The Night Shift

I don't know if I like how this shot turned out. I may head back to the drawing board.

Do you ever have those moments where you get sparks of creativity but then you cannot rein it in because you are all over the place and then it's gone? That has been happening to me. I finally outlined a few chapters for Chameleon which I would like to update more regularly, found some inspiration for Studio Time, and wanted to do some paintings (similar to the one above) for Danica. Unfortunately I can't seem to keep my attention on one project at a time and so it turns into epic fail.

I am behind on my reading, commenting, photos for the 52 week challenge, everything. I will be working the night shift beginning in April and I can tell you honestly that I am not looking forward to it. At all. Maybe I can get caught up though and maybe I will find some quiet time to write. I wonder...if one does not write on a regular basis and daily, does that make one less of a writer or no writer at all?

Two Sides of the Same Coin

Not much to say lately that hasn't already been said. Got my game working and have slowly picked at it. I read once where someone (a reader somewhere) asked if characters were based on a particular person, based on the writer, or where they come from. I have pieces of me in each character that has come out of my head in one way or another. Melinda is no exception. Although I don't run a whore house. And she is taller than me but then most people are.

Worked on a couple of mosaics. I really love doing those. We should be putting that up somewhere soon. Otherwise this may be the last blog post I do for awhile unless I have some sort of update to announce. I'm fading. Bad time of year for me. Putting on a happy face but I don't feel it right now.

Going Green

Since I slept through Monday you get a morning bun post today.

I am all for recycling, saving the earth and all that but have you ever tried to eat with utensils that bend and break when you try to use them?

This is what we had for lunch:

Gaucho Skirt Steak with Mint-Mango, Chimichurri with Saffron Multi-Grain Pilaf & Tomato Salad with Chili-Kiwi. Don't ask me what that actually is but it was good if not difficult to eat with utensils that bend at the slightest resistance.

In Sims-related news I was able to restore my backup and load inhabited residential lots. Unfortunately there is something in the catalog under Hobbies>Workout that crashes the game. No idea what it is. There are pose boxes, gym equipment, and musical instruments in there none of which I have recently downloaded. So. Re-install may be imminent however I might be able to get my Chameleon update done before then. It will have to wait until the weekend. I don't have the stamina to do it during the work week.

Busy Doing Nothing

If my lack of productivity is any indication of how enamored I am with this guy...turns out Jimmy likes to lay out on the beach. He ended up with a nice golden tan. You should see how his rippling abs look...

*slaps self*

I have words in my head that I cannot shove onto paper. I don't know what you do when you are at a crossroads or can't seem to eke out a sentence that goes anywhere you want it to, but when I get stuck I tend to create people. So I did.

I'm very self-conscious about my inability to decorate. I've spent countless hours, days even, decorating a lot. Literally days. I cannot build from scratch to save my life but I can sometimes hit on a theme that I can run with. It usually helps if I know who will live there and what makes that person tick. Although landscaping escapes me. And it still isn't "perfect" but it's decent. Someone does need to explain to me however why a character can stand next to a room and yet walk outside and all the way around the lot to get there. Or why visitors use the back door when there is clearly a front door waiting for them.

I'm behind on my reading, no scratch that, I've been reading, I just haven't been leaving comments. I will. I promise. New schedule starts tomorrow so I will be even more tired than I usually am. I want, need, to focus on writing something. One thing I learned is that you never get more time. It keeps going and you cannot recoup it so you have to use it wisely. Knowing that and executing that however are tough for me.

Today I Spit in a Tube

At work we are all about the DNA so we had an opportunity to swap spit, or actually submit spit with a company that is going to tell me a whole lot of fascinating information about my DNA, more specifically my personal genome analysis. In a few short weeks I will know more about myself and my ancestry than I probably care to. Hopefully I am not predisposed to serial killing.

SB and I are on the verge of an update. I had a minor meltdown over the shots. It's been awhile. I wasn't prepared. A lot of them are less than inspired. My mantra has always been that the shots are just gloss but when they suck, they stand out. So. If and when it gets posted, please excuse the crappy photos. I just don't have the energy to retake them.

And to expand on a post from last week, the Chameleon update has been scrapped. I just don't think I can shoot it. Back to the drawing board I go to have a stab at it from a different angle.

This morning I learned how to make beads of sweat in Photoshop. It looks better on a bottle than on a body though. Now if I could only get that sheen that comes from hot sweaty bodies I will be a happy camper. And if anyone knows how to do a drape, as in a silky satiny scarf sort of drape on a female Sim body, please tell me.

That is all.

Reflections

Quite a lot has happened this year in South Beach and much of it occurred "off camera" if you will. Many of you will recognize this motley crew of youngsters but in case you don't, they are as follows: On the sofa left to right are Eric Stanfield, Devlin Holloway, and Nate Stanfield. Standing between Eric and Dev is Riley McDermott. Toddling on the floor are 3 kids that I doubt anyone knows about (except their parents of course) Autumn Taylor, Garrett Savage, and Harmony Stanfield. Beth and I were discussing the youth in our world and you will be seeing and hearing more from this group in the coming year.

