Miscellaneous Missives

http://www.fotopedia.com/items/flickr-3530496917 During my last class a student asked me if I thought paper clips were originally used for paper.  Since we were researching children's rights, I'm not sure where/how the question originated.  I had overdone it a bit with my crutches today, so I was sitting behind my desk asking students to come to me.  Sitting at my desk, I did a Google search for paper clips and came up the the answer.  Paper clips were originally used to tack tickets to clothing and not merely attach papers together.  The student was content that his question was validated by the research.  We all learned something new.  Besides learning about the paper clip, we also learned that there's an " Early Office Museum ".  BTW- My crutches made it on the news tonight. Also I have decided to not only cite the pictures I obtain from the interweb, but to try to use Creative Commons photos.  Today's photo follows both guidelin...

http://coloringbookmaker.com/images/pdfs_jpgs/numbers/1.jpg After an exhausting day of teaching, I met with my physical therapist.  I told her that it was time to get rid of the crutches.  Of course the orthopedic surgeon kind of gave me the OK for this on Friday.  Anyway, after chatting a bit, doing some exercises, and experimenting a bit, she agreed that it was time to gradually get rid of the crutches.  Basically I will need the two for distances such as the parking lot to school and around school, but in my classroom and around my house, I can use one crutch.  This means I can carry a drink (fountain Diet Pepsi, hot cocoa, water, green tea...) in one hand and use a crutch with the other.  I walk fairly slow, but it is super exciting.  She did put add some limitations, but I want to focus on the positive... one crutch.  BTW- As I'm teaching kids about plagiarism and recently watched a webinar about copyright, I am going to do a better jo...

While I'm getting ready for my return to work, I am watching the ISU women take on #14 Texas A&M.  Currently they are doing well, but there is lot of game left.  The Big XII and Special Olympics have joined forces to "spread the word to end the word."  I feel that students use the words retarded and gay less.  Maybe they are smarter about using the words and don't use them in front of me.  Although this may not be true, I feel that when students realize the hurt small words cause, they are less likely to use them in times when they're really not trying to be mean or hurtful.  My time at home has been a disappointment.  I have not read as much as I had planned.  Another goal was to finish the first three seasons of West Wing , but I have only completed two.  Plus I wanted to watch Louder than a Bomb and didn't have the opportunity.  Even with the disappointments, I am ready to go back to school tomorrow.  I'm sure I will b...

Today was "Gold Rules Day" as Iowa State played Kansas State.  Although I did not attend the game, I was able to watch while I unpacked from my trip to God's Country.  The game was exciting to quite exciting, especially at the end.  I love basketball in the Hilton.  Iowa State has great basketball fans.  Today many dressed in Gold. Iowa State's colors are cardinal and gold, but since Kansans is blue and red, it was gold in Hilton today.  Yep, that's the highlight of my day.  Tomorrow I should be able to watch the Iowa State women on FSN unless there's some dumb Minnesota hockey that takes over the screen.  Today's Kindness I will admit that I am getting used to people opening the doors for me, and when someone watches me struggle without doing anything, I feel disappointed.  The good news is the people who open doors outnumber those who watch. Last night I had dinner with two high school friends.  It was a good time.  ...

I often wonder what allows people to share intimate details with strangers (and friends) on the interweb.  You will wonder the same thing after today's post.  After not being able to shave my legs for two weeks and knowing I won't be able to for at least another week, I decided to get my legs waxed.  The hair on my legs was out of control and completely disgusting.  Today I alleviated that problem.  Even though I was concerned that it would be painful, I knew I had to do something before I went completely insane.  Lavender wax was used and the hair has been removed.  It seems that the length of my hair was perfect for waxing.  Although I can't imagine letting the hair get that out of control again, I would consider waxing again.  Today's Kindness Wow!  It's amazing how heavy doors can be to one on crutches.  Someone (all strangers) rushed to open doors for me today at each place I entered. I went to the YMCA of the Okobojis ...

Mobilegs my Pair of Ergonomically Correct Crutches Today I met with the surgeon.  He answered my questions correctly:  Yes, you can go back to school.  Yes, you can fly to NY for your uncle's funeral.  Yes, you can drive to Iowa tonight.  The was followed by my PT's favorite saying, "Let pain be your guide."  We also talked about my unhealthy relationship with my crutches.  I tried to explain that they do not maximize my positive energy.  Although I still need to be on them for another week, he said I can start putting more weight on my left leg, but added, "Let pain be your guide."  Basically, I was happy with my visit and was given the answer (yes) I required.  Today's Kindness One of the stipulation about driving to Iowa was to get out periodically and move the hip joint.  When I stopped at the rest area near St. James, the custodian greeted me at the door by pushing the handicap button to open the doors.  He also ad...

