Miracle Cures, Aerial Doesn't Mean Airplanes, a Few Too Many Photos, and a HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY TO THE TToT!!!, Week 50*

*We are aware that there are 52 weeks in a year.  We skipped two weeks back at Christmas when everyone was traveling and celebrating the holidays.

Don't worry about the actual date and number.  Just say happy birthday and enjoy the cake.

Buttercup made the cake without supervision.  We did not feed it to the actual pigs.  However, the name does kinda fit the kids who ate almost the entire cake in one sitting.

If you go to Lizzi's blog (She's the one who had the idea, started the whole hop, and does all the work to make it happen each week.) you can see the cakes of all the co-hosts as well as the lists we made of the reasons for which we are grateful for the TToT.

Let's get to my Happy Birthday Ten Things of Thankful list, shall we?

1.  I spent 3 weeks on crutches.  At week 2, I couldn't imagine that I'd ever walk again.  There was just so much pain every time I tried to straighten, bend, or put weight on my leg.  I didn't know if the pain was bad pain (as in Stop!  You're making the injury worse!) or good pain (as in I know it hurts, but this will help you heal.).  One hour with a physical therapist has changed everything.  Physical therapy is the bomb!  In only two days time, I have been able to get my leg to almost fully extended.  I am walking, with absolutely no need of crutches.  When I went back for my second appointment, the therapists were all floored by the progress I had made in only 36 hours.  It's all in the motivation.  As I suffer through the pain, trying to stretch my leg, I just keep chanting, "I will walk in England.  I will have fun in England."

2.  On Tuesday, Turken had his follow-up x-ray and received the all clear.  His collar bone was healed and he could go back to playing baseball.  Five hours later, he slipped on the stairs and bumped down about 5 of them.  Somewhere during the fall, he hit his arm.  He cried and cried that his shoulder hurt.  Even that night, in his sleep, he cried. The next day, he refused to use his arm.  Back into the sling he went, with an appointment to get another x-ray on Thursday.  I sent out a Facebook request for prayers for the poor kid.  On Thursday morning, he woke up, came downstairs, and said, "Look!  I can raise my hands!  It doesn't hurt anymore!"  He was suddenly cured, just like that.

3.  The local fire station had a sign out front that said, "Aerial Dedication Saturday.  Everyone welcome."  At first we all thought "Will there be planes involved?" and decided to go.  No planes, but lots of things I had never seen before. The fire station had just purchased a new aerial fire truck, and it needed blessed, dedicated, and celebrated.  With cake.

They got to dress up as firemen and climb in the firetruck.

The new aerial truck.

Home Depot brought some kits for the kids to put together.  Turken is making a helicopter.

At one point, they gathered everyone for the blessing and dedication.  Then...

they used another truck to spray the new one down.

They passed towels out to everyone, and we all got to dry it off and shine it up.  

The firemen then pushed the truck into it's bay in the fire station.  I am so glad we decided to go to this community event, even without the planes.

4.  I don't exactly see eye to eye with Star's coach, and I haven't hidden that fact.  In truth, I behaved poorly.  Star likes playing for this team, despite the things that have happened, and I should have kept my mouth shut.  When I finally came to my senses, I apologized to Star and promised not to say another word.  He accepted it without a bit of attitude.  Actually, after I apologized, we stood there looking at each other for a minute before he said, "This is awkward."

5.  The Indy500 is always on Memorial Day weekend, and several years ago Bryan started a tradition to go with it.  He's fun like that. The night before the race, we each take turns picking the names of the drivers out of a hat.  While we listen to the race on Sunday (because we can't watch it live in Indy), prizes are given away.  Cuckoo chose silly string for his prize.  The following photos show that the big kids will do just about anything for that adorable little boy.

They simply lined up...

and took their turns at being sprayed at a ridiculously close range.

If Cuckoo had trouble with the sprayer, the sprayee even helped him work it.

I just like looking at their laughing faces.

