Life has a funny way of twisting and turning around that makes us wonder what is going to happen next. While Jon and I have this constant wonder, we find ourselves having a familiar conversation a lot of the time.
Over the past few days, Jon has been trying to chop some wood so that we will be ready for winter. We have a nice stack already, but these chunks of impossible tree have been sitting near our wood stack since last year. Yesterday we decided that the axe, splitting maul and wedge were not working and so we called our friend to borrow his chainsaw.
This morning we get out there (we meaning Jon at the chainsaw and me on stacking duty) and it takes f o r e v e r to get one section cut up into smaller wedge sections.
Here is where our familiar conversation starts up....
"Why is it that everyone else seems to have everything work out and we get stuck working and working and working..." The words "it's not fair" never enter into the conversation, we're just wondering out loud. We've seen it happen with people and jobs, people and cars, other people and their kids, money matters, housing matters, and pretty much with every aspect of life.
Now please don't get me wrong, we love our family. We are thankful for Jon's job and we love our friends and extended family dearly. I guess it has just come to a point were we wonder if someone else looks at us and wonders why things come easily...you know, like an outsider's perspective.
I know the grass isn't greener on the other side, and my trials cannot be compared to someone else and their trials. But has anyone else wondered what it would be like? Do you think we (as people) fail to see what does come easily to us and only focus on what other's have. Maybe this is just a fault that Jon and I have....
We are thankful for what we have and know that things could be much, much worse.
I love being married to Jon and having him as my partner in life. I'd stand with him in no matter how high the pile of un-choppable wood.
This is just a question I've had roaming through my head...if anyone who reads this wants to comment, feel free. If not, that's ok too! I just had to write it all down and get it off my chest!
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Saturday, September 18, 2010
all things updated...
This may be more of a rant than an update, but we'll see how it goes.
The foot:
Went to the podiatrist again for a follow-up and decided that my foot is still not broken...still have tendinitis. This is a good thing, but frustrating. I could choose from three treatment options:
1: steroid injection in my foot
2: non-steroid anti-inflamatory meds
3: physical therapy
So I asked what has the best results and he said #1. So I told him to get the shot ready.
He stuck my foot and told me that if he was in the right spot I would know. Yeah, my foot felt like, well, it's really hard to explain how it felt. Just imagine trying to shove something thick like oatmeal into something that should be runny like water...there's a lot of pressure and yes, it hurt.
He said I was a real trooper since I didn't flinch or move a muscle while he was plunging it into my foot. I just laughed and said it might have hurt, but nothing compared to a steroid shot into an eyelid...he said he'd tell that to his next patients that needed the same treatment.
On the bright side: My foot does NOT hurt anymore! HOORAY!
Kiddos:
Everyone is doing really well. The girls LOVE their teachers and are happy with the friends they have made. Today we had both of them with friends over and then Kyra went with her friend to a rodeo and had a blast! Jacob is enjoying preschool so far. He's only been to one house, but it didn't take much coaxing to get him to stay. Ethan loves his few hours a week he gets to spend alone. Poor kid has never experienced it before.
Everything else:
Jon's job is still frustrating, but we're thankful for a paycheck. He has good days and not so good days. I think they are all pretty good, but very, very busy and that turns something good into something bad. He's such a hard worker and he does his best and his supervisors appreciate it a lot which makes them ask him to do things more often than they ask others....stressful!
Jon is enjoying his church calling with the 13-14 year old boys. I think this age is perfect for him and he really wants to see the boys succeed in all that they set out to do.
His car is still a work in progress. Every time we think we've got it figured out, we have to take 3 week-long steps back. Right now we're waiting for parts to come. Apparently it's pretty difficult to find anything older than a 1980 something in a salvage yard around here....let alone a 1968. We did manage to stumble on a salvage yard on our way to a different yard and hit the jackpot! Not only did they have one 1968 Ford, but they had 2! Hopefully we'll be able to use their services again!
I'm hanging in there. Not much to report. I keep busy with Jon's grandparents and the kids and Jon. I'm finding time here and there to work outside in my yard and garden and I've even managed to get in a sewing project here and there. Oh how I missed my sewing machine!
Well....that's about it. I can't think of anything else that is really worth typing about. Some days I could sit and write novels and other days I'm satisfied with just thinking about sitting and writing. Hope everyone is having a great end of summer!
