Well, what can I say. Lots of things are going on. My sister is moving out of the house,meaning I can move upstairs and into my old room. This means I get my old bed back(Huzzah!!) and I can finish painting the room like I started,an Egyptian tomb. No, I'm not psycho, I like ancient Egyptian art and history and culture. This means ,helping Virginia move out and packing and schlupping my stuff upstairs.Yeah for excercise.

   I also am enjoying the rigging classes in Fells Point. I am learning a bunch and look forward to using it eventially. I attended(late) the Ships' Company meeting. Was able to discuss with Mrs. Peterson about clothing and am working on making short stays and other garb. I just have to wait till I get my sewing machines out of the shop before I can get cranking. I have been asked to make a couple of pieces 4 coats(1 pirate,1 wedding jacket 1 waistcoat,1 officers jacket), a bustle, stays, 4 wedding dresses(brides maids) and a matron of honor dress, and a pair of period pants.I miss my sewing machine.

   I have my sisters' baby shower to work on for March 1, and a chanty sing in DE to go to that day. February 8th is my bosses' wake and rigging class, and drunken snow tubing.The mugs for the save the boobies feast are almost done. we have 10 and are working on the rest. We almost lost the molds due to defective slip. March 29th is the Sea scouts ball I agreed to go with CJ to. April is the Pirate pub crawl and Southern MD celtic festival. June school ends and I do only the 1 job, and will probably do freelance wardrobe/garb sewing as a second job.It seems to be in high demand and I am getting some awesome patterns!  July is Dad's convention and Pensic. August is school in and Ren faire. I am hoping to also go to a bunch of the Ships' Company reinactments and will be discussing that with my boss at the auto parts store.I will be taking certain days off and if that doesn't work for her,I guess she'll be training a new manager.

   I am hoping to get my taxes finished this weekend(Thank you Lowie!), And I am waiting on a bodice to arrive that got lost in the mail, as well as another awesome bodice set from Damsel in this dress(she is amazing with bodices!and so nice to work with!) I am also waiting as March will see the entrance of several months of hand made jewelry from someone. What can I say,I saw shiney things and had to get them. I have Badger blades tables clothes and curtains almost done,I want to add more trim and need to send them the receipts.

  Had a smashing time at a stitch and bitch and look forward to doing it again. I was working on making a grand under bustle that could change to an over bustle,but the materials didn't work out.However, I did get a hold of some new materials that just might do the trick. The knee hurts from time to time as I have arthritus in both knees. But life goes on. Been missing hanging out with Alan,but He has a bunch of studying to do for his tour guide certification and I have had a little bit of a busy couple of weeks. With 2 jobs it makes it even busier and Sundays(if I have them) are my days to crash and recharge for the next week. My next 2 weeks will be non- stop and 2-4 things to do every day including another doctor's appointment in there. I may not have computer capability for a week, so just letting you know, I'm not dead,just tired and missing everyone. Now for a shower and 6 hour nap. Ta-Ta  

It would be my luck to end the week of the 16th with an inner ear infection. By the time I went to the doctor it had reached my jaw. My tongue went numb, my teeth felt like they were being pulled out of my jaw side- ways. I am on Ammoxacilion for the infection. I have a hydrocodine drop for my ear. I have a 400mg of Motrine for the basic pain. At least the dizzy spells and nasua are gone. It is Monday and the teeth and tongue are fine. The stabbing pain in the ears have lessened to just a strong ringing and an echo effect. Also, nothing is in the right pitch.

   Alan came up for the weekend to be with me in my time of pain and medication. He was so supportive. Especially when I was up at 3a.m. Banging my head and crushing his hand in pain. I am still trying to go through the day without falling over and I can't do both my jobs right now or I'll be in the hospital by the end of the week. I go for my Independant Medical Exam tommorrow. My car is making a noise....hhmmmm..... there goes $500 well spent. Or else it's just my ears on the mend. We'll find out. Ta-Ta! 

 Hello! It's been a while since I've posted. I must inform and condense-ask for details.

