Living in a Foreign Language

Crashing Down to Earth

I was thinking today, a month away from the two year anniversary of moving here, that I needed to find something to do...I looked into some photography classes and some volunteer options, nothing really lit me up yet.  Then I started wondering???  Hmm, what was I doing before now?  It seems like I was holding on by my fingernails while people, places and things just whirled around me at a frenetic pace. The I really realized all that had taken place in the almost two years since I arrived here...

The first six months beginning June 2010...how delightful, crazy, and scary they were.  Lauren and I flew here, we met Ken and picked up the DES and went to our new home.  I continued working, albeit long distance but still had my hand in the work world I'd left.  Six weeks later Lauren went back to Houston, our shipment arrived and unpacking fun was had by all.  We quickly realized what a mistake we had made in the house of our choosing.   A few weeks later Rogielyn came to live with us.  We subsequently traveled to Bali, Miri, Singapore and Perth.  That was all in the three months before October...then the dreaded "C" word entered our life and we flew to Houston for 10 LONG weeks of doctors, radiation, and of all things, a broken ankle.

We brought Mr. Ken with the broken ankle back to KL in mid December, to the house with 3 sets of stairs, Cobra snakes, chemo treatments, and more travel.  In early 2011, we went to Singapore many times, back to Perth in February.  Everything seemed to rock along.  I finally officially "retired" and ended my consulting agreement with my former company in February.  Then there were trips to London, Italy and Switzerland in March.  In April the storm that is named Lauren came to town with all of its various 18 year old things, some good, some not so good.  Sometime in May we started having security issues with every other night attempted break ins...Ken always traveling somewhere...Seemed like there would never be any sleep.  Chemo rocked along until June... then no more and gratefully went to a pill everyday and Mr. Ken's health seemed on the upswing.  Some trips were made to Singapore, Perth and Malaka. In July I broke MY ankle and did physical therapy all the way up to December.  Some trips were cancelled but some trips were taken..Cherating, Genting and Langkawi.  In November Lauren went back to Houston, and we found out we had to move houses (yeah!).  We searched for a house, found one, made a quick trip to Perth before the movers came and we all, Mr. Ken, Rogielyn, Desi and I, happily moved in by Christmas.  

In January we went to Houston.  We saw, we met, we drove, we saw, we met...we did alot in a short amount of time.  In February we were back home in KL.  Then we went to Perth, Singapore, and back to Perth.  In between we had an out of town visitor, our first!  Throughout all of the three months we bought fish, killed fish, kept fish, bred fish; bought turtles, kept turtles, bred turtles.  I worried incessantly over the pond...Mr. Ken traveled even more, as he always does, and came back from Vietnam sick.  A few tests and a lot of prayers and breath holding later, all results were excellent and he was as good as 18 months ago.

In between all of the above there were many spas visited, restaurants eaten at, friends made, and blogs posted marking each and every event...a new Ipad to learn, and a new MacBook to hate somewhere in the mix....

And, then here we are in May of 2012.

All I can say is - ALOT can happen in two years!!  

Why am I just today reminiscing over the last two years?  Well, because since we've been back from Perth for a week, I've been at loose ends.  I keep thinking I must have more things to do.  Though, honestly, everything I can think of to do...finally organize all the photos from the last three years, print them, scrapbook or put them in albums, take a class, find a hobby, volunteer...go to cooking school, book a trip. ..I just can't seem to muster up the energy required to do any of them.   I told Mr. Ken after Perth I wanted to stay home for awhile...until Phukett at the end of May.  So, suddenly, what was making me itch to do something when all I REALLY wanted to do was....nothing.

I realized.  I had come crashing down to Earth.  I was finally actually just living here, day to day, minus the next crisis or shoe to drop, minus the next bag to pack or unpack...minus work, minus worry, minus stress.  In other words - if I am not the stressed out, worried woman I once was or the globe trotting, packing a bag every other week, spajunkie I thought I'd become, who was I?

Here is the conclusion I came to...  I've come crashing down to Earth.  I like Earth, it's a good place to be.  I like no worry and no stress.  I even like having nothing to do in a day but make dinner, post a blog, feed the turtles and fish or, God help me, read ANOTHER book.  Oh, I know I need to do something...sometime...but...for now, I've decided to enjoy this time of laziness.  This season, as it were. This being, and having a relaxed, slow, lazy life. 

You never know when you might need all the energy you are saving up being lazy for the NEXT two years of frenzy.

