Thursday Things

Hello my dears! Yesterday was quit the craptastic kind of day and I am soooo glad that it is finally Thursday! Thursdays are usually really good days in the office - plus they always consist of fun things for me in my personal life. :o) Even though I have to work tomorrow (ick) it will be all good because it is finally the weekend! So let's get to this shall we? I have lots of fun things to tell you!

• Like I mentioned earlier yesterday was a really awful day. I came home from work and instead of getting myself to the gym like I should have - I took a 1.5 hour nap. That was WONDERFUL. 

• My Halloween costume consists of me using my superhero costume from my birthday. However, since going to the temple it's a little short for every day wear and seeing as how I want to wear out in public....yeah I added a purple ruffle to the bottom. It's 90% done and looks AWESOME.

• Speaking of Halloween....I have SO MANY different things going on TOMORROW alone! I have to choose and decide what I am going to go to, but I just feel cool that I have so many options.

• Tonight I'm dressing up for ballet class AND for Blue Tango's Halloween Bash. :o) I'm excited to dance in my costume. It's going to be GRAND!

• Last night I played volleyball and Monkey Man did show up. I got teased endlessly by several ward members but it was all good. We left at the same time and were able to talk for a little bit in the parking lot. He's a sweetheart and while nothing is "official" we did talk about how fast we want this relationship to go - and we're both on the same page with wanting it to not fly out of control. I feel good about things and I don't think I'll be going out with anyone else for a little bit... :o) I did get a couple of kisses goodnight. I forgot how nice it is to kiss someone goodnight. 

• Seriously, I slept VERY well last night and I am attributing about 50% of that nice sleepingness to the good night kisses I received before going to bed. ;)

• We don't have any set plans for the weekend....but I know he's not about to back down, I'm just not going to see him every day at this point. And like I mentioned to him - that's what I am trying to work on. See....when SwingKid and I broke up we had been dating for 2.5 years. We were at the point where I did see him every day, talked to him throughout the day and went through withdrawals when those things didn't happen. So I have forgotten how to gradually get to that point. I told that to Monkey Man last night and to be patient with me. I'm trying really hard not to get too crazy and to keep doing all the fun things I've been doing without a boyfriend and once we decide to get a little more serious then I'll see him more often and we'll incorporate each other more into our lives. Until then though....I'm NOT going to freak out and I'm going to continue to enjoy my life with a little added bonus of someone that I'm dating. ;)

• We have Stake Conference this weekend and I just love Stake Conference. It is always SO GOOD. I'm looking forward to not having any extra meetings as well. :o) 

• I am feeling really good about today. It is going to rock. Hard Core.

• I'm running in this 5k on Saturday with SwingKid. I'm hoping my time is better than the last 5k I ran unknowingly on a torn ACL. :o)

• The work day started with me finishing putting out a fire that was discovered yesterday while listening to Journey's Don't Stop Believin'. Nothing can go wrong when that is the first song on your Pandora station.

• My hair looks cute today. The end.

• I'm wearing a comfy sweater today - see....nothing is going to be awful about today! I KNOW IT!

• Pretty much, life is much better today compared to yesterday and I'm a happier camper for it. here's hoping everything continues to go swimmingly.

Have a great day everyone!  :o) I know I will!!!

Tender Mercy Tuesday - 8th Edition

Here we are, another Tuesday. I can't believe how quickly time has passed since I started this meme. Week 8 guys! Seriously?! time flies.

Anyways. Tender Mercies for the past week:

• I had a couple of awesome spiritual experiences this week. I love those. They help strengthen both my testimony and my resolve. It definitely helps one get over some humps.
• After a not so pleasant evening one day last week I had a friend call me who I hadn't talked to in almost 2 months. It was a wonderful conversation and the things we talked about reminded me why I didn't need to be sad.
• Per yesterday's post - being able to talk to SwingKid and get over that initial post-break up conversation was SO good. I know it is going to take time to just be friends, but I do believe it is possible. 
• I was cleaning up some files on my computer and I discovered a list I made a long time ago of 100 things that I like. I did some tweaking to update it a little bit and then created a Wordle. click on the image below to see 100 things I like!

