Oil. I love it, I hate it. What I really want is to be able to count on individuals, companies and our government to be good stewards of the earth. I want industries to really internalize safety features that could prevent accidents. I would very much like a world where profit is not the first concern. I'll die holding my breath, I know.
We originally planned our trip when we first heard the oil was going to hit the Florida coast. Now they are predicting Florida will only get a light sheen and tarballs (as if that won't do any damage.) Now, pessimism aside, we are going to try to beat the oil. This morning we sent Derek to work and Grandma Margaret, Molly, Spencer and I are going to the beach. I hope the oil doesn't do much damage here, but, again, I'm not holding my breath. I am hoping we will be lucky enough to go to the beach again in a few weeks with visitors.
I think, if I can, I might go to the beach again next week.
Update: SUNBURN! I burned so badly I have to wear a shirt and shorts to the beach next time. Next time hopefully being Wednesday, May 12.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Solar Power
We are almost completely committed to solar panels (in a legal sense, we are already committed in our minds.) We have signed the loan paperwork and sometime next week we will be signing the contract with the solar company.
The salesman that sold us the system was awesome. There were several steps in the loan process that were tedious and would have taken us a week to complete, but he was prepared and he made phone calls and paid fees for us to continue moving forward. He has been the best commission only salesperson we have ever had. He did the yucky work, backed off when we said we needed to think about it, and let us read the fine print at our leisure anytime we had to sign something.
Let's talk about cost for a moment. The total cost for the system is $33,000. The state of Florida currently has a rebate of $20,000 (how awesome is that?) and the feds have a $9,900 tax credit, the company will front the remainder of the cost for a few years. We are going to let everything settle and then pay it off. We had to get a loan (a low interest loan issued by the city) to cover the state rebate. Admittedly, the state rebate comes with some risk. The rebate fund has to be re-funded every year by the legislature and is currently out of money. There is always the chance they will not fund it this year. We were willing to take that risk. In my mind we aren't even getting that rebate money. (This is another area where this company and the salesman are awesome, they are filling out the paperwork for the rebate for us.)
There is a couple more more papers to sign and money to change hands, but we're on baby!
The salesman that sold us the system was awesome. There were several steps in the loan process that were tedious and would have taken us a week to complete, but he was prepared and he made phone calls and paid fees for us to continue moving forward. He has been the best commission only salesperson we have ever had. He did the yucky work, backed off when we said we needed to think about it, and let us read the fine print at our leisure anytime we had to sign something.
Let's talk about cost for a moment. The total cost for the system is $33,000. The state of Florida currently has a rebate of $20,000 (how awesome is that?) and the feds have a $9,900 tax credit, the company will front the remainder of the cost for a few years. We are going to let everything settle and then pay it off. We had to get a loan (a low interest loan issued by the city) to cover the state rebate. Admittedly, the state rebate comes with some risk. The rebate fund has to be re-funded every year by the legislature and is currently out of money. There is always the chance they will not fund it this year. We were willing to take that risk. In my mind we aren't even getting that rebate money. (This is another area where this company and the salesman are awesome, they are filling out the paperwork for the rebate for us.)
There is a couple more more papers to sign and money to change hands, but we're on baby!
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Thank Goodness for Photos
One of the many tasks I have put off is organizing our photos. While working on it, I love seeing how the kids have changed in the last year. It has been heartbreaking, adorable, frustrating and surreal. One especially fun aspect has been seeing them in the same clothes through the year.
In Hawaii,the clothes the kids wore to the beach were also their summer clothes here in Florida. Molly's shorts were down to her knees and Spencer's bathing suit was almost to his ankles. By the end of last summer, Molly's shorts were too short and Spencer wore the next size swimsuit. They get so big, so fast!
While looking at the pre-move photos gives me the warm fuzzies, the thought of looking at the post-move photos depresses me.
(days later)
I took the plunge and I am pleasantly surprised by the photos taken after our move. Admittedly, almost all of our photos are taken during good times, but at least now I can see we had some good times. You know, sometimes you just need proof.
In Hawaii,the clothes the kids wore to the beach were also their summer clothes here in Florida. Molly's shorts were down to her knees and Spencer's bathing suit was almost to his ankles. By the end of last summer, Molly's shorts were too short and Spencer wore the next size swimsuit. They get so big, so fast!
While looking at the pre-move photos gives me the warm fuzzies, the thought of looking at the post-move photos depresses me.