During my PT appointment today I was alerted to the fact that my understanding of only having one week left on crutches was flawed.  It seems the three weeks were "no weight bearing" not total meaning I have at least two weeks left on crutches.   This was certainly not the highlight of my day.  I left the PT's office in need of a fountain Diet Pepsi or some type of adult beverage.  Since I'm still a bit unsure of myself on crutches at time, I went for the fountain drink.  I entered SA and asked for a plastic bag (a difficult request since I rarely if ever get a plastic bag and carry bags in my car).  The cashier was confused, but handed it over.  Then I filled up my soda (3/4 full) and put it in the bag.  This allowed me to carry the soda up my 14 (but who's counting) stairs.  Clever, huh!?!  Actually GENIUS! Today's Kindness The school secretary answered my multiple calls today and was super helpful.  I plan on being bac...

Argh (from Urban Dictionary) 1. An exclamation of annoyance, exasperation, or other negative factor. 2. The sound a made by a stereotypical pirate. I am not making the sound of a stereotypical pirate, I am exclaiming annoyance.  Honestly, I've tried my best to be positive during this experience, but a phone call from J (the teacher teaching my class while I'm gone) left me frustrated.  She is annoyed with the same thing that often annoys me (which I can't professionally discuss in this format).  Although I don't think this is the reason she won't be able to teach for me next week (If the surgeon says I can't go back...  Now I must go back, so he better cooperate.), I'm guessing it has a bit to do with her decision.  Unless, maybe Jdoc would come in and teach for a week.  Argghh... I'm frustrated with my lack of energy. I'm frustrated with the icy sidewalks outside although I've stayed inside all day, also frustrating. I'm frust...

Uncle Jim helping prepare boards for my dad's new house (spring '07)  Yesterday I lost one of my few blog readers when my uncle Jim passed away.  He read my blog even though he disagreed with ALL of my political posts.  We were on the opposite sides of the political spectrum, but that did not stop him from reading.  His death was expected.  In fact he called me Christmas morning to say goodbye.  Then he continued to call after.   As he was in the hospital fighting for his life he even requested my blog address.  Of course I sent it to him knowing he would probably never again be able to peruse my posts.  Today's Kindness Today three friends are going to fight the icy wintery weather to pick me up for dinner.  Although they wanted to bring food in, I strongly suggested we go out.  We're going out (Old Chicago)! Although I know it's her job, I appreciate the humor and kindness of my physical therapist.  

The sky is low, the clouds are mean, A travelling flake of snow Across a barn or through a rut Debates if it will go. A narrow wind complains all day How some one treated him; Nature, like us, is sometimes caught Without her diadem.  ~ Emily Dickinson Today I braved the stairs and icy sidewalks to go to church.  I am always humbled when I attend the Sacred Journey service.  It's not only the worship that urges me to church, it's also the wonderful people.  Today we had a dramatic version of Jonah and the Big Fish with audience participation and a wonderful slide show.  We were left with the message that God loves all of us, even the people we still find unlovable, a reminder, "We're in this together." Today's Kindness I stopped at Caribou for my large, skim, dark (one less scoop of chocolate) hot cocoa although I had no idea how to get it to my car.  The barista that typically serves me on Sundays offered to carry it to my car.  When ...

I'm not sure that I have the patience for two more weeks of crutches.  Actually, I have been very good about asking for help and following directions.  Yesterday I e-mailed J a list of things I needed accomplished during her visit.  One of these was unloading the dishwasher.  The more I thought about the weather and her need to get home to her daughter, I realized I could unload the dishwasher.  Unloading the dishwasher was going well.  I placed the wine glasses (No, I have not been drinking with the crutches.  They're from guests earlier in the week.) under the correct cupboard and went back to the dishwasher, and then my crutches slid down and knocked the wine glasses to the floor.  Although I'm able to sweep, I can't bend down to sweep it into the dust pan, so J had to clean up the pile.  Today's Kindness J was amazing yesterday.  Her mom even made me banana bread!  Many are checking on my progress and sending prayers for ...

Shoveling Snow With Buddha   In the usual iconography of the temple or the local Wok you would never see him doing such a thing, tossing the dry snow over a mountain of his bare, round shoulder, his hair tied in a knot, a model of concentration.   Sitting is more his speed, if that is the word for what he does, or does not do.   Even the season is wrong for him. In all his manifestations, is it not warm or slightly humid? Is this not implied by his serene expression, that smile so wide it wraps itself around the waist of the universe?   But here we are, working our way down the driveway, one shovelful at a time. We toss the light powder into the clear air. We feel the cold mist on our faces. And with every heave we disappear and become lost to each other in these sudden clouds of our own making, these fountain-bursts of snow.   This is so much better than a sermon in church, I say out loud, but Buddha keeps on shove...

