The Foot: Day Nine

I suppose it's nice to finally have something interesting to blog about... assuming my audience wasn't interested in hearing about my online scrabble escapades, preschool stories or trips to Target.

So here is the lowdown; I have broken the foot... in two spots... the Distal Tibia and the 2nd Metatarsal. These images aren't of my actual x-rays... but they are pretty close to what I saw today. Perhaps I can get a hold of the films when they are done with them so I can use them for scrapping... or to decorate my windows next Halloween.

The VERY good news is; no surgery. Awesome! The bad news is; I am in a cast for 6 weeks... at least. And then a soft boot for a few more weeks. NO weight bearing, which is practically impossible for a girl with no upper body strength. No driving for at least 8 weeks. Whatever.

subtle no?

Thank goodness I have such an amazing husband... in so many ways; making dinner, fetching me things, helping get Andy ready in the morning. He even has a feta and spinach casserole in the fridge as we speak for tomorrow... he's practically a show off!

The child on the other hand is really going through some "stuff". I think this is just a lot for him to handle. Suddenly he has been asked to step up to the plate, which he is clearly irritated by.

So *that* is the dealio. I will be sitting here on my couch a lot, and I hope to get some crafting in... and some more blogging. Tomorrow I may bust out the Knifty Knitter.

Craft Critique on the other hand is going gangbusters! I have been meeting some amazing people to network and cross promote with. It's been fun and exciting, and the new things we have coming up over there really have my mojo inspired!

Thank you ALL for your well wishes; via tweet, Facebook, and email... or the comments you have left here. Allthough I haven't met many of you I feel like you are truly my friends. Hearing you share your stories of coping with injury is very inspirational to me. I feel so connected to you all!

Foot Update; Day Three

So it is day three of the injury, and the foot is still swelling. The bruises are moving around in all sorts of colorful and exciting ways. The soft boot I have to wear and the crutches are making it easier for me to get around the house. I unfortunately have to take codeine for the pain... but I am taking Advil first... and only take the codeine secondary.

It's much more painful at this point than I anticipated. Using the crutches is a whole body experience, working muscles I didn't know I had, causing me to be exhausted at the end of the day.

The depression is already creeping up on me. Last spring was consumed by my mom's illness; no gardening, no vacations, stuck inside... etc. After our particularly cold and snowy winter I am already feeling stir crazy, so I am not looking forward to a possible 3 months of no driving or walking.

Tomorrow I have my CT scan and my MRI... and Wednesday I will follow up with the doctor to get the results. Meanwhile, my wonderful husband is taking care of me. Even my 4 year old has really stepped up to the plate; fetching things for mommy and be very careful not to jump on me directly.

I would like to say I will wait until the results of the CT scan are in before I start to freak out.... but I am starting to freak, a little bit. I am not a very patient person, nor am I good at loosing my independence. Time will tell!

Falling

It's true... I fall a lot. About once a year I have a fall that either forces me to the doctor or to consume mega doses of Advil. Some may call it clumsy, but the medical term is dyspraxia. Now I have never been officially diagnosed dyspraxic, but when you've been to the ER as much as I have you can legally call yourself a Doctor.

Last night I was bounding down the stairs, skipping really, filled with glee brought on by scoring 100% singing "Eye of the Tiger" on Rock Band. Maybe I was drunk with success; maybe I was high on Japanese candy and baked brie (a typical midnight snack). Either way the distractions caused me to miss the last step on a flight of stairs.

Lucky for me my husband heard my wails and rushed to my aide. Lucky for me the crunching sound I heard wasn't my ankle snapping directly in two as I predicted before I looked down at my foot. Lucky for me I have a husband, I don't work outside the home and my son is able to walk. Lucky, lucky, lucky...

So as it turns out I have what's called a Lisfranc injury... this is apparently the sort of thing people get when they survive a 2 story fall or a plane crash. Saturday I will have an MRI and CT scan to determine the extent of the damage. Please hope along with me that surgery isn't the prescription.

This is also of course my RIGHT foot. So I can’t drive. Greater that the fear of surgery is the concern that I will not be able to go to Target alone for a very long time. I like going to Target… and I like going there without husband and child.

My new slogan; “it is what it is”… I have said it about a hundred times today. I am still looking for the sliver lining in this cloud. Maybe I will get some reading done, pick up my knitting again or start blogging more.

All Bloggy Women

You should all READ THIS.

And watch this...



Thanks.

Are You on Facebook?

