We're BAAA-aaack

David and I got back from our cruise this morning. We docked in Galveston yesterday morning, and after a LONG wait through Customs, we got in the van and headed home.

The cruise was absolutely amazing. We left Friday afternoon after I got off work and drove through a snow storm to get to Galveston Saturday morning. We had one day at sea, then a day at Progresso (on the Yucatan peninsula), a day at Cozumel, and then another day at sea. We docked Thursday morning, and then dealt with 2 detours, a sleeping break because neither of us could stay awake anymore, and a slight van break down! (Spark plugs and a coil pack needed replaced - lucky that my husband is handy with cars!)

So, here are a few pictures... We took 244 pictures, so obviously I'm not going to show you them all. But, here are a few highlights that aren't in any order because the Blogger uploader reverses them and I'm too lazy to change it!


On the beach at Progresso


Captain's Celebration night - this was in the Blue Saphhire lounge before the nightly show.


Together at dinner.


Out on the sun deck!

Love my toes, love the water.

David and I waiting to get off the boat on Thursday (told you this was out of order!)


Drinking at Cozumel - we did the Mexican Cuisine excursion. Beach time and cooking lesson with completely open bar!


David and the assistant chef, Moises


David and I before getting started on our cooking lesson

David and I at the beach in Cozumel.

Our last night on the ship. David bought me roses and chocolate covered strawberries. What a nice surprise and an awesome evening.


My handsome husband on our last evening.

I didn't get down to my goal weight of 190 but I was comfortable and that's what matters. Also, my knee was great! I only did the exercises the first night and morning at sea. I also had to do them the night at Cozumel because we did alot of walking and I was sore. But, really, I did pretty well overall.

David has already decided we are going to go again - I'm hoping we can go again next year over spring break! We had a blast, and it was great to be able to reconnect with my husband again. We haven't had a week together, stuck together with no interruptions, in so long. I honestly don't remember the last time that happened - maybe last summer? But there are always phones and computers... this week, those weren't even available! How perfect could it be???

Anyways. I'm scared to get on the scale tomorrow. I know that I gained weight - one of the skirts I took on the trip did not fit by Night 4! Oops! I will get on the scale tomorrow and will begin fighting the battle again. Hopefully I can get down to 190 and stay there!!!!

Quick Update

I had Physical Therapy this week, and all is well! I continue to only reposition 2 times a day, and my resistance level is at an 8. Well, Mike said "Lower to 7." Um, okay. I won't lie - I was nervous. Remember, this was when I had issues at the beginning of January. So, I lowered to 7, he took out a couple exercises and changed a few others, and I had NO problems during my workout!

Because it went so well, I don't have to go back for 3 weeks!!!!!! That's right! I don't go back until St. Patty's Day (the day before I have a hair appointment and the day after he isn't there). So, I've continued the Level 7 and exercises and I'm doing well. I was a little sore yesterday but I didn't do my exercises Thursday night because I didn't get home late. As long as I don't skip my exercises, I'm fine!

Also, David and I bit the bullet and joined a new gym. Our membership is almost up at Anytime Fitness. While we both really like the gym and being able to come and go as we please, there are a few things that it doesn't have that I want -- and really, NEED.

We joined the YMCA yesterday! They don't have a contract and my district has an agreement with the Y to wave the initiation fee! For the same price as Anytime, we get more equipment, lots of different fitness classes - 50 different kinds! And.... The Pool!!!! That's right! I have a pool now AND they have water aerobics classes that fit into my schedule! I will be able to exercise more and get back into shape and not stress my knee. The only thing that sucks is the hours are limited, but David thinks he'll still be able to go the days he's home.

So, tomorrow, I'm off to the gym. The puppies and I are going to spend a little quality time together tonight and get a little cleaning done. Then, tomorrow, I am going to do a little biking and treadmill time. I know that this membership will help me lose my last 8 lbs before the cruise and be in much better shape than I am now!

Valentine's Day has come and gone...

I can't believe it's been just about 6 weeks since my last post. Sorry! Things have been crazy around here lately, and I just realized I basically disappeared for 6 weeks. So, let's see if I can get you caught up...

The Knee...
It's there! After being released for light cardio, I got my resistance lowered all the way to a 7! And then PT told me to cut down my wear-time. So, I did. Well, then I did one thing too many (as I often do), and ended up back at Level 9, wearing it most of the day, and no workouts.

Now, we're back down to Level 8 and I'm only wearing it 1 1/2 hrs at a time. Also, I've cut out the middle of the day exercises and doing okay with that. I did Yoga one night and made it! Now that Valentine's Day is over (too many hours at the shop), I will be able to get back to the gym, do some more workouts, and see where I'm at.