Living life in the SLOW lane, FINALLY.   Two years after retirement, a year and three months after "official" retirement.  

Love, spajunkie

It is a REAL Poi Pond!

Okay, it is a Koi pond...whatever!  We are so happy to have more or less finished the outdoor spaces, inclusive of the pond.  Of course, I couldn't stop at goldfish, or Koi, had to have a turtle!  Had to name him.  I swear that God knows if the turtle dies I will have to bury him now that he is named.  Scooter.  Turtle.  Turtle is Scooter.  Because!  He kept scooting inside/outside his box the whole way home, that's why.  He was a persistent...turtle.  He wanted OUT!  I was totally freaking out that he might, get OUT, in the car, in traffic, and then WHAT? Turtle loose in the car.  Turtle poop in the car.  Not, AT ALL, something explainable to Mr. Ken, even as long as he has known me!!! 

So, we arrive home, Scooter is fine!  Koi fish are fine!  We drop Scooter and Koi in with goldfish...I was afraid of a rumble...everyone seemed to play nicely... no one ATE anyone else... (I have been warned)!  So far, so good.  Keep your fingers crossed!  I SO don't want to take a head count...with no bodies floating and someone missing!  Like, OK guys, who ate Melvin????  Not good.  Won't make my day, AT ALL.  Who DOESN'T get to eat now that they snacked on Melvin?  Anyway, really.  Please NO ONE eat Melvin!

But, guys, to get to this moment...well, let's just say that ponds are not easy.  We have been through approximately 40 goldfish ... that died (but we have 10 hangers on!!).  And, the dead ones made a big oily mess of the pond.  The pond has been filled, and drained, four times now.  If I weren't so ... so ... so ... well, we wouldn't have a pond at this point, would we?

I am happy to say, at this moment in time, we have this (Koi, goldfish and Scooter are living happily together!):  Guys, meet Scooter!

Meet Koi fish (and maybe some goldies too):

The pond with its little fountain...

The little back area, see the DES watching Scooter!  Cute...funny...Okay, NO rumbling guys... Could you imagine if I had to take DES to the vet with the Scooter hanging off his nose???  What kind of shots are there for that? 

Okay, so that is the pond!  Now, the back yard and porch.  Mr. Ken refers to this as the terrace and garden (but so does everyone in this country!).  I refer to him as a pompous @#$ every time he says this!  I love you Mr. Ken!  This is Rogi's house, and the pie shaped back yard...grass and trees still growing in!  But looking lovely...

There you have it!  Approximately 90 fish, and a turtle later!

Go FISH!  Love, spajunkie.

The Year in Review - 2011

It has taken me some time to actually reflect on everything that occurred in 2011.  It was a year filled with blessings great and small.  It was also a year filled with surprises, some good, some not so good.  It was certainly a year filled with travel to a number of amazing places. 

Remembering 2011:

January started off with Mr. Ken doing physical therapy for his broken ankle and his first round of Chemo ( beginning a series of six treatments every three weeks).

February kicked off with a memorable stay at the Ritz Carlton KL for my BIG (new) 30th birthday and a Chinese New Year Celebration.  Following that up was a trip to Singapore and Perth where I fullfilled my life long dream of meeting a koala bear up close and personal!

March had us traveling in different directions ~ I flew off to London to meet Lauren, Sandra and Hazel.  It was just an amazing trip catching up with friends from Ireland!  It was long overdue and hopefully won't be as long again before we all meet up.  Mr. Ken went to Italy, and...I can't even remember where all!

April had us back on a plane headed for Europe.  This time we went to northern Italy and Switzerland.  There were a few bumps in the road as Mr. Ken experienced some altitude sickness in the Alps which was caused by lower oxygen levels from the chemo.  I had never been to either of these places before so overall it was a fantastic trip.  We ended the trip in Singapore where Lauren met us.  We showed her some of the sights of Singapore before heading home to KL.  April was also the last of the six series of chemo...now we were to wait two long months for PET scan to see if it worked.  Mr. Ken was very blessed to not have experienced many side effects and those were minimal, during the six treatments.

 

May was a visit to Melaka Malaysia for some local color.  It was also a month Ken traveled extensively without me...to Korea, Houston, Singapore, ect...

June we had one of the best trips we've ever taken as we stayed in Margaret River for several days with friends prior to exploring Perth again.  We also got the results of the PET scan which showed no new cancer, and actually tumor had shrunk considerably.  It was the BEST news and the answer to many, many prayers.

