Being a Mom

My babies, 13 years ago:

Today:

This morning, it was BNI.

Then a chiropractic adjustment.

Thank you, Dr. Carr!

Then a two-hour drive to Phoenix, which had to include a stop to find replacement TOMS for Parry.

(since Giup ate her other pair.)

I stopped at ASU to drop off bins for Abbie, then headed to SpoFit for my tour.

It's amazing.  I am humbled and privileged to workout there in a few weeks.

Back to Manzy one last time to pick up my newly-a-college-sophomore daughter.

Our drive home took three hours, as we had to stop a few places, and got caught in early rush hour.  She's moving into her own apartment on Saturday; my broken hand prevents me from helping.  Instead we'll shop tomorrow, picking up the necessary odds and ends.  It's a new chapter I've looked forward to for years.

Abbie was a very difficult child, but a fairly easy teenager.  She has, however, wanted to be on her own since she was 15 months old.  It took her 18 more years, but here she is-embarking on adulthood.  I couldn't be more thrilled.

I don't crave the baby days, which I enjoyed thoroughly despite being a young widow.  I certainly wouldn't wish her demanding childhood on myself again; we made it through once only by the grace of God and a horse named Sam.

Century Oak Scimitar with his mistress.

So I'm supposed to pine for the past days of motherhood, wringing my hands that my baby has grown. 

I don't think so.

I like having a grown up daughter.  For one, she's much more fun.  

For another, she's in love with a boy.  And I am loving having a daughter who is in love.  For the first time, I am hearing her share her beliefs on love and marriage...and they match mine.  Why, you'd think she learned them at home from her still-married parents.

Will wonders ever cease?

Tomorrow, I'm letting the younger two play hooky from school to hang out with their sister.

Why ever not?

I think Nastee Dogs will be on the agenda.

Exercising while Injured: Pilates

I've been waking up with a sore and battered hand nearly everyday; apparently I am a restless sleeper.  Today I was awake at 4:17am, I got up at 5:30am as usual.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=f6REdPhh5Ww

Good morning, America

Last night, I wrapped more of my wrist and less of my fingers.  This morning (despite the early hour) it felt better than it had-still sore but more manageable.

Doesn't look pretty though, does it?  I'm rubbing essential oils on one side and castor oil on the other.  Hmmm...

I worked, had a hike cancel, and worked some more.

Which means I forgot to fuel.

My #1 fuel source.

I tried to eat some tuna at 1pm when I remembered, but I was too upset.

One of the reasons for my angst.

Pilates was at 2pm, my first true workout since breaking my hand.  I was surprised to find I immediately went into protective mode when the workout began, it was difficult to focus on form and flow when I worried about my hand position.  I told Lucille I was happy to be in what I considered the safest environment of all my workouts for this first routine-it was comforting to be readily familiar with what was to come.

I love Lucille, even though she made me blush the color of a Stargazer Lily today.

I did pop my hand against my leg at some point, and I was instantly reminded I have a broken hand.  The next few sets were interesting; my hand spasmed and tightened and I had to concentrate on relaxing it.  Funny how protective we become of an injury; the physiological effects were pronounced.  

It had been a week and a half since my last session; I was surprised that my core remembered how to do some exercises better than I thought.  It reaffirmed my belief that Pilates was truly the exercise I identified with and wanted to learn more about.

Tonight was disappointing.  

Kinda like finding out an entire season of Dallas was a dream.

Nothing worked out as hoped.

Although I did eat rice, a carbohydrate.

So I guess not all was lost?

Dude.

Spartan Invasion!!!

Like, seriously????

Aw, come on!!!

They are so NOT supposed to be part of my blog (sorry, Kelly.)

As a Michigan Wolverine, this is just unacceptable.  Really.  The Knight of physical therapy trained me well.

Hail!  Harbaugh is home!!

Today, no exercise once again.  I suppose I could drop the blog and go do squats, but I am learning I need to slow down on somethings.  Not that I am loathing exercise as I used to; I am surprised to actually miss it.  That said, I recognize the need to let things heal.  A broken bone won't stop the Fitness Quest, but I don't need to go hardcore.  Letting a broken bone heal may be a little more important than I thought.

Today, I pushed it (the hand.). Right until the hand started cramping, and I freaked out.  Dr. Eric calmed me by text once again (so thankful!) and I won't try the things I did this morning again soon (I'm not admitting to anything!!). Of course, I spent three hours creating on the computer, and forgot to fuel (utterly and completely forgot to fuel.  Until 2:30pm). My morning meeting went well (I used to never eat, so no fueling wasn't an issue) and I looked forward to my first Bowenwork session with Natalie.

Sorry I forgot to eat, Jim.

Bowenwork.  Now this is an interesting development.  Desperate for relief from the pinched nerve, I've tried heat, cold, menthol, essential oils, ibuprofen, acetaminophen & alcohol.  Unfortunately, only alcohol worked, and that's not a good solution.  Lucille suggested Bowenwork, which I had heard a few good things about.  As the anti-placebo human, I figured it was worth a try.

Bowenwork apparently activates the nerves for healing.  It's like a one minute massage, followed by a two minute break.  I found it to be very relaxing, and incredibly reflective.  I shared some of the insights with the King tonight; I look forward to another session next week.

Thankfully, I'm back with Lucille tomorrow and the Professor on Friday.  Adapting workouts for the broken hand intrigue me; my over-active mind looks forward to the challenge.

The quest is changing, and I am adapting.  Not my best trait, adapting. 

 I am learning.

Broken hand, broken promises

My broken hand seems less broken.

It's only partially discolored now.

I have nice movement in my wrist, index finger and thumb; I can eat with a utensil but I cannot write.  I can hold my phone, but not a hairbrush or toothbrush.  I can turn on the car radio but not the car fan, and I held a hamburger tonight.

So the question arises, can I type?

My first attempts today went poorly; my hand turned colors and tweaked and I freaked out.

Dr. Eric to the rescue!  Amazing how two words spoken by a hand surgeon erase all the google knowledge you just gorged on.

After I got the clear that it was normal, I had to finish my articles, now a week overdue.  I used Jessica's essential oils, rubbing them where she said.  While the ones for bruising and pain seemed to

make no difference, I noted an immediate change using "In Tune" for mental focus. Determined, I relearned the keyboard with eight fingers instead of ten.

Hmmm...I really did stay focused.

Finishing the article was a major thing: it had been pushed back by the break and I was concerned it hadn't gotten done.  Editing it, I was pleased to feel any easy flow.  Even David might give it a passing grade.

David's profile picture.

My productive day halted with that dreaded call from school-a sick child.  

Ear infection from that creek swimming yesterday.  3 hour wait.

I called my dad, who came and sat with her while I met with Tom, a local contractor and owner of Renovations.

Are you AWESOME in sales?  Tom needs a new salesperson!

My business complete, I relieved my dad.  Parry saw the PA, and I we picked up Charlton. We met the King at the movie theater.

Loving me some Captain!!

We all loved Avengers:  the age of Ultron.  Coming home, we picked up Parry's prescription and dropped off a check.  The day was over.

No exercise.  Not one squat.

A broken promise.

Sigh.

What we do for our kids

Today,

Oh my word...I'm typing with my right thumb.

Let me check...no pain.  Well, maybe with the shift key.  Hang on...

Ok, two handed approach.

Obviously, my broken hand is feeling better.  My shoulder still sucks, but the pain is manageable.

It had to be-because Parry & I were going here:

Fossil Creek, AZ

Parry's BFF Maria is moving to Washington state this summer, so we went on an Arizona adventure with Maria, her sister Elsa (with her friend Olivia) and their mom, Janie.  

Somehow I endured a two hour car ride there, the last 45 minutes of which were on a rough dirt road through the mountains at 15mph.

I wanted to puke.  The pain of a pinched nerve is white hot; for me it's aggravated in a car.  I couldn't let Parry miss this trip with her BFF, so I gritted my teeth and went.

Awesome log bridge.

Once there and I had my pack on, the pain eased up and was only a minor in inconvenience.  We hiked in 1.5 miles and enjoyed the many waterfalls of Fossil Creek, moving our swimming holes as the day went on.

Janie took a swim, too.

About twelve feet deep here!

Heading to the bridge; my daughter is the tallest one:)

20ft up and 20ft deep.

The final stop at the bridge and the ride home hurt.  Not just owie but really hurt.  Shifting gave two second breaks; misery set in.

I kept my mouth shut about the pain.  It's her day, not mine.

Nearly home & rocking it out.

Pain will never stop me from making sure my child has the memories she deserves.  While very uncomfortable, I made it through the day.  I did notice the pain no longer radiated as badly down my arm; hopefully a good sign.

So, a three mile hike under duress. Lots of sunshine, and a 13 year old with fantastic memories of an Arizona day with her soon-moving BFF.

Priceless.

I'd do it all over again.

