tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19127237101726036142024-03-05T01:04:07.445-08:00Junkgirl's JourneyThe ambiguous adventures of a childfree step-momJunkgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08181037708069237191noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912723710172603614.post-46795916851351469532014-12-06T20:09:00.002-08:002014-12-06T20:09:35.426-08:00More Thoughts About MPFL Surgery and IT Band Pain, Bunion SurgeryI haven't checked in for a while, but I've gotten quite a few messages and comments asking how things are going with my knees. It has now been exactly 5 years since I had the injury that necessitated the MPFL surgery, and it has been about 4 1/2 years since MPFL surgery. Some of you may remember that I also had an additional surgery in 2011 to clean out scar tissue that was causing my knee cap to "catch" when I walked. <br />
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Reflecting 5 years later, I am pleased in the way that the MPFL surgery turned out. However, I will say that the IT band problems remain, and the pain in my outer knee area can get intense. I also feel a grating feeling when I bend and straighten my leg, but I'm not sure this has anything to do with the MPFL surgery or IT band. I continue with foam rolling, but it is an arduous task. What I've learned about foam rolling and IT bands is that you have to keep at it. I've made the mistake of thinking that since the pain has subsided, the problem must be fixed, and I stop with the foam roller. (Let's face it--that thing feels like a medieval torture implement!) But, the thing is--you can't stop. The problem is ongoing and requires diligence to remain pain-free (or, more likely, just to minimize the pain). I never have days where my knee doesn't hurt a little, but honestly, to me, it's a small price to pay for knee stability. And the scars---hardly even visible! You really have to look closely to see them.<br />
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Now...I also had bunion surgery a year and a half ago on my left foot, and I'm going to have it soon on my right foot. When I told people I was going to do this, many people told me it would be a mistake. I would regret it. People said that it was the most painful surgery they had ever experienced. Once again, I have learned that I either have an amazing tolerance for pain, or I have an amazing podiatrist, because it honestly did not hurt at all. I only took the pain meds for two days, and after that, I really didn't use any pain meds at all (not even Tylenol). And, I still feel that like with the MPFL surgery, the temporary pain is well worth it when the daily persistent pain is gone. Bunions hurt! But, my left foot now feels amazing--so great that I'm eager to have my right foot fixed. Dr. Kahen at Southern California Kaiser Permanente is my podiatrist, and I couldn't be happier with his care.<br />
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I'm going to keep posting more blogs during the upcoming weeks while I have time off from work (Winter Break!!) See you soon!<br />
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JunkgirlJunkgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08181037708069237191noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912723710172603614.post-22453370696267263922013-11-23T09:20:00.002-08:002013-11-23T09:20:18.974-08:00Knee Pain and IT BandMany people who read my blog are looking for answers to recovering from MPFL surgery. Those who have read my posts know that I had MPFL surgery over 3 years ago, I went through a lot of physical therapy, and I had scar tissue removed from knee about 8 months ago to alleviate pain. That seemed to work well for a "locking" and "catching" feeling I was getting in my knee. I would be walking or exercising, and all of a sudden, my knee cap would feel like it locked and released. It was a scary, odd feeling. As for the pain, the surgery didn't do as much. Initially, I thought it had, but I think maybe the pain meds were masking the pain. Here is what I've done since...(Sorry if I'm repeating info from previous posts. I can't remember right now what I've already posted!)<br />
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I visited my knee surgeon and one of my friends who is a sports therapist. Both suggested that the pain I'm experiencing may be due to tightness of the IT band. Both recommended a foam roller and some stretching exercises. I will post a helpful video from Spark People about how to use a foam roller to release your IT band. It has helped a lot, but be forewarned...it can be painful depending on how much pressure you use. However, I've found that enduring the pain during rolling helps a lot with the stiffness and pain afterwards. My knee hurts much less when I wake up in the morning if I roll before I go to bed. My friend also suggested a sports massage. Luckily, I live in L.A. where there are many sports massage places. The place she recommended is called L.A. Sports Massage, and I saw a guy named Jason. He was AWESOME. He basically did the same thing that I do with the foam roller, but he used his hands to apply pressure. He gave me tips for stretching and releasing the IT band, and this has been a life saver! He told me (as did the doctor and my friend) that maintaining flexibility in the IT band is an ongoing thing. It's not something that will "heal" and go away. It's not an injury...it's just tightness, and like any tight muscle or tendon, you need to work at stretching it...forever. Okay, that part is annoying, but a small price to pay for pain relief. So, I highly recommend you look into this if you're having pain at the hip or knee joint, especially after prolonged periods of bent knees. The IT band runs from the hip to the top of the knee on the outside of the leg, so the pain may present itself anywhere along that band.<br />
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Using kinesio tape also helps! I will also post a video on that. I buy my kinesio tape at Big 5, Dick's, Sports Chalet. It even comes in cool colors now. I like pink. :) <br />
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Give these things a try if you're struggling, but as always, consult your doctor first!! These are just a few things that have helped me. Junkgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08181037708069237191noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912723710172603614.post-52196421854978118072013-11-23T09:20:00.001-08:002013-11-23T09:20:12.466-08:00KT Tape: IT Band Pain<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/sCReh8GCUjc" width="480"></iframe>Junkgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08181037708069237191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912723710172603614.post-6304002144778314052013-11-23T09:12:00.001-08:002013-11-23T09:12:34.922-08:00How to Use a Foam Roller to Release Your IT Band<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/RoHBDim_fzk" width="459"></iframe>Junkgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08181037708069237191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912723710172603614.post-1215639151622891132013-01-15T10:05:00.002-08:002013-01-15T10:05:20.301-08:00MPFL Reconstruction--2 1/2 years laterI still get many comments about my MPFL reconstruction, and I'm so glad that many people have found it helpful. I get so many comments, that it is difficult for me to respond to all of them, but I did want to give a quick update to many of the questions that I get asked.<br />
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Q: What exactly did you have done?<br />
A: I had MPFL reconstruction and a scope to clean up damaged cartilage in June 2010 after a patellar dislocation/MPFL tear in December 2009.<br />
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Q: How many surgeries have you had on your knees?<br />
A: I have had four total: two on my left knee and two on my right. When I was 15, I had both knees scoped with a lateral release. This surgery was unsuccessful in stopping my patellar dislocations. At 17, I had a left knee realignment. From what I remember, ligaments were transposed and are held together at the base of my knee with a screw. This has successfully stopped dislocations, but according to doctors, my knee still appears unstable. I've had MPFL reconstruction/scope on my right knee at the age of 37. A piece of my hamstring was grafted on the inner side of my right knee, and the scope cleaned out damaged cartilage. Although suffering a partial dislocation, my knee is stable and generally in good shape.<br />
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Q: How long were you off from work with your MPFL surgery?<br />
A: This is complicated! I work in a school, so I actually scheduled the surgery during summer vacation. Therefore, I wasn't really taking time off from work. I had about 2 1/2 months off from school to recover, but I truly believe that I could've gone back to work the week after the surgery. I wouldn't have been as mobile as I would have liked, but I was up walking around, doing some housework, taking walks...the day after surgery. I had very little pain. At the most, I would have taken two weeks off from work if I had the surgery done during the school year.<br />
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Q: Did it hurt? What kinds of pain meds did you take?<br />
A: In all honesty, it wasn't that painful. For the first two days, I took percocet regularly to stave off pain, but those gave me a headache that hurt worse than my knee, so I stopped those after two days. I did have a nerve block which helped, but it left part of my leg numb for about six months. Not painful--just annoying. And, I have full feeling back now. I was also given vicodin, but I never needed it. I occasionally took ibuprofen before physical therapy.<br />
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Q: How much therapy did you do?<br />
A: I went to 24 physical therapy sessions--3 x a week for 8 weeks. I also worked out extensively at home--stretching every chance I could get.<br />
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Q: How long before you got full range of motion?<br />
A: I could go around fully on a bike at 4 weeks, and I also could bend my knee fully at 4 weeks. This is only because I did the stretches and strengthening exercises religiously at home and at therapy.<br />