Breathless by Billy Collins Some like the mountains, some like the seashore, Jean-Paul Belmondo says to the camera in the opening scene. Some like to sleep face up, some like to sleep on their stomachs, I am thinking here in bed-- some take the shape of murder victims flat on their backs all night, others float face down on the dark waters. Then there are those like me who prefer to sleep on their sides, knees brought up to the chest, head resting on a crooked arm and a soft fist touching the chin, which is the way I would like to be buried, curled up in a coffin in a fresh pair of cotton pajamas, a down pillow under my weighty head. After a lifetime of watchfulness and nervous vigilance, I will be more than ready for sleep, so never mind the dark suit, the ridiculous tie and the pale limp hands crossed on the chest. Lower me down in my slumber, tucked into myself like the oldest fetus on earth, and while the cows look over the stone wall of t...

"Before I got in the game, made a change, and got rich I didn't think hard about using the word bitch I rapped, I flipped it, I sold it, I lived it Now with my daughter in this world I curse those that give it" "No man will degrade her, or call her name I'm so focused on your future, the degradation has passed I wish you wealth, health and insight Forever young you may pass Blue Ivy Carter, my angel." Although it seems as though Jay-Z did not write the poem and therefore isn't actually going to stand by the sentiment, it would be nice if the word bitch (and even ho) was not used in song lyrics with the frequency it is currently used.  It seems as though 109 out of Jay-Zs 217 songs contain the word bitch.  I understand that he probably has had many bitches in his life but... Today's Kindness I have chicken noodle soup coming tonight!  People are super kind and generous. Also, I appreciate my PT and her ability to answer (wit...

Last night I mentioned to Dad and Carol that I could only watch one episode of The West Wing before I went to bed because "I hit the wall."  Dad took it literally and figured I fell off my crutches.  Today I am still exhausted.  It's amazing how taking a shower and doing small exercises tend to wear me out.  While Dad and Carol are having lunch with friends and doing more errands for me, I am icing/compressing, reading and relaxing.  This morning while I was geeking on the interweb a friend messaged me.  It seems she's been home for six weeks and will perhaps need to be home for at least another month.  Yesterday another friend posted, "It can always be worse.  Be grateful."  As I chatted with my friend who is on lock-down much longer than I will be, I realized the truth in these words. Today's Kindness Everyone continues to be kind, and I still feel guilty about doing this during and after surgery because I don't have to think about ...

When I first started taking my Oxycodone, I realized my area code (612) was on each pill I took.  Today I decided to quit taking the Oxycodone since I can't drive while I'm on it.  It is also the day when I realized it was 512 not 612 on the white tablets.  For some reason I like it better when I thought it was 612 and that perhaps they followed the pills by the area code.  Anyway, Oxycodone/Percocet is gone. The surgeon's assistant called today, and we discussed my spills on Friday night.  It seems I should have taken it a bit more easy.  My surgery was a bit more intense than I thought and the notation of three weeks instead of two weeks on crutches is not a mistake.  Also I went to PT today.  She's much easier on the body after surgery.  During PT I rode the exercise bike .28 miles (point two eight) in five minutes.  It's a good thing I wasn't racing anyone. Today's Kindness Dad and Carol are doing everything and anything I as...

Although I'm not game ready, I'm doing better than I expected.  I have a Game Ready ice/compression machine that is the coolest (ice... cool...) thing ever.  It ices and compresses my leg while I sit on the couch.  Sitting on the couch with my ice machine was not the only event today.  With some creativity I was able to take a shower although the process left me tired.  Since I only have a tub shower and can only put weight on one leg, this was not easy.  Tomorrow I'll visit the PT and hope she's happy with my progress with range of motion and the bike.  I can tell everyone is praying because I have more patience and less pain than I thought I would have. Today's Kindness Janette left today.  Perhaps I failed to mention it, but I fell three times from my crutches on Friday night.  It was pretty gruesome as was getting up the steps into my house.  She was awesome!  Today was much better, so we were able to chat and watch The...

