Well, there is nothing second grade about me!! Got the results of the MRI today - I have a "high grade" tear in the tendon of my foot.
It is nearly 2 inches long and the doctor said that I must have a high pain threshold because most people would not be able to go up and down on the injured foot without a big "ouch". I have consistently described this as "niggling" so I guess no one really took me all that seriously - and in fact, I had not taken it all that seriously myself - it was only that it has been "niggling" for 18 months that I thought I should follow up.
So now I am in a hard cast for 6 weeks! And I was going to start back on the step machine this weekend - honest!!!
I don't think that the doctor is terribly optimistic that this is going to repair on its own but it is what they "have" to attempt first. After the hard cast I will have one of those funky walking boot casts for another 6 weeks.
Guess it is going to be a while before the step machine is fired up!! :-)
Current difficulties - managing the stairs!! Hobbling is very tiring!!
Upcoming difficulties - how the hell am I going to get to and from work!!
These days you get choices in what colour your cast is - the purple, bright blue and pink seemed to scream 'pity me' so I chose black. Obviously I am going to have to paint my nails before Monday!
I got tickets to see Elton John in September! Yay! Very exciting. Very EXPENSIVE, but he is one of my big faves. An icon. We will be on the floor, I wanted lower bowl but clicked on "the best available seats" and this is what we got. I love his music. Benny and the Jets! I used to work at a pizza/pub place in Toronto when I was 19 . They had a juke box full of great music and every night after closing, I would blast that song while putting the chairs up on the tables and sweeping the floors. Brings me right back every time I hear it.
In other news, my vinyl painting sold! I went down to the gallery yesterday to get a picture of it in daylight and couldn't find it anywhere. Gone! Someone on vacation from the US purchased it. I am happy but sad that it is not there for anyone to see anymore.
I have ten small flower paintings for sale at Love, Me Boutique. That was a fun project. Something bright and cheerful for summer.
My last bit of Friday catchup is a bit odd. H and I have sponsored a girl from Nicaragua for several years. I just got a message from them this week saying my sponsorship of her has stopped, she is out of the program. Said it doesn't happen very often but this is the case here. My Virmania has gotten MARRIED. She is 13! Turning 14 in November. I was VERY surprised. The letter did address that and said although it is uncommon, early marriages do take place still . They have partnered us with a new wee girl named Darling.
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The astro-dweeb will be giving a talk in Hawaii in a few days time so I was going through packing options with him.
Me: Do you have one of those collared shirts - the green or the blue?
Him: Um, you know, I was thinking that as this is in Hawaii, I might buy a Hawaiian shirt.
Me: Yuck!
Him: Not a normal Hawaiian shirt - a high end Hawaiian shirt!
Surely there is no such thing as a "high end" Hawaiian shirt!!!
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Low carb diets like Atkins beat healthier low fat or Mediterranean-style diets in a weight-loss study that lasted 2 years. What they don’t want to talk about is that Atkins people lost an average of 12 pounds, Mediterranean-style diet eaters lost an average of 10 pounds. Only a 2 pound difference. Let’s see….. I can eat a slab of bacon for breakfast -OR- I can eat my normal bowl of fruit, bowl of “natural” cereal, and low-fat yogurt. Hmmm… I just realized the people on Atkins lost more weight because they probably vomited up their breakfasts! Sorry. Nobody can take away my pasta, bread, or fruit! AND…. no matter HOW they try, they will NEVER convince me eating an Atkins style diet is good for me!
Lately many voxers have posted gorgeous photos of beautiful butterflies, fascinating dragonflies and cute baby birds which they have found in their gardens or nearby environs.
In my backyard I find aphids, mosquitoes and leaves ruined by scale and sooty mould! (And, my rampant tomato bush :-)).
I have 2 bay (laurel) tree seedlings which I am nursing through an attack by evil mealy bugs. Expecting to find more mealy bugs I was thrilled to find a tiny little preying mantis sitting in the pot!!
The word "mantis" comes from the Greek word mantis for prophet or fortune teller. They are exclusively predatory - hence "preying" - and enjoy living insects including aphids and hopefully, mealy bugs!
A mantis nymph increases in size by replacing its outer body covering with a sturdy, flexible exoskeleton and molting between 5 and 10 times. Its closest relatives are termites and cockroaches ....... hope it doesn't invite them over for any coming out party!!!
Did you know that you can buy preying mantis egg cases?????
Bugs 4 sale Maybe I can get rid of my aphids afterall!!
These were taken with my trusty point & shoot Canon PowerShot.
My forefinger to show how small this little mantis is! The more photos I took the more his little head swivelled!
This
is where I was on Sunday. We had a family gathering at my brother's
house, quite a crowd. Lots of kids:)
Isn't the pool lovely. They have a terrific place about a twenty minute
drive from us.
