Broken Ankle Diaries.....

I'm not sure dear readers want to know how I am passing my time, however this is the way I communicate.  I don't post on Facebook or Instagram multiple snapshots or sentiments, instead I save it for the blog!  I tend to like to blog when I'm happy and I can genuinely say I've been very happy this weekend.  The "re-boot" pun intended has given me a chance to:

-see movies!  A Dog's Purpose and La-La Land.  The handicap accessible theater and reclining chairs are a great way to relax and rest.  Thanks to friends for driving and sharing time like this!

-get Shutterfly projects done! The kids' India books are on ordered.  I love that Clare requested the same documentation from the Africa trip. It was fun having Joe proof it and relive our very special trip to India.  My Mom's Christmas gift- Shutterfly Calendar- is on its way!  Technical difficulties played a role in the delay and I'm happy to report photos were accessible (most of them) and I was able to take a walk down 2016 memory lane go produce this valued gift.

-get the blog published.  Blog2print allows me to move these ramblings and photos to print!  2016 is on its way to me.  I don't do a good job of journaling and I'm not sure they'll ever be read but maybe a great granddaughter someday will be grateful I took the time to produce a hard copy of the chronicled life on Newark-Granville Road.

-enjoyed breakfast with friends.  A real breakfast with delicious fruit, eggs with vegetable, crisp bacon, toast and then breakfast dessert- coffee cake from scratch made-up recipe.... yes it was that good and quite a delight.  Of course, girl time catch-up and some puppy dog licks helped my spirits soar.

-filling the refrigerator with homemade yummies! Family dinner with delivered meals, time around the table with food made and delivered with love and care. We're all sooooo grateful, so grateful.

-enjoyed time to give thanks to God and be with my church family.  FPC is very special and our annual meeting was something I didn't want to miss for many reasons.

-work planning executed!! YES!  I made it to work on Friday and was able to cross a few things off the list and work with dear colleagues to move us forward for important February meeting.  I've relaxed and enjoyed the weekend all the more and look forward to more work on Monday and Tuesday.  If surgery happens this week I'll be ready mentally.

-resting.  I type from the couch. I'm listening to my body and fascinated by what hurts when. How maneuvering in certain ways allows things to happen and not happen.  Resting when tired and pacing myself for the activities mentioned.

-watching tennis took me back to the last break.  The left ankle was broken in the summer, memorial day weekend and I sat and watched tennis as we do at "the lake".  Watching the Federer match today was a treat and something I don't believe would of happened without the boot.

I'm sorry not to have seen any of the kids' basketball this weekend. I'm checking in on social media and very aware of what I've missed and meant to attend.  However, the weekend with the boot in my life on Newark-Granville Road has provided unexpected and unplanned happiness.

***Note all of this made possible by the arrival and use of the knee scooter! WOW what a difference it makes.  The memory of the uncomfortable, physical wear of crutches the last go around really made me pause about venturing out.  The scooter is fun and freeing.  I know I need to be careful.  The person who loaned to me gave accurate advice: two hands, go slow, uneven pavement can be scary!  

And.....Joe, the kids, and friends who help me maneuver the steps with the crutches are also key to my freedom.  Sally is my bonus helper with dressing and putting things out the night before.  Showers continue to delight.  More later when we create the plan post MRI!!  I type with gratitude for the drop-offs, stop-bys, ventures, texts, offers to help....this will go on for quite some time and I will accept the help.

new view at work- 1st floor office for now!

scooter has basket!

tennis is great entertainment!

views from the couch.....

I really can't remember the last time I "relaxed" like this.  Sad that it takes a physical injury.  Don't get me wrong- I've relaxed and watched movies, curled up and finished a good book...I do take time for myself.  But yes, I keep moving and fill my days. So the la st day I was home all day....well it has been a long time. We all know I keep work as a focus- always have and always will.  Even when not "working" my volunteer activities get and keep my attention.  Here are the things that have just delighted me this week.