Buttercup remembered that all of the kids received silly string in their stockings, so she grabbed hers and let Turken use it.

His "Phooey, I'm out of string" look.

His "Oh no!  Someone else has string!" look.

6.  We've had lots of medical appointments lately, be they physical therapy, yearly checkups, or x-ray appointments.  Having 4 kids old enough to babysit or stay home alone has meant I don't have to drag all 6 kids to these appointments.  No one needs the stress of 6 kids being drug to appointments.

7.  When my three (full) siblings and I were growing up, "I'm going to find a church parking lot," was not a phrase we wanted to hear.  It meant our shenanigans/arguments in the moving vehicle had pushed my mom or stepdad over the edge and some discipline was going to be dealt out.  Why church parking lots, I don't know.  Perhaps they thought a bit of Godliness would rub off, or perhaps it reminded them not to kill us.  (Mom?  Want to shed some light?)  Now that I have kids, I don't specify church parking lots when they act up in the van.  Any partially empty lot will do.  While I still do tell the kids we'll be going to the church parking lot, it's for a very different reason.

8.  We rarely go to the movie theater.  It's just too expensive, and we don't usually have 3 hours to kill at the right time for the right movie.  Fortunately, last weekend we had some time and the dollar theater had the Lego Movie showing. (Cuckoo went with Bryan to pay for the tickets.  Afterwards, Cuckoo apparently knows the high prices of taking 8 people anywhere, because he yelled to me, "It was only 8 dollars!  For all of us!) I always wondered how they would make a movie about Legos.  It was better than I thought it would be.

9.  A friend called yesterday saying she had some egg cartons for me and needed to talk with me about something.  We have three games on Saturday, but all in the afternoon, so I was able to meet her for breakfast this morning.  I'm so glad I could be there for her.

10.  One week of summer break is behind us.  I love late spring/summer.  The kids get to sleep in (until 9.  I can't handle people in my house sleeping all day.) we get to play games and go to fun places, and work gets done.  We all worked for about an hour and a half one day to get the garden in tip top shape.  Oh, and with late spring comes late spring harvest.  The strawberries are here!

Now, it is your turn.  If you link up every week or have never linked up before, this weekend is a great day to join in.  Not only do we have a sparkly new button for the occasion, Lizzi has a contest going with a prize to go along.  Jump in.  You won't regret it!

Have a lovely day!

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A Fly on our (Chicken Coop) Wall, Amycake and the Dude, Considerings, Finding Ninee, Getting Literal, I Want Backsies, Mother of Imperfection, Rewritten, Thankful Me, The Wakefield Doctrine

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Staying Fit With a Gaggle of Kids, but Without a Gym or a Babysitter

I am one of those people with whom many women get annoyed.

Even after having 4 babies in 4 years, I was back to wearing the clothes I wore in college in a short few months.

Part of the reason is I was just plain lucky.  Genetics has a whole lot to do with it.

Part of the reason, though, is I found ways to get some exercise.   Today, I'm going to link up with the Finish the Sentence Friday ladies and share five of my favorite ways to stay somewhat fit while raising a gaggle of little kids.  No gym membership or babysitter required.

1.  Walk.  With the addition of each child, I had to change up the way we took walks.  At one point, I had a double stroller to push two kids, one baby strapped to my chest, and a four year old Phoenix on a bike.  In order to get the maximum workout, don't invest in a jogging stroller.  Build muscles while getting some cardio.  Get the biggest, most difficult stroller to push.  And don't take the easy walk.  Trek up the biggest hills in your neighborhood.  If you don't have hills, drive somewhere that does.  (I was fortunate to live in a neighborhood that had a gigantic hill, but when we moved to the farm, I lost the neighborhood.  I've taken the little boys to a random neighborhood, parked the car, and taken off on a walk many times.)

