My Right Hand

I never realized all the things I rely on my right hand to do. I mean, I had thought in advance of the two handed tasks I’d need to make arrangements for like carrying, changing and bathing Z. But there are things I didn’t expect to have trouble with; stupidly forgetting I was abdicating use of my dominant hand. Opening bottles, like the Advil, with a child proof cap has proven interesting.

There has, however, been a certain degree of compensatory entertainment to be had from watching my SO do certain tasks I’ve pretty much taken on full-time. For example, we make Z’s baby food ourselves. Other than the first introduction and a couple of back up jars, just in case, we don’t buy it. I put up quite a bit before my surgery, but due to our limited freezer space some of it had to wait. So now I get to watch someone who literally ended up with the fire dept. intervening in the making of pork chops, baking & pureeing apples. Of course the avocado puree will be even more interesting since K hates avocados.

Okay, this is all the hunting and pecking I can manage for now.

Surgery day

As bad as I am about updating it's likely no one will notice, but I may not be able to be post for a week or so. Surgery is set for this morning on my rt. hand. If I update for a bit depends on a.) how this doctor bandages and b.) how frustrated I get with typing one handed. Too bad the dogs can't really type my blog for me. Or one of my characters. I shall, perhaps, have to be satisfied with posting witty pictures stolen from someone else.

I've not been nervous, but I'm up early and have a distinct queasiness and a headache. Of course this could be from not having any liquids since about 9pm last night. Ugh! I chose the kitty picture (*snicker*) because I've been a grump the last few days and his face is just a perfect reflection of my mood.

I'm not the only one. Z and I are having a grumpfest. He's crabby, I'm crabby, so there! Munchkin has allergies. We were pretty sure of this since everytime the SO is runny-eyed and snuffling, so is Z. He's mouth breathing a lot lately which means he's gulping air and getting a gassy upset tummy. Cranky, fussy, no sleep through the night Z means a grumpy mom. The doctor started him on infant zyrtec but it doesn't help his congestion. You can't treat congestion in children under 6 because of the dangers of decongestants, evidently.

I do have a perverse sense of pleasure in knowing that for the next week or so since I can't technically "lift" the baby, K is going to have to take over. Sweet sleep, you shall finally be mine.

Tuesday that feels like a Monday

My doctor's office called today. I was scheduled to have my surgery on the 25th. Note the "was". They had to reschedule...again. I was originally supposed to get the carpal tunnel release done on my right hand on the 18th of June. Then it was moved to the 25th. Now, the office calls this morning and the doctor has had an emergency and has to go out of town so it is now rescheduled again for the 2nd of July.

Irritating, yes. But it's more than that. For each time I've had to schedule the surgery I've had to make sure that I had someone to drive me. Okay, not hard. K, this is your job. But Z is on summer schedule at the sitter's wher he only goes half a day. Now for the second time we've had to rearrange that schedule on her so he would go full day. [paid in advance] Plus, because I won't be able to lift him or change his diapers for a week K has had to arrange to get off work 45 minutes early, foregoing a lunch, to pick him up before Ms. T. closes at 5:30. (Normally I would pick him up after school.)

So yet again, we have had to rearrange our schedule, the sitter's schedule and the schedule of the entire youth services dept. at K's library. Gee thanks, Doc, but I'd probably have more compassion if we hadn't had to reschedule the first time because you didn't follow protocol and set up things the way you were supposed to.

The Letter

The letter came today. This is the letter that all teachers dread. It is the letter with the schedule for preplanning. It is the letter that seems to say, "Ha ha ha, your summer will end one day and there is nothing you can do about it." And since I'm on leadership this year, I have to go back before everyone else. Ick!

New Favorite Show

I'm not a big television person and until just recently we didn't even have cable--it came as part of the phone, internet service we upgraded. However, I've recently discovered a show that I love for no reason I can possibly name. I guess it must be my guilty pleasure. The show is called Cake Boss (http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/cake-boss/cake-boss.html)and it is the reality tv story of a family owned bakery. Watching the creative process and the family dynamic of this show filmed at Carlos Bakery (www.carlosbakery.com) . The cakes this team of bakers makes are amazing.

And while the wedding cakes are phenomenal, last night I watched them make a zombie cake complete with red velvet cake for a zombie walk. This thing was as gross as the bachelorette cake was anatomically correct. They created a strip club complete with male strippers and everything on their cakes is edible. It is amazing.

blogging, blogging, blogging

My surgery was, obviously, postponed until the 25th. It's not something I'm nervous about, exactly. I'm not apprehensive about the surgery at all. I've had it done before, albeit over ten years ago. The most uncomfortable part of the surgery as I recall it was the blood pressure cuff they use to compress your arm as part of the anesthesia. They basically wrap a large rubber strap around your arm to squeeze out the blood, tighten the cuff and then give you an anesthetic to numb your arm. It wasn't a big deal the last time and took only a few minutes for the actual surgery to be done.