   Well, July- Dad's convention went great! Thanks to all who helped.We took this time to put new brakes on squishy's truck. I passed my driving tests in PA and MD. I am now CDL class B with hazmat,tank, passenger,air brake, and school bus endorsement. Got a job 40 hours a week as Asst. manager of an Advanced Auto Parts on top of 40 hours at the Auction, gave them notice I leave in August.

   August- Left the auction and am soooooo releaved. The stress was killing me. Last week of August started the Bus driving for Harford County schools. Also, the first weekend of Ren faire (to quote Kermit the frog "YAAHHH!!!" (much arm waving)). Car is now dependable and Shana is doing great!

   September- Yah for Ren faire and seeing all my friends their. Got and tested new garb. Making and altering new and old garb. I don't have a winter and summer,long and short, in every color- I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH GARB!!! Skirts and chemises are a breeze,cloaks in the making also and some muffs, but the bodices are the thing I just fail miserably with. School bus driving is faboulous,but they changed one of my routes and I had to learn it very quickly, that was a challenge. Too many people run my red lights ,pardon me but how can you miss 40 ft, 26,000lbs of yellow steel with a strobe light on the roof and 4 flashing red lights and a stop sign waving at you? Duh.

   October- Oh the joy! Was invited to Fort McHenry to visit with Ship's company at Rememberance day and was invited to the officers and friends party. Wow! I never knew theat such precision and standards were so at that time. I have made my mind up to make an effort to make rig and talk to Myron about the possibilities of joining Ship's Company in reinacments, but to dress as a girl,not one of the guys. First I must research the time period and consider. Duncan and Nancy were absolutely magnanomous enough to let me join them at their house so I wouldn't have to drive so far to and from faire. They also invited me to join, at pirate weekend, the Jury Rig at a camp ground. It was great! Mom and I woke up half the camp with our giggling at 5 am as it started to rain and we realized-just then- that we didn't have the dew top on the tent and were trying to get dressed decently enough to go outside(we never considered it was dark and nobody was going to care about seeing our night gowns) and get something water proof from the trunk of my car. I am also considering strongly joining Jury Rig for their reinactments as they are of a different time period then 1812-1814 and variety would be cool. I must again research and consider. That and 2 jobs right now make things busy.Charlie Q. was kind enough to offer , along with Brad, to let me join The Salty Dogs whenever they are in my area. I think Charlie is being too kind, I don't think I'm good enough to sing in public for pay. But we will see. Also made friends with the cute and adorable Miss Megan whom I had the delight of babysitting some of faire and hopefully more next year. Got a chance to make flags for Master Pyland and the gun crew and was hoping one day to ask what the requirements would be to join since I was calling flag, and watching boundry and hoped to be consistantly useful. They said I am now a part of the crew and I got an awsome medallion, too. I am presently researching black powder,firearms and canon info to be more aware of it for next year. I am also making backdrops,curtains and table cloths for Badger Blades booth and will have that ready by next year. Also talked to Tom Crowl and he is part owner of the magic shop at faire and might be able to work their part- time (between babysitting which I offered to the Bee Folk as well as Purple Unicorn's Miss Megan.) I am presently getting rid of the last of the Bronchitus I received just before the last days of Faire. This took almost 4 weeks to get rid of ...ick! Advanced just kicked 1 1/2 hours as we now close sooner. I get more sleep but loose 8 hours a week because of it. But my goal is to have my bills paid and a down payment for a house next year. I must go to Pyrates in Bermuda 2009 and I'm taking squishy, yeah!!!!

   In other things,my car cost me $500 + dollars to pass inspection, I had a blast with Roberta (Mr. Steven Lampredi's mom who came from OK this summer to visit.) She and I went to the book faire in Baltimore and had a blast. Before she went back we all went to dinner one night and had an enjoyable time. I hope to be penpals with her she was delightful to visit with. On the same enjoyable note if you want a good time in Baltimore- go to the Admiral Fell Inn on Friday or Saturday night(it used to be Wed- Sat but management changed the pub/chanty/ghost sing- along) for a cool sing along 7-8p.m. There is a tea and ghost tour Wed-Sat. 4-5 for tea,5:30-6:30 for tour 7-8 for sing. Go if you can, it is a blast! Well, I've condensed as much as possible. I will try to keep up with things. I still need to sort through costumes for alteration,repair, replacement, and clean out the basement so the wood stove can be cranked up for winter. I will do that tommorrow . Now I must go to bed. Night-night.