I told my PT that I was scared to push myself at the gym, especially since the setback in January. He told me to push myself so that we can find the "setback point" while I'm still seeing him. So, it continues.....

Weight Loss
Well, it's not so there. I'm staying the same, which is good. But, I want to get down to at least 190 before the cruise. That means 1 month, people! 1 month to lose 8 lbs. I can do it!!! I just need to be more on myself about writing my food down. That is the biggest thing for me - write it down before I eat it. And write down the exercise too!!!

Baby-Making
I guess I don't know what to say about this. David's health has been an issue the last couple months, so of course we're not "trying." But, all these people around me are getting pregnant and it gets harder and harder for me to just grin and act happy. I want to feel what these women are feeling - I want to feel MY baby kicking and hiccuping inside me. I want to feel the mood swings (not like I don't already have those), the nausea, the shitty nights of sleep. I want my husband to lay his hand on my belly and feel OUR CHILD moving underneath.

I'm sick of people asking me when we'll have a baby. I'm tired of coworkers saying "So, how's the baby making going?" I'm sad when I find out friends are pregnant. Yeah, I think they deserve it, but when is it my time? When do I get to have a baby? When do I get to hold OUR miracle in my arms? To post totally random pictures of my child laughing, eating, playing with the puppies, sleeping, cuddling with daddy, sleeping on mommy's chest.... And when somebody asks? I try to be nice. I try to smile and say "In God's time." But God needs to hear me - HEAR ME - I need a baby. I want a baby. I deserve a baby.

God and I have had our chats. Well, at least I've chatted and I hope He has listened. Honestly, at this point I don't think He has. But, I've tried. I've opened my heart and prayed for this miracle. Now to take it into my OB's hands......

And I need to get David motivated. He needs to lose weight and get healthy. Once that happens, his numbers will "supposedly" get better. Then we can do an IUI. I'm hoping to do this before July so that we can use the money in the med spending plan we have at work.

I guess that's about it for an update. That pretty much covers the 3 biggest things in my life, right? I promise not to disappear for so long again. I have a few new recipes to show you all. Hopefully this week that can happen...

Until then... ta-ta for now!

The Knee Saga continues...

Well, as you all know, I was released 2 weeks ago to start some light cardio. I wanted to go 3 times the first week, but because of my schedule, I only made it once.

The first week, I made it 10 minutes at 2.7 mph. Today, I went 15 minutes at 2.8 mph! Not much of an increase, but enough of one to make me feel worth the effort to get to the gym.

On Tuesday, I had PT. Mike is really happy with my progress. We've lowered the resistancy from a 9 to an 8. Wednesday, I was a little sore, but now I'm fine. I'm doing better with the 3 sets of 10 steps and 3 sets of leg raises. He added 10 chair-squats. And, he took away my quad sets, and added a second leg raise. This leg raise, I couldn't even do 1 a month ago. Now? I can do 10 with only a little "annoying" pain!!! We are very excited about the progress!!!!

More of a "life" update later...

Time for a U-Turn

Since hurting my knee, workouts have been limited. Stress has mounted for lots of reasons, and WW has fallen to the backburner...

On Monday, I got on the scale to see where I was at. I started crying when it said 202. Seriously? I'm back over 200???? I've gained 17 lbs since hurting my knee. Crap!

And then I remembered something... Weight Watchers is a LIFETIME journey. It's not a diet, it's not a get-to-goal-and-then-stop thing. No, it's not. It really is a lifetime journey. It's a road... And I accidentally took the wrong fork in the road. Well, guess what? I found the spot to make the UTurn at. I'm making that Uturn and then getting onto the right path again!

Today is Wednesday, and when I got on the scale this morning, it was down to 197.3! I know it's water weight, but hey -- it's down! I watched my points all day on Monday (it wasn't perfect, but it was close), and yesterday I stayed just under my points. I've done really good today - I did have an oatmeal cookie, but my student teacher was doing a cooking project. The kids need to see us trying it to say "Oh, well, even the teachers try 'new' things!"

I had Physical Therapy tonight. This week has been better than last week. I had alot of pain last week, but he helped me push through it. This week, we worked out the "order" of exercises so that I can complete them all without unbearable pain. And.........

I get to start light cardio!!!!! He said I can do the treadmill or stationary bike, but the treadmill will be easier. No incline, and only 5-10 minutes to start. But, you know what? It's a start! So, I'm going to meet David at the gym after work tomorrow. He can obviously work out alot longer than I can, so he can get his long workout in, and I'll do my stuff while he's doing his cool down.