Because I am not capable of growing kids without chronicling every last detail, there is picspam under the cut. I promise I kept it to a minimum (not). And please forgive the image clarity, I used the in-game camera for many of these shots. Which actually look better than my unedited Gadwin shots. Hmmm...

I hope you all had a holiday that was filled with peace, light and love.
[begin picspam]


First up is Devlin Holloway.

Devlin blows out his toddler birthday candles with a little assistance from his father, Shaun.

Yes, Dev, life as a child is indeed quite good. He loves the water just like Shaun.

Not sure about this hair but his child hair was a bit too...I don't know, short maybe? It may change again down the road. But he is quite stylish! Gets that from Stevie I'm sure.

And a closeup. Very handsome. I can see both parents so it will be fascinating to see how he turns out.

Next up is Garrett Savage. I don't have a lot of shots for him since Slim and Bonni's lot keeps crashing on me.

Slim wasn't very happy when I told him he had to move. This is a really nice home but...it crashes without fail. It probably isn't the lot since the house I moved them to crashes as well. I blame Slim and his social network.

This is Garrett right before the game crashed but just after he was toddlerized. Dad's gorgeous green eyes. I admit I cheated when I packed him up to send to Beth and grew him up. Watch out ladies, this boy is gonna be a stunner!

Bonni helps with the candle blowing. Isn't baby Garrett adorable?? So small...

I ended up moving Slim and his family back to their original home dirty dishes, blasting music, unmade beds and all. It wasn't all that bad. He was able to teach Garrett to walk...

...and manage to shoot some hoops which he could NOT do at the beach house. (so there!)

Last but not least is Riley McD. I took a boatload of shots because the kid is so photogenic.

Dad is looking a bit rough around the edges but manages to break into a smile for his boy.

Ryan tries to spend as much quality time with Riley as he can. Being a single father is rough but Landry's mom helps out when she can. Here Riley gets a helping hand from his dad as he takes his first steps.

I love this shot. He looks so much like Ryan here but he seems to have the darker red hair that his mother had. Riley is mostly a happy kid although he does get a bit melancholy at times.

This was cute. Hopefully that isn't the latest copy of Probe that Riley is reading...
[end picspam]
And because it is like a tradition on Mondays, a blogthing. If you managed to get this far you might as well have a reward.

You Are Chocolate Truffles

You are unpredictable and even a little zany. No one knows what to expect when you're around. You have a short attention span and need a lot of variety in your life. You are easily addicted to the things that you love. It's hard for you to only eat one chocolate from the box.

What Chocolate Dessert Are You?

Blogthings: Take a Quiz. Annoy Your Friends.

Road to Recovery ~ Week Fourteen

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

Linkage to one of my favorites, Here is Christmas performed by Heart. Right-click lets you listen while you continue reading this post. What I would give to sing like Ann Wilson...or Nancy.

I thought it would be nice to feature the next generation so Randi Taylor invited everyone to her university rental for a get-together. Jett of course was being...Jett. He didn't bring a girl along since he couldn't decide which one to choose.

I don't know why but my shots do not look crisp and clear. Does Photoshop do that when you tweak images? Or Blogger? Speaking of which, a colleague loaned me a book, a classroom in a book actually, on CS3. I have CS2 but whatever. I am going to try and devote an hour a day to mastering Photoshop. Even if it kills me.

This will most likely be the last Road to Recovery update I post. It may even be the last post before the New Year. So let me take the time now to wish all of you a very merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I have been cleared to return to work full time although I will still be on modified duty. I have mixed feelings about that. I mean, who wouldn't want to work half days and get paid for full days? I should be thankful I have a job and I am. The time off, although it was due to surgery, was much needed for me mentally as well as physically so I am grateful for that.

I am allowed to bench press 4 whole pounds! I have never been much for upper body strength so that is rather amusing for many reasons. My kids make fun of me especially when they see me curling soup cans. They are lucky I can't quite throw anything yet. My max lifting weight has been raised to 10 pounds from 5. So now instead of lifting a half gallon of milk I guess I can lift a whole gallon! Still can't do the laundry since we all know how heavy a basket of wet clothes can be.

I saw the surgeon last Thursday who told me I am about 1 month ahead of schedule for recovery which is odd since I am historically a slow healer (I wear bruises for weeks) but I have been diligent about my at-home exercises so I am sure that has helped.

The holidays around my house have been...morose. Can't really think of a better word. I think I have redefined the phrase Bah Humbug. Not like me at all but...such is life.

Leaving you with some holiday blogthings. Link goes to the Christmas ones. I was going to do one for each of the Twelve Days of Christmas but...no. Bah Humbug!