I know, many of you are thinking, "But when my child is on a bike, I am constantly having to chase him or scream for him to stop and the walk isn't any fun."  Easy solution to that.  I started this "game" the first time Phoenix graduated from the stroller.  I still use it.  When starting out, the kids will want to ride ahead.  Let them, but give them a stopping point at a distance with which you are comfortable.  For example, "Stop at the 2nd blue mailbox" or "Wait for me at the fire hydrant."  The kids ride as fast as they want until they get to the marker you named, then wait for you to catch up.  This will also give you incentive to walk at a good, fast pace so the kids don't have to wait too long.

2.  Dance.  We have about 20 kids' CDs.  All I have to do is crank it up, and the kids and I can dance our little hearts out.  Extra muscle building occurs when you agree to hold the kids (one at a time!) while dancing. Many days, we'd have music on all day, and I'd dance by myself while making their lunch or cleaning the house.  Two of our favorite, fast-paced CDs are:

As the kids get older and don't want to dance with you, get a Wii and a Just Dance game.  They will be happy to dance with you until you pass out.  It is one serious workout.

 3.  Play.  Wrestling with the kids will most certainly give you a workout, but if you are looking for a less chaotic exercise, "Airplane" and the like are good alternatives.  Lay on your back with your feet up in the air.  The child lays across your feet and you lift him up in the air.  Extra muscle building tip...don't just let him hang up there.  Bend your knees and try to give each other a kiss, then raise him back up.  While on your back, put a baby on his belly on your shins, so you can do crunches, giving him a kiss with each one.  Piggy back rides will give you a workout and make your kids very happy.  Teach the kids how to do cartwheels or headstands or different kinds of somersaults.  Or, if more applicable, have your child teach you.

4.  Look like an idiot at the playground.    We have spent countless hours at playgrounds over the years.  Except when I had to chase a toddler at all times, I used that playground time for myself, too.  The kids would be having fun playing, and I'd be hanging off of the monkey bars doing reverse pull ups.  (Are they called drop downs??  I have never been able to haul myself up in a pull up.)  Steps are good for calf-lifts (Stand on your toes on the bottom step, drop your heels down, then up as high as you can over and over.) and step exercises.  (Duh. (Use the bottom step to do quick bursts of up/down steps.))  Go for a swing yourself, going as high as you can, really stretching yourself out and getting your arms and abs into it.  Get creative and use whatever you playground has.

5.  Kegels.  Ladies, I cannot stress this enough.  Kegels, Kegels, Kegels.  I've always done them while driving in the car.  Your older self will appreciate the work you put in when you are younger.  I'm serious.  Peeing yourself is no laughing matter.

Whatever you do, get the kids involved.  You won't regret it.  Unless you play soccer.  Once your kids get to middle school age, for the love, give up playing soccer.

Make sure to make a stop back here this weekend.  The Ten Things of Thankful hop is celebrating it's first birthday.  We'd love to have you join us!

Have a lovely day!

Keep These Things in Mind if Your Knee Is Ever Traumatized

Not one of my body parts has ever suffered major trauma before, so I was not prepared for all that it entailed.  Each day held a new learning experience for me, and not all of them were good.  I shall pass on my newly acquired knowledge to you, my readers, because I care.  Based on the vast number of people who have seen me on my crutches and proceeded to tell me about their own knee injuries, I'm thinking there is a pretty good chance at least half of you will incur a similar injury sometime in your life.

Do ice your knee as much as possible for weeks on end.

Don't put that ice in a cheap sandwich bag that will leak all over your pants, blanket, and couch.

Mostly don't ask a 5 year old to put those leaky bags of ice on the kitchen counter.  There is a good chance he will put them on the pile of bills and important papers waiting patiently for your undivided attention.

Do use your crutches constantly for several weeks.

Don't use furniture, handrails, children, or sinks to get around.  You may just put your weight on the master bathroom pedestal sink, shift it off kilter, and snap the drainpipe, thus making your sink unusable.  You will find yourself washing your hands and brushing your teeth over the side of the tub while sitting on the toilet until your knee heals completely and you can get to the store to buy a replacement sink.

Do get showered and dressed and brushed for the day before going downstairs.

