Locked Out

So Nathan called me twenty minutes after his yoga class ended, about when I was expecting him home, and told me he'd run into some trouble. One thing led to another and he'd locked his keys in the trunk of the car. His solution was to walk home (3 miles in below 40 degrees), pick up my keys, then bike back to the University, drive home, and the next day I could drive him over so he could ride his bike home. It sounded complicated and time consuming to me. Or maybe we could ask a friend or neighbor to drop my car keys off to Nathan. I asked him to give me five minutes and I'd get back to him.

I Googled "locked out of car" for inspiration and saw several ads for companies to call for this kind of situation. Which led me to think of AAA roadside service which reminded me that we have Emergency Roadside Service (ERS) as part of our auto insurance through Geico. So I called Geico to ask if such a thing would be covered. When I called the ERS (wondering how I'd get the number to do so if I was in fact the individual locked out of my car with the auto insurance card in my glove compartment), the first question they asked was if I was safe and in a safe place. I was touched. And then explained that I was calling for my husband. After giving the Geico man more information, he got Nathan on the line before I hung up. This part was a little funny. Nathan answered his cell phone, Geico Guy asked if it was Nathan A**** and N said yes but this was a bad time. At which point I interrupted and explained why Geico Guy was calling. Then N came in the front door half an hour later. Overall, much faster than N's "Plan A" and didn't have to bother any friends.

I solved the problem and felt really clever about doing so. I tell you, it's the little things in life.

A Pair of Sneakers

Yesterday, I pointed to my feet and said to a coworker "look, I'm wearing sneakers on both feet today!" And because I see her four days a week and probably spend more hours with her than my husband, she new this was exciting and didn't think I was especially daft. Because that's my good news of the week. I'm back in regular shoes now - a matching pair for the first time in over three months. Was it worth it? I hope so. I think my feet still look ugly but I have a thing about feet. As in, I generally think they're ugly. My feet, especially the right one, are still tender and I flinch away from things about to touch it. However, I have good range of motion and can walk and minimal scarring. And the walking is more than I could do this time last year. So yay.

The backstory: The first Friday of September, I had a bunionectomy (surgery to fix a bunion) done on my left foot. Was in a cast for two weeks and then a post-operative "boot" for another month or so. Then, the first Thursday of November, I used a different doctor and had a bunionectomy done on my right foot. Recovery time from the second surgery was immensely better than the first time around. However, I think the left foot looks straighter than the right foot. Oh well. And I had these things done because my insurance would foot (hah-hah) the entire bill this calendar year and surgery was already recommended two years ago when my feet starting limiting how far I could walk. As in, I would be limping by the time I walked the half-mile home from work at a leisurely pace.

9 Months

10/19/2012: 9 Month Well Check

Weight: 18 lb, 13 oz
Length/Height: 29 in
Head Circumference: Who actually cares?
Disposition: Cranky. Diagnosed with an ear infection two days after the 9 month check up.

Things That Should NOT Be Allowed...

A Vent Prompted by Todd & Erin

My list of things that should not be allowed:
- socks and sandals
- dark blue dress socks and black pants
- poor exhausted toddlers at WalMart after midnight
- leaky/non-absorbent diapers
- babies in bikinis. what's the bra for?
- plus size mini skirts. why are companies even making them?
- wire shelving in closets and pantries. it's just annoying.
- radiant heating in small apartments with minimal storage space. gee, I can store items under my bed or couch but my home's a few degrees colder.
- suing a person or company for something that happened because of your own stupidity

My Fave Baby Pics from August

Fun in the grass.

Playing on the balcony is a good distraction.

So sleepy.

See my two front teeth!

I really like her pink sunhat.

She has lots of fun with bathtime and her rubber ducks.

Slice And Diced

Last Friday I had a bunionectomy performed -- surgery to correct the bunion on my left foot. It involved cutting up some bones of my big toe and putting them back together (in better alignment) with screws and pins. I try not to think about foreign objects permanently in my body.