It has been a while since last I posted and much has occurred. I shall shorten and expand later..... don't think on that too much.

   On June 4, I went back to work. I hobbled in mild pain ,but glad to leave the info-mercials at home. We hired 3 new guys(not one of them trained beyond "Here's a paper, fill in the blanks", I am not responsible). I am training one gentleman who has a unbelievable eye for detail, but gets distracted too easily. I am working on that and he has been a great help as I get back into the limp of things. Insurance approved torture continues until end of month.

   I have been offered the oppertunity to get training(paid for) to drive School bus for $16 an hour. I only drive 5 hours a day and will make about the same amount as I make now on a 40hr week. Weekend, evenings and holidays off AND I am getting a PA license to drive Commercial Vehicles outside of school buses *yippee*. It is a Class b (26,000 lbs or more in a single vehicle including vehicle itself), passenger, school bus, and air brake endorsement. That means for $35 more and passing another 60 questions, I can get Hazmat (Hazardous material, flamable, combustable, corrosive handling and transport-this includes giving the State and Fed. a DNA sample, I am not kidding), tank, and double-triple endorsement too. That means outside of motorcycles,farm equip,fire truck, and an 18 wheeler(26,001 lbs and over) I can legally drive ANYTHING!!! The possibilities are endless! Mennonites with CDL's  

  In light of not being in constant pain and on meds. In light of getting out of the house. In light of going back to work and yet again having them beg me to stay. In light of getting a job that gets me out of there. Not including my 8 automotive certifications and a soon- to- complete fully loaded Class b license, I should be set! I am out of my depression swing and getting back to my bouncy(watching the leg) cheery self.

   I went to the Potomac Celtic Festival with Alan and had the most amazing weekend! The door latch at the hotel was being anal, but we perserveared and slept well. Had a blast at the Southern MD Celtic Festival, I was cranky because theropy tried to tape my knee cap in place and it was killing me,but still had fun. The knee cap is still hurting, is swelling every once in a while causing pain and immobilization, but I continue now in completing my second week of work with insurance approved torture at the same time.

   Had a blast at Wharf Rat, and the pictures show the ugly truth of the extra 20 lbs I gained after the cruise and after the knee injury. I had to take meds on a full tummy and I wasn't exercising it off. I am in the process of working it back off, (watching the leg) and the watch what I eat ,how often and how much. The car is running well, my Shana is doing fabulously, like a return to her former puppy self. And I am continueing to spend as much time as I can with my squishy who has been an absolute angel to me in my time of grump and pain.

   And then there is the Pyrate Cruise 2009! 7 days in overnight ports to BERMUDA!!!! Sometime July 2009 TBA, and looks like not with Carnival, $1,000- $1,200 per person (price varies on qty. of peoples, cheaper for more) and did we mention, they have RUM!! I am so going!!! I am making and bardering some new costume pieces for meself.

   We are doing some last minute touch ups to Dad's convention on July 25-28. If you want to come, just buzz me and I'll sneak some passes for peoples *hint,hint,wink,wink,nudge,nudge*. OOHH WAIT! There goes a bowl of mint chocolate chip ice cream. Everything in moderation. I will only eat one spoonful at a time. Toodles! 

