Finally saw the doc today about my aching ankles. My self-diagnosis via the powers of the internet was that I had tendonitis in both ankles. As usual, I was wrong.
I have stress fractures in both ankles. And I have to wear boots on both feet for at least the next three weeks. They are ginormous and look completely ridiculous. The doc said he's never seen someone jack up both feet at the same time from running before, and the guy that had to build them for me said, "are you sure you need two? We don't ever put anyone in two boots!"
Yes, I am a total dork, and it is embarrassing to have to walk around in these things--especially when I don't even have a cool story to tell.
One of the snarky secretaries said, "so that wasn't caused by your stripper shoes?" Yeah, just because I wear heels instead of clunky clogs circa 1995 does not render them "stripper shoes."
6/28/10
6/24/10
The Insanity That Is My Life
We went to an outdoor summer concert tonight, and as we were driving home about about 9:30, DH said to the girls, "what are you planning to wear tomorrow?" Tomorrow is Take Your Kids to Work Day at DH's office, and as he put it, the chance to be judged by your offspring.
As it turned out, I had just ordered the twins some adorable summer dresses (these are so cute on, the picture doesn't do them justice!) that I was holding for their birthday, but they are perfect for this event, so I pulled them out.
The only problem is that they have no decent summer shoes. They pretty much live in flip-flops and I never got around to buying summer sandals. And their fabulous sparkly flip flops floated downriver when we had our little canoeing incident. And I just threw out their ballet flats because they were worn to the point of embarrassment.
So where does one go when there is a shoe emergency at 10:00 p.m.? Our only alternative was Wal-Mart (which I hate with a white hot passion). Ick. I usually go for higher quality on the kids' feet, but out options were limited.
Actually, I didn't go--because I am sitting on the couch icing my achy ankles. (I can't actually see my ankle bone right now. I have my share of fat, but it has never resided on my ankles.) I sent DH shoe shopping at Wal-Mart at 10:00 at night with three girls. (And despite all my bragging about DH on Father's Day, shoe shopping generally falls squarely within my jurisdiction.)
So he has been texting me pictures of the girls trying on shoes, and I respond whether it will go with her outfit or not and whether it looks to big or too small. It's actually a pretty effective way to shop, considering the circumstances. And the girls will be properly attired and shod when the go to work with dad tomorrow.
As it turned out, I had just ordered the twins some adorable summer dresses (these are so cute on, the picture doesn't do them justice!) that I was holding for their birthday, but they are perfect for this event, so I pulled them out.
The only problem is that they have no decent summer shoes. They pretty much live in flip-flops and I never got around to buying summer sandals. And their fabulous sparkly flip flops floated downriver when we had our little canoeing incident. And I just threw out their ballet flats because they were worn to the point of embarrassment.
So where does one go when there is a shoe emergency at 10:00 p.m.? Our only alternative was Wal-Mart (which I hate with a white hot passion). Ick. I usually go for higher quality on the kids' feet, but out options were limited.
Actually, I didn't go--because I am sitting on the couch icing my achy ankles. (I can't actually see my ankle bone right now. I have my share of fat, but it has never resided on my ankles.) I sent DH shoe shopping at Wal-Mart at 10:00 at night with three girls. (And despite all my bragging about DH on Father's Day, shoe shopping generally falls squarely within my jurisdiction.)
So he has been texting me pictures of the girls trying on shoes, and I respond whether it will go with her outfit or not and whether it looks to big or too small. It's actually a pretty effective way to shop, considering the circumstances. And the girls will be properly attired and shod when the go to work with dad tomorrow.
Is there anything more awkward...
than standing in an elevator vestibule with a federal judge when you're a woman? Because you want to be respectful and allow him first entry onto the elevator. But he is a gentleman with a "ladies first" mentality. So you do an awkward little dance for a minute, before you hop on just to avoid any more awkwardness.
And speaking of federal judges and elevators, last week I was in an elevator in the federal courthouse, and the woman riding with me commented, "it is just cruel and unusual punishment to have to wear a suit and pantyhouse in this heat."
To which I responded, "yes, that's why I went with the pantsuit."
To which she responded, "well, the last federal court I practiced in was in Oklahoma and women were required to wear skirts."
Wow. I've heard tales of federal judges requiring women to wear skirts, but I had no idea where these mythical judges resided. Note to self: never take a case in Oklahoma.