The foot:
Went to the podiatrist again for a follow-up and decided that my foot is still not broken...still have tendinitis. This is a good thing, but frustrating. I could choose from three treatment options:
1: steroid injection in my foot
2: non-steroid anti-inflamatory meds
3: physical therapy
So I asked what has the best results and he said #1. So I told him to get the shot ready.
He stuck my foot and told me that if he was in the right spot I would know. Yeah, my foot felt like, well, it's really hard to explain how it felt. Just imagine trying to shove something thick like oatmeal into something that should be runny like water...there's a lot of pressure and yes, it hurt.
He said I was a real trooper since I didn't flinch or move a muscle while he was plunging it into my foot. I just laughed and said it might have hurt, but nothing compared to a steroid shot into an eyelid...he said he'd tell that to his next patients that needed the same treatment.
On the bright side: My foot does NOT hurt anymore! HOORAY!
Kiddos:
Everyone is doing really well. The girls LOVE their teachers and are happy with the friends they have made. Today we had both of them with friends over and then Kyra went with her friend to a rodeo and had a blast! Jacob is enjoying preschool so far. He's only been to one house, but it didn't take much coaxing to get him to stay. Ethan loves his few hours a week he gets to spend alone. Poor kid has never experienced it before.
Everything else:
Jon's job is still frustrating, but we're thankful for a paycheck. He has good days and not so good days. I think they are all pretty good, but very, very busy and that turns something good into something bad. He's such a hard worker and he does his best and his supervisors appreciate it a lot which makes them ask him to do things more often than they ask others....stressful!
Jon is enjoying his church calling with the 13-14 year old boys. I think this age is perfect for him and he really wants to see the boys succeed in all that they set out to do.
His car is still a work in progress. Every time we think we've got it figured out, we have to take 3 week-long steps back. Right now we're waiting for parts to come. Apparently it's pretty difficult to find anything older than a 1980 something in a salvage yard around here....let alone a 1968. We did manage to stumble on a salvage yard on our way to a different yard and hit the jackpot! Not only did they have one 1968 Ford, but they had 2! Hopefully we'll be able to use their services again!
I'm hanging in there. Not much to report. I keep busy with Jon's grandparents and the kids and Jon. I'm finding time here and there to work outside in my yard and garden and I've even managed to get in a sewing project here and there. Oh how I missed my sewing machine!
Well....that's about it. I can't think of anything else that is really worth typing about. Some days I could sit and write novels and other days I'm satisfied with just thinking about sitting and writing. Hope everyone is having a great end of summer!
Friday, September 10, 2010
Steroids...
No, not the performance enhancing kind, but the anti-inflammatory, hope to relieve some pain kind. Although, maybe the performance enhancing ones also relieve pain???..hmmm...
I went to the podiatrist this morning and got x-rays of my foot in every pose possible taken and it doesn't look like I have a fracture...but I might.
Apparently hairline fractures don't show up on an x-ray until 10+ days after the injury (I'm on day 8).
The Doc thinks that I have a serious case of tendinitis and muscle strain (that's better than a fracture in my book). So he prescribed me some serious oral steroids to take over the next 6 days and then he will reevaluate my foot next Friday. I'm supposed to stay as active as my foot will let me....I don't think he knows my pain tolerance or my kids for that matter. Oh, and I'm supposed to ice it as well.
Here's to another week.
P.S. I'll keep ya posted if I have the need to start looking for hair remover and if I have a voice change. (Oh and Shelly, this might make me have an advantage this week in The Bloggest Loser, but probably not from the water retention side-effect).
I went to the podiatrist this morning and got x-rays of my foot in every pose possible taken and it doesn't look like I have a fracture...but I might.
Apparently hairline fractures don't show up on an x-ray until 10+ days after the injury (I'm on day 8).
The Doc thinks that I have a serious case of tendinitis and muscle strain (that's better than a fracture in my book). So he prescribed me some serious oral steroids to take over the next 6 days and then he will reevaluate my foot next Friday. I'm supposed to stay as active as my foot will let me....I don't think he knows my pain tolerance or my kids for that matter. Oh, and I'm supposed to ice it as well.
Here's to another week.
P.S. I'll keep ya posted if I have the need to start looking for hair remover and if I have a voice change. (Oh and Shelly, this might make me have an advantage this week in The Bloggest Loser, but probably not from the water retention side-effect).
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Nothing to do..
Actually, lots to do, but today was the first in a LONG time that I have had nothing scheduled. So, I went about my day blissfully unaware that somethings just needed done. It was my "day-off" so to speak from everything else.
