started some light weight training today

Tuesday will be 6 weeks post op. I have issues with my left foot mainly and some sciatic pain in left leg and glutes on and off. My left hand, although asleep is a bit better. But I still live in fear that it will all come back. I have to stop it... me and randi.... love my dark circles.

I am up only 11 lbs now from my lowest weight while weight training on a regular basis. Not too bad considering. I do have some hefty goals to hit coming up. By Yorton in October I should look like a different person.
this is the worst possible picture of Randi that anyone could take. I took the liberty of posting it for her. LMAO

farmer dawnn's first crop of the season

worked full time last week

so this past week was my first shot at full time and I did fine. I am honestly having more issues with my hands than back at this point. So at least part of me is working. I am seeing Rosenthal on Wednesday and plan to discuss my plan of action over my hands. I may have to have an MRI for my stupid neck. We'll see, I can't figure out why this happened now. SIGH... it's so frustrating. I do know neck surgery is not at all likely for me. I am hoping it's not even a possibility.

It's time for me to start cutting weight again. I had my first week back. I can cook, shop and do cardio so this is the week to get going. I want to compete next spring and my competition isn't sitting around eating bagels. I will continue to eat one meal and one snack off each week until very close to the show.

OMG I did it... pictures suck... I took them myself

it's brand new and layers need to grow out and I want it longer but I cut my hair off! DAMN!

I hate Rachael Ray

I hate her eyebrows
I hate her cooking
I hate the word "fantabulous"

am I mean? I think not

I know there are a lot of bleeding hearts out there that give money each morning to the homeless, who stand there on the corner each and every day. I guess it's a "good thing to do" But I have to ask, How is that person standing there entitled to my money? Guess what my childhood could rival some news stories you've heard, when I was first married I had major financial troubles, most recently medical issues going on 7 months that has had me out of work MOST of this year. Should I stand on the corner and beg for money? No one is entitled to my money, your money or anyone's money who wakes up each day to go to work and makes something of themselves. You feel bad for them because they are dirty? Hell I spill food on my shirt everyday, I'd be an effing millionaire at this point. Their biggest problem is weather! Can you say that? It's raining today.. how will I cope!

I realize that not all people standing there are bad, some people literally have had the worst deck of cards dealt to them and do not have any coping, or problem solving skills. But I am talking about the majority of people standing there. The ones that choose to do nothing but beg, harass and guilt people.

This morning while walking, 50 minutes I may add, I spotted a guy in one of those brand new motorized carts. A nice one for sure. Had to cost at least a grand. He was sitting on the bench talking to another guy who was clearly homeless like him. They were laughing, talking sharing a coffee. As I approached with my gigantic Sony noise canceling headsets on, I see him talking to me. Much to my dismay, I lift one side of my headset. I knew it had to be good... He starts to say,"my shister's, daughtershs, cousinshins, I was like "ah yeah I gotta go!" Hopefully the "accent " came across correctly in translation. Why on earth does he think I care? let alone would give him money?! Oh I am so sorry about your family troubles, now once I give you this dollar will you wave your effing magic wand and fix my feet, back and hands? Jackass!

I know I am in the minority with this... but I don't care.

house

Here is a pic of my cute little house. We are doing major outside work now( landscaping, paving etc...), then coming back in and working on the inside again.

Work begins

Work starts up Monday...Sitting is going to be difficult I know it. But I have to go back mentally. One more day in the house I am going to start to go crazy!!!

I just put an ad in the paper to sell the pups. They are only 4 weeks but I would like to have a deposit on all of them by 6 weeks.

Here is my Blythe and her daughter two days ago when they came over...









Here is Randi's daughter the next day...



Here is Randi as well....

my gym bag is better than yours

This is the ultimate gym bag... and I just got it today! woo-hoo!









my supplement collection

Viva la Weave

Someone threw a weave outside of their window and it's been blowing down the street for a week. Most people think they are hitting an animal. Personally, I like how the weave blows in the wind...Here is a still. uploading the video to youtube.

Wednesday

Second session of ART therapy today - I have high hopes that it will work for me. I am sure it will take 6-8 sessions for any noticeable difference but I will continue to go. I know that using my laptop at the kitchen table creates more numbness in my hands, and pain. So that isn't going to happen anymore. I'll use my laptop a few times a day on a chair in the TV room. Sitting up for more than 30 minutes straight is still uncomfortable. So it's a challenge to stay home like this and keep busy. Plus I believe using this laptop is not helping with the issues in my hands.