If not... what are you waiting for... a written invitation? Well, here it is!

Find me HERE.

Find Craft Critique HERE.

Got Pride?

Happy Pride week everyone! I spent this Sunday at the Gay Pride Parade in Chicago with my Brother and some friends... what a mad-house! The weather was beautiful except for a couple quick downpours that served to thin out the crowds a little bit.

Pride was great for people watching and I was able to play photographer and got some amazing shots. Here are a few of my favorites... but check back in a couple days to my Flickr, I will upload the rest there ASAP!

I am Coming Back!

Slowly but surely... I have been playing with Scrapblog... and so should you! Here is one of my first digi layouts... Don't be scared... it's not a movie really... cause it's just one page long. To be honest, I am still figuring things out there.

Learn along with me!



Stay tuned for more!

I live!

Sorry everyone... I know I have been absent from my blog. I just wanted to pop in and say that I am okay, I just have some personal extended family stuff going on.

I have actually taken some formal personal time from my Design Team duties. I do have some amazing projects to share soon... some things I created a few weeks back. I will also be back soon with card challenges again... I guess we will have to play catch up with the 52 cards a year challenge!

Also, thanks to all of you for your kind emails and cards!

Groundhog's Day!

Here in America (and in Canada) we have a weird tradition... It's called Groundhog's Day. Once a year... on February 2nd, Punxsutawney Phil pops out of his hole and predicts the weather. If he sees his shadow then we will have 6 more weeks of winter.


Of course we WILL have 6 more weeks of winter... good thing I am going to California.

What weird holidays do you celebrate in your country?

Paper Heart Chain... Snow... and Potty Training...

Just a quick little Valentine's Day craft. This literally took me 10 minutes to make.

Just cut a double sided patterned paper into 1" strips, fold in 1/2 and then use sticky strip to adhere at the top/center of the heart. Make sure you use a thicker paper so the hearts hold their shape... and a very strong adhesive.


It's snowing again in NW Illinois... last weekend I actually went sledding... and I lived to tell the tale! Here are some pics to make you warm-climate-types a little more grateful...

Got snow?


My niece... adorable...


My son... trowing a snowball at mom...



Potty training is NOT going well. We were starting to feel like we were scarring Andy for life and causing all sorts of Freudian trauma... so we are taking a break. Everyone is much happier.

Andy; stressed out (and cute) from potty training...

Why I Rock...

Because I made my own blog banner... that' s why! Check it out!

Don't ask me HOW I did it... I really have no idea.

Christmas Q and A

I saw this on someone else's blog and thought it was fun...

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I aim to use wrapping paper, but every year I end up using gift bags at the last minute!

2. Real tree or artificial? Artificial. We have a cat... I can just see her drinking the water out of the tree stand... ick!

3. When do you put up the tree? I still have time right?

4. When do you take the tree down? Before Valentine's Day! :)

6. Favorite gift received as a child? A pink, retroish Boom-Box... it was a cassette player... pre-CD players... Yes, I am that old.

7. Do you have a Nativity scene? Yes... I am not at all a religious person... but I think it's important for my son to be educated about all the major religions. So yes, I have a Fisher Price nativity set. I also have a menorah.

8. Hardest person to buy for? This year... maybe my husband, because he wants NOTHING.

9. Easiest person to buy for? My son... I have to restrain myself at this point to stop buying.

10. Worst Christmas Gift you ever received? My sister once gave me stretch-mark cream... and she was so miffed when I didn't get excited about it that she took it back!

11. Mail or email Christmas cards? oh... I want to say mail... I don't think you can email a Christmas card. What would Emily Post say? But I doubt I will get cards out in time! I think this year I might be mailing Valentines instead.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? It's a Wonderful Life... or A Christmas Story.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? In October.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? If by "recycled" you mean "re-gifted"... Heck ya!

15. Favorite things to eat at Christmas? As far as sweets go; my grandma's Melt-a-way Cookies. As far as savory foods go;Prime Rib with yorkshire pudding please.

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Tiny colored balls.

17. Favorite Christmas song or album? "A Christmas Gift For You from Phil Spector". It's so great... Darlene Love, The Ronettes, The Crystals; what's not to love. (besides Phil Spector being so creepy nowadays!)

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay HOME.

19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer? Do I really need to prove it? Ok, fine... Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen... and Rudolph... and Olive.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? An pretty hand crafted angel my mother gave me.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Morning. How can you open gifts before Santa comes?

