Toe

Warning: This post contains pictures of toes.

Because yesterday, I bonked my toe on something and it hurts like a sonofabitch right now. I'm pretty sure it's not broken, just jammed. Here's what it looked like last night:

And here's what it looks like today:

It's kind of hard to tell, but it's pretty swollen and ouchy. Actually, this picture is kind of dumb, because it doesn't begin to convey how weird my toe looks.

Good that the only really important thing on my agenda is to give a final at 7pm tonight. Between now and then, I think I'm going to finally see Catching Fire. Public school is still in session, so I should be able to catch a noon showing sans stupid high school and middle school kids.

In other weird body news, I've had shoulder issues for a while, but now I'm having problems with my hand/fingers going numb. Of course I googled this and came away convinced I have a tumor causing pressure on a nerve and I'm probably going to die in 3 months. Good thing I have an appointment with my GP on Friday, so he can confirm my diagnosis.

Finals, Day 1

I started finals week in the best way possible . . . I slept in!! Until 9am!! Which is super late for me. Usually Tonks starts walking on my head around 6am. Since I have no finals today, I'm working my way through my "to-do" list.


Yesterday, I did a ton of baking, so today, I needed to make some yummy deliveries. First stop, I dropped off Maple-Bacon caramel rolls to my department chair. (I have to note that she is one of the most amazing women I know!)

Then, it was on to deliver cookies to the place I work in the summer.

I baked and decorated cookies yesterday, and most of them are for my night class final tomorrow. But, I had some extra and since I miss seeing all the awesome people from my summer job, I decided to take them some cookies. It was awesome to see everyone.

That was two things checked off my list. I made a phone call to my insurance company, who say they aren't covering my chiropractic care after my accident because they don't have evidence it was "medically necessary." I had to leave a message, so I'm waiting for a call back. I guess this task is half-checked off my list.

Next up, I needed to clean my kitchen after the baking marathon of yesterday. I'm curious - am I the only person left in the world who wears those yellow dish-washing gloves? And how about aprons? Am I the only person left in the world who actually wears an apron when cooking or cleaning in the kitchen? Anyway - check mark for a clean kitchen.

After cleaning the kitchen, I put together the buffalo-chicken dip that I'm taking to the forensics holiday gathering tonight. Another checked-off task.

Now I'm sitting here, procrastinating going through my crazy mess of yarn, trying to decide what to take with me to Ohio. There's nothing better than watching TV with my mum, crocheting and chatting and napping. Once this task is done, I just have "Go to holiday party" left on my list. I could jump ahead and start on tomorrow's list, but I think I like the idea of watching Lost re-runs and crocheting more. And I might just have to eat a cookie.

#26acts

I can't believe it's been a year since the Sandy Hook shootings. I can remember watching the news and feeling helpless and heartbroken. Ann Curry started a movement on Twitter called #26acts. She challenged everyone to do 26 random acts of kindness, one for every student and teacher killed. I couldn't do anything to bring those students and teachers back, or bring the community any comfort, but I could promote kindness in my community. When Ann Curry challenged the Twitter universe, she asked "#26acts, Are you in?" I was in.

My little acts of kindness ranged from letting a person cut in front of me at the grocery store to leaving notes with candy bars or Starbucks cards on random car windshields. As I counted my way through the #26acts, I found that the tiny bit of kindness I passed to others had an effect on my heart. It was kind of like that scene in "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas" where the Grinch's heart grows.

I wasn't "Grinchy" before I started #26acts, but my joy grew as I completed each act of kindness. A quotation (attributed to Ghandi, who never actually said it) that I love is "Be the change you want to see in the world." And I would like a world with more kindness. I have continued acts of kindness through this year, and this month, have been tweeting my #26acts once again. Last week I was going through the Starbucks drive-through. When I got to the window, I told the cashier I wanted to pay for the car behind me. He informed me that the car in front of me had paid for mine already. I got a little teary.

On this sad anniversary of Sandy Hook, in the wake of another school shooting yesterday, with the stress of the holiday season threatening to overtake the joy - I challenge everyone to a random act of kindness. It doesn't have to be big. It doesn't even have to cost money or take a lot of time. But I promise, your heart will grow in size.

#26acts . . . Are you in?

My papa

My papa.
My pa.
My dad.
It's his birthday today. He's 71. But I don't know how he is 71 and I'm 47 (almost 48) because this:

seems like it just happened yesterday. It was the year my brother Curt wanted a reindeer for Christmas. I don't know how my parents found this blow-up version.

For years, my dad was Edgerton Ohio's town Santa. I'm only a year old in this picture, but I'm sure, even then, I suspected it was my dad underneath the beard.

This is a picture from around 1970. Most pictures from my childhood have my mum in them, because my dad was behind the camera.

I'm pretty sure his patience was running thin - just look at the ornery looks on us kid's faces!