Don't wear clothes with loose pockets.  Thumbs have a tendency to snag in those pockets each and every time your crutches swing forward, causing you to lose your balance and practically kill yourself at least 53 times.

Do put your feet up and rest.

Don't plan on getting much sleep.  While you can control your movements during the day, you will have trouble doing so while you sleep.  The probability that you will bend your knee a bit too far when rolling over and wake yourself up screaming in pain is quite high.

Do listen to music while getting your MRI to cover the noises of the machine.

Don't listen to 80s music during that MRI.  Your body is conditioned to sing and dance when it hears 80s music, which is completely against the rules of the MRI.  So, on top of the torture of not being able to scratch the 19 different spots that suddenly itch like the devil, you will have to keep yourself from belting out your favorite songs.  It makes for a looooong 35 minutes.

Do let others go to the grocery store for you.

Don't ask those kind people to buy anything besides cereal.  Despite the fact they have been eating fruit and veggies and meat at every meal for your entire lives together, your offspring and husband will forget that such things even exist.  The beautifully ripe strawberries, bananas, cantaloupe, lettuce, and grapes will go uneaten and moldy in the fridge.  Oh, and they won't eat the eggs that are still flooding in from the chicken coop, either.

Do take advantage of the pity your family has for you.  Let them do all the work while you sit on the couch and read.

Don't expect it to last forever.  By week two, you may have a conversation like this:

Child:  Mom, have you noticed we're all upstairs in our rooms a lot more than usual?
Me:  Yes.  What are you doing up there?
Child:  Well, with you being unable to do much, we know that whoever can be seen is the one who gets asked to do the extra chores you and Dad want done.
Me:  I know, Honey.  Haven't you noticed that I've been calling you all in a rotation?  I've known about this strategy of yours for years.
Child:  Dad hasn't figured it out yet.
Me:  No.  No he hasn't.  If I were you, I'd hide when he is home, too.

Do slowly start to venture out as your injury heals.

Don't take your injured children with you.  No one, and I really mean NO ONE, can resist commenting when he sees a mom on crutches accompanied by her small child who happens to have his arm in a sling.  "Did this happen in the same accident?" and "Did you fight each other?" and "What is wrong with your family?" are the most common questions.  Those folks that don't ask questions give questioning looks, dirty looks, or smirks that end in laughter while they make fun of you.  It's best to just leave the kid at home.  Or let him take his sling off when you are out in public.

That's all I've got so far.  I'm sure there will be more bits of wisdom before this is all over, considering I haven't started physical therapy or had surgery yet.  I'll keep you posted.  Naturally.

If you have had knee surgery before, do you have any tips for me?

Have a lovely day!

My Favorite Time of Year Is Here, and I Might Actually Get to Enjoy It, TToT Week 49

1.  Let's just begin with the biggest, best, most wonderful thankful...

SCHOOL'S OUT FOR SUMMER!!!!!  I love summer.

2.  We spent the entire day with friends.  The kids only had to go to school for 3 hours on Friday, so there was plenty of time for fun.  I started with breakfast with my book club.  After picking up all the children, we spent 4 hours at a park with approximately 10 other moms and their kids.  We came home for a quick nap and feeding of the animals (the actual animals ate, the kids and I napped) before heading out for an evening of backyard bonfires and fellowship at another friend's house.  As the parents sat around the fire, the 15 or so kids were all out in the yard playing a game.  It was a perfect summer evening start to our break.

3.  On Wednesday, the newly graduated 8th graders had their trip to Kings Island in Cincinnati, Ohio. (amusement park 2 hours away).  At around 5:00, some major storms rolled into Indy, causing all outdoor activities to be cancelled.  The storm never made it to Cincinnati.  So, the boys and I had an unexpected night off at home to play games and relax, but Buttercup was able to have a great time riding the roller coasters to her heart's content.

