Suds & Duds

Yesterday I spent most of my time in the laundry mat as the last lightening storm shorted out our washer. When I was in college, I always thought it would be cool to have a laundry mat entitled "Suds & Studs." It would be part laundry mat, part bar with hot male bartenders. It would be obsessively clean and the hippest hang out for any college student. After all, college kids spend a fair amount of time in the laundry mat since washers are big investments. After yesterday, however, I realize what a terrible idea that was. Laundry mats are dirty and stuffy. There is no need to have a bar in one to prolong the stay even with the prospect of attractive males. Le sigh. Back to the drawing board for that one brilliant idea.

Back In the Saddle

After three and a half weeks, I have returned to running. It's my normal routine: walking down to the track with my shuffle on, clamoring into a lane, jogging until I can't stand the sweat anymore. Even though it hurt, it felt good. I only did a mile as there was a football camp using the field and it was HOT. I mean, phew! It's not even eleven yet and I am dripping wet. We'll see how tomorrow goes!

Suture Removal

So the suture removal today went AWESOME! The x-rays look good and the incision is healing nicely. The boyfriend has seven pins and a plate. There was no soft tissue damage and he's been given exercises to help before the PT. The doctor said we could go to Costa Rica if he's ok sitting around and not really taking part in the jungle fun. Tomorrow, he's going to work! Big boy! He no longer has to wear the immobilizer or the ace bandage so he can wear normal clothes and shower (no baths, hot tubs, swimming pools, etc). He also can't drive for a while, at least not until he can put a little weight on the foot and bend his knee. But, besides all this, things are on the up and up and slowly getting back to normal. Tomorrow, I will have SO much time on my hands. I can't WAIT!

My Kind Of Country

The other day I received a package from the Loch Ness Marathon Organizers with a brochure that included a training schedule for the marathon. The schedule for beginners is only three months long. This is extremely different than the Lehigh Valley Half Marathon which said one should be running twenty miles a week before training for the Half. I have a feeling the Loch Ness Organizers will make sure each individual makes it across the finish line, won't pack up while there are still runners, and will hand out Tennets at the end of the run. Oh Scotland, you're so mellow.

Do Unto Others

I am what's known as a "people person" in that I like people. I like talking to them, I like hanging out and making plans with them, I like checking in and catching up. However, I also like people to stay the hell away. Our neighbors, although I adore them, do not understand this. They think stopping by and checking on the boyfriend without calling or giving notice, while our house smells like B.O. and pizza, is more than OK. They also think using our fridge when theirs is full and putting a porta potty in our yard when having a party, because their yard is small, is also OK. This is not OK. I like my yard without shit in it and my fridge empty. This is the way I live. I started this lifestyle in college when I was on coffee and cigarettes. Now I am on coffee and slimfast so there's no real reason for food in my fridge. And no one likes shit in their yard. Got it, neighbor??

The Return Of Normalcy

So after the great break, life has been a little crazy. It's been my complete responsibility to bathe, brush, and dress my boyfriend. In addition to that, I have been in control of all the household matters like taking out the trash, doing the laundry, the cooking, the grocery shopping, the cleaning, mowing the lawn, and picking up dead chipmunks the cat brings in (true story) all while wearing a smile and saying supportive things like, "Yes, I know it hurts honey, how can I help?" My usual responses are "Sure, here's some vicodin" and "I think a nap is a good idea." This prevents me from saying things along the lines of "More water? No problem," and "Of course I can move that fan a little to left and bring an extra pillow." If he's sleeping, he has no idea he's uncomfortable and thirsty.

The first week was really tough. He's been bed-ridden from the beginning but recently he's been able to brush his own teeth, give his own sponge baths (trust me, these are NOT fun), and shampoo his own hair (for the first time today!). During the first week, none of this was possible. His bottom half of his leg was "un-hinged" and he was in a lot of pain. There were several curse words with some towards me but not because of anything I said or did. Furthermore, this was the week that I started my job at an advertising agency so I had some serious stress. Luckily, I work from home so I could tend to the patient as much as he needed.

The second week was even more stressful due to the surgery which happened a week ago today. It was an entire day of me waiting in the hospital, praying he didn't die. The night before the big cut, we had the talk about what to do in case something DID go wrong... I still have all his financial information, you know, just in case (wink wink). After the surgery, we worried about fevers, which are a sign of infection, and blood clots. I would go to work at the shoe store and call him ever hour on the hour. If he didn't answer or call back right away, I was convinced there was a blood clot and a dead boyfriend, in addition to a dead chipmunk, on my hands. Lord, that was scary.

This week, however, things seem on the up and up. I received my second assignment from the ad agency, the boyfriend can do a lot of things on his own (funny how he can get the snacks on his own but can't put them away...), and I have more time on my hands to run, study for the GRE's, and plan my diet. Being in charge of the food buying and cooking has been beneficial for the diet but there have been a few care packages that included cheese doodles, candy, and gift cards for chinese take out. It's a nice thought but horrible for my waistline. Now that we've gone through most of it, however, it's back to items like Leek and Potato soup, Lean Pork, and salads. Lots and lots of salads.

Don't Stop Believing

Oh my goodness, I have had quite a journey (like the reference above?). My little sister got re-married this past Memorial Day weekend with the week before we flew out being my last at Style. After I returned, I started my new job at an advertising agency. It's part time work, but the pay is AWESOME. On the same day that I started my new job, my bf broke his knee while playing soccer and now has to have surgery. Oy with the poodles already!

While in Newport Beach for the wedding, I was able to run in the mornings and keep up with my miles but since our return (a week from Tuesday), I haven't ran once. I am still working out in the house (yoga, strength training, etc) but with the chaos that is life, I haven't had a chance to make it to the track or even slap on some tennis shoes. Grrr... But the good news is, the bf will be fine and the wedding was a blast.

I say that sister was "re-married" because she's been married for about a year and a half. She and her husband had a ceremony for the little people, also known as "family." I was the Maid of Honor so I had to do all sorts like fluff the wedding dress, give a toast, and keep my mom from jumping off a ledge. Unfortunately, I didn't find out I was the MOH until the day of the wedding leaving little time to prepare. I am not sure how well I did since everything was a blur - but at least it was a fun blur!

Now I have to get back to my massive first advertising project, make sure the bf has plenty of meds, and at some point in the day, go for a jog. I won't stop believing I can do it!