July Mr. Ken started on maintenance chemo (maintenance being the KEY word!).  He and I snuck off to Singapore for a week.  The day we got back I tripped and broke my ankle along with severely dislocating it.

August and September were completely a blur to me as I struggled to walk, entered painful physical therapy and generally was not very happy being semi-confined!  My constant companion during that time ~ the handsome, wonderful, dog-who-eats-anything, DES.

October we took a couple of long weekends to see some local spots, Cherating and Genting.  Then we went to Langkawi.  Quite possibly the best or one of the best vacations we have ever taken.  We arrived home from Langkawi to be informed we would need to find a new house and move by end of December.

November was spent looking for a new house, finding the house, and then waiting patiently for the house to be ready.  November also saw Lauren go back to Houston and us once again peacefully and blissfully just us! (Well, and Rogi and Des!)

 

December we took a quick trip to Singapore and Perth and celebrated Mr. Ken's birthday.   Then we came back and said goodbye to the monkeys and hello to the fireworks... and we just couldn't be happier to start our new year here! 

Heading into this new year we are grateful and blessed that our health is good, our new home is magnificent and I think we've enjoyed this past two weeks here at home more than we've ever enjoyed time at home since we left Houston!  We are actually planning to stay home more and travel less this year!  (That's what we keep saying anyway, we will see if the two gypsies can actually pull that off.)

Can't wait to see what 2012 brings! 

Love, spajunkie

 

 

 

Mr. Ken's Health Update (and a few other updates for those in the know)

To start with, Mr. Kens recent doctor visit...he just couldn't be doing any better!  Great check up, it seems all the blood work was normal and even an increase up to where we wanted the hemoglobin, which indicates the oxygen level in the blood, is back to normal.  I asked how long we could reasonably expect him to take the current maintenance drug and the doctor said as long as it is working.  He further said he has a patient with the same diagnosis who has been on Tarceva for four years!  That was really some amazing news to hear...I almost feel like I can stop holding my breath and exhale.  At least for now.  Adding his new workout routine to the mix and it seems like we are more or less back to normal...some 14 months later.  Thank you to God for these blessings!

I also got some good news at my doctor visit this week.  It appears from x ray all bones have healed.  Even the small fracture on the back of my femur has healed itself.  So, broken fibula, fracture on femur, dislocation moving things three inches out from ankle joint socket...more or less healed in four months.  At least when I do it I do it well!  Just saying.  At any rate, arthritis has set in now in the ankle joint (is there no end to the really "old" words used to describe me these days??). So, I am taking Glycosamine....and using gel packs for rheumatism.  Lol.  Maybe I do belong in the senior classes at the gym.  Oh, and four more weeks, twice a week of PT.  But, again, thankfully, no more shock wave treatment to the Achilles tendon, that is all healed and stretched out like it should be.

We got news this week that our moving expenses have been approved to move everything we own!  There was talk of only moving what we came from Houston with, and actually the approval for this in city was 1500 lbs less than what we brought originally.  Imagine that we shipped overseas, 15,500 lbs of stuff.  Wow!  Said like that really makes me feel like cleaning out!  I mean, do we have that much crap  stuff?   Anyway, seeing as moving was no fault of our own, Cameron did the right thing and approved all furniture and fixtures moved, no weight or specific carrier length necessary.  Huge weight (so to speak) off our shoulders!   And, just for the record, I have cleaned out!!!  A bunch!  Maybe a whole 500 lbs worth!!  Lol.  And likely added another 2,000 lbs worth in stuff we've acquired here.  How does that happen???

We went to the new house today and, oh my, is it looking good!  New grass and trees making the backyard space very cozy and inviting.  New paint, polished floors, curtains hung.  Okay, I'm not a huge fan of curtains but I appreciate what they are going to provide us, darkness at night!  Plus a break from the huge electric bills we pay.  Okay, we get reimbursed for them but we've tried to be good stewards of Cameron's money because well, after all, a penny saved here might be one on the bonus next year!  Also, the pond has been cleaned and filled with water, checking the filter now, when we return, FISH!!  

So, our proverbial cup runneth over this week.  There was good news on all fronts...and I just want to shout out to my dear cousin Sheila and her wonderful Jay, that YOUR news topped all the news there was!  We are so very happy for you guys.  GOD is indeed good!

It has been a truly busy, busy week but much has been accomplished.  We are now off to Singapore, the Elephant parade and Christmas lights, then off to Perth for some much needed bonding with dear friends.  (Hey Deb, Robin, Patra, et al...).  Can't wait to see you guys!