Happy holidays to everyone! May all your dreams come true.

Your Holiday Wish is Being with Family and Friends

The holidays are near and dear to your heart. You don't need much to make you happy this time of year. As long as you're able to be near the people you love most, you are content. It's really that simple. You want nothing more than a full house of people celebrating the season. It doesn't matter if it's your house or not, just as long as everyone is there. And if someone doesn't happen to be around during the holidays, you think about him or her often. You get very sentimental this time of year.

What's Your Holiday Wish?

Blogthings: We're Not Shrinks, But We Play Them On the Internet

You Will Get Three French Berets

Twelve glam rockers drumming Eleven marshmallows a-puffing Ten midgets a-leaping Nine ladies yodeling Eight llamas a-milking Seven eggnogs a-intoxicating Six kittens a-meowing Five golden bowls of chicken noodle soup Four calling bill collectors Three French berets Two Jesus action figures And a crazy homeless person in an apple tree

What Will You Get for the 12 Days of Christmas?

Blogthings: If Quizzes Are Outlawed, Only Outlaws Will Take Quizzes

You Would Be an Idealistic Santa

You keep dreaming of your perfect Christmas, even if you'll never achieve it. You love the idea of a cozy home, perfect presents, a big happy family, and blankets of snow. You think that almost everything about the holidays is nice - especially opening your home, heart, and wallet to those in need. You think that anyone who is grouchy or stingy during the holidays is naughty. You resent those who make this time a bummer for others.

The Santa Hat Quiz

Blogthings: Our Quizzes Weren't Written By Bored 12 Year Olds

You Are An Elf

You are highly creative and artistic. You are good at working hard. While you love to work, you also love to play. You have a naughty side to you! You love pulling pranks and teasing people. You always seem to be getting into some sort of trouble. People can rely on you to be industrious and responsible... but you're going to have fun while you're getting stuff done.

Are You An Elf or a Reindeer?

Blogthings: 100's of Fun, Free Quizzes and 3 Stupid Ones

Feeling Stronger...Yeah, Stronger

"How are you feeling today?" he asked. "I'm feeling...fine."

Straying from the usual Monday post. This day normally takes me to a dark place. Instead of falling into the pit I want to look at the joys I have been left with...my boys. They are, in a word, awesome.

As many of you know, they are musicians. Very talented musicians. When they were young and first starting out, my oldest got guitar lessons, the middle one drum lessons and the youngest bass guitar. They learned to read music. Those lessons had to stop because I could no longer afford them but the boys persevered and taught themselves. They all play multiple instruments and they play quite well. Not everyone likes their style (heavy metal anyone?) but I love anything and everything they do.

I haven't been able to give them a lot lately but they don't complain. My youngest wanted to take piano lessons and I just couldn't do it. So he downloaded sheet music and taught himself. I helped him read the music and he did the rest. This song was my gift from him. If you are a Final Fantasy VIII fan, you will know what this is. It is heard in Ultimecia's Castle and played on an organ. Both are pictured below.

Part of the castle.

The organ in the castle where the song is played.
Obviously we do not have an organ, in fact, we don't have a piano except for the little electronic keyboard I got them when my middle son was taking piano lessons (he learned 2 years worth of piano in 6 months).

I would like to share this gift with you. It isn't a high quality recording, it was captured on an iPhone, and between the sound of the keys being struck a little too forcefully and the popping of the lame wall heater in the background, this is my youngest. He probably wouldn't like that I shared this version since it was not perfect by his standards but to mine, it is perfect and then some.

I could not be more proud of them. They have been my strength when I needed it. So for them I hold my head up and will fight the stray tears...

No need to download, just press play -> The Castle

Road to Recovery - Week Twelve

Yes, I skipped week 11. It was not worth discussing and a week I would rather just forget all together. Let's just say I was in the mountains chopping down a Christmas tree with Rafe. For free. I prefer that image in my head.

Welcome to the Bah Humbug post. I'm cold. It makes me hurt, seriously. I have a very small threshold of tolerance for temperature changes and it hovers around 70 degrees for me to feel warm and toasty. It never made it out of the 40's on Monday and today when I left for work it was 31 degrees. Had to scrape ice off the windows. Couldn't turn on the heater because the car would go into cardiac arrest (ok that wasn't funny). Those of you who live in the freezing weather states, I salute you. *hurries to make a cup of hot cocoa to cradle in hands*

This image is the wall heater in between the living room and hallway wall. Please note this shot is pixelated; my walls are not that gross looking. This thing heats my entire house. No, that is not entirely correct, it attempts to heat my entire house. It fails. Miserably. I call it the little engine that couldn't. I have taken to wearing my driving gloves in the house. You know those nice knit black gloves that a secret Santa gave you one Christmas that you never thought you would really use because, hell, you live in sunny California! Ha!

