Tag Archives: torn Meniscus

A Couple of Things…

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Dad Syd and meSyd and Robby1. Sydney’s visit was short but fun.  She got to visit with friends and spend time with family and pets left behind here in Ventura.  I hated to see her leave but so grateful for the time we spent together doing last minute shopping, baking and catching up with one another.

Her first night in town, Sydney spent it with a good friend who wined and dined her.  They looked so freakin’ cute.  They pretended like they were going to prom which she never had the chance to attend since she didn’t attend a public high school. Too cute!  Before you get too excited, he’s just a friend.  Sydney has a boyfriend waiting for her in Oregon.

As a Christmas tradition started several years ago, we took in a movie together on Christmas afternoon.  We saw Into the Woods.  I thought it was cute, but then I like musicals.

christmas_2015_005Syd Rose once again took the opportunity to attempt to bond with Molly.  You got to hand it to her for her persistence, but the cat is not only mean and anti-social, she’s so fat!  I can’t get my roommate to quit feeding her!

Sydney returned to Oregon on Friday, the day after Christmas and I have to say Friday evening rush hour traffic out of LAX wasn’t so bad! I even got home to text her before her flight took off!

Looking forward to the next time I see her beautiful face which I fear will be after she turns 21 in June this year.

2. Well as far as my knee rehab goes, I’ll be honest, it’s been a tad tough.  First there was the pain of the torn meniscus, then the short-term pain from the surgery.  I was feeling pretty good, pretty great actually, until I started physical therapy.  Now it’s a whole new type of pain!  I’m being a good girl and enduring and getting in those special exercises in between appointments, but man on man!  The whole surrounding area really hurts and gets stiff overnight!

I’ve been doing some brisk walking and bike riding, so I thought I’d go out to shoot some hoops.  Nothing major, just stand close enough to hoop to stretch out my arms.  My  REALLY old basketball needed to be pumped up after two months of neglect.  First the needle broke and then the ball went completely flat, and that was that. The next day I bought a brand new ball and took it up to my favorite court behind City Hall.  Damn I miss shooting!

basketball-mom3.  Speaking of basketball, I saw this and thought, “Yeah!  That’s me!!” Then it occurred to me it’s about moms with kids who play basketball.

4. At what point during a text do you give up and delete and just make a freakin’ phone call?

5. Speaking of which, I heard there might be an app soon for recalling a text.  Didn’t there use to be one on Microsoft Outlook for emails?  What a great idea.  I don’t think I’d use it much for having second thoughts about having written something.  I think I would use it once I noticed I made a faux pas.

My funniest faux pas in a text message?  I was texting my boss and I asked him to pick me up on our way to a breakfast meeting.  Unfortunately I texted, “Will you lick me up?”

True story.

10342889_10152577651433581_1673275093986553011_n6. I came across a brilliant Facebook page when I saw a friend “like” one of their posts; they’re called Team Growing Bolder.
I love their outlook and look forward to their future posts.  I invite you to check them out too:  https://www.facebook.com/GrowingBolder

7. I had a dream that Kim Jong-un and the president of Sony Pictures were actually in cahoots over getting tons of free publicity for the movie “The Interview.”  Jong-un was given a cut of the profits based on number of tickets sold, the US was given another enemy to hate diverting attention from the Isis and idiot police, and Franco and Rogan gained another ten minutes of fame…

Then I woke up.   But I ask you, is it that far-fetched of an idea?  All that free publicity?

I guess it is far-fetched as Sony spent so much money (allegedly) on cleaning up their security breach done by the hackers.

8. Have I ever mentioned that I’m a spicy mama?  I love hot food and hot sauces!!

9. I can’t believe how long it’s been since my last post.  I’ve been busy, but I’ve also been just taking care of the body and resting.  I’ve been cooking more and reading recipes and trying them out. I’ve watch a few movies on my Kindle Fire and looking at the possibility of making living quarter changes.  I’m certainly looking forward to taking on 2015.

10. I won’t be sharing a favorite quote this time, but rather presenting my own: “May the New Year be an opportunity for you to realize you are responsible, you are good, you can make life great.  Begin!” – Pam Baumgardner

Thanks for your time!

 

A Couple of Things…

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stiches1. My surgery was pretty much a complete success.  I say “pretty much” because I’m a little disappointed on my prognosis.  Okay, I don’t want to sound ungrateful, so on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being thoroughly disappointed, I’m a “1”. The doctor fixed my knee, he repaired a torn cartilage and Mencius tear and cleaned up some arthritis.  I was on crutches and pain meds that day and a little the next.  The out-patient procedure was Friday; I was back to work on Monday.  Stitches removed on Wednesday.  I start physical therapy to strengthen my left knee next week.

The problem?  It’s been recommended that I give up running/jogging due to the arthritis.  I was looking forward to my first 5K in 2015.  Yeah, I know it was just a recommendation, but I’m leaning towards swimming, biking, brisk walking and some hoops from time to time might have to be enough; but I can’t help but think, my knees had never given me trouble before the injury.  I never noticed I had arthritis.