I had a great time taking pictures.....don't we all!
Yee Haw! Love the thumbs.
This is A, she's a sweetie.
A's older sister and a friend
The newest member
More pool!
Although we typically post on Team Vox to let you know about things that are going on with Vox (to, uh, state the obvious), once in a while, we like to let you know about other cool things that are happening around the blogosphere. And we think the idea of four hilarious mommy bloggers traveling across the U.S. on their way to the BlogHer '08 conference - all the while blogging and video blogging the journey - is one trip you will not want to miss.
Four adventurous bloggers from the Silicon Valley Moms Group were selected to participate in the Summer Road Trip '08 and blog about their travels, hotel stays, media appearances, time away from their families, and life on the road. Six Apart helped them partner up with General Motors, who provided the blogging mommies with a Chevy Tahoe Hybrid SUV to help make their journey comfy, safe, and a little more green.
In case you're not familiar with them, SV Moms is a group of over 200 bloggers who showcase the ups, downs, outrages, struggles, victories, and everyday humor of motherhood. There are currently nine regional and demographically tailored sites that give mothers from D.C., New Jersey, the Deep South, Rocky Mountains, L.A., and Silicon Valley a powerful voice and sense of camaraderie across the country. Whether you're a mother, a child, or just a person who enjoys a good blog, you'll really love reading the words of these amazing women.
The moms buckled into their Chevy Tahoe Hybrid SUV on July 11th and even got an encouraging message from Katie Couric to kick things off! They are currently somewhere in the middle of America making their way to San Francisco where they'll attend an SV Moms Group Party, as well as BlogHer '08.
You do not want to miss these entertaining and irreverent bloggers -- or their spontaneous contest giveaways! -- as they blog from the road. Experience the journey at MomRoadTrip.com.
And let us know about your summer road trip - or plane/boat/bus trip - in the comments! (I like to live vicariously.)
On May 1st we bought a scraggly little tomato seedling from Home Depot for about $2. It was on the clearance table - you know the one where they put all the half dead plants at bargain price no guarantee they survive the trip home.
Anyway ... this is that plant now.... Photo taken from the steps of our deck:
Two ripened enough to eat about a week ago (delicious) and there are 21 green tomatoes waiting to ripen:
And .. there are many, many more little flowers turning into baby tomatoes...... I think I am going to need some good relish recipes!!
July 14th. Bastille Day. This is a national holiday in France. It was the day the Bastille was stormed and the new French Nation was born. Always lots of fanfare and celebration.
I was in Paris one year on Bastille day and the Champs Elysees was shut down for a parade at dusk. It was a military parade in honour of some anniversary I can't remember. Possibly the liberation of Paris. Jeeps and soldiers and then tanks rumbled along the street. You could feel the earth shake. Quite oppressive and very daunting. People were very quiet. There was an old man next to me who started to get very emotional. It had brought flashbacks of the war to him. The last time he had witnessed tanks, and felt that ominous rumbling was during the occupation of Paris by the Nazi regime and then the liberation. Jets flew very low down the length of the boulevard and then fireworks erupted from the Arc de Triomphe and continued for thirty minutes!. Quite a spectacle.There were thousands of people in the crowds that night.
Another Bastille Day was spent on the tiny Islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon. Quite different. These salty wee islands are part of France and are situated just off Newfoundland. The day started with a thick grey fog that rolled in off the sea and later, in the town square, everyone was invited to share a small glass of wine with the Mayor and then a feast of mussels for anyone who was inclined. Red, white and blue ribbons decorated lapels and small flags were draped gaily across windows and door ways.
Two very different Bastille Days but interesting nevertheless.
Today's festivities will include some painting, housekeeping and fitness activities!
What a gorgeous day here. Actually we have had an amazing run of wonderful weather. Just beautiful.
I spent the entire day painting today and did not see much of the sun. That is the thing with being self employed, you work when the work needs doing. I am finishing up on the commission for the condiment labels, still more to do, far more work than I thought it would be but interesting and very satisfying ultimately. I have not had much time for my eBay painting and so made sure that I managed to finish one today and get it up.
We are going to Alberta in two weeks for a vacation to visit my brother. I want to have things organized and taken care of before we leave so there is a lot of stuff I have to get done. I would like to have extra paintings finished so I can start some auctions as soon as we get back. That's another thing about self employment.... when you are not working, there is no income.
My brother lives in Red Deer which is halfway between Calgary and Edmonton. My mom and daughter and I are going. The only thing I really want to do is visit Banff. I have never seen the Rockies. We will be at a hotel in the West Edmonton Mall for two nights before we leave. H's idea of heaven. I have yet to be convinced:)
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