
You must have a driver for the test as you will recieve good drugs. Dad was mine. (This clinic is new since my last tests. If we had been on the right road, we wouldn't have had any trouble finding the place.)
You sign in, and they take you back. I was now in a private cubical. They handed me a gown and I got to leave my socks and bra on. I had to promise not to share how wonderful their hospital gowns are, because they don't want to be deluged with requests by the public. (It was the special blue print with that 'easy open' back that we all find so handy.) I got my IV in and they took me back. They give you two shots into your IV line and ask you to roll on your left side and expose your bum. The shots are so good and work so quickly, you don't even care that these two guys are messing with your exposed bum. You spend the entire time in twilight land. Not completely out, but no real grasp on reality. I was aware of being uncomfortable, but not able to specify.
Eventually, Dr. Reyes (he's truley awesome) tells me I did great and they roll me over. I nap some and wake up in the cubicle and have been joined by Dad. Doc says they were able to do the enitre length of my bowels. Last year this wasn't possible due to damage from adhesions. Nothing to remarkable was seen, but he took a few biopsies to be safe. The results of them will be available later this week.
When I'm a little more awake, they let me go. Dad takes me Krispy Kreme for breakfast. A nice way to spend the rest of the morning.
As expected - my body stays on "over-drive" from the prep. Today things seem a bit quieter today, but my stomach is a bit off. Just hurts.
coming soon
We have decided that later this week we will get a new freezer. Our current chest is the first new thing we bought together when we were first married. It still is plenty cold, but the lid is falling to pieces. It no longer seals. We recieved a "customor's only notice" from American Home about a private sale coming up. We went out today and decided on one and made sure it would be in stock. We picked out a Frigidare 16.7 cu. ft. upright. While messing with our chest not too long ago; we discovered a turkey we didn't know we had. Time to get organized. An upright will work much better for that.
I also picked out my next sofa and coffe table for the family room, computer desk, another chair or two, stove, dishwasher, and refridgerator. And Rand, was in electronics trying to get my attention. We, of course - ignored each other's requests, but the sofa is a big possibility down the short road.
old friends
Under the title of "What are the odds?". While browsing appliances, Rand heard a voice he "knew that he knew". Doug and Marti Kent were shopping for new appliances. We had a nice catch-up visit. (The girls, Allie and Annie, are now 16, share a car and a cell phone, and boys are coming out of the woodwork.)
vacation
Rand and I are on vacation this week. He hopes to put a big dent in his honey-do list. I will occupy myself with physical therapy, another visit to the orthopedic, and a mammogram. Not a blue star vacation. but still much needed.

time to make the doughnuts
Any one else compare long days and short nights to a doughnut commercial?
I am currently resetting the jewelry department. I am the only one allowed to do this. The exec in charge of this area appreciates my attention to detail. Last reset, I was given two weeks. I did a major clean-up of the under-cases and made other usually neglected areas, organized.
This reset, the powers that be decided I only could have a week to do the same thing. I said it could be done, but I might need a little back up, to help handle cleaning and sorting. This was the big week. Except instead of five days, I only had four. I have a colonoscopy scheduled this Froday. I said if I get in my 40 hours in the four days, I can probably still make the deadline. And that is a 'set in stone' deadline. Rand and I are on vacation next week. It can't wait until I get back.
So Monday came and what did I get done in jewelry? Nothing. The same powers decided I was needed elsewhere. So I got to help change mini-seasonal into Halloween. I only put in my 8hr day, trying to conserve for my jewelry set.
Now I have 3 days which six months ago, took two weeks. Tuesday. I put in 13 hours. I got about 90% of jewelry done. No watch resets done. Today, I worked 10hrs. All of jewelry is complete and 50% of watches are set. Tomorrow, I should be able finish, but I will need help cleaning and organizing the undercases to perfection. Trouble is - nobody cares as much as me.
there's no such thing as hurts so good
In preperation for my colonoscopy, I am not allowed to take my usually pain killers this week. My body is screaming at me. I am on a restricted diet yesterday and today. Tomorrow - I fast. And tomorrow afternoon I get to start drinking the gallon of crap that makes you do just that. That isn't even the bad part. Because of all the damage done to my entire digestive system by last year's adhesion fun, once that stuff starts, it can take my body days to stop the effect. I haven't even mentioned the guy with the camera yet. *shudders*
P.T., it ain't a circus
The new guy is personable I've decided. Just clueless. I miss my deep heat therapy, my STIM. They helped reduce the pain levels. This guy has me doing three times as much, and lately is on the kick of coming up with something new to add each time. Today I was able to prove I have no balance. My pain levels are still increasing. And nothing good I can take for it. *sob* My right shoulder, arm, and hand are still sore, but nobody seems to care. (They ended up under me at a strange angle when I fell)