So, when we return it is full steam ahead with moving, and gosh, we are so excited about the new space it is hard to even leave!  I want to be there everyday.   I get in on the 12th, movers start the 13th and Ken gets back in the 15th.   Plus there is Christmas, etc...overwhelming!  NO!!!  FUN!!!  Cannot wait.  Bring it.

Until the Elephant Parade post...., be thankful for all you have guys!  It's amazing to be this blessed!

Love, spajunkie.

A Really Good Milestone(s) to Celebrate

Wow!  Can it really be a year already?  A year ago today we were preparing to leave Houston after a successful radiation treatment for Mr. Ken and he, sadly, broke his ankle, delaying our trip another three weeks.  

It is amazing to think in that year his ankle has healed, he has done six rounds of Chemo three weeks apart, and  he is now on a maintenance Chemo pill.  God is good!  Many, many prayers have been answered in a year.  Many, many other things have happened to test us but we've made it out through the other side, thank you God.

And now, as of yesterday, Mr. Ken has started going back to the gym, doing some light cardio on the treadmill.  I just couldn't say enough how remarkable I find his positive state of mind, his drive, his general cup half full mentality.  His weight is good, he sleeps well and has virtually no side effects from this daily pill, once the original skin rash side effect calmed down with medication.

I am, hopefully, reaching a milestone in about two weeks with the end of physical therapy.  I am finding each week with a renewed round of pounding on the Achilles tendon that things are healing and stretching back to their appropriate position.  I did, today, have to (gasp) get insoles for my shoes!  Which means I have to actually wear shoes, not sandals!  Man, does that make me feel old!!  Insoles!!  The things your great auntie wore because her feet hurt!  Darn it.  I have been assured it is only for a time while my foot once again learns to walk normally and not turned in a bit....and that it will help long run with knee, hip and spine issues.  Well I hope so!  Ruins all of my outfits as I just really no longer own real shoes, all sandals...Or tennis shoes which is a dreaded, dreaded fashion choice for me...and actually it is only an accompaniment to my work out clothes truth be known!

This weekend we went to Shook and had brunch.  We were supposed to meet some people but it ended up just Mr. Ken and me.  It was so much fun, we had a ball.  Here is a picture...oh, the theme of the brunch is masquerade.  We are going back another time to take better photos, I was not prepared!  A nice celebratory day nonetheless.

And then, today, after a great weekend and awesome milestone marker, I received this in the mail:

From my dear friend Angela.  She said she saw it and it reminded her of me...hmmm, I wonder why??  Angela, thank you so much, it was the icing on the cake of our day!  A lovely, lovely surprise!  And, in case no one knows this I LOVE to receive real mail!  I seriously do.  And surprisingly her sweet card only took 14 days to get here!  I think that is a record!   Say what you will about the instantaneous amount of connecting we can do these days a good old fashioned card or letter in the mail soothes my soul.

Love, a very happy, milestone celebrating, soul satisfied, spajunkie.

KL Update 909

Interrupting the Langkawi photo fest with an update on life here in KL. (More photos soon must download the girl's camera first....).

1. It has been a crazy week. Since Lauren and I arrived home from Langkawi last Monday evening, it has been nonstop news.

2 . I guess the most interesting news was the plethora of email I had received during that Monday flight, when I didn't check my email until evening, which said we would be required to find a new house, negotiate a contract, and move to that new house by December 1. What???? ARE YOU KIDDING ME I JUST GOT HOME FROM THE BEST VACATION EVER!?

3. So, quickly shifting gears, I also, duh, realized we were scheduled to go to Houston for a month in just seven days time. ARE YOU KIDDING ME I JUST GOT HOME FROM THE BEST VACATION EVER!?

4. After many phone calls and email, I found out, no, no one was kidding, yes, you have to move. (And, might I add at this point we could have been mad, we could have been ugly, we could have done a lot of things that might possibly would have gotten us I don't really know what, but we made a conscious decision to just take the high road...there was a lot at play, and many people to blame, but why? No one really did a thing directed toward us; it was just a lot of circumstances no one could change. I say this now that I have had the luxury of almost a week to breathe in, breathe out, breathe in, breathe out...). Whew....BREATHE OUT.

5. Okay, can I just say otherwise, give me a break! We just unpacked a 40' container with 337 boxes 18 months ago. I'm still finding places for things. I'm still cleaning out things. I'm still trying to organize for pete's sake! Okay, maybe not really but still, 18 months ago!!!!!