In other news, thanks to all your recommendations for healing my aching ankles. I haven't run since Saturday morning, and they are still throbbing and swollen. I'm afraid if I run again, I'll screw them up worse--even with new shoes. So today I made an appointment with an orthopedist, but I can't get in until next week. I feel like a whiner, but I can't keep hobbling around like an old lady.
And speaking of federal judges and elevators, last week I was in an elevator in the federal courthouse, and the woman riding with me commented, "it is just cruel and unusual punishment to have to wear a suit and pantyhouse in this heat."
To which I responded, "yes, that's why I went with the pantsuit."
To which she responded, "well, the last federal court I practiced in was in Oklahoma and women were required to wear skirts."
Wow. I've heard tales of federal judges requiring women to wear skirts, but I had no idea where these mythical judges resided. Note to self: never take a case in Oklahoma.
In other news, thanks to all your recommendations for healing my aching ankles. I haven't run since Saturday morning, and they are still throbbing and swollen. I'm afraid if I run again, I'll screw them up worse--even with new shoes. So today I made an appointment with an orthopedist, but I can't get in until next week. I feel like a whiner, but I can't keep hobbling around like an old lady.
6/20/10
Happy Father's Day!
The girls presented DH with a menu this morning and are now in the kitchen making breakfast in bed. (Fortunately, I bought some canned cinnamon rolls at the grocery store last week, so they aren't doing anything that will totally destroy my kitchen.) And DH was one of the elite 600,000 who managed to score the new iphone, so his father's day is all taken care of.
I must say that DH is an awesome dad. Neither his dad nor mine were the super-involved fatherly types, but he is the exact opposite. When the kids were babies he did everything that I did (well, except feed them, but only because he doesn't have boobs.) When I was a SAHM he bathed them every night, giving me a few precious minutes of kid-free time. And he certainly stepped up through law school and my new career. More often than not, he is the first one home and stuck throwing dinner together. He has slaved over homework and school projects. He has stayed home from work when a kid was barfing her guts up. And when I had hyperemesis with all of my pregnancies, he dumped my throw-up bowl when I was too weak to walk to the bathroom.
Maybe all of this shouldn't be seen as anything special--after all, we moms do it all without blinking. But the fact is that there are still many, many men who do not participate equally in child rearing. I'm lucky to have one who does his full share and even takes over mine when necessary. And honestly, I don't know how I could make work it as an attorney and a mom without DH.
I <3 DH.
I must say that DH is an awesome dad. Neither his dad nor mine were the super-involved fatherly types, but he is the exact opposite. When the kids were babies he did everything that I did (well, except feed them, but only because he doesn't have boobs.) When I was a SAHM he bathed them every night, giving me a few precious minutes of kid-free time. And he certainly stepped up through law school and my new career. More often than not, he is the first one home and stuck throwing dinner together. He has slaved over homework and school projects. He has stayed home from work when a kid was barfing her guts up. And when I had hyperemesis with all of my pregnancies, he dumped my throw-up bowl when I was too weak to walk to the bathroom.
Maybe all of this shouldn't be seen as anything special--after all, we moms do it all without blinking. But the fact is that there are still many, many men who do not participate equally in child rearing. I'm lucky to have one who does his full share and even takes over mine when necessary. And honestly, I don't know how I could make work it as an attorney and a mom without DH.
I <3 DH.
6/19/10
Hobbled
So we are starting our third week of running with the C25K plan and I can barely walk. I was fine after the first couple of runs. And then my right ankle started hurting the day after I ran and got progressively worse with the next couple of runs.
My internet research and the bottoms of my shoes indicate that I am an overpronator.* I've been intending to go to a running store to confirm my self-diagnosis and be fitted for supportive running shoes, but I haven't had the time.
So this morning I tried switching shoes to a pair of trail walking shoes, hoping they would be more supportive. I made it through my run, but was in major pain by the time I hit my driveway. And now I can barely walk. The left ankle (which I haven't had any problems with before today) feels like it is going to buckle if I put any weight on it, and both feet are throbbing. I feel like I have two sprained ankles.
This sucks. I don't want to give up running. DH and I are doing it together and I'm pretty impressed we've stuck it out so far since exercise isn't really our thing. And I can set goals where I get to compete against others. I want to do a 5k in the fall and have set the time I want to hit. Can't really do that if I am relegated to an eliptical because my joints can't take running.