• Although my knee has been bothering me a little bit the past few days it hasn't hindered my ability to get anything done. :o) Thank goodness!

Anyways, I love doing these posts because they definitely help me remember all the good things happening in my life. There is SO MUCH good!  Anything good happening in your life you'd like to share?

2010: The Recap

For the past few years I have done a recap of my year and the highlights of said year (2007, 2008, 2009).  This year I don't feel like putting as much work into a recap (much like last year). Mostly because reliving my past year will bring up some sad feelings in my heart and I'm not wanting to do that to myself.  SO! Instead I've decided to give you my favorite post from each month. I do like looking over the past and seeing what I've accomplished. So here you go...a recap of Alishka Babushka and her life.....

January

The best part of January (that month always seems to suck, ya know?) was the fact that I hit my 3-month mark in ACL recovery. Awesome-sauce.

February

impending doom is never a fun thing, but it does lead to some fun conversations with on-line friends. it also leads to fun blog posts.

March

March was kind of a crazy month and some interesting things happened. I had my birthday and that rocked...but I also got a little confused (though that's no surprise to some people).

April

April was a REALLY good month. However, the best part was easily the day when I got told my knee was good as new! woo hoo!

May

May was a roller coaster month. But there was a gem of a blog post that appeared. Makes me happy.

June

June was a fairly eventful month and I had a hard time choosing a post that was my favorite. I really liked the month of June.  However, I forgot that I read one of my favorite reads of 2010 in the month of June. I shared a review of this book with you in conjunction with my Day Zero goals. Go take a looksee!

July

July was a crappy month overall. I'm surprised I survived it to tell you the truth. The best post is probably the wordiest one of the month...i warn you though, it's not necessarily cohesive.

August

well...It seems my summer months were just kind of lame when it came to posting! I think I know why...but anyways. I guess the best post would be just one of mum-drum ones of the month...that's all i seemed to post! Oh well...Moving on.

September

September was a better month, although I did suffer from some nightmares....

October

October was an interesting month. I celebrated the one year anniversary of my new ACL, but I also struggled to find motivation for working out. I have since found said motivation...but it's interesting to me to see when I finally kicked it into gear. :o)

November

The beginning of the holiday rush. I happened to have a good November and was sunny, spunky, and stealthy. :o)

December

this is a hard one. Obviously, the biggest thing to happen to me happened at the very beginning of the month, but my favorite post so far has been the introductions...guess i'll just leave you with both of them. :o)

Well...there you go. A glimpse of 2010. I am already making plans for 2011. I have dreams and plans and so many other things. We'll see what all comes true...but come back tomorrow to find out my Word of the Year - aka my theme for 2011. :o) Happy New Year!

approximately one year ago...

I went to my first (of many!) Orthopedic surgeon visits.  I met my awesome doctor and found out that I had torn my ACL.  In just a few weeks my knee will celebrate it's first birthday. :o) 

Lately, my knee has been bothering me. A little popping here and there, a lot of stiffness on some days, not wanting to straighten all the way on other days. I'm not going to lie, it has had me a little concerned. However, I did a little research and it seems to be that it's most likely from scar tissue.

This morning, my alarm jolted me awake and in order to snooze it I had to get out of bed (done on purpose!). When I went to get out of bed my knee gave out and I ended up on the floor a little surprised and slightly worried....but got back into bed for my 5 more minutes of sleep.

However, this morning my knee has been the worst ever since the popping/stiffness started.  So anyone out there....is this normal? Have you had popping and lots of stiffness issues?  Also...my left eye has been twitching off and on all morning. So odd. I must just be getting old. ha ha ha.

Anyways. It's been an interesting morning, but as long as I can get through today (being Monday and all) then I figure I can get through the rest of the week. It's my 4-day work week! woo hoo!


two years ago
five years ago

{source}

Ten on Tuesday...

