Stupid Is as Stupid Does...

It's no secret that I have the fifth broken bone in a foot in the last 10 months. In November, 2009, I broke the 3rd and 4th metatarsals in my left foot. Then in April I broke the fifth metatarsal in my right foot. Thirty six hours after getting out of the fracture boot I broke the second metatarsal in my right foot. While in the soft cast I broke the fourth metatarsal in the right foot. So, with all that you'd think I would take it easy, right? Right? Not so much. Yesterday I went to the fair with hubby and the big boys. We spent seven hours walking around the midway, through the new car and exhibition buildings and just generally enjoying the beautiful Sunday afternoon State Fair atmosphere. Toward the end of the day my foot was "complaining." During the night I was awakened numerous times with throbbing in my foot. Today, I couldn't even go to work. My foot is too sore to even stand on. It is swelling so badly I may have to cut the soft cast off just to get circulation going. It burns like a fire inside my foot.

I get it. I deserve this. I should have known better and should have taken better care of me. But, in my defense, the lure of the Fair...the beautiful day...the opportunity to spend time with my boys...it was an offer I couldn't refuse. Now, when my SIL calls and says, "Hey, ya'll want to go to the Fair with us?" I wonder how I will respond???

The straw that broke the camel's back or the step that broke my foot?

Well, I'm a bit discouraged right now. No, I'm a lot discouraged. See, I have had this problem with first my left foot breaking and then my right. I totally understand why the left foot broke. I participated in the Susan G. Komen 60 mile 3-Day Event in Dallas last year. After 38 miles I had stress fractures. No big deal...seven weeks in a fracture boot and it's all good. Except it's not. Took that stinkin' foot 6 months to heal where it no longer hurt when I walked. Then in mid-July I broke the metatarsal bone (one leading to the toe) on the baby toe of my right foot. Okay...six more weeks in the fracture boot. By this time the boot is wearing out and I'm having to hold it together with extra velcro. This time the boot came off on Labor Day. To be clear, that's Monday, September 5, 2010. On Wednesday morning (two days later) my foot started hurting again...but not in the same place. I figured it's just the transition back to shoes. Well, the pain went on for two weeks before I went back to the doctor. He said, "I think you've torn a tendon. But you need to see a specialist." So, today I left work early and headed to see Dr. Steven Branchau, a foot and ankle specialist. I LOVE him!! He is so friendly and personable. Really easy to talk to and doesn't throw doctor speak at you. Yep, you guessed it. ANOTHER broken metatarsal. This time it's the second little piggie...the one next to the big toe. The bottom line is that my metatarsal bone leading to my big toe has shifted away from the other bones and is no longer providing the support they need. Those bones just roll and move around when I walk now. Dr. Branchau said it's like a piece of wire. Bend it back and forth enough and it's going to break. Every step I take bends those bones. So, as I sit her now in pain from the manipulation and positions I had to put my foot in for x-rays, I am in a "soft cast" and an "unna boot." Basically that means I am in a cast to the ankle that firms up but remains flexible so my ankle can bend. On top of that is an ace wrap. On top of that is a giant, ugly black post-op velcro shoe. After a couple of weeks in this we will decide whether to stay with this or go back to the boot. I HATE the boot and am never going back to it if I have my say. As to the future...looks like orthotic inserts in my shoes may keep me from having to have surgery. Yea for no surgery!!

One Giant Leap for Womankind...

Well, the word is out. I guess the understatement is that I can't keep an exciting secret to well. I keep secrets that others tell me. I just can't keep my own!

For those that haven't already heard, I am in the process of opening a winery in Rockwall with a business partner. My partner chooses to remain anonymous at this time since she is afraid that association with this endeavor will jeopardize her current employment.

The exciting part is that we have rented a sight.

The dull and boring part is that we are in the process of writing a business plan, applying for a loan, applying for federal and state permits, etc. The mundane of opening a business. We are incredibly excited and believe that this business is going to be a hit...located in The Harbor.

I am blogging our progress. I am just not ready to publish that blog yet.