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? I don't know... I love it all!

23. What is the “silliest” family tradition you do, or miss doing? My husband's family has the "Christmas Eve Gift". It started when my husband and sister-in-law were kids... the first kid to be the first on Christmas Eve (12:01 AM on 12/24) to shout "Christmas Eve Gift!" would get a special gift; usually something silly. Now we actually call my in-laws to try to win!

24. Ugliest Christmas Decoration ever invented? I refuse to answer, as it's likely that I own and display some of the ugliest decorations ever invented.

25. Which looks best, theme trees or homey trees? I have a homey tree... but a theme tree can be cool too.

26. Gingerbread or sugar cookies? Sugar... with royal icing.

Oy Vey!

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I had a little accident over here... I thought I'd share my tail of woe... Apparently when you turn 35 you slowly start to fall apart.

On Tuesday I had some minor back pain in the morning... and by 7PM I was literally unable to move without assistance. I was able to get into the doctor the following day... walking in like a 90 year old woman. To add to my worries I was hosting Thanksgiving... and had 10 people coming a huge meal to prep and a house to clean!

It turns out that the problem is likely muscular which I suppose is better than the alternatives... I swear I have not had so much pain outside of childbirth! So I am taking some muscle relaxers and prednisone now... I feel a lot better... the pain comes and goes, but at least I can walk now without help and my back isn't spasming.

Luckily for me I have an amazing husband and a wonderful family. Everyone rallied and helped cook... I basically sat and directed all my wonderful soux chefs! Dinner was delicious and a great time was had by all...

I certainly have a lot to be Thankful for!

Hooray!

So I have a new love, and some big news! Kitchen Sink Stamps popped onto the scene not too long ago... and I immediately thought... "Yup, these are the images that will force me into the world of clear stamps". And I will be honest... I wasn't eager to go there. Like many devoted to rubber, I never felt that acrylic made a crisp enough image. In fact, as a Stampin' Up! demo, we are practically trained to dislike the clear stamp.

And then there was the Kitchen Sink... These images are so different from anything I've seen before... ok, I have have to stop myself here, before I go on and on gushing about them. I am actually writing about Kitchen Sink Stamps for Craft Critique tomorrow. I would hate to run out of material! But let me say this; I love these stamps! The quality is awesome, and they produce a wonderful image! Be sure to check out Craft Critique tomorrow morning (or really late tonight) to read more.

Anywhoo... I will cut to the chase; I was sellected to be on the new design team "the Kitchen Sink Crew"! Take a look HERE to see who else is on the team. It's a great mix of artists. A very eclectic and talented mix. Stay tuned for some new stampy art!

Please Don't Leave Me!

I know... I know... I haven't posted in almost a week... plus; several of you have won prizes and are thinking... "what the hull, where's my damn prize lady!?" and I know... I know... I need to send them. I feel terrible... really.

I have been really battling allergies and illness lately... It seems like I have only had time lately to do the things I HAVE to do... not the things I WANT to do. Plus... let me tell you, World Card Making Day just about did me in! Why did I volunteer to do a challenge at midnight?

Anywhoo... You deserve SOMETHING for all your trouble right? So here is a card for ya... and please trust that I am working on SO MANY THINGS... some day I will be back "in form" and posting more regularly... but health and sleep is mucho important!

Oh... and just in case you missed it... look at this article I did for Craft Critique on Martha Stewart Crafts Tissue Paper... it's my new favorite thing. (Thanks Martha!)

Ok... so I am in lub with this new product (new to me at least) it's by 7 Gypsies... they are adhesive rub ins... called Texture Rubbing sheets.... and the corresponding product is Velvet Rubbing Sheets. You can see the full line HERE. You just rub on the adhesive like a regular ole' rub-on... and then put the velvet (or foil) sheet over the adhesive and rub that to adhere... SO MUCH better than flocking powder... but a bit limiting in comparison I suppose... but the designs they have are pretty cool.


The "happy" phrase is done with American Crafts Rub on's... and the scallop was punched from flocked paper I have had forever... sorry I don't know who makes it. Card base is Kraft paper by Stampin' Up! Notice... no stamping! Horrors!

New Blog Banner... and other stuff I need to do

Getting a new blog banner has been on my list of to-do items... I am still not fully satisfied with it, but I was like the last person on earth to have banner period... so now I have a "sort of" cool banner. Whatever... it's better than nothing.

Also on my to do list...

