Being Still

Today was another day of rest.

My puppy rests like this.

I didn't really want to rest, but I woke up with a very sore hand and shoulder.

The color changes are getting intense.

Apparently I'm not kind to my hand in my sleep; tonight I'll splint it for protection from my toss and turns.

Resting meant catching up on little things:  registering kids for fall school, paying bills, and yes, trying to write using a keyboard.  I set up appointments for next week, and followed up on a few calls.  In general though, I rested.  My body made it clear it needed time to heal.

It's harder than exercise.

I'm still recovering from the concussion I suffered in December, with symptoms cropping up now and then.  I've had three different friends tell me I should be still.  Then my shoulder says slow down.  Then I break my hand.

So today, I was still.  I got necessary things done, but I was still.

He showed up.

It's been awhile.

We had a good, long, angry, tearful, mad, joyful, spirited conversation.

I made choices.  I asked for grace.

We aren't done talking, but at least I know where to find Him again.

In stillness.

I had to hike

The illness is real.

The desire to exercise creeps up on you when you are denied the right; it's only when it was taken away I began to crave it.

Becky in the Grotto.

Today we hit Granite Gardens in the Dells.  Not super challenging, but not an easy hike.  A good one for getting sweaty and back in the swing,

Picture taking with one hand is easy, but that pony tail?!  Hard!

It was our first hot day, and I learned why under armour is far superior as exercise wear.   My Mackinac tee looked cute, but I sweated terribly.

 We live HERE!!

As always, I am overcome by the beauty of the Dells.  The rocks call to me; by that I mean they are perfect pieces of art.  It's like walking through a painting.

Yep, it's this amazing.  This is like 80ft of rock.

My hand swelled some, and changed colors.

It's entertaining, at least!

My shoulder, quite honestly, has given me far more issues than my hand.  The nerve pain while driving is intense; I carefully plot my travels.

Tonight, I replaced items the dog had eaten of mine (like really?!  Please stop eating my underwear!) and Jess shared oils with me.  By the time I get home I felt like a slave, driven to do all that needs to be done.  Not complaining in the least.

At least I got to do some exercise!

Buddy Taping & Other Repairs

That blown out tire yesterday?  Guess what?  It blew out because it had gone bad.  Providence alone kept it from blowing out at high speed, and instead on our driveway.

That also meant I spent a very long time waiting for tire repairs instead of hiking today.

And I had the nicest injured princess hiker vibe going, too.

Oh, I popped over to Starbucks and worked the phone, so all wasn't lost, but I'm aching for exercise.

Yikes.  Did I really just say that?

I hear this on the radio, and I want to be here:

Surprise, surprise.

Breaks hand, wants to lift.  Will wonders ever cease?

Next week, I've got two new exercise partners-two wounded warriors.  Week after that, I'm revisiting Sgt Steve, the Professor, Lucille & Fusion of Movement.  Each has agreed to a special modified session which won't engage my hand.  Week after, I'll be at Spofit in Phoenix, which specializes in fitness for the disabled.

You see, the number one reason people quit is injury.  

Not me.

Not some others.

The next six-eight weeks I'm highlighting those who refuse to stop when injured, and stay fit (or get fitter!) after injury.  So what if I can't use my right hand for six weeks; I can get it back.  I've got no excuses not to keep at the Fitness Quest.

With four new tires (sigh) and an oil change I talked them into for free, I collected Lad for a little date.

We went to Nastee Dogs, of course.

Despite a later ice cream cone, all he did was tell everyone how much he loved Nastee Dogs!

The boy is expected to behave as a gentleman on our little dates.  They started when he was four, ten years ago.

We got him registered for high school, and then I had my surgery consult with Dr. Eric.

Yep, the one who says I can use his Viking picture because he's so cool.

Thankfully, no surgery is necessary, and I was freed from the splint, too!! Buddy taping the ring and middle finger, plus a simple ace bandage for a broken hand.  Six weeks healing time, but I could sign my name tonight without pain, so I was delighted!!

After playing Mom's taxi for the kids, I met Lucille for dinner.

We did not wear these outfits to dinner.

Lamb Boti Masala.  Need I say more?

I drove home in pain, my shoulder aggravated once again.  Lucille had asked me some tough questions, and I appreciated her candor.

Brain injury.  Seriously.

Tomorrow I can get back to work; I'm looking forward it.

Nothing!!! Absolutely nothing!!!!!!!

No exercise today.  No hike, no nothing.  Not really a rest day-just nothing!

Well, I did take a pretty flower picture.

This morning, the hot water heater went out.  After everyone else's showers, and before mine.

It took me thirty minutes just to figure out how to light the dang lighter with my left hand!

Sorry Troy, I'm not smokin'!