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Q: Any complications?<br />
A: Yes. I received a cortisone injection last week in my right knee due to pain. The doctor believes it is inflamed scar tissue. The injection worked (yay!), but I have no idea how long the effects will last. I may have to have another scope to find out if scar tissue is blocking my patellar tracking, because my knee is locking in place.Junkgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08181037708069237191noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912723710172603614.post-79418216921690898912012-11-30T15:00:00.003-08:002012-11-30T15:00:25.149-08:00More Thrift Store Finds--It's About Time!!Here are some cool items I've recently scored at thrift stores:<br />
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The first is a cool old Japanese Miyao Napco apple cookie jar and tea bag holder. I found the cookie jar at a Good will in Redondo Beach for $4.99, and the tea bag holder in Waterloo, Iowa, for $8.00. There are some chips on the cookie jar, but it's still in great condition to me! If it had no chips, it retails for $150-$300 on ebay! Not bad for $4.99! (1940s-50s)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU-af7cbYVJKgbK0GYkgYQTX44qiN6oKfYydEPgC3uW-r1UJmWot5n6mPBRyz3kcQkLKYwdGuEcJMUliZvgTzwcDp1gKwl9NXI6f9QHQu_bXqAYtlp0b_bW0CGx9si3xyYdMhHshK3NQA/s1600/apple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU-af7cbYVJKgbK0GYkgYQTX44qiN6oKfYydEPgC3uW-r1UJmWot5n6mPBRyz3kcQkLKYwdGuEcJMUliZvgTzwcDp1gKwl9NXI6f9QHQu_bXqAYtlp0b_bW0CGx9si3xyYdMhHshK3NQA/s320/apple.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I found these cool vintage juice glasses at the House of Yaweh thrift store in Redondo Beach. Bought all four for $2.00. Circa 1950s.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl6yUGipqLWZcgxnyRxV2uTu2YXSLBLOTQtgcsrJcnajrZaOPJOxTCeTIKx1hvQMN9kXeVogTv_neCMqHFqWKLyTy5GTScdoH4qD9ePNRRQMpsEsDdJSclyDWwzh-KbBEqZbpSd84VL9A/s1600/bird+glasses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl6yUGipqLWZcgxnyRxV2uTu2YXSLBLOTQtgcsrJcnajrZaOPJOxTCeTIKx1hvQMN9kXeVogTv_neCMqHFqWKLyTy5GTScdoH4qD9ePNRRQMpsEsDdJSclyDWwzh-KbBEqZbpSd84VL9A/s320/bird+glasses.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is a vintage (circa 60s?) olive green covered casserole dish. I found this one at the Goodwill in Cedar Falls, Iowa, University Ave., for $1.99. Love it! Someone is selling a similar one on etsy for $40.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEAh_ejdX1V9tHxsuKF3lH0OvYOLhvemuP-3YS-To_PqqNV8kYNT9gGVoRYdz0TNWJYSLxe8w9dnP72Ms0cPG80iTaz6Bowuet-GcSx432F5Xrri3nn2YisLFImWgckjTJkcsg6uVKDxM/s1600/cool+casserole+dish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEAh_ejdX1V9tHxsuKF3lH0OvYOLhvemuP-3YS-To_PqqNV8kYNT9gGVoRYdz0TNWJYSLxe8w9dnP72Ms0cPG80iTaz6Bowuet-GcSx432F5Xrri3nn2YisLFImWgckjTJkcsg6uVKDxM/s320/cool+casserole+dish.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is a Franciscan Echo pattern large serving bowl. I found this at my favorite thrift store--Redondo Beach Salvation Army. It was $4.99, and it is from the 1950s. It is selling for about $40 online.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaIdLasZ3P-tetaDoaCYDsyUS7s3ftYKNaD2YlkvaFTG4M5vdAhyNKUDrPQdNuqFjiRnoZiP26RtUkc9y46qJN7VWQMJduKWpIXm-90dbdDz9E3RZMSfObhF_ZwAZ-3b5qrFY98N-muKc/s1600/franciscan+bowl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaIdLasZ3P-tetaDoaCYDsyUS7s3ftYKNaD2YlkvaFTG4M5vdAhyNKUDrPQdNuqFjiRnoZiP26RtUkc9y46qJN7VWQMJduKWpIXm-90dbdDz9E3RZMSfObhF_ZwAZ-3b5qrFY98N-muKc/s320/franciscan+bowl.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I honestly can't remember where or when I got this one. It's a cool mid-century modern candle holder from Germany. I just liked the colors and patterns. Reminds me of a totem pole.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWvS3weiNcPgYj-bzCYvcU5hYzTblHNMSRPxofC9XRr_U4KKf3z7Y8YjSBNPtLRMG6DlrdYR-nDWmDHJdo7sIMnZu6dM0tSCzR61xCYParU-RgPTcylk8txtDZKQTqd1MOkJmUtEnw33U/s1600/german+candle+holder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWvS3weiNcPgYj-bzCYvcU5hYzTblHNMSRPxofC9XRr_U4KKf3z7Y8YjSBNPtLRMG6DlrdYR-nDWmDHJdo7sIMnZu6dM0tSCzR61xCYParU-RgPTcylk8txtDZKQTqd1MOkJmUtEnw33U/s320/german+candle+holder.jpg" width="179" /></a></div>
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How could I pass these up? These are Loretta Lynn ranch salt and pepper shakers I found at the Angel View Thrift Store in Palm Springs, CA. I love them. That's why I think I'm a very special person--because I can appreciate these like nobody's business. Ha ha! They were $1.99 for the pair.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRvtcZiAc-xLJI50fjd6BKVLJ_g3acw2jlESAy8F7ZH_JCxhx-6tO7HFWlGAVUO2oyo_Hhz9IiMztXG5Vs2VA2NEDGS0-qRQsxzRtF4a754sJHorCVh5WhoOqv_tTXCUR3_aN8EgBsdxA/s1600/loretta+lynn+shakers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRvtcZiAc-xLJI50fjd6BKVLJ_g3acw2jlESAy8F7ZH_JCxhx-6tO7HFWlGAVUO2oyo_Hhz9IiMztXG5Vs2VA2NEDGS0-qRQsxzRtF4a754sJHorCVh5WhoOqv_tTXCUR3_aN8EgBsdxA/s320/loretta+lynn+shakers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This mug made me squeal with joy! Mary Tyler Moore mug with the MTM logo and that cute little orange cat that meowed at the end of the show's credits. I definitely remember this from my 1970s childhood, yet I can't find mention of this mug's existence anywhere on ebay. It was $1.99. Kind of expensive, but so worth it!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV0wDnk4MjP-WoWfcVq0kyhqbUVhJAVoK5JAcmf1AHPAuxMXuR6lVu3NtJii-8h9Xzx7Mq5W8DUZF_e08ZQj6F5mVx8jfmi5yo3gvzBYZl-akbKDsFWalsbLtbreULZCvczkQ2yMAgLaU/s1600/mtm+mug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV0wDnk4MjP-WoWfcVq0kyhqbUVhJAVoK5JAcmf1AHPAuxMXuR6lVu3NtJii-8h9Xzx7Mq5W8DUZF_e08ZQj6F5mVx8jfmi5yo3gvzBYZl-akbKDsFWalsbLtbreULZCvczkQ2yMAgLaU/s320/mtm+mug.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A 1970s Otagiri owl mug. Same RB Salvation Army. $1.99--valued online at around $12. Not a huge find, but cheaper and cooler than the brand new owl mug I almost bought at TJ Maxx!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFhUwGMBB4NoqIOPx0E2jAhBrr19UlOK4ibafqvJx3Wd5gCJeh516j8uRNiqyeCfzjNem6aCsOBEvNHzLOH_j0OkL1t-VIURpIbPmCnO9dQHMSdUn1JTo9UAzL8xR5UA83S_UtR0E_npk/s1600/owl+mug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFhUwGMBB4NoqIOPx0E2jAhBrr19UlOK4ibafqvJx3Wd5gCJeh516j8uRNiqyeCfzjNem6aCsOBEvNHzLOH_j0OkL1t-VIURpIbPmCnO9dQHMSdUn1JTo9UAzL8xR5UA83S_UtR0E_npk/s320/owl+mug.jpg" width="179" /></a></div>
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A vintage recipe box called the "Pantry Pal." I got this in Mt. Vernon, Iowa, at an antique store, so I paid a little more--I think about $10.00. I think it's from late 60s or early 70s--the colors and mushrooms lead me to that. I've put my grandmother's recipe card for the Danish meat Rullpolse on here...note the highlighted ingredient: saltpeter. Where the heck does one get that?!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtpkK87RGGG2G4zxLEtT8dt72aKs891xjya-wBHQymGLKOJ67_FYBwMfpwVLgcaJJVn-8SvAlsYZVYj9XZm11l79FqvzrMPI6xRHj8jWnWXtCAkxAUInQRIIEnDLcG9cXPWTMfPJdXyss/s1600/pantry+pal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtpkK87RGGG2G4zxLEtT8dt72aKs891xjya-wBHQymGLKOJ67_FYBwMfpwVLgcaJJVn-8SvAlsYZVYj9XZm11l79FqvzrMPI6xRHj8jWnWXtCAkxAUInQRIIEnDLcG9cXPWTMfPJdXyss/s320/pantry+pal.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This adorable wooden pig is an hors d'oeuvres server. It has little holes for toothpicks that hold tasty treats. It has a sticker on the bottom that reads Pasadena. I got it a a thrift store (can't remember which one) in Cathedral City near Palm Springs. It was $1.99. I've seen similar ones online for about $20. I also have a pineapple like this--wooden with holes for toothpicks. That means I have a collection, yet I hardly ever serve hors d'oeuvres. Still, I think she's cute, even though the red lipstick on her "lips" is kind of creepy.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFKjPZctttyHzMHsulHKgkqotEP9vjZONliElX8sYu18s8IY-SpI6VLdk8CtfVlxhfTGyJZsB0Vkhnq7Q7VX48BErRmHQpMkmhoyo7atr84PgJ23T-HWhxG6VCqiVnk6V-QBI4QvdKGYk/s1600/pg+hors+d'ouevres+server.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFKjPZctttyHzMHsulHKgkqotEP9vjZONliElX8sYu18s8IY-SpI6VLdk8CtfVlxhfTGyJZsB0Vkhnq7Q7VX48BErRmHQpMkmhoyo7atr84PgJ23T-HWhxG6VCqiVnk6V-QBI4QvdKGYk/s320/pg+hors+d'ouevres+server.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A cute starburst casserole dish from Goodwill in Cedar Falls, Iowa. $1.99. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXT6iFkUgsM3_CdkaWtOmxd4wXjAKC8sltGAAWuqyUoiE2VWYXRlX21VXdASVEBF3tVL7vACLbzcwbX28tCT-8bz2BTiSAMk4woU8mLoaFT03srqwYZWS02hqMbFXK9av7G1uGNP63_-0/s1600/starburst+bowl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXT6iFkUgsM3_CdkaWtOmxd4wXjAKC8sltGAAWuqyUoiE2VWYXRlX21VXdASVEBF3tVL7vACLbzcwbX28tCT-8bz2BTiSAMk4woU8mLoaFT03srqwYZWS02hqMbFXK9av7G1uGNP63_-0/s320/starburst+bowl.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A cute starburst milkglass vase from Cedar Falls, Iowa. $1.00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuLXfqsaDaucKuB77aAdtKwO0acPhD2meX5TaL2WCR73zXr7Dsu6_sIT50wUh-0pc24uqyDFzdKNJvQYq4QE9h0_-0I-QGdAxFCBTnD1XykdvuL-XJYkNkdoLSJicOM90sOkiSHIr0zio/s1600/starburst+vase.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuLXfqsaDaucKuB77aAdtKwO0acPhD2meX5TaL2WCR73zXr7Dsu6_sIT50wUh-0pc24uqyDFzdKNJvQYq4QE9h0_-0I-QGdAxFCBTnD1XykdvuL-XJYkNkdoLSJicOM90sOkiSHIr0zio/s320/starburst+vase.jpg" width="179" /></a></div>
<br />Junkgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08181037708069237191noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912723710172603614.post-19316530586901648732012-11-30T14:21:00.001-08:002012-11-30T14:21:22.474-08:00Knee--Three Years Post InjuryWhen I started this blog, I had no idea that I would get the most views from people looking for more information on MPFL reconstruction. It is now three years since my original injury that led me to the MPFL reconstructive surgery. Here's a little re-cap:<br />
<br />
1. I slipped and fell on a puddle of rainwater, resulting in a dislocated patella and torn MPFL.<br />
2. I spent 6 weeks in a brace, and it took about 12 weeks to fully recover.<br />
3. Since the injury occurred at work, I had to make many phone calls and doctor visits before I was able to see the right doctor--a mere one-hour drive away. He is the only surgeon in the Southern California Kaiser Permanente network who does the surgery. <br />
4. I have the surgery in June (my injury occurred in December). <br />