I walked 45 minutes today around the neighborhood again. It's a nice change from the treadmill for sure. Plus when you walk somewhere, you have to walk back home, you have no choice but to continue on.

Symptoms today:
Right foot tiny bit of numbness on and off Left foot same area, above arch to toes numb and on and off numbness in leg - Lower back pretty uncomfortable today, due to sitting up longer than I should have.

pup update

randomness

walked an hour today, went to the store and made chicken salad. Right side is really healing nicely... my left is a bit more stubborn.
Check out this killer chicken salad:
Made with pistachios, fresh cilantro, celery, grapes and some light mayo.

Here is CJ watching me water the tomato plants









Here are the tomato plants, only thing I have to entertain myself while at home.













Flower I grew outside my house

Driving and Steroids

Last day on my steroid pack and I am going to attempt driving. My main concern is me sitting up for the 7 mile duration - but you have to start somewhere. I am going for the ART therapy today. I don't know if he will be able to work on my hands yet but I still made the appointment, I figure it can't hurt to at least go speak to him. With such a positive word on this therapy, I do have high hopes. But alas I've been disappointed before.

I am a lot more mobile, able to bend at the knee more comfortably, walk a bit more comfortably etc... Since I stopped taking all pain pills, I am able to think so much more clearly. Why anyone would want to be on pain pills for recreation is beyond me!

I recently discovered this message board: Oy my achin' back!
Well it's not technically called that but it made me laugh. I went there reading stories with similar situations as me and found myself in much lower spirits. Most had failed back surgeries, continued pain and find it hard to be positive. I do wonder how overweight a lot of the people are, what exercises they do and how their mental state is. It's possible these 3 variables are not helping their situation much. I plan to check in once in a while but spending too much there wouldn't be a good idea for me mentally. It sounds like I have it pretty good after reading some of their stories. Or a higher tolerance for misery.

ART therapy was interesting. I made several appointments and hope to have some relief within the next few weeks...

IN other news... tell me this isn't berry perfection!








**just updated this blog with a bunch of random posts from my old blog! dates go back to 2005.

11 days post

CJ woke me up this morning, she is starting to get annoyed by her pups already and they are only two weeks old. I have to keep her in the bedroom with them all day to make sure she feeds them. In a few weeks I plan to put an ad in the paper for them. I'd like to have deposits on all of them by the time they turn 6 weeks old.


8:00 AM did a 35 minute walk outside again. Unfortunately, my left foot/leg is not feeling much better at all. As long as it doesn't continue to get worse.... I am sitting up more and typing even though my left hand is asleep. I start therapy either Monday or Wednesday, depending on how I feel about driving. I believe the vertigo is fading. I certainly won't chance it though.

Today's plans are to make a food plan for next week, since standing is ok at this point I can cook one thing a day it seems. Renee/Skwigg takes photos of all her meals. I think I will start to take pictures of my food. It's pretty fun to have a history of it. I know I'm weird....

7:00 PM update: had a lot of lower back pain today, left foot still an issue with numbness around the knee and calf. I only walked once today. Tomorrow I will step it up. In-laws came by for a visit. It was nice to see other human beings for once.

P.S I am starting with Dr. Fare, next week for ART therapy. I have really high hopes.

for fun... here is a picture of my scar....lol

birthday

Well it's my birthday today. Staying home and recovering so I suppose there are worse places I could be. Today's progress isn't as good as yesterday. I know I will have some good and bad days, it's just the way it is. My medication I am on is giving me major vertigo, which is wild. I would assume it shouldn't last too much longer.

Went shopping on drugstore.com today, first time, I really like this site I ordered
Bromelain
Alpha Lipoic Acid

Both seem to be helpful in what I am looking for now and when I start training 100% again.

This AM, I walked 45 minutes, only to be interupted but a woman, I was on the bike trail and a woman was walking the other way. i have huge noise canceling headphones on and clearly listening to my ipod. As we pass I see her lips quacking something - so I have to stop, take off my headset and listen to her gibberish. she is talking a mile a minute
about walking, weight loss and blah blah, then confidently says you should be walking faster than that. I said, well I had back surgery 10 days ago, this is called rehab, she starts quacking again, I say, "have a nice day" and continue to walk. Why she thinks I want her unsolicited advice is beyond me.

Tonight it's sushi and a snowball.