Darrin walked me through it...

Darrin's a former fireman turned plumber.

And...

I had success!  Jumped two feet when the burner lit, but!!

So, I'm able to finally shower, and can scratch #1 and #3 off yesterday's list.  Did them.   Also successfully tied my shoes with one hand.

See, I did plan to hike!!

Then I got a flat tire.

Which normally I could change BUT NOT WITH A BROKEN HAND!

The King came to my rescue.  Not quite reluctantly, but it was a silent trip in.

I met Jess for lunch, and we agreed to hike together soon.  We also got her meal paid for, two cookies and two pastries for free 'cause I got a wee angry.

My afternoon work went great, and I continued my quest to find that elusive first Miles Vorkosigan book at one of Prescott's many used bookstores.  Thus far, I've yet to lay my hands on it, despite several attempts. If I don't find it by Wednesday, I'll have to take more drastic measures. 

Tonight, I've got to sit and write.  I can use a mouse flawlessly in my left hand, but the keyboard is difficult for my one finger on my right.  My fitness quest is at a halt for the week,and it's driving me batty.

Perhaps I've been effected by the exercise bug afterall?

At least I look cute, even if my hand doesn't!

Clicking Bones

When I try to engage limited use of my right hand, like to use my index finger to help my left hand just a little...click.

Click.  Pop.  Click.

Dammit, Jim!  Those are dislocated bones!

See, I'm really not in pain, so the desire to have some normal usage is quite high.  It's like I'm in a splint for nothing.

Just some of the crazy bruising.

Fitness Quest.  My primary worry (I cannot, I repeat cannot lose these abs!) as I cancel my gym for next week.  Hiking alone does not work-I need the targeted exercises.  I start formulating ideas, and decide to take this week off until I know what the prognosis is for my hand.  I'll hike all week (Canyon next Sunday-not giving that up!) and figure out my schedule the next five (I have some cool ideas.)

Heading here!

So today, I worked a little (good as a distraction) and start learning what I cannot do.

1.  Dry self off after shower.

This may be an issue if the King isn't around.

2.  Put on a necklace or post earrings.

Good thing I'm no longer a jewelry lady, eh?

3.  Blow dry hair while styling, or braid or put hair in ponytail.

 Bye-bye Viking braids for now.

4.  TALK ON PHONE WHILE DRIVING.

This is a severe negative!!

5.  Do my nails

Dude-don't laugh.

6.  Put on yoga pants.  

There's a lot of pulling involved.

7.  Keep a straight face when retelling how I broke my hand.

Chris will attest to this.

8.  Shoot a gun.

They *say* I can go left, but I'm not holding out much hope that I can hit a target shooting left with no support hand?  Come on.

I want to make clear I am not complaining. It's just different-and I like to note differences. So the Fitness Quest will reflect this-I'm excited to see what it brings.

By the way, I'm desperate for junk good right now.  Aching for it.

Yum-O.

I've managed to stay on track only because broken bones make you sleepy...but I want this all the time!!!

Abs.  I love my abs.  Repeat!!

Pray for me!

An Officer & A Broken Hand?!

Becky and I love to dance, our men do not.  Mic and the King know we need to get it out of our system, so neither mind us occasionally heading to Matt's for a twirl around the dance floor.

We keep tabs on each other, and scare off any cowboy who doesn't respect our rings.

So last night was a blast, and I was delighted to find fitness helped my dancing!  I had an exceptionally good partner who knew how to lead, and am now more determined than ever to drag the King into a dance class.  Who knew being fit would help with two left feet?

Earlier in the night, my natural clumsiness claimed an embarrassing win when I went to sit down and missed the stool at the restaurant.  I caught myself with my right hand; it did hurt but nothing unmanageable.  In the car heading home I thought it looked a wee swollen, but not too bad.  Becky was more concerned than I, and was distracted by the conversation.  So when those pesky red and blue lights came on behind us...

Two weeks in a row I've been pulled over.  Neither time was I driving!

Officer Schiska of Prescott PD let us know we were doing 44mph in a 30.  Oops.  Becky sweetly explained her distraction as she handed him the paperwork.  As she was obviously sober, he gave her a warning and went to run her license.

He took a really long time to return.

It seems he dropped her drivers license in a storm drain?!?!  And could not get it out!?!

He sheepishly shared what happened, and we could not contain our giggles.

I promised to blog about it; he accepted that consequence.  We were sent off with a warning, and a delightful memory of a squirming officer.

This morning I woke at 5:30am to a very swollen right hand.  I could hear a clicking noise in it when I moved my middle finger, too.

The King took this picture.

About twice it's normal size.

After two hours at urgent care, the results were in:

Broken and displaced.