I know that getting back into the gym is going to help the weight. If nothing else, it will help me mentally - to know that I'm at least burning a few calories, and I won't be sitting around so much. I'm hoping it goes well - my goal is 3 times this week, and then I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I can up the time and maybe days next week!!

Progress!

Today, I'm happy! Why? Because things are maybe starting to turn around! I don't want to say they are DEFINITELY turning around, because that would jinx it! So, things are MAYBE turning around....

The Knee

I got my brace 3 weeks ago. We've been playing with the right resistance, how long to wear it, etc... Last week, Mike (PT) added 2 quad strengthening things back into my night routine. On Wednesday, it tough, but I was able to do it. My leg was shaking and quivering, and I was having alot of pain after completing 6 out of 10 leg raises. Throughout the week, I've been able to do all 10 leg raises - yeah, I shake still, but no pain!

I went today for my weekly appointment. Every week, he has me do the series of 4 leg curls, and then does a "trunk rotation" test. I lay on my back with my knees bent, and then lean them to one side or the other. I've always been able to go farther going to the left (with my good leg on top) than to the right (with my bad leg on top). The first week, it was almost a 2" difference. Last week it was between 1 to 1 1/2".

This week, it was the SAME! That's right! The same!! This means that my hamstring is getting stronger, and "rotating" my femur to the correct path, which will make my knee track correctly. He increased my quad "sets" (flexing and relaxing the quad) from 15 to 30, holding each one for 5 seconds. He also increased my leg raises to 2 sets of 10. The last couple hurt, but I worked through it. He told me to work up to 3 sets of 10 by next week if I can - basically, as I don't have pain, I add more. He also added an ab strengthening thing. Again, one more thing that will make my leg muscles work correctly!

Weight Loss

After I stepped on the scale last week and saw 200.5, I freaked. Oh My God. I CAN'T let this happen to me. I've worked WAY too hard to get down to 185-190, and I've crept back up to 200? No FREAKING way!

So, I cut myself down to 27 points and actually tracked for a week. I lost 4 lbs in water weight literally overnight. This morning, the scale said 191.7! In 8 days, I've lost 9 lbs of the dreaded water weight and a little fat.

We're going to the Weight Watchers meeting tomorrow, good or bad. If I have to pay a week, I pay a week. I should be under 192 on their scale, as long as I don't overeat during the day. I still want to get back down to 185, and I know I will as long as I keep with it. I'm still not able to exercise - hopefully within a couple weeks - but I can watch my points and make healthy choices.

Vacuum Decisions!

My dad was planning on getting us a snow blower for Christmas with his Sear's rewards. I talked to him about what David and I could REALLY use - a new vacuum. He's willing to do this for us, so I get my vacuum!

The winner is:

The Dyson DC28 Animal vacuum! It has 2 removable filters that can be rinsed and reused. It's a little heavier, and more expensive, than the version with the ball. But, that one has 2 filters, but only 1 filter is removable. So, how do you actually clean the 2nd filter? Doesn't make sense to me, so I asked for this one. And it's a bonus that it's purple!

So, I have lots to be happy for today! Only thing that could be better would be to get pregnant this cycle! I'm ovulating sometime in the next week or so.. Fingers crossed, but not too tight because then the disappointment is harder...

You know you're old when...

Your Christmas wish list consists of 2 things:
** teaching certificate for the state you live in
** new vaccuum!

Yes, there are the normals - clothes, ornaments, scrap booking stuff, etc... But I would much rather have the other 2 things! In fact - I NEED the other 2 things!

So, Poll: What's your vaccuum - remember: we have dogs, allergies, and a dust-attracting house! What's your heavy duty vaccuum? And why do you love it?


In other news...

I'm thinking about going back to school to get my administration endorsement. I spoke with my PK supervisor and she said she hesitated quite a few years ago and then realized how many opportunities the administration opened up for her. Did she HAVE to leave the classroom? No. But, now she loves what she's doing and knows that she could go back to the classroom someday if she wanted....

The knee brace is working! I have 4 exercises that I do everyday - 2 of them, I do 15, and the other 2 I do 10. I do them 3 times a day (2 of them I only do 2 times a day because they are hard to do without a bed or table - laying down). I wear the brace all day so that I can get the support I need. Sunday was a sore day, and Saturday evening was pretty bad... but, still, the pain is WAY better than it was. Today? I walked around Walmart and it stopped hurting as soon as I got in the van and had a chance to rest for a few minutes. One of the exercises that I have to do was making my knee pop. My PT told me if I had unbearable pain associated, to stop. Well, yesterday.... the popping STOPPED!! That's right - no more popping! My knee itself pops sometimes, but not as often. Ahh.. relief! Here's what it looks like:





Last week was Red Ribbon Week (drug awareness/prevention). Thursday was Jammie Day, so David took a picture of me in my sexy jammies. And no, I don't really wear these to sleep in, but the kids LOVED them! And it gives you a better view of the brace.