6. Fortunately, on Thursday, or maybe Friday, I forget, we found out it wasn't December 1 but 31. OH, right! That makes ALL the difference! Actually, it does but...

7. It still just did not bode well for a month trip to Houston in the meantime. Just no way I could figure it did it work? Now, we really could have gone, and we could have been stressed out the whole time if we would find somewhere, if we would get moved, IF, IF, IF. I chose not. We chose not. If we are coming to Houston, we would like just one stress free visit please; and, lots of Mexican food on the side.

8. So, now we have started the arduous process of finding a new house. We have only seen two, neither of which really works, and we are scheduled to see several tomorrow. By us I mean me, Lauren and Rogielyn. We will shortlist for Ken and then go back to the good ones...I hope there are some. The real estate online shows just an immense amount of choices. You would think there must be one! But so far it seems elusive!

9. But here is the good news. This blog has noted most all of the security issues here where we live...not noted, because of time really, is that in the last three weeks we have had two attempted break ins. I say attempted because the alarm went off, as it should, and they scooted right back over the fence to the jungle where they came from. So, not as if they actually made it to the house, they did not. But, still. We are sort of looking forward to hopefully finding somewhere safer. Leaving our mountain is sad, our monkeys even sadder, but safety would be good, given we don't have any guns! I told our management and our landlords just recently, "Being the good Texas girl I am, I'd like to have a shotgun, stand on that wall, and say COME ON! BRING IT.". Really, I would and I'm not even a gun toting gal. No, seriously. I really would. Just once. And I'd like to fire it in the air a couple times...then let's see the chicken $&@? SOB's come over the fence. Okay, enough Annie Oakley....Sorry. It just gets me riled up they keep trying over and over. Vigilance has been key.

10. With all that said, can I just mention I am now doing THE most painful PT ever?? I thought it had to get better, and it did, it really did. Then my PT person, little tiny pregnant Malay girl, she is, I ADORE HER, but, oh my, can she inflict pain, I just thought I knew pain. This is a whole new level of pain. This is...stretching your Achilles tendon back where it should be, pain. Yes, that's right. It involves a machine, and some type of mechanical pounding on the tendon and the muscles above. She told me, in all seriousness, this will hurt. Duh! This may cause inflammation, bruising, and pain later. Really? Well, here I sit with a throbbing Achilles tendon, bruises on my calf muscle and frankly just, OMG. This hurts!

11. Yes, so moving our entire household by December 31 really appeals to me right now. It does. Three flights of stairs here, likely there as well. Five more tendon treatments in the meantime. Definitely! Sign me up!  But, dammit, someone give me a gun so I can shoot things, or people, or something!  Pain and moving...it is NOT a combo thought up by anyone looking to write a Hallmark card.

Life might be a box of chocolates, but right now I've got the crappy coconut ones I am so not fond of, and allergic to, to boot!

Pick your chocolates well my friends! Love, spajunkie.

(But then tonight a rainbow over our mountain!  God is SO into the details!  and has just the greatest sense of humor, don't cha think????) 

 

Date Night

I certainly don't remember the last time that occurred, and definitely have not posted about it.

We decided to go out for dinner to an Italian place we like over at Le Meridien.  I decided since it had been so long that we had been out and about I would dress up, a little.  So, we also took some photos which I think came out nice (despite the in-between super short and medium growing out hair of mine which I completely hate). 

 

Doesn't Mr. Ken look nice?

But here is the real kicker, pun intended....see my feet?  Yes, my FEET!  Two and a half months after the ankle break/dislocation thing,  including one month of incredibly painful physical therapy, there they are... my FEET!  And, in heels!  (The heels were no doubt not orthopedic surgeon or physio therapy approved but they were a MUST for me...I just cannot wear flip flops and tennis shoes the rest of my life!)  And, it wasn't horrible to walk in them either, just a little shaky. 

 
Dinner was good, we enjoyed it very much.  We were there and back by 9:30 but still, we left the house!  And I wore SHOES!!!  ~**(Carrie Bradshaw voiceover)**~  "SHOES, oh how I've missed you!

Love, spajunkie

(Please note that I DO, in fact, know the difference between SHOES and SANDALS.  In my world here SANDALS are the only SHOES so the two words are same same.  And, I've NO idea what SHOES I will wear in Houston in November since the only SHOES I have are SANDALS...but that is another story!)