The shower!  Yes, two plus plus days after the fall and I needed it! As soon as the warm water hit my face ahhhhhhh.  We put an icky plastic chair in the tub- Joe did.  I sat on hand towels and made it all work. I even dried my hair a bit standing on one leg- core work!  A real shower chair will be delivered today. We're borrowing the same one we did last broken ankle. I'm grateful.


The check-ins, offers of food, deliveries to help me keep my spirits up.  It is working.  I do have sad moments. I didn't want this. The crutches hurt. It is very very awkward to get around...but staying in one place for hours on end is awkward and uncomfortable as well!  Just when I'm a bit blue- a text arrives.  I'm only eating when hungry so was off schedule- that little taste of chunky monkey last night when the kids came home was perfect! And then....our own Afterwork with Denison last night- so sweet and just what I needed.  Thanks Mark Sanor and Joe Leithauser for the toast in our living room.


The work!  Yesterday the work computer and my desk piles made it directly to my life on Newark-Granville Road.  I'm crossing a few things off the to-do list and organizing to be off next week with surgery. (Most likely not 100 percent but that is the plan for now)  I'm lucky to have work that means a great deal to me and have a team of people to help my responsibilities move forward.


Netflix, Amazon Prime- Man in the High Castle is good, very good. Although a bit depressing and scary to consider.  This is Us is fantastic.  I appreciate the various recommendations that are making their way to me.  The book club book will make its way to me soon and I am excited for weekend reading!


I'll stop for now...more I could comment on in my life in this state....the box elder bugs that seem to be taking the place of the stink bugs and the Japanese beetles....they come and go with the sun in the window frames.  The Dog's reaction- he did not like the flower delivery guy- yikes.  He loved the cleaning help that arrived....very interesting.


If something like this has to happen, I am very aware- Granville, Ohio is indeed a special place to heal, recover and actually sit and watch go by as I am in my life on Newark-Granville Road!

New view at work- borrowing a 1st floor office!

Scooter has a basket!

 

Bringing Balance, the other shoe dropped....

...what clever titles to share the latest news in my world?  I broke my ankle tripping on steps, darn pointy heeled shoes that caught and sent me flying.  Darling little heels, the fall sent my toes back and my body forward and OW!  It hurt immediately and colleagues came to my rescue.  I took my first ride in an ambulance. Of course I wanted to be brave and go by car to the urgent care. But it really hurt and I appreciated the quick response from Granville EMTs.  As soon as the air splint went on it felt better.  I share this to hopefully help someone in the future.




I sit now on the couch in my living room on Newark-Granville Road.  We're following doctors orders and I'm elevating to alleviate swelling and making plans to make decisions on how it will heel best. I have my boot, crutches, walker and appreciate the advice and care that surround me.  I think we'll do the knee cart this go-around!  I'm going to work from home and look forward to making it back to the office ASAP!  I am sorry not to be traveling today- After Work with Denison....Everywhere...I'm not sure I have ever missed one.   My pain is managed, Tylenol does the trick, so I can join the toast to our alma mater via the social media connection.




It is always hard to share not good news about yourself.  It is hard to accept help.  It is hard to sit at home and let the world go by.  I have a good book and a long list of Netflix/ Amazon Primes to watch.  I know I need to think about my bone strength and focus on my health.  Life on Newark-Granville Road is all about this reminder.  I know it could of been much worse- it could of happened later in the day and then who would of come to my rescue? Eek. I could of hit my head, landed on my shoulder, really hurt both feet- eek!  I'm not pleased but I'll accept this fate and keep you posted as I recover and heal to be back in heels but taking the stairs a bit more slowly.

Love and tolerance....quote for the week.....

Love is the total absence of fear; Love asks no questions. Its natural state is one of extension and expansion, not comparison and measurement.  – Gerald Jampolsky

This quote landed on my desk on the right week.  Technically it should of landed there on Monday, January 16, 2017- MLK Day.  However, Denison celebrates MLK day next week (1^st day of classes need to have classes to encourage students’ return to our fair college on the hill) and so it is appropriate this quote arrived the day after and I’ll keep it for the week.