That's about all I know right now. I'm busting ass on healthy eating this week, and I'll go to Weigh In next week. This week, I won't be able to make it because of PT, so next... Sure hope I'm under 190!

Life's update

So, it's been a while, huh? Where to start? Things have been freaking crazy... a roller coaster.. and it seems like more downs than ups.

I'm having one of those moments right now, so this will be short, sweet, and to the point. Pics and more ramblings to come when I'm not PMSing.

* I got my knee brace. It's going to be a long process, but I have hope that it will work. I got it on Monday, and when it's on, it feels great! My Physical Therapist is happy with the "progress" I've made since Monday. He's also letting me wear it throughout the day, and then I'll take it off after I do my night exercises. Except for today, when I just pushed too hard, it's been great!

* David and I are going through a few things.. We decided to stop the foster care classes. Yeah, I'm sad, but our marriage and our sanity is more important to me. There must be a reason that it just wasn't right...

* No news in the baby-making field....

* Maintaining my weight loss is not going all that great. I'm a stress eater - always have been, and I always will be. I wish I could tell you that Weight Watchers taught me how to be perfect all the time. But, guess what? I'm not perfect. It's pointless to try to fool you - or myself - that I'm perfect and can do no wrong. Sunday is a new week, and I will be back on track. I'm going to go back into weight loss mode - I need to lose the 10 lbs I've gained through stress and not being able to work out. I'll get there. I know I can do it. And then it won't come back on until I'm pregnant.

Foster Care Class and The Knee

Foster Care Class

Wow! Talk about alot of information in one night! David and I are excited. Our marriage is going to strengthen so much. 3 hours of dedicated "us time."

We will have alot of "roadwork" (homework) over the next 10 weeks on top of the 3 home visits. Our "coordinator" is pregnant, so our home visits won't be until Novemember and December. Her report isn't due until January 23, so we won't have kids in our home until the beginning of February at the earliest.

This gives us time to deal with.....

The Knee!

I called my ortho, Dr. Brown, to get a follow up appointment. So, my thought: try the Prednisone and get the CT scan done before my appointment next week on Tuesday. That way, we're one step closer to figuring out what's going on, right?

The first return message from the nurse: "I spoke with Valerie, the PA, and she doesn't think Prednisone is warranted at this point. She recommends 2 tablets of Aleve 2 times a day. Also, before you come back on Tuesday, please have your physical therapist send us an updated report of your progress." Okay, did she even LOOK at my file? Why do I ask this? Because... I was told to take Aleve - by the PA - 2 weeks ago. It hasn't helped. This SAME PA wrote a prescription for Mobic (7.5 mg daily), which I began taking on Thursday.

So, I called back and left a message for the nurse. "I've been on Mobic, which you prescribed me, since Thursday. This is why I'm wondering if we can try the Prednisone or do the CT so that we can be one step closer to making any decisions. Also, if Dr. Brown wants me to continue PT, he needs to send new orders over as they end this week."

Her message to me: "I spoke with Dr. Brown about you and he doesn't see that the scan or Prednisone are needed right now. Since you're on Mobic and the Cortizone shot didn't help, he thinks you just need to take time and rest. Elevate and ice your knee as often as you feel necessary. This is something that will just take time. See you Tuesday!"

My mental response: Screw you! You don't know me from Eve and you probably didn't even look at my file before making these "recommendations."
My actual response: I made a phone call to my family doctor, leaving a message for the nurse. "Would Dr. L want to see me before giving me a referral to another orthopaedic dr for a second opinion? I need to see a dr who will listen to my concerns and find out what is really wrong with me."

We'll see what happens. I'm very frustrated, very emotional, very anxious about all of this... Tomorrow should be another "easy" night at therapy because I'm still banned from any exercises. Unfortunately, my knee actually hurts WORSE without exercising than it did WITH the exercises. I don't get it?!!?!!!!

Hopefully I'll have better news soon....

I have him stumped!

