New Exercises

Today, at physical therapy, I got some new exercises to do. One of them is actually pretty uncomfortable - the Baps Board. I put my foot on a board that balances on a ball, then tap my foot forwards and backwards, then left to right, then along the edge all the way around clockwise, then the same thing, but counterclockwise. Thirty reps of each of those four things. I'm also doing a Single Leg Stance (balancing on the bad foot on a trampoline), a Boot Stretch (setting my foot on a 45 degree angle, then standing up straight to stretch), the red tubing exercises, and riding a stationary bicycle for 10 minutes. The bicycle is kind of nice, I might have to use the one at work during my lunch break!

Physical Therapy

My first day of therapy went relatively easy. I talked about the injury and where it hurts, then the PT used an ultrasound to reduce the swelling in my ankle. He then "massaged" my foot. I don't think it was actually a massage, more like feeling the muscles and tendons, but it still felt kind of good. He took some baseline measurements of how far my injured foot pointed and flexed compared to the uninjured one, gave me red tubing to take home to do some exercises with, then iced the foot while stimulating it "electronically" - the device was actually battery operated. Not too scary. Yet.

Torn Ligaments

I found out today, that the MRI showed that I tore two ligaments when I fell. The doctor is prescribing physical therapy two to three times a week for four weeks - I wish I could get my brother to do it, but the drive to Virginia would be too much.

Crime Brulee

Tonight, I finished reading another book! I'm on fire!

This one is the first book in the series of books about Carolyn Blue, who the last book I read was about. The story was unexpected, as was the ending, but the recipes sounded great. The book enforced my desire to visit New Orleans, for the food, if nothing else.

Turkey Flambe

Today, I finished reading another book. Yea me!

This one was my bathroom book for a while. It was cute, the story was told by two different characters. And there were delicious sounding recipes in most of the chapters. Unfortunately, this book is at the current end of a series, so some of the references that were made didn't make any sense to me. I guess I'll have to start at the beginning, and see where that goes.

A Quilt Block and a Book

Well, the earliest that the orthopedic doctor can see me is Thursday. I'll attempt to work this weekend - I'm scheduled for a banquet tomorrow, and since Sunday is Mother's Day, it's mostly reservations, which are spaced out and result in a slow paced shift. I completed one more quilt square, and I think it turned out well. I think I'm getting the hang of this, but, of course, I haven't tried the harder patterns, yet.

Starflower

I also completed reading a book this evening - the first book I've actually finished reading in a long time. I've been reading a lot with all of my time off, and this book has been in my purse for a while now.

I really enjoy these mysteries, which are set in medieval England.

Another Day Wasted? Not Really

Today, I decided not to stress so much about not doing a lot. I can only do so much at this speed - running up and down the stairs is not an option. I finished one more quilt square, and am really happy with it. It was confusing me for a while, since I wanted all of the stripes to line up in the same direction, but it eventually came together.

King's X

I also had a doctor's appointment. He said that I should stay off of work until I see an orthopedic doctor. He also wants an MRI. Hopefully I can get an appointment for tomorrow.

My Next Day Off

I can't help but feel like I wasted my day! It was a beautiful day out, so Tom encouraged me to sit outside for a while. So, I sat outside and read for a couple of hours. Then I went downstairs and photographed and took notes on some things I need to list on Etsy. When I came back upstairs, I worked on my first quilt square. I actually finished two!

Woven Ribbons

Chimneys & Cornerstones

Then, for dinner, and the rest of the evening, Tom and I watched Season 2 of Project Runway. Is that really all I did? This convalescence is the best opportunity I've had in years to get stuff done, and I feel like I've got almost nothing done. Time is slipping away, and if the doctor gives me the thumbs up tomorrow, I go back to work Friday. I need to go back to work, since I'm broke now, but I have so much to do! Anyway, enough whining.
On a happier note, Happy Birthday, Mom!

A Day Off

Since I was layed up today, I did a few things that I needed to do. I looked up the patterns for the quilt blocks for blocks I got from the No-Sew Block Swap that I participated in a few months ago. I read for a couple of hours, then went downstairs (ouch!) and organized some things in my crafting area. I also started some things for my tag swap. Can you believe that when I finally emerged from the basement, it was 9 pm?!? After fixing some dinner, I put my foot up and popped in a DVD, "Julie & Julia."

I had a totally different idea of what the movie was going to be about, but I really enjoyed it. I also want to do it! But, Tom is so picky about his food, and I have so little time, that it's prohibitive. Except for the sore ankle, and keeping it up and on ice, it was a pleasant day.

Ankle Problems

So, yesterday while I was at work, I slipped and twisted my ankle. Luckily, it was at the end of my shift, but I went to Wal-Mart after work and walked around in relative pain for an hour and a half. When I got home, Tom looked at it and said it was all swollen, and that I'd probably done something to it. This is it today.

I went to the hospital and got an x-ray. They said there was no fracture, but now I have off from work until Thursday. What to do with my free time...

A Visit from Dad

Dad visited again this weekend, so, this time, I requested to have off. Our day started out with some yard sales and thrift shopping in the area, since Donnie had plans for the evening. But while we were out, Donnie called back to say that he had changed some of his plans, so we headed down to Donnie's to meet him for dinner. Dad and I stopped at the National Harbor, and there was an International Art Festival going on. We walked around for a little bit, and I finally saw "The Awakening."

Dad with the foot

Me with the hand

Some of my favorite pieces that we saw were from an artist from the Torpedo Factory Art Gallery in Alexandria, VA. We had visited there once, and saw a moose head that was made from recovered materials, and it was incredible! I'm still kicking myself for never having got a picture of it. But here were two more pieces made from recovered materials, a lion and a panda.

After we left the National Harbor, Dad and I met Donnie at his place, and we went out to dinner at the Lebanese Taverna at Pentagon Row. We ate in their outside dining area, and it was a really good experience. For an appetizer, we shared a Spinach Flatbread. It tasted like spanikopita, so naturally, I loved it! For my meal, I had a Carved Rotisserie with chicken, lamb, and beef. The sauces that were served with the dish were wonderful. Donnie had Lamb Kabobs and Dad had Grilled Salmon.
When we got back to Donnie's place, we sat down and watched "Behind Enemy Lines." Then Dad and I drove back to my house. It was a really nice day with family. I hadn't done the yard sale thing since I was a kid, and I enjoyed breaking out the camera. Of course, good food never hurts an experience either!