FYI:
*We have someone who will stain our concrete floors.
*We have someone working on the logo.
*We have someone who will install our sound system.
*We have located all the equipment that we will need except the beer tap
*We still need someone who can construct the bar area but we have made contacts in that area.
*We have researched and located all the merchandise we will carry.
*We will make our own wine!
*You will be able to batch your own wine for special occasions!
*We have a marketing manager.
*We have a winemaster to make the wine.
*We hope to be open on or before Feb. 1, 2011

Now, you're up to date. As soon as I can, I will make the blog public.

The Sequel...

Just a short update on my last post:

Daddy seems to be doing better. Answer to prayers.

I have lost 10lbs. on my diet and have not cheated once until today (more on that later).

I love my new iphone! My Facebook posts have increased dramatically!!

Now, as to the cheat...a friend and I are seriously exploring the feasibility of opening a winery in Rockwall. We have visited with several winery owners/operators. We have taken field trips to wine shops. We have done internet research and we have even met with one banker who referred us to another bank that provides small business loans. We are serious about this. Today, Brandy and I took a road trip to Houchatown, Oklahoma (yes, that's a real place) near Beaver's Bend State Resort. There is a winery there called "Girls Gone Wine." It was started by three women who had no business experience but who wanted to open a winery. One of the owners, Michelle, sat with us for over two hours and let us pick her brain. She took us on a tour of the production facility next door and answered every question we could think to ask and many that we didn't. She was fabulous and is willing to work with us in a consulting/mentor mode. Yea!!! They have been in business four years and have already had to expand their business. The cheat part comes in where we participated in the wine tasting (tiny sips) and drank one full glass of wine. I will simply cut carbs somewhere else and be extra careful for the next few days.

On a totally non-related note, my sleep study revealed nothing that I didn't already know...I have Restless Leg Syndrome (I already take medicine for that and my doctor upped the dosage). My blood work is okay except watching that lupus titer. And...I may be able to take the boot off next week if my foot has healed enough when I go in.

School starts on Monday so I am about to be really busy again. It's a kind of busy that I enjoy. Oh yeah, and I hear that we are in for a cold front. It's only supposed to be in the mid-90's next week!::shrug::

Ron and I had our pictures made with the grandsons (Kristin's suggestion). We buy a coupon for a free 10x13 portrait each year to support the McLendon-Chisholm Fire Department. We usually give the coupon to Kristin for the boys or for their family, etc. This time she suggested that we have OUR picture made with the boys. Now why didn't I think of that???


I only wanted the group shot...until I saw the rest.

My Favorite Little Buddies...


Trenton Dayne


Carter Michael

Am I not just the luckiest Nana in the world???!!!

That's about it for now...I will keep you updated!

To Be or Not To Be...That's not really the question!

I'm really torn. I love sleeping until 9:00 or 9:30 daily. I love afternoon naps on the couch. I love the freedom to eat or drink what I want when I want and to go to the bathroom whenever I need to go. I looooovvvvveeee the luxury of taking a bath in the middle of the day. Don't know why, but that speaks to me in a way I can't explain. I do, however, hate being broke. Thus the dilima.

Students report back to school next week and along with that will come the need for subs. Job opportunities for me mean giving up my freedom to do whatever, whenever. It means entering a blistering hot car at the end of the day in order to come home. It means an end to boredom and a renewed beginning to a sense of purpose. It also means the additional money that I need to cover the incidentals and flexible expenses. The money to shop ahead for Christmas...to fund my trips to Winstar and Shreveport...to do whatever, whenever. Hmmmmm. Why does that phrase sound so familiar?

Either way...the start of school (and work) means fall is just around the corner. With fall will come the end of the triple digit temperatures that have hammered us for twenty straight days this summer. Oh, yeah. Now I can chill on their dime and get paid in the process. Not a bad arrangement.

Happy "Back to School!!!"

I'm melting...

You might think that a reference to the heat. While it must be true that Satan left the door to hell open and all that heat is escaping, I wasn't really referring to the heat. Not that I am negating the impact of fourteen straight days of triple digit temperatures...I am simple referring to my diet plan.

