(Wonderful Husband + Bear + Park)
+ (((Me + Kona + 2 mile run) / 85 degrees ) X (Running 1.25 mile w/out stopping))
+(Nice kick left in me at mile 1.25 to show off for folks at park)!*
- (Kona chasing geese)
- (Kona barking at kids)
- (Kona forcing my pace)
+ (Kona on best public behavior of his life)
+ (brief visit at Bear's park)
= AWESOME
*Why yes, that IS a factorial! Little shout out to my geeky peeps : )
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Thursday, July 01, 2010
Sporty Yet Orthopedic
Realized we're leaving on yet another vacation that I don't have adequate footwear for, and ended up spending almost 5 hours yesterday dragging poor Bear around trying to find a decent pair of sport sandals.
I heart my Birks, but leather plus hot sweaty walking all day = bad stinky shoes. And my Chacos rock, but I feel their walking limits on the 2 mile jaunt to Bear's park and back.
Read great things about Merrill and Eco sandals, but of course could not find anywhere with them in stock. Not even the uber awesome REI, which is pretty much always worth the 3 hour round trip. Went there just to try on the Keen Whispers, but it turns out they run more narrow than most Keen sandals and didn't work out. Tried on the Keen Venice H2 sandals to compare, but they were so chunky and ugly I couldn't do it. Plus, their generous width was still not enough for my hobbit feet.
Tried on the Teva Tirra sandals on a whim (i.e. last resort). Pleasantly surprised that they were wide enough and seem to have enough arch support. They seem to have a dual personality - the ankle strap says "I'm a rugged sport sandal" and the bottom half says "I'm an orthopedic nightmare trying to be cute."
Wore them on errands today and am happy so far. Now I'm not dreading the all day walk around at St. Louis Zoo this weekend.
I heart my Birks, but leather plus hot sweaty walking all day = bad stinky shoes. And my Chacos rock, but I feel their walking limits on the 2 mile jaunt to Bear's park and back.
Read great things about Merrill and Eco sandals, but of course could not find anywhere with them in stock. Not even the uber awesome REI, which is pretty much always worth the 3 hour round trip. Went there just to try on the Keen Whispers, but it turns out they run more narrow than most Keen sandals and didn't work out. Tried on the Keen Venice H2 sandals to compare, but they were so chunky and ugly I couldn't do it. Plus, their generous width was still not enough for my hobbit feet.
Tried on the Teva Tirra sandals on a whim (i.e. last resort). Pleasantly surprised that they were wide enough and seem to have enough arch support. They seem to have a dual personality - the ankle strap says "I'm a rugged sport sandal" and the bottom half says "I'm an orthopedic nightmare trying to be cute."
Wore them on errands today and am happy so far. Now I'm not dreading the all day walk around at St. Louis Zoo this weekend.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Her Sun Set Too Soon
I just found out about what happened to Wendy Buckner.
Because we lived in different countries, I only got to hang out with her once in person. But I was immediately drawn to her, and I enjoyed every moment in her wise and witty presence. We've stayed in touch the last few years, and the news of her passing hit me hard enough to stop everything and have a good cry.
Godspeed, Wendy. I hope that red Prada purse is waiting for you in Heaven.
Because we lived in different countries, I only got to hang out with her once in person. But I was immediately drawn to her, and I enjoyed every moment in her wise and witty presence. We've stayed in touch the last few years, and the news of her passing hit me hard enough to stop everything and have a good cry.
Godspeed, Wendy. I hope that red Prada purse is waiting for you in Heaven.
Wendy at the 2007 IMWI Tri Blogger meet up.
Bulletish Points
Life is hectic, still buried under those two big website projects with no end in sight. But the clients are happy with the work I'm sending in, so it's all good.
Squeezed in an afternoon at the lake on Saturday with Bear. And my BFF and her toddler (Bear's favorite human being on the planet, whom he asks for daily.) And another awesome friend and her 1 yo and 3 yo. And my sistah Dag and our godson the unbelievably Adorable Quiet Child.
I think the kids had almost as much fun as I did.
Had a GREAT time. Discovered that A) SPF 70 rocks and B) there are bits on my back I can't reach with SPF 70.
Which brings me to C) Lidocaine aloe gel rocks. Someday I'll be able to put on a bra and lean back against a chair again.