5. I spend three months in intensive physical therapy. I started the day of the surgery--bending and stretching. Yes, it hurt, but this is what my doctor recommended, so I did it--religiously.<br />
6. It took about 1 1/2 years to feel "normal" after surgery.<br />
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Results after surgery: I do feel that my knee is more stable, but I continue to have pain. The doctor said it could be cartilage damage or inflamed scar tissue. I have not gone back to have him confirm either, but I could at any time. It hurts most at night when I'm trying to sleep. I did have one minor injury of that knee, where I suffered a partial dislocation. It was fairly minor, as I was able to stop things before the patella completely dislocated. I do think that the surgery helped keep the patella in place, too.<br />
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Is my knee perfect? No, but I never expected that because I have horrible knees. But, the surgery seems successful, overall, and the doctor (Dr. Csintalan) was great.Junkgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08181037708069237191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912723710172603614.post-89947349114283607072011-07-01T09:37:00.000-07:002011-07-01T09:53:41.786-07:00Knee photos--one year later!<img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HTNQa-JYmGA/Tg34EQ-7qHI/AAAAAAAAAKs/aNaifqgvdGQ/s320/summer%2B2011%2B048.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624424261817706610" />Here are some pictures of my MPFL surgery scars one year post surgery. I'm really not a fan of my legs, so I'm not too excited to post these, but many people have asked what the scars look like, so I'm willing to swallow my pride to inform others. :) <div><br /></div><div>Obviously, this is my inner knee. You can see two of the bigger scars, which are actually not even one inch long. They're still pretty pink after only one year out, but I have so many scars that these couldn't bother me less. From this angle, you can also see a smaller scar closer to the kneecap. That is from the arthroscopic procedure that was performed at the same time as the MPFL reconstruction.</div><div><br /></div><div>I can't remember if I mentioned this or not, but I chose to use my own hamstring graft instead of cadaver tissue. I wasn't against using the donor tissue, but since I am under the age of 40, the doctor recommended just using my own tissue. He said that after age 40, he recommends the cadaver, as it takes longer to heal after 40. In this picture, the graft is located under the most visible scar--the one closest to the middle right. It never hurts at all. Most of the aches I get at this point are from the arthroscopy, which was done to "clean up" some damaged cartilage under the patella. </div><div><br /></div><div>In this picture, you can see the scar at the top of my knee. It probably looks longer than it is, as it's only about 1 1/2 inches long. It's still very pink, but I know it will fade in time. If you look at my left knee, you can see a long 5-inch scar that is from a reconstructive surgery I had at the age of 17. I guess this procedure was more akin to the Fulkerson procedure that is still done today, but my recent surgeon now prefers the MPFL reconstruction over the Fulkerson. So, I'm 37 now, so you can do the math of how long ago that surgery was. Scars don't bother me, though. In fact, I think they're kind of cool.... </div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z_WHyGBUqiI/Tg359Bz0JbI/AAAAAAAAAK0/C9I2LrGxlsc/s320/summer%2B2011%2B049.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624426336508716466" /></div>Junkgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08181037708069237191noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912723710172603614.post-89575136931383990412011-06-26T20:31:00.001-07:002011-06-26T20:50:47.722-07:00One year after MPFL ReconstructionIt has been exactly a year since I had my MPFL reconstructive surgery. When I was preparing for the surgery, there was little available online so I could read what others had gone through and how they coped. Sure, I did find some stuff on kneeguru, but I noticed that I mostly found the horror stories of surgeries gone wrong. I confided to my husband that this scared me, and he reminded me that it's usually people who have had negative experiences who post the most, as they're looking for the most support. I've found this to be true.<div><br /></div><div>But, I've been happy to see that the little I've written here about the MPFL surgery has helped some people gain confidence. One year later, I feel great. Sure, there is still a little bit of pain and some atrophy, but my doctor told me it would be nearly 1 1/2 years before I'd see complete recovery. Regardless, the pain is minimal and nothing compared to the stability I've gained in my knee. I followed my physical therapy regimen to the letter, including a lot of stretching at home on my own. I bought one of those yoga stretching straps that I hooked over my foot, and then I laid on my stomach and pulled my heel toward my butt. The first couple of times I could only get about 30 degrees. That bothered me, because the doctor said he wanted 90 degrees by the end of the second week, and I wasn't even half-way there! So, every hour on the hour, I stretched. Each stretch was painful, but I found that by taking very deep breaths, I could breathe through the pain of each stretch. At the end of the third week, I was nearly at 90 degrees. At the end of the fifth week, I was able to go all the way around on a bicycle, and the whole staff at therapy remarked how far I'd come. They also mentioned that they knew a lot of my progress had come from my at-home stretches. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, for those of you who are contemplating the surgery or are in recovery, I highly recommend a yoga stretching strap. Here's a link to one like I bought: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Body-Back-Company-Stretching-Strap/dp/B001I1OYP2">http://www.amazon.com/Body-Back-Company-Stretching-Strap/dp/B001I1OYP2</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Of course, ask your doctor and physical therapist about if/when/how to use this strap, but I have to say, this was one of the most valuable pieces of rehab equipment I had. Another invaluable tool for me was Kinesio Tex Gold sports tape. Here's a link to that: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kinesio-Tex-Gold-Tape-Blue/dp/B001VNKNPC/ref=pd_sbs_hpc_3">http://www.amazon.com/Kinesio-Tex-Gold-Tape-Blue/dp/B001VNKNPC/ref=pd_sbs_hpc_3</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Again, ask your doctor or therapist if/when/how to use this tape, as there is a technique to taping it correctly. The tape helped tremendously with the pain and swelling, and if applied properly, it will last on your leg for several days--even after showering. I loved this stuff, and I've actually been thinking about buying some more for now. I don't need it much, but once in a while I still get some swelling, and this really helps.</div><div><br /></div><div>Many people have asked me about my scars, and in some of my earlier blogs, I posted some gnarly post-op pictures. I will try to post a new picture soon so those of you who've asked can see that there is really minimal scarring involved with the MPFL surgery. </div><div><br /></div><div>Overall, I now have full range of motion (got that back at about 8 weeks post surgery), and I feel great. I'm very thankful I got the surgery, and the doctor who performed it, Dr. Rick Csintalan, was amazing. He practices in Irvine, California, so anyone who lives in Socal and is looking to get this operation should seriously consider him. He, in my opinion, is one of the best doctors I've ever been to.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, please--keep the questions coming! I'm happy to answer any that you have and I wish everyone the best of luck with their knees!</div>Junkgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08181037708069237191noreply@blogger.com116tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912723710172603614.post-5582411198426432322011-06-12T10:18:00.000-07:002011-06-12T10:18:39.792-07:00Top 10 Misused English Words<a href="http://listverse.com/2011/06/07/top-10-misused-english-words/#.TfT04bxl3kU;blogger">Top 10 Misused English Words</a>Junkgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08181037708069237191noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912723710172603614.post-54167842987270891022011-06-10T16:59:00.001-07:002011-06-10T17:12:49.393-07:00Summer Schedules and StepkidsI could have just named this "schedules and stepkids," because either way, schedules are annoying. It's a tricky situation, because if you argue about a schedule with the kid's biomom, you look petty and like you don't want the kid around. But, if you don't bring up perceived or real inequities, it always feels like we're being taken advantage of. Of course I have an interest in the schedule, but I want things to be fair--not just for us, but for my stepson, too.<br /><br />My husband and his ex never stipulated anything about holidays, sick days, or vacations in their custody agreement. When I first heard that, I thought it was crazy. They were so meticulous about every other little detail. Biomom would have him every Monday and Tuesday. We'd have him every Wednesday and Thursday. We would alternate Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Great. <br /><br />Originally, whoever had stepson on the day the particular holiday or break fell on would keep him for the day, but that started to get really fuzzy (especially when it seemed to be biomom's day but she didn't agree). The thought was initially that if both parents had to work but stepson had the day off from school (say, Presidents' Day), they would alternate taking care of him. But, if the holiday fell on a day both parents had off, whoever had him that day would take him. For example, we always have had him the past four years on Thanksgiving because Thursday is our day. She would have him Memorial Day and Labor Day, because Monday is her day. Now, biomom made up these rules, but she always seemed to forget the rule on her day to take care of stepson.