I'm more worried about afterwards. My SO does not do well when I'm sick or somehow incapacitated. It's like a personal affront. *Sigh*

Romanticon

I'm trying to figure out what to wear for Romanticon. I'm not a dressy-up kind of person. I'm more of a big old slouchy pants and a t-shirt that's seen better days kind of person. The mixer on Friday is a psychedelic theme. I'm thinking early 70's, late 60's hippie kind of thing and that just isn't in my wardrobe. I may actually have to buy clothes.

And the author appreciation dinner. What exactly does one wear to that? I've seen pictures of the RT convention and the RWA conventions and the ladies were very dressed up, evening wear sort of thing. That definitely isn't in my wardrobe. *double sigh*

I did get the first of my promo items today. I'm buying things a little at a time. Instead of just "business cards" I've got magnets. I already have book marks that I had made a long time ago. I have two other things I'm planning on getting for give aways. I know that you have to balance output with expected return, but I have to admit, some of this is just me indulging the fantasy.

Romanticon isn't just for authors. It's being held in Ohio and is for anyone who loves romance and erotic romance. It's my virgin convention so it would be really nice to see a lot of people there. Its not just for published authors, readers and those aspiring to publication will find some very interesting workshops as well.

PETA

Now I am an animal lover. You can't come to this blog without realizing that. However, the whole "Obama killed a fly" outrage from PETA is ridiculous. I'm still hoping its a joke. I personally don't kill spiders. Spiders are useful and they kill and eat the icky bugs. But anything else in the insect and arachnid family (especially the ants, centipedes and scorpions) are fair game. I know they play a useful part in the circle of life, but they can stay out of my house.

good news and bad news

It's one of those good news-bad news sort of days. The good news is I expected the bad news and was actually resigned to it.


I saw the hand doctor today and, in what was the quickest exam I've ever had, scheduled the carpal tunnel release surgery. I have to admit to being less than impressed with Doctor Hottie. I don't think he looked at my hand other than to show me where the scar would be.

The SO was upset because it was explained that for a week I wouldn't be able to use my right hand. That means no lifting, changing or taking care of the munchkin. I can hold him, rock him, and love on him, but baths, diapers, toting and a lugging about were no-nos. Poor baby. It means getting off work a bit early for a few days.

I have no qualms about this because the SO's boss took off early for two weeks recently because his wife couldn't get off work at the regular time to pick their boys up. Z will have to be at Ms. T's until K gets off work each day.

So, surgery on the hand on June 18th and I'm still waiting to hear about the MRI for my knee, but it is feeling better.

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I have a book recommendation that is just for fun. If you haven't peeked at "Crazy English" by Richard Lederer, you should give it a try. The book looks at the inconsistencies and the quirks in the English language in a fun and humorous way. I'm hoping to use pieces of it to inspire my students next year. I'll be getting a population I don't normally teach. The district has declared everyone will take reading and I get a lot of "I know how to read" resistance from some of the upper level kids.

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I've been editing and trying to finish a story I'm working on that has a working title of "Sweetheart Tree". I have the story mapped out but I'm coming to realize it is in serious need of a different title. This one is too cutesie. I need something sexier. I've never been great at titles and this is just proof of that.

School's Out

School is officially out for the year. No teacher or student would ever have the audacity to tell you they were sorry for this event, but this has been a good year. My students this year were overall a good group.

Z is with his sitter today so I can have one day to sleep late and relax before it’s Z and momma time all summer. I decided to use it to go to the movie and see Angels and Demons. It was fair. I might have enjoyed it more if I hadn’t reread the book again so recently. There were several changes from the book, which I’m generally cool with as long as the changes make sense and don’t eliminate key elements of the story. *cough*HarryPotter*cough*

As for Z, he’ll be going to his wonderful Ms. T. for a few hours two or three days a week. It’s mostly because we don’t want to have him have to go through the “trauma” of starting over with his sitter in August. Tomorrow, however, we will be going to our first “Baby Time” of summer reading at the library where my SO works.

Whining

I have finally had to give in. Eleven years ago I had carpal tunnel surgery on my left hand. I’ve never regretted it and the doctor said I’d have to have the right hand done eventually. Being right handed, teaching and writing for a living, I put it off. And off. And off.

No more. I’m having to wear the brace day and night. It makes writing nearly impossible. I don’t like the idea of surgery. Still, my right hand has gotten to the point where it is numb/sore more than 70% and I can’t work on the computer for more than a few minutes at a time even with the brace.

So, I finally broke down and made the doctor’s appointment. You see, I moved after having the first one done or probably would have had this one done sooner. But so much can go wrong, and I’ve seen a lot of people who have had the surgery and had horror stories. I couldn’t have been happier with my original doctor.

I have to admit, I checked out the website for the Dr. and wow. Major cutie. Needless to say, the SO has decided to accompany me on the trip. Spoil-sport.