4.  Buttercup amazes me.  At her graduation Mass this week, she played the piano beautifully.  She also received several awards.  There were two that I was most happy to see.  First, she was the only 8th grader (out of 65 or so kids) to get a perfect 4.0 for the year.  While she is a bright girl, that GPA tells more about her work ethic.  She worked hard to get it.  She also received the Christian Attitude Award.  The recipients of this award are not chosen by the teachers, but by the students.   I can't wait to see all of the good things she does as she gets older.

5.  Turken's collar bone is healing up nicely.  He has gone a week without the sling and has done very well.  He fully participated in the school's field day, and last night at the party (I hear) he was hitting a baseball.  He'll be getting an x-ray this week to make sure all is well, but I'm pretty sure he's back to his old self.

6.  I was able to walk without crutches yesterday.  I did't walk far, and it wasn't pretty, but I walked.  If you would have asked me 2 weeks ago if I thought I would ever walk again, I might have said no.  It astounding how well our bodies can heal themselves, even after "major trauma".  (That's what my surgeon said my knee had suffered.)

7.  I found a surgeon who comes highly recommended.  I met him this week, and I have a much better understanding of how things are going to go.  I start physical therapy on Tuesday in order to get my full range of motion back before my big trip to England and the subsequent surgery.

8.  If I would have had this injury happen 15 years ago, I would be in a very different, worse situation.  With new, less invasive methods of surgery, my knee will be totally fixed up with a relatively short recovery time.  Fifteen years ago, the ACL wouldn't even have been fixed, and I'd have a huge scar from the surgery to fix the meniscus.

9.  I am not able to do much with this knee injury.  Thank the Lord above that I can still drive.  Misery would have befallen the lot of us if I wasn't able to drive.

10.  My grandma is a corker.  I love her to pieces.  I had a nice, long chat with her this week, and she had me laughing my full head off.

So, how was your week?  What made you laugh, smile, or cry tears of joy?

Have a lovely day!

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Have No Fear. There Are Plenty of Kind, Generous People in This World, TToT Week #48

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us run the race before us, looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.

Hebrews 12:1-2

(Thanks Sarah for cluing me in to this passage of scripture.)

I tell you what, if you are ever feeling lonely, just start hobbling around with some crutches.  You will get more attention than you ever dreamed.

When the knee injury was new and people asked what had happened, I'd give them the full story.  300 people later, it's the short and sweet, "I tore my ACL playing soccer with the kids."  I do appreciate the concern, but wow.  I have contemplated simply wearing a sign.

With all of the questions, though, has come kindness beyond anything I could have expected.  I am so grateful for the people who have gone out of their way to make my life easier.  I have one gigantic "cloud of witnesses" helping me "run the race before" me.

Kris tracked down some backpack-style purses for me, so I can get rid of the drawstring, ugly red backpack I am currently using.  She knows what kind of purse a mom would need, so it only took me a few minutes to pick one.

I had to go to the high school for a meeting, and none of my kids were with me.  As I hobbled up the ramp to the doors, a teen boy I had never seen before stopped the game he was playing and came running to open the door for me.  Two more teens asked if I needed help as I made my way downstairs.

One friend works across the street from the high school picked Phoenix up for me.  When she dropped him off to me, she also dropped off a yummy dinner.

Another friend made french toast casserole for us.  Cuckoo was extra excited about it.  After he ate a few bites, he asked, "Are we having dessert for dinner?  I like this!"

A friend has been taking our eggs to sell at the hospital where she works.  In one week, she's taken 20 dozen eggs off our hands.  We can actually fit all of the delicious meals people have made for us in the fridge.

On Tuesday (during school hours), Giant's class put on a mini-musical.  When it was over, we parents were unhappy to see that it was pouring down rain.  As in torrential downpour.  Everyone was waiting under the roof, hoping the rain would stop.  A friend of mine grabbed my keys and went to pull my van up for me.  He even stuck around to make sure the little boys, my crutches, and I got in safely.  He was absolutely drenched by the time I pulled away.

Three people have been so kind to take three of my kids to many soccer games this week.  The games have all been away games, which is just too far for me to drive with a bum knee.  Plus, the games are at 6 or 6:30, so Bryan can't get home in time to drive them, either.  I don't know what we would have done without these helpful folks.

Cuckoo was whisked away by his godmother for the entire weekend this weekend.  The poor kid hasn't been able to do many fun things, thanks to me not being able to walk.  He will get to have some fun and attention and I will get to go to the myriad games without having to worry about keeping him happy.

While at one of those games, it started to sprinkle, with a threat of serious rain.  One of the dads grabbed my keys and walked back to the van to get my umbrella for me.

Every day, Buttercup has been johnny on the spot when I need her to help with the little boys.  While I sit on the couch, she's gotten them ready for bed, dished out their dinner, and gotten them ready to leave the house. She has also run into the store for desperately needed groceries.  Plus, she has asked if I needed any help over and over again.

Despite having 2 away games this week, Giant has been extra helpful, too.  He's done more than his fair share of laundry, he's given the little boys a shower, he's cleaned, and he's stayed organized, making sure that he has everything he needs for all of his many activities this week.  (Costume for the musical, bike and helmet for Tour de France, uniforms for games, projects for school).  He has also asked me several times if I need anything.

Star has been the biggest surprise.  He's not one who likes to do work around the house, yet he's been helpful, too.  He made pancakes for everyone for breakfast (and put the leftovers away) and emptied the dishwasher several times without being asked.  Every time we come in the house, he waits patiently for me at the door in order to hold it open for me.  Every time I come downstairs, he hears me and comes running to carry my crutches and anything else I might be trying to carry on my lap.  He hasn't huffed a single huff, not matter how many times I ask him to run upstairs/to the kitchen/downstairs to get or do something for me.

I will mention that the other three boys have also been very good at helping me whenever I ask, no matter what I ask.  They even seem happy to help.  Not once have I had to ask them to hold the door open for me.  Even little Cuckoo and one-armed Turken will strain to haul open a heavy door and hold it for me without being asked.

Bryan has had to do all sorts of extra chores since I've been down.  He now has to take care of the animals before work, iron his own clothes each night, and do as many chores as possible in his limited time at home. Not a bit of complaining out of him.

To pay my family back for all of their hard work and helpfulness, I hired someone to come clean the house.  There is no way they can keep up with all that needs done around here, and there is no way I can sit in a filthy house without getting anxious and annoyed.  I am so thankful that we can afford to have this done.

Alrighty, then.  It's your turn.  What helpful things have been done for you this week?

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Musings from the Minibus 5

If I am going to sit for 10 minutes

waiting for an extremely long train to go by,

I fully expect the train company to reward me with a guy standing against the rail of a caboose, waving and smiling and apologizing for the long wait.  You know, because a smile just makes everyone happier. 

AN ABRUPT, UGLY END TO THE TRAIN DOES NOT MAKE A LATE PERSON HAPPY!!!!!!!!!

(Can't tell you how much thought went into the correct way to make "caboose" plural, except to say it was too much.  Way too much thought.  Is it like moose, where plural and singular are the same?  Or is it like goose, thus making it cabeese? It went downhill from there.  I even googled "words that rhyme with goose".  Surprisingly, there aren't many.)

**************

I will never go to this foot spa

no matter how many times it opens.  Grandly or otherwise.

**************

A street nearby is being widened, and all of the trees along the route have been cut down.  My heartbreak at seeing the destruction of so many lovely trees was only made worse by the sight of the poor, fake, now- homeless deer left alone by the stump of his tree.  

But then, sadness turned to laughter, as all I can picture now is the deer when the tree came down.  I imagine him doing the Bugs Bunny scream when his hiding place was suddenly exposed.

Bugs Bunny always makes me laugh.

******************

Fundraising is getting out of hand. 

In case you can't read this perfectly focused and not-zoomed-in photo my mom took, it says, "Mattress Fundraiser" for a local high school's band.

My first thought when I saw the sign was, "Man, I thought those cardboard boxes of crap I had to carry around door to door was heavy.  Can't imagine having to carry a mattress."

Now, I know the kids aren't carrying mattresses around, but the thought of that happening made me laugh.  

Really, though, how are you supposed to sell mattresses?  Are there that many people in the market for a mattress?  Will people see this sign and think, "You know what, I could use a new mattress.  I will mark my calendar to go to the high school to buy one on Saturday."

And what about those poor parents who always feel obligated to buy every single thing their teams/organizations/schools are hocking?  Especially if they have more than one kid in the band.  

And what about Grandma or the budget-conscious neighbor?  What is the band kid supposed to say when the lady asks, "What do you have for $5 or less, Sonny?"

If I would have been in town that weekend, I would have been there.  Not to buy a mattress, of course.  Ours isn't even 20 years old yet.  I just wish I could have seen how this all went down.

So, what have you seen around your town lately that made you do a double-take?

Have a lovely day!

Other Musings from the Minibus posts:

The first

The fourth

I won't bore you with all of them.  :)

A Diagnosis and a Secret Revealed

"If you are going to do something, do it right the first time."

I say it when someone scrubs the floor, but I find milk spots still there.

I say it when someone cleans up the lunch dishes but fails to put any of the silverware in the dishwasher.

I say it when someone cleans his room but leaves junk all around the edges of the bed.

I'm pretty sure they appreciate it.

They also appreciate the fact that I practice what I preach.

Unfortunately, I sometimes practice it even when I shouldn't.

Take, for instance, when I'm playing in a sport of some kind.

I can't play half-way.

I have to give it my all.

When a person is running for a ball, I have to beat him.

And when I do, I have to injure myself in fine fashion.

Do it right the first time.

I got the results of my MRI on Monday morning.

The doctor handed me a paper with a list of the injuries I inflicted on myself.

It was half a page, listed from most problematic to least problematic.

With the fist line, I knew I was in big trouble.

"Acute, complete disruption of the anterior cruciate ligament."

I ripped that ACL right in half.

The next two lines didn't sound much better.

"Obliqued tearing of the medial meniscus posterior horn that extends through both inferior surface and meniscus periphery."

"Vertical tearing of the lateral meniscus posterior horn near the tibial attachment, most likely representing a radial-type tear."

I tore my meniscus pretty good, too.  In more than one place.

"Bony contusions...blah blah blah".

I have bruises on two bones.

That's the worst of it.

I done injured myself but good.

Normally, I'd say let's get this surgery booked ASAP.  Too bad this isn't a normal situation.

(Here comes the secret part...)

In June, Bryan and I will celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary.

Two weeks ago, we bought tickets to go on a trip we've postponed for 16 years.

It was supposed to be a celebratory trip after he graduated from law school, but I ended up pregnant with Phoenix.  He was due four weeks after the bar exam, so we didn't go.

Two weeks ago, we bought tickets to fly to London, England.

My flight leaves three days before Bryan's.  He isn't exactly social, so I am going early in order to visit with a friend who moved there with her family last year.

And the agenda includes a stop to meet one other special person.

*cough* Lizzi 

If I have this surgery ASAP, we have to cancel our trip.

Not a chance in H-E-double hockey sticks is that gonna happen.

According to the doctor, if I am a good patient, staying on my crutches and not trying to do all the stuff, I will be able to walk and have fun on our trip.  I won't be able to do everything we might have done before, but I will be able to do plenty.

So, a good patient I will be, then schedule the surgery upon our return.

I am taking anti-inflammatory medicine, in hopes that someday soon I will be able to see my knee cap.

Apparently, the bone bruising is what makes my knee hurt the most, so once that heals I'll feel much better.

I will use my crutches at all times.  I will park my rear on the couch with my foot up at every possible moment.

When I told the kids what the doctor said, Giant commented, "All I heard is that we're going to be doing a bunch of extra work for three months."

Smart kid, that one.

Have a lovely day!