Almost back to normal

Hello Blogland! Had a follow up with the specialist today. I felt dumb while talking with him. He asked if I was still at 50% weight bearing - told him no, he said 50% last week, 75% this week and a cane next week. His response - well you should still be at 50% so you're a week ahead, and I never said anything about a cane, a cane isn't in my plan for you. Uhh, wait, I just checked my last post and that is what I posted, exactly what he told me. Anyway, he released me to go back to work on Monday, to use crutches as needed. I asked why I still can't push off with my foot, it is tight. He said it's my achilles tendon, and that is what therapy will continue to help with.

I have to admit, it's been nice staying home, totally quiet during the day, but now that I'm feeling much better, it's getting a little boring. I want to get out and be about town, shopping, or just window shopping, so I figure I had better head back to work before I "dollar store" myself broke!

I called in to work, informed my assistant principal that I will return on Monday, but I told her I need some modifications...help with a runner (not a problem, a clerk will do that for me), I need to leave early 3X week for therapy, and I need someone to cover the front office when I am alone. I cover from 1-1:45 while the others go to lunch, and let me tell you, that office can get quite busy with parents coming in ALL THE TIME to take their kids early. I can't be getting up over and over to help them, so they are getting someone to be there with me.

In other news, not sure if I've mentioned before, but I'm going to be a Grandma again! (Grandson #2 coming up, God willing, in June). My son and his lovely fiance are expecting a baby, a TALL TALL baby, he is 6'6", and she is 5'8", so we expect a beautiful baby boy with long legs! A baby shower is planned for March and both families are ecstatic!

It's been beautiful here in South Texas, about 50 in the morning, warms up to 65 during the day, if I was walking better I'd be at a park!

Thanks to my friends who have been checking up on me. I've been reading, just haven't been commenting.

What the heck?

What's with the green twice underlined words in my previous post?? I didn't change any settings for those words!

Anyway...

Ankle Update

The boot was removed today and this is what I have in it's place. The sides are rigid but the elastic is TIGHT! I noticed my calf was swollen this evening and it was almost rock hard so I loosened the elastics on it and now it feels so much better!








I have this other ankle brace from 6 yrs ago and it's much more comfortable. I'm going to ask if I can switch to this one. The only thing is that this one indicates that it's for the right foot and my left is the one injured.





Doc said to continue with 2 crutches while applying 50% of my weight on the ankle. How do I now when I'm at 50%?? After a week he said to apply 75% (again with the percentages) and use only one crutch. On week three he said to use just a cane. I start therapy tomorrow. I was thinking he was ready to release me to work today, but when I told him I had paid sick leave and disability leave, he said "ok, come see me on Feb 19th". I'm not sure I want to be out that long, my ankle really feels very strong. I was walking around on my boot w/o the crutches and I can kind of hobble around on this new brace w/o the crutches. But I'm afraid I may be putting too much pressure on the healing bone and I just may regret it in the yrs to come.

My principal sounded a little disappointed when I told her one more month, said we have budgets and such to work on. I told her I'm doing it all from home, I'm just not there physically.
I reminded her I'm just a phone call away.

I have to give myself a huge pat on the back here...I run the office w/o any help from my principal but she relies heavily on me. She doesn't need my help to run the school, but when it comes to budgeting and accounting, I will find the last penny! She knows nothing about budgets.

I could go on and on, but I will just say that too much would have been left undone if I hadn't been working from home as I have been doing. I could have sat back and said, 'sorry, I'm on sick leave' and refused to do anything, but I'm a responsible person, and lots of people's paychecks depend on me and no one but me knows what I do there.

The doc said since I haven't been using the ankle for 5 wks, it's kind of stiff. So I'm going to do about 2 wks of therapy and see how it goes.

Meantime, I will continue to enjoy my days at home. My sleep patterns are HORRIBLE so when I get ready to return to work I will have to plan ahead and FORCE myself to go to bed at a decent hour.

Silly Boy

Just thought I would try posting a video on here. Still learning my way around blogger, so here goes...