 

KL Update #89

Progress!  It is such a small word with such big meaning.  Two months ago I was in the hospital with a broken ankle.  Yesterday Mr. Ken and I went to the wine store, pharmacy; grocery store (actually three of them in three different shopping centers…all to find the spices I needed), the pet store AND I came home and started on the Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup (Pho Bo) I am making for dinner tonight.  But, the real point is I did all of that walking and standing.  Okay, so I walk a little slowly but still.  I guess painful physical therapy works after all…and thank you God I only have three left.  I’ve also been released to drive and to go to the gym…but easy on the leg weights. 

Mr. Ken is getting along very well on his maintenance program.  He has good energy, good appetite, rests well and has been able to put an end to a pesky rash (side effect of medication).  I am amazed and thankful on a daily basis how well he handles everything. 

I finally got all of our travel for October booked.  We actually went to Cherating beach last weekend.  Located on the South China Sea due east of KL, this quaint little place was a bit like hanging with the locals.  It was different, but fun.  I will blog it and post some pictures this week.  This little getaway was much needed for this gypsy girl.  I haven’t traveled near enough this summer at all.

Mr. Ken goes to Singapore next week so I am taking Lauren and Rogielyn to the Genting Highlands.  Aside from being really beautiful it sports the largest amusement park around.  While they amuse themselves there I will be enjoying the gardens and a spa or two.  This area is where all of our local produce comes from so I also want to check out the strawberry farm which is supposed to be amazing.  The berries are delish.  I would post a link but I was so frustrated trying to navigate booking a room I will just wait and post pictures.

Since we will all be gone for a couple days I had to break down and try to find a place to board the DES.  We asked our groomer who directed us to another location, same management that will board medium and large dogs.  It is located in an area called Subang Jaya that we had never been to before.  So today Mr. Ken, me and the DES drove out there to check it out.  Let’s say this…at one point the DES looked at me with those big old cocker spaniel eyes and I swear he was thinking “momma, please don’t leave me here!   I might wind up dinner.”  No, baby, we will NOT be leaving you there no way no how.  I was so hoping for a doggie spa experience.

Anyway, as you might recall we had a trip to Bangkok planned for tomorrow but I just can’t do it yet.  BUT, on the 19^th we fly to Langkawi for our long, long awaited trip.  We have (tried) to plan this trip four separate times and now finally it is happening.  We are so excited!  We are meeting up with friends from Houston who now live in Manila.  So cool we are all meeting in Langkawi.  You can check out the resort here: https://www.starwoodhotels.com/preferredguest/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=283

And, yes, I did book the villa with private pool and ocean view.  It is what SPG points are all about…free resort nights.  It almost makes up for all the time my hubby is gone acquiring the points.  Speaking of, then Mr. Ken has to turn right around on the 22^nd fly from Langkawi to KL to Singapore to Milan.  And come right back from there after five days so we can leave November 2^nd for…………………………

HOUSTON, TEXAS!!!!!

Speaking of Houston, I have so much food to eat  I have so many people to see!  I am really, really getting excited.  The list of people I want to spend time with just seems to get longer and longer.  Our last trip home was not a lot of fun for a lot of reasons.  This time, GET READY, we are hitting H-town with a vengeance.

Mexican Food anyone?

How do you become a Steel Magnolia anyway?

Today I went to physical therapy (AKA, from now on, PT) for like the 12th time.  But this time it was different.  This time it was super, extremely, horribly, painful.  It seems the dislocation issue has just done a number on my tendons, joints, ligaments and muscles.  When I say that I never thought a 5'2" tiny Malay girl in a proper Muslim headscarf could be so cruel, I really mean it.  She worked my ankle over.  At one point her thumb digging into my little ankle felt akin to a herd of elephants walking on me.  Okay, I realize that's exaggerated but really!  The pain was so intense my upper body muscles began shaking involuntarily during her manipulations.

