Archive of Marcia's Musings May 13-19, 2002Sunday, May 19, 2002
I debated about putting this post up because it is somewhat negative but then, I ask that you allow me the indulgence that I need in order to vent these emotions. Today, I was once again exposed to something that I really dislike: hypocrisy in religion. Beside the fact that I could never find a religion that didn't seem like it was constantly in a state of ignorance about its beliefs, I quit attending a "church" because of all of the hypocrisy within the buildings. I couldn't stand watching people talk out of one side of their mouths and act out of the other. I know it is not for me to judge but I've seen far too much hypocrisy and people who consider themselves to be "Christian" but fail to act like it in their own lives. The worst part is when these people are set up as examples by someone as behaving in a Christ-like fashion when they really and truly are not.
I am witness, by long distance, to the emotional abuse of someone who is one of the best people I've ever known in my life. This person has a gentle spirit who has guided many people toward a new Light in their lives. Right now, she is shielding her spirit, as a means of protecting herself, because there are those who call themselves "Christian" that think they are better than her. It is not for me to pass judgment but, if this is "The Church", in whatever religious forum that takes, I want none of it.
Each day and night and several times in between I say a prayer for this person to get the strength that she needs to survive the circumstances under which she must live on a daily basis. I know she will survive and come out a better person at the end of it all and, I hope, that I will not become even more embittered by the behavior of those who would see her will and spirit broken. As I've explained to you before, I believe that there is a God that watches over us-- He is watching over her.
Please say a prayer for her to gain healing and strength.
Thanks for letting me spout off and have a nice night.
Saturday, May 18, 2002The Usual
Just an ordinary Saturday for us: nail fill and 100th birthday party... ho-hum!! Uncle (or Colonel) Mike turned 100 and was quite spry for his birthday speech. He was actually getting around with his walker/chair better than I was with my crutches! It was good to see many of the relatives at the party and, much to my surprise, I found out that we have several second cousins that are living in Maryland, a couple in D.C. and a couple in Delaware! I was really surprised at that-- we promised phone numbers and addresses by email when we're settled so we'll make a point of getting together.
Of course my in-laws were there and we got to see some of Brian's cousins, too. We also got to see Brian's aunt, Trish, today-- I don't think we've seen her since Thanksgiving which is far too long again. She promises to come visit us when we're in Maryland and I plan to hold her to it!!
Other than that, however, after a nap upon our return home, I've been doing icing and elevation and exercise. Same ol', same ol' . . .
One Nation
While its a little cornball to "recommend" a Time-Life book, there's a Time-Life book that you need to get a chance to read and review the pictures: "One Nation" 9/11 is a day that we will never forget but reading this book has made me feel a bit of closure. Excellent photography and personal stories of heroism and trials and tribulations. Good read and highly recommended.
Thanks for coming by anyway and have a nice evening!
Friday, May 17, 2002No Speed Demon Here . . .
. . . but I am able to bicycle again!! Yeah!!!! I was just telling Lynne Walder the other day that since I can't ride bike, all I want to do is ride bike. That's why when the therapist told me that I would be riding bicycle as part of my therapy, I got six kindsa excited going!! In addition to toughening up three of the six exercises that I was doing so that they presented more of a challenge and thus, created more strength and range of motion in my knee, the therapist added ten minutes of bicycling to my regimen. Talk about happy!! I did all of my exercises tonight, after work, and then went and bicycled for ten minutes-- yes, it is only ten minutes but that is more than I've been able to do for quite some time!!
This, by the way, is another thing that she was surprised at my being able to do yesterday: she had originally had me climb on the bike to "rock" my feet back and forth but while she was explaining how to do that, I went around instead. Whoops! She looked at me in amazement and asked if it hurt-- well, only the part where my stitches are and the muscle that's not used to working underneath. Dah!! Ya know: I just had surgery so it does hurt a little bit but, apparently, not nearly as much as she expected it to hurt.
The swelling has gone down tremendously since Thursday morning. Part of the reason for that is that the therapist put electro-stimulation with ice on it yesterday for 20 minutes-- felt great!! The lateral retinacular release is the part that is the most swollen now but the rest of my knee is almost normal!! I'm keeping ice on it-- about 20 minutes out of every hour-- which also helps.