<br /><br />To compound the problems, what happens if stepson is sick? What happens on trade-off days? Such as, if he's sick on Wednesday morning, does she keep him because he's been at her house, or do we take him because he would be coming to ours? Do we trade? Do we split the day? Such a headache.<br /><br />So, just a few weeks ago, biomom drafted up something she wanted us to sign off on. We promptly took a look at it, and she wanted to make it so whoever had SS on a three-day weekend would be required to take him that Monday, too. I looked at the calendar and that means we would've had him every three-day weekend this year and all but one next year. She also wants him every Christmas, and she wants all birthday parties to be joint parties. There was more, but these were the standouts. So, we promptly looked over her requests and countered with our requests for modification. We did this less than three days after she gave it to us. Over two weeks later, we still have not heard anything back. What the heck? We have to hurry to get back to her, but she can take as long as she wants to get back to us? Yep, those seem to be her rules. Her rules are made for everyone else to follow--not her.<br /><br />Anyone else have to deal with this?Junkgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08181037708069237191noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912723710172603614.post-28877215186459066742011-06-10T16:44:00.001-07:002011-06-10T16:59:05.030-07:00All Work and Little PlayI hate to get on here and just whinge (love that word--thanks, Bonbon!), but I just have to for a few self-indulgent moments. If I can't tell random strangers in cyberspace my problems, who can I tell them to?<br /><br />My job. I work for one of the most backward school districts in the country. They are laying off and displacing people left and right. The position I held this year (testing coordinator) was officially cut from the budget, but my school was offering to keep it around half time. That's just too much work for me to teach three classes and coordinate all those tests. So, I had considered applying for the magnet school coordinator job. This is like a prinicipal of a smaller school within the larger comprehensive high school. We had a really great coordinator who left because the district said they were cutting all magnet coordinators. A week ago, they decided to bring the positions back, but our coordinator had taken another job.<br /><br />So, many people came to me and suggested I would be a good coordinator. The principal had even asked me fill in this vacated spot for the rest of the year (for no extra pay, mind you). But the politics of the job, the fact that one of my friends also wanted to apply for the position, and the fact that the job could be cut again next year made me decide to return to the classroom full time.<br /><br />So, for the 2011-2012 school year, I will teach English full time again. <strong>Good news</strong>--I get to teach AP Language and have been invited to be part of a media academy. This will give me higher level students, which is always nice. I will get to hang out with teenagers again. (For some people, this would be a nightmare, but I actually love them). I can go in my classroom and do my thing without having to get as involved in the nitpicky school politics. <strong>Bad news</strong>: I could have nearly 50 students in each of my five classes. I will have enormous amounts of papers to grade. My best school friend and nextdoor classroom neighbor is getting displaced, and the admin is partially blaming me--even though it's not really my fault. <br /><br />And now, after I've decided not to apply for the magnet coordinator, magnet teachers keep approaching me with the same "Oh, that's too bad! You would've been so good!" This doesn't help, as it makes me wonder if I made the right decision. After looking around, I don't know if upper school management is the place I want to be. My friends are all teachers--I want to be with them. I would've had to do supervision before and after school, and at lunch and nutrition. I would have to deal with demanding parents. I can do all this, but I've noticed that people treat you like you're a failure if you return to the classroom. Five years ago, there's no way in hell I would've even considered being a principal. Then, I got tired of the classroom and wanted out. I did a year of out-of-the-classroom work as testing coordinator, and I didn't like it. Sure, I think I'd be a good magnet coordinator, too, but with all the uncertainty in the school and district, I wanted something safe and familiar again. And I've started questioning my true interests (or lack of interest) in being an administrator.<br /><br />So, have I failed if I go back to the classroom? I don't think so. I missed it when I was gone. Last night, my former students who are now seniors gave me hugs, thanked me, wanted to take pictures with me. No one does that with the testing coordinator. Testing coordinators don't change lives. I'm not even sure principals do. Teaching is hard but meaningful work, and if people want to look down on me for going back to the classroom, so be it. Did I make the right decision to go back? I don't know. But, I do know that in a year, I'll probably still have a job as a teacher. As magnet coordinator? Well, that's unclear. I guess I'll find out.Junkgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08181037708069237191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912723710172603614.post-39767402862747436532011-05-27T16:08:00.001-07:002011-05-27T16:48:32.441-07:00Waiting on a FriendI just had a mini personal crisis. I've been working 12+ hour days now for nearly three weeks straight, and I'm tired. For those of you who don't know, I'm a testing coordinator for a large urban high school. These past two weeks, I've planned and administered the California state tests, which consist of: the California Standards Tests (for all students up through grade 11), the California Modified Assessment (for special education students), the California Alternate Performance Assessment (for severely disabled students), the Standards Tests in Spanish (for Spanish-speaking students who've lived in the U.S. for less than one year), and the California High School Exit Exam (all students must pass it if they want to graduate). This means that during the past three weeks, I've handled well over 6,000 tests. I'm tired. <br /><br />Today was the last day of make-up tests for these beasts, so now the only part left is to pack everything up--another huge and annoying task. The company actually includes a matrix of exactly how everything should be packed. It's like trying to get through <em>Ulysses</em>.<br /><br />Anyways, enough of that crap. I'm done (for the most part) and it feels good that it's over, but I'm depressed. I've trudged through, but I hated nearly every moment of it. I'm good at organizing and following though, but I don't like it. A monkey could truly do this job. All it requires is the ability to count, make spreadsheets, sharpen pencils, and fax. I wish I were kidding. And this brainless, repetitive job has made me want to cry nearly every day. I have to actually hold myself back from breaking down. And people at work think that I'm so calm and collected about the whole stressful process, and I am--at work. Then I have a meltdown when I get home. <br /><br />So, today I'm feeling a tinge of relief, and I wanted to talk to a friend on the phone and then I realized--I don't have any friends to call. Actually, I tried three people, and no one was home. This has happened a lot lately--many of my friends have kids, families, etc., and I don't. I have tons of free time--they don't. Heck--even the last time I called my mom, she didn't want to talk to me because "Dancing With the Stars" was on. I swear I could say, "Mom, I'm going to slit my wrists now." She'd answer, "Well, I better let you go--Kirstie Alley is gonna do her paso doble now!" Sigh.<br /><br />I'm all angsty with no way to release my nervousness. I'm on stepkid watch right now, too, so I can't even escape if I wanted to. I think that's one of the worst things about having a stepkid. I want to go out and have fun and release my tension, but we can't. Here I am stuck in this little box of a house with no way out. It kind of makes me miss work. Good thing I get to go back tomorrow on a Saturday. Sigh, again.Junkgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08181037708069237191noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912723710172603614.post-80793695668192960282011-04-25T16:27:00.001-07:002011-04-25T17:30:49.167-07:00Spring Break--or--Time for Graves!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbzKxErbd5564HqB7CI1vEiYj6cNZ4pMQiuFF_n23a6go0G-3KiBkrqcnZYDeiivSeSEBeftj0uYth86n6MxBytpx3NhX8ZIKBv2kq3uPB1l3VPuwkkgmVSO3qRCF3JBatZ1Wh_qkp89M/s1600/evelyn+nesbit.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 173px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599683099088959794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbzKxErbd5564HqB7CI1vEiYj6cNZ4pMQiuFF_n23a6go0G-3KiBkrqcnZYDeiivSeSEBeftj0uYth86n6MxBytpx3NhX8ZIKBv2kq3uPB1l3VPuwkkgmVSO3qRCF3JBatZ1Wh_qkp89M/s320/evelyn+nesbit.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div>I just finished a whole week of Spring Break, and overall, it was fairly satisfying. My stepson had the same Spring Break and he's been sick, but my mother-in-law was nice enough to watch him for a couple of days during my break so I could relax. I guess I'm just not one of those stepmoms who loves to babysit my stepson on my days off. I wish I was, but having time to myself during my days off is one of the reasons I chose not to have my own kids. My husband is very understanding and never expects me to take care of his son. Sometimes I help out when I can or want to, but he never just assumes I'll do it.<br /><br />Let me just state that I just wrote and deleted a huge chunk of writing here about how frustrating 50/50 child custody schedules can be. It just plain sucks to change your schedule around for other people's vacations. That's all I'm going to say because I don't want to sound bitchy. (I know--a big step for me!)<br /><br />Anyways, let's get to the graves. During Spring Break I decided to walk more. When I was in college, I walked everywhere, and that helped me come up with some of my best writing. And, since a friend of mine--Rosemary--so generously suggested that we write some poems together, I decided that walking again might be a good remedy for my writer's block.