So, what did I do on my "day off"? I know you are all dying to find out!
Here goes"
-Showered...I know, I know it's something that should be done, but getting it done before the boys woke up was a miracle in itself!
-Read the First Presidency's message in this month's Ensign....Great article by the way! IF you haven't read it yet, I encourage you to do so! President Eyring had a wonderful message.
-Personal scripture study. Another thing that does not happen as often as it should. I was grateful to read the book of Enos again. It really helped remind me of principles that maybe had slipped to the back of my mind. It's an easy read too...only 27 verses.
-Made a BBQ meatloaf for Jon to take part of to work in his lunch.
-Finished the last 2 batches of my Peach Jelly. (I was quite domestic even on my day off!)
-Cleaned my kitchen from the jelly mess
-Ate lunch with the boys. We had PB&J. It was great!
-Ran into town with Jon, and delivered jelly to our neighbors/landlords
-Called the podiatrist....twice
-Bought new socks for the boys and some new shorts for Jon...
-Sent the kids to bed early.
Wow...what a boring day! But it was wonderful not to be pressed for time! Tomorrow it's off to another appointment and some grocery shopping and then house cleaning! Have to work if there's going to be any more "play"!
So, what did I do on my "day off"? I know you are all dying to find out!
Here goes"
-Showered...I know, I know it's something that should be done, but getting it done before the boys woke up was a miracle in itself!
-Read the First Presidency's message in this month's Ensign....Great article by the way! IF you haven't read it yet, I encourage you to do so! President Eyring had a wonderful message.
-Personal scripture study. Another thing that does not happen as often as it should. I was grateful to read the book of Enos again. It really helped remind me of principles that maybe had slipped to the back of my mind. It's an easy read too...only 27 verses.
-Made a BBQ meatloaf for Jon to take part of to work in his lunch.
-Finished the last 2 batches of my Peach Jelly. (I was quite domestic even on my day off!)
-Cleaned my kitchen from the jelly mess
-Ate lunch with the boys. We had PB&J. It was great!
-Ran into town with Jon, and delivered jelly to our neighbors/landlords
-Called the podiatrist....twice
-Bought new socks for the boys and some new shorts for Jon...
-Sent the kids to bed early.
Wow...what a boring day! But it was wonderful not to be pressed for time! Tomorrow it's off to another appointment and some grocery shopping and then house cleaning! Have to work if there's going to be any more "play"!
more complaining...kinda
So, now that my legs and joints have recovered from my 11 mile hike, I have a stabbing pain in the outside of my right foot. It started Sunday morning and I've been a lazy wimp about it all week. Meaning, that I've been complaining about the pain but doing nothing about it.
Well this morning I finally twisted on it just right to almost send me to my knees. I called the local foot doctor here in town and they felt that it wasn't such an emergency and scheduled me to come in on Tuesday...unless I couldn't stand it any more and then I should go to the ER.
right......
So after talking with my landlady, I decided to try a different foot doctor about 30 miles away. They were very concerned and scheduled me in as early as could be tomorrow morning!
I'm pretty sure I have a stress fracture. It's pretty painful. Hopefully it won't be as bad as I think and this is one occasion where I hope I am overreacting to the pain! Wish me luck!
*By the way, this is not MY foot, it's some guy's x-ray...but where it's circled is where my pain is as well*
image from: http://kristin2008.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/20100120blog1-copy.jpg?w=204&h=300
Well this morning I finally twisted on it just right to almost send me to my knees. I called the local foot doctor here in town and they felt that it wasn't such an emergency and scheduled me to come in on Tuesday...unless I couldn't stand it any more and then I should go to the ER.
right......
So after talking with my landlady, I decided to try a different foot doctor about 30 miles away. They were very concerned and scheduled me in as early as could be tomorrow morning!
I'm pretty sure I have a stress fracture. It's pretty painful. Hopefully it won't be as bad as I think and this is one occasion where I hope I am overreacting to the pain! Wish me luck!
image from: http://kristin2008.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/20100120blog1-copy.jpg?w=204&h=300
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Trip photos
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| view of Columbia River from Maryhill museum |
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| Crater Lake |
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| Crater Lake sign |
 |
| Loved this sign. Found it on the way up the scenic 33 mile highway around Crater Lake. |
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| East Lake |
 |
| The end shot |
 |
| heading into the Lava River Cave |
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| Jon at the top of the mountain above East Lake |
 |
| Large obsidian |
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| map of campsites. We were in J. We started on trail number 58, turned onto 57 and came out on road 21. 11 miles total. Click on the photo for more detail. |
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| waterfall near Crater Lake |
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Just a litle FYI
Ok, so I'm beginning to feel better. Walking funny from the hip pain has caused shin splints. (Those are extremely painful as well!)
