Thanksgiving

Yes, I'm a little behind in my blog!

Thanksgiving was great! I took my brother, Scott, and his girlfriend, McKenzie, to Phoenix. We went through Las Vegas, and I think I like that drive better than going through Page, Az.

We got together with Kristin and Matthew and family, Mom and Lance, and Lance's daughters Megan and Jennifer and their families. A fun time was had by all! The park, shopping, games, and goodies were involved.

If only I could find all my pictures.

Stuff

Time passes so quickly it seems! I realize that just by using this sentence, I've aged myself.

Life has been busy lately. I've been refinishing and repainting surfaces in my house, mostly just for a change of pace.  Sometimes I just need that. It's not quite finished yet, but pictures will come when it is. Hey, I'm just one busy person.

What else have I been up to? Losing 51 pounds in 14 weeks--that's what! And still going. Yay.

Old Friends

My best friend from kindergarten came up the other day. We spent most of the day together just chatting and catching up, while playing a game here and there. She brought her little new baby. It was fun to see her and chat about her life.  It's funny how you can not see someone for years and are able to pick up right where you left off. Love those kind of friends! 

Pity Party

So, I've been feeling bad for myself lately. Having my own pity party.

Playing basketball in high school my senior year, I hurt my right leg in a game. Thought it was just a pulled muscle, etc. and treated it with ice, rest, etc. Every now and then, my leg would hurt on and off, especially when I was running or doing something crazy like a 5k. It was always just an annoying pain that usually went away with enough rest, ice, and meds.

After hiking miles in Glacier and roving around Calgary, my leg hurt so bad I could hardly walk. I'm sure my friend Misty thought I was a being a baby (sorry friend!), but I couldn't help it my leg hurt so bad! The day I got home, I scheduled an appointment with an orthopedic sports specialist. The diagnosis?  Hip Dysplasia. Stunned? I was, too. Apparently it's not just for babies and dogs.

Read more about it here.  Looks like fun, no?

The treatment recommended by the doctor? A Peri-Actabular Osteotomy. PAO for short. Here's a little blurb for you from the interwebs.

Peri-Acetabular Osteotomy

This surgery involves cutting the pelvis around the hip joint and shifting it into a better position to support the stresses of walking. After the hip is re-positioned, it is held in place with screws until the bone heals. After the bone heals, the screws can be removed, but this is not usually necessary.

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Doesn't this sound so exciting?! Oh, and you can't put full weight on your leg for around 8 weeks. You can't cross your legs ever again. You can't sleep on your stomach (I do!).  So, I've been working out (harder now that my leg is constantly killing me), eating healthy, and doing all that good stuff to get better in shape for this. I think I might also have to plan a trip somewhere fabulous as a secondary reward (because let's face it, surgery would not be any type of reward). I've also been thinking about my little condo. I live in a third floor walk-up. That would be fun on crutches for weeks, no? The only good thing that could ever come of this is getting a better parking spot, if I can even drive.  Plus, I'm sure a walker and cane would make me even more dateable. 

A Sneak Peak

Or a post peek. Or a peek of something that has already happened but is yet to be reported.

Enjoy some pictures from Glacier National Park and Calgary, Alberta.

Forgetful

I think I have the forgetful gene. Or something.

I took a piece of fruit to work to snack on.  I set it down somewhere and haven't found it yet. Bring on the fruit flies.  (I do think it's somewhere NOT in my classroom!)

At home, I got a fudge pop out to eat, sat it on the edge of the couch while I ran to the bathroom, and then forgot about it. Later, I remembered and came back to a melted pop on the couch (luckily still in the wrapper).

Should I start looking at care centers now?!

I've meant to post about my trip and several other things, but I keep forgetting about it. So, until next time . . . .

Summer?

Work. Is. Exhausting.

Leaving for green, open spaces in big sky country in a week.

So excited for Canada! Here's hoping I decide to come back. 

2000 Miles of Adventure

I picked up Jenni and her kids, and we drove to visit the Fifield family in California.  We went to the park, the Santa Monica Pier, the LA Zoo, and the Channel Islands beach (after picking up Grandma Janica from the airport). Matthew and I also went to the driving range somewhere in there, and I think I'm just not a golfer. Too much softball.

We drove back to Utah, stayed in a Condo in St. George, and then headed to Nephi for Scott's graduation from high school. Yay! The last one in our immediate family. No kids anymore (don't cry, Mom).

Here are some of my favorite pictures. Quite a few!