(days later)
I took the plunge and I am pleasantly surprised by the photos taken after our move. Admittedly, almost all of our photos are taken during good times, but at least now I can see we had some good times. You know, sometimes you just need proof.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Baby time!
My very good friend, Rebecca, had her fourth baby today. Congratulations Rebecca and Dan! His name is Hudson and he is pretty darn cute. I have to share a little bit of their birth story, because I cannot believe how perfectly things worked out for them.
Rebecca's third baby came after 45 minutes of labor, so there was a bit of concern about this baby arriving so fast as well. For this baby, she had everything planned out and backup planned up the wazzu. She planned a home birth, the last three were in the hospital and her third might have been better off at home, given how fast he arrived. Since it was a home birth, she hired a midwife and a photographer to capture the early moments of what might be her last baby.
Last week she started having mild contractions (or false labor.) She wasn't quite ready though, she hadn't shopped for groceries yet! After a rush of nesting, she went into labor at 3 am this morning. Two and a half hours later out came Hudson. She did say that after her last baby, 2.5 hours seemed excruciating. Her midwife was able to show up 15 minutes before the baby arrived and the photographer is going on vacation tomorrow. So, the timing worked well with the professionals.
She did have a bit of a panic in the beginning of her labor, because the person that was supposed to take her children while she was laboring was in the hospital because her child has croup. Her backup people weren't answering their phones, it was 3 am after all, and one next door neighbor has a 3 week old baby herself and the other had to work. So they decided to let the kids sleep and work it out as best they could. It turns out the kids slept right through everything! EVERYTHING! Can you believe it?
Everyone sounds like they are doing well. Maybe this will be the baby that sleeps through the night? Good luck, Rebecca and Dan!
Rebecca's third baby came after 45 minutes of labor, so there was a bit of concern about this baby arriving so fast as well. For this baby, she had everything planned out and backup planned up the wazzu. She planned a home birth, the last three were in the hospital and her third might have been better off at home, given how fast he arrived. Since it was a home birth, she hired a midwife and a photographer to capture the early moments of what might be her last baby.
Last week she started having mild contractions (or false labor.) She wasn't quite ready though, she hadn't shopped for groceries yet! After a rush of nesting, she went into labor at 3 am this morning. Two and a half hours later out came Hudson. She did say that after her last baby, 2.5 hours seemed excruciating. Her midwife was able to show up 15 minutes before the baby arrived and the photographer is going on vacation tomorrow. So, the timing worked well with the professionals.
She did have a bit of a panic in the beginning of her labor, because the person that was supposed to take her children while she was laboring was in the hospital because her child has croup. Her backup people weren't answering their phones, it was 3 am after all, and one next door neighbor has a 3 week old baby herself and the other had to work. So they decided to let the kids sleep and work it out as best they could. It turns out the kids slept right through everything! EVERYTHING! Can you believe it?
Everyone sounds like they are doing well. Maybe this will be the baby that sleeps through the night? Good luck, Rebecca and Dan!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
One year ago today...
Spencer was asleep. Upon impact he woke up screaming. I was able to limp around the car to get him out. As soon as I opened the door he calmed down. He sat in my lap, in the middle of road, exclaiming about all the cars going by. Then the fire truck and ambulance came. Whoa, was that awesome! Everything was terribly exciting for him.
In the ambulance, my realtor called. Um, sorry. Going to have to postpone this for a while. Poor guy. Who knew it would be almost a year before we picked up that house search again. I feel like the last year was almost not even there. I just existed. And poorly at that.
At the time we still had Alaska car insurance, which has different coverage than Florida. Florida has instituted requirements so that nothing is out of pocket until you hit a maximum amount. I could not get people to remember I didn't have that special insurance and that I was paying for this! Eventually we had to get a lawyer, because the other guy was uninsured (the accident was his fault) and we were footing the bill. Oh, and you can't get your insurance to pay for things unless you get that lawyer. Great system huh? I wonder who designed it? Lawyers perhaps?
FYI, I highly recommend you have uninsured motorist protection for more than $100,000. My foot alone was worth the $100,000, can you imagine hurting more than a foot? I am sure there are many of you wondering how a foot can be worth anything, let alone the above. But, first the lawyer gets his share, there are bills to be paid and I can no longer do certain jobs because my foot will always have some problems. Oh yes, I will also have to have more surgery on my foot as I age. Isn't that fun?