So let's see...what else is new. I started using light weights to give me some resistance when doing my shoulder exercises. If nothing else I will get toned while I strengthen. Will 2 lb. weights tone one's arms?

Got an amazing gift from my son. Wish I knew how to upload it properly. I would love to share it.

Oh! Put up a holiday playlist. Who knew Twisted Sister sang Christmas carols? Seriously you have to check it out!

I'll admit I am in a blue funk. Trying not to be. Life just blows chunks sometimes though. No Lessons Learned this week. But I will leave you with a blogthing or three. Cuz that's how I roll.

You Are Midtown

You love so many things, you don't fit into any one label. You're the type of person who goes to a fancy restaurant one night and a dive bar the next. You can fit in almost anywhere. You feel equally comfortable in old jeans and designer duds. You are unpretentious. You are neither a snob nor a hipster. You're just you.

Are You Uptown or Downtown?

Blogthings: Waste Time at Work!

You Should Be a Film Writer

You don't just create compelling stories, you see them as clearly as a movie in your mind. You have a knack for details and dialogue. You can really make a character come to life. Chances are, you enjoy creating all types of stories. The joy is in the storytelling. And nothing would please you more than millions of people seeing your story on the big screen!

What Type of Writer Should You Be?

Blogthings: Discover the Parts of Your Personality that Have Been Hiding

Your Snow Test Says You're Independent

You feel like something good will happen to you in the next few months. You love to work, especially when work is creative. You have the makings of a successful artist. You are an independent, individualistic person. You thrive when you're doing your own thing. Your biggest worry in life is your family. You stay up at night thinking about them. When it comes time to relax, you always go the extra mile. You take relaxing as seriously as anything else in life.

The Snow Test

The First Rule of Blogthings Is: You Don't Talk About Blogthings

Road to Recovery ~ Week Ten

Also known as the return to modified duty.

My first day back to work was not exactly uneventful. The first thing I did was forget to take my security badge so I had to get a visitor pass from the front security desk. I can't believe I forgot my access badge since it was sitting right next to my purse. And I left my snack food sitting on the kitchen counter...

Second thing was finding a note taped to my phone letting me know that my PC was infected with a virus (one they have apparently been battling for the last week or so) and that my PC was removed from the network. No one bothered to clean it for me. So I spent the first 4 hours back to work resolving a virus issue. Not a problem really since I was able to sort through emails on my Mac (I managed to get through around 200 before I had to go home).

Third thing...two of my passwords that I use for certain systems and servers were expired. My regular password expires in a week and a half. Now I have to come up with new passwords...ugh!

I am freaking sore. I moused with my left hand on my Mac (not the best plan) while I moused with the right on my PC. And I have PT tonight so I expect to be even more sore tomorrow. Thankfully we have a potluck (yummy!) tomorrow so I should be able to take longer breaks.

I installed McAfee on my home PC since I get it for free with my ISP and I got tired of AVG and when it ran a scan last night it found trojans in Peggy zips that were stored on my backup drive. Let this be a lesson to always scan zips before extracting files to your hard drive. Not sure how harmful they were but they're gone now!

I'm tired so I am cutting this short and leaving out the Lessons Learned. Hope you all have a great holiday this week (for those of you in the US). Not sure if I will get to a holiday post prior to Thursday.

Leaving you with a blogthing!

What Your Thanksgiving Meal Says About You

When it comes to the holidays, you follow and love the big traditions. You look forward to them every year. You see the holidays as a time to be close to loved ones. It's a good time to reconnect and make memories. You like the aspects of the holiday that remind you of your childhood - opening presents, treats, and old favorite foods. During the holidays, you are likely to feel comforted. At your worst, you feel a bit over-indulgent. You consider yourself to be a bit of a purist, and you're proud of it. You tend to spend your holidays sharing and pitching in. You'll do whatever needs to be done.

What Does Your Thanksgiving Meal Say About You?

Blogthings: Cheaper Than a Therapist

Road to Recovery ~ Week Nine

At least I mastered the art of raising a glass with my right hand.

I am working on more character bios. This was a shot I considered for my sim-self's bio but I opted to use a different one. Irrelevant, trivial fact; now on to the good stuff.

Just got back from the surgeon's office for my follow-up. They are quite pleased with my progress and are returning me to work half days and with modified duty. They are going to try and get one more injection approved for my right shoulder (they injected platelets to assist in healing the tear in that shoulder to avoid surgery) so we will have to wait and see how that goes. I hate needles and it is a painful procedure but I would much prefer it to Cortisone injections.

I am both happy and sad to be going back to work. I love my job but have thoroughly enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom despite the fact that I couldn't really do anything. It was good for my mental health as well as the physical part. I needed the respite from my daily stress.