Oh, and a quick jaunt out to the middle of the (tiny) lake proved I've been doing the right thing by my shoulder by *not* swimming. Not that my pool is open - now they're hoping for repairs to be done by July.
Not sure if I already mentioned... Bear's EEG was clear. So, officially no seizures. Which means the explanation for his little "spells" are probably self-imposed time outs by a sensory overloaded brain.
Shoulder still a problem, already hurting again just a few weeks after cortisone shot. Didn't race in Naperville on the 13th, but did go volunteer and had a BLAST.
Apparently when you know what's going on, organize your station and answer all the athlete's questions they give you a walkie talkie and put you in charge. Made it worth getting up at 4.
And the total bonus was I got to see MommyMeepa obliterate her PR by 30 minutes! She so totally rocked that race, I can't wait to hear how she does at her first Oly next month!
Squeezed in an afternoon at the lake on Saturday with Bear. And my BFF and her toddler (Bear's favorite human being on the planet, whom he asks for daily.) And another awesome friend and her 1 yo and 3 yo. And my sistah Dag and our godson the unbelievably Adorable Quiet Child.
I think the kids had almost as much fun as I did.
Had a GREAT time. Discovered that A) SPF 70 rocks and B) there are bits on my back I can't reach with SPF 70.
Which brings me to C) Lidocaine aloe gel rocks. Someday I'll be able to put on a bra and lean back against a chair again.
Oh, and a quick jaunt out to the middle of the (tiny) lake proved I've been doing the right thing by my shoulder by *not* swimming. Not that my pool is open - now they're hoping for repairs to be done by July.
Not sure if I already mentioned... Bear's EEG was clear. So, officially no seizures. Which means the explanation for his little "spells" are probably self-imposed time outs by a sensory overloaded brain.
Shoulder still a problem, already hurting again just a few weeks after cortisone shot. Didn't race in Naperville on the 13th, but did go volunteer and had a BLAST.
Apparently when you know what's going on, organize your station and answer all the athlete's questions they give you a walkie talkie and put you in charge. Made it worth getting up at 4.
And the total bonus was I got to see MommyMeepa obliterate her PR by 30 minutes! She so totally rocked that race, I can't wait to hear how she does at her first Oly next month!
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
We Oughta Be a Case Study or Somethin
First off, in case I haven't said it loud enough for y'all to hear through the window, BIRKENSTOCKS SO TOTALLY CURED MY PLANTAR FASCIITIS!
Kay. On to new business.
Saw the good neurologist Friday. The one we waited for 6 months to get in with. Worth every minute of that wait. LOVE this man. First time we've had an appointment where I felt like the doctor was truly intent on evaluating and diagnosing the problems with my precious Bear.
And boy, oh boy was there some diagnosing going on.
In a nutshell:
1) Sensory Processing Disorder - the one we already knew about, and what brought us to him in the first place
2) Speech and Language Processing Disorder - not exactly a surprise, but still disappointing to hear (but on the bright side, probably improves his chances of getting continued therapy through school district once he ages out of EI)
3) Possibly: Autism... wait and see. There are enough red flags to prevent him from ruling it out altogether (unlike the previous neurologist, who laughed it off). But, he's far from a clear cut case. His social development is delayed and we are under orders to watch it closely. In time, if he catches up socially we're in the clear. If not, doctor will revisit possibility of autism.
4) Possibly: ADHD... wait and see. Too young to rule in or out, and could just be the sensory seeking behaviors that are often dead ringers for ADHD. Doctor and I agree medication is not appropriate for him. Doc said when he's school age, if he really, truly can't function, we can consider meds as a last resort. So, back burner on this one.
5) Possibly: Non Epileptic Seizure Disorder - Bear has little spacey, unresponsive spells. I thought they were infrequent, but now it sounds like I just don't see them as often because he's more independent (i.e. playing in next room) or with another adult. After talking with all his therapists, every single one told me it's something they've noticed and been wanting to discuss with me. But, might not be seizures - because of his sensory disorder, it could be his brain putting him in a self-imposed time out due to sensory overload. EEG scheduled for early June to learn more.
Oh, and he's getting the surgery to put tubes in his ears next Monday.
Aaaaand... oh yeah! Today, my endo declared recent blood test results "Excellent!" My inner overachiever is hoping he puts a gold star on my chart.