The other thing I learned from this experience, get COBRA. In our situation, we did not think we would need COBRA because it was all auto related, but health insurance would have at least helped us ride this out. And now my foot has a pre-existing injury because I did not have health coverage at the time.
I am still not completely over the emotional turmoil I went through last year. I think this summer will go a long way to help me "get over" it. We bought a house this winter and my dad is helping me build (which really means, he is building) a raised planter for vegetables. My mom and I transplanted tomatoes today and Molly helped me transplant geraniums (purple, of course). We are enclosing our yard later this week to help my peace of mind with the kids. I am looking forward to a summer filled with water, dirt, gardening, and toilet training. I am hoping it will be a good one.
In the ambulance, my realtor called. Um, sorry. Going to have to postpone this for a while. Poor guy. Who knew it would be almost a year before we picked up that house search again. I feel like the last year was almost not even there. I just existed. And poorly at that.
At the time we still had Alaska car insurance, which has different coverage than Florida. Florida has instituted requirements so that nothing is out of pocket until you hit a maximum amount. I could not get people to remember I didn't have that special insurance and that I was paying for this! Eventually we had to get a lawyer, because the other guy was uninsured (the accident was his fault) and we were footing the bill. Oh, and you can't get your insurance to pay for things unless you get that lawyer. Great system huh? I wonder who designed it? Lawyers perhaps?
FYI, I highly recommend you have uninsured motorist protection for more than $100,000. My foot alone was worth the $100,000, can you imagine hurting more than a foot? I am sure there are many of you wondering how a foot can be worth anything, let alone the above. But, first the lawyer gets his share, there are bills to be paid and I can no longer do certain jobs because my foot will always have some problems. Oh yes, I will also have to have more surgery on my foot as I age. Isn't that fun?
The other thing I learned from this experience, get COBRA. In our situation, we did not think we would need COBRA because it was all auto related, but health insurance would have at least helped us ride this out. And now my foot has a pre-existing injury because I did not have health coverage at the time.
I am still not completely over the emotional turmoil I went through last year. I think this summer will go a long way to help me "get over" it. We bought a house this winter and my dad is helping me build (which really means, he is building) a raised planter for vegetables. My mom and I transplanted tomatoes today and Molly helped me transplant geraniums (purple, of course). We are enclosing our yard later this week to help my peace of mind with the kids. I am looking forward to a summer filled with water, dirt, gardening, and toilet training. I am hoping it will be a good one.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Learning about produce, starting with peaches
One of the reasons I agreed to move to Tallahassee was the close proximity to real peaches. There are those of you in the lower 48 that take your peaches for granted. Alaska has a hard time getting good peaches. While in Alaska, I have had a few decent peaches. A little sweet, sometimes some juice, but I knew there had to be more to it.
Last Saturday we went to a sidewalk market and I bought a bag of peaches. The peaches were hard, which gave me a bit of anxiety, harking back to my Alaska peach experience. But I was willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. I decided to try one in the car; I was that worried about it being an Alaskan peach. Oh my, oh my, oh my! It was already better than every peach I had ever had in Alaska. It was juicy and slightly sweet and the texture! I was starting to understand why people liked this fruit. Even to my untrained palate it was obviously not completely ripe, but on its way.
So today I went through the rest of the bag and discovered the bruised peaches were the sweetest and those not bruised were just a little less sweet. Oh, man, I am in peach heaven. Imagine if I lived in a high peach producing area! I am thinking we might need to take a little road trip in a few weeks. I’ll see what peach stands need my help!
Does anyone know if you can have too many peaches? You know, like you can have too many pineapples?
Last Saturday we went to a sidewalk market and I bought a bag of peaches. The peaches were hard, which gave me a bit of anxiety, harking back to my Alaska peach experience. But I was willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. I decided to try one in the car; I was that worried about it being an Alaskan peach. Oh my, oh my, oh my! It was already better than every peach I had ever had in Alaska. It was juicy and slightly sweet and the texture! I was starting to understand why people liked this fruit. Even to my untrained palate it was obviously not completely ripe, but on its way.
So today I went through the rest of the bag and discovered the bruised peaches were the sweetest and those not bruised were just a little less sweet. Oh, man, I am in peach heaven. Imagine if I lived in a high peach producing area! I am thinking we might need to take a little road trip in a few weeks. I’ll see what peach stands need my help!
Does anyone know if you can have too many peaches? You know, like you can have too many pineapples?