I have been sweating many bullets lately and thankfully they have passed in good graces. Sadly, I have missed some things this week past. Before I go any further I wish to say  I'm sorry I missed Mea's party. I will find a way to get you your presies.    My doctor said I'm off work until May 31 when she will re-evaluate me. The Workman's comp. set me up with a specialist to re- evaluate me as well(they want a seperate opinion) and that visit is also on May 31. This will be a busy day. Hopefully I can get full release, I'm still in some pain,but will be glad to get back to some form of work. In the meantime, I have been dumping resumes like mad. Sadly, the company I work for is known for tossing people that ask for raises and promotions and who cost them money (like workman's comp.) Forwarned is forearmed so I know when I get back I have 30 days to get another job before I'm out of one. I put 2 in that I am really hoping call me back,1 is a 80% chance they will.    I found that for some reason I was depressed and felt really bad, then I realized what was up. Stress from medication withdrawl, cabin fever, occupation and money concerns, that woman thing, seeing I gained back all the weight I lost in March, and my car's lack of dependability,all of which Alan has been a fabulous support the whole time. I am just about over the med withdrawl, I have been getting out a little more, my money and job thing will be solved once I get another job and get released, and the woman thing is doing it's usual number on me, after which it's back to the diet, and I work on the car thing tommorrow. Many thanks to my Alan for his patience with my whiny, mopey, shoulder shrugs.    Now I have a challenge to keep me in suspense......The work I did this weekend on my car, fixed nothin'. I missed on going to the movies with some friends, I missed Mea's party, I was late to hang with Alan, and had to go to a mechanic friend to waste his time just to send the car to him tommorrow. At least it has a full tank of gas and we might have figured out the problem...an electrical short in the car.....and searching for those can be a pain in the a**! But, back to a positive attitude and maybe (if I am willing to give up Thursday nights for a couple of months) FREE BAGPIPE LESSONS!!!!! Run now, run fast, don't look back, run faster.

This week has been fun. I am getting better with physical therapy, waiting for an appointment with a 2nd specialist for a IME visit, went to the chiropracter, and put the car in the shop finding that the new battery or my new starter need replacement or I run the risk of getting stranded.    I found that be typing and consistant sewing for hours unending has cramped my neck and I can't sleep. The chiropracter helped, but it still hurts. But things are getting better, must find new job, full time for more than $7.50 an hour(seems to be the going rate these days).    Not that everything has been a dud because Wednesday was FANTASTIC! Great chanty sing, we went 3 times round the room! I got a free cider for my birthday (yah for mug club!) And everyone plotted to get me a cake. Oh so tasty! CHOCOLATE! Got some funny birthday cards (Thanks C.J.), Gina got me a reserve copy of the last Harry Potter book and some of the HP toys, Elishia gave me a multi use jukebox with charger,cd-rom disc to load music,pictures and program navigation into it, ect., C.J. got me a gift card, and have been slowly trying to catch up to the 6 people and 1 cousin who have a birthday this week. And then there is mother's day.....    Saw NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM, and recommend it to all. Well done and a total stitch. Hoping to hang with Alan this weekend, but it looks like it may be a half weekend with the car in it's condition.I am also working on the chanter in hopes to elavate to the bagpipes(my neighbors will love me as we live in a valley, at the top of the hill going down to the valley.      Well, I'm off to bed to try to get sleep I couldn't get last night. Typing is hurting my neck( I look at the keys) so I must stop for a bit.My best to all and to all a good night!

Well, this is fun.  I have completed 5 visits of physical therapy, 2 visits to the specialist, and a chiropractic visit. I had to have a new battery put in my car, get a new vacuum hose to the power brake booster(when I hit the brakes the car wanted to stahl), and have been doing a little data entry for my brother who writes books. I am still wrapping coins, and sewing some skirts as efficiently as I can and yet, there doesn't seem to be enough time in the day. How did I do all this when I was working?

   I am continuing in the great contemplations of a woman at my stage of life. Is my career going anywhere?( I hear this flushing sound) Is my vehicle dependable? (that depends) Is my relationship with my boyfriend stable? (Well, he hasn't tossed me yet)Can I truly say I'm happy in life and with what I've done in and with my life? (I'm warm, I'm dry, I'm fed, and not a buffet for earth worms) Will I ever have children and how many? (Counting the boyfriend....) With all the blessings I have, why am I not bouncing off the wall with joy? (I run out of the meds yesterday and it's that time of the month soon) Which is better to eat, a bowl of cherry ice cream, or a strawberry milk shake? (Do both and tell me after wards), it's like that age old questions--- How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Tootsie Pop Tm ?

                                             &

 Why do women ask all these stupid questions and how do you answer without getting sofa duty for the next month?

THE WORLD MAY NEVER KNOW. 

  I went to my first physical theropy visit today. Since I injured my knee on March 21st, I have been out of work and in pain. I have been medicated ever since (and not with the stuff worth sharing), spent 3 weeks in a leg imobilizer and on crutches with ice packs rotating regularly. Yet, after all this, today I can say I now know pain.