<br /><br />My walk lately has consisted of the giant hills of Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City. It's about a mile from my home. I like it because it has some of the best views of Los Angeles once you get to the top of the hill, and it has some celebrity graves that I like to visit. So, once I get there, here's my loop: First, I walk up to the grotto, and once I catch my breath, I visit Rita Hayworth. Then, I go just a few rows in front of her to catch up with Bing Crosby ("Harry Lillis" on his grave) and Bela Lugosi. There's usually some strange artifact on Lugosi's grave. And, I am proud to say that I have confirmed that Bela Lugosi is, indeed, dead. Next, I walk inside the Grotto. It's kind of creepy, to tell you the truth. There are always lit candles, rosaries, and a lot of flowers. The funny thing is that people have obviously gone to a lot of trouble to place those things there, but they don't always go the extra mile. Come on, people! If you're going to hike all the way up here, at least take the flowers out of the super market wrap that says "Ralphs" all over it. And, are flowers in a McDonald's cup or Powerade bottle really the tribute you want to send to Jesus? Just asking.<br /><br />So, after the Grotto, I look at the little stream with the turtles before saying hello to Sharon Tate. I don't like to stay there too long because I start thinking about her violent end, but I don't want to leave her out. Next, I mosey around the other side of the Grotto to bid good tidings to the Schnozzola himself--Jimmy Durante (Loving husband, father--that's what I read, anyways). Finally, my favorite part of the walk--I go all the way down the huge hill and go to Evelyn Nesbit's grave. It's almost always dirty--since it's at the bottom of the hill, stuff blows down and sticks there all the time. So, I clean her grave off eachtime I go. The other day, it was an Oreos wrapper. A couple of days before that, it was a Walgreen's receipt for a six-pack of Bud Light. What on earth are people doing at the cemetery?!?! Having a cookout? Geesh. Clean up after yourselves!<br /><br />Do you know Evelyn Nesbit? If you don't (well, and even if you do) I highly recommend the book <em>American Eve</em> about her and the "crime of the century." It's funny that this version of the "crime of the century" took place in 1906. I find it amusing that those who dubbed it thus must have thought that <em>no crime bigger than this</em> (one guy, albeit a famous one, gets murdered at Madison Square Garden) could happen in, say, the next 94 years. Ha! Think about all the other "crimes of the century" we've had since then. Hitler? Manson? OJ? R. Kelly peeing on that pre-teen? Sigh.<br /><br />Evelyn was known as the "girl in the red velvet swing." That's her picture at the top of the page. Her story is fascinating. That woman suffered, and even though most people have probably forgotten all about who she was, she was one of the most famous women in the world at one point. So, I dust her headstone off and then I walk away until the next day when some new piece of garbage surely finds its place there for me.</div>Junkgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08181037708069237191noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912723710172603614.post-41958934565002331272011-03-28T13:37:00.001-07:002011-06-04T11:51:32.703-07:00Junkgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08181037708069237191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912723710172603614.post-59557590555645235702011-03-27T15:45:00.000-07:002011-06-04T11:52:40.196-07:00What I've Been Up ToIt has been so long since I posted, and I have no idea what compelled me to write today. Well, partially because I got a comment asking about MPFL reconstruction, and I thought I would write an update on that and what else is going on in my life for anyone who may remotely care.<div><br /></div><div>The MPFL reconstruction went very well. I had the surgery in June 2010, went religiously to physical therapy 2-3 times per week for 6 weeks, and am feeling great. I still have some pain, but mostly just when I do some kind of deep bending or squatting. I still have atrophy in my quadriceps, but it's getting better. This was a workers comp case, as I slipped and fell on rain water in my classroom. The case is finally in its last stages, and I'm glad I got the surgery. It was a hassle, for sure, but my knee feels much more stable and I'm not as scared now to participate in different forms of physical activity. </div><div><br /></div><div>As far as my job goes, I did not get a pink slip since I have 10 years of seniority with my school district. Many of my colleagues with fewer years did receive one, though. This semester I've been completely out of the classroom as the school's testing coordinator, but that position has been eliminated. This means that maybe the school will still find a way to fund the position, but maybe not. If not, I'll return to the classroom. I'm not sure what I'd do if offered the position half-time. I did that first semester, and it's very hard to switch modes from the classroom to testing office like that. </div><div><br /></div><div>One good thing that happened to me just this past week is that I found out that I passed the School Leadership Licensure Assessment. I took this gruelling test back in February to see if I could get my administrator's credential. It costs about $500, and this was the last administration of this particular test in California. I figured it would be much cheaper to cough up $500 than go spend two years and $15,000 getting a Master's in administration. I don't have the masters, but I have the same credential now that anyone who just graduated with a Masters or PhD. in educational administration would have. It was a tough test--six hours of essay questions. I wrote for the entire six hours! My score was good--188 out of 200. California has the highest minimum passing score in the country--173--so I was happy I passed. Now, I can apply for the Certificate of Eligibility which allows me to seek jobs as an assistant or full-time principal. Crazy, huh? Some friends and I have begun talking about starting our own charter or pilot school, and this would give me some great options with my credentials. </div><div><br /></div><div>Another thing for which I'm keeping my fingers crossed is that my friend and I win the Fund for Teachers grant for which we applied. We are asking for $10,000 to travel to New Zealand to study the Maori achievement gap and the Kotahitanga programs that have successfully started closing that gap. We hope to take ideas from their programs and incorporate them into our current (and hopefully new pilot/charter) school. I find out on Monday or Tuesday of this week.</div><div><br /></div><div>Finally, I've been sad this week because Elizabeth Taylor died. I've always loved her and have often said I'd take a sick day at work on the day she died. Well, I didn't get to do that because I had to give a test. But, it was fun hearing everyone's stories about her. It seems everyone in L.A. has some kind of Elizabeth Taylor story. She was an amazing person, and I have always admired her most for her work with AMFAR. Oh--have you seen the Decorah eagle cam? I'm totally addicted. I have no idea why I am compelled to sit and watch a bald eagle sitting on its nest, but it's cool. I love that the mom and dad take turns sitting on the nest, and when one gets tired of sitting, they screech and the other comes to provide relief. Check it out if you get the chance--the eaglets are set to hatch this week!</div>Junkgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08181037708069237191noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912723710172603614.post-788888314932463972010-12-29T14:22:00.001-08:002010-12-29T14:53:40.753-08:00My Allen Noonan Art Collection<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCnhhVQuOyL-FhbVkaSUCUJmf2FDvCxS30hI6DqPNcNLdASQXugHi-5SReK98BLYLM56AklqezV1Ms6ZiIe5_6KBXpQfz86xgdYlTxtMQJTojYMnIQ9AI85Bog1Q71vA5AFu1ONHFqQ0M/s1600/my+art.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 145px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 145px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556236679607389986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCnhhVQuOyL-FhbVkaSUCUJmf2FDvCxS30hI6DqPNcNLdASQXugHi-5SReK98BLYLM56AklqezV1Ms6ZiIe5_6KBXpQfz86xgdYlTxtMQJTojYMnIQ9AI85Bog1Q71vA5AFu1ONHFqQ0M/s320/my+art.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />I've been collecting art from the Allen Noonan "Originals" series for the past three years. I've purchased six pieces total, and here are some pictures of them as they're hanging in my home. The ones directly to the left (wine bottles) are from Deja Vu in Long Beach. I paid $200 for the pair.<br /><br />I don't know much about the artist, but after contacting Atomic Ranch magazine and doing a little research myself on the interwebs, I believe that these are by the Long Beach sign painter-turned-UFO Cult leader, Allen Noonan.<br /><br />I also know that he designed wood mosaics for the Hody's Diners in the Los Angeles area during the mid 1960s. I believe that the two mosaics you see below on my orange kitchen wall are from one of these diners, as they look very similar to the ones I've seen in old Hody's pictures.<br /><br />I bought all six pieces in Long Beach, and I've seen some others on eBay and etsy, but I didn't purchase them for various reasons. One reason is that a set I saw on etsy were horrible colors. They were so cool in shape--geometric amoeba and boomerags--but the colors were ick. I couldn't justify plunking down $250 for art that I just didn't quite like. Also, I had the chance to purchase a huge still life for $250, but again, I just didn't like it that much. I like the quirkier and more abstract ones. I do think that I have a pretty good collection going, though.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiifQuOyh2bYa16dIvg6LB12ueBomDtIk3nHeSNE1THTSHM_1TXAWadaCDAeKqQUlJrjPM2eVfbNnbfcLKMMN87M3Z1uPUW169emOqKBpXfd_G76cZckgFoPmYze28-T3W7FHkK7EyIJ2I/s1600/2009_0831fire20090084.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556235836035041154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiifQuOyh2bYa16dIvg6LB12ueBomDtIk3nHeSNE1THTSHM_1TXAWadaCDAeKqQUlJrjPM2eVfbNnbfcLKMMN87M3Z1uPUW169emOqKBpXfd_G76cZckgFoPmYze28-T3W7FHkK7EyIJ2I/s320/2009_0831fire20090084.