Yes, Dr. Jampolsky is right-Love is the absence of fear and fear is what is plaguing our world right now.  And FDR was correct, it is fear we should fear. Putting our energy to fear isn’t productive. When we love, we move forward, we grow, we blossom- as the quote says we expand and extend!

Life on Newark-Granville Road has had me back on the mat at yoga and this sentiment on love aligns with so much of what draws me back again and again to yoga. I’m loving myself and the good in the world. I’m trying to share this love with my family and friends.  Dear readers, love yourself and love the world and others freely so you may grow and expand.  In honor of MLK week on Newark-Granville Road here is a quote on love from Martin Luther King, Jr. himself….

I have decided to stick to love...Hate is too great a burden to bear. - Martin Luther King Jr., A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches

A Driving We Will Go!

A driving she will go, A driving she will go, high-ho, the Clare-e-o, a Driving she will go!  Yes Clare passed her driving exam and has her drivers license!  The plan in her head was to secure it in October when she turned sixteen, but that wasn't in the cards.  She was not ready.  She needed more time and practice. Even Mother Nature knew and her December exam had to be scheduled for January. That gave "us" more time.

I posted the photo on Facebook as...happiness is....and I was indeed happy on Saturday.  We spent well over an hour practicing her maneuverability.  There were a number of hours like that- Clare going over and over the required movements. Me on my phone answering questions, offering encouraging comments.  It was during the practise in December when Joe called to say her exam was cancelled due to the weather.  There were also stressed filled drives with my not so encouraging comments I'm afraid. I'm grateful Joe was the one that coached her with queues that finally clicked and she had her process that worked- she just needed confidence. She scored a perfect score on that part of the test.  I'm grateful for the friends with cones and poles to make practice for these past two months possible. I'm grateful for Clare for embracing the time with her parents to practice. I'm proud of Clare's learning, organization, resilience these past few months.  The garage door is now replaced and there was a scary near miss- I pray these lessons stay with her.  I'm grateful for Randy's coaching not only of Clare but of us parents at the Pataskala Driving School.

This is a special moment in time and I am grateful to all the Facebook likes, texts, family, colleagues and friends that shared this milestone, sent well wishes and congratulations, and listened to me rattle on and those reading now.  I love how these past weeks have dusted off my own memories of learning to drive with my parents, the Drivers Ed videos...I am very leery of following too close behind a tractor-trailer. My early adventures out and about in Franny Annie the stationwagon!

It has been fun watching Clare engage with her siblings on this topic.  She likes having Peter with her which pleases me so much.  Sally is working through it and rolling with her new shuttle driver-giving advice all along the way.  A new phase, a new chapter and the opportunity to get to know our children in new ways.  Or the old is new again may be more appropriate.

Life on Newark-Granville Road now has three drivers and three working cars.  Clare doesn't get a car but shares and coordinates with us on what car to take.  They're old, safe and fun to drive in their own ways.  They have some scratches and dings but they make us all happy to go a driving, and yes a driving we will go!

 


Behind the scenes of these pics......she had me keep the wreath on the car- it helped her align properly on the maneuverability test.  The test examiner liked Gretel (car) uniwiper.  She didn't even consider what she'd be wearing for the photo- no make up, no earrings, just Clare as Clare.  I'm glad to have captured this special moment and have shared it with her.

A light still shines....

The Memorial Service for Sue Murdock was something I won't soon forget.  I shed quite a few tears and many of them happy.  Happy tears at a memorial service, really?  Yes, the service did exactly as it was intended- we celebrated an incredible life that touched so many, inspired so many and carries on in so many ways.  Sue's life and the music shared on Saturday was indeed something to celebrate and for which to be happy.  And yes appropriate to shed a tear- tears of sadness as she will be so dearly missed.  But tears of joy and gratitude for her amazing light that shined and shines on in so many ways.