And I'm a little concerned that this throbbing is an indicator of arthritis. Because my mother has rheumatoid arthritis (which is genetic) and had both hips, shoulders and knees replaced before she was 50 (and has since had some of them re-done). It started setting in when she was about my age and she broke her hip when she was in her early-40s and I was a senior in high school (at one of my band concerts). I so do not need to inherit that crap.
* Everything I've read says that overpronators are usually heavy and have flat feet. I have a few pounds to lose, but I don't think I'm that heavy or that I have flat feet. I suspect that the stiletto heels that I wear every day are to blame for screwing up my feet. Or maybe they were already screwed up--I did have ankle braces when I was a baby.
My internet research and the bottoms of my shoes indicate that I am an overpronator.* I've been intending to go to a running store to confirm my self-diagnosis and be fitted for supportive running shoes, but I haven't had the time.
So this morning I tried switching shoes to a pair of trail walking shoes, hoping they would be more supportive. I made it through my run, but was in major pain by the time I hit my driveway. And now I can barely walk. The left ankle (which I haven't had any problems with before today) feels like it is going to buckle if I put any weight on it, and both feet are throbbing. I feel like I have two sprained ankles.
This sucks. I don't want to give up running. DH and I are doing it together and I'm pretty impressed we've stuck it out so far since exercise isn't really our thing. And I can set goals where I get to compete against others. I want to do a 5k in the fall and have set the time I want to hit. Can't really do that if I am relegated to an eliptical because my joints can't take running.
And I'm a little concerned that this throbbing is an indicator of arthritis. Because my mother has rheumatoid arthritis (which is genetic) and had both hips, shoulders and knees replaced before she was 50 (and has since had some of them re-done). It started setting in when she was about my age and she broke her hip when she was in her early-40s and I was a senior in high school (at one of my band concerts). I so do not need to inherit that crap.
* Everything I've read says that overpronators are usually heavy and have flat feet. I have a few pounds to lose, but I don't think I'm that heavy or that I have flat feet. I suspect that the stiletto heels that I wear every day are to blame for screwing up my feet. Or maybe they were already screwed up--I did have ankle braces when I was a baby.
6/13/10
OMG--He's Getting Married!
FIL, that is. He just called and dropped this little bomb on us. 3 1/2 months after MIL died. We haven't even met this woman yet.
DH is dumbfounded and I am horrified. I think it is disgraceful. Seriously, he can't be alone for ten fucking minutes? And he apparently doesn't give a shit what impact this has on his kids, who are still grieving the loss of their mom. The thought of another woman moving into her house, moving out her things, just makes me sick. (FIL literally built the house, and, of course, MIL decorated it. He's sworn he won't sell his house, but I guess that could change depending upon how the new little wifey feels.)
MIL waited on him hand and foot during the 35 years they were married--just like June and Ward. I was actually a little horrified by how old-school their relationship was. And then I became so proud of the way FIL stepped up and took care of MIL's every need when she got sick. He learned to do things that he had never had to do in his life (like cooking and laundry). He seemed to be a completely different man, and we thought that he would be ok on his own after MIL was gone.
But I guess he still needs a woman to take care of him, because his little bout of independence sure didn't last very long.
And, of course, mixed in with my anger, is very real concern. How can this not be a rebound relationship? How can they even know each other after such a short time? I'm afraid that his rush to cure loneliness will end with regret.
Ugh! I am just to horrified by this whole situation. It is going to be hard to be pleasant when they come down. I'm sure my tongue will be bloody from biting it.
DH is dumbfounded and I am horrified. I think it is disgraceful. Seriously, he can't be alone for ten fucking minutes? And he apparently doesn't give a shit what impact this has on his kids, who are still grieving the loss of their mom. The thought of another woman moving into her house, moving out her things, just makes me sick. (FIL literally built the house, and, of course, MIL decorated it. He's sworn he won't sell his house, but I guess that could change depending upon how the new little wifey feels.)
MIL waited on him hand and foot during the 35 years they were married--just like June and Ward. I was actually a little horrified by how old-school their relationship was. And then I became so proud of the way FIL stepped up and took care of MIL's every need when she got sick. He learned to do things that he had never had to do in his life (like cooking and laundry). He seemed to be a completely different man, and we thought that he would be ok on his own after MIL was gone.