The biggest problem that I'm having is the tiredness that I wake up with in the morning but, I've figured out why: I am pushing the same hours as before my surgery, not taking into consideration that I'm walking with one or more crutches which is a lot of work and I'm doing strenuous exercises for a surgerized knee and I've got a surgical area that is trying to heal which is a huge process that my body is dealing with all over. This weekend, I'm going to rest and sleep as much as I can as a result-- okay, that's a little limited since we have to go to a 100th Birthday Party tomorrow-- still, as much as I can, I'm going to rest. Like that's hard for me to do on a weekend, eh?
[By the way, Brian tells me that the 106 and 140 I mentioned in my post last night are degrees-- I wasn't a geometry student in high school or college! My numbers were good for just having had that surgery so that's all that mattered to me!! ;>) ]
Anyway, I'm back to my chair and the ice pack for the night-- have a good evening!
Thursday, May 16, 2002So Many Options
Ya'll know how I like to use titles in my posts, right? Well, tonight I could have a bunch: "Your Mileage May Vary", "Increased Mobility", or "One Crutch".
"Your Mileage May Vary": My session at the physical therapist went well-- very well, in fact. Looking at my knee, she told me that I was doing well considering how many procedures had been done on my knee and that it was only last week. My range of motion on my right knee is 140 (140 of what, I have no idea but...) and my left knee is 106. Her comment on that was that most people come in with 70 or 80 after this soon after surgery. By the way, she (Kristin) was a very pleasant person who was extremely surprised (in facial expressions in addition to comments) of how well I was doing.
"Increased Mobility": My knee, even after physical therapy, isn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. I'm not in that much pain and I'm actually less swollen now than I was before I walked into their office. Kristin (the therapist) pulled my left leg over my right leg (with me on my right side) and expected me to cry out in pain. Since I'd been doing a standing version of the same exercise, I didn't even scrunch up my face-- not even a little bit. She kept re-arranging herself and me to see how far she could stretch my leg!! Yes, she was very surprised!
"One Crutch": First, Kristin didn't like my crutches because she said that they were too tall-- I liked them where they fit but, apparently it was wrong so she and Brian determined a course of action to "fix" my crutches and, in the meantime, I've got a loaner pair that "fit properly". I don't like the way that they fit however so, I'm sure I'll be out of them fairly soon and I say that based on the fact that while Brian was out walking Sally (no, probably not the best time to try it but oh, well), I started walking using only one crutch!! I didn't think I'd be able to do that because it requires coordination and coordination is not a usual part of my physical capabilities. (Brian offered to buy me some rhythm for Christmas last weekend if that gives you any idea!!) After using it for awhile on the left side of my body, Brian told me that I was using it on the wrong side!! ARGH!!! I had to re-learn how to use one crutch on my right side? Yikes!! Actually, that took about two minutes so, for home I'll use one crutch but, at work tomorrow I'll still use two. Then, by the time I go to the office on Monday, I'll be steady enough on one crutch to do it all day and from that point forward. Cool, huh?
As you can imagine, however, after that much of a work-out this afternoon, I'm physically tired. Kristin showed me how to increase the difficulty of the exercises I'm doing and that will increase my mobility and range of motion. Of the six exercises I've been doing, she's changed three and the next session she'll change the other three so that I'll have similar exercises to do but with more intensity. By that time, the stitches will be out of my knee (on Monday) and I'll have better mobility in the bending of my knee as a result.
I'm really glad that this is going so well-- Brian's been a great partner for helping me to accomplish so much. Besides being my slave for the last week, he's been keeping an eye on me to make sure that I do my exercises correctly. That's helped a lot, believe me. Thanks, honey . . .
The good news is that with only using one crutch, I've now got a free hand to carry things and he doesn't have so much to do for "fetching" things for me!! I like that and I'm sure he will, too.
Enough for tonight-- I'm going to go elevate and ice for awhile. Have a nice evening!
Wednesday, May 15, 2002On the Job
It is a weird feeling knowing that you actually enjoy going into the office, ya know? I was actually relieved to be going into the office this morning-- I'm okay with working from home but would prefer not to, which is probably the most unusual part of the whole situation. Beside the numerous people who stopped by to welcome me back, there was a lot of work that was accomplished-- there are more things to do at the office due to phone calls, people walking up, etc., that just require a presence at the office or, as Brian describes it, an "assuring voice" in response to the questions that people have about our contracts.