   The theropist was very patient and nice about it and when I said it hurt she either slowed down or took a break to let me recover before the torture continued. In all of this I return on Wednesday for another torture or jam session as it were.

    I left in pain and with the confidence of knowing I went and did my best (and I did confess  to stealing my little sisters toys as a child, gave them my height,weight, SSN, e-mail password, and location to the rebel's secret base.....sorry guys). 

   I went to the specialist on Monday, they poked,they prodded, they recommended physical therapy.Yah,more pain. 2-3 times a week for 6 weeks. A follow up visit in 3 weeks. The most frustrating thing about it all was my leg brace. That infernal thing worn for 3 weeks and the Specialist said,"Oh, you only need that for the first day or 2. you need to remove that and walk on your leg to work it back into use." GGRR....I have been wanting to yank that thing off for 2 1/2 weeks and now I find I could have. I hate medical procedure.

   I left the specialist with a hand written note for the therapist (and what they say about doctor's handwriting is very true). Workman's comp.wants a letter from the doctor. The doctor office procedure is 1 week to file,sign,and fax to Workman's comp. I faxed the copy of the letter from specialist to therapist in the hopes that it will be enough to get approval,if it can be read. In the meantime, I can't do therapy without authorization. So,here I sit waiting.The specialist stated that it was up to me to go back to work when I feel I'm ready. I can't go until I at least get 1 week of therapy.I can't bend my knee without feeling like it will give out again. This will be interesting.

   I went to shanty sing last night and enjoyed the chance to get out of the house. I felt the limits of my knee and got hit with a muscle spasm. It calmed down and I sat for the last half of the sing. I found my knee locked up on me from sitting for the hour. I went home and took my medicine. Memo to me, take meds. before the next outing, not after.

   In the meantime, I am testing my driving ability by sewing a bunch of skirts this weekend, and hopefully a new costume piece. Using a sewing machine pedal is like driving so it is the best way for me to strengthen my leg/knee/foot without having to worry about getting stranded in a car, I can stop anytime without a problem. I am wrapping the last of the 18 coins and have 8 more on the way. Still looking for more coins but not paying $5 each with or + s&h. Busy,busy,busy.

  

   Things get interesting and I don't even have to ask. We are having a meeting,that I can't attend (for medical reasons) that could make life...well...interesting. The local agricultural specialists that are our neighbors have asked for permit to have a hog farm/slaughter house 1/2 mile away. They want to cycle in 4,400 hogs a quarter. This also means the disposal of over 15 million gallon of waste, blood, and leftover bodyparts to be spread on the neighboring fields less then 1,000 ft from a high school,middle school, 1 elementary school, as well as 4 miles from another elementary school. This hog farm/slaughter house will be built on a flood plain, with approved(not specified) drainage. Disentary or Milaria anyone?

   My concern is many, of which not important are, the smell-hog smell is worse then any animal and sheep is second hardest to removing the odor,dead or alive. The smell can taint carpet and cloths, cause respiratory and sinus complications.  Another concern is the heavy trucks to transport product(if you will) in and out of the area. Our back roads and average houses are not built to withstand that kind of abuse and vibration. Ever been to some of the older cities in our country that state "no vehicle over xxxx size or weight allowed in town"? It's because the foundations and roads of the town were not built to withstand that standard of weight and vibration. Same thing out here in BFN. Also looking into this, the track record of hog farms/slaughter houses are 10 year life spans, that degrade property value and contaminate water,air,wells,food stuff,septics, and have had a history of condemning homes and lands due to contamination of waste, and are constantly being shut down for violations of health and environment issues. 

   Which hits my BIG worry. WELLS! We live on wells out here! The township can't run pump stations to bring outside water to homes. We are to rural. No well,no house. We live in a valley off of a branch of the Muddy Run Creek, off Susquehannah river running down to the Conowingo River. WE ARE DOWN HILL! Oh, and kiss backyard veggies good-bye if the ground and water get contaminated. No one will tell me who will our house if the well is shot.  And if they spread the waste in the local fields........Call me pick and a bad neighbor, but I am not a happy Mennonite.

