It's Still Tuesday

And I've got things to say, so I'm linking up with Stacy.

Have you ever been at a point in your life where you just wish God (or your personal higher power) would simply speak to you and tell you what to do?  Of course you have.  Not that I am in that situation right now or anything!  Haha.

Today in my next-door-teacher's classroom, an 11 year old male student told the teacher to "suck my d---."  And we wonder why the world is going to hell in a handbasket!  I don't think I even knew that word when I was 11!  And to speak to an adult like that?  I just... I don't know.

I was listening to a news blurb on the radio today, and the Governor of Kentucky had some wise comments about the state of, not only our schools, but our world.  He talked about culture, and how we glorify death instead of life in our movies, music, and video games.  How our teens' brains are affected by constant screen time.  I really liked what he had to say.  However, I don't think the video game, music, or movie industries are going to be willing to give up their millions to make a world a better place.  Perhaps that's negative thinking, but I prefer to call it realistic.  So much profit is made from denigrating women, violence, death, and destruction.  How do we change it?  Idk.  Just for future reference, banging your head against a wall burns 150 calories an hour!

And now, for some less serious randomness.  I'm recovering quite well from my fall and concussion.  It's been 12 days, and my bruises are almost gone.  I think the vinegar solution I've put on them daily has really helped.  The only issues I'm still having are a medium-sized knot on my chin and my foot.  My foot isn't swollen or bruised any more, but it sure hurts.  I guess I shouldn't feel bad about falling because, did you know, 50% of all orangutans have fractured bones from falling out of trees so often?

And on a similar note, did you know that 3% of the ice in Antarctic glaciers is made up of penguin urine?  Gross!!!!

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That's Random

I'm linking up with Stacy.http://stacysrandomthoughts.com/2016/08/winding-down-summer-in-a-random-tuesday-thoughts-rebel-kinda-way/

So, I bruise easily.  I also tend to bang my arms or legs or whatever into things I should not bang them into.  I don't do it on purpose!

Last week, I had a "fight" with the package drop at the post office, and I lost... twice.  Here's the evidence.

It got worse before it got better; in fact, I still have it, but it is fading.  Come to find out, if doctors see bruises like that, they actually have to ask you if you feel safe at home.  And I learned that the worst thing to say is, "I'm accident prone."  My doctor said that is an often-used excuse of abused women.  That makes me sad.

Then, there's something that makes me mad.  Colin Kaepurnick.  He refuses to stand for the National Anthem purportedly because people of color are oppressed in the United States.   He is biracial, raise by a white family.  He has never experienced oppression himself, or he wouldn't be making millions today for playing a ball game.  What an example of entitlement!

Image Credit

How is not standing going to help anyone?  Maybe he could put his money where his mouth is.  Or write some letters.  Or do public service announcements.  Although he is most assuredly entitled to his opinion,.. to refuse to stand for the anthem of this great country is inexcusable.   I'm very pleased to hear some sportscasters and football coaches speaking out in opposition to his behavior. Colin, you are an embarrassment to your country.

And did you know there is actual Federal Code regarding this situation?  You can check it out here.

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Tennis Elbow

I don't play tennis, but I have "tennis elbow" in my right arm.

Back when I was participating in tae kwon do (which was a great workout and stress reliever), I developed Lateral Epicondylitis, commonly called tennis elbow, in my right arm. It's caused by repetitive and forceful movement of the forearm which is why many tennis and raquetball players develop it. Meatcutters often get it, too.

So what's my excuse since I'm not doing tae kwon do anymore? Why did it return? Probably from the everyday overuse that comes with sweeping, mopping, chopping vegetables, lifting heavy objects, and that type of activity. Sometimes there is no obvious cause. All I know is that it hurts.

The doctor diagnoses it by pressing on the bony part of the outside of the elbow. The patient also presses against resistance to determine the severity of the condition.

There isn't much that can be done. Last time I had it, it was so awful that the doctor did cortisone injections in my elbow, which hurt like crazy, but they helped with the pain and healing in the long run. Thank goodness it's not that severe this time. All I can do is use ice, over the counter pain relievers, and try to rest it. Thank goodness typing won't make it worse! At least, I hope.