But I guess he still needs a woman to take care of him, because his little bout of independence sure didn't last very long.
And, of course, mixed in with my anger, is very real concern. How can this not be a rebound relationship? How can they even know each other after such a short time? I'm afraid that his rush to cure loneliness will end with regret.
Ugh! I am just to horrified by this whole situation. It is going to be hard to be pleasant when they come down. I'm sure my tongue will be bloody from biting it.
Off my butt
DH and I have grown tired of our pasty, flabby bodies and have started doing the couch to 5K program. (BTW, for anyone doing this, the iphone app is a must.) Since I'm goal-oriented (and cheap), I was searching for a 5K to run in the fall. I figured if I had a race to work toward and had already spent the cash to register, I would be more likely to stick with it. Even if it's only $30, its just not in me to pay for something and then not do it. So that's my new exercise plan. We'll see how it works out. Right now, I'm feeling muscles I forgot I had and my calves burn like they're on fire when I run. (I wonder if this has something to do with spending most of my day in heels, so my muscles just aren't used to walking in a flat shoe for an extended period. Or maybe it's just because I don't run. Ever.)
Anyway, when I was looking for a race, I found The Great Urban Race. This looks like so much fun and it benefits St. Jude's! It's not so much a footrace as an Amazing Race-type challenge, with clues and trivia and obstacles. What we lack in brawn, we make up for in brains and geekiness (we rock Trivial Pursuit, and our geocaching experience should help out) so this is perfect for us. And it's something we can do with PS--she loves this kind of stuff. I'm so excited about doing this!
Anyway, when I was looking for a race, I found The Great Urban Race. This looks like so much fun and it benefits St. Jude's! It's not so much a footrace as an Amazing Race-type challenge, with clues and trivia and obstacles. What we lack in brawn, we make up for in brains and geekiness (we rock Trivial Pursuit, and our geocaching experience should help out) so this is perfect for us. And it's something we can do with PS--she loves this kind of stuff. I'm so excited about doing this!
6/11/10
Not ready for this
FIL called and asked if he could come for a visit over the July 4th weekend. And bring his girlfriend. I am not at all excited. I don't want to meet FIL's girlfriend and I sure as heck don't want to spend an entire weekend entertaining her in my house. And, of course, we are wondering just how quickly things are moving with FIL and this woman since FIL is suddenly so determined that we meet her.
But I guess we are just going to have to suck it up and deal, right? I mean, nothing can be worse than watching MIL die, so if we can get through that I suppose that we can get through anything. It just feels like such a betrayal to MIL.
To alleviate some of the awkwardness, we've invited SIL and her family to come down as well. Thankfully, they've agreed. Having 12 people in the house should definitely cut down on the awkward silence moments. I think we'll invite DH's other sibs as well--then we'd really have a full house.
But I guess we are just going to have to suck it up and deal, right? I mean, nothing can be worse than watching MIL die, so if we can get through that I suppose that we can get through anything. It just feels like such a betrayal to MIL.
To alleviate some of the awkwardness, we've invited SIL and her family to come down as well. Thankfully, they've agreed. Having 12 people in the house should definitely cut down on the awkward silence moments. I think we'll invite DH's other sibs as well--then we'd really have a full house.
6/7/10
And now for something new and different
I spent a good hunk of my week drafting proposed legislation. And, yes, I'm geeky enough to think that's cool. This is not something that I have previously done, or even anticipated doing, in my legal career, but I actually like it and am getting great insight into the political system.
My firm serves a niche industry and we are general counsel for a couple of trade groups in that industry. Therefore, we get first stab at modifying legislation to benefit our clients. Then we submit it to competing trade groups to try to come to an agreement before sending it to our sponsoring legislator to be hashed out again by the politicians.
Big Boss told me that I would be the second chair on this project as we negotiate and redraft in preparation for the next legislative session. I'm psyched!
My firm serves a niche industry and we are general counsel for a couple of trade groups in that industry. Therefore, we get first stab at modifying legislation to benefit our clients. Then we submit it to competing trade groups to try to come to an agreement before sending it to our sponsoring legislator to be hashed out again by the politicians.
Big Boss told me that I would be the second chair on this project as we negotiate and redraft in preparation for the next legislative session. I'm psyched!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)