   Now don't think me against my neighbors, my family is the most accomidating and easy to get along with household you could ask for. We cause no trouble and are one of the first in the area to offer help. We didn't argue the manure pit to seasons and age the cow manure to go in the fields from 100 cattle. We didn't argue 3 chicken barns for Purdue holding 30,000 chickens. I have Amish friends and Mennonite friends that raise hogs and they are well within their rights to do so. I asked them about this and they all said the same thing. You should never have more hogs in a home(they mean land/farm) then your household could let loose at sunset and have returned by sunrise. Anything more is too many for the land and neighbors. Looking at their hog count.....no wonder they have had hogs for generations and have refused the Hatfield and corporate offers. It's not the money, it's what can be done and damaged to make it, and they are respected for it.

  On a seperate non-whining note. Some of the Belize coins have arrived!! Now I can start wire wrapping them. I think I need to get more brass wire, I could run out. Not like I have anything else to do. My orthoepedic specialist/sturgeon will pock and prod me on Monday. And hopefully let me go to shanty sing on Wednesday. More info to follow.

   Saturday evening started a new level of entertainment for me. My leg,knee,foot, and toes have conspired against me. The knee will be non-stop pain when elevated(doctor's orders), and when I get up to move around on the crutches, the toes and foot from the ankle down go numb until I re-elevate the leg, which triggers non- stop pain.

   I received a phone call saying I am being referred to a specialist for me knee. I am trying to wait for the approval of workman's comp.to see the specialist. They believe it is either a meniscus  tear or job hazard/worn from occupation. If it is going to surgery, I'm looking at 6 weeks bed ridden, and  I will go crazy. I am holding my breath.   

   In the meantime, I am looking to the bright side of life, as the song goes. Hoping to go to some shanty sings and the Southern MD Celtic Festival with my sweetie.

   Mom is cleaning the house. My foot has gone numb 2x and has been numb longer then ever,1st time 5 minutes, 2nd time was over 10 minutes. My MRI was completed yesterday and I hope the results lead to fixing the problem and soon. Since Sunday my right leg and foot have been ice cold and I can't warm it up. My knee still wakes me up,is swollen, and I have been used to being called Stumpy,Hop-a-long, Gimpy, etc. I even responded to it once(damn you ,Charles). 

   Life gets really boring at home, I HAVE seen the entire Brother Caedfal series, straight, uninterrupted,in order. Yes, I have no life. My dog and I are in a sleeping contest to see who can sleep the most. She may be 16 years old,but I have meds. I think we are tied. In the meantime, I am trying to get my bills paid(hopefully workman's comp. pays every other week/or on my payday). Trying not to loose the paperwork of my doctor visits, and waiting for the phone call as to my results and further actions. Not much else going on other than I acquired 25 English half-pennies,un circulated, with ships on the back for a grand total(s&h included) of $6.96. Why couldn't I get the Belize dollars for that price?! and quantity?!  Oh Well, back to the sleeping contest. 
 

Today I went to the doctor who signed me up to get an MRI soft tissue scan. The workman's comp. people took so long approving it, that I must now go tomorrow instead of today. I hope they figure out what hurts. I stopped by work to give the paperwork over to the human resources lady and she was very efficient and helpful. My boss however was just nodding,smiling and saying "We can't wait till you come in we will find you something to do while you can't move your leg." In other words, they want me off workman's comp. even if it is a pointless count-the-marbles-in-the-jar job. I found that one of my co-workers is so high on his horse(and up someone's a**) he is doing 16 hour days and putting out the same quantity of cars in the time that I did in 10 hours. And he is a god. I don't miss trying to kick him out of my bay.

In the meantime, I am trying to keep myself busy  and awake. Still doing a lot of sleeping. Still taking meds, still waking up with knee pain, and I can' t wait to get rid of this leg brace, I think my leg muscles may have atrophied ,my family has been overly awesome about the whole thing. I have practically taken over my sister's room, and was given a bell to ring if I needed anything. I like my bell. I think the family is ready to do some colon cleansing with it, but they must wait. I am out for another week and I  was told by the doctor not to expect to be running a marathon or even driving anytime soon. I miss my sweety *girlie sigh* (you have my permission to yak now) and you can only do so many things with your leg up in the air...........wow, that sounds so wrong. But now, I must do something constructive....I haven't figured out what that will be yet, but I am working on it.