The procedure went fine and I'm doing good, except for having to wear a cast for a month (erm, 4-6 weeks). Already had enough of that. I'm thinking I'll have a water "accident" in a few weeks because this cast is really inconvenient. Heavy, hard, hot... annoying. Then again, that may just be wishful thinking and I'll more likely be a good little patient and let the doctor take it off. Maybe.

That's Awkward

This was the name of a segment on the Dr Oz show today. It featured women asking questions that they were too embarrassed to ask their own doctor (such as is it safe to dye grey pubic hairs and is it okay to "shave the crack"). Which made me wonder, why in the world are they comfortable saying these things on public television? And maybe they need to find a doctor that they feel more at ease with.

Baby Chat Session

It's Getting Hot

ok, so blaming wet elbow on drooling baby was less gross than realizing elbow-pit was dripping sweat

Discoveries Of Bad Smells & Meatloaf Cupcakes

1. Today we found out what was causing mystery smell in the car when Nathan reached under the passenger seat to retrieve his cell phone and his fingers came back sticky. Turns out the JC Penney bag I'd shoved under the seat because I didn't want to tell Nathan yet about the baby clothes I'd bought and the bag of plastic shopping bags that were waiting to be dropped off at a recycling bin and the Macey's bag with a wet diaper were all helping to hide that a container of frozen OJ had rolled under the seat, melted, and leaked onto the floor. We'd been smelling sour orange juice concentrate. Gross.

2. Cooking meatloaf in a cupcake tin instead of a bread pan not only makes for cute little mini-meatloafs, but is easy to serve and takes less time to cook. I think I'll continue to use this method in the future.

Defining Moments

"I've lived too long with pain. I won't know who I am without it." Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

Everyone experiences pain. It's a part of life. At times it may feel as if it is life. There are many possible responses to pain. Some find comfort in belief that "everything happens for a reason", some work to avoid people or situations that may cause similar hurt, while some become cold and bitter, some nurse their grievances and foster feelings of self-pity, and some internalize the hurt to blame themselves. 

Whether in fact or in exaggeration, the bad can easily overshadow the good. Spirituality seems to be tied to making sense of grief caused by painful events. Many religions teach answers to "why me?" Personally, I hate the trite sentiments of "everything happens for a reason", "silver linings", "when one door closes a window opens", "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade". Painful things happen and those feelings need to be honored and processed instead of shoved away. 

As for me, when life gives me crap, I am not going to make crap-ade. I'm going to feel sad, upset, frustrated, and often angry because there really is no upside or purpose to most of the sucky things that have happened to me. 

Have You Been Vaccinated?

No, not really a poll or even a soapbox. But I did get my influenza ("flu") vaccine this afternoon. Now my left arm is sore and it's not because of my coworker's ability. It's because I didn't follow the advice that I give patients. I didn't use my arm or massage the muscle. I sat in front of the computer and used my right hand to click the mouse as I browsed online.

Really though, I'm more bothered by the anticipation of feeling sick for two days. At least that's what I expect is going to happen sometime tomorrow or the next day based on experience from the past two years of getting the flu shot. That's part of the reason why I put off the immunization. The other part of my delay (and it's a toss up as to which was a bigger factor) is due to an announcement a couple weeks ago by administration at work that all employees had to get the flu vaccine by October 1st. No options or explanations given. And I objected on principle. I was planning on getting the vaccine anyway (because let's face it, with my immune system I'd be stupid not to) but what gives them the right to tell me what to do with my body?

And if any coworkers read this - don't rat on me.

P.S. Coincidentally, a local newspaper ran an article about this topic just last week. Read it on Utah County's Daily Herald.

Bad Computah Dae

Bad n-ght fo- me computah hestahdae.One, bent USB connectah on flash d--ve. Can't use at all. Next, spclled watah on keeboa-d. Thwee lettahs don't wo-k. Oh, and no numbahs except '2'.