Monday, May 25, 2009
Cable, cable, cable...
We had satellite for nine and a half years and we rarely had problems with reception and when we did it was always related to the weather. In the condo it was wind and heavy rain. At the house it was heavy snowfalls.
We have had cable for two and a half months. We have had approximately the same number of problems during that time as we had for the entire nine and a half years we had satellite.
In Juneau, choosing satellite made economic sense. It looks like it will be for different reasons in the lower 48.
Along the same vein, we chose to not get a dvr with our cable because the price was so much higher. We are now regretting that decision, because I start to watch “my stories” and I do not want to miss the end. And now they really know how to keep you glued, because they start the next show just after the first bit of credits start from the last show. You almost do not have time to grab the remote.
What are my stories you ask? Pretty much anything Law & Order related and a few copycat shows. Which pretty much means there is always something on to watch.
We have had cable for two and a half months. We have had approximately the same number of problems during that time as we had for the entire nine and a half years we had satellite.
In Juneau, choosing satellite made economic sense. It looks like it will be for different reasons in the lower 48.
Along the same vein, we chose to not get a dvr with our cable because the price was so much higher. We are now regretting that decision, because I start to watch “my stories” and I do not want to miss the end. And now they really know how to keep you glued, because they start the next show just after the first bit of credits start from the last show. You almost do not have time to grab the remote.
What are my stories you ask? Pretty much anything Law & Order related and a few copycat shows. Which pretty much means there is always something on to watch.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Up-Coming Travel
Derek's new job entails a lot of travel. A LOT! He has already traveled a number of times this spring and the remainder of the summer will not be any different. We had always planned to go with him a few times to take advantage of the road system (LOVE it! :) The foot and unsold house thing has dampened my enthusiasm somewhat. However, he will still travel! I will hopefully be walking by July when he will be going to DC!
I was wondering if anyone would like to join us at one of his destinations. I know we will be traveling in the heat of summer, but it cannot be helped. If there is somewhere else close to these locations you could meet, let me know!
mid-July in Washington, DC
early August in Montgomery, AL
mid- to late August in Atlanta, GA
Email me for specific dates (Derek is paranoid about posting them) if you are interested in meeting up with us.
I was wondering if anyone would like to join us at one of his destinations. I know we will be traveling in the heat of summer, but it cannot be helped. If there is somewhere else close to these locations you could meet, let me know!
mid-July in Washington, DC
early August in Montgomery, AL
mid- to late August in Atlanta, GA
Email me for specific dates (Derek is paranoid about posting them) if you are interested in meeting up with us.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Zucchini
Here is Molly in her lovely new "zuchini."She really had no concept as to what the big deal was about bikini's. I kept telling her I wanted to see her cute belly sticking out of her bikini.
Derek thought it was funny that she already knew how to sashay her butt around. But really, it is the here's-my-belly-"bizuchini"-dance.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
The 4 year-old mind
I love this stop motion video. It is a basically a sales video, but it is not a slick production.
I thought Molly would like it as well. Mid-way through the video I realized, nope, no go. She asked at every new scene what is it? What's that? What's happening? What's going on?
We turned it off.
I thought Molly would like it as well. Mid-way through the video I realized, nope, no go. She asked at every new scene what is it? What's that? What's happening? What's going on?
We turned it off.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Boring and Bored
We still have not sold our Juneau home.
My mom arrived and did most of the cooking and left.
My in-laws are here.
I had a purple cast for 5 weeks. Now I have a removable walking boot. I have to wait at least another 5 weeks, maybe longer, before I can walk.
My mom arrived and did most of the cooking and left.
My in-laws are here.
I had a purple cast for 5 weeks. Now I have a removable walking boot. I have to wait at least another 5 weeks, maybe longer, before I can walk.
Monday, March 30, 2009
H2O
In my experience, when you need hot water, you run the tap until the cold water runs out and the hot water reaches your faucet. Now that it is starting to get warm in Florida, I have noticed the water in the pipes is warm for a while before I get cold water. This is the first time I have had to wait for cold water.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Capital Regional Medical Center
Valet service at a hospital? For a moment I thought I was in California. Then we walked into the rotunda entryway, complete with green stonework and wood paneling. It must be California.