Day two - the survivor
I am still much sorer. My pain levels from the one sesson with this guy almost match the first few days of the injury. Praise God I have my scooter. In spite of a very bad pain day, I got a lot accomplished at work today. I also needed to use my rain poncho on the way in this morning. It seems the poncho hangs lower than anticipated or noticed. I had mud all over the hem - which I was able to transfer to my khakis with great ease.
sightings
Willie isn't the only new Asian face at Target. He was also joined by a fellow named Bang. Yes, it is that Bang.
musing
I find it facinating - the timing of God. I am so very grateful for my Rascal scooter. I'd be clocking in some major sick leave if I had not received this gift. I'm very grateful to be at work. Even before I was knocked off my feet, He gave me a place to sit down. And even my joy during this difficult time is a testament to His glory.
seasons
I realized it yesterday afternoon on my way home from work. It now smells like fall. I mentioned this fact to Rand after I got home. His male reaction was, "Huh?".
We did our grcoery shopping at Super Target this afternoon. We did our usual stop at Starbucks. I almost decided to go with a latte instead of my usual warm day choice - a frappechino. I went with the cold drink, but this is just one more sign of an ending summer.
I am missing quality summer Jeep time. No way my knee can handle the clutch. We bought a step stool so I could get into the truck.

Doctor, Doctor, it hurts when I do this!
So?
I got lost.
The Company doctors office refered me to this ortho guy. They told me the address was 3408 Woodland. Great. No problem. Should be almost due south of us, just south of the freeway. Worrying about road work all over I decided to look on a map and consider current road work reports. There was a Woodland Drive, Road, and Avenue. Back to notes. Avenue. Okay, that is where I thought I was heading. I head there with a little bit of extra time for construction surprises. 3408 Woodland Avenue had me in the back parking of a Dahl's Grocery. I called home and told Sandra to look up the doc's address in the phone book, since he didn't appear to be working out of Dahl's stockroom. 3408 Woodland Ave. - West Des Moines. Crap. I'm going to be late. Hit major construction blocks several times. I ended up going clear out to the interstate and back in to get around the construction.
The Company orthopedic is a major sports fanatic. He had all sorts of collectoer's memorabilia in behind glass everywhere. Most of it autographed. If I were a major sports fanatic, I might have been impressed. They take my mediacl history. I get real weary of re-telling all that every time. they took more x-rays and finally the doctor came in. He caused me a great deal of pain, pushing poking and twisting. Showing pain made him concentrate on the spot all the more. Final verdict - nothing serious or broke just a very deep bruising. I knew that going in. He decided I needed physical therapy, but I couldn't go to Scott, the physical therapist I already see, and trust, and who was already treating me. Nope. Have to go to the physical therapist on the "company" payroll. The guy was nice enough personality wise. but he put me through 3x the workout that Scott allows; and then, did no STIM or deep moisture heat to relax my muscles when I was done. I leave Scott always feeling better. I can barely stand now, forget walking. I had been having a pretty good "minor" pain day. I was feeling better standing, but walking was still pretty painful. Best I have felt since my fall. So much for that.
Happy Birthday Mom!
Let's see, you're 20 years older than me. That makes you 47 - right? ;)
It's raining! And Mom and Dad are camping at Saylorville right now. I believe our curse has lifted, or at least shifted to another family member. :)
Published again!
I had another letter to the editor published this past Tuesday. I was sounding off about Target "rumors".

