The Bliss of a Break

Well, I couldn't breathe hiking yesterday.

It smelled pretty bad, actually.

Seriously.  It's this gorgeous:

As you can guess, not my picture.

And it smells so bad everyone knows about it.

It was Chris' idea to go there; he's testing out his injuries.

A rare picture of my hiking partner.

By the time we were 2/3rds through the hike, I really can't breathe, and have to sit.

But, as usual, it's GORGEOUS.

It's the first time the air monster has joined me in months.

Damn broken hand.

Dagger decor.  Only in Arizona could I go to work like this and everyone wish the dagger was real.  Also, everyone wanted to touch the leather.  I was stroked a lot.

So exercise is getting tougher, not easier.

Which means relaxing MUST be enjoyed now, as in a few weeks it'll be obliterated by trying to get back into shape.

Sunset over Granite.  

Is that so bad?

For 13 weeks I've pushed working out while injured; plus just work.

Maybe I need a real break.

It calls.  I'm going!!! 

Monday.  Mackinac.  Michigan.

I never thought I'd say it...but I think I need a little dose of home.

Steampunking a cast...and other assorted Madness

Initially, my cast had me in near tears.

It was too scrunched.

I took tin snips to it twice, and had long, thoughtful pauses at the tool box at work.

When I thought I'd go mad after afternoon swelling set it, I'd go see Grandfather.

Technically, not Grandfather, but "Look of Long Years" by (sigh!!) Howard Terpning.

I do LOVE working in a western art museum.

Finally, after a sleepless night which found me on the balcony, I texted the dear doctor.  He agreed to recast.

Oh, I definitely did a happy dance!

So the new cast was blue like the last one, and by now I had convinced the King to bring the mattress outside.

Ahhhh...coffee and a view of our hot tub?!

So while Wei Tai is a lovely distraction, at least I'm not needing art to calm me and keep me from cutting off a cast.

That's progress.

Then the idea hit-why not steampunk the cast?  It's blue and rough-why not wrap it in leather?

I love my leather cast!

As for decorating....!!!!!

Feathers and lacings on Sunday.

Post apocalyptic princess yesterday.

I'm finding some outlet for the madness of a still-not-healed-thirteen-weeks-later hand.

At times I just want to explode; the frustration is so intense.  I've been advised  not to make any long term decisions until after it heals.

But what if it doesn't?

You'll note the cool hair.  At least I can control that.

The Casting Call

Oh, that this was about theater!

Antoine & Maria.  I often listen to this soundtrack on my iPhone.

I sincerely wish I had done theater in high school; I tried out for one play, didn't get a part.  Never had the courage to try again.

Why did I give up so easily on something I loved?

Better yet, why haven't I pursued it since?

It's not like it's a hard knocks life!?

The truth of the matter is I have found motivational public speaking to be the performance I love to give.  I'd rather inspire with a keynote than a role written by another.  In the fitness quest I've learned I exercise best with one other person-one hiking partner, or one to one instruction.  I don't want to be part of a cast of characters.  I prefer to work with just one other person.

I always "needed improvement" in that area....

So hiking this week was nice...back on Constellation with Chris in the lead so he could gauge his injury.

From the Hulley Gulley.

Quite obviously not mine:)

But the day quickly went sour.

Dang it.

It wasn't healing this time.

Needless to say, I'm not happy.

With fingers squished 24/7 I am focusing hard on not going mad.

So I'm sleeping outside...

Talking a lot to my Indian...

And focusing on the break finally being mended...right?

I'd rather focus on conquering :)

The Casting Call.

Called to take on and conquer, I'd say. 

The rebel with a 22"

With little to no exercise to report, my blogging has taken a back seat to a (still) broken hand.

My house is a wreck given that the still broken hand is my dominant hand, and both of my daughters are unavailable.

One has her own apartment in Tempe, and thinks she was born forty years too late.

The other is living the life of the adored older cousin in Idaho this week; she'll be in Montana next week...26 days of adventuring!

While I'm not home alone, The King & Lad are not the greatest at general housekeeping.  Yes, the dishes are done.  Laundry gets washed & dried, but not put away.

As you can see, we no longer see eye to eye!

Being bored out of my skull, I've turned to the endless source of recent amusement:  steampunk.

Sure, it's just a corset.  But I wore it in public for no reason at all, and my waist measured a mere 22".

Abbie was horrified, but 27 others apparently approved.

And then I dyed my hair.

Abbie did not approve.

Nor did Parry.

We have to redo the blond streaks:)

The King says I have the hair of a rebel.

I say when you can't change your life, change your hair.

I'm awaiting a package that could change everything...maybe.

All I know, is I'm quite tired of circumstances changing mine.

It seems I'm being unwise...that I'm ignoring good foundational strengths.

All I know is I have an idea about time...and I need to see if I can get it to work.

Healing Time

I'm sorry, but it's (partly) about the hand.

My nose looks big in this picture, don't you think?  😜

As you can see, it's not discolored.  But it hurts.  It's sore, and typing today will likely aggravate it more.

Then there's the damned lingering effects of the head injury that started the fitness quest.

Being limited to hiking is an easy thing (who's going to complain about NOT exercising) but this week's hikes being strolls...

Mine.

Also mine.

...turns out strolling was pretty nice.  I didn't work up a sweat, so I could change and head straight to work.

Jenny's dress.  I received so many compliments on it and even had a dirty old man pinch me.

Today & tomorrow I can go in until 9 (I don't have keys yet, you know, the mandatory probation period) so I'm reflecting.

Can I get to level four before work?

In all honesty, I'm reflecting on how discouraging a long term injury can be.  The concussion, topped off with a broken dominant hand...some things are starting to give.

Perhaps I need to slow down to a stroll?

I prefer full-throttle...

...Or more!

Slow=boredom

Boredom=the enemy

Sigh.

I wish I had a time machine.

http://youtu.be/ecL6XCuO3Fw

Hacking while hiking?

Oh, it started so simply while at work.

He wasn't a geocacher, he was part of the Resistance.

And so it began.

Ingress is my new play toy.  Of course I'm part of the Resistance and not the Enlightened.

When you grow up watching V, you learn these things.

I love this freaking game.

Not that I have time to play it; nor does my family join in the fun.

So today on the Peavine, surely this monument had to be a portal of XM.

It wasn't, but we did reflect for a moment on the Running Girl.

The dreaded Peavine.  Flat wonder of wonders.

Not my photo, which is not surprising:)

Chris is recovering from a pulled Achilles, hence the careful choice.  I liked it as I could go right to work; it was just a stroll, after all.

And we could hack things if we get portals approved.

Hiking just took on a whole new dimension.