Today was my 7th visit with my Physical Therapist. Mike is awesome. He's probably in his 40s, really passionate, and is really good with his patients. I really like him. He tries his best not to hurt me, and really listens to what my body is saying. (When I had surgery 12 years ago, the therapist DIDN'T listen and I think that is part of why I'm having problems now)

Last week, I had a heart to heart with him about needing my life back. He said we have to do things, step by step, and the most non-evasive ways are the ones we're going to do first. Well, duh!

So, on Wednesday, we had another short conversation - I'm more swollen than I was when I started PT. "Call Dr. Brown" - I needed to be switched from Aleve to Mobic. Okay, that's done. And he said we'd "re-evaluate" my needs on Monday (today).

Today came. This weekend was a PAINFUL weekend. Like, crying painful. Stabbing, sharp knife being dug into knee painful... Ouch! Even when it's not stabbing, it's a constant pain. It sucks. I need my life back. I need to do laundry, clean my kitchen, take care of my dogs. I need to get down on the floor with my students, carry buckets of flowers at the shop..... I NEED these things. I love what I do.

Mike re-evaluated me today. I'm more swollen today than I've ever been. This is after doing 2-3 loads of laundry yesterday, and that's IT for being on my feet. So, no more exercises. None. He took them all out. Why? Because it's irritating things more (about damn time "we" figure that out!). He still can't get over how loose my knee cap is and when he has me raise and lower my knee, it just grinds. His expression was not a good one - it actually kind of worried me!

Instead of exercises, we did a few "rest the knee" treatments. He did an "ice rub" - take ice cubes and rub them around my knee for 5-7 minutes. Then he applied a medicated patch to my knee that stays on for 2 hours. He'll do it again on Wednesday, and again on Thursday.

The biggest thing: I have to call the ortho again. He wants me to be seen this time - not just make a phone call. He thinks Dr. Brown will do 1-2 of 3 things:
1. Put me on Prednisone for 5 days to help calm my knee down. The down fall of this? It can lower my immune system... and working with PK kids during cold/flu season, and having a compomised immune system... not something I'd really enjoy. Plus, Prednisone makes me HUNGRY and BITCHY.
2. Do a CT of how my knee cap sits. I've already had the xray and MRI. I don't know that the CT would show anything different, but what do I know.
3. Start talking surgery. Mike thinks this will be Dr. Brown's LEAST likely decision because I've only had PT for 2 weeks. But, if we don't start talking surgery, he will at least "prescribe" more PT. (You have to have an active order for it or insurance doesn't cover it)

So, I'll be calling right at 8:00 to find out when I can get in. I'm hoping I'll be able to get in quick - I'll probably have to take a 1/2 day or something to make it work. Let's hope my principal is in a good mood when I let her know about this!

I guess that's about it -- Nothing new in the weight loss area. We begin our Foster Care classes tomorrow, so I'm sure I'll have another update then!

Knee Update and...

Knee Update

Well, I started Physical Therapy today. It wasn't as bad as I thought it'd be but it definitely wasn't pleasant. Lots of burning, pulling, stinging... I found out my biggest problem: My quad muscle is very weak. It's almost 2 cm LESS than my right leg. He doesn't know if I necessarily lost it in the last few weeks or if it's been declining and that's why I'm hurting... But, that's where we're starting - with strengthening the quad and then going from there. We also have to calm my knee down from all the irritation from the last 2 months.

3 times a week for at least 3 weeks - about an hour each time - plus exercises at home 2 times a day and icing once. I'm still taking the Aleve, and he said that will help, but he Ultrasounded my knee today - he said that gets the "heat" deep, deep down and calm things down a little quicker. It was the only thing (besides the ice) that felt good!

Weigh Ins...

For the next 3 weeks, I won't be able to go to Weigh In. I have PT on Mon, Wed, and Thurs. Weigh In is Wednesday. I might be able to swing over to a site on Thursday, just to weigh in... but I'm sad. I'll miss my group! David will still go, though, so at least I can stay in the loop!

I'm disappointed about this. Right now, I'm still not exercising (other than what I do at PT), and I've been watching the scale go up. I got my butt back in gear the last couple days -- I'm going back down, slowly. Granted, I'm not above 190, but it's like "Oh.My.God! I CAN'T do this again!" EEK! So, I know it will be okay. By the time I go back, maybe I'll be down to my 180!

Family Pictures!

2 weeks ago, we had pictures taken with David's family. Did I tell you that? I can't remember... Either way, They are in!!!!! Check out her website:
http://www.heidikeenephotography.com
At the bottom, click on Clients and type the password: thereynolds
If you don't feel like looking - I'll put some of my favorites up when I get the CD in a few days. I'm SO excited. They all turned out AWESOME!