I don't really know much about yesterday's surgery.  The surgeon explained it to me a bit, but I don't remember the conversation.  The pictures show the calcification that he told my dear friend and caretaker about, but we can't seem to see the divot the calcification caused.  It seems as though the calcification may have caused the muscles to react differently plus the muscles around the hip are "loosey goosey".  Yep, that's all I know... nothing really.  Today is going fairly well although last night was a bit difficult.  I'm mainly keeping ahead of the pain.  I did a bit on the exercise bike today, and it wiped me out.  Range of motion exercises will wait for at least on hour while I take time to read. Today's Kindness My dear friend, Janette, is staying with me and doing EVERYTHING for me.  Her beau texted and asked for my address.  Today Davanni's delivered pizza and salad.  It was beyond kind and a great lunch (and ho...

It's a good thing my friend Janette is coming soon to stay with my while I have surgery because I'm running out of things to do other than eat, and that's not a possibility.  My wash is finished.  The trash is taken out.  Although my floors are swept, no one will know in 24 hours.  Dishes are clean and put away.  Dial anti-bacterial soap (yuck!!) has been used to bathe my body.  Now I sit in "loose fitting clothes" waiting for another 2.5 hours before I need to report.  Surgery will begin at 2:30 and last approximately 2.5 hours.  Then I'll return home groggy and confused hopefully without pain.  Delightful. Today's Kindness I'm beginning to think this following this practice when I'm about to have surgery is cheating because everyone is being kind. Today's kindness comes from the friendly parents who attended conferences last night.  It made the night before surgery much easier than planned.

I am not a fan of New Year's resolutions.  Why wait until the new year to do what needs to be done?  New Year's resolutions certainly get on my nerves when it comes to the gym parking ramp.  I've made it to the gym eight of the last eleven days and plan to go tonight after conferences.  Although I won't make my twelve before surgery, it's been a good mental exercise.  Actually last night I listened to Fighter by Christina Aguilera twice as a motivator.  Unfortunately everyone who normally doesn't go to the gym is there with me taking up my parking spaces.  Each and every day I've had to park on the upper level and walk down the crazy steps which last night were a bit slick.  Normally this is reserved for Saturdays, not every day.  Maybe by the time I am able to go back to the gym full time the others will realize their resolution was not meant to be.  Today's Kindness This is again difficult since I haven't left my house yet, but ...

Pre-Op form                                                   check Health Directive to Doctor                             check Handicap Sign for Car                                    check Pre-Registration for Surgery                           check Reservation for Ice/Compression Machine ...

I realize that sometimes people share too much on the interweb.  This is going to be one of those times.  Yesterday was traumatic.  I had my lanyard with my school keys in my back pocket.  When I went to the bathroom at lunch, I forgot to take the keys/lanyard out of my pocket.  The keys remained in my pocket while one end fell into the toilet.  It was horrifying.  I carefully removed the keys from the lanyard, wrapped the wet end in toilet paper, and threw the lanyard away.  Trying to remain calm, all I could imagine was a line outside of the bathroom and people wondering, "What the heck is going on?"  As calmly as I could, because I was absolutely shaken, I went to the secretaries to see if they had another lanyard for me.  After I told them, I realized that this was utterly embarrassing, yet I make it my post this morning.  Maybe it will give me the courage I need to face the secretaries today.  Today's Kindness The se...

I am in need of advice.  Should I stick with the new blog style, or revert to the old blog style (current)? Please help me with this decision.  Instead of listing the pros and cons of each, I am merely asking for you to comment and tell me which I should use. Today's Kindness Last week I asked a colleague to take the after-school reading program because I was sick.  She was kind and taught the sometimes tough group of reluctant readers.  In addition, she brought me a bottle of Zero Vitamin Water on Friday with a nice note.  Vitamin Water was something I hadn't tried.  Although the kindness didn't happen today (it's too early in the morning for a lot of kindness), I'm sharing it because I have bought Vitamin Water and am including it in my lunch.  The kindness came to mind as I was packing my lunch.  The gift that keeps giving... Also, yesterday a friend posted on my wall asking me if I needed reading material while I was at home... kind...

For Those Who Have Far to Travel An Epiphany Blessing ~Jan L. Richardson  If you could see the journey whole you might never undertake it; might never dare the first step that propels you from the place you have known toward the place you know not. Call it one of the mercies of the road: that we see it only by stages as it opens before us, as it comes into our keeping step by single step. There is nothing for it but to go and by our going take the vows the pilgrim takes: to be faithful to the next step; to rely on more than the map; to heed the signposts of intuition and dream; to follow the star that only you will recognize; to keep an open eye for the wonders that attend the path; to press on beyond distractions beyond fatigue beyond what would tempt you from the way. There are vows that only you will know; the secret promises for your particular path and the new ones you will need to make when the road is revealed by turns yo...

