Working from home

Neighbor drove me to work today for our staff meeting. I was glad to have gone but I was really tired after. I had to stand the whole time, or most anyway because it still hurts to sit. Staff had some good ideas on how to cope with Kelly's departure. Still have not told anyone she will be my TA at UT. I think that may cause some hard feelings. Then one staffer was complaining about shooting a dog happy hour. I asked him what was so important that he wanted to shoot instead? nothing, he just wanted to go to the gym instead. Staff was happy I called him on it. e is always trying to weasel out of things.

At last I have enough work work that I can do from my delicately balanced position on the couch. The office has thought of some constructive projects that we would never be able to get done if we were in the office. Too bad it is not contest time. That could all be done from home. That will keep my brain exercised. YAY! If I were well, I would e tempted to do yard work instead of actually working but since I am limited on movement, I need something to do. Too bad I can't have a couch at my desk.

The chiropractor said my injuries were the kind you get 1 in 1,000. I have some nerve damage in my back on he side that does not hurt. Maybe that is what is keeping it from hurting. He tried to do an adjustment like he did yesterday but I was WAY too tense and a ball of tension seized up behind my shoulder blade and made it really hard to breathe. We just did the upper back and called it a day. I can tell I m going to be a challenging project for him.

My bother called yesterday from Vermont to see how I was doing. That was a nice surprise. We do not talk that often and it is not for any reason. I just think we are a combination of busy and lazy. I love him and his family. They are pretty amazingly smart and talented. It would be nice for the whole family to live closer but I think we were just all brought up to be very independent. That seems funny to me now because Mom wants us all to be closer, physically and in our relationships.

Why I love my neighbors

Mark drove kiddo and I to day care and to get xrays. He listened to me vent and gave good non judgmental advice. He took me to the chiropractor. I went with him to see his mother-in-law. Then he took me to the gym so I could say goodbye to my workout buddy who is moving to Macon GA. I will miss her so much. She was competative in a fun way. She cheered me up when I was bummed out. I think Minna, our trainer will miss her too. Got a dozen bagels from the shop next door and we went home.

As I checked my work emails, I saw that husband had forwarded an email from another neighbor offering to help. She is not running to the bank for me and volunteered to do some laundry. Actually fold the stuff husband had washed but not folded. Kiddo is out of undies so Robyn said she would do the load for me.

This weekend I am sure we will do something with Terri or Karen and their boys.Kiddo loves them and that will wear him out a little bit this weekend.

I have so many nice friends, I hope I can repay the favor some day.

My view from the couch today is of our huge golden retriever Gatsby who either sleeps right next to the sofa or on the chair next to the sofa. He used to be quite the out of control dog. At 90lbs, that can be annoying. Since my accident, it seems like Gatsby has been auditioning to be a service dog. He walks right next to me everywhere. He settles down near me. He is husband's dog but he has been very protective of me lately.

Daisy has been bonding with kiddo. He plays with her, talks to her and gives her lovin'. I think they will grow together like parents always hope boys and dogs will.

Back on the Couch

Feel like I should be on a shrink's couch but instead I am just on mine again. I drove today for the first time since "The Fall" of my empire. Went to chiropractor extraordinaire first. Kiddo was with me because I didn't have time to take him to day care before the appt.

First of all I started my day at 4am because I could not sleep. Got up, showered, had breakfast and watched some of the Betty Page story while I was waiting for husband to return from his run. When he got back I practiced driving the stick shift. Went down the driveway, out into the 'hood but turned around pretty quickly when I realized how much it hurt. Decided to take the truck. Husband moved the car seat over for me. Getting in was the challenge. Kiddo is big enough to climb in by himself these days. Took me longer than it did him. I had to step on an old coffee can that I use or feeding. It worked.

I drove to the chiropractor. Made it through the pain by talking to kiddo and singing with the radio. Doctor said he needed xrays to help me better. Found my pain threshold and let me go. I am to see him tomorrow for a longer appt.

Took kiddo to day care. Found street parking. Walked very slowly up he sidewalk, up the stairs and into the school. The teachers were very sweet asking me if I was doing better. Jake was happy to be with his friends.

I hobbled back to the truck, the pain building. I got in on the passenger side because of the curb acting like a step. I slid over to the drivers side. That is when I began to lose it. I began to cry. I called into work and let them know I just could not make it. I cried the whole way home. First time since the accident. I am sure it was a release. I got scared though. What am I going to when husband goes to Denver tomorrow? He has been asking me this all week. I had no answers, figuring I could handle it.

I called Rachel sobbing. She told me to calm down and go home and lay down. I called my former many across the street and asked him if he would like to resume those duties for a few days. Actually I just need him to drive us around. He was cool with that. What wonderful friends/neighbors. Rachel called and said our friend Bonnie could also help out later in the week. Jake and I love Bonnie. She is a good soul.

I am going to have to start taking pics of the view from the couch.....at least I can look out the window and see the roadrunners. Now though, I just see the huge squash bug on the outside of screen porch. It has not moved all day. Yesterday I had an immature praying mantis. They are my favorite bugs.

