What I Have Learned About Crutches

September 2, 2009

I know--I should have a more exciting post! Especially because I'm so behind on a lot of things on here! But--right now these crutches are my world...

SO--what I have learned about crutches:

1. Make sure the height is right--too short they slide and too tall they jam!
2. When going down things, crutches should go first, not the body...
3. When going up things, crutches go first, then the body...
4. They get attention--I have repeated my story probably a hundred times...I hate the attention
5. They are cheap if you rent them at Smith's--I rented mine for $30--when I'm done, I just take them back the receipt and the crutches and they give me $30 :)
6. They work my obliques and my core. My core has not been in such pain for a while
7. They just are not much fun, but they are getting the job done...

My orthopedic surgeon said my options were this: 1) put a screw in my knee to hold it (yikes!) or 2) use the crutches for six more weeks. We went with the six more weeks option...

I'm getting used to them...but 5 and a half more weeks to go :)

The countdown is on!

I've also had some pretty lucky things I've learned from this experience...
1. God is aware of me.
2. People are here to do things for me--even far away from home--they have been so helpful!
3. Crutches make me appreciate being able to run even though I hate it ...

Be grateful for your legs!

Pablo the Turtle

August 31, 2009

Linda and I got a pet turtle. We got him for free from our friends Sam and Jake who got him as a wedding present. They say he stinks--that is why they don't want him. I believe them--but we think it might be fun to have him as a pet.

Here's a pic of Pablo (they used to call him Tuck--but I decided to call him Pablo)...



Here's a video of Pablo biting my shirt--he has a tight grip with that mouth!

I broke a bone!

I have never broken a bone until now! 27 years to break one! And it was a rediculous story...

I was playing ultimate frisbee last Wednesday and it was only about 10 minutes that I had been there. I was standing by this guy that I don't know and he went to throw the frisbee. He did this funny graceful jump with it--it just looked like something dorky I would do. So--me being the nice girl I am, mimicked it...

As I landed...I hit a hole. My feet had a rough landing and I heard a loud pop from my right knee (keep in mind, this is the same knee I hurt 4 years ago horse back riding...). I fell back and just laid there for about a minute. I tried moving it and it moved--but it hurt worse than anything I have ever done to it before. I was able to stand up after laying there for a little while. I hobbled across the field and went home to treat it with RICE...

The next day, I went to the doc. We tested it and moved it--decided it might not hurt to have an MRI done on it. He had treated me for the horse injury previously. I ended up going Friday to the hospital (my first visit for myself in years...) and getting an MRI done.

In the meantime--I still played and did things on it all weekend. I kept thinking it was feeling better.

Monday my doctor called with the results. I have not torn anything like we thought I had. I have broken my tibia right up by the knee joint. Just a slight fracture is what he called it. So--now I will get to meet the orthopedic surgeon and continue figuring out how to heal it.

In the meantime--I'm on crutches! I hate crutches!

What a fun adventure...

I am Done!!!!

I am official! Mostly! My master's is done!!! Yay!!

More blogs to follow!

Conquering Fears

This week I feel like I have conquered a few too many fears--is it possible to be overwhelmed by facing your fears?

It started out with me overcoming the shy factor--some of you wouldn't believe there is a shy bone in this body of mine--there is. Teaching has helped overcome it immensely. But--I went to ward activities this week and tried to make new friends.

I also went hiking to Doughnut Falls again. This time--the guys in my new ward that I made friends with made me be brave and climb up the rocky side (that people have died on mind you...) and we got up to the top. One of the guys told me I was pretty nervous and must be afraid of heights. (I love that guys analyze me...). But--it's not the heights that scare me--but falling and landing on those sharp rocks below...

Then, I also had the chance to go boating on Saturday with my friend Laren and her ward. I have been boating a few times--and I tried the water skiing thing again today. I almost made it up the whole way--which was big! I think maybe next time I might make it...

Next week--more things of fear and extreme to conquer--SKYDIVING.

Alanna--I am excited to go!

Then--it's the fear of 26 first graders! I'm going to overcome it!

Photo of the Week!

It's been a while and I'm outta whack. But--here's one from my weekend--I took a long drive up my favorite Idaho Canyon and got some pics! But--my favorite one is this one...


When I was young--I used to love going for drives with my parents and counting all the farm animals and watching the road. I don't think kids get this anymore. But I loved seeing the sprinkler systems! One of my favorite parts about them was when they were on and the sun would hit them just right...you'd get a continuous rainbow! Amazing!! And these things bring so much life!

Reflection on Freedom...

I had some time this weekend to reflect on the 4th of July and what it means to me (thank you national boards for making me so reflective...). The 4th of July has always been one of my favorite holidays--I have always loved it. I love the warmness, the barbecues, the ice cream, the fireworks, and the family togetherness that it has always included. Through the years, they have had some serious change and I have grown to understand that change is a part of life. I have also learned to love the moments we have when we have them!

But mostly--I have loved the freedom that we have because of this day. I am attending a masters class this week that is covering education philosophy. The first time I had this class in undergrad studies, I didn't understand it and was taught things to just make sure I learned them. But--today, we had a good discussion about different philosophers and their ideas. And--I understood them and can see how their ideas have influenced me and our country. I am grateful though that we live in a country where these beliefs can be shared and that I can teach and become what I have been becoming as a teacher. Other countries of the world don't have the same benefits we do (although teachers may be respected a little more in them...). But, because of our freedoms, we are able to become anything we want and accomplish anything. No one is set out to tell you that you are destined to be a lawyer, a dump truck driver, or a doctor. You have the freedom to choose. And you can become anything you want to be--but it's conditional--you have to put in the work for it.

That's the way it was in the Book of Mormon times. The Nephites received this land as a land of promise. But--it was conditional as well. This land was to be a land of promise as long as the people were righteous and kept the commandments. I worry as I watch our country today and through the past several years--we are not as righteous as we should be and I worry we will lose some of those blessings we are promised as we fall from righteousness. I just hope that as individuals, we are all able to do our part to be better--and in turn try to motivate those around us to be better.

Once again--I love the 4th of July. I know a lot of people who have sacrificed a lot to protect those freedoms. I just hope as citizens of this great country, we can continue to live this legacy--I have hope that through small actions--great things can come to pass!