Big foot

No we didn't have a sighting in the area. Commander took me to Cabela's to try on hiking boots. You should have seen the look on the clerks face in the men's department when I asked for a size 10. He glanced at the Commander, started to point to the women's department....
Commander spoke up and told him, "Yeah, she has a big foot and needs a man's boot."
"I just wanted to make sure." He sheepishly sunk away to get the shoes.

I got a nice pair of Merrell Mid-high Kangaroo/Boa hikers. Just like a kid, I've been wearing them around the house.


After our walk today, I used an old recovery technique from the training days.   ICE BATH.   I pulled the metal tank, that we had used as a brooder for the chicks, out of the garage, cleaned it out, filled it half with water and emptied the ice container into it. It wasn't as cold as they use to keep them in the training rooms, but it sure felt good. Dipped in all the way to the chest so I could get the arm and shoulder into it.  I actually had goosebumps by the time I crawled back out. 
When I was training, the ice would be floating on the water. We would switch after five minutes from a cold whirlpool to a hot whirlpool and then back again for a twenty minute cycle. Can you tell I'm enjoying the training again?

Now, if I could just find a way to write on my stories while I'm walking. I'm open for your ideas.

3 hours of walking

Commander and I complete 10.5 miles this afternoon through the streets of Leavenworth. Only had to make short stops for the feet, and water refill at a park. I'm pooped.

Ready to look for hiking boots for the walk, though. That's how good the walk was today. Will be glad when I can get my rings off my fingers, forgot to wear my lymphadema sleeve. Won't do that again.

Happy Labor Day Weekend.

We survived the first week

Schooling the boys is something I really enjoy doing. This summer, for some reason, I wasn't ready to start. I even put our start day off by a week to unwind from VBS and prep a bit more. Not like I don't prep enough from February to July.

The week started off rough with a bad teenager attitude (Herogian). That, thankfully, has turned around and he is now reading ahead during the evenings. Hawk is back to his old ways - getting a couple of subjects knocked off the night before. Then there is Terminator 12. He started off earning what he called 'Responsibility points' ( Commander must have given him a talking to while I was at work). He would let me know when he felt he had earned one of these by getting something done on time, or correctly the first time. Well, he blew a big hole in that one today. Let's just say he earned a spot at the table doing repeat copy work. I know, old habits die hard. We finished the day early enough to sit down and watch Ninja Warrior  Boot Camp together. What a fun way to relax at the end of a school day!

Commander and I have spent the last two nights walking about 5 miles each night. I'm ready to see the podiatrist for injections into the balls of my feet. There are good reviews on alcohol injections for Morton's neuroma. I'll save the cortisone shots for March if needed. I know cortisone deadens everything - I jumped six-four with cortisone, then dropped below 5'10 when the doctor wouldn't shoot it up for the third time- not a good thing during Olympic Trials. I'm hoping to find a taping method that will curtail this painful situation.

As of this week, we now have two Boy Scouts. Herogian of all people. I'm so glad. I think he'll really enjoy the camping and activities. Next week they head off for a place with a lake. He can go fishing all day long. A few weeks later they get to camp out on a train and work for a Railroading merit badge. How cool is that?

Oh, the computer is RAMmed out. Our computer geek (genius) came over at 9:00 last night to install the new drive. What awesome service!  I haven't had a blue screen of death at all today. (insert happy dance.)

walking, dining and shopping with my hubby

What a lot of fun we had today. I started with a prayer before we started.  Commander and I walked 7 + miles - no foot pain with padding taped to the bottom of my feet. Cleaned up and went out to a local Mexican restaurant - where I can eat gluten free. Then did a little shopping on post to get a camelback for the training and some moisture wicking socks.

Just spending time with Commander made it special. There are days where he taps me on the nose in the morning to say goodbye, then he stops by the store while I'm working to tap me on the shoulder to ask if he needs to buy anything before he continues home. Five minutes of eye contact tops for the day.  Thank you God for my wonderful partner in life.

VBS crafts have been fun

The week is almost over for VBS. It has been fun. Taking on a whole new position this year, really opened my eyes. It will be a help for when I put another program down on paper (There are two twisting around in the mind).

We started off easy with decorating large brown sacks to store the 'goods' in, and a pencil topper. The second day was a puzzle with an old cassette tape, string and two large beads. The object is to move the beades through the loops from one side to the other. Wednesday was "Faith" bracelets with pony beads and crosses. Today we worked on foam visors and colored on 'color it yourself' beach balls. We also started windchimes with the older group.

We have had the challenge of stretching the windchime supplies out from fifty to eighty, ordering more supplies on Monday to get them here by Wednesday, and cutting out foam visors to have enough for the growing number of kids. Fun challenges - God always takes care of them in neat ways. It's been fun watching it all unfold.

*****

The foot neuroma is still flaring. I did find information on the internet and was able to pad it tonight and walk with the Commander. We had to stop about three times to finish five miles. I'm soaking in ice water as I type. At one point in our walk we were overlooking the Missouri River. It was so quiet. No Cicadas. Two blocks west of there it was so loud under a tree that I put my hands over my ears. Do they like a certain kind of tree?

Looking forward to next week. Besides soccer and work. I shouldn't have to drive ANYWHERE. Commander drives us to church.

Have a great weekend.