Week 8 - Oregon City, February 20 - February 26, 2023

The noteworthy events of the week was that it snowed ....more than usual.  School had a late start on Wednesday and the was closed on Thursday and Friday.  There wasn't all that much snow on Brunner - - there is always more up on the hill  -- but it just stayed and stayed.

One day Bev's kids came over - I think they finally got too cold from playing outside.  They love to go to the basement and frolic in the sewing/workout room.

Activity Day was canceled because of the snow.  We were going to make pancakes for dinner.  I was a bit disappointed because I had done a lot of preparation and because I thought we would have had fun.  Olivia Hamblin was really disappointed that we didn't meet.

On Friday we had Cursive Class.  Honestly, I'm happily surprised that the four grandchildren like to come and, when I asked them, they said they wanted to continue. 

On Saturday, Ruby and Jan had too many wiggles to stay at their house, so they came down.  First went in the hot tub, then to the exercise room, and finally to the laptop.

Only eleven "sleeps" until I don't have to wear the boot anymore on my right foot.

 Week 7 - Oregon City - February 13- February 19 2023

The best thing that happened to me this week is that I got a new, different style boot with inflatable air bags!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11.. I went from being tortured to lounging in peace.  I have a small callus on the outside of my little toe.  The way the original boot was worn, there was a metal loop right at the point of my callus.  It was so painful - like I was getting an electric shock constantly.  Finally I could stand it no longer.  I called the Podiatry Advice Nurse who said, come in, go to reception, tell them you need to go to the cast room, and you'll be taken care of.  And I was.  The cast guy thought of different options and then gave me this boot!!!!  It fits sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much better.  Fortunately I only used the first for a week and a halt.  Now I just have three weeks to go.

I had another appointment with Dr Koo who is the thyroid eye disease guru.  He said, "look right at me."  I did and noticed that his right eye was a bit larger than his left eye.  Then he said that my left eye lid did droop a bit, but on the scale of 1-10, the droop was at about a 1/2.  The surgery would be an hour and a half, I'd have to wear a patch for three days, and maybe I wouldn't even see a difference in the long run.  I said to him, "your right eye is bigger that the left one".  His reply was that "most faces are not perfectly symmetrical."  I chose not to get the surgery for the lid.  The doctor who did the muscle surgery had told me, "oh, yes, I can fix it!"

We went to Corvallis for the gymnastics meet with Univ of Arizona.  We were expected to win - which we did. The best part was that Jade scored two 10's....in the vault and on the floor.  When her score showed up there was roar of approval, joy, and everything else that is good.  Whoever may have said that it isn't such a big thing to win, probably did not win.

My mother's birthday was this week.  She would have been 107 years old.  I sent an email to all the kids to help them remember her.

Warren made a King Cake on Sunday - for Mardi Gras.  It was very tasty with a praline filling.  Really good!

 Week 6 - Oregon City, February 6 - February 12, 2023

A quiet week.....rotating between lying in the bed to sitting at my desk and an occasional trip out of the house.

Activity day was fun.  We did "How to Move an Injured or Unconscious Person".  Considering their age and inexperience, the kids did a good job!

On the tenth of the month I celebrated National Ivan Day!!!

On Saturday we had another Family History Event.  This time it was coordinated with the Chili Cook-off. Was it a success - combining it with a Ward dinner?  Yes in that we had two activities at the same time. No- - in that there were no more people who wanted help with their FH work.  Maybe - - if we coordinate again, maybe more people will realize that they want to bring their laptops and get involved.

Two weeks in the BOOT and just four weeks to go....I can do this!

 Week 5 - Oregon City, Oregon - January 30 - February 5, 2023

This week's post will be short.....because I didn't really do anything except break the distal tip of my right fibula.  I was minding my own business' and walking from Water Pipe Slope to West Slope......granted the trail at that point is on a fairly steep incline.....but I've walked there thousands of times.  I was carrying my tools to cut off ivy from more trees on Chisolm's property - chain saw, hatchet, clippers, gromet scrapper....and.....it probably wouldn't have happened if I hadn't had my arms full and could have used my arms to counter balance during the fall.  So I stepped with my left foot on to a spot of ground that apparently was quite slippery.  My left foot/leg went forward while my right leg doubled up under me so I ended up in a "reverse pigeon pose" except on my belly rather than on my back.  The full power and destructive force of my body landed on my ankle....WHAM.

Oh, it hurt!  I managed to get up and hobble my way back to the house (responsibly carrying the tools) go into the basement, take off the boots and muddy clothes, put the clothes in the washer, and climb the stairs.  I announced to Ray that I'd hurt my ankle and went to bed.  Nurse Jessica came over and put an ace bandage on it.

By Wednesday I could tell that whatever happened wasn't going to heal itself.  Ryan said I should get an  x-ray.  Thursday morning I was at Urgent Care at 8:50 (it opens at 9:00), was the second seen, and have a series of three w-rays which confirmed that I had broken my fibula, I left with Ray to go home.

By Thursday afternoon I had an appointment for the next day (Friday) in the podiatry department.....the the podiatry department, again.....  Dr Ulam said I have a Weber B fracture!  It is the most common type of ankle break. ....I am not unique.  It's when the ankle twists and then force is placed on it, usually causing two parallel diagonal breaks in the bone, which don't separate (think of taking a thin wet branch, bending it until you hear it snap, than straightening up the branch).  The Dr said my muscles on the inside of the ankle did a magnificent job of keeping the joint in place.  Good job muscles!  I'm in a boot rather than a cast because this injury can tolerate weight being applied to the good. The ordeal should be for only six weeks when I'll get an ankle brace and wear regular shoes.  

The good news is that I won't miss all of burn season and, if I can be in shape I wont miss summer hiking.

Friday was the day that Dad, Abby, and WWHC went to Seattle to the gymnastics meet.  I was going to go....but...well... the foot.  So they went, and I watched the meet on my laptop while lying comfortably on the bed.

Maddi Dagen and I on the beam

Sunday, Feb 5 is Magnus and Holland's birthday.  Mag is 15 and Holland is 5.  At the Sunday gathering, Shelby has taken over the position of "elder cousin".

Holland had requested a "Cat Cake with a Beaver", and Warren delivered!

Another good week.....except for the broken fibula.