I have succeeded in acquiring 18 going on 19 of the Belize coins. They will arrive in 2 weeks and take a day or 2 to wrap. I will notify people when they arrive and pass them out in the order of the first to ask for them. As of now, 18 down 20 to go. I shall not yield....not even to pedestrians.

   My foot did not go numb yesterday, but it did swell badly. This morning the swelling has gone down, I woke with pain in the knee cap and toes numb again.  It's like a very morbidly curious see-saw. Gee, what forms of pain and distortion will my body twist itself into this morning? AAHH...meds. I hate medication,but I can't stand the stabbing in the knee for long periods of time. I just need to heal and not need to take them, or at least the pain lessen. The pain in the knee must be right on a nerve due to the fact of pain runs down to the Achilles tendon and in the right side of the ankle making it throb. That and every once in a while, my leg will twitch involuntarily. I see the doctor on Wednesday.

   Now, I go to elevate my leg again. I can fully appreciate the term "Busier than a 1 legged a**kicker".
    

   Previously mentioned I hurt my knee. It was this slight  problem of constantly swelling, making my toes go numb, making the right side of my knee itch like mad and there is that knifing pain under the knee cap that keeps waking me up. 800 mg of Ibuprofen 3x a day is only taking the edge of the pain off. Now I know how to slow torture the next person who annoys  me....crack them in the knee.

   I have spent a lot of time poking around the computer trying to figure things out. I think I am progressing and I've found some annoying websites (bloody spam.) I have also been frustrated with the acquisition of some Belize $1 coins. I am either finding 1-3 for $1 each or to get 20 or more they want $4 a coin. Not to mention that the coin dealer who promised to get me 50 of them said "No problem, 50 in 1 week  $1.50 and that's shipping included" sent back an e-mail of "Sorry they are harder to get in that quantity than I thought it will by 2 months and $4 each and you have to prepay for the 50". I am not doing business with someone who changes their offer like that when they promised the original price. If you're not sure....tell me. A place in Canada said $4 each and is checking to see if they can get them for $3. In the mean time I am continuing the search. I do have much time on my hands.

   I heard my boyfriends' sister did her first Chemotherapy treatment and is doing well. We are all keeping her in prayer and I asked for her to go on 3 prayer chains through church. I have received 2 lectures about my leg from some people at church who felt God was finally telling me my choice of occupation was wrong ,and that this was a sign to leave the auto industry. I absolutely love the fact that at the end of 1 phone call the person asked about a noise in her engine. 

   At this rate, I will probably out for another week. Let's face it, if I am in this much pain, what kind of pain will I be in when I walk on the leg? That means more time on this computer (blah), not being able to sew (using the pedal is a problem with the brace on the foot), no quilting (the frame is in a location it can't be moved and has no room to prop up the offending appendage), no working on cars (obviously), no walks (obviously), limited chess games (the family works during my stay at home time), and I can't drive to hang with my boyfriend (I just spent time with him last weekend for the first time in 3 weeks, I really don't want a repeat of that!) Although we had the laugh joking that it was this weekend past that caused me knee to go , he wants credit for the injury. I have opted not to tell my dad as he often times can't take a joke of this nature....he is very defensive of his daughters. Well...the meds are kicking in and I'm done ranting. I will continue to search for the coins and am determined to have them en route by Friday.

  Today was starting as a good day. I arrived to the usual confusion of "I thought your were going to  do..get..find..start..finish..handle..fix..loose..break that". I sat for an hour waiting for instructions until I had to make a call. My boss arrived and hand delivered a list and some butt chewing to the masses. I started at a record pace to doing my job. 14 cars completed by 1:00p.m.  I was on my way to 25 for the day when.....POP! Down I went.

I was squatting looking at a tire size and went to get on my knees to look for frame damage under the car when I heard and felt a series of pops in my right knee and lost control of my leg. After minutes in pain I yelled for someone to get my dad and then onlookers arrived to look. I was told that I had probably tore legaments in the knee and would need a brace, crutches, and a week to 2 weeks off. I hate when they are right.

