Another Temporary Cast

Well, we went to the Dr. today. It was probably a good thing I did not take my camera, but I got to see the incisions for the first time today. They are kind of gross and much bigger and more than I thought. It definitely explains why things hurt where they do! I did not get my stitches out. Things had not healed enough yet, so better to leave them in another week. I will definitely have some hefty scars on my leg and both sides of my ankle. Jackie says that I have been sliced and diced and that is sure what it looks like. YUCK! But beware, now that I know, I will take my camera next week!! So be prepared for pictures next week!!

Anyway, I am back in a new temporary cast. This one, instead of going 3/4 of the way around my foot and ankle is only splinted in the back. So they wrapped my leg in padded guaze, then applied the plaster casting to the back of my leg and under my foot. More padded guaze, then an ace bandage. This at least allows for not so painful swelling and it is easier to ice it because it doesn't have to go through layers of plaster and guaze before it hits the ankle!! It is also much lighter and smaller. Thank goodness!

So back to the Dr. next week to hopefully have the stitches out and a regular cast put on. Of course it will still mean 4-6 weeks of being in a cast and not putting my foot down, but I knew that going in. Then it will be another 4 to 6 weeks in either a walking cast or boot, then another 4-6 weeks to transition out of the boot and hopefully walking. At least the heel is now in the proper place (not off to the side) and he could flex my foot beyond 0 degrees!!

So the big question is - What color or colors should my cast be? I can have 2 or 3 colors. I can't decide if I should be bold and colorful and clash with everything or try to be inconspicuous and subdued. I will have to go to the temple with Josh while I have a cast on, but I figure I will cover it with something white regardless. Leave a comment and tell me what you think!!

Happy Birthday Josh!!

Today is Josh's birthday. So to honor him, I am dedicating this post to him. Josh is my youngest. He also was the only one who was "planned". I had gone through a number of health problems and was not allowed to get pregnant. When I had finally been weened off of all my meds, we decided to try one last time. Alas - Josh. Unfortunately this made me question every little thing about my pregnancy and after he was born. Every time he was particularly fussy, or was sick, or bad, I would say to myself: "I asked for this"!

Great for me was that Josh really has been a great kid. He is extremely sensitive and very loyal. He is the only one who doesn't remember California. We moved to Oregon when he was just 2. He has always known his dad being around. Since Reed worked at home, Josh always came home to having his Dad around. He also benefited from his Dad being able to go on field trips with him.

Josh, being the youngest, has never been a big brother, but he has been a GREAT uncle. Norma's girls have always loved him and Jackie's boys love him too. He really looked up to his older brother and I was always grateful that Jayme was so patient with him. They have many of the same interests and love to chat!! The girls were the first to nickname him Elmer Fudd since he was bald until he was over a year old. From this it changed to "Spud"! That name has stuck and we all still call him Spud to this day!!

As Josh prepares to leave on his mission in a little over a month, the family will grow and change while he is gone. But by being the youngest he will benefit from being able to be in the temple with ALL of his siblings. What a great thing. I am looking forward to that!! Josh - we love you so much and we are very proud of all that you have become!!

Young Entrepreneurs

We believe in starting the kids young when it comes to working in the lab. Jackie's boys were thrilled to have the chance to wash test tubes and bottles for Grandpa. Keegan has become quite the entrepreneur. When he comes here, he asks Grandpa what he can do to earn money. It starts in the morning when he comes up and joins us in bed and gives Grandpa a back rub for 25 cents. Jayme was here. When he goes out to play on the swing set he finds a plastic shovel or rake and rakes leaves. Out in the lab he asks what can be done and this week he got wash test tubes and bottles. Kayden joined him on the stool and the 2 of them went to work with such intensity. They did a darn good job.

Surgery is over and now we are in the difficult recovery stage. I am not allowed to put weight on my foot for at least 6 weeks. It is a royal pain. I use either crutches or a walker (hopping). I can't get anything for myself since I need both hands to operate crutches. The swelling makes me want to keep the foot up most of the time. I am hoping that this will wear off soon. Pain is not too bad, just uncomfortable.

Somewhere in this post, Jayme left his mark. I get no mercy!

Riley Does A Blog

So I thought I would try my hand at this blogging thing, since I see my mom and dad doing it all the time. Sometimes I even have to wait for my dinner just cuz mom is on the computer reading someone's blog. Anyway, I figured you would all want to know what I do with all my time.

They say they are empty nesters, but what about me - don't I count? Come on, my life is pretty sweet. While Grandpa Jay was here, I got him trained really well. He started leaving a little bit on his plate just so I could have a taste. We got to go on walks by the riverfront and we made a couple of trips to the coast. That was sweet.

Lately, with all this spring like weather (read rain) it has made for fun mud play. Just the other day I decided that I would see what I looked like as a chocolate lab! I had sooooo much fun. Mom and dad weren't real happy with me, but it was fun. I don't understand what they were so upset about, after all Mom dyes her hair. I like going down to the creek and playing around in the stinky water. Again, my reception at home isn't too good. But oh well. It is always fun to go down and play with the nieghbors. It is a couple of cute girls. They are basset hounds and so I am much bigger than they are and I kinda like to show what a macho guy I am and bowl them over. Hey, turn about is fair play. When I was little, they used to do the same thing to me.

But here is the most exciting news of all. Mom and dad let me go for a sleep over. Megan had been down here working and when it was time for her to go home I put on my big brown eye look. You know, the one where everyone melts over you and tells you what a good dog you are? Hey they even forgot that last night I went digging and came home all muddy. They made me sleep outside in the kennel for that one. But after a bath this morning (with the cold hose no less) I turned on the charm and Megan fell for it. Mom and dad agreed and now I am spending the weekend with Jessica and Megan. My very first sleep over!! Well not really, I got to spend time with Jackie and the boys while mom and dad were gone, but this time they are home and they let me go! Woohoo!!

Thirty-two Years and Counting

Reed and I have been married for 32 years!!! I can't believe it has been that long. Of course if you could see some the wedding pictures maybe you could believe it. I have been married way longer than I was single. I have spent more time with Reed than anyone else. It is so wonderful to be married to your best friend. I remember being worried when we first got married that I would be the one to hold him back. I didn't feel worthy of him. Now, I realize how much he has lifted me! I don't have words to express what I feel for him. I am so grateful for him and for our life together. We have WONDERFUL children and the GREATEST grandkids. Life just keeps getting better and better!!

I love you, Reed!

Wordless Wednesday

Family Fun

Well, Grandpa Jay has headed for home. We sure enjoyed our time with him. We had him for a whole month. All the kids made time to come down/over when he was there, so we had lots of fun times. Grandpa has Alzheimers, so the future is uncertain, but it was a great experience to have him here with us. We certainly hope that we get that opportunity again. He has already offered the beach house if I have surgery again (very probable). Can't you see me recouping at the beach house with Grandpa as my caretaker. He is blind and has Alzheimers. Perfect combination!!! I love the offer!

Our final weekend, Jackie and her family came down. We even got Zach. I hope it was a break for him, we haven't seen much of him as he is so busy with school and scouts!

We got a 4 generation shot with Grandpa before he left. I now have one with my dad and Reed's dad!

Aunt Jaymie came for a few days before Grandpa left and of course we had to take a trip to the coast. What else do Glasmann's do? Lunch at Mo's and a walk in Depoe Bay where we watch the waves crash into the sea wall. Lots of fun!!

And then Grandpa had to have a haircut so he would look nice when we sent him home! What a good sport!

What a great visit with LOTS of memories!! We love you Grandpa Jay!!