That's when I decided to focus around me and not on what she was doing.  That's when I spied her....again.  The little old lady who is there every day I've been there.  She is probably 80 ... but as beautiful as Asian women age she could be past a 100.  She was doing strength training  - the girls put her through the paces, they did indeed.  She was so adorable.  I was reminded instantly of my Nana.  I don't think I have told many stories about my Nana on this blog.  She was a steel magnolia.  She was!  Awesome, southern, loved to travel, fantastic cook, loved her family, and had a bit of a soft spot for her grandchildren.  And, might I say, no offense to my family, an even softer spot for me.  I loved her dearly and she loved me dearly right back.  She is the entire sum total reason for my love of travel.  She took me on my first, formative, travels.  First airplane for sure.  I will always have a deep abiding respect and gratefulness to her for that.  We had some fun too, let me just say!  In New Orleans, at the ripe old age of 10 (or so) she took me to Bourbon Street, late at night, showed me a strip club, that in fact, had a girl in a swing, swinging in and out of a window, half clothed.  She said to me, "Danice, do you see that?". "Yes, ma'am.". She said "I expect you shall never, hear me, EVER, make your living that way.". "YES MA'AM.". And I never did!  Which I kind of hope goes without saying.  Then we went back to our hotel and had cherries jubilee!  Priceless.


At any rate, I was reminded of a great story about her and her persistence when I saw the 100 year old Asian lady.  Nana must of been 89 or so and needed a hip replacement.  After, they sent her for PT, rehab.  It should be noted that around this time of her life I spent a lot of time with her and made sure she ate, shopped, had pedi and mani (because guys, in-grown toenails are awful and being the spa junkie that I am, I encourage you to be sure your elderly loved ones have them regularly.  They can cause major pain and infection.  They can, in fact, be a reason for inability or gingerness with walking.)   

So, during this PT rehab time for her, I misstepped, okay, yes, it has happened before.  I slid down a flight of stairs, on my back.  Flat on my back.  (FOR THE RECORD, I had been watering plants, stairs were wood and wet at seven a.m. in the morning.). So, at first blush, I could not feel anything from the waist down but trooper that I am I said to my sweet neighbor of the time, "Lisa, don't call an ambulance, just call my mom". So, mom to the rescue!   We went to ER...etc.  So, now I've got to also do PT while Nana is off doing her rehab.  

Only...I have to go see her, need to, want to- her team of doctors and therapists, must see them... I am the family spokesperson this particular day.    So, I get myself into the car even though I cannot turn my head more than an 1/8th of an inch either way and drive from downtown to Clear Lake.  Once there parking is at a premium so I am across the lot.  It took me, no joke, at least 20 minutes to maneuver myself out of car, up stairs, through reception, down the long, long hallway to the meeting.  By this time, I'm actually late by a few minutes. Everyone is assembled and unbeknownst to me watched me as I proceeded into the room and extremely gingerly lowered myself down into a chair.  When done I realize everyone, was, in fact, watching me and all seem to have their chins on the floor.  So, I very breezily say " sorry I'm late, had a little accident, having a bit of trouble walking."

To which the dumb founded staff actually, finally said, "your grandmother doesn't need to be here half as much as you do!". So we proceed to discuss her care plan, and then we walk (or in my case almost crawl) to the gym.  There she is, my Nana, making lap after lap after lap after lap round the gym on her walker with her now new hip replacement.   

What an amazing woman she was.  Such strength.  I was reminded of her today.  I was wishing I had her strength.  

Sadly,  all I kept thinking was how much I would like to strangle the sweet Malay physical therapist with her sweet headscarf.  

Really.  I was.  It may mean no entrance to the steel magnolia club.  My Nana did everything graciously, me not so much.  Although I don't say these things out loud!  I just think them...and then share them...on this blog.

But I am going to get through it because we Evans women, we get through everything thrown in our path.  No matter how tough, or how heartbreaking, we get through it.

We have to, it's in our genes.  From Nana.  Someday I want someone to tell me I'm a steel magnolia too!  Bad thoughts and blogging those same thoughts, aside.

Love, spajunkie (steel magnolia...in training)

A Blog about Nothing

...or have we been there done that? 

Seinfeld did it with a TV show, I am sure I can do it with a blog!

1. The number one thing about nothing is that Seinfeld comes up on the auto spelling feature on the iPad. Hmmm, have to wonder are THAT many people writing that word, his name, the name of the show, or do THAT many people misspell it? These are the things I worry about at night.

2. I've received a number of email and posts about where have I been? Am I hiding or withdrawn from everyone or have I been kidnapped and taken to the island dream vacation of my choice? So, the answer is no, sadly, I'm not any of the above. I'm injured! I am on the IR (injured reserve) list right now...I may even be renegotiating my contract! There are things in the works! I could get drafted to another team...I could retire! Oops, I already did that.