This is my grandson imitating me. This is the "astronaut/moon boot" I use along with the crutches. You had to have been there because it was hilarious! Oh, and he thought to do this all by himself.

Doctor's follow-up tomorrow, we'll see what the status is on my ankle.

TO MY FRIENDS (FOLLOWERS)

This is to thank everyone and anyone who has visited my blog, and especially a big thank you to those who chose to follow me. I have JOANN from CA to thank for bringing friends my way. Back in October I asked her to send some of her buddies my way, since I had none :-(

Lo and behold! Friends started popping out from everywhere...all parts of the US, I think one of my followers is from across the ocean! I never did learn how to "search" for blogs, so as I read blogs I follow, I click on those who follow them. I have to say that I am enjoying this tremendously! I have never had a big circle of friends, 1 or 2 close friends at best, and this is the next best thing. I have learned about people's lives, their spouses, children, pets, likes/dislikes, vacations (almost like being there), and lately, the weather.

Learning to maneuver myself around blogger (compared to AOL journals) couldn't have come at a better time than now that I have been home for 5 wks with a broken ankle. I sit on the recliner day and night, leg propped up and just read away. One blog was so fascinating that I stayed up ALL NIGHT reading, from 11 pm until 7:30 a.m. I e-mailed the lady and told her, unfortunately she hasn't posted in awhile, kind of like losing touch with a good friend. Once I return to work, the laptop will be gone and it'll be back to the desk PC. Time will be more limited there since I will have to go to sleep at a decent hour!

So to all my friends out there, THANK YOU for accepting me into your lives! :-)

Estela

HELP!! Need recipe

Someone (hopefully they are following my blog) posted a recipe about 2 or 3 wks ago for a simple
out-of-the-can soup. Ingredients: Beef broth, veggie broth, can of carrots, diced tomatoes, can of beans.

If you are reading, please send it to my e-mail at Venus905 at aol dot com.

I have all the ingredients, but didn't keep track of the recipe. It's supposed to be cold & rainy here in South TX on Friday and would love to have some soup on hand.

THANKS!

Good Sunday morning from beautiful cool, cool (50 degrees) South TX to all my blogger friends!

Just to give y'all a shout out and share this beautiful piece:

A scientist once ran an experiment which he called "processional caterpillars". He lined up caterpillars on the rim of a pot that held a plant so that the lead caterpillar was head to tail with the last caterpillar, with no break with the parade. The tiny creatures walked around the rim of the pot for a full week before they died of exhaustion and starvation. Not once did any of the caterpillars break out of the line and venture over into the plant to eat. Food was only inches away, but the follow the leader instinct was even stronger than the drive to eat and survive!
When we find ourselves in the rut, we do well to ask ourselves these three questions:

1. Is this rut is my own making? We tend to choose a rut because it’s comfortable and requires no risk. To get out of a rut, make new choices.

2. Who am I following? We adopt certain patterns in our lives because someone has taught them to us directly or by example. Make sure you are following good leaders; don't simply follow the crowd.

3. Where am I going ? Ruts develop when we lose a sense of vision of our lives... When we are "just traveling" through life and not attempting to arrive at a destination. Goals take you somewhere!

"A man who wants to lead the orchestra must turn his back on the crowd"

This is to remind you that first you have to identify the ruts in your life before you can even change them. So spend so time alone and examine what has been holding you back in your life. And then resolve to make healthy changes in your life that will start to turn things around.

Have a wonderful day!

I'M READY!

This is what I am presently wearing:
Not sure when this is coming off, but at least it keeps my healing ankle stabilized and I have started to put a little weight on it as I walk around in my crutches. I feel okay during the day but then I realize that I usually overdo it during the day...when I'm hurting at night!

Next specialist appt on the 19th, we shall see what's up.










And this is what I am longing to wear: I can hardly wait for the summer to head back out to the surfside in Corpus Christi, kick back, relax under a huge umbrella, good book in one hand, cold one in the other. Aaaaaaah, that is the life!

Beginning Today...

I found this online today and just felt like posting it.


Beginning Today

Beginning today I will no longer worry about yesterday.
It is in the past and the past will never change.
Only I can change by choosing to do so.

Beginning today I will no longer worry about tomorrow.
Tomorrow will always be there, waiting for me to make the most of it.
But I cannot make the most of tomorrow without first making the most of today.

Beginning today I will look in the mirror
and I will see a person worthy of my respect and admiration .
This capable person looking back at me
is someone I enjoy spending time with
and someone I would like to get to know better.

Beginning today I will cherish each moment of my life.
I value this gift bestowed upon me in this world
and I will unselfishly share this gift with others.
I will use this gift to enhance the lives of others.

Beginning today I will take a moment to step off the beaten path
and to revel in the mysteries I encounter.
I will face challenges with courage and determination.
I will overcome what barriers there may be which hinder my quest
for growth and self-improvement.

Beginning today I will take life one day at a time, one step at a time.
Discouragement will not be allowed to taint my positive self-image,
my desire to succeed or my capacity to love.

Beginning today I walk with renewed faith,
Regardless of what has gone before,
I believe there is hope for a brighter and better future.

Beginning today I will open my mind and my heart.
I will welcome new experiences.
I will meet new people.
I will not expect perfection from myself nor anyone else:
perfection does not exist in an imperfect world .
But I will applaud the attempt to overcome human foibles.

Beginning today I am responsible for my own happiness
and I will do things that make me happy . . .
admire the beautiful wonders of nature,
listen to my favorite music ,
pet a kitten or a puppy, soak in a bubble bath . . .
pleasure can be found in the most simple of gestures.

Beginning today I will learn something new;
I will try something different;
I will savor all the various flavors life has to offer .
I will change what I can and the rest I will let go.
I will strive to become the best me I can possibly be.

Beginning today. And every day.
I will realized just how much God loves me,
sometimes we need to also love ourselves through His eyes.

Reminiscing...weight issues?

I've been watching Oprah all week. She keeps insisting that the reason we're overweight is because "something" is missing, not because we enjoy eating. I've always said I enjoy eating and that's my reason, BUT...looking back...

I am the "middle" child. For some reason I can look back and remember feeling "all alone". I was the spoiled baby for 8 yrs until my brother was born, everyone talks, and I remember, about me being spoiled by my daddy. Why, then, do I remember feeling "alone" as I went into my teens and early 20's? Looking back, now at 53 yrs old, I can remember looking, looking for 'something', not knowing what. I was always overweight, never did the teen scene, never did the prom, etc. I went on dates, always with the boys who had girlfriends, always on the sly. Never had sex, but always made out with them, and I can definitely remember thinking maybe they would leave their g.f. for me! Never happened.

When I was 21 I lost weight, enough to find a boyfriend. Nice and strong relationship, fast & furious, rush, rush, for a little over a year. Then he lost interest. I was devastated! I threatened suicide! WHAT?!? And I, the big dumb ass, took some pills and wound up in the hospital, stomach pumped, and he left anyway.

2 yrs later I ran into my best friend's old boyfriend. We clicked, started dating, and 5 wks later we moved into an apartment. Now remember, this was back in 1979, you just didn't do that in a teeny tiny town like ours. But we did. And it was doomed from the beginning. But how could I go back? My mother was SO ashamed about what I had done, she barely spoke to me. The in-laws were no better, they wanted money from us for taking care of my husband's daughter, they wanted food from us, they were just horrible to us!

I stuck it out, 2 pregnancies, while he treated me like shit! He drank, called me the most horrible things he could. Meanwhile, all I could yell at him was "Why do you say that to me?!? Don't you see that we're equal?" and I was DETERMINED to make him see me as the whole woman I was. All along, my self-esteem plummeted down to ZERO! I am so ashamed to say that there were shouting matches between his new g.f. and me, still the mother of his children, I had my son and was pregnant with my daughter. It didn't matter. I didn't care about me anymore.