This surgery was different than any I have experienced before. The pre-op procedure was the most thorough collection of my medical history I have ever experienced. Everything was discussed from my adenoids being removed to ulna nerve problems and my oxycodone intolerance. The next day the anesthesiologist asked me a few questions and we found one that pre-op missed, my past hiatal hernia issues. Apparently hiatal hernia's can be a problem with general anesthesia. So, I took some disgusting liquid to get rid of any remaining acid in my stomach (which, btw, was described as tasting like SweetTarts, yeah right SweetTarts!) and a Pepcid to prevent future acid.
The orthopedic surgeon performing the ORIF told me a few choices I had regarding anesthesia, which were then contradicted by the anesthesiologist. I was dismayed at the complete lack of communication between the doctors. In Juneau, I have heard anesthesiologists and doctors have a professional disagreement about my care, but at least they were talking.
The hospitals chaplain joined Derek and I for a moment before I was taken away. He kindly talked to us about where we might be religiously in our future (turns out 25 years ago he was throwing up and in a fetal position on the floor asking for gods help, not exactly the same position we were in) and then said a prayer for my surgery. Hmm, I can hear my father groaning now.
I went in at 9:30 am and they were telling me the time again at 2 pm, so the surgery was around four hours long. My doctor told Derek he was able to use less screws, etc then he expected because once he moved one of my metatarsals the rest moved back into place, he left one permanent screw to fuse a section of mangled bones together, three larger temporary screws, and I have one spot where the cartilage was badly damaged (which might give me arthritis trouble later in life.) Some good news, some bad, but at least this surgery is behind me.
Recuperating over the last few days has been boring, tiring, painful, and drugged all at the same time. This is the first time I have actually felt pain reliever work. I have always skipped pain meds after surgery because it didn't change anything. This time I am all about the pain med schedule.
Now I am on the long road to recovery. I really appreciate all of the good wishes everyone is sending my way. It really helps!
This surgery was different than any I have experienced before. The pre-op procedure was the most thorough collection of my medical history I have ever experienced. Everything was discussed from my adenoids being removed to ulna nerve problems and my oxycodone intolerance. The next day the anesthesiologist asked me a few questions and we found one that pre-op missed, my past hiatal hernia issues. Apparently hiatal hernia's can be a problem with general anesthesia. So, I took some disgusting liquid to get rid of any remaining acid in my stomach (which, btw, was described as tasting like SweetTarts, yeah right SweetTarts!) and a Pepcid to prevent future acid.
The orthopedic surgeon performing the ORIF told me a few choices I had regarding anesthesia, which were then contradicted by the anesthesiologist. I was dismayed at the complete lack of communication between the doctors. In Juneau, I have heard anesthesiologists and doctors have a professional disagreement about my care, but at least they were talking.
The hospitals chaplain joined Derek and I for a moment before I was taken away. He kindly talked to us about where we might be religiously in our future (turns out 25 years ago he was throwing up and in a fetal position on the floor asking for gods help, not exactly the same position we were in) and then said a prayer for my surgery. Hmm, I can hear my father groaning now.
I went in at 9:30 am and they were telling me the time again at 2 pm, so the surgery was around four hours long. My doctor told Derek he was able to use less screws, etc then he expected because once he moved one of my metatarsals the rest moved back into place, he left one permanent screw to fuse a section of mangled bones together, three larger temporary screws, and I have one spot where the cartilage was badly damaged (which might give me arthritis trouble later in life.) Some good news, some bad, but at least this surgery is behind me.
Recuperating over the last few days has been boring, tiring, painful, and drugged all at the same time. This is the first time I have actually felt pain reliever work. I have always skipped pain meds after surgery because it didn't change anything. This time I am all about the pain med schedule.
Now I am on the long road to recovery. I really appreciate all of the good wishes everyone is sending my way. It really helps!
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Spencer
Spencer, Spencer, Spencer...
What can I say about Spencer? He is handling the transition, at times very well and other times not so much. Tonight, at bedtime, he just decided he was done with me. He crawled off the bed and ran to Derek. Next thing I know, he's screaming for "Mama" in his room. Derek spent an hour in Spencer's room with him screaming. Spencer then ran to me and, after laying with me for a bit, started screaming "Daddy!"
What can I say about Spencer? He is handling the transition, at times very well and other times not so much. Tonight, at bedtime, he just decided he was done with me. He crawled off the bed and ran to Derek. Next thing I know, he's screaming for "Mama" in his room. Derek spent an hour in Spencer's room with him screaming. Spencer then ran to me and, after laying with me for a bit, started screaming "Daddy!"