I went to see my doctor recently because of various complaints. Among those complaints was that I have put on nearly 50lbs. since I retired in May, `08. Regardless of what diet I have pursued, I have played with gaining and losing the same 3lbs. So, enough. I admitted that I needed help. I'm tired all the time...can't find anything that fits...can't breathe in this heat...look and feel like sh*t. Doctor S suggested a nutritionist supervised diet plan. I met with her the next week.

Give me a plan...I can and will follow it. I don't cheat. Especially if there is accountability. There is. I began my diet on a Wednesday and immediately lost 2lbs. over night. I lost another 2lbs. the next day. Then, my body realized what I was doing and the weight loss slowed to a more reasonable number. I have been on the diet for 9 days now...have not cheated...and have lost 6.8lbs. Yea!! My target is 50lbs. I have a cruise to the Bahamas scheduled for Dec. 5th and I want to feel good and be able to do the activities on our excursions. Not to mention, I don't want to look like a beached whale in my swimsuit! Whatever, this time when I lose the weight I hope to learn how to transition back to regular eating...and drinking! Wish me luck! This old dog is trying to learn a new trick!!

A Jumble of Thoughts...

I had a doctor's appointment recently. I had a couple of issues...tired all the time...can't seem to lose weight...and my foot hurt. So I went for a "short" appointment and over two hours later I left his office. I had to have more blood work done and there is one test that I have to watch...a lupus titer. Not that I have lupus...just the possible propensity to contract it. My blood pressure was high...first time since I was pregnant 20+ years ago. I had to have another sleep study and am awaiting those results and my right foot has a fracture so I am back in the boot until the end of August. No idea how I broke the foot...unless it was those "cute little flip flops" that had absolutely no sole and no arch support.::sheepish grin::

Upon leaving the doctor's office I met my SIL for a "little shopping." After I put my boot on we headed out and were gone until nearly 10:00 p.m. trying to find those Skeechers shape up shoes for ourselves and hubbies. Found 'em, but had to go to Rockwall, Forney, Greenville and Athens to get them all! As if that wasn't enough, we went to Canton the next day to shop for Yellow Box sandals. Found out that Yellow Box split and another company opened called "Grazie." I found the exact shoes that I wanted in bronze and white!! And Grazie is actually more comfortable and cheaper than Yellow Box!! :-))) While in Canton I was persuaded to purchase a couple of the long shirts with capri leggings. I had always thought, "I'm too old for that style." However, there were older than me wearing them and, to be honest, I LOVE them. They are so stylish and comfortable!!

Daddy had day surgery to repair a pinched nerve in his elbow. It went well but he requires more assistance since he is "the one-armed man." I am concerned about how quickly he seems to be going downhill. He is having difficulty getting out of a chair and it takes him a minute or so to get his legs under him. He is very unsteady when he first stands up. He is afraid, now, to be left alone. When Ron and I left for church tonight he asked that I leave him the neighbor's phone number in case he fell. He knows that he wouldn't be able to get up without help. It's sad but he keeps plugging along. He has booked a cruise for himself and his girlfriend to the Bahamas at the end of January. I hope he has the strength to go. I think it will be his last.

On a brighter note, my SIL and I took a friend out for lunch at D'Vine Wine. I guess we had a good time. Between the three of us we drank 4 bottles of wine!! Sounds like a good time to me::snicker::

We are quickly approaching the start of school again and with that it seems that I have something happening every day. Ron and I are going to get away for a very short couple of nights to a cabin in Lake Palestine. We aren't taking anyone with us this time. Just the two of us sleeping in, swimming, laying in the sun, reading, and relaxing. After that I need to meet with a banker to discuss financing for a business that I am interested in starting. I also need to get my tatoo touched up.:-)

I hesitate to report it, but I have started a medically supervised diet. I don't want to report it because I don't want to fail...again. But, I think the accountability will help me. In the first two days I lost 4lbs. I was encouraged and I refuse to cheat. So, maybe....

Well, I'm thinking that I have rambled enough. I must get back to playing blackjack on my new iphone!