Just like last week, I'm stealing this from those I stalk. *loves*
1. What was your high school superlative (if you didn’t have one- what would it have been)?
I did not have one. I was not that cool. I'm not even sure what it would have been if I HAD had one. HS was so long ago that I don't really care anymore.

2. What sports did you play in high school?
Zero. I danced on a ballet company outside of high school.

3.  What was the best part about your wedding (if you’re not married yet, what are you looking forward to)?
Well. Not married yet, and I'm looking forward to the party. I love parties. Especially when they're all about me and I get lots of presents.

4. It’s your last meal– what Appetizer, Soup, Salad, Entree and Dessert would you choose?
Appetizer: I LOVE lettuce wraps. Man, I should get me some for lunch today....
Soup: Zupa's Tomato Basil
Salad: Waldorf Chicken Salad from CPK
Entrée: mmm...I want a steak cooked medium with a yummy baked potato and A-1 sauce.
Dessert: Anything with dark chocolate and raspberries - or strawberries. Yummy

5.  What song is your guilty pleasure?

currently anything by Miley Cyrus. I'm not a fan of her, but some of her songs are just so dang catchy and I love them. 
 
6.  What is your favourite professional sports team, and why do you like them?
I don't do professional sports. Only college. only football. And it's my BYU Cougars all the way.

7.  What is your favourite reality show and why do you like it?
So You Think You Can Dance. It starts up again here shortly and I am SO EXCITED!!!

8. How would you classify your home decorating style (modern, classic, French country)?
uh...I have no idea. It's homey??

9. Pizza- deep dish or thin crust? White sauce or red sauce? What toppings?
Regular crust - I like not thick on the bottom, but thick at the ends - like breadsticks! Red sauce (light) and then I LOVE a supreme pizza. I also love a canadian bacon pineapple.

10.  Favourite weekend getaway within a two hour driving radius?
hmmm...I've never "gotten away" within a two-hr driving radius. Probably Park City. I guess.

ALSO! It's Chilly's b-day today. I love her. Go wish her happy birthday. she loves new internet friends. :o)

ALSO 2.0! I took a ballet class last night. It was not one that I teach in any way, shape or form. It was also the first ballet class I took since I tore my ACL. (since before I found OUT I had torn my ACL). It was very scary and yet wonderful all at the same time. My fears are all in my head, my knee performs wonderfully (although not 100% yet) but my brain is still scared of hurting it again. All my current nightmares are of me re-injuring my knee. All in all, it was a great night and I was very happy to  be taking class. Not all of my muscles are happy with me today though. :o) I'm just a wee bit sore.


one year ago
two years ago
three years ago

a post ACL surgery update

Since I passed my 3-month mark post-op this last weekend, I thought it might be high time to give the blogging world a more comprehensive update on my right knee.

As you might know, I had ACL reconstruction surgery on my right knee.  I was told that it would be 3 months until I could run, and 6 until I could dance. I probably could have started running earlier, but I obeyed the doctor (much to the dismay of my phsyical therapist! he's all for pushing me REALLY hard). On the 14th of January I got the clearance to start running and being more active - being VERY CAREFUL with dancing. Still have to talk to the physical therapist about this (i've been too sick to go....) but I did go blues swing dancing last Thursday.

Well, last night I unfroze my Gold's Gym account and jumped on a treadmill. I ran about 1.60 miles in about 25 minutes at a very steady pace. I felt very good about myself at the end of the run and tried to stretch generously.  This morning my butt was a little sore and my legs ache a little bit, but I feel great. I am so glad I get to be more active again. I'm rather excited to get myself back into some really good shape and I'm hoping to run a 5k this summer. :o)

2009 in Review

so the past couple of years I've gone through a month-by-month review of my entire year. I don't feel like doing that today. So I stole this little jewel from a blog I enjoy, Ramblings and Randomness to do instead. I hope you're okay with that, because it's what you're getting.

What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before?