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Still Sunny
I still remember moving to Alaska in the middle of summer. I could read all night long without a lamp! Wonderful! While in Fairbanks, it was lovely. The sun would never come up or it was up all the time. I loved it. Of course, I was in college so my schedule was pretty flexible. In Juneau we never saw it because it was overcast most of the time. When the sun was out everyone kind of goes fever pitch crazy, trying to be out in it as much as possible. Derek once commented three weeks into a sunny spell that he could not wait for it to rain again so he did not have to feel obligated to go outside all the time.
Since our arrival, we have heard constantly that this is the best time of the year; this is the prettiest time of the year, etc. Derek and I see the trees don’t have any leaves and a few azalea’s and cherry tree’s blooming, but not enough to knock your socks off. Finally someone explained that Tallahassans (Tallahasseeans?) hate the sun. It gets so hot in the summer that the cooler period is much looked forward to and appreciated.
Since our arrival the trees have started to leaf and wisteria is blooming. Together they make a very pretty package. Our apartment is in the middle of a nature walk that looks like it would be quite nice to walk or ride a bike through. I think by the time I am able to walk, it will be very hot, but I hear mornings are a great time to get outside (or the only time.) When I am able, I will let you know.
Since our arrival, we have heard constantly that this is the best time of the year; this is the prettiest time of the year, etc. Derek and I see the trees don’t have any leaves and a few azalea’s and cherry tree’s blooming, but not enough to knock your socks off. Finally someone explained that Tallahassans (Tallahasseeans?) hate the sun. It gets so hot in the summer that the cooler period is much looked forward to and appreciated.
Since our arrival the trees have started to leaf and wisteria is blooming. Together they make a very pretty package. Our apartment is in the middle of a nature walk that looks like it would be quite nice to walk or ride a bike through. I think by the time I am able to walk, it will be very hot, but I hear mornings are a great time to get outside (or the only time.) When I am able, I will let you know.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Miscellaneous Daily (shall I bullet them?)
Happy Birthday Matt!
We signed a lease yesterday. Offer on the house, come on down! Tonight is our first night at the new apartment. It was a late night for the kids, but overall, I think it is already much better than the hotel. I will try to post pictures in future posts.
Found on my new bed tray:
Warning:
Do not drop. The construction of this product is not intended to withstand impact on hard surfaces.
I see duct tape in this tray’s future. For those who know my lovely quirky father, the tray is equivalent to his cutting board. Except I am not worried about overheating, I just need a surface to place a computer while in this situation. Now all I need is a butler to serve me tea and biscuits.
I managed to rearrange most of the furniture in the apartment, but I tried to start a load of laundry and just about killed myself. I can shove and pull, but not carry.
I am currently without an internet connection and am writing this in Word. It’s harder to be without internet than it is to be without phone or tv. I was able to briefly check email on an unsecured network, but it was very fleeting. My favorite activity is finding services in town and without Google I am thwarted. I am sure there is a phone book somewhere in the apartment, but it is just not the same.
We have hired a nanny until my mom’s arrival. I am always around because I have nowhere else to go and Spencer wants me when something bothers him, she is expensive and was late the first day, so at times it is awkward. But she is very nice and puts up with our situation, so overall I am happy with how things are going.
Derek and I were in the car today without children for the first time in over a month. Crazy! Then I went to the store by myself too! Usually Derek is with the kids and I feel like I have to hurry when I go to the store by myself; this time I was able to go all over the store to find what I wanted. (Actually, this was a necessity. I still cannot find my way around some of the stores down here.) It was kind of fun tooling around in the handicap cart.
We signed a lease yesterday. Offer on the house, come on down! Tonight is our first night at the new apartment. It was a late night for the kids, but overall, I think it is already much better than the hotel. I will try to post pictures in future posts.
Found on my new bed tray:
Warning:
Do not drop. The construction of this product is not intended to withstand impact on hard surfaces.
I see duct tape in this tray’s future. For those who know my lovely quirky father, the tray is equivalent to his cutting board. Except I am not worried about overheating, I just need a surface to place a computer while in this situation. Now all I need is a butler to serve me tea and biscuits.
I managed to rearrange most of the furniture in the apartment, but I tried to start a load of laundry and just about killed myself. I can shove and pull, but not carry.
I am currently without an internet connection and am writing this in Word. It’s harder to be without internet than it is to be without phone or tv. I was able to briefly check email on an unsecured network, but it was very fleeting. My favorite activity is finding services in town and without Google I am thwarted. I am sure there is a phone book somewhere in the apartment, but it is just not the same.
