Plantar Fasciitis

I bought new shoes. Same brand I always buy and not cheap. I wore them over the weekend and on Monday. Monday evening I went for a walk with Killian. On Tuesday at work my feet began to ache from the heel up through the arch of my foot. I worked an extra hour and a half on achy feet. By the time I got home I was googling plantar fasciitis, looking for hard rubber balls to roll across the surface of my foot (feet), and doing my best to stretch my calves. Yesterday I worked six hours, went to get an allergy injection, and then visited my eye doctor. (I have a permanent floater thanks to aging...) Last night I iced the worst foot and wore my old shoes to work today. I posted about my "fascist feet" on Facebook and my nurse friend Randy suggested athletic tape. I bought some after work. I also bought some new insoles. The tape feels interesting and seems to be helping. 

PS. Kili found a little nest outside.

Hunks and Chunks

* The abscess under my arm looked hideous yesterday. Red, swollen, and sore. I knew I should see a doctor, but didn't dare chance the worthless cost share to cover the expenses. Last night my sweet daughter Bethany offered to try and help with some essential oils, which she slathered on the soles of my feet, and a spoonful of colloidal silver. Already weepy, the abscess leaked on my shirt all through the night and, though still ugly, actually looked better this morning. A little after noon I made a visit to Urgent Care, on my new insurance, and was prescribed two different antibiotics (to be on the safe side), while they culture the infection. And I should see my doctor next week... maybe.

* The doctor... I already said my past health coverage was garbage. I've already gotten a bill for the x-rays of my back, and now I have a notice from the cost share that they did not cover one of my previous doctor visits. Go figure, it's the one they approved. I may need to call them on this. I should have cancelled in the end of April and I'd have had May's payment to send the doctor if and when I get the bill. Ugh.

* I don't know what is going on between the Cabinet Maker and me. I thought we were friends when we went to Dave's at the Apple Blossom Festival a few weeks ago... Not sure what happened after that. I've tried to do everything in my control to remain friends. I'm not seething in anger, wishing terrible things, or conniving ways to make life difficult for him. There is not another man in my life and I am not running from the issues at hand. This is a boundary crossing, not a matter of forgiveness. I'm not trying to be selfish, in fact I'm trying very hard not to be. I have paperwork to be notarized, one for him to sign and a passel for me, but he and I can't seem to get where we need to be at the same time. I get that this is impossibly difficult, it is for me too. I just want to get beyond it and establish a new normal.

* The garage is still full of things to be sorted. I was already overwhelmed when I went out there late this afternoon and found myself crying, "Lord, I can't do this alone!" I almost closed the garage door and walked away, but I turned around and decided to take a few pieces of furniture and a couple of boxes up into the garage attic. It's at least a step toward clearing some space and every step forward brings me a little closer to the goal.

This and That

I have an abscessed cyst under my arm, just beneath my armpit, but toward the front so it doesn't actually get pinched or rub on anything. It's been angry for a week now and getting more furious every day. I am exercising patience and treating with warm compresses as I am able, which isn't often because my schedule isn't very conducive to sitting long periods with a microwaved rice bag under my arm. Although I did sit for a time in the baby room with it yesterday morning. I will make a trip to Urgent Care on Saturday when my new health insurance kicks in. The one I have now is garbage. The closest "in-network" Urgent Care is an hour away, and the first available appointment at the doctor's office wasn't until after Saturday. I don't have a fever and have been able to work all week. One more day to get through...

Speaking of work, things have been a bit tense. We're due for a "kitchen audit" and whatever is happening has the owner in a tizzy. She's been there almost every day telling everyone all the things they're doing wrong. Who knew feeding/serving preschoolers was so complicated? They say it's "all about the children," but it's obviously "all about the regulations" and pleasing The Powers That Be. Oh, my... My boss is stressed, my co-workers are stressed...  Even the kids are stressed! And yes, the pressure is on me too. The Big Boss is so busy scrutinizing the classrooms, that no one is taking the time to make sure the cook isn't missing some minute detail that may cost us points. Makes the head spin!

I pirated the pictures...

What's Going On?

Is there a post within? I've asked myself this question several times while staring blankly at the computer screen or spinning off a post that ends up being nothing more than a draft in a file folder. The truth is, I want to write posts about funny children, family picnics, and grand adventures. You know, the kind of stuff I used to write about, but life is a little off track right now and when those things do happen, they get a little lost in the shuffle of thoughts.

I did sit and play dishes and pretend food with Idris after work one day last week. We were outside at the picnic table in the driveway and his daddy was mowing the front lawn. the game entertained the small child long enough for Sergio to take a shower while the little guy was busy. And then last night, we took a walk around the big block while Hannah and Sergio got ready to go out to a picnic. He likes to stop and poke sticks and leaves down into the storm sewer grates alone the way. When he runs I have to walk fast to keep up, but when he's looking down into the watery darkness of the storm sewer, I try to be patient and wait, because I remember looking down into them when I was about his size.

I had a rough morning at work. Just didn't feel like myself. Tired, achy, and irritated. (I was being much nicer than I felt...) On my lunch break I took a couple ibuprofen and tried to catch a short nap. I didn't sleep much, but I did find myself feeling better a little later. Not sure what has me off, the weather, allergies, or the abscess under my arm. I'll go see a doctor when my new health coverage kicks in this weekend. In the meantime, since I don't have a fever and it's not giving me too much grief, I'll stick to warm compresses and keeping my hands off it.

The 30 Day Cleanse is going good for me. Nine days in now and I don't feel starved. I'm making better choices and drinking a whole lot more water. Sometimes I miss my coffee, but not too much. I haven't even missed eating meat and that is kind of amazing. Had a great salad last night at Panera Bread. I customized a Modern Greek Salad. Erased the Feta cheese and replaced those two things with cucumbers and olive oil. (Hannah is a genius.)

It's a short work week due to the holiday yesterday, and another short one next week because I took Thursday and Friday off. Going on a women's retreat with a few friends. I'm feeling both excited and a little intimidated all at once. ha ha!

They Come In Handy

Hands. What would we do without them? I think I might have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Over a year ago we spent some time helping a friend clean up her property in the hope that she would have her horses, and her livelihood, returned. (It never happened.) That afternoon in early November of 2013, I picked up a grass and leaf rake and took to the yard. I raked leaves for about four hours and went home with sore arms and aching thumbs. My arms recovered, but my thumbs have not been the same since.

It wasn't until this Monday afternoon, while I was outside snapping a few photographs while waiting for Rachel, that the pain in my hand became unbearable. Although my thumbs have been popping down along the sides of my hands, it was my right index finger (my camera trigger finger) that was shooting pain. I felt like I desperately wanted to crack the knuckle between my finger and hand, but knew better than to try.

Yesterday morning I left early for Prayer and Bible study and picked up a wrist brace on the way. two actually, one for daytime and one to wear at night so I don't curl my hands up when I sleep. This morning My Darling brought me one he had purchased for his left hand. (I look crippled...) I really don't want to face the possibility of surgery so I am going to try and take it easy for a while and I'm going to find out how to be more careful with my hands. I'm going to need them for a while longer. How would I ever crochet, or paint, or make pies, or build snowmen?

More photos from that walk in the park last Friday. They're too fun not to share.

On second thought, maybe I have this, Mommy's Thumb.  Not sure what's up with the index finger...