I've been writing a bit during my PC time, nothing earth shattering. Sometimes I think my writing has become unexciting, mundane, pedestrian. I keep telling myself that not everything has to be deep and fraught with emotion. I have even been considering doing a *gasp* legacy type of story. I have been so intrigued by the work of some great writers (too many to name them all so I won't even try but you know who they are) who have complete worlds, time lines, births, deaths, actual aging within the Sims arena and have been captivated by the idea.

I cannot bring myself to do something like this with some of the most beloved people in my Sims world. I am way too attached to let time run its course, or rather their life span. Meh, ignore me, it isn't like I actually have the time to do this and will have even less when I return to work. Just a passing thought.

Week Nine Lessons Learned:

• I have a very small window of tolerance for temperature change
  
• I don't have enough winter clothing
  
• I feel much better if I slap on a little mascara once in awhile
  
• Soup with a dollop of non fat yogurt is tasty
  
• This time off has helped to heal mind, body, and spirit
  
• I cannot control anything except my own path

Not sure how many more of these posts I will do. I will probably chronicle my recovery at least through the end of the year.

My blogthing for the week.

You Should Rule Venus

Venus is a mysterious, stormy planet - shrouded in a thick layer of clouds. You are perfect to rule Venus, because you are quite emotional and volatile yourself. Your emotions change as rapidly as the weather on Venus, and both you and the planet are incomprehensible to others. While you are not a logical thinker, you are quite empathetic. You can care for and understand others, but your emotions swirl around too quickly to truly understand yourself.

What Planet Should You Rule?

Blogthings: If Quizzes Are Outlawed, Only Outlaws Will Take Quizzes

Road to Recovery ~ Week Eight

Astounded that my arm can actually raise this high without help...

Yeah, yeah, I know...it's Wednesday...again. I am enjoying the fragrance of a honeysuckle scented candle as I write this.

Tomorrow is my last day of PT until they (presumably) approve another 8 sessions. The therapist performed an evaluation yesterday and my strength is slowly (very slowly) returning and my range of motion is on target with the projected recovery. Of course they don't seem to take into account that my arm does NOT move to the positions they measure without assistance. I can't get my arm at a 90 degree angle away from my body without someone lifting it and holding it there for example. I mean, I can lift it only so far but holding it there or raising it further just isn't happening without assistance.

WARNING: Lots of self-indulgent pouting and whining ahead. Proceed at your own risk!

I finally made a decision to move on, move forward. It's time. Out with the old and all that. I'm a pack rat, shameful really since I criticize my own parents for that very behavior, but I am learning to let go...of a lot of things actually. I am surrounded by memories, both good and bad, things I don't need or don't use. Sometimes you can hold on for too long and even if letting go feels sad and final, it also can heal.

I have slowly been letting go of the guilt, the pain, the anger, the loss, the emptiness, the betrayals. I have even *insert sharp intake of breath known as a gasp here* talked about it!

If this doesn't make sense to most of you, it's okay. Those of you who know me best will understand that bit of nonsense.

Week Eight Lessons Learned:
I have learned a few things this week, mostly of a personal nature. Maybe I didn't actually learn them, perhaps I just am acknowledging them.

• People I thought were the closest to me or should have been do not understand me at all
  
• I seriously wish I could stay home and not return to work
  
• I have never, ever been at the top of anyone's list of priorities
  
• I need to be at the top of my own list of priorities (aside from my boys who always come first)
  
• Time is moving by entirely too fast
  
• I am more cynical than I realized and I do not trust
  
• Sometimes I feel quite invisible

Sad, but true to quote Metallica. I leave you with a couple of Blogthings.

Your Fashion Style is Playful

You love fashion, but unlike most fashionable folks, you're no snob or label lover. In fact, the thing you like most about fashion is being able to try on different looks. You're very eclectic. You are the type to mix and match interesting items. You'll wear something designer with something discount. Or you'll sport something classic with something vintage. You truly believe that fashion should be fun. And you're having a lot of fun breaking all of the rules.

What's Your Fashion Style?

The First Rule of Blogthings Is: You Don't Talk About Blogthings

Your Primary Mood Color is Blue

You are a sensitive and reflective person. You have a good intuition for emotions. You can sense what people are feeling and even sometimes what they are thinking. You communicate well, and you're also a good listener. You cherish your friends, and every word they say is important to you. You are always there for the people you love, and you expect the same in return. You crave deep connection and understanding.

What's Your Primary Mood Color?

The First Rule of Blogthings Is: You Don't Talk About Blogthings

Road to Recovery ~ Week Seven

Mid-week morning bun. I had one yesterday. First one in 7 weeks! It was good...I made it last and chased it down with a peppermint mocha.

Again not much to report. I am out of the sling more or less and only wear it if I am going to be out somewhere for any length of time. Range of motion is getting much better. Pain is getting worse but...no pain no gain. Strength is still iffy but I never had a lot of upper body strength so that makes a difference.

