Michael: (holding up my new and jealously guarded cell phone) I’ve got your phone! I’ve got your phone!
Michelle: (look)
Michael: I’m putting your phone down now.

It’s now been 11 weeks since I broke my ankle.

Had another doctor appointment this morning, including more x-rays.

There’s still a visible fracture in the x-ray, however, he wasn’t worried about it as he could see where the bone has been and is being rebuilt. I’ll still have to deal with pain & swelling for the next six to eight months, but that is completely normal. He said it’s also fine more me to keep taking OTC pain killers as needed, which was reassuring. Having never broken anything before, I’ve been having a hard time gauging what is an acceptable level of pain and recover and swelling. I’m glad to hear everything is normal.

We discussed the possibility of taking the hardware out of my ankle, but as that would require another surgery (and I’d be off my feet AGAIN I figure) he said I should be fine with things the way they are, however, if I discover the plate and screws are bothering me, they can be taken out.

I go back to see him the beginning of October, but he is happy with my progress, and so am I.

Today’s word: fan

Many thanks to everyone who has sent cards and letters to my grandmother, and special thanks to Natalie who recycled a box of books in Grandmom’s direction!

Jeri posted a question about Geek Women & Clothing, and my first thought was, “are you kidding me?”

Jeri’s questions were raised by this essay on Clothes & Geek Feminism, which addresses the question in a slightly different manner, but still, it bothers me.

I am who I am. I dress in a manner that makes me comfortable, and I feel makes me look approachable–after all, my job is to help people. I rarely wear make-up, because that’s who I am and it’s the way I’ve always been.

This question puts my hackles up, because I’ve spent a great deal of time getting comfortable with myself in my own skin, and I don’t see why I should have to dress in an manner as dictated by anyone just to properly classify myself as a true geek.

In my opinion, what people see when they look at me is shown as much by my projected attitude as by what I wear. My goal is to look competent, approachable, and helpful, and in my opinion, I show that through my attitude. I do not dress to conform to anyone’s ideas and attitudes of who I am, I dress to be comfortable and to do my job.

For me, the point of being a geek is taking delight in who I am and the things that make me happy. If a geeky t-shirt makes me happy, then that’s great. If a silk suit makes someone else happy, good for them.

If people think I lack “geek cred” because I dress–or fail to dress–in a specific manner, that is their problem, not mine.

This evening, I am thankful for satellite radio, because without it I’d not be listening to Wynton Marsalis expound upon jazz.

Really lucky! I got to spend time yesterday with Julliene!

It’s now been 10 weeks since I broke my ankle.

During the first six weeks, I knew how long it had been precisely, because I knew how long it would be before the doctor would let me put weight on my foot. The days and weeks were interminable and it seems as if the day would never arrive when I could actually walk again.

The past four weeks have gone past almost in a blur. I had to go to the calendar and count the number of weeks, because I wasn’t certain precisely how long it had been.

That, strangely enough, makes the bad days harder. The first weeks of recovery crawled by and I was aware of the passing of every day. Now, time has resumed it’s normal course and every once in awhile I forget that I am healing from a broken ankle, which makes it all the more frustrating when I am forcefully reminded of this fact.

Be that as it may, I am still continuing to heal well. Stairs are an issue only when I’m very tired or sore, and I am almost back up to normal walking speeds.

The leg is still weak, however, and I still need to lose the weight I put on during six weeks of forced inactivity. But I’m getting there. I can do the work I need to and I will get back to normal.

I just have to be patient.

Happy birthday Michael!

My most favorite husband EVER!

Really!

Vince one the last one. Not that I remembered to send him a prize, but he did.

I’ll start:

Furry
Sitting and shedding
Goddamnit! Stay out of my chair!

Why? Because I’m staring at Kit right now and nothing else came to mind.

Today’s word: fur

Reality in Science Fiction and History via Dr Phil)

Periodic Table of Irrational Nonsense

Fun & Intrigue with the Periodic Table of Elements

electric boogaloo

Indistinguishable from Magic

My garden is still a mess, and probably will be for the remainder of the year. I’m still not 100% yet, it’s too hot, and we’ve been traveling too much.

Luckily, I’ve done so much work over the past several years, much of the garden is self-maintaining, and doing well with benign neglect.

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Saturday we went to visit Grandmom. She’s been in a rehab facility relearning to stand up and walk and climb stairs again.

The facility where she is getting her rehab is really marvelous. We went to the back, which is like a small park with huge shade trees and even play areas for kids–very beautiful.

Grandmom still has a lot of work ahead of her, but she’s getting better, and she is in good spirits–thanks again to everyone who has sent her cards–you all are wonderful!

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Dear Teabaggers who are all up in arms about the Obama administration “destroying the constitution”, where the hell were you during the previous administration when Bush and his cronies were, you know, actually acting unconstitutionally?

Have you even READ the document you are so loudly and ignorantly defending?

Let’s start with one of the most egregious things the Bush administration did.

Here’s a section of the Constitution that delineates the powers of Congress (that’s Section 8 by the way):

To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;

Funny how Bush managed to skip that bit when it came to Iraq, isn’t it.