Interestingly, my first thought was to laugh.

My second was the Fitness Quest.

 At least I can hike, right?

I texted the King with the news, and texted Dr. Eric, who happens to specialize in hand surgery.  Hopefully in six weeks it will be good as new.  Oh, and that clicking sound? Bone on bone.

So, hiking, running, swimming...?

I get in the truck to find a dozen red roses waiting for me, and an invitation to lunch with the King.

The King's response.

So, no workout today.  Maybe a hike tomorrow.  Definitely need to reschedule my gym for next week...really, the next six.  I am determine NOT to lose my newly found muscles-what a quest this will be.  (I'm right handed and it's the right hand. Typing is pretty slow!)

I look at it this way:  the devil comes to steal, kill and destroy.  I must be on a good path he wants to destroy, so to me, injuries like this prove I'm doing something right the enemy wants to stop.  James 1:2-5 says to count it all joy:). So I'm laughing about my clumsiness.  This Quest just got more interesting.

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy...

So I'm writing this at Matt's...

Hiking partners doing something other than hiking...

Today I finished up my Pilates with Lucille; I was genuinely sad to be ending the experience.  I *think* I may have found the exercise I love...we shall see.  So many more exercises to explore.

  

So today was a day of writing and creating new material.  With the dogs underfoot it was a challenge; I enjoyed the break Pilates brought (even though it kicked my abs...!) I am starting to understand the pull exercise has on some people (the crazed 20%)...I love the  experience of classical Pilates.  To have my mind free of distractions is a huge pull-the King says I have a soundtrack mind-I've never had an exercise engage me like classical Pilates.

Crazy, yes.  Love it-of course.

So today I've learned I am loathe to give up Pilates, and that the King is pretty awesome to let me hang with Becks for the evening at Matt's.

I love my hiking partners (even if they lock me out:)

Hard! It's hard!!

I really needed my Boxster today.

Not that I have one, but I plan on having one, so that's just as good as having one, right?

Anyhow, remember I hiked Little Granite last night?  

Century plants, so you know Dotty was with me.

Well, I remember leaning my very expensive, brand new trekking poles against the vehicle.  I did not, however, recall shortening them and putting them in the car.

Which meant maybe I forgot to?

Heading to the car this morning for BNI, I checked the backseat.  Backpack, boots...no poles.  My heart sunk.

I had sold these boots to get the poles.

Driving in to town, I weighed the chances of the poles still being in the parking lot.  We had left fifteen minutes before they closed the gates for the night; perhaps they were still there?  Glancing at the clock, I calculated how long of a detour it might be.  It was 6:37am, I was a minimum of 15 minutes out-or a half hour round trip, plus the remaining drive across town to BNI.  40 minutes, and be late for BNI (I was embarrassingly late last week) and maybe find my poles?

I became The Stig's female cousin.

Turning right, I hightailed it down Iron Springs Road.  At 6:43am I turned onto Granite Basin Rd, which is typically a leisurely 25mph 4 mile drive to the trailhead.

Not so today.

No star in a reasonably priced car would have beaten me.

Whipping into the trailhead parking, I immediately smile with glee.

My beloved poles, having laid there all night.

Letting out a whoop (and tossing my remaining coffee in the air, narrowly missing getting drenched) I leapt from the car, snapped that picture, tossed the poles in the back and sped back the way I'd come.

Cranking up the tunes, I flew down the road, only occasionally slowing due to the rising sun.  I waltzed into BNI at 7:07am, and regaled a friend with my tale.

I love starting the day on a high.

BNI (Business Networking International) is (duh) a business networking group.  Fortunately, our group is full of people with a great sense of humor, too.  7am on Thursday's is usually full of laughs, but today was exceptionally fun.  Lucille was my table mate, and I was sad that my beautiful Pilates journey with her was almost over.

She even let me rest yesterday!

Next week I have to go elsewhere; my two lined-up facilities on deck are both in PV.

Prescott Valley, for those of you not around here.

It's a long drive from my house.

He's baaaaaaack!

Let's just say the five-day line up of classes (ranging from Zumba to Booty Barre and beyond) scare the crap out of me.

These classes may be fun for the coordinated, but coordinated I am not!

Perhaps I exaggerate; I can put on shoes, and hike.  Is that coordinated?

Last time I did classes, I felt like sore jello.  I am quite reluctant to do them again, but I need to know:

Does being fitter make a difference?

Today, Becky and I hiked Thumb Butte.

Steep side smiles!

She had twisted her ankle during our Flume hike weeks ago; this was our first outing since.  

We did the steep side; I not only managed to hold a conversation the entire time, but the air monster was a no show.

Fitness, I am finding, is an interesting Quest.  I wonder what I'll discover next?