WHY?
Why would I do that to myself? Why would I hang on to his legs as he tried to walk out the door? I can picture us now, me clinging like a little puppy while he tried to shake me off.

I cried so many tears for so long. I don't cry anymore.

I felt empty.

I ate.
and ate
and ate

From my regular 200 I found myself almost at 300, while trying to raise 2 little ones and with hardly a penny to my name. I must have managed to find food to eat myself up to 285 lbs!

What happens in our minds?
Why do we punish ourselves?

As my kids grew and started going out at night, I would prepare myself with my friend to keep my company. I would go buy Oreo cookies and milk, and would stuff my face while they were gone. I convinced myself that I wasnt lonely, I was comfortable with my 'friend'. I didn't feel lonely.

I must have been trying to fill that "void" everyone talks about.

He killed my soul. He killed my spirit. He didn't love himself so how could he love me? Silly girl, took me 20 yrs to find that out.

WHEW, that's a load off my chest.

Oh, the skeletons we have in our closets.

4 X 4

Mike, http://goingsaneinacrazyworld.blogspot.com/ (damn, somebody TEACH ME HOW TO ADD A LINK! I read up on it but can't get it!!) tagged me with this 4X4. Gonna make me think here...

Four places I go over and over again:

1. Corpus Christi, TX - my boyfriend from San Antonio loves to fish and I love to sit by the oceanside, listening to the pounding surf...so relaxing.
2. Dollar Stores - aren't they just the bomb?! So many good items to be found there, especially love the Dollar Tree, where everything is REALLY a dollar.
3. Wal-Mart - I can't imagine not having a wal-mart close by, and to think some people boycott this store.
4. My parents home - they are 81 and 80, still very lively, but hey, ALL our lives are in Our Lord's hands, and only He knows when we take our last breath. I want to enjoy every minute I can with my folks.

Four people who mail me regularly: (we're talking e-mail here, right? not snail mail cause nobody snail-mails anymore except my mother!)

1. Janie (married to my former brother in law, she lives up in New Braunfels, TX and I am just so jealous, because I love the Hill Country.)
2. Noelia (a co-worker/secretary at another campus in my district)
3. Moose (my boyfriend)
4. My long lost relative in Nigeria. Mike, could you and I be related?!?!?!?

Four of my favorite places to eat, (apart from home):

1. Subway
2. Wal-Mart Deli Popcorn Chicken
3. Taqueria Jalisco in Corpus Christi
4. My parents during lunch break. I'm not a big eater of take out.

Four places I'd rather be now:

1. Corpus Christi, lounging by the oceanside
2. San Antonio, relaxing by Calaveras Lake
3. Anywhere in the Hill Country of Texas
4. In a thinner body!!

Four favorite TV shows:

1. Cold Case Files(I'm a sucker for crime TV)
2. Forensic Files - man, what one single strand of carpet fiber will reveal!
3. Snapped - why do people think they can get away with murder?
4. The Suze Orman Show - she's just so SMART about money!

Four movies I would watch over and over again:

1. Back to the Future I
2. The Green Mile
3. The Shawshank Redemption
4. Cast Away

Four people I would like to tag:
(Again, remember I haven't learned how to insert links!)

1. Winivere -Woman in the Glass Box
2. CJ - Trappednme
3. Kelly - Operation Shrink A Bootie
4. Joann - Joann's Weight Loss Journey

Thank you Mike, it took me about 45 minutes to do this. It's 12:54 a.m. and since I don't have to go work tomorrow, still up reading about my friends out in BlogLand.

10 Interesting Facts

I was tagged to do a post of 10 interesting things about myself tonight so let's see what interesting things I can think about myself. Damn, I tried adding a link but I haven't learned! http://losingwaist.blogspot.com did this and asks that I pass this on.

1. I am the middle of 5 siblings, brother, sister, ME, brother, brother. Everyone was born in TX and I was the only one born in Ohio. My parents celebrated 58 years of marriage June 2008.

2. My first temporary job lasted 3 days. I was an interpreter for a photographer at a local discount store. I couldn't find a permanent job when I graduated because I was only 17 and everyone wanted me to be 18!!