Then there was the issue of signing statements. Odd how nothing in Article 2 gives the president the right to say, “well, I know Congress passed the laws, but I’m telling you to ignore the law, just because I said so.”

Then let’s look at the Amendments, shall we?

Amendment 1 – Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression (this is the one that comes BEFORE the gun amendment.)

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

See that first part? You know what that means? Let me emphasize: no law respecting an establishment of religion. It means the United States is NOT a Christian nation, and attempts to make it one are unconstitutional.

Next part: abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press. This one’s a little less clear. They wanted the only reporters to be “embedded” reporters. The goal was to stop independent press coverage of the war. That was walking a very fine line IMO.

Moving on: Amendment 4 – Search and Seizure

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Two words for you here, warrant-less wiretaps.

Next up: Amendment 5 – Trial and Punishment, Compensation for Takings

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

No one may be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law.

Let me add to that: Amendment 6 – Right to Speedy Trial, Confrontation of Witnesses

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

So, the above amendments are referring to citizens, and in theory, non-citizens do not have such rights. However, lets go back to the rights of the administrative branch. He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties.

What this means is we have treaties that govern how we can treat non-citizens, prisoners of war, etc. The Geneva Convention is one of the most famous, but there are other laws and treaties that govern how non-citizens should be treated.

Then we have the fools who believe that the Constitution is NOT a living malleable document and should never have been modified by succeeding generations (Despite Article 5 of the Constitution which clearly delineates the process for creating and ratifying Amendments). Fools like Sarah Palin would would not be able to vote if we followed the Constitution as it was originally written.

I rather like the right to vote and not be a second class citizen. I’m funny like that.

So what are these conservatives up in arms about? They’re enraged that liberals such as myself believe that all Americans–not just the rich–deserve access to health care.

Funny how those conservatives who claim that the United States is a Christian nation seem to be missing some important points of Christianity.*

Perhaps they need to read their bibles instead of just thumping them. But since they clearly can’t read the constitution, I have little hope for them.

* See: Deut. 26:5-9, Luke 4:16-21, Ps. 140:12, Is. 25:4, Ps. 10:14, Is 41:17, Luke 6:20-21, James 2:5, Deut. 15:7, Deut. 26:12, Lev. 19:19, Prov. 31:8, Is. 58:66, Jer. 22:3, Luke 12:33, Luke 3:11, Mt. 5:42 etc

Sorry about last week, but with company and all, I completely neglected you.

Today’s word is in honor of all the time I wasted watching these videos. I love it when people are silly. It makes me very happy.

Today’s word is: baritone

These are the graphs from the software that comes with my pedometer. Orange is aerobic steps, orange and blue (or just blue if there was no aerobic) shows the total steps for that day.

Hooray for progress!

Here’s May. (Note that this chart also shows that I was having a hard time with my depression, and skipping the gym when I should not have.) Can you tell what day I broke my ankle?

Then June:

Now July. (On the 7th I forgot to put on my pedometer. on the 10th it accidentally went into the washing machine. Oops.)

It is really wet outside.

Riiiiight

It has been just over eight weeks since I broke my ankle.

Monday I had my last official PT appointment; she said she had never seen someone recover as quickly as I have from the breaks I had.

Yes, I still have work to do–my leg is still weak, and my sense of balance could use some work, but those are things I can continue on my own. I can walk up and down stairs without difficulty or feeling as if I am going to fall; I can walk distances without exceptional discomfort.

No, things are not perfect. My ankle still aches, and I’m still occasionally taking Tylenol, and it will be another four weeks until the bone is completely mended, but I am extremely happy with the progress I have been making, and if I needed more encouragement to stay in shape, I’ve got it right here.

So I’ve been busy, which is why you get these pictures of the 4th of July fireworks a week late.

But at least I’ve posted something?

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Since it was supposed to rain, we decided to go to Blennerhasset Island instead of Blackwater Falls.

This had the added advantage of taking us to Parkersburg so we also got to spend time with Julliene. (OK, and Brian & Stacie as well.)

It didn’t rain at all, and was instead gorgeous.

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Really lucky, because I got to spend part of the day with the beautiful miss below.

Jealous, aren’t you?

Jeri just reminded me–it’s Friday and that means it’s time for cat blogging!

His Furriness was looking especially royal this morning.

Things that are Awesome, originally uploaded by Random Michelle K.

Kit sent Grandmom flowers. Today, Kit received a card.

Another thing we did yesterday was go Newell WV to visit the Homer Laughlin China Co and Fiestaware Outlet.

As previously mentioned, I have Fiestaware for my dishes. I like the variety of colors, and the fact it’s a WV company is just icing on the cake. However, I wouldn’t have gone to the factory/outlet except for the fact that Jeri was considering Fiestaware for her new dishes, so we went. (Why yes, Michael does have the patience of a saint.)

I added some extra dishes to what I already have, and picked up some matching napkins, but what was most awesome (and what Michael talked me into) was Fiestaware flatware.

Just perfect.

However, what fascinated me most was the giant pile of broken dishes outside the factory.

Since I was quite tired and sore by this time, Jeri got the closeup of the pile.

Go view the larger size. It’s fascinating.