All of the students that united to sing with the choir, students that sang with Sue and the music passed down and around to those of us here now.  "I sing because I'm happy" will stay with me.  When I saw an alumnus of the choir leaving rehearsal I remarked to Peter- how nice that Zach is back.  Peter said- oh Mom, he's singing a solo and you're going to need tissues.  When he left the car I picked up a familiar tune but didn't put two and two together.  Peter's whistling Steel Away touched my heart.  As did hearing in person Cohen's Hallelujah on the piano by Ryan Black and hearing Larry introduce the duet.  I cried when I watched the video on Facebook, however felt the joy of a life all the deeper in Swasey Chapel.  Even Sally talked about the beautiful music and how she loved being part of the big big choir of all ages.

Funerals are for the living. Sue lived an incredible life and those that pulled Saturday's service together did so very well for so many.  I hope their memories, the music and the light of that will carry on into so many lives including mine on Newark-Granville Road will comfort them.

Relaxing into the New Year.....

We left Newark-Granville Road to celebrate the end of 2016 and welcome 2017.  We had the good fortune to be hosted by dear family at their lakehouse at Apple Valley.  It has become some what of a tradition and we were grateful to the repeat occasion and timing.  Here is what made the day so nice for me and why...and some details if you are interested.

I slept in- actually slept in...ahhhhh and the way my sister-in-law rousted the troops....with monkey bread warm from the oven waiting to greet us!   Want a receipe- here you go.....http://selfproclaimedfoodie.com/grannys-monkey-bread/

We took a hike to the waterfall.  A beautiful hike 1 mile to the destination and 1 mile back.  We traversed field and forest (pine stands) and soaked in the sunshine and fresh air.  The water fall's sound is so soothing. The kids all love this hike.  They climb, explore and found a new way from the river over the "mountain"- I'm not sure it is a hill, maybe a bluff?  We all returned hungry and ready to dig into the traditional meal for New Year's Day.  Want to find the waterfall and follow our footsteps- visit: http://knoxcountyparks.org/parks/honey-run-waterfall/  Note you can drive to the falls, we suggest going to the parking lot off 62 to the Honey Run Highlands and hike down to the falls- you won't be sorry.

We enjoyed our New Year's traditionl food and so much more!  Ann and Scott are fantastic hosts for many reasons and one is the way they spoil us all with plenty of great food.  My kids love the pepperoni rolls and this trip voted the pepper sausage appetizer with chedder cheese a must have again item.  I contributed with pickled herring, black eyed pea dip and brats with saurkraut- all to ensure good luck for the new year.   Here is the scoop on why pork and sauerkraut and yes a bit of my ancestry- Pennsylvania dutch!  https://billypenn.com/2015/12/31/pork-and-sauerkraut-on-new-years-day-why-the-pa-dutch-believe-its-your-luckiest-meal-of-the-year/

Here is my blog post about the brats on Licking County Eats:  http://lickingeats.com/letseat/24-products/71-new-year-s-luck-on-a-bun

Another highlight of the day was curling up a with a good book, not just a good book, a fabulous book. A book that will stay with me, a book I'll recommend for my book club next year and I'm grateful to the other book club for leading me to Brian Doyle's Martin Marten!  The writing, the story, the characters, the place....the place...I loved being transported to the mountain in Oregon. I loved being in a world with animal's perspectives given voice.  Since there were no bowl games on New Years Day, I declared it reading day and what a good day to read it was!  I found a comfy chair looking over the lake and lost myself in this beautiful book.  Want to visit Apple Valley and see the views- http://www.applevalleypoa.com

We made our way home and finished the day of relaxation with a movie. A movie I've wanted to see for some time and voila it became available over the holiday break!  I worked on Monday so this was a lovely wrap-up event for me.   We curled up on the couch and tuned into "Sully" with Tom Hanks.  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3263904/ It wasn't quite what I expected but I enjoyed it very much.  It left me grateful for the stringent safety requirements in the world of aviation.  Tom Hanks is one of my favorite favorite actors of all times and once again he did not disappoint.

Back to work this week and back to routine feels good.  No doubt the great day to relax and lose myself with my family in beautiful places with great entertainment helped send me in to 2017!  If you find yourself connecting with these links, places, media please share with me your thoughts. Life on Newark-Granville Road is all the better when shared.