Graduated. Bought a car. Got a full-time job.

Did you keep your new years' resolutions?

I don't remember making any. so YES!

What are some of your resolutions for 2010?
I have one. To make a meal plan for each month and stick to it.

Did anyone close to you give birth?
um. not really.

Did anyone close to you die?
nope.

What countries did you visit?
Zero.

What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
a disneyland vacation.

What date from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
oh man, there are many. the  day I graduated from BYU, the day I signed the papers for my new car, the day I found out I tore my ACL, the day I had surgery, flying to VA. too many dates to remember if you ask me.

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Graduating from BYU

What was your biggest failure?
i can't think of one at the moment.

Did you suffer illness or injury?
torn ACL. not fun people. not fun at all.

What was the best thing you bought?

my car. my iPod. my new camera. Christmas presents.

Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
um. no one in particular.

Where did most of your money go?
car payments. school. surgery.

What did you get really, really, really excited about?
MY NEW CAR. GRADUATION.

What song will always remind you of 2009?
um. the good ones.

Compared to this time last year, are you: much happier, richer, nicer?
happier - for the most part, yes. richer - yes. i actually have money in savings. yay. nicer - i could only hope.

What do you wish you'd done more of?

dancing. running. vacationing. traveling.

What do you wish you'd done less of?

rehab.

How did you spend Christmas?

with the fam in VA. see  below for recaps

Did you fall in love in 2009?

Every. Single. Day. ;)

What was your favorite TV program?

Big Bang. Castle.

What was the best book you read this year?

oh my goodness. I read SO MANY books after graduation. I have too many favorites. TOO MANY.

What did you want and get?

a new car. happiness. a diploma. an iPod. a new camera

What were your favorite films of this year?

Star Trek. Up. Avatar. Harry Potter #6. My Sister's Keeper.

What were your least favorite films of this year?

Drag Me to Hell. ugh. hated it. for the most part.

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

let's see. I turned 23. My ballet girls "kidnapped" me and we had breakfast and cake. SwingKid and my roommates took me minature golfing and then SwingKid and I went to Tuchanos. Yummy.

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
um. not having ACL surgery. That would have made it 10x better

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
find shirts that make me look skinny. also accept the fact that i look great in skinny jeans and then wear them.

What kept you sane?

SwingKid. always.

Who did you miss?

My family and some past roommates.

Who was the best new person (people) you met?

oh man. Probably the people at my current place of work. THEY ROCK!

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.

Don't skip dinner. It will make me ornery.

What are you most excited for in 2010?

Possibly, Disneyland, Disneyworld or England. Haven't decided/figured out which one of those will work. :o)

What are you least excited for in 2010?

You know what, I have no freakin' idea. There isn't anything that I can think of to hate on right now.

Black Friday

I am not going shopping today, I refuse to go out and deal with the scores of people doing crazy things (plus i wanted to sleep in. :o) )

I hope all y'all had a fabulous Thanksgiving. Here's today's Friday Fill-ins!

1. Wait! Wait, don't forget the real reason for the season.

2. Breakfast this morning will be followed at once by lunch, so much so that it will be Brunch!

3. The trouble is my knee is bothering me and i'm not a fan.


4. My family celebrated Thanksgiving many miles away.


5. With a faint pop I tore my ACL sometime this summer.


6. SwingKid's hints about my Christmas present have been shadowy and ominous.


7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to decorating the apt for Christmas, tomorrow my plans include the Holy War and eating turkey! and Sunday, I want to enjoy the last day of my 4-day weekend before heading back to work!

The Day After

So...the surgery went well.

My gown was actually pretty covering AND guess how cool it was? It had this place for a tube to insert into my gown to keep me warm or cool or whatever I needed at the time. :o) THAT was one of the best parts.