I wish I didn't have to go back to work, not because I don't love my job but because I am essentially lazy and would rather stay home and do fun stuff. And I can't believe the year is nearly over.

Anyway, that's it for this week. Didn't learn a damned thing. Except that my celebrity baby name is Astrella Leelee...

You Are Most Like Laetitia Casta

Curvy, beautiful, and wild

Which Victoria's Secret Angel Are You?

Blogthings: We're Not Shrinks, But We Play Them On the Internet

Road to Recovery ~ Week Six

It hurts. A lot. Fighting back tears when I do my exercises. Seriously.

I am feeling really blah. Physical therapy blows chunks. My arm hurts worse than before and instead of improving my range of motion, it has gotten worse. I know that I need to work through the pain and I usually have a high tolerance for it so I worry that I am pushing too hard. And...I slipped two days ago. On a sock. And caught myself from the fall with my left arm. Sorry, force of habit, instinct. And I am worried that I did something bad. I try not to think about it and have been popping Ibuprofen, icing it, and babying the thing. *cue finger wags and tsks*

Since I begin writing this post, I have been to physical therapy and they have assured me that this pain is normal and expected, not likely that I did any harm to the injury since my range of motion is still improving. I guess that is a relief but I still worry about the pain. Taking stronger meds to get through it. I don't know how major league pitchers come back so fast from a rotator cuff injury. The idea of throwing a 90 mile and hour slider gives me chills.

I was given the go-ahead for light mousing/keyboarding which has saved my sanity some although I am overdoing it. I will have to get the timer out again to stay on track.

I cannot keep up with updates. I know there are some out there I have missed. There are also updates that I have read but not left comments. Doing my best to hang in there. I am supporting you all, just not as noticeably as before. You will just have to forgive me for that. I will say my blog rolls are useless. I am better off following updates through subscriptions with Google Reader. Now that I have my Twitter widget under control, my blog roll is taking over.

Sorry, no Lessons Learned this week but I do have a blogthing for you all and just in time for Halloween:

You Are a Witch

Like a witch, you are often misunderstood and unfairly judged. You are not as sinister as you seem. You are intelligent and spiritual. You feel very connected to the world - both the dark and light sides of things. You tend to keep to yourself, and because of this people tend to think things about you that aren't true. You would just like to be left alone to do your own thing. You have no intention of harming anyone, even though you could if you wanted to!

Are You A Vampire, Witch, Or Zombie?

Blogthings: Learn Something Surprising About Yourself

Road to Recovery ~ Week Five

Sure I know it is Tuesday but I had an appointment with the surgeon yesterday afternoon and between the commute traffic and the lousy weather, it took over an hour to get home.

In case your local news didn't mention it, the streets of San Fransisco were flooded yesterday from the sewers overflowing due to the rain. (eww!) I was just too tired to post last night so I vegged out with the remote and a copy of X-Men Origins: Wolverine. I love me some Hugh Jackman.

Now for the prognosis...I do NOT need to wear my sling at home or in bed! Yay! They gave me a lighter one for when I actually leave the house and I still am not supposed to drive but I can deal with that. No sling in bed!!!! I still can't sleep on my left side (which is a challenge) and I still cannot raise my arm over my head or to the side, I am restricted to the nose to toes area of my body, no lifting, no carrying, no nothing yet, not with the left arm. But no sling!

I will be off for another 4 weeks and then, if cleared, I can go back to modified work duty. Starting physical therapy as soon as they can squeeze me in! Oh and in another week one of my at-home exercises is...wait for it, wait for it...wiping the counters. I swear. Hand flat on a damp sponge and writing the alphabet on the counter. In capital letters gradually increasing the size of the letters I make. Yeah, wipe the counters. Joy of joys. At least I don't need to do the alphabet backwards.

My first night sleeping without the cumbersome sling was challenging. I was half awake most of the night fighting with the urge to roll onto my left side. I think it will get easier over time though.

Now on to the fun stuff.
I thought I would throw something a little different at you today. I followed a link from somewhere and ended up at a website that had some funny, funny stuff on it, well funny to me anyway. I had to post one of them here for you all to get the same chuckle I did. You should know I am a huge fan of Shakespeare so this drew me right away. I will admit however that I had to think about #10 for longer than I should have.

Drum roll please...

Snagged from THIS SITE

Top 15 Pick-Up Lines Used by William Shakespeare

15. How about a little Puck?

14. Of course, "Romeo and Gertrude" is just a working title. I might be persuaded to change it for you, M'Lady.

13. Et Tu, Cutie?

12. Shall I compare thee to a brick outhouse?

11. If I whispered in thine ear that thou hadst a body of beauty unknown but to the heavens, wouldst thou hold it against me?

10. Wouldst thou care to join me in forming the beast with two backs?

9. My heart, it pines, as my trouser's tent.

8. Without thine companionship, dear lady, I fearest I would spend the evening with pen in hand, if thou knows what I mean.