The thing I remember the most about dad from my childhood was that he could fix absolutely anything. He still can. I'd like to think I inherited this determination from him, but if I'm honest - it's his stubbornness I've inherited!!

I also get my sense of humor from him. I swear, if there was a contest to determine who could tell the most stories, crack the most jokes, and sing the most songs - my dad would win. He loves making people laugh. So do I.

And he has this terrible habit of sticking his finger up his nose in pictures. Be glad I'm only posting one of them here.

He is a pretty amazing cook - a master at grilling and smoking meat. Growing up, there was always a can of bacon grease in the refrigerator, saved from mornings when he would cook breakfast. There is nothing better than eggs and hash browns cooked in bacon grease.

And his wife, Shirley, puts up with his shenanigans. She deserves a medal. I love her for loving him!

One of my favorite qualities of my dad is his generosity. If you are in need, he is there. Back in the 1970's, he was part of a small group of people who started the volunteer EMS in my hometown. He was also a volunteer fireman. If you were his neighbor, he would shovel your walk. If you needed help fixing something, he was there. If you needed someone to move you from New Mexico to Ohio after grad school was over, he had your back. I remember calling him on 9/11. Along with the rest of the country, I was sad and freaking out. My dad told me he was going to drive to Wisconsin and bring me home. We were both so scared. I talked him out of the trip, but just knowing he would come if I needed him made me feel better.

And in case you hadn't noticed, he looks like Wilfred Brimley (diabeetus!) Happy Birthday, Papa.

Marshmallows

I was pulling out ingredients to make brownies for my Tuesday night class, and found a forgotten bag of marshmallows. This meant I was required, BY LAW, to make hot chocolate and fill the mug to the brim with marshmallows. It was deliciously magical and put me in the mood to wrap Christmas presents.

Have I mentioned how much I love Love LOVE wrapping Christmas presents? I would seriously love to have a job as a professional package wrapper. I may have to consider how to get such a job after I retire in 20 years.

I also think it would be really fun to have a job putting together toys/gifts that are "some assembly required." I know this is something parents freak out about, but I love the challenge of following directions. Perhaps I should advertise on Craig's list? Maybe next year.

Leftovers

Flipping through my phone today, I was shocked at how many pictures I took during my visit to Ohio. Like a turkey sandwich the day after Thanksgiving, these picture "leftovers" were a satisfying find.

Clockwise from upper left: Aunt Winnie, Mum, Aunt Sue, Aunt Marge

My family is so very ordinary and so very extraordinary, at the same time. Does everyone ponder this conundrum? Or just me?

Clockwise from upper left, cousin Carla, Sis Leslie, me (duh), cousin Karen and cousin Kim

Leslie and Curt are twins. Curt always looks "special." He's not special - he's a hilarious idiot.

I was so excited to help mum put up one of her Christmas trees. And yes, we were in our pajamas most of the day.

My beautiful niece, Emma. That's her "cheer" smile.

In my home town, my cousin is the local barber. I think this looks like a movie set rather than an actual barber shop.

Being able to meet family for breakfast at the one restaurant in town is quaint, comfortable and the perfect stereotype of small town USA.

Dad (who looks like Wilfred Brimley, right?) and step-mum Shirley

Individually, their expressions are hilarious. But together, they look a bit psychotic

Sis Leslie, brother Heath and mum

Had to take a picture of the menu that includes a Fried Bologna sandwich. YUM!

Two weeks and I'll be back in Ohio, provided mother nature doesn't drop a blizzard on my travel plans.

To-Do List

When I got back home last Sunday, I made a daily list of everything I need to accomplish in the next 3 weeks. If I slack off, I'm screwed. In theory, this is great! I love lists! I love making lists! I love crossing things off of lists!

The problem? I need the weather to cooperate in order to finish each daily list. Yes, it's been snowing. Yes, we've gotten freezing rain. Yes, it's cold. Whatever - I would be fine with all that if it weren't for the fact that this weather completely pisses off every joint in my body. I have projects I need to complete. I have present wrapping that needs to occur. I have shit to type and dishes to wash and kittens to pet. All of those things require the co-operation of my hands. And my hands Don't. Want. To. Work. (For the record, I'm pecking this post out with the two fingers I have that don't hurt. Both are on my left hand, which is awkward.)

On top of that, I had to shovel wet snow and ice off my walk and drive. Not a big deal, except my hips and ankles and spine are now pissed off. Actually, my spine is fucking irritated beyond description.

I couldn't wear heels today because my freaking toes wouldn't bend.

Any normal person would take some Advil to help with the stiffness & pain. Not me. I can't take nsaids, which means no Advil, aspirin or Alieve. I can take Tylenol, which doesn't do jack shit for arthritis pain. I discovered last night that I forgot to refill my Vicodin. And now the rx is out of date. So I called my doc's office, and he's not in until tomorrow. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why I am having a painful pity-party.

I am now going to cross "having a pity-party" off my to-do list.