Thanks, but NO Thanks!

"You've got to be kidding me...that did not just happen," I say laughing. Okay, here's the story and I promise this is a completely true story. I was sitting in the lobby of the OpryLand Hotel in Nashville. It had been a long night, walking around that massive hotel looking at the Christmas lights and holiday decor, as well as walking through the ICE exhibit (very cool!). Ordinarily, all of the walking would not have phased me; on crutches is a different story. I was resting while Matt went to get the car, so that I would not have to walk another inch on those blasted sticks. I had sunk into a fluffy chair and was people watching. Some interesting folks were occupying the other chairs in the living room style sitting area. They appeared to be related somehow and were only borderline obnoxious (and that could have been just because I was so exhausted). The mother of this crew, was an older lady I'd say in her 50s, and I could tell from my observations that she was a, let's say INTERESTING lady. And within minutes that was confirmed. Matt walked through the revolving doors to help me out to the car and as I stood up and carefully placed my bandana covered crutches at my side to take my first step toward the door, this lady leaned forward nearly coming out of her chair shaking her finger in front of her face as if to scold me. I was a bit taken back. Why in the world is this strange lady shaking her finger at me? Then she spoke in an almost whisper so I had to kind of lean forward to hear her..."SANITARY NAPKINS..." [In my mind, I'm thinking santiary napkins, what is this lady saying to me?] Again she says, " put sanitary napkins, under those bandanas..." [what is she saying? Sanitary napkins? what is a sanitary napkin? and why in the name of all that is good and holy would I put it on my crutches?] "trust me, it'll save your arms pits...been there, done that honey...sanitary napkins." [I am looking at her in complete bewilderment. I honestly cannot understand what she is talking about, so before I blurt out...lady who are you and what planet did you come from. I kindly said, nodding my head as if I understood her..."Thank you, maam. I'll keep that in mind." Then I took a huge step forward toward Matt, still completely bewildered and I know my face reflected it. Matt asked me, "what was that all about?" And at that moment it registered -- I finally understood what a sanitary napkin is. "Oh, I don't think you want to know," I said. Matt's reply, "Well, you sure handled it gracefully, I don't think I would have done so well with a strange lady shaking her finger in my face." Those few yards to the car, I was laughing and saying you've got to be kidding me, that didn't just happen. After we got in the car, I told him the whole thing. We both got a good laugh then. Maybe that strategy works in the backhills of Tennessee, but No thanks, maam. Thanks for being so thoughtful though.

Ahead of Schedule!

I met with Dr. Stark this week and he said according to the x-rays my foot is healing 3-weeks ahead of schedule. I have 3 more weeks in my lovely soft-cast (i.e. walking cast) and I am suppose to be weaning myself off of the crutches. I having been putting standing weight on my foot and I am putting a little more weight on it as I walk with the crutches. He said I'll be walking on my own before the end of the year. Something to look forward to! I asked about removing the screw as many of you have inquired about that. He said that we'll just play it by ear and we really won't know for probably six months or more. If it hurts for me to run with it, then they'll take it out and that'll put me back in a cast for 3 weeks. If it doen't bother me then it will become a new part of my anatomy. In 3 weeks I should also be able to get back on my bike (in the house on the stationary trainer or in Spin class). Hooray!

Keep Swimming...Keep Swimming

I just keep swimming and just as I said I would I am a far better swimmer than before the accident. I am still swimming without using my legs to kick. Today I amazed myself as I did fast 100s. I was consistently at 1:45 and that is without using my legs and without being able to do flip turns. Coach Buzz--I knew I had it in me and this is just the beginning, just wait til I come back from swim camp. Thanks for the coaching and for believing in me during those frustrating months this past summer.

Snow Angels, Anyone?

I'm off to Whistler, B.C. tomorrow. I had not planned to go to this winter wonderland with a broken foot, so anyone up for making snow angels with me? I plan to have a fantastic trip. I know my business conference will be phenomenal and with 37 inches of fresh snow I'm sure I'll have the opportunity to build my first snowman (should I admit I've never built a snowman at age 28?). I'll keep y'all posted on the adventures.