With all this, I somehow managed to squeeze in an appointment for my chronically owie shoulder. Doc gave me 3 choices:
1) Ice & ibuprofen & time (because that's worked so well thus far!)
2) PT
3) Cortisone shot
I'd kill for the time (& room in my budget) for more sessions with my awesome PT. But that's just not gonna happen right now. So, I opted for the cortisone shot.
Bear was with me, making things interesting.
I can now say I've taken a 4 inch needle in my right shoulder while wrangling a Bear with my left arm. I is a Mommy ROCK STAR.
My doc (marathon guy) half jokingly suggested I could still do the tri in 3 weeks if I floated on my back and didn't use my right arm to swim. I don't think he'd bat an eye if I actually DID try that. But it doesn't feel like the right thing to do, seeing as how my shoulder's been painful enough to wake me up at night and I'm resorting to giant needles because that's somehow the easy way out. There's still the race in August - that's feels like plenty of time for my shoulder to recover.
And now... I'm off to do Bear's pre-surgical hospital check in call. Good times.
(Oh, and that whole Mean Mr. Meaniehead Husband suggesting my bike speeds weren't legit thing? I. WIN.)
Kay. On to new business.
Saw the good neurologist Friday. The one we waited for 6 months to get in with. Worth every minute of that wait. LOVE this man. First time we've had an appointment where I felt like the doctor was truly intent on evaluating and diagnosing the problems with my precious Bear.
And boy, oh boy was there some diagnosing going on.
In a nutshell:
1) Sensory Processing Disorder - the one we already knew about, and what brought us to him in the first place
2) Speech and Language Processing Disorder - not exactly a surprise, but still disappointing to hear (but on the bright side, probably improves his chances of getting continued therapy through school district once he ages out of EI)
3) Possibly: Autism... wait and see. There are enough red flags to prevent him from ruling it out altogether (unlike the previous neurologist, who laughed it off). But, he's far from a clear cut case. His social development is delayed and we are under orders to watch it closely. In time, if he catches up socially we're in the clear. If not, doctor will revisit possibility of autism.
4) Possibly: ADHD... wait and see. Too young to rule in or out, and could just be the sensory seeking behaviors that are often dead ringers for ADHD. Doctor and I agree medication is not appropriate for him. Doc said when he's school age, if he really, truly can't function, we can consider meds as a last resort. So, back burner on this one.
5) Possibly: Non Epileptic Seizure Disorder - Bear has little spacey, unresponsive spells. I thought they were infrequent, but now it sounds like I just don't see them as often because he's more independent (i.e. playing in next room) or with another adult. After talking with all his therapists, every single one told me it's something they've noticed and been wanting to discuss with me. But, might not be seizures - because of his sensory disorder, it could be his brain putting him in a self-imposed time out due to sensory overload. EEG scheduled for early June to learn more.
Oh, and he's getting the surgery to put tubes in his ears next Monday.
Aaaaand... oh yeah! Today, my endo declared recent blood test results "Excellent!" My inner overachiever is hoping he puts a gold star on my chart.
With all this, I somehow managed to squeeze in an appointment for my chronically owie shoulder. Doc gave me 3 choices:
1) Ice & ibuprofen & time (because that's worked so well thus far!)
2) PT
3) Cortisone shot
I'd kill for the time (& room in my budget) for more sessions with my awesome PT. But that's just not gonna happen right now. So, I opted for the cortisone shot.
Bear was with me, making things interesting.
I can now say I've taken a 4 inch needle in my right shoulder while wrangling a Bear with my left arm. I is a Mommy ROCK STAR.
My doc (marathon guy) half jokingly suggested I could still do the tri in 3 weeks if I floated on my back and didn't use my right arm to swim. I don't think he'd bat an eye if I actually DID try that. But it doesn't feel like the right thing to do, seeing as how my shoulder's been painful enough to wake me up at night and I'm resorting to giant needles because that's somehow the easy way out. There's still the race in August - that's feels like plenty of time for my shoulder to recover.
And now... I'm off to do Bear's pre-surgical hospital check in call. Good times.
(Oh, and that whole Mean Mr. Meaniehead Husband suggesting my bike speeds weren't legit thing? I. WIN.)
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