We have hired a nanny until my mom’s arrival. I am always around because I have nowhere else to go and Spencer wants me when something bothers him, she is expensive and was late the first day, so at times it is awkward. But she is very nice and puts up with our situation, so overall I am happy with how things are going.
Derek and I were in the car today without children for the first time in over a month. Crazy! Then I went to the store by myself too! Usually Derek is with the kids and I feel like I have to hurry when I go to the store by myself; this time I was able to go all over the store to find what I wanted. (Actually, this was a necessity. I still cannot find my way around some of the stores down here.) It was kind of fun tooling around in the handicap cart.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Renting in Tally
It looks like we are going to sign a lease tomorrow. Since we only have one car, were trying to get a place within walking distance for Derek. But now, unfortunately, that concern isn't as high on our priority list anymore. We found a place where the wheelchair will fit through most doors, it has a nice grassy area out the back porch, pools, fitness center, business center, billiards, etc, etc. I am now worried we will find it so comfortable that we will not want to move out when the time comes.
So, now it is time for the really great offer on our house to come in. Every time we make an inch in commitment down here we get an inch of commitment from someone on our Juneau home. We will have to take the full plunge down here on an apartment before we get an offer on our house up there, I am convinced of that.
So, now it is time for the really great offer on our house to come in. Every time we make an inch in commitment down here we get an inch of commitment from someone on our Juneau home. We will have to take the full plunge down here on an apartment before we get an offer on our house up there, I am convinced of that.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Surgery
I guess I was in denial about surgery.
I got a call informing me of my surgery schedule and a few moments after hanging up I had a minor panic attack. Unfortunately, I keep having them. I have had surgery before without worry, so why am I panicking now? Our lives are in such upheaval, I wonder if I am just reacting to an additional unknown outcome.
I really want to put this all in the past and move on, so I am trying to face everything head on and deal with it as soon as possible. Who knows if it's working; I'll find out when I realize I am in denial again.
I got a call informing me of my surgery schedule and a few moments after hanging up I had a minor panic attack. Unfortunately, I keep having them. I have had surgery before without worry, so why am I panicking now? Our lives are in such upheaval, I wonder if I am just reacting to an additional unknown outcome.
I really want to put this all in the past and move on, so I am trying to face everything head on and deal with it as soon as possible. Who knows if it's working; I'll find out when I realize I am in denial again.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Welcome to Tallahassee Driving
On Tuesday, I was driving south, on the inside lane, to Costco and a man came out of a side road and crossed traffic to turn north. Only he stopped in the middle of the southbound lanes. It took me a bit to realize he was not going to get out of the way. I slammed on the breaks and thought to myself "Huh, we are not going to miss."
And we didn't miss. I hit his driver's side, front quarter panel (of course, that is just the impact sight on his car, there was a lot more damage than the quarter panel.) I remember a weird sensation in my face and a lot of foot pain. I couldn't get the car to stop after we hit, so I put it in park and got out to get Spencer. As I was going around the back of the car, a man ran over to us and asked if I was ok. All I could say was "My baby." He responded with a bit of panic,"You had a baby in the car? Oh, good he was in a car seat." For some reason the first thought I had was, really he's not a baby, he's a toddler. In that moment, who really cares?
Spencer was crying up until I started to get him out of the car, then he quieted down. While we were sitting in the median waiting for help, he kept saying, "Mama!" and pointing to the cars going by. He has been doing that for a few weeks when he sees cars drive by and they are very exciting to him. Basically, this was just another exciting place to look at cars driving.
Spencer and I took the ambulance to the hospital, where they checked us both out. Spencer took everything with a grain of salt, but a little before the doctor came in he became a squirmer. The doctor said he obviously was doing fine. They x-rayed my foot and decided I also needed a MRI. The doctor told me my foot is bad and I needed to go to an orthopedic surgeon.
At the orthopedic surgeon yesterday I recieved confirmaton that I have a Lisfranc fracture along with some other bones in the same area. From what I can tell, a Lisfranc fracture is a dislocation of the bones as well as all of the bones breaking. So, my 2nd, 3rd, 4th metatarsels are broken and dislocated and some of the bones above the Lisfranc area are also broken.
This means in a couple of weeks, once the swelling has gone down, I will need surgery, complete with screws, pins and maybe plates. Recovery includes physical therapy and is about 4 months.