7. Hey, Baby, can Ophelia up?

6. Is this a dagger I see before me? Nay! I'm merely happy to cast eyes upon thy beauty!

5. Greetings to you, fair sailor.

4. But soft, what light through yonder trousers breaks?

3. Wouldst thou away you to Motel 6 with me?

2. O! Prithee, sitteth upon my visage, and perchance to let me divine thy weight.

And the Number 1 Pick-Up line used by William Shakespeare...

1. Do me, or not do me. THAT is the question!

Road to Recovery ~ Week Four

Not much to report. SB mentioned baked potatoes the other day and I have been craving them like crazy. Twice bakes actually, with super sharp cheddar, loads of butter, bacon, onions, sour cream...or shrimp chowder with sourdough. Or both.

So I have been letting my arm out of the sling (bad, bad girl that I am) but you just don't know how awful it is to have your arm in one position for most of the day and night. I am getting irritable at this point with immobility. It's stiff and painful unless I move it. My next follow-up is the 19th so hopefully I will be able to start using it more.


I managed to post a photo shoot of one of my Chameleon girls here -> Lyra. These shots were taken back in August and I did not do much Photoshopping because...I just didn't. They looked good enough. Just have two more to go, Marielle and the lovely Melinda and that series will be done. Not sure if many of you have perused my various postings on that blog. I have been itching to do photo shoots lately. They inspire me to write actually.

Seen any good movies lately? I signed up for a free trial of Netflix. Watched Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian on the PC. I liked it. I really couldn't think of any movies I wanted to see which is too bad since they are free for one month. I ordered X-Men Origins: Wolverine (I love Hugh Jackman). That should be here tomorrow along with Nights in Rodanthe which I ordered because...I don't know why I ordered it actually.

I am wondering if my Twitter widget is going to overtake my sidebar. Do those things ever recycle?

Week Four Lessons Learned:

• A little curry, a little dill can really spice up a tuna melt
  
• I can actually sort laundry with my right arm but refuse to clue the boys in on that factoid
  
• There really is a Climax, GA
  
• When they tell you to take an anti-nausea pill 30 minutes prior to a pain pill, do it
  
• Vampire Diaries, love it or hate it...I can't decide
  
• I should be the next Iron Chef...NOT
  

BLOGTHING ALERT!!

Your PB and J Says You're Adventurous and Accepting

Your eating style is gluttonous. If you like something, you're going back for seconds... no matter how full you are! You have an average sweet tooth. While you enjoy desserts, they aren't exactly your downfall. Your taste in food tends to be pretty flexible. You may crave sushi one night, and your favorite childhood recipe the next. You're a self loathing middle class person. You act a lot classier than you are, and you secretly feel like a fraud. Seriously? Self-loathing? And I am chock full of class damn it! You are a tough person who isn't afraid to live life fully. There isn't a lot that scares you. You are laid back and extremely easygoing. You never make a fuss, and you try to enjoy every moment.

What Does Your Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Say About You?

Blogthings: A Fine Line Between Insight and Stupidity

Road to Recovery ~ Week Three

An 8 inch bone-in ribeye sounds pretty good to me right now...

I've gotten a lot stiffer, the pain has been radiating down into my muscles. They said I would lose strength and there would be some stiffness and that is the reality now. The exercises have become not only more painful to perform but more essential for me to keep up regularly.

Although I treat my shoulder with cold therapy, the warmth of a hot shower has been a welcome treatment and more of a comfort. I sleep better but seem to be back to those old tense sleeping positions which do not help so the heat seems to ease that overall shoulder, neck, back pain and stiffness.
Surprisingly, my shoulder still bears the bruising from where they scoped it. Some of the incisions seem to have healed and faded some but the one in the front hurts and is just plain ugly. They will not entirely go away but then at least I will have an interesting line right? "Hey want to see my scars?"

Week Three Lessons Learned:

• Watching the Food Network not only makes me hungry but makes me realize I suck at cooking
  
• Heidi Klum is annoying as hell. And why do models stand all pigeon-toed and wonky
  
• You can pretty much get any TV series you want with On Demand, including channels you don't subscribe to - for free
  
• They killed off Lady Marion? WTF?? ~Drew help me out on this one please
  
• I have been watching entirely too much television
  
  Lame list, I know but there really isn't much new this week.
  
  I liked this blogthing; it was spot on for me.
  
  

  You Think Best While You're Driving

  In order to be able to think, you need to be able to have time to think. Problem is, there isn't a lot of time for that in your life. When you are driving, you are finally able to let your mind wander. And it wanders to some pretty interesting places. Depending on the conditions, driving can make you feel elated, relaxed, or even frustrated. All of these varying emotions spark a lot of revelations. While the thoughts you have while driving may have a lot of noise in them, there's definitely some insight to be found.