My knee did pretty well but it was kinda awkward doing the exercises in the office next to my cubicle. At one point, one of the guys from the facilities office barged in because he didn't see me in the corner-- it was a weird moment for all of us, let me tell ya. Overall, it was a good day though but I was glad to be leaving the office at 3-- I was tired and my leg was sore. When I got home, I immediately iced it down and followed that by a thorough set of exercises! Tomorrow will be easier, too so that helps.
Afghans
Nope-- no bad jokes here.
I finished the second afghan in the series of five afghans that I'll be making for my nieces and nephews. My nephew, Matt, was the recipient of the latest one. If you'll recall from our vacation in August, 2000, Matt was the shy one of the group so I decided to show one of his better sides!! (Next time maybe you'll let me take a proper picture of you, Matt!!) ;>)
Apparently, according to his mother and the email that he sent me, he really likes his afghan if only because it is in the University of Michigan's colors, per his request. In order to work on my nieces' afghans, I need to get a new crochet hook-- size "N" or "O". Yes, it will be a couple of lacy-looking afghans!! I've not heard anything from Aaron about his color choice yet but that's okay since I've got three afghans to make in addition to his for a total of four in the next months. The third afghan is a baby afghan for someone from my office!
More Notices
More people were notified today and the congratulations are pouring in at work. The guys in the Maryland and Virginia offices are excited to have me sitting with them-- afterall, it means that they can have 8am conference calls again! The admin in the office, Gloria (whom I met last month), squealed with excitement-- she's suggested places to live and banks and is going to do some research on "DMV" information for us after we get there. The planning is moving along, needless to say.
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A little R-n-R for the evening along with a little "How To" and some more tying-- this is a big quilt for tying!
Have a nice evening!
Tuesday, May 14, 2002And Another Thing . . .
Earthquakes? Did I mention earthquakes last night? No, I don't like them or dislike them. I'm not particularly rattled by them because they don't happen frequently enough to be concerned about it. I do prefer having the type of natural disaster that has a predictability to it like hurricanes, tornadoes and the like. Earthquakes just kinda sneak up on ya so, no, I won't miss them and the one that hit the area last night was just mourning our news and letting us know that the San Andreas Fault and the other Lines will miss us after we leave.
Food for thought or just something to nibble on?
I've had some interesting "feedback" from people offering condolences for having to leave California and congratulations for getting to leave California-- perspective is an amazing thing, isn't it? Sure, there are always a few regrets but, with Brian as my partner, I don't have long to think about them. Along with the regrets comes the anticipation and excitement of new things to come: going to Maryland, a stone's throw from the nation's capital and history at every turn, will be an exciting new adventure for us.
Things I will miss about California:
-Most of the people
-All of the places
-Some of the things to doThings I will not miss about California:
-Housing prices
-Gasoline prices
-Earthquakes
-Looking over my shoulder for an ex-husband living someplace in Silicon ValleyI've lived here for 14 years which is a lot longer than a lot of people would've guessed that I'd survived. I'm happy for what I've accomplished and where I, as an individual, and we, as a couple, have gotten in California. I've grown and matured as a person in California and for that, I will always hold good memories of my time spent here.
Yes, it's pretty scary going to a new place but one that's all the way over on the other side of the country is a pretty freaky indeed! I've done this kind of move a couple of times before so I'm a little pre-conditioned to cross-country moves. Brian's reaction should be interesting since he's never lived outside of California but if I had to pick someplace for him to live other than California, the DC area would be it because of the history and the culture and the country and the ocean that are all within a few hours drive of each other. Can you picture the adventures that we will have? Wow, I can hardly wait!! This is going to be fun!!
Besides-- who said that it is "forever"?? I thought the purpose of retirement was to move someplace you always wanted to live? Yeah, well, maybe we'll give Fran and Frank Carter a run for their money??
Preliminary Finalizations
Formal notifications of the happenings in the future were handed out today. John got his official notification along with the expected timeline. Flights to the area were arranged for a house-hunting expedition-- should be tons-o-fun! Myrna and Roger have graciously agreed to take care of Sally in our absence-- she'll be well taken care of with them, of course.
Along with preparations comes the dread of what's to come with moving and vacations and packing and work to be done and where are we going to find the time to do it all? It helps having Brian able to do much of the preparation for us-- he's soooo wonderfully organized!! I've just got a feeling that July is going to be a scant month for posts on this site but that could be a perspective issue from my side of the fence these days. I've got a notepad by my chair for things that I think of and want to write down out of fear of forgetting "the detail that could change the whole move" which of course, it couldn't but you know how my mind works!!