Want to know more about tennis elbow?
Mayo Clinic
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Oh, My Aching Ankle!

13 things about my sprained ankle

This is just for you, Queenie, because we are starting off with a picture!

1. This is 84 hours after the initial injury. Isn't it pretty?

Signs and symptoms

2. RICE is the best treatment for the first 24-48 hours. Not the food!

3. R=Rest

4. I=Ice

5. C=Compression

6. E=Elevation

7. You can actually hear a snap or pop, like I did, during a sprain.

8. Sprains are often caused my weak ankles like mine. Mine rolled over.

9. It doesn't help if you don't happen to be the most graceful person coming downstairs in tennis shoes with an overnight bag on one arm and a laptop and case on the other.

10. It's about the worst pain I've ever felt, including the pain of having a baby. Or maybe I've just forgotten about that kind of pain!

11. It's humiliating, screaming and hollering in front of my sister and brother-in-law. Why wasn't I doing something cool like doing a basketball layup?

12. Mine is a grade 2 sprain (grades 1-3).

13. An ankle sprain is one of the most common orthopedic injuries - and I got a whole day of the princess treatment. Yes, one day. I would say day two treatment dropped to lady-in-waiting treatment. I took advantage of it!

Don't forget to check out my giveaways!
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Weekend Update

My plans to go to the Y for a mild workout today were foiled! Why? Because in addition to being somewhat forgetful, I have weak ankles that roll too easily and a high arch. Perhaps I’m a bit of a klutz.

As I was coming down the stairs today at my sister’s house, fully loaded with my laptop bag and overnight bag, I hit the tile floor wrong and sprained my ankle. It’s a pretty shade of blue-green tinted with dark purple edges right now, and it’s almost the size of a tennis ball.

This weekend was so awesome up until this happened, just like I had planned in my Friday Fillins. Friday, my husband, sister, and I drove to Louisiana, about 2 ½ hours from our home in Texas, to go to a casino for a little fun. We can drive across the state border to go to a casino, but we don’t have them in Texas. It makes no sense!

We didn’t win, but we didn’t lose very much, either. All in all, it was great fun! I played a little live black jack, video poker, and of course, slot machines. Hubby also did live poker, roulette, and craps. My sister did everything I did plus live poker. Poker intimidates me. As long as you know you’re just going to have fun, it can be a great trip. And it was. We stopped for a fabulous (but late) meal on the way home.

Saturday I got to sleep late, then I drove to my sister’s (she’s about an hour away). We went to Scrap Mania at Archiver’s from 4-11 PM. We had so much fun and got some projects done. This was my favorite part of the weekend.

Sunday morning after breakfast, I was all set to come home, spend some time with my hubby, give him some attention since I was gone all day Saturday and Sat. night, go to the Y to walk and use a few machines, do some laundry, and go to Bed, Bath and Beyond to shop, but the stupid ankle sprain got in the way!

I thought I was going to die, and if my sister and b-i-l hadn’t sat me down right away amidst my screaming, I feel sure I would have been flat on the floor. You know that feeling when your vision goes black and your skin feels cold and clammy?

But my sister took good care of me for a few hours until I felt stable enough to drive home. Hubby offered to come get me, but my vehicle was over there, and with the price of gas, well, it seemed stupid.

Sis gave me the R.I.C.E. treatment (rest, ice, compression, and elevation). I’ve taken some ibuprofen, but I think I’m due for some now. It doesn’t make the pain go away completely. It does help, though. I could go get an x-ray and some pain medication, but pain meds make me physically ill themselves, so that’s no help, and I feel sure it’s not broken, just a grade 2 sprain. I’ll be better in a couple of days.

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Wordless Wednesday

I can't do this wordless! We have been through one season of t-ball, five seasons of soccer, three seasons of football, one season of basketball, and now, in our first season of real baseball, my son gets injured. He took a ball to the top of the eye as you can see in the photograph. I am getting such conflicting opinions - take him to the doctor, take him to the ER, just watch him for 24 hours, ice it. FROM NURSES AND DOCTORS that I know! What's a mom to do? Well, this mom is not sending him to school tomorrow, and then I'll decide if I'm taking him in. I'm going to check on his throughout the night and go from there. What would you do?