The object of my desire

Behold, the object of my desire! And my inspiration, and my future. :-)

Two weeks ago my surgeon cleared me for exercise! He's very happy with the progress in my knee and said that I could start riding a bike. He doesn't want me to walk for exercise yet, so suggested a recumbent bike which will allow full rotation on the knee without any weight or stress pushing on the joint.

So, we found a bike on sale at KMart reduced to $149, down from $199, because the new model has just come out. I could not POSSIBLY be any happier with it! Pictured above is the newer one, available now at WalMart for $174. My mother bought this bike at Sears, and I'd be willing to be KMart has it as well. It's sturdy, almost totally silent (magnetic drive!), completely adjustable for different members of the family, very well-made, and exactly what I wanted. If it's possible to be overjoyed by a piece of exercise equipment, that's where I am. (laughing)

The first week I followed the surgeon's advice, strictly limiting myself to 1.5 miles once a day. I was thrilled to find that I could do the full rotation on the knee AND the pain has *Not Returned*!! For the first time in over a year, I can exercise and actually still walk!! Oh....my.....GOSH......what a gift. Finally, I'm able to do something positive toward my health without putting myself in pain.

The second week he told me I could ride 'as tolerated' but I apparently pushed it a little too far. The first day I rode 3 miles, then the second 4.5. The next day I had a terrible time at work, and the following morning I couldn't walk. It looked like I had a water balloon sitting in my knee! So, I called the doctor and went back to bed with Naproxen, ice, and pillows to get my knee up. Incredibly, by the next morning the swelling was gone leaving me only with a limp! That would have NEVER happened before the second surgery. Two days later I'm almost back to normal but resting my knee.

So the third week we'll start with a new plan. According to my doctor, and my Cabana Boy Doug, I need to limit myself and add only half a mile each week for awhile. I'm supposed to go back to riding 1.5 miles again for five days, then 2 miles for seven, then 2.5 miles...... And that is exactly what I'll do. LOL

And still, even after the little setback which kept me out of work on Thursday, I'm still encouraged and inspired by the promise held in this little bike. Better fitness, here I come!!!

You, TOO, have a Peevie!

When I was in high school I had a friend who talked about Peevies. Very serious business it was too. According to her, Peevies are those small things that drive us CRAAAZY because they niggle at our brain and our nerves. They aren't Pet Peeves...not the really BIG stuff....but those little things that just aggravate the tar out of normal thinking people. Just for a little levity, here are a few of my own Peevies from our shared Human Experience:

* Plastic bandaids instead of the cool flexible cloth ones. BLECH!

* People who pull up to a 4-way stop and wave everyone else through trying to be polite. Just GO ALREADY! Everyone will honestly get through faster if you just GO.

* The dinging of the engine when your car is off but the keys are still in. Honestly, can folks really not hear that??

* The 20th, 40th, and 57th cutsey email I've been forwarded for the third time by the same person.

* Folks who don't open their purses or wallets until after the total shows on the register. (we all know it's coming, don't we?? You're gonna have to pay in *just* a second......)

* Pens that don't write. Outta be a law! (that goes for the second, third, and fourth pen that you also try and they don't write too, and it always happens when you're trying to take down a phone message)

* Phone marketers who called my house the very minute Obama stepped out of the White House on his innauguration. Well, OK.....ALL telemarketers. We'll just cover it that way. :-)

* Asking for Diet Coke in a restaurant and getting surprised on the first drink with Dr. Pepper. (ewwwwwww shudder)

* Folks who pull into your lane of traffic right in front of you, making you use the brakes or knock off the cruise, when there is NOONE behind you as far down the road as you can see. (Could they really be in that much of a hurry that another 20 seconds would have mattered? REALLY?)

* That one little teeny tiny scratch in your favorite CD. It's not enough to replace it but you know it's coming...and you wait for it....and you cringe....you know it's going to happen.....

* Loose scissors. ACK!

* Walking up to the Coke machine, so thirsty, and you dig in your pocket for change, and this is going to taste SO GOOD. And you're 5 cents short.

* That ONE SONG that comes on the radio that you can't STAND. So you quickly turn the station to listen to something...anything....else and what happens??!? The stupid song is stuck in your head for the rest of the day!


May your own Peevies not darken your day. ;-)

It's just a little Squirt

So funny story from today. :-)

Since I knew Paula was expecting, I've 'seen' the baby as a boy. Read down for proof that I've been calling this one. (laughing)

Last night after work I went to Dollar Tree, my favorite Dollar Store in Greenwood, for some goodies. You just never know what you'll find there and the coolest surprise was some Finding Nemo toys. They're just adorable-- small, very nicely done, and only $1. Such a deal! Paula and I both love Finding Nemo and I'm particuparly fond of sea turtles. I LOVE the characters of Crush and his baby turtle. Without hesitating I pulled off two of the little turtles, one for Paula and one for me. I saw her today and gave her one just as a little surprise.

She took one look and said "So you think I'm having a boy!"

I sat there a minute, totally lost. I ran it back over in my head..... (we both love the movie, both love turtles....)

Then it hit me. Not only am I convinced she's having a boy, but when you do the first ultrasound it's often described as 'looking for the turtle'. If the little developing boy parts show, it really does look like a turtle on the images. Paula thought I gave her THIS turtle for a reason. (laughing) I had to go back to the computer and look up that the little turtle's name is SQUIRT. (every person who has ever changed an infant boy's diaper is laughing right now!)

Maybe this is just confirmation that we'll find another turtle on the 27th! Duuuude, we're havin' a baby!