So Much....

There has been so much going on!! My hand is doing better. It still hurts to use it too much, but at least it's not having that massive seize/cramping thing that feels like knives slicing my nerves apart.  

I have to start with some fun pictures. An old friend of mine from high school had found some pictures from her 16th birthday party - approximately 1986.  Haha!! I love that she took pictures of the pictures to get to me so the girls could see their Mama.

Mandy and Jordan kept sniping at each other during the past week. Mandy won the last laugh though when she changed Jordan's chore chart to reflect what we used to call Jordan (except with really bad spelling):

I caught Ken reading the directions on how to use the new Otterbox for the girls' iPad Mini that we bought:

And yes, we bought the girls an iPad Mini.  We have taken Behavior Modification to an entirely new level. They earn points with good behavior and doing their chores and lose points for driving us freakin' insane. Taylor was the first to win the iPad, and she has had a great time lounging around with it.

Jordan performed at the Sandia Bookfair at the Barnes and Noble. She is in the choir at school. It was difficult for me to spend the evening out especially with my hand - I really wanted to get caught up on work, but life was very busy for Ken and me.

She did very well, and she enjoyed taking the time to purchase a new book. I also made sure to pick up new books for the other two. 

The rest of the week and the weekend was very difficult for me. The procedure for using the heat pack and then the ice pack for my hand and wrist is a full hour out of my life for each time. That's three hours per day and then there's the 800 mg of Motrin and the nightly pill for the muscle relaxer. This hand issue is really taking over my life.  The typing one-handed thing is really pissing me off.  I type over 100 words per minute with two hands, and the one-handed typing has really slowed me down.  Ugh!!!

I am happy to report that the hell of work is over, however.  The State of California was back this last week and they are FINALLY happy with what it is we are doing, and not only did my department kick some ass, but the schools as a whole were finally cleared. Oh thank GOD!! We can finally relax!!

I will also report that in addition to the heat and ice packs, I also have a brace for Daytime wear and another one for Nighttime wear. I am looking totally HOT with this wrist problem!! Ken teases me, but he's glad that the pain is subsiding. I am just hoping that once I'm allowed to go back to typing that I don't go back to the same pain.

On Friday, Taylor and Mandy earned the Movie Night Out.  We went to go see Oz: The Great and Powerful at the theater at Jess Ranch.  

I have to say that the movie was better than I thought it would be.  Ken wanted to see it as well, but unfortunately, he still wasn't feeling very well, and Jordan had to stay home.  Jordan has really had a difficult time behaving lately, and she has really started talking back. Taylor and Mandy used their report card money to purchase some snacks, and we sat down to enjoy the movie. 

Mandy did not move from her seat the entire show!! This was a first!! We all loved it, and the girls are already asking to purchase it when it is released.  I hope that Ken will be able to see it in the theater as well - maybe a Date for the 2 of us.

Tonight, I tested the limits of my wrist and hand.  And I really mean I tested its limits.  I had planned to make beef and cheese manicotti and had purchased the ingredients before I was placed on Worker's Comp. Tonight, I really wanted to make the dish, but it was difficult. There is a lot of using both hands to stuff the manicotti, and it was not easy to drain the water without hurting myself. 

I think the effort was worth it though:

This week is going to be very busy as well.  I have the CAHSEE proctoring tomorrow and Wednesday as well as a follow-up visit with the W/C doctor and then I start physical therapy.  Brian arrives tomorrow for his Spring Break visit. I really hope that everything goes well while he's here.  

Everyone is disappointed we had to cancel our annual Big Bear trip for the girls' Spring Break, but I'm going to have to go through physical therapy, and there's no way around it. Ugh! Oh well. I promised the girls that once I know the schedule, I'll make arrangements for us to go to Tea during their Break.

Life is incredibly busy. I'm really happy with the life that I have, and for the people I share it with!