Good luck makeng sense of thes. We'll talk agaen aftev shoppcng at Best Bun/Offcce Depot /Offcce Max  ugh ... STAPLES

I Hate Hot Weather (or Swamp Coolers Are Stupid)

Our current apartment/condo unit, while far less ghetto than our last apartment, is really irritating right now because it has a swamp "cooler" instead of an air conditioner. (And that reminds me that the radiant heating used here is dumb too - but that's a topic for a colder day.) More than once I have told Nathan that the person who thought up swamp coolers was stupid (and should be shot/erased from history/or otherwise severely punished). Even worse, people in Utah continue to install them instead of using central air!

So I sit in my home with a fan blowing on me, the swamp cooler off because it does squat in high-for-Utah humidity, wishing that I at least had windows that open up and down (traditional sash windows) instead of sideways (horizontal sliding) because then I could use my very effective window air conditioner. I envy my neighbors who own their place and took out the big living room window and installed two Normal (up-and-down) windows and . . . have an air conditioner!

Yes, I feel strongly about this. I believe in being comfortable in my home. Come on people, use our modern inventions!

The upside? I look forward to going to work because, well, the building has AC.

DITTO

Laura is one of my coworkers and I completely agree with her post today. I really wish there was a way I could tactfully have the kid's parent clean up that mess. Of course, the medical field is also a type of customer service so I imagine that a person who would stand/sit by and watch another clean up your kid's puke is the same person who would complain to my boss if I didn't do it.

At work I recently had a cleaning-up-ick experience where I wasn't overly annoyed that the mom was the one doing it... because she was busy holding her little girl over the trash as she was sick some more. AND the child wasn't vomiting before she was brought to the office. I repeat, the doctor does not have a magic fix for throwing up. Sip soda, don't try to eat just after you've ralphed, and wait it out AT HOME.

And everything else Laura wrote - it's true.

At Work Today...

Three young siblings were being rather teary and dramatic after my coworker had just given them some immunizations. I overheard the father saying things to try to get the children to quiet down and leave the office. The one that really did the trick (and made me chuckle) was "hurry up before she comes back and gives you more shots". This was said in a kind and teasing tone but must have seemed like the ultimate threat to those who didn't know better.

Guess How I Spent Sunday (TMI?)

Let just say lots of quality bathroom time. And I blame K. Who can refuse the affections of a two and a half year old full of hugs and kisses, even if she is harboring gastroenteritis (stomach bug) germs? Of course, I really should have known better, what with answering tons of questions at work the day before about kids having vomiting and diarrhea. Thank goodness for the first word of "24-hour stomach bug". Downside - better enough to go to work today. :(

I now have tender feelings toward my downstairs neighbor. They recently moved in, we hadn't met the couple yet, and the wife brought by some croissant rolls last night when she dropped off some of our mail that had been mixed up with theirs. It was the only solid food that appealed to me all day. Hooray for kind deeds.

Is That A Rhetorical Question?

I think it's rather silly that the pharmacy cashier asked how I was doing as she rang up my purchase of NyQuil, DayQuil, Benedryl, and Immodium. Yes, it's just something people say to be polite but honestly. I prefer 'did you find everything you were looking for?' That's a good customer service greeting.

Aiko

I just took one of those Facebook quizzes and it said my Japanese name is Aiko, which means 'love child'. How appropriate. This made me laugh.

On A Diet?

I'm not on a diet, never am. However some things make me feel fat and want to be one of 'those people' who can go on diets. Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, South Beach, Atkins, etc. But this isn't about dieting. This is about fat situations. You've heard of fat clothes? Well, there are certain activities that make nearly everyone look chubby. Got my hair cut today and I don't think anyone can look slim with that vinyl black sheet tied around their neck. (if you think you don't look horrible like that please don't tell me, I like to think I'm not the only one) I forget the other examples of fat situation I thought of earlier. The unpleasant mirror reflection didn't wreck my day - had some M&M's anyway.