First Day Back at Work

Despite the initial pain of getting going in the morning, I was practically giddy on the way into work. I hobbled into the building. Answered security guard Julian's questioning eyes about the funny walk.

"Fell of my horse", I said as I limped into the elevator.

I stepped off into the newsroom. As folks noticed the walk and me not being there for a week, I felt the need for a group announcement. I settled in at my desk after raising the computer so I could use it standing up. Sitting is out of the question as this point. I can sit for a few seconds to ease the pain on my feet. My feet were actually falling asleep from standing so much.

Still and all, it was good to be with my co-workers and even tell THE STORY a zillion times. Actually got some work done that needed to be done so I did accomplish more than just catch up work. I hope it will b that way all week. I am thinking I can even structure it to where I can make calls from home.

By the time husband picked me up, I was sore and tired. We went and picked up my exhibition print for the Colorado show and then got the kiddo. He was just waking up from his nap. When I saw him come down the stairs to the car, the smile on his face was three feet wide. He was o happy to be going home early, it made my heart ache. I wonder does he love being home that much or does he not like day care? He smiled the whole way home and as I look at him now, he is still smiling.

How time goes by

This morning good neighbor Karen called to offer to take kiddo to the zoo. He was very excited. We played rocket ship o pass the time, computer games and as seen here, he was writing an email to Miss Karen asking her to take him to the zoo. He would type, and then read the email..."Dear Miss Karen, Could you please take me to the....oh I need to type some more," then he would clickity clack more letters read it gain and not finish in the same place. It took 3 go rounds of needing to type more before he go the word Zoo in his fake email. Funny kid.

I am losing track of time. Being trapped at home, not being able to drive, has just done me in. I have 3 vicodin left. I am trying to go as long as possible without in preparation for tomorrow. I am going to try and drive to work I think. I am not I can last a full day because I can't sit for more that 5 minutes and standing also wears me out.

On my list tomorrow is call the doctor,chiropractor, massage therapist, physical therapist, pick up the print I have in that show in Colorado (it needs to get there by aug 1). Crazy busy.

So now I am contemplating a nap as I watch husband make laps on the riding mower around the yard. Something I would have done last week had I not had the fall. His shoot got cancelled for today and I must say I am extremely happy. He can spend time with our kiddo and do yard work. Not sure how to get him to clean out the cat boxes though. I am lucky he likes to cook. Last night he made a GREAT lasagna and fresh bread. He leaves Wednesday though for several weeks. I think we are going to ask the family for help. If not, I'll get by with a little help from my friends (as sung by Joe Cocker, the version I like better than the Beatles).

The Weekend... at Last

I got a new helmet today. Cost more than I would usually spend but I am worth it and not taking any chances. Looking for a back brace too but I may have one already in the truck. Husband does not even want to think about me riding again.

I also called the FAA today and made a complaint against the helicopter except there is nothing they can do with out the numbers. I need to do some more investigating. Someone had to have seen the numbers.

Today he kiddo stayed home because there was no room in the car for husband to take him to daycare. Husband had the car filled to the brim for a shoot with Patty Griffin. I guess I could have arranged for a friend to take him in but I was getting a bit bored and lonely so I thought it might be fun. It was okay. He was rambunctious, watched way to much TV, played the keyboard way to loudly while I was on the phone and whined way too much. Still and all, I liked having him home with me. I even got him to settle down for a nap late in the afternoon. I got some location scouting done via internet for husband's Sunday shoot.

I also got out to get the mail, fill up the horse trough and give Dewey a little squirt down. He likes getting sprayed with the hose. He is such a confident little guy. He will be a great horse down the road. I still love Sahil but Dewey is different . Bobbie Paulk said that the fact that Sahil did not buck when he took off the other day is a good think. It was his first time with a human on his back while running and he didn't care. I need to get better so I can ride again.

Blah blah blah

Seems an impossible task to write when one has been doing nothing but sitting on ice packs on the couch watching TV and being connected to the world with a laptop.

I had hope this morning that I would have less pain because I slept on my stomach last night. Flipping over was pain free so I must have relaxed in my sleep enough to flip. I heard the rain and settled in for more sleep. My little cutie pie came in to wake his momma. Daddy was out running. We stayed in be for awhile. When it was time to get out of bed, I felt the pain. The shoulder pain had gotten smaller but I am in need of a tennis ball to roll it out. It is a sharp pain that makes breathing difficult. The lower back pain is still there but can be dulled with vicodin and ice packs.

I need this pain to go away. I am tired of it. I tried to empty the dishwasher and did but it hurt like hell. I am sure husband is ready for me to get back to work. HE is used to me doing so much. I know the dogs did not get fed this am and they surely would not be getting water unless I checked on them. I am glad David is feeding Dewey, he would surely starve.

Our house guest is sweet and willing to help. I am lucky there. She is with husband today scouting locations for a shoot. I like the peace and quiet. I am about to fall asleep. I am ready to be active again. Go to the gym, ride, play with my son, cut the lawn...notice that go to work is not on the list. :-)