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhfK6C8dNJqEPkxFNV60KBCa5dL-y_6SnjkIupbNtlvtaiZ8X0zBOcCilW8ZZDhebUIF3Y7aCHLXU4FZq2cx-X4_a2290mNv4yTZmmZgawedX2TD71WJGsYx6ahpj_Wh_EnhYVGNX0oro/s1600/2009_0831fire20090083.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556235611638590578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhfK6C8dNJqEPkxFNV60KBCa5dL-y_6SnjkIupbNtlvtaiZ8X0zBOcCilW8ZZDhebUIF3Y7aCHLXU4FZq2cx-X4_a2290mNv4yTZmmZgawedX2TD71WJGsYx6ahpj_Wh_EnhYVGNX0oro/s320/2009_0831fire20090083.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoKfQWnp6xxhlQ6eGGWgHh6ciE85LCXnpLs4eNBseXD_gu0jzZK89s0Hwivf7PZJMTA5aY4R0jqtU1RiT3HE10WZKm415yVElWUxeVkISobTQNvEHVHZCcSS-70LCDkMNYuVOrdRFxX60/s1600/2009_0831fire20090082.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556235482808344514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoKfQWnp6xxhlQ6eGGWgHh6ciE85LCXnpLs4eNBseXD_gu0jzZK89s0Hwivf7PZJMTA5aY4R0jqtU1RiT3HE10WZKm415yVElWUxeVkISobTQNvEHVHZCcSS-70LCDkMNYuVOrdRFxX60/s320/2009_0831fire20090082.JPG" /></a> I love these. These are the second set I bought, and I bought them for $175 for the pair. They're hanging in my dining room above the mid-century table I restored.<br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Lw3OHwMuv7CcdiFt6bzAiRj2-nRSLYdctyqAC5mNQgKkituHXAaQB7-YXfX8j4BPXOruJmP8oabi_CG2t1V_1DZTGL8vMnEwQITU6mm73Ryc_jiGU-VzgglJCXWnQdxMebzgFBl-aA8/s1600/2009_0831fire20090079.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556235318201801922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Lw3OHwMuv7CcdiFt6bzAiRj2-nRSLYdctyqAC5mNQgKkituHXAaQB7-YXfX8j4BPXOruJmP8oabi_CG2t1V_1DZTGL8vMnEwQITU6mm73Ryc_jiGU-VzgglJCXWnQdxMebzgFBl-aA8/s320/2009_0831fire20090079.JPG" /></a> These are the first Allen Noonan Originials I bought, and I got the pair for $220. These are my favorites because they are more three-dimensional than the rest. They were filthy when I got them because they'd just been dug out of someone's basement in Long Beach, so after a thorough cleaning, I proudly hung them on my favorite orange wall.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1SY7YixC9g-DaLbC1V-b99yqGsvtIZu2YRJ1x3Gz8XAhwgfGNM2zNabCKNIJ6FV8_eFpIdfJqxde5JUtQVhKUHKxlfHDXPYyv-wNa7ro2QZiNtJlBklqSrqb0ZWjFO34Dk0HnUxNgA28/s1600/2009_0831fire20090081.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556235097729973890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1SY7YixC9g-DaLbC1V-b99yqGsvtIZu2YRJ1x3Gz8XAhwgfGNM2zNabCKNIJ6FV8_eFpIdfJqxde5JUtQVhKUHKxlfHDXPYyv-wNa7ro2QZiNtJlBklqSrqb0ZWjFO34Dk0HnUxNgA28/s320/2009_0831fire20090081.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ROyVhsGw9Pid_eTqWo-NDvzl5-AVDIWuysJm5Fw-Ty7h2sOCSj2b4bNConp9rXVf5S1GJwbOmoGCuViiVAuk-cDWDfGpFmLG0RLC7qDXZre7178owrFYxXbUS-GFHCKy7nmTzkGbV-M/s1600/2009_0831fire20090080.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556234698483458962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ROyVhsGw9Pid_eTqWo-NDvzl5-AVDIWuysJm5Fw-Ty7h2sOCSj2b4bNConp9rXVf5S1GJwbOmoGCuViiVAuk-cDWDfGpFmLG0RLC7qDXZre7178owrFYxXbUS-GFHCKy7nmTzkGbV-M/s320/2009_0831fire20090080.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Junkgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08181037708069237191noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912723710172603614.post-21497533876453758372010-08-19T11:53:00.000-07:002010-08-19T12:18:17.454-07:00Too Tired for a TitleObviously, I haven't written for a while. Shortly after my last post, I got my knee brace off. I can now drive and walk somewhat normally. I don't have much of a "compromised gait," as they say at physical therapy. I still attend my PT twice a week, and I've officially made my goal of 100% range of motion. This means that I can bend my knee 180 degrees while lying on my stomach. That doesn't mean the pain or swelling is completely gone, but almost. I can't quite walk up and down stairs without a death grip on the railing, but I suspect in a couple of weeks I'll be able to.<br /><br />Other than PT, I've still been taking it easy. I wish I had something more exciting to tell you other than that I've become addicted to Big Brother (no reality show is too trashy for me) and have been reading like a maniac. I figure that reading balances out the brain cells I've lost watching stupid reality TV. I also entered a local poetry contest, which I do not expect to win. But, it was a big step for me just to submit something.<br /><br />In addition, I've been doing a little prep for the new school year, but not much, because I may have seen the last of my teaching days. I accepted a position as the school's testing coordinator for next year, but I thought I'd be teaching two classes. I've been told to plan on not teaching now, as they want me to work that position full time. I have mixed feelings, as I love working with teenagers and sharing my passion for reading, writing, history, politics, etc., but the job has been downright stressful the past couple of years. I truly can't be the teacher I want to be (and know I can be) with 40+ kids in a classroom. At one point I had 200 students, and if each one turned in just two assignments per week, I spent all my free time trying to catch up on grading. And, don't get me started on trying to grade that many essays. Even if I staggered the assignments for each class, I still had hours and hours of grading that I couldn't keep up with. So, I will not miss that aspect of my job. And, I now get a real office with an outside phone line! This is a real treat at my school, and you can bet I will appreciate it. I also get the chance to work around and with more adults, which can be a blessing and a curse depending on which adults I'm working with. Luckily, I adore the co-worker with the office next to mine, as he is smart, funny, and helpful. A blessing!<br /><br />On the stepmom front, things are fairly quiet. Stepson is starting a new school in a couple of weeks, as his parents didn't like the last one he attended. This school has a great reputation, so we're hopeful. I am not looking forward, however, to the back-to-school picnic. Whoever designs these events obviously does not have a blended family (I hate that term but haven't found a better one). It's awkward, to say the least, to be there as a stepmom and with my stepson's mom there. She's not evil--not at all--but it's still weird for all of us. And, it's my last weekend of summer vacation--why do they have to ruin that by scheduling a school activity? Plus, add in all of my social anxiety about stupid small talk with other parents and I'm apt to have a wonderful time. I abhor small talk with people I will probably never see again, and I just don't delight in all the baseless compliments that people throw around about each others' kids. I'm not conditioned that way, and my ego doesn't need to know how cute or smart my stepson is because he's not my kid. I'm not saying this in a mean way--just a matter of fact one. But, I will go and smile and be cordial, because that's what I do to support my husband and stepson (as if my stepson even cares that I'm there). At least there will probably be some good people watching, and you never know, some of them could end up in my next blog!Junkgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08181037708069237191noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912723710172603614.post-26732805347804080222010-07-27T11:50:00.000-07:002011-04-25T16:26:28.420-07:00Who is the Adult Here?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3P1nJDIDP2MA4o1RpmgHwijMesVYmPm-bWOjht7pzpXKjHTknRqZ4lQSctA00CzXjjvDJA_NYcTbrMB7oBtZIjx2tfFR4UmqVdIp8_yRQG1oM5hxUj76nHMthZcmCqa4VB6QjitKiPaA/s1600/evilstepmom.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 168px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498668572445559426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3P1nJDIDP2MA4o1RpmgHwijMesVYmPm-bWOjht7pzpXKjHTknRqZ4lQSctA00CzXjjvDJA_NYcTbrMB7oBtZIjx2tfFR4UmqVdIp8_yRQG1oM5hxUj76nHMthZcmCqa4VB6QjitKiPaA/s320/evilstepmom.jpg" /></a>Today's got me feeling a little like girlfriend above.<br /><br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div>It's been a while since I wrote about stepmom issues, but today, one definitely came up. There's something about being a stepparent that makes me doubt myself and feel ashamed from time to time. Today was one of those days. For the stupidest reason, I got jealous today of my stepson. I'm embarrassed to even write it, but confessing will probably make me feel better. Maybe. Here goes: </div><br /><br /><div>I'm jealous because my husband is taking my stepson to Six Flags Hurricane Harbor tomorrow. Do I like theme parks? Hell, no. Do I enjoy water parks? Absolutely not. So, why am I jealous? It's fairly transparent to me that I am jealous of the time that my husband will be spending with my stepson, and, I'm angry because I will be stuck at home all day. I don't have clearance to drive yet since my knee surgery, and the only place within walking distance that I could actually make it to without killing myself is the grocery store, Ralph's. It would be weird for not only me, but the store clerks as well, if I hung out at Ralph's for longer than an hour. Oh, I could do it, though. I could spend at least 45 minutes smelling those delicious Paula Deen candles. That broad can really make some sweet scented wax! Or, I could stay home and watch QVC or HSN. When you're stranded at home for weeks on end, it's amazing what you'll force yourself to watch. Anyone seen "Quacker Factory"? Jeanne Bice is pure glamor in her fetching holiday sweaters. Don't believe me? Check this out: <a href="http://www.quackercruise.com/Home_Page_Quacker_Cruise_and_Vacations.html">http://www.quackercruise.com/Home_Page_Quacker_Cruise_and_Vacations.html</a></div><br /><br /><div>You know you're booking that cruise with me. </div><br /><br /><div>I've also cleared my calendar for Monday, August 16, to watch Marie Osmond's 19th Anniversary Doll Show on QVC. If you haven't been sufficiently creeped out lately, look at these: </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vM6uvhyydBU/TE8v439KgiI/AAAAAAAAAI4/Mr3otAQWHKA/s1600/BabyDonny-lilbitrock2.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 188px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498666324182336034" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vM6uvhyydBU/TE8v439KgiI/AAAAAAAAAI4/Mr3otAQWHKA/s320/BabyDonny-lilbitrock2.jpg" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vM6uvhyydBU/TE8wjwYSKWI/AAAAAAAAAJA/pZTbbFyc9H8/s1600/babycakes.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 271px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498667060882975074" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vM6uvhyydBU/TE8wjwYSKWI/AAAAAAAAAJA/pZTbbFyc9H8/s320/babycakes.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div>How do you feel now? Would you feel better or worse if I told you that boy doll is named 'Donny'? Because it is. You, too, can have your very own "Baby Donny Little Bit Rock n Roll" for only $99.95. I'm not kidding. </div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div>In the meantime, while waiting patiently for Marie Osmond's anniversary, I will find some way of getting over my jealousy. I huffed a little and tried to explain this to my husband, but I don't want to be a total baby. It's just that he is so busy all the time--working, training for a triathlon, planning stuff for his son--that at times I feel overlooked. The times I get to spend with him are usually wedged between all the other obligations, but the kid gets a whole planned day of fun without interruptions. I know--he's the kid and that's what parents do. I'll get over it eventually. </div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Junkgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08181037708069237191noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912723710172603614.post-33042133772824739842010-07-22T20:55:00.000-07:002010-07-22T21:16:26.084-07:00I Miss Iowa?My husband had to go out of town for five days for a physics conference (fun!), and since I'm still laid up with my bum knee, I had to stay home. That was a bummer, because the conference was in Portland--a city I haven't been to yet but desperately want to visit. So many of my friends and family members have told me they think I'd love Portland--especially since many neighborhoods there maintain the vibrant mid-century modern architectural style that I love. So, since I couldn't go along, my mom and aunt decided to come to L.A. to keep me company and take me to my appointments. I still have to go to physical therapy twice a week, and there are many doctors appointments, too. I can't drive, and they thought it would be fun to chauffeur me around and get a mini California vacation. <br /><br />It was so much fun seeing them. My aunt had never seen our new place, so it was fun showing her the "urban" life of Culver City--like the egret, blue heron, and cormorant that live in my backyard. It's like living in the wetlands--not the second largest city in the country. More like "A River Runs Through It" than "Boyz in the Hood." One of the best things about seeing my mom and aunt is that they love to shop, so they'll take me anywhere I want as long as there is something to buy. I'm not kidding that they shopped the gift shop at the carwash. Yes, the carwashes here have gift shops--and good ones, too, I might add. And, for some reason (and I'm not complaining here), they always want to buy me things. I scored a very cool pink polka-dotted dress (that my husband said looked like something Betty Draper would wear), a Marc Jacobs handbag and matching laptop case (!!!!!), a pair of sensible shoes (comfort shoes are still killing my fashion pride), and many dinners out. In addition, we stayed up late watching old movies (Gidget--Sandra Dee!), gossiping, laughing...just having a good time. And then they left.<br /><br />I don't know what happened, but their departure was rough on me. I cried several times yesterday like a baby, and it's hard to understand why. It's always been hard for me when leaving Iowa to come back to L.A., and I'll get a little teary on the plane, but usually after several days of guests, I'm ready to have my place back to myself. Not so yesterday. And, all day today, I've had this hollow, empty feeling in the pit of my stomach. I miss my family and I miss Iowa. I start thinking that maybe being so far away from my family is a mistake, and that someday when they're gone, I'll regret that I moved so far away. Maybe this is just a part of growing older. Luckily, my friend Sara called to be my "Robo Wake-Up Call." She reminded me that there was nothing left for me in Waterloo, Iowa. That's probably true, but I still miss it. I don't look down on anyone who lives in Iowa--in fact, I'm jealous. I love the cold and snow. I love the heat, humidity, the storms. I miss the lightning bugs, being able to find a parking space at Target, and the way the stars look in the country--far from the city lights. Sara said she feels the same way after her family leaves--she's from Des Moines, so she knows the midwest, too. But, at the same time, she has her sister living in Phoenix, so she always has some family around. I'm an only child, and the closest things I have to siblings--my cousins--all live in Iowa with their families. I'm sad that I only get to see them a couple of times a year. <br /><br />As with all homesickness, it will fade with time, I'm sure. That's one of the hard things about visiting family--whether here or there. It's so much fun while it's happening, but the withdrawal can be brutal. It's also hard to go from days packed with activities to being back in bed, staring at the TV.<br /><br />I realize I need some kind of change. I feel down and unattractive in this stupid leg cage, so I'll do one of the few things I can think of right now as a pick-me-up. I'm going to blonde myself tomorrow. Something to feel like I've seen at least a peek of the summer sun.Junkgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08181037708069237191noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912723710172603614.post-36371482405193969432010-07-14T20:22:00.000-07:002010-07-14T20:53:48.172-07:00How to Push My Buttons--Literally and FigurativelyA couple of things that crossed my mind today that I thought were funny. Sorry if you don't, but I'm going to write about them anyways.<br /><br />First of all, I've been taking a lot of elevators lately, since it takes so long to walk upstairs in this leg brace that I call "the cage." (I think I'll call it 'Nick' for short). Usually, I'm not the only person waiting for the elevator, especially since I'm just going to physical therapy or the doctor with other incapacitated persons. But, what is it with people pushing the elevator buttons dozens of times? Once is enough. It's not like the elevator has a brain and thinks,<em> "Oh, wow! 17 people have pushed the button on <strong>that</strong> floor. I'd better hurry, or I'll have a shit storm of angry patrons. They'll never ride me again, and I'll lose my job...won't be able to feed my family. I'd better haul ass now!!" </em>The same goes for hitting the button to get the walk sign. People--the lights are timed. You're just telling it to include the walk sign once it changes.<br /><br />Second, I think it's great that many people still write thank you notes. I'm all for manners, and thank you notes are pretty old school, so I don't really care if someone just gives me a heartfelt verbal thank you on the spot or later. Even an email will do. Now, I shouldn't complain about getting a thank you note in the mail, but I'm going to, because I have a friend that I believe sends me a thank you note for a gift before I've even left her home. I have seriously received the thank you note the next day in the mail, and in a city like Los Angeles, that either means she's Johnny-on-the-Spot Extreme or she's creeping up to my mailbox in the middle of the night, but since my home alarm hasn't gone off, I'll assume it's the former. Why would this bug me? Well, when I get a thank you note immediately after giving a gift, it feels so perfunctory-- like a formality that must be gotten out of the way. It's like my friend is a Stepford Wife who just uploads niceties from her brain into an envelope the second I've left her porch. Wait a few days. Make me wonder. Think of me as that guy you like but don't want to call right away after the first date, lest you seem too eager...desperate. Or, at least make me think that you're so enthralled by the perfume, book, guitar, lite brite, or gold-panning kit I've given you that you just couldn't tear yourself away to write that thank you for a couple of days. But don't wait more than a week, because that's just rude.Junkgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08181037708069237191noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912723710172603614.post-5880468998545825272010-07-12T15:31:00.000-07:002010-07-12T16:55:37.396-07:00Isn't it Cool When Things Turn Out the Way You Want?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg53Nn_aHEJwDbAUpun9DzNgoXOMkOlKHGb6ElevoGed8qhxJkLUlW7kBe0mvfYxPGgbrkfzv43z2SsE3QsxCjivGX7no1xUu89bXgueVCw8khT6ntA1GApe-GGRzc32h6kGLDml9XBhWw/s1600/spring+summer+2010+256.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg53Nn_aHEJwDbAUpun9DzNgoXOMkOlKHGb6ElevoGed8qhxJkLUlW7kBe0mvfYxPGgbrkfzv43z2SsE3QsxCjivGX7no1xUu89bXgueVCw8khT6ntA1GApe-GGRzc32h6kGLDml9XBhWw/s320/spring+summer+2010+256.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493152772502802994" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />I sure think so. I guess I'm a tough customer, because it doesn't happen very much. My expectations are always too high. With a job and homelife about as unpredictable as Lindsay Lohan, I like it when things turn out the way they're supposed to--according to my brain. I'm referring to the picture here of my living room.<br /><br />This is some art work that my husband and I created last week. We bought the shapes several months ago and planned what we wanted, but we didn't have a good block of time to put it all together until last week. My husband spray painted each one, we measured out the grid on the wall with string, and voila! I love being married to an engineer, because you know that everything will by leveled, measured, and calculated to the max. We were both very happy with how it turned out. We've been in the process of turning our 1970s place into a more mid-century modern kind of place. We have huge walls to fill, and we didn't want to spend a fortune, so we chose our own "do-it-yourself" project. To me, it's perfect!<br /><br />Since I've been laid up in bed lately, I've been reading a lot. I just finished an interesting book called <span style="font-style: italic;">Furious Love: Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, and the Marriage of the Century</span>. At first I thought their marriage was so romantic, but as I kept reading, I realized it was just a horrible case of co-dependency. Seriously, that book just made me want to drink Jack Daniels and pick incredible fights with my husband, because that's what I was reading about all day long. Wow, those two had some blowouts! Still, it was a fascinating read.<br /><br />A few of my friends from college have new books out that I'm excited to recommend. Julia Story's new book of poetry, <span style="font-style: italic;">Post Moxie</span>, has been garnering praise and multiple award since its recent publication. The book is hauntingly gorgeous. Marc Rahe has a new book of poetry called <span style="font-style: italic;">The Smaller Half</span>, and it, too, is full of surprises and beauty. Both of these talented poets have been writing for a long time and know how to craft some of the most interesting contemporary poetry I've read in a long time. Another friend from college, Joshua Ferris, was recently named to the <span style="font-style: italic;">New Yorker's Twenty Under Forty</span> for his fiction. His first novel, <span style="font-style: italic;">And Then We Came to the End</span>, was a National Book Award finalist, and Stephen King just named his second novel, <span style="font-style: italic;">The Unnamed</span>, as one of the summer's must-reads. How did he do that? He was always talented, but I actually remember him complimenting me on my writing back in the day. Where's my Pulitzer?!Junkgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08181037708069237191noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912723710172603614.post-91828543261939758802010-07-08T18:45:00.000-07:002010-07-08T19:04:32.961-07:00More Boring Summer StuffIt is now two weeks since my surgery, and things are going well. I've learned I have a high pain tolerance, which means I don't have to take those nasty narcotics. I can see how people get hooked on them, because they gave me a euphoric feeling, but the nausea, headaches, and dizziness just couldn't make up for a short period of bliss. I have now gone to two physical therapy sessions, which, sadly, I look forward to--it's one of my few outings. Today, my husband asked me why I was putting on makeup and jewelry for therapy. I guess it's to trick myself into thinking that I'm going to a social event. I even wish I was back to work sometimes, and as a teacher, summers off are one of our few perks.<br /><br />My stepson will be leaving on Sunday for two weeks with his mother. It will be weird to have him gone so long. Some of my stepmother friends have told me they feel sorry for me because we have 50/50 custody, but I actually see it as a benefit. If he were only here every other weekend or during the summer, it would feel more like an intrusion on our home life. But, knowing that he's coming over regularly has forced me to prepare and accept that this is a huge part of my life. On the other hand, it also never lets me get too comfortable in either situation--as just a newly married couple or as a "family." I'm not sure what it will be like to have two weeks without seeing my stepson. My husband will be gone for work during most of one of the weeks, but my family is visiting from Iowa--probably just to make sure I don't fall in the shower and break my neck.<br /><br />I've really felt for my husband lately, because while I think the role of a childless stepmom is hard, I think his role as the father is often harder. He has so many people to please and negotiate with--me, his son, his ex-wife, his mother and father. We all demand things from him. This doesn't even count the rigors and expectations of his work. He hardly has any time left for himself, and sometimes I feel bad for not stepping in to relieve him of his parenting duties. Sure, I'll look after my stepson--I'm not a total cold fish--but I have chosen not to be a parent myself, and I know I don't have to be a parent to my stepson. He's already got two parents. I try to help when I can, but I don't overstep my boundaries, and I'm thankful that my husband doesn't expect me to be a mother, maid, or babysitter. I would go crazy if he did.<br /><br />Now on to the good stuff--I've been watching "The Hills." There. I said it. Now I feel better for getting this off my chest. A couple of months ago, I turned it on while I was cleaning, as it was the only thing half-interesting on. I like to watch the news, but only Fox was showing actual news. I'm too sick of those "To Catch a Predator" on MSNBC, and the local news is just chicks with huge boobs doing the weather. There's no way I was going to watch Fox, so I watched "The Hills." Those kids are crazy! My favorite part is partying vicariously through Brody Jenner, even though he is King Douche. No, Prince Douche, because Spencer is the King. I'd seen all of season 5 and 6, so the past week, I've been watching the earlier seasons online. I'm hooked. My husband makes fun of me, and I know it's stupid, mindless pop culture crap, but what's wrong with that every once in a while? Shoot, if Ken Burns would've documented this, it would've been labeled a masterpiece. So, I'm going to watch away, because the series finale is so close. What will I do without my "friends"?Junkgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08181037708069237191noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912723710172603614.post-11664323268160475582010-07-02T12:29:00.000-07:002010-07-02T12:54:05.502-07:00Some Recent PicturesI used to wear these shoes.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vM6uvhyydBU/TC4-2V5ZZPI/AAAAAAAAAHg/b6ZANzcaEd8/s1600/spring+summer+2010+163.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 275px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 194px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489394099122955506" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vM6uvhyydBU/TC4-2V5ZZPI/AAAAAAAAAHg/b6ZANzcaEd8/s320/spring+summer+2010+163.jpg" /></a><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 286px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 186px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489394514897411346" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vM6uvhyydBU/TC4_OixwHRI/AAAAAAAAAHo/oeJPJ7XT4jQ/s320/spring+summer+2010+164.jpg" /></div><br /><div><br />But now I have to wear these....<br /></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vM6uvhyydBU/TC5AEq3IxLI/AAAAAAAAAH4/NZ21ed8go8Y/s1600/spring+summer+2010+001.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 220px; HEIGHT: 145px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489395444780418226" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vM6uvhyydBU/TC5AEq3IxLI/AAAAAAAAAH4/NZ21ed8go8Y/s320/spring+summer+2010+001.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vM6uvhyydBU/TC5AbY9uS6I/AAAAAAAAAIA/5OiMbd4gISc/s1600/spring+summer+2010+002.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 194px; HEIGHT: 164px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489395835113196450" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vM6uvhyydBU/TC5AbY9uS6I/AAAAAAAAAIA/5OiMbd4gISc/s320/spring+summer+2010+002.jpg" /></a><br /></div><br /><br />Why? Because of this: (Warning to the squeamish)<br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vM6uvhyydBU/TC5BBVNxyyI/AAAAAAAAAII/RvxL_0TXgdQ/s1600/spring+summer+2010+198.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 220px; HEIGHT: 162px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489396486941821730" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vM6uvhyydBU/TC5BBVNxyyI/AAAAAAAAAII/RvxL_0TXgdQ/s320/spring+summer+2010+198.jpg" /></a><br /></div><div>This is my knee one week after my MPFL reconstructive surgery. Isn't it beautiful? It actually doesn't hurt that much, and believe it or not, the scars will probably not look as bad as the one on my left knee pictured above. That scar was acquired when I was just 17 years old. I'm thinking about getting a tattoo of a zipper on that one. That would crack me up. Next Wednesday, I get the sutures removed, but I have to wear the huge brace for at least five more weeks. Oh, you wanna see that? Here it is:</div><br /><div>Doesn't it look so comfortable??<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vM6uvhyydBU/TC5CMzVN6-I/AAAAAAAAAIQ/7e1kVlH6WTQ/s1600/spring+summer+2010+207.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 174px; HEIGHT: 278px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489397783516277730" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vM6uvhyydBU/TC5CMzVN6-I/AAAAAAAAAIQ/7e1kVlH6WTQ/s320/spring+summer+2010+207.jpg" /></a><br /></div><br /><div>Luckily, I have these to keep me company and make me laugh:</div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRfogkKn16nf-vLrxlSlvI3IbQZFYbI1myGAY0yDyYtFyWoRf-eUVpFYWLSzfw3o-cqUeFOrLV1fqf3EnXrEXCbXrb9KP_w0v_foI782VU9q7UGluikW8eKie-mU9LnUEakDOTiFVDWaQ/s1600/spring+summer+2010+020.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489398886258407826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRfogkKn16nf-vLrxlSlvI3IbQZFYbI1myGAY0yDyYtFyWoRf-eUVpFYWLSzfw3o-cqUeFOrLV1fqf3EnXrEXCbXrb9KP_w0v_foI782VU9q7UGluikW8eKie-mU9LnUEakDOTiFVDWaQ/s320/spring+summer+2010+020.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div>Junkgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08181037708069237191noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912723710172603614.post-37922815373564379552010-07-01T17:23:00.000-07:002010-07-01T17:31:45.579-07:00Bump Alert!I've been talking to some of my childless stepmom friends online and asked them what phrases or words from parenthood irritate them the most. Here are a few of mine:<br /><br />1. Playdate: I've mentioned this in previous posts. Since when did it become a date? It's worse when I hear kids say it, as if they are savvy enough to be scheduling social events on their calendars. Maybe they should have a special Toddlers/Kids section on match.com to set up these affairs. It's a date!<br /><br />2. Mommy Brain: Um, no. Lazy, forgetful--yes. (Okay, not always, but come on. Another way to use your parenthood as an excuse).<br /><br />3. Bump: It's not a bump when you're pregnant. Bumps are like bruises you get when you fall down. On second thought... It's gross when celebrity magazines or entertainment news shows have a section on "Bump Alerts" or "Bump Watch," as if it's a national security issue. Does it raise the security level to orange? Pink? Blue?Junkgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08181037708069237191noreply@blogger.com3