I don't even remember them putting me under. That was good. the first iv did hit a nerve and that wasn't fun at all, but the second iv went in great and was pretty fabulous.  I guess I went under about 7:20 and was out of surgery at about 8:40 or so, but because I was so tired and because they gave me some Benadryl for my cold I slept until 10 am or so. When I came out of it, I couldn't believe how sunny it was! (it was SO SO SO dark yesterday morning.) I wasn't feeling anything on the top of the knee thanks to the fabulous femoral nerve block they gave me. I did however feel pain in my hamstring on the back of the knee. They gave me some morhpine and then they took me back to post-op and then SwingKid appeared. How i love that boy. sigh.

my nurse was a very nice, funny man. I don't remember his name. I want to say George. But I'm not sure. Let's pretend his name is George. George was nice. He gave me more drugs and at one point he asked how I was feeling and I told him I was feeling very woozy. Woozy was my favorite word. I think it's because it was fun to say. Woozy. just let it roll off your tongue.... he he he

Then George made me get up (after me getting some cookies and apple juice. followed by cranberry juice. yummy) I didn't want to get up, but at the same time i had to pee so Truit followed me with the wheelchair in case i fell over, George held a belt around my waist, and SwingKid was on my left cheering me on carrying something and I was on crutches. It was like a little entourage. I made it to the bathroom and back again but at that point i was SO SO tired. I slept for a little bit and I think SwingKid studied. But then George the murse (man-nurse) made me get up and walk a lot more. THAT was not happy. In fact I'm pretty sure I told him No way. Ha, but he was full of good humor and put up with me. We walked a much further distance where I used another bathroom w/the aide of Truit (i love that girl SO SO much) and then back again. Then I got to put real clothes on (definitely an adventure) and eventually i got to be released and then they put me in a wheelchair and i got to go on a little ride to the car and then it was off to Costco to get drugs. I did throw up once in the parking lot of Costco (sorry costco people) and after drugs were procured we drove to my apartment. And Let me tell you, getting up the 18 stairs to my apartment was an extreme adventure. I would hop up them on one foot heavily leaning on both banisters. I would hop 3 or so, stop and breathe and then hop up some more steps. It was quite the adventure. :o)

Yesterday i slept a TON and read a little. Lots of sleeping. I eventually went to bed and slept all night, waking up every 4 hours to take happy drugs. They make sleep nicely, although i've done a pretty good job of ignoring the tired part of them here during the day. or something.

anywho....i'm pretty sure my favorite part of this whole thing is the fact that 1) everyone wants to take care of me and i get a TON of attention. 2) FLOWERS! My family sent me pretty flowers. a TON of gerbera daisies. I love them they make me happy. 3) yesterday, my favorite thing was the morphine they gave me. That was super happy.

And now! pictures of my awesome knee.

This is my torn ACL. I'm not sure what angle this is at exactly, but all I know is that the doctor said this was torn completely through. FUN!

I'm pretty sure this is the torn meniscus? or it's the torn ACL? I'm really not positive. lol

This is my new ACL!! Yay!! I'm hoping it works better than the new one.

So, if you're still reading this, then you're a trooper. It's been quite the long post. I hope you have enjoyed my recap of "Knee Day." I can't think of anything else to say and I'm sure I've said way too much already. ;)  Anyways. If you have any questions, pop them into the comments and I'll answer them when I feel like it. Because I can. Catch y'all later!!

and the verdict is!!

I went to the Orthopedic Surgeon today. He's very nice. I like him. Which is good, because we're going to become GREAT friends....

I have significantly torn my right ACL. Meaning, it's 50% or more torn through. He thinks that of the two clumps that make up the ACL I have torn the first one clean through, possibly the second. We opted not to do an MRI because it costs $1,000 and he knows I've torn the ACL. :P So....

...Surgery is 3 weeks from today.

I am nervous. I have NEVER had surgery, NEVER been under ANY kind of general anesthesia (yes, even for wisdome teeth...i had other drugs) and have never REALLY been to a hospital since I was born.

The GOOD news is, I have an awesome boyfriend who came with me, held my hand, told me it would be okay and then took me to Great Harvest for lunch. How I love him....

Now what to do before I become immobile in 3 weeks??