3. Totally ignore #2 above, I got carried away. Which reminds me of a funny story. Mr. Ken and I used to play fantasy football (GO DELMAGS!!!). I was the owner of the team, obviously the DELMAGS, and he was the general manager. Which means, of course, he did everything and I just spent the winnings...and win we did! We won, a lot, the season, the playoffs, the super bowl. We won, over and over, and made lots of cash for us, me, to spend. We had a blast with it for a good five years or so. Anyway, one year we finally got the trophy to take home and keep until the next year...I can't remember exactly why we hadn't had it before but I think somehow our league had just got it or something. Anyway, we went to the draft that year and snagged the trophy for winning the year before. I took it with me in the Ford Edge. I had previously driven a convertible Thunderbird that was really short on room inside...unlike the Edge which was super roomy. I do have a point. Anyway, so I set the trophy in the passenger seat in the Edge and took off. I didn't even get a block when stopping for a light and the trophy just flew out of the seat and on to the floorboard. Well. I was just aghast (not to mention elated there was now that much roominess in my vehicle!) What would I tell Mr. Ken? I picked up the trophy, looked it over and called him. Between dialing and him answering I was overcome with the giggles. By the time he answered all I could manage to say was "the trophy is on the injured reserve list.". And laugh and laugh and laugh...

Mr. Ken didn't find it very funny. In fact he told me "you have no respect for the game". Seriously. I had a newfound respect when I had to take the trophy for repair out of our, my, winnings.

But I digress... what this whole thing was about is while I don't miss football in and of itself this time of year I seriously miss fantasy football and all of our worthy opponents, and friends. Good Luck you guys with a new season!

4. DELMAGS stands for Delaney and Maggie, the two cocker spaniels we had prior to the DES just in case you were wondering how we came up with such a WINNING name for our team. We, sadly, lost Delaney several years ago and Maggie just before we moved here so it was likely time to retire the team name anyway.

5. So, what have I been doing... Let's see, what is the blog about again??? NOTHING. RIGHT. NOTHING.

6. Well I did have a second surgery last week to remove a screw. I get those stitches removed tomorrow and then PT for three weeks and then I should be as good as new! I sincerely hope so as I am super tired of gimping around and extremely ready to travel somewhere, anywhere, just out of here.  Not to mention I can't wait to go up and down stairs without taking them one at a time!  I'm a fast walker and this is so very annoying....One.  At.  A.  Time.  UGH!!!!!!!!

7. All of the nurses from my first hospital visit recognized me on my second stay! I thought that was really nice. Even the ones who weren't assigned to me came by and said hello. But they DID take off my newly painted toenail polish much to my chagrin. I wasn't at all happy about that and further told them I have a friend who did a heart transplant with perfectly painted finger and toenails. Seriously! (Hi Angela!)

8. Would it be terribly shocking to find out that the DES, that crazy irascible cocker spaniel now knows how to sit, lay, and shake?!?! Pretty darn impressive if you ask me. Who said cockers aren't smart?  Here he is looking most intelligent and debonair!

 

9. Oh, here is something! Not even a nothing something but a real something,something about geckos and how they breed, honeymoon, but more importantly, the loss of their tails. From Wikipedia:

" During breeding, their honeymoon, the male will rattle his tail, which tells the female he is ready to mate, honeymoon. He will chase her and when she is caught, he will mount, tackle her for mating, honeymooning. The male will continually bite the top of her head. At this time, her tail may become detached. Both these mechanisms are normal.[5] Though a "dropped" or "detached" tail will grow back, its regenerated form may be slightly malformed and will most likely look very different from the original. Regenerated tails are often smooth and short, with a bulb-like appearance. Tail dropping is highly discouraged."

You may wonder why is tail dropping highly discouraged? I know I did...Or think really, spajunkie, who cares?  Well, I do!  We happened to see some geckos who were ...on their honeymoon and well ... I will repeat, I've had NOTHING to do!  Wikipedia is a great source of entertainment to the doing NOTHING crowd!

But, this is really about the DES! Likely all these tail-less geckos running around are really just, on their honeymoon, DES did not eat half of them...and by that I mean half of each one of them, not half of the population!  Or do I...it's more often a sight to find one with a tail than without!

Which then makes you really wonder if we are just running some sort of resort for honeymooning geckos... And if so I am thinking I should really stock up on those itty bitty towels like the Geico gecko uses.   And what about suntan lotion... I'm thinking the more reptilian the skin the better in this case, right?

10. And, now that you know the tail end of the story...it has clearly come time for me to get out of the house and stop the nothing blogging madness or would that be the blogging nothing madness?

Either way, here's to nothing!  Love, spajunkie