worry, worry, worry
I have an appointment to see a orthopedic doc on the 10th. I'm a little worried. He is not listed in any of the yellow pages. My guess is that he doesn't treat the "general public"; he is a "company doc". I won't take a chance with my legs. If I don't like the treatment I'm recieving I will bring in my own docs. I don't care if it does come out of my pocket. I'm not backsliding anymore. I've been through too much to quit now. The fact that I wasn't given pain pills with my history of RSD says they don't care, or worse - they don't know. Being allowed to be in pain could cause another resurrgence of the RSD.
I promised everybody at work I would lay low this weekend. So far, so good. I stayed in my room and watched "scary" insect movies on the SciFi channel, worked on the budget, paid bills, and read. I've been sitting so much my bum is a bit sore.
I put a tent light on the front basket of my Rascal and a red blinking bike/jogging light on the rear basket. Perfect for those 3:30am rides to work. I've got my sidewalks all figured out for less bumps and ease of travel. I've been able to get quite a bit done at work. I put in 48 hours last week. The seat rotates 360* so I can be right where I need to be and reach all around. I built huge signing projects, helpt stock new settings, did revisions and even helped out on the price changing team. My knee is so swollen - wearing pants was almost a problem, but I got in a good week at work - thanks to my Rascal. My fellow co-workers were great. They even commented on what a great attitude I had. To be hurt and yet be at work and in my ususal good mood. (No, really!) Now if I had been stuck sitting at home recovering, there wouldn't have been a "good attitude".
And it must be so.....
Maybe it isn't sitting down that scares me. Maybe it's having to stop living life as 'usual'. Normal is something most take for granted. Losing the ability to partake in life is very devastating. Lots of people put up with injuries; from sprains to broken bones. Even as discouraging is that is, once you're well - it quickly becomes a distant memory.
For some, there is no promise of a full recovery. There is a process of grief. Losing one's self. Then you have an adjustment to figure out who you really are and redefining what is truly important.
Ta-Da!
I got my big project done at work. Target is now full of decorative Halloween fixtures, tubs, bins, and signing. Usually this is a 2-3 person job. I was able to get it all done and better than the instructions suggested. Of course I blew my knee. And my hands are covered with cuts and scrapes. Paper cuts hurt. Paper cuts caused by cardboard hurt a lot worse. It required a lot of hand strength as well. My hands are, today, in a full blown arthritic flare up. But the seasonal area of Target looks great!
speaking of work
Everyone likes Willie and I'm getting good feedback on him. He seems to really enjoy what he is doing as well. He has dropped all of his paper routes except for the one in this neighborhood. Sandra is back at work again in full swing. None of us have a real update on Rob's situation on since he won't update. Kara had a Pampered Chef party. I was unable to go because of my accident, but I hear she was a no-show too! :)
new toy = old dog/new trick
I have taught Kizzie to ride between my feet on the Rascal. She is very well behaved. Next: to teach Girlfriend to follow along on a leash. I've never been able to take the girls for a walk. I'm not supposed to walk for fun or exercise. They love the attention they're getting.
finally
I'm in a good deal of pain. my knee is swollen horribly in many ways. But no real bruising - yet. I have pain in both hips and my right shoulder. I did go to my regular physical therapy appointment yesterday. Scott just put the STEM and heat on me. It didn't make things worse, so- - so far, so good.

Oops! I did it again!
'Crap!' might be a more appropriate interjection in my title.
I fell at work Tuesday. Hard on cement. I tripped in a little used back stock room. I had gone back there to start building all the fixtures and displays for Halloween. The last thing Ray (my supervisor) said before he left there? Jokingly - he told me to try and not injure myself back there. (Yes, they know me very well at work too)
I was moving the display I had just fininshed and trip over electrical strips laying on the floor. This stock room isn't normally used at all. We store stuff there, broken carts, maintenance equipment, and such. It is a nice large area to work on big seasonal projects. My hands were full and I hit my left knee hard. My walkie was 25 feet away on a pile of pallets I was using as a work surface. I spent several minutes trying not to pass out or puke. When I went down, I wasn't able to break my fall at all. I finally tried to get up. Bad idea. My knee wouldn't allow me up at all and I was back to Stage 1: trying not to pass out or puke. I checked for broken bones and didn't find any. I'm all alone in a deserted stock room. Most of the store doesn't even know anyone was back there. Even if I slid over to the pallets where my walkie was, I wouldn't been able to reach it high on the pallets. I finally decided to slide over to a flat nearby. It has a ladder back handle on one end. The only way I was going to be able to get up was to use my right leg. I would have to put pressure on my right knee, which hadn't allowed that behavior since my wrestling match with the truck. My plan worked and now both knees were screaming at me. I managed to get back to my pallets and my walkie. I pulled my self up on the pallots so I could get my leg elevated.
I called Ray back to the stock room.
We are supposed to call a "code green" when any human is injured in the store for any reason. I didn't want to do that. We had already had a code called less than an hour earlier. (A guy interviewing for a job had passed out) When a code is called all available are supposed to respond to the scene. I didn't want that. My pride was hurt as badly as my knees. Ray couldn't believe it. He agreed not to call a code and insteaed called for Fred, an exec. Deb, another exec, follwed him to see what was up. While they were filling out the reports, I worked on my next project. They brought an electrical cart back to move me. I got hold of Randy. Company doctors usually suck and this was no exception. An x-ray showed no fracture. I could put no weight on my leg. She also deided I didn't need anything for pain as she felt I took "too many" meds already. By the way; too many is my thyroid med, my stomach med and two for my fibromyalgia. Nothing for acute pain. I talked her into letting me go to work. Yeah, I know, you think I got it backwards. I begged to be the one to do this project, I wanted to do it. I have an appointment with an orthopedic on the 10th. I also have a sprained/strained left hip, right shoulder, and my right knee is sorer than it has been.
So. Praise God I have my Rascal Scooter! I ride it to work and it allows me to do my job. Throwing myself into this big project helps keep my mind off the pain. I'm even managing a little overtime. I ride it back home every afternoon. My spirits are up. If this had left me bed-bound, I would've have taken it pretty badly. I thought my biggest fear was having to sit down. I was wrong. My biggest fear is not being able to do. The actual date I won this Rascal - I was in fair shape and I would have barely used it. Maybe for big days out. I think God works in infinate wisdom. I had exactly what I needed - when I needed it.
I still wish I had pain pills. Hey God?!

Time flies when you're having life
It seems Mondays are the only day where I feel I have the time to catch up. Granted this weekend I had the time, but I have a new challenge. Hexic A game on MSN Games by Zone.com. I do like word game and puzzle games. I used to play freecell addictively. I liked it because every freecell game is win-able. I wouldn't quit a game until it was won. Finally, I was winning most games with very little trouble - no more challenge. I discovered MSN games while helping Rob move to the apartment. The first game was Collapse. But like the others that followed, no thrill once mastered. Hexic has been a challenge. I have just recently shown any hint of being any good at all. I have a very long way to go to winning and I like to keep my mind busy. Keeps my mind off of life for awhile.

It’s raining?
We were bothered a bit by the campers near KC. It seems they felt we were responsible for their local floods. We, on the other hand, had a beautiful weekend. Until they sent their luck our way with the first phone call. We only managed sprinkles and light rain.

Ta-Da
I cleaned the garage. This chore has been neglected for well over a year. (since I was healthy enough to do it last) It is amazing how much room we really have. Put out quite a load for trash pick-up and made a pile of garage sale items. I touched and organized everything.

It felt like Monday
Labor Day and I had to labor. This was a day doomed early. The first clue was when I stepped out on the back steps leaving for work at 3:45am. I realized almost instantly I had left my cane behind. I turned to go back in to get it. Nope. I had locked myself out of the house. I did have my jeep keys. I figured I would just substitute carts for my cane at work. I careful drained a small puddle off the top of my bikini top. I then took off the plastic bag covering the driver’s seat. I got in, buckled up, started the jeep, and leaned over to take the plastic bag covering the passenger seat. All we had were light showers, but somehow, it had all gathered on my passenger seat – unbeknownst to me. As I took off the plastic bag, I managed to dump a nice puddle directly onto my lap. My first thought was to run in and put on dry pants. But then I remembered. I was still locked out of the house. Luckily, this early of the morning, not many of your coworkers really care what you look like. For us, even hair brushing is optional.

I finally did it
Rand and I took my Rascal Scooter to my Target and I did a real test run. Pulled carts, pushed tubs, the whole bit. My wonderful coworkers reacted as well I knew they would. The only one with a hang-up is me. Rand built me ramps this weekend to load and unload my rascal from the Scrambler. They are built from 2x12’s. Rand can use them just fine. My natural grace shines through. Thinking about it, the only thing keeping me from taking the Rascal to Target, is getting it loaded and unloaded. The Rascal is able to travel 20 to 25 miles a day. Leaving Target, I gave Rand the keys to my Jeep and I took the Rascal home. Made it just fine and in only 15 minutes. Now - how to get there in the dark of the morning. Traffic is almost non-existent at 4am, but when you add in the factor that I am night blind – could get exciting.

Speaking of Target
Willie is official and works five nights this week. Every one likes “Will� and says he is doing a super job. If you see him in there and he barely stops to even acknowledge your presence…….yeah, he’s ignoring you. I was concerned because so many of his friends work there. I warned him that Target wasn’t paying him to socialize, so keep busy. So unless you can convince him you really need his help – he will blow right by you.