I was carried to Patients First and deposited in the waiting room. I have been there before on minor things and figured I would get  an x-ray, brace, drugs and told not to work. I hate when I'm right After an hour I noticed people who arrived after me were getting in and I was still sitting. The supervisor who dropped me off....never signed me in. I waited 20 minutes longer and got inspected. Blood pressure 106 over 64 (guess that's ok) body temp-97.4, oil level was full, and 4 x-rays later no broken bones. The doctor said don't walk on that leg , here are some crutches. If your leg hurts, here are 800 mg. Ibuprofun. To make sure you don't bend your leg, here is a cast/brace. Come back in a week and if your still in pain, we'll send you for an MRI for soft tissue scan. Until then, elevate the leg, don't walk on it, don't run, don't work, don't drive, don't breathe.....you get the picture. I can at least get some quilting and crafting done and probably watch the whole Brother Caedfeal series uninterupted.

I was amazed that for the week I was gone on my cruise we fell so far behind we got in trouble. I came back and in 1 week did what my combined 3 co-workers did in 2. Now I'm out until further notice and the thought of the pile of work I'll have to do is appalling( I don't think they gave me a stong enough pain pill)... The scary thing about it all is I have NEVER had a problem with my knees  This really worries me as my knee still hurts and my foot is going in and out of numbness. But it is only day one. It can't be that bad...right?

I haven't posted in a while and have had a lot on my mind. I'm still sleepy and exhausted from my trip. I just rearranged the page settings and will fill in pictures and details later. I called into work with the hopes I still had a job, and they are waiting for me to come in tomorrow. Apparently, they are behind even more then when I left,maybe this is a good thing. Until then...a toast!  
" the sound of a pillow being hit by a brick resounds followed by log-sawing"

I have been hearing a lot about the families that lost their children to the shooting incident in Lancaster county. They are asking for prayer for the family and for the family of the shooter. It just infuriates me how some people are treating this....protests, calling the boys who were dismissed from the killing- cowards and sexist pigs for leaving and not fighting back, and that the girls brought it on themselves acting like whores (can't figure where that came from but that was qouted from some learned people who want to make this an issue.)

I almost walked from my job 2x this week....I'm putting a resume in to an auto parts place, I've had it! I am getting tired of being yelled at because someone changes their mind about how to do something, doesn't tell half of us, amd then yells at me in front of a group of people for not obeying this new rule 6 weeks ago? Call my a prude...but that is not reseasonable..and this guy is not a boss, he's a co-worker.

But,here is the weekend. Hanging with Alan on Sunday..Yippee!!!

My friends and family have been trying to get me to use the computer some more and this is all their fault. Now that that's out of the way......

Monday was S.S.D.D at work,nothing big.

Tuesday was the new opening of the Piratz Tavern.Gina,Alan,and I went there. The decor was gorgous.The food was oh so tasty (and not just your average hotwings and crab dip) and very reasonably priced. Gina had 5 rum and cokes, 2 rum shots,and something recommended by Duncan. We all enjoyed and had a blast, sadly with a 2 hour trip home and still having to put Alan back, we left at 10 ish.Definitly must go back.

Wednesday started with a sore throat that got worse as the day went by and a killer headache. By Wednesday evening I was coughing so hard I lost me lunch and dinner and got 2 hrs sleep, wake up ,cough,hot shower,sleep 2 hrs. lather,rinse,repeat. I was a very sick panda.

Thursday still a sick panda. Gagging awake to shower, drink a hot totie(made with 75 year old scotch,thank you Bunkie!) and attempt to sleep for 2 hours. Had a nasty fever that didn't break until Friday midday. Weird dreams and was told if I didn't stop this in time the bronchitus I had would become offical walking pneumonia. Called Alan and told him I couldn't make Drummer's Lot(bugger). He called later to let me know how it went and to see if I was ok. That gave me a warm fuzzie feeling, actually the warm was the fever,fuzzy was my blanket but no one has ever done that before...to call and worry for my health....(girlie sigh!)

Friday I woke up and felt much better. Longer distances between cough,shower,hot totie and eventaully lost the fever and headache. Still gaging,but that has all but stopped. Will see what the weekend brings.Just a sore thraot and occasional cough. Will add more as life gets interesting