• Acknowledge all the lovely people who have tagged me receintly. It's not that I am some sort of tagging snob or something... I just can't keep up. Please forgive me!
  
• Send a bunch of cards in for publication.
• Get some stuff up on Ebay.
• Make kitchen curtains.
• Buy fabric for kitchen curtains.
  
• Buy shelves from Ikea and reorganize my studio.
• Talk to you about Angelic Organics... the organic farm we bought a share in... yum!
  
• Figure out which justjohanna cards I can post for you.
• Post a bunch of stuff on Splitcost and ScrapTV.
• Finish organizing my San Fran pics and show them to you.
• Set up a paid Flickr account so I have more space and can sort things into albums.
  
• Clean my house (aren't I funny!)
• Add a ton of people to my blogroll.... again... SORRY! I am so bad about that!
  
• Celebrate my one year anniversary blogging (yay!)
• Do some sort of cool fundraising blog giveaway thingy.
  

If this isn't enough reason for you to stay tuned... you are just too hard to please! :)


Ok... twist my arm... here are some fun San Fran Images for ya! Click on them to enlarge.

Giant sexy legs on Haight Street!

I have no idea what The Owl Tree sells... this was a "drive by" picture snapping!

Doesn't this sign make laundry look fun!

Really yummy Mexican Restaurant... REALLY yummy (the new blog banner was shot in their bathroom by the way!) The place was FILLED with awesome art and amazing copper walls which for some reason I didn't snap a picture of.

No I didn't get a tattoo/piercing here... but It's a cool building right?

What a great name for a donut shop! Unfortunately the sign/name was better looking than the donuts.

As if you needed another reason to love the Japanese... three cheers for food that eats itself! (Bottom picture... second square down on the left side.) Pictures taken in Japantown... my favorite place in all of San Francisco!

Great Band Names

Ya know when you get that random thought... "that'd be a great band name!" Well, like you, I get tons of spam email... and they often start with those weird nonsensical sentences structured to trick your spam filters right? Well hidden in those wack-o phrases are cool band names. Feel free to use the following... these would probably also make good poetry prompts, song, film or album titles as well. Do with them what you please.

Poll Module for Serendipity
Last Child in the Woods
Superweeds Damage
Feedback Mapbirds (my favorite)
Information or Dead
Unibus Baggage
The Simplification Trick
Dragon Screamer
Shift Biz
For None Venture
Megatown Backsplash
A Clock in Your Pocket
Typewriter Plush
Justin Long Glibly
Cablecar Media
Blaster Gallery
Insane Report
All my Pretty Chickens
From the Crowns of Stems

What I Would Look Like If I Was On South Park

I have always been a fan of South Park... but since we have a two year old in our home our adult TV time is pretty limited... but I just started to Tivo it and watch late at night... and I am loving it. So insane and offensive... but I can't help but laugh. If I was a South Park character this is what I would look like.

If you want to make your own South Park YOU... looksee HERE. Fun stuff!

By the way... since I have family in from out of town and a three year old with a B-day (plus my anniversary and hubby's b-day this week!) I will post the winners for my little contest on Thurday. And stay tuned for a HUGE fund-raiser-contest-giveaway... I can't wait!

Top Chef

Among my TV addictions is Bravo's Top Chef. I have been a devoted watcher since Season One. I was so pleasantly surprised to note that THIS season one of my old High School pals is a contestant!

Cutie pie Dale Levitski is doing OK so far! He was in the bottom 3 in the first episode but in the second he wasn't even noted on the radar... which is probably a good thing. It is a bit unnerving seeing someone you know on a reality show. You hear how things can get so twisted on these shows and how people can often be portrayed wrongly. I really hope Dale keeps it positive and does well.

He is so different from how I remember him! All buff and sporting a mohawk! Of course the last time I saw him was 1990. and we were both 17! Both my hubby and I remember him fondly; he was always a great guy and I have pleasant memories of him from High School. Good Luck Dale, I am so proud of you and Rick and I can't wait to go to your first Restaurant when you open it!

You can read all about Dale HERE.

Help Me Out and Win Something!

This is for all the local stampers... I am trying to compile a list of all the best stamping stores in the Chicagoland area... so let's say no more than 50 miles from Chicago. Just list 'em here and include a website link if you know of one.

For helping me out I will select three winners to receive a free stampy gift from me!

Thanks!

Edited to add: I will keep this contest open until 6/22. Did I miss any great stores?

Stamping or scrapping... I want paper too! :)