A New Princess!

The Duchess of Cambridge had a baby girl (a real princess!) today.

Isn't she a doll?

I was very grateful, as my shoulder laid me low (or high-depending on elevation or definition of high) and I sorely needed a distraction.

Complete freaking rest, which means no going anywhere, no party, no nothing.

Except Warrior's Apprentice, the Kentucky Derby and the new royal baby.

He ran as #18, so I was ok with it.

I really am not fine with resting today.  Of course, freedom from intense nerve pain in the right arm is not a bad thing.

It started BEFORE I broke my hand, but only when driving.  Now, if aggravated, it lasts for hours.

Stupid, stupid, stupid injury.  No clue what I did-it started during yoga, of all things.

I feel like the Quest is derailing before my eyes...how can one continue when the least movement brings you to a new definition of pain?  And you can only type with one finger on your phone? (Note the last fitness quest article has not yet been published.  Editing is nearly impossible from the phone.)

Fine for blogging and social media.  Not for articles and columns.

The dogs are driving me mad, I really want roasted pig, and it still hurts.  

Only a week ago!  I'd give anything to go do this, right now!!  Please?!

You see, I, too am a princess.  I usually get my way.  To have my body rebel against me?!?  What?!

Queen Elsa and I are tight:)

Hmm...my hair looks pretty bad and I didn't wear makeup that day.

Any wise, like I said.  

Yes, I wore the tiara in public.  This was pre-blog so I didn't do as good of a selfie then.

Princesses aren't supposed to get pinched nerves.

Ugh.

Tomorrow is the reason I am laying low today-an adventure to Fossil Creek.  Gotta be good today to muddle through tomorrow.

Quests are not what I thought.

Well, I'm headed back to bed with Miles and The Warrior's Apprentice.  I'm certain his antics will take my mind off my situation, if only temporarily.  Thank God for that!

Whining, injured, hurting...but not quitting.

Troy is a fantastic health coach.

So optimistic, isn't he?

I had to challenge his assertion. 

And in the end I reluctantly agreed I didn't regret it as I could eat my "skinny piggy" without guilt.  Not that I feel guilt, but hey.  Without the King begrudging me every bite.

The Prince of Athletics of the Central Highland, my son Charlton (aka Lad) with a Carolina Nastee Dog, bacon dill potato salad and a Mexican coke (made with sugar!)

Let's start off by saying my hand was sore, and my shoulder has a nerve pinch from hell resting in it.

Apparently I am not as strong as I'd like, since I whined a lot yesterday.

https://www.facebook.com/katie.cornelius/posts/10205076509085871

In six days, I lost my cardio ability to hike that dang mountain without stopping.

AND FITNESS FREAKS WONDER WHY PEOPLE QUIT.

Seriously?  I broke my hand.  Surgery was in question.  I chose to "be wise" and PROTECT MY HAND.

The King and I just had an extensive argument about this.  He insists that I did not lose my cardio ability.  I insist I did (I was there, I know I did.). He claims I didn't.

Just in case it's not clear...

Finally, he asks if I slept yesterday.  No, I was up at 3:30am and never fell back to sleep.  Was my body knitting a bone back together?  Yes.  Was my shoulder in pain?  Most assuredly yes.  Therefore, was my physical abilities compromised?  Yes, again.

Oh.

So the King informs me I didn't lose anything (look David, that's twice!) cardio-wise.  My individual performance that day was compromised by physical (and psychological) factors.  In other words, I had a bad day.

Score:  King, 1.  Katie, 0.

Sigh.

The moral of the story?  Don't break your hand.  Or get a pinched nerve in your shoulder.

I'm not quitting.

I finally downloaded "Warrior's Apprentice" last night, and fell asleep reading it (hence the lack of blog-first one I've missed.) I was immediately reminded why I love the character of Miles Vorkosigan, and I cannot wait to revisit the next dozen books, all lined up on my bookshelf:  He has a soundtrack mind.

The character himself has many physical limitations, which he amply makes up for with intellectual prowess.  I suppose being injured (so stupidly injured, it pisses me off to no end) it's given me another perspective on the quest.

Injury:  the number one reason people quit.

Injury:  the number one way to build mental toughness to get through to the goal.

Goal one:  a good push-up.  Wow-that is pushed back three months.

Goal two: touch my nose to my knee.

Hmm...that I CAN do.  Pain doesn't have to prevent me from continuing (and at least the pinched nerve is the same shoulder as the broken hand.)

Fitness Quest.  Keeping it real.