Sam Seaborn from The West Wing : "Mallory, education is the silver bullet. Education is everything. We don't need little changes, we need gigantic, monumental changes. Schools should be palaces. The competition for the best teachers should be fierce. They should be making six-figure salaries. Schools should be incredibly expensive for government and absolutely free of charge to its citizens, just like national defense. That's my position. I just haven't figured out how to do it yet." Tonight I am working on sub plans for the two weeks of school that I will miss.  While I am working on these sub plans, I am watching The West Wing .  I am truly convinced that The West Wing and The Chronicles of Harris Burdick will be my salvation during my time at home.  Currently I am watching Season One, Six Meetings Before Lunch .   When I heard the above quote, I decided to stop and post to my blog. Oh, and my other favorite quote comes from the preview for the...

Friday is awesome! The weather is perfect. I went to the gym and rode the bike for thirty minutes. The blinds are restrung and hung. I received a coupon for a free burrito at Chipotle. The new DVD player is set up and working (Well, I'm not sure about the internet part yet.)

When I went to the PT, I asked a series of questions about what the week after surgery would look like.  We talked about the pros and cons of me buying a cheap exercise bike instead of trying to go the the Y that first week.  She thought buying a cheap exercise would be a good idea.  After spending some time looking online (even Craig's List), I decided to check Dick's Sporting Goods.  The gentleman that helped me was helpful to quite helpful.  After he checked several stores, he didn't have anything less expensive than $300.  I really didn't want to spend over $200 because I won't use it when I can get back to exercising at the Y.  Sports Authority had a floor model (Schwinn A10) that I was able to get for a total of $179 (including tax).  Although I called a friend to help me get it upstairs, I decided (after watching the guy put it into my car) that I could probably get it upstairs by myself.  Instead of changing out of the clothes I wo...

Last night was my last meeting with the PT until after my surgery.  She talked about what the first week after my surgery would look like.   If I read the situation correctly, she also tried to give me some advice about letting go.  This is interesting since she has only known me for a little less than a month.  It seems she thinks I am strong willed and independent... Who knew?  Her strongest suggestion was that I let people take care of me.  Many people have offered to help out, and I guess it's time to let the people help.  A colleague suggested I set up a Google Doc and e-mail the link to those who have volunteered to help.  At first I laughed and said that I could use my school account.  Actually it seems like a good idea, so I will set up a Google Doc this weekend (obviously not using my school account), so people can come once a day to help me with my "range of motion" and perhaps entertain me a bit.  This is a big step fo...

Today I went back to school and let the students know what to expect for January including my two week absence following surgery.  The reactions were mixed.  A sweet girl in my first class said perhaps she could send me flowers while a group of boys in my third class concentrated on the date instead (Friday the 13th) suggesting I should worry about Jason cutting me up on the table (seriously).  In one class an ELL student seriously didn't know about a hip, so I had to explain it to him.  All in all it went well, I told them that maybe they noticed I've been walking around as if I was 82 when I was really only 72, so I was going to have surgery.  In my after school program for struggling readers, one student asked a question in the middle of our reading, "Do you really need to be gone?"  Of course this had nothing to do with our reading, but I think she was sincere. 

When I'm sick, I tend to do dumb things.  One was an incident that may have combined laundry detergent and my iPhone, but there is no real proof of this... long story... shouldn't be posted since I have a new iPhone.  The other thing I decided to do when I was sick today was to get one of my blinds restrung.  It hasn't worked for two years, so I'm not sure why I decided to let it take up most of my morning.  I took it to The Little Blind Spot, and it will be ready before the weekend.  In the interim, I have taken some Mexican blankets (first trip to Mexico in the early 90s) out of my cedar chest and hung them over the windows.  It looks like a first apartment or dorm room, and the blankets smell of the cedar chest.  Kitty Klaus was intrigued and irritated with the new window treatments.  I'm pleased that I decided to do it during winter because they don't necessarily do the best job blocking the light which really isn't important when it's dark...

My hip surgery is on January 13th.  I will refrain from my original idea which was to blog each day about one of my fears.  Today I decided to suck it up and make the best of my next twelve days by working out each day (working out limited to exercise bike and BodyPump).  Since I need to go to the gym twelve times a month to get the discount, I found this to be positive, physically, emotionally, and financially.  The idea was perfect until I remembered conferences on the twelfth (Heck, maybe I'll go after conferences).  Of course the idea is still a good idea since working out keeps my mind off the fears that seem to creep into my mind when I am not keeping busy.  In reality, I'm actually happy about conferences the night before my surgery.  It is better than sitting at home freaking out.  This afternoon I "put my plan in motion" by going to the gym in time to get 30 minutes on the bike before they closed.  I can do this!