Last Day at Home
Today was my last day to work at home. I'm a little concerned about doing my exercises at the office but I will do them!! I'm looking forward to being back in the office-- I feel more organized there!
I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow night!
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More tying to do tonight and then, its off to bed early for us to get me to work as close to "normal" time as possible.Thanks for coming by and keeping in touch-- Have a nice evening!
Monday, May 13, 2002Better, Thanks!
Yes, today was a better day-- I was at my desk all day in my office with two exceptions: my exercising. I tried to do my exercises from my chair but the first two exercises absolutely require me to lie down so I'm going to have to go to a conference room when I'm at the office to do them. I was able to do the balance of the exercises at my chair but I know me-- if I go back to my desk after starting the exercises in a room, I'll sit down and start working so I'm going to make myself stay in the conference room to finish my exercises before I go back to my desk!!
Yes, I'll be going back to my office to work on Wednesday-- I'm sure Brian will be glad for the break!! He's been an angel, helping me and carrying things around for me but I really don't work as well from home as I do from the office. I miss being around my co-workers and getting their feedback on stuff.
The picture to the left is the bouquet of flowers sent to me by my department-- isn't that gorgeous? The bouquet on the right, the wonderful orange roses, are from my sweetie-- they have opened up beautifully with vibrant color!!
California Dreamin'
Late last week, I received an email from "Motormykel" asking about Clear Lake:
From: Motormykel@aol.comWow-- that brought some memories, didn't it? I wrote back to Michael about Clear Lake State Park and reservations that can be made through ReserveAmerica.com.Hello Marcia, my name is Michael and I just read about your Clear Lake Adventure. It sounded really peacful and fun. What Campground did you stay at? I Am going to be going through Clear Lake on my way to a Motorcycle run in Piercy Ca. In June. I would like to stay at the campground you visited.
Thanks and I really enjoyed your website! MJK
I read through that Clear Lake Adventure again that day and remembered how much fun we had, despite the heat and no luck at fishing. There are other parts of California that I love, too: Big Sur, Yosemite National Park, Morro Bay, San Diego and particularly, Martin's Beach. Then, there are the parts of California that I don't like: 3BR, 2BA 1200SF = $700K, $1.69/gallon gas prices with no holiday weekend in sight ($1.89/gallon by Memorial Day-- guaranteed!!), and, of course, the smog and traffic.
Last week one day, Brian alluded to the fact that there would be a major announcement forthcoming on our pages . . . well, this is it: We are leaving California and moving to Maryland at the end of July. My company is transferring me and, of course, we are all going to go cuz we're a family. Yes, we will have new Adventures in Meandering to create and new places to discover and new memories to build and the Smithsonian to live in on alternating weekends (we're both history buffs and are really excited about living in the DC Area). But, more than that, we're going to be able to afford to buy a house there someday much sooner than we ever would in California. (The downpayment for a house in Maryland is a month's house payment in California-- get it?)
So, with that said, plans are afoot-- there hasn't been a major announcement at my office but I'm not sure that that's supposed to be kept secret. No one from my office, I've found out, reads these pages and the only friends that we haven't told directly are getting an email tonight so that they know, too. Family has been told and, although a little stunned, also understand why: we can move with one of us having a job, the other of us having a better employment situation to be hired into, stock options and a savings account intact upon arrival. It would've been nice to move to Michigan to be around my family for awhile but the reality of it is that that would've drained our savings account because neither of us would've had a job when arriving there. That's not a Good Thing. Having a job and the vast majority of the expenses of the move covered is a very Good Thing!
My director and manager put this deal together last week when I was in the OR getting my knee surgerized. I came out and got the call from Judy a few hours later-- almost thought I was still under the anesthesia!! It's great when you can get back-up from management-- it makes it easier to go into the office every day, ya know? It'll be fun working with Judy in Maryland, too. There's going to be a third person in the office covering the northeast region and, yes, to John's sheer delight (you should've seen the smile on his face when he found out that the plan was being made to move me to Maryland!), I'll still be handling the Southeast. I'll also be learning to work with Government (U.S., of course) deals more there, too which should also be interesting and a challenge, as well.
I have, however, PROMISED not to bowl anymore-- ever again and especially not in Maryland!!
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