Anyway....... Jon took the map we got after our wonderful hike and measured to find out that our 2 3/4 mile hike turned into an 11 mile hike.
Yep.
Anyway....... Jon took the map we got after our wonderful hike and measured to find out that our 2 3/4 mile hike turned into an 11 mile hike.
Yep.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Aniversary trip
I know you are all sitting on the edge of your seats waiting to see my blog be updated. So, here's the "no pictures" version. (I'll post pictures when I can comfortably walk up stairs and get the camera).
Wednesday night my mom came into town and she, the kiddos and I went out for pizza. Poor Jon had to be at a church meeting and function and so he missed out on the not-so-fabulous pizza. Later I got the kids in bed and went to bed myself.
Thursday morning I got the girls off to school and packed our bag and Jon packed the van. We were off!
We didn't really have much officially planned, we just knew what direction we wanted to go and to see some of the sights we had to miss on our honeymoon 10 years ago. We drove to the Newberry Volcanic National Monument (think National Forest) and found the campground we wanted all before 3:30 pm. We paid our fee before we realized that we should have grabbed something for dinner. REMEMBER: we were being "spontaneous". We needed to get a piece of paper that said we had reserved our campsite and paid the fee before we could go anywhere. We tried to talk to the camp hosts, but they would not answer their big RV door and so we decided to kill some time by going on a hike.
The hike started out really nice and easy. The trail head said that the trail was 2 3/4 miles long and would take us to the top of the mountain where we could see the whole caldera of the volcano. There were some steep spots and I realized it would be smarter to have my back aligned before the next hike, but spontaneity was our creed this weekend and this was all part of the "lessons learned" speech I was reciting to myself in my head.
The trail went on and on and on and on and on. Finally we made it to a clearing that was definitely at the "top" of the mountain. (I did take a picture for proof). But there was no sign to tell us we had reached the end of the trail and to turn around. There before us was a continuation of the trail. So, we kept walking. We would have "hated" hiking that far and turn around when we could have been a few more yards from the end. Looking back.....we were dumb! We should have turned around.
We kept walking and walking and walking. I grimaced at every step and every incline and decline. My hip sockets felt like I had knives twisting deeper and deeper into them with every step.
Now, we left on this hike at roughly 3:30 pm and at 5:30 pm is when we decided we'd made it to the top. We continued hiking for another 2 1/2 hours looking for the way down the mountain. Finally we came to a service road and we know that roads lead to people. The sun was setting and we were SO unprepared to stay on the mountain. Prayers (that were uttered under my breath for most of the walk) were answered and finally we passed a campground that was next to ours. Just a little further down the road we would be at our spot.
Our stupid piece of paper was hanging on our site marker and so Jon and I got in the van and at 8:03 pm drove the 35 miles to the nearest town hoping that something would be open so we could eat. We found a 24 hour truck stop, ate a ridiculously expensive dinner and then drove the 35 miles back to our campsite.
I have never hurt so bad in my life!
Friday morning we woke up and were out of the campsite by 7 am, grabbed pain medication at a local grocery store, ate breakfast at a cute little restaurant and drove on to Crater Lake.
We got to Crater Lake mid morning and took the time to take pictures and read up about the crater and the lake and all the things that made it what it is today. Jon even managed to talk to some rangers about a Scouting hike next year.
After Crater Lake, we went to the Lava River Cave where we "slowly" walked the 1.1 miles down through a cave that was made by lava. It was super interesting, dark, and cold! Not to mention rocky. We then turned around and walked, slowly, back up the 1.1 miles. Even though I was somewhat starting to feel better, the pain was so horrendous that I wasn't sure I'd make it.
We decided it might be best to get a hotel for the night since camping might aggravate my "condition" more. My mom got us an awesome room at the Marriott Travel Suites in Bend, Oregon. It was perfect to do some laundry, take showers, order dinner and watch TV.
This morning we got up early and started the drive home. We stopped at the Maryhill museum and looked around, grabbed lunch and got back on the road.
