Got "the boot"

Well, well, well.  Gotta say that it's true - you start to fall apart at 40!  Man-o-man.  During Christmas break I had a cyst growing on top of my foot.  It didn't hurt, until it got so big that my tennis shoes bugged it while working out.  SOOO, I went to my doc and she drained the sucka dry...it was full of the thickest gell she'd ever seen and said that I'd probably have to see an Orthopedic guy to have it surgically removed.  So, after about 3 weeks, I start having some strange pain on my foot in that area - a new pea-sized cyst has grown back, but mostly INSIDE - now pressing on a nerve (in my own medical opinion) because I was feeling shooting pain to my toes as well as up my leg - as high as my thigh.  I couldn't sleep for about 4 nights because of the pain/discomfort.  Ibuprophin wouldn't touch it.  I knew I was in trouble.  So, I called and got into see an Orthopod.   I was x-rayed (both feet/ankles) and had a few revelations:
1.  Yes, there is a cyst - that needs an MRI before proceeding.
2.  Did you know you have a stress fracture in that same foot?  That could be causing much of the pain and swelling and "paralysis" of my toes.  So you need to wear a BOOT for the next few weeks and you cannot work out or hike.  (really????)
3.  Oh yeah, you've got arthritis in your feet and in both ankles. 

I was so bummed, and tired, that I went to Sarah and Joel's for the afternoon and held Jackson for about 3 hours!  That made me feel much better (of course, elevating my foot...in the boot...helped, too!)

Monday I went for the MRI - yessiree I saw the cyst monster myself!  Now I just have to wait until next Monday for my follow-up and see where we go from here.  I told them that I have to be back on the hiking trails for sure by the end of February, so we'd better get this thing rolling.  I've got about 10 hikes planned before the big 3-day 20-mile 4th year hike at the end of June...and I wouldn't mind dropping a few more pounds before then!  Just have to get over this ONE little stumbling block....

The "best" part of all this timing is...we just started a Biggest Loser contest at work, with about 20 staff members.  We're on 2 teams (I'm black team) and we weigh in each Friday.  Our percentage lost is posted by name in the lounge.  I lost only 2.2 pounds, but thought that was great considering I did NO cardio that week - only practically starved myself (not really).  This week has been worse and I almost want to be absent on Friday!  Aarrgghh!  But I think this contest will be fun - very motivational and supportive.  It's nice to work with fun people.

Procrastinating Procrastination

So, um, I'm a little (a lot) embarrassed that I have neglected my journal/blog for close to a month.  So much has happened and I've hogged it all to myself.  Not sure I can give any of my memories justice, I will give it a shot.  My resolutions are a topic for another day...that's my way of saying...if I'm still working on them next week, then they'll be something to talk about!!!

CHRISTMAS
Changing it up...yep...after over 25 years, we changed up our Christmas tradition.  Usually, everyone goes to "mom and dad's" for Christmas...driving all 6-10 miles and staying for at least 2-3 days.  Yes, we all live here, but spend Christmas Eve (or more) sleeping at and hanging out at my parent's home.  Santa has always stopped there for both the Wisers and Duncan families, and we've spent hours opening presents Christmas morning...one by one...

Jackson and Koopa

Such a cute mom!

But this year was different.  You see, our family is expanding and changing.  With Sarah and Joel having a baby (our best gift this year!) and everyone getting a little too old to sleep on blow-up mattresses and couches, and having to attend church, we decided to shake things up a bit.  We had Christmas Eve at our parent's home, enjoying baby Jackson (3 days old) for hours into the evening, then we ALL WENT HOME and slept in our own beds!  It was glorious (ADMITTAL:  I have been sneaking home after midnight on Christmas Eve to sleep in my own bed, then wake up early when they call and say people are stirring...then I drive back...it's been about 3 years now...).  Christmas morning I hosted breakfast for my parents and Steven (my brother from Portland area) and then we went to Kristi's ward for church.  They were all singing in their choir presentations.  After that, we all went out to my parents again for "Christmas" - opening of presents, snacking, and pajama pants afternoon/evening.  It was kinda wierd, but I liked it.  The Duncans opened most of their presents at home before church...sooo glad Santa could find their house for the first time!  Again, we enjoyed passing around baby Jackson all afternoon.  Good times.

2 best presents ever!

The best gift of all (besides becoming a GREAT aunt 3 days before Christmas) was the fact that my dad was here to enjoy it all - BALD head and all - he was so cute with the baby and was feeling pretty good.  It's definitely a blessing that we still have him with us, and I'm so glad he's feeling a little better with the chemo treatments.  That could have gone another way...  My dad is a walking miracle and continues to amaze us every day. 

BACK TO WORK

Work.  I went back with a newer, more positive attitude and it has definitely helped.  Hope it lasts a while!  I've gained 4 new girls in one week, so now I have 10 girls and 15 boys.  Much more balanced and nice.  Of course, where to put all of those kids in the room the size of a living room has been a challenge.  ELL testing is over, and ELL tutoring is off the ground (it takes HOURS to set that all up to my standard.)  Lesson plans and assessing loom over me every single week.  I'm just so thankful that I am working where I am, with whom I am, and couldn't have asked for more.  I have to keep that in the forefront of my mind.

NEW ASSIGNMENT
People may have gone crazy in my stake, but I've been called to be the 4th year hike specialist.  In most stakes, that wouldn't be such a daunting task, but in MY stake, it's HUGE.  I have to provide girls EIGHT pre-hike opportunities to train and condition themselves for the BIG hike in Whipple Canyon outside Pine Valley, UT.  It's about 18-20 miles over 3 days, backpacking FOR REALZ.  No porters or mules to carry the sleeping gear...just ourselves.  I am actually very excited to have something to work towards and have already been hiking both Saturdays of this new year in prep for training.  I kinda knew during and after the Peru hike that I wanted to give the 4th year hike a shot.  I get to work with some great ladies on this task and look forward to exciting the girls about hiking.  If someone who knew me as a girl that age saw me NOW, they'd fall over dead.  I used to do ANYthing to get out of hiking as a young woman.  Now, in my 30s I've learned to not only "do" it, but really enjoy it and look forward to the challenge.  I love being out in nature - especially where it's green. 

OLD AGE SETTLING IN
So, now that I'm in my 2nd month of being 40, I'm seeing some decline in my mental capacities and the arthritis is settling in.  So funny how people say that's what happens... I am such a task-oriented person now - lists and lists to check off or else I can't remember.  My hands and ankles are feeling some arthritis and it may be time to go have another rheumatoid arthritis blood test to see the progress of that lovely disease.  I'm not losing weight as fast as I'd like, and I'm not as consistent with the gym as I used to be.  I MUST get back into that habit in order to train for this summer's hiking adventures.  I'm less patient, less tolerant, etc.  Maybe it's because it's winter and I always fight the winter blues a little - I hate that it gets dark earlier - I seem to think that at 6pm, there's nothing else I can do because it's dark.  All energy, ambition, and lists are left behind.  I need light.  I need Day Light Savings Time or something!