When I told the ambulance driver what had happened, he said,"Welcome to Tallahassee driving!"
And we didn't miss. I hit his driver's side, front quarter panel (of course, that is just the impact sight on his car, there was a lot more damage than the quarter panel.) I remember a weird sensation in my face and a lot of foot pain. I couldn't get the car to stop after we hit, so I put it in park and got out to get Spencer. As I was going around the back of the car, a man ran over to us and asked if I was ok. All I could say was "My baby." He responded with a bit of panic,"You had a baby in the car? Oh, good he was in a car seat." For some reason the first thought I had was, really he's not a baby, he's a toddler. In that moment, who really cares?
Spencer was crying up until I started to get him out of the car, then he quieted down. While we were sitting in the median waiting for help, he kept saying, "Mama!" and pointing to the cars going by. He has been doing that for a few weeks when he sees cars drive by and they are very exciting to him. Basically, this was just another exciting place to look at cars driving.
Spencer and I took the ambulance to the hospital, where they checked us both out. Spencer took everything with a grain of salt, but a little before the doctor came in he became a squirmer. The doctor said he obviously was doing fine. They x-rayed my foot and decided I also needed a MRI. The doctor told me my foot is bad and I needed to go to an orthopedic surgeon.
At the orthopedic surgeon yesterday I recieved confirmaton that I have a Lisfranc fracture along with some other bones in the same area. From what I can tell, a Lisfranc fracture is a dislocation of the bones as well as all of the bones breaking. So, my 2nd, 3rd, 4th metatarsels are broken and dislocated and some of the bones above the Lisfranc area are also broken.
This means in a couple of weeks, once the swelling has gone down, I will need surgery, complete with screws, pins and maybe plates. Recovery includes physical therapy and is about 4 months.
When I told the ambulance driver what had happened, he said,"Welcome to Tallahassee driving!"
Monday, March 9, 2009
No GPS!?!
This morning it was very foggy. I was surprised because I have only experienced that much fog on the coast or in the middle of a Fairbanks winter. The fog blocked satellite communication with the GPS. I had actually decided to not worry about the GPS because I knew where I was going and basically how to get there. Later I realized it was not working anyway.
Spencer and I ran errands ending up at Costco. He really liked the kitchen supply store btw. It had a plethora of fascinating items. I gave him a tray and some small pitchers and he was happy the entire time I browsed. At 11:15 we left Costco in a big hurry (more like a slight panic), as Molly needs to be picked up at 11:30. I realized I could easily get us back to her school, but I was not at all confident I could do it in a hurry.
I looked down and lo! The GPS was finding satellites (eight to be exact.) Then I realized it was sunny. Am I already accustomed to the constant presence of the sun? I think it's because I still think we are on vacation. We have been on longer vacations, so maybe when we move out of the hotel and can count our time here in months and years, instead of days and weeks. So, what I am saying is maybe when it's no longer vacation, I'll get sick of the sun? Hmm. Well, to be honest, I might. It's still a long way out.
I arrived at Molly's school right at 11:30.
Derek sez: I probably could have used the GPS today. My first attempt at driving back to the office from FDOT central involved a 5-10 minute detour while I discovered that not all Meridian Drives are the same. Some take you about 3 miles out of your way as you're trying to hurry to eat lunch and check your email.
Spencer and I ran errands ending up at Costco. He really liked the kitchen supply store btw. It had a plethora of fascinating items. I gave him a tray and some small pitchers and he was happy the entire time I browsed. At 11:15 we left Costco in a big hurry (more like a slight panic), as Molly needs to be picked up at 11:30. I realized I could easily get us back to her school, but I was not at all confident I could do it in a hurry.
I looked down and lo! The GPS was finding satellites (eight to be exact.) Then I realized it was sunny. Am I already accustomed to the constant presence of the sun? I think it's because I still think we are on vacation. We have been on longer vacations, so maybe when we move out of the hotel and can count our time here in months and years, instead of days and weeks. So, what I am saying is maybe when it's no longer vacation, I'll get sick of the sun? Hmm. Well, to be honest, I might. It's still a long way out.
I arrived at Molly's school right at 11:30.
Derek sez: I probably could have used the GPS today. My first attempt at driving back to the office from FDOT central involved a 5-10 minute detour while I discovered that not all Meridian Drives are the same. Some take you about 3 miles out of your way as you're trying to hurry to eat lunch and check your email.
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