We pulled into the driveway at 1 pm and have enjoyed the quiet and peace that is surrounding us. (Grandma took the kiddos to Tri Cities to pick peaches.)
I am so thankful for supporting family who allowed us to take this trip. I love my husband very much and consider him to be my best friend. I cannot think of anyone else that I would get lost on a mountain, explore a lava tube, and drive over 16 hours in a car with.
Now, back to reality.
(Like I said, when I get to moving better, and actually make it up some stairs, I'll post pictures)
Wednesday night my mom came into town and she, the kiddos and I went out for pizza. Poor Jon had to be at a church meeting and function and so he missed out on the not-so-fabulous pizza. Later I got the kids in bed and went to bed myself.
Thursday morning I got the girls off to school and packed our bag and Jon packed the van. We were off!
We didn't really have much officially planned, we just knew what direction we wanted to go and to see some of the sights we had to miss on our honeymoon 10 years ago. We drove to the Newberry Volcanic National Monument (think National Forest) and found the campground we wanted all before 3:30 pm. We paid our fee before we realized that we should have grabbed something for dinner. REMEMBER: we were being "spontaneous". We needed to get a piece of paper that said we had reserved our campsite and paid the fee before we could go anywhere. We tried to talk to the camp hosts, but they would not answer their big RV door and so we decided to kill some time by going on a hike.
The hike started out really nice and easy. The trail head said that the trail was 2 3/4 miles long and would take us to the top of the mountain where we could see the whole caldera of the volcano. There were some steep spots and I realized it would be smarter to have my back aligned before the next hike, but spontaneity was our creed this weekend and this was all part of the "lessons learned" speech I was reciting to myself in my head.
The trail went on and on and on and on and on. Finally we made it to a clearing that was definitely at the "top" of the mountain. (I did take a picture for proof). But there was no sign to tell us we had reached the end of the trail and to turn around. There before us was a continuation of the trail. So, we kept walking. We would have "hated" hiking that far and turn around when we could have been a few more yards from the end. Looking back.....we were dumb! We should have turned around.
We kept walking and walking and walking. I grimaced at every step and every incline and decline. My hip sockets felt like I had knives twisting deeper and deeper into them with every step.
Now, we left on this hike at roughly 3:30 pm and at 5:30 pm is when we decided we'd made it to the top. We continued hiking for another 2 1/2 hours looking for the way down the mountain. Finally we came to a service road and we know that roads lead to people. The sun was setting and we were SO unprepared to stay on the mountain. Prayers (that were uttered under my breath for most of the walk) were answered and finally we passed a campground that was next to ours. Just a little further down the road we would be at our spot.
Our stupid piece of paper was hanging on our site marker and so Jon and I got in the van and at 8:03 pm drove the 35 miles to the nearest town hoping that something would be open so we could eat. We found a 24 hour truck stop, ate a ridiculously expensive dinner and then drove the 35 miles back to our campsite.
I have never hurt so bad in my life!
Friday morning we woke up and were out of the campsite by 7 am, grabbed pain medication at a local grocery store, ate breakfast at a cute little restaurant and drove on to Crater Lake.
We got to Crater Lake mid morning and took the time to take pictures and read up about the crater and the lake and all the things that made it what it is today. Jon even managed to talk to some rangers about a Scouting hike next year.
After Crater Lake, we went to the Lava River Cave where we "slowly" walked the 1.1 miles down through a cave that was made by lava. It was super interesting, dark, and cold! Not to mention rocky. We then turned around and walked, slowly, back up the 1.1 miles. Even though I was somewhat starting to feel better, the pain was so horrendous that I wasn't sure I'd make it.
We decided it might be best to get a hotel for the night since camping might aggravate my "condition" more. My mom got us an awesome room at the Marriott Travel Suites in Bend, Oregon. It was perfect to do some laundry, take showers, order dinner and watch TV.
This morning we got up early and started the drive home. We stopped at the Maryhill museum and looked around, grabbed lunch and got back on the road.
We pulled into the driveway at 1 pm and have enjoyed the quiet and peace that is surrounding us. (Grandma took the kiddos to Tri Cities to pick peaches.)
I am so thankful for supporting family who allowed us to take this trip. I love my husband very much and consider him to be my best friend. I cannot think of anyone else that I would get lost on a mountain, explore a lava tube, and drive over 16 hours in a car with.
Now, back to reality.
(Like I said, when I get to moving better, and actually make it up some stairs, I'll post pictures)
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