  
  
  Where Do You Think Best?
  
  
  Blogthings: Free Quizzes for Everyone
  
  

Road to Recovery ~ Week Two

It is Monday so where is my damned morning bun? Caffeine withdrawals are brutal. Obviously her morning routine hasn't changed...

Before I rant about the week, I would be remiss if I didn't also mention here that my cohort in crime and collaborator, Beth, has posted an absolutely wonderful first piece on a companion blog called Passages. It is gorgeous and the style has an edge to it that I really like. Like Rising Above, it will enhance and offer insight to characters that are not always in the forefront at Sessions, primarily Rayne. Please check it out. It is wonderful and Beth did a terrific job with it.

Looking back at this past week there really isn't a lot to report. More pain this week than last but I have been pushing harder than I should. I also noticed that my skin is drier than usual but I think sometimes people have odd reactions to anesthesia and so things like that can happen. I have had to enforce limits to my time online, more than I did last week. It is so easy to push for a few more minutes and then get carried away. You don't realize it until it is too late and then you pay for it.

I have done a lot of walking, a lot of thinking about loose ends while on those walks. It has been 4 months since my last update at Rising Above and 5 months since a Chameleon update. Chameleon has been written for awhile; it just needs shots. Wyatt's story has 5 paragraphs that have been written since August 23rd. I am itching to get them finished since I don't want what I wrote to become no longer relevant but I have to pace myself. So I freak out about it and mope. Poor me.

I ordered groceries online for the first time ever. I am not patient so waiting for the kids to get around to doing something doesn't always work for me. Free delivery so why not, right? And it beats giving teenage boys carte blanche with my ATM card which is a very scary thought. I can safely say I won't be doing that often. Won't say never but...I was less than thrilled. Do the personal shoppers read the notes? I ordered firm tomatoes and slightly green bananas. Perhaps my idea of firm and the personal shopper's perception of firm are based on completely different expectations. Perhaps I should have used the term hard.

Week Two Lessons Learned:

• It is very difficult to eat ice cream at the bottom of the carton without making a mess using my right hand
  
• It isn't iodine on my shoulder, it is bruising
  
• If I dangle my arm like I do when I exercise it, I can successfully apply deodorant
  
• I make a terrible passenger in a car (talk about white knuckles)
  
• By carefully tucking part of it under my arm and swinging my hips a la hula hoop I can wrap a bath towel around my body
  
• I am totally addicted to morning coffee and am having withdrawals. Thankfully I found some instant mocha cappuccino in the cupboard.
  
• Eat before medicating, medicate before exercise, nap shortly after
  
  That's pretty much it. I had a lot more to say but honestly I'm not feeling it right now. If I think of it, maybe I will add it to next week's update. I am still behind in my reading and falling further and further back. Please know I will catch up before the next millennium.
  
  Leaving you with a blogthing. I don't really part my hair; I just flip it forward and throw it back letting it fall where it wants. In case you wondered where the result came from...
  
  
  

  Your Unpredictable Part Says You're Experimental and Rebellious

  You're the type of person who likes to shake things up. It's easy for you to become bored. You like to be spontaneous. You prefer to lead a very exciting, fast moving life. You are outspoken and bold. Your opinions change frequently, and you never have any problem expressing them. Your wild ways always have people guessing, and that's fine by you. You really don't care what others think.

  
  
  What Does Your Part Say About You?
  
  
  Blogthings: Quizzes and Tests and Memes, Oh My!
  
  
  

Road to Recovery ~ Week One

At least my sim-self can sleep comfortably. I love how she sucks in her lower lip when she sleeps.

Had my first follow-up with the surgeon today. Got the stitches removed and added a new exercise to my recovery routine. Mind you, they are by no means hard to do and require little effort but should help maintain some flexibility. So I manage to rotate my arm like a pendulum, do "curls" (no weights involved) and walk my fingers forward on the desk to gently stretch my arm forward.

Then she lightened the load on my sling, it had a pad to allow some airflow under my arm but made me look and feel like a linebacker.
The surgery went well. She repaired the tear, shaved a bone spur along with some other bone for added space between the clavicle (?) and the tendon. If all goes well I should start PT in a month.

Week One Lessons Learned:

• It is nearly impossible to sleep upright on my back
  
• My kids can cook, really, really well
  
• My kids also know way too much about my drugs
  
• Daytime TV blows chunks
  
• It isn't too hard to read in bed one handed with a pile of pillows. It also helped me fall asleep
  
• Mens shirts are NOT made for women with full breasts, unless they are 'wife beaters'
  
• After 4 days I finally mastered pulling my pants up and down with one hand
  
• Having paid time off is not all it is cracked up to be when you cannot do a damn thing

And the biggest lesson learned...rest and do not push too hard

I really miss my online friends and think of you often, especially Beth who keeps me up to date and off the PC when she knows I am pushing too hard.