3. I am a VERY loyal employee -- I worked at my first permanent job for 4 yrs and at my present job for 32 years! OH MY!!

4. I was the baby of the family for 8 yrs until my younger brother was born. I was spoiled rotten!

5. I married a man who had been in love with my best friend when we were in high school. (He should have married her and made her miserable!) We were together 3 yrs and the marriage lasted 4 yrs.

6. I never let the ex forget that he left 2 innocent children behind, kept after him for child support. He was last in jail in 2006, when my children were already 24 & 26. To this date I am owed over $130,000!!

7. I lived in a mobile home for 22 yrs, then built a 3 bedroom brick home for $30K. Paid off the loan in 5 yrs! When I moved into my new home I donated my mobile home to a friend's church.

8. I may look like your local librarian, but I mingled with over 20,000 bikers at the Annual Bike Fest in South Padre Island in 2002. Broke my right wrist from a motorcycle fall. OUCH, but what fun I had!!

9. I broke my left ankle on 12/10 when I slipped on rain water while trying to retrieve my newspaper. Just now starting to feel better.

10. My "boyfriend" and I met through match.com in 2003, still together. We live 250 miles apart, see each other every 2 or 3 wks. The weekends when we don't see eacher other, I play Scrabble with my 79 year old mother on Saturday nights.

YOUR TURN!!

THANK YOU!!

Thank you EVERYONE for your input!

I gave it some thought and realized I really can't do anything about the days that I will be out. If I am out 20 days, then 20 days will be sent in to payroll. Trying to make any changes in # of days absent can get complicated, especially because I am applying for disability. The disability company wants to know first day out and date of return.

BUT...I am going to request 5 days of comp time for when I go back. I will use those days as needed. If the school year ends and I have not used them, then I will carry them over to next year.

I have tried cross training one of the clerks, but she kind of rebels. She's like, "no no, I will just wait till you come back. It's too much work".

CJ, you know it's almost impossible to get someone to learn EVERY LITTLE THING we do to keep the school running. Plus, I could try to train her, but when you don't do the job on a daily basis, you tend to forget, which is what would probably happen to the clerk.

I just thank Almighty God that I love my job and the people I work with, because if I didn't I would NOT be worried about the job getting done and then all hell would break loose!



Estela in South TX

What would YOU do??

Okay, I need some opinions here...

If you've been following me, you know I fell and broke my ankle on 12/10/08. I work with a school district where I am the secretary at an elementary campus. I am in charge of time sheets, monthly payroll, including keying in substitute pay. Here's my dilemna...

I applied for FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act) since I didn't know how long I would be out. I have about 120 days of paid sick leave so I am not worried about not getting paid while I am absent. However, no one has been willing to be cross-trained in my job responsibilities. My son is a computer tech with the same school district and he has hooked me up with the ability to access my computer at work from home. So while I am at home I can do my work as if I am sitting in front of my computer. I have done, and continue to do, all payroll from home. If I don't key in absences for employees, the subs called in do not get paid. There is NO ONE at my campus who knows how to do this, so it is IMPERATIVE that it get done.

When my daughter had her baby 4 yrs ago I was in the same predicament. I applied for FMLA and the clerk at Risk Management asked me who was doing my work. I told her that I was going into the office from 5-7 pm daily to do it. She told me that since I was still "officially working" it would be up to my principal to make some arrangements with me, because when you are on FMLA, you CANNOT be at your work place AT ALL. At that time, I took 20 days of sick leave but was not marked absent because I was still working, albeit not a full 8 hr day, but my work was getting done.

What would you do? Would you ask that the same considerations be taken into account as when my grandson was born? There is NO WAY that my work will be done if I don't do it. I hate to think what would happen if I was incapacitated, example: if I was hospitalized, or God forbid, if I was gone...

What would you do? Ask for special consideration or just let the school district take the sick leave days (since I will not be docked at all). I am a VERY loyal employee and don't want to let my campus/employees/substitutes down.

Thanks for any input!!