I am completely thankful I’m no longer in pain.  I had just been so proud that I had pushed myself out of my comfort zone and started exercising four years ago.  I turned off that little voice trying to talk me out of pushing my body.  My first time sweating due to exercise was four years ago while running; now I totally consider sweating a badge of honor!  I had never run before; I had never pushed my body. Oh well, I’m healthy, I’m active, I have other exercise options.  Glass half full, right?  And…it was a recommendation.  One 5K couldn’t hurt, right? companyBy the way, the two days I was on the couch, I had lots of comfort from my furry friends.  I knew I could count on Sammy to keep me company, but I was quite surprised that Molly felt the need to keep close. So sweet!  And the two actually did their best to tolerate each other.

2. Sydney Rose will be home for Christmas.  She comes in on Tuesday but has dinner plans in LA so she won’t be around that night.  She’ll be home Christmas Eve and Christmas and back on a plane to Oregon Friday evening.  Short visit, but so worth it! I sent her the picture of the stitches on my knee which grossed her out…but she did say she was going to show her boyfriend the photo.  Confidence is high my knee will look pretty much normal by the time I see her in a week.

Charlie-Brown3. One evening recently “A Charlie Brown Christmas” came on the TV  while I was working on websites.  I had seen it every year growing up, it was a tradition in my family; but now I fear times have changed and this cartoon special doesn’t hold up.  Those kids were just plain mean; they actually bullied Charlie Brown.  That Lucy was a bitch! And even though the kids had a change of heart at the end, I couldn’t imagine that comic strip special would get released nowadays.  Even Snoopy turned on Charlie Brown!  Damn!!

Santa4. Another thing I like about City Hall is the annual chance to visit with Santa Claus where City employees round up their kids who get to visit with St. Nick. One of these days I’m going to take advantage of a photo op and sit on his lap. 😉

Oh!  And yet another thing I like about City Hall…every week us employees receive an email called “Open Line” from the City Manager’s office and it’s an update on what’s happening in the City and some updates from all the different departments.  Each one of these memos start with a “Quote of the Week”.  Last week the quote was: “Who can’t relate to the idea of leaving one chapter behind and moving on to the next?”  – Mike Shinoda

Yeah, that’s Mike Shinoda from Linkin’ Park.  I even double-checked with the City Manager’s office to see if there was another Mike Shinoda, but I was told, “Oh! He’s a member of a band called “Linkin’ Park”.  How cool is that?

5. Did I ever mention I use to do surveillance work?  Yep, my friend had a P.I.’s license (Private Investigator) and he use to hire me to keep an eye on certain people.  Trust me, this was the most boring job I ever had.  Most cases were women trying to see if they were being cheated on.  The stupidest case was a psychiatrist who wanted to see if her boyfriend was seeing other women; the kicker?  She was married.

chia-pet6. Hchia-pet-bas anyone ever received a Chia Pet for Christmas?  Do people still give those away? While searching for a picture of Chia Pet, I came across a real live chia pet.  Love this sense of humor!  Poor pup!!

7.  By the way, not only was my doctor the best, but the team at CMH outpatient facility totally took care of me.  They were cheerful, attentive, caring and professional.  I didn’t even have a mark on my arm where the IV was inserted!  I’d do it again in a heartbeat!!

8.  Now something even harder to confront.  Wish me luck, I’m about to start my Christmas shopping…any day now.

9.  No matter what religion you follow, I wish you a happy and safe holiday season.  I suspect my next post will be after Christmas.

10.  From my favorite quotes file, “”My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?” — Bob Hope Thanks for your time!!

A Couple of Things…

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Meniscus-MRI1.  The surgery is set.

  • Lung x-ray:  check
  • EKG: check
  • Blood work: check
  • Pre-op appt: check

I’m good to go.  Surgery is scheduled for tomorrow (Friday, December 12) on my right knee.  The surgeon will be fixing a torn Meniscus and taking a look at a torn ligament behind it.  He’s an good-looking older guy who explained to me what to expect as he himself had a torn Meniscus repaired years before.  He told me he wouldn’t tell me what I should or shouldn’t do after the operation which is an out-patient procedure.  I told him I was bummed because I had already arranged to have someone else shoot a show Friday night at the Ventura Theater.

Well we got to talking about music and my website.  I asked if he liked jazz (because he was older), and he said, “No.  My wife and I love punk music.”  I could have died!  I laughed and told him the show I was missing was Pennywise and The Dickies!!  We both had a good laugh how us old folks are old school punkers.  They’re going to the X show Saturday night.

In any case…wish me luck!

2. It’s too funny when a waiter or waitress brings your change when the bill is $14.95, and they give you a five dollar bill and a nickle.  More times than not, they’re going to lose that gamble. Now when it’s 24.95, that might actually work…depending on their stellar service.


3. I have a new “One of the sexiest things I’ve ever seen a man do” moments. I guess now I’m starting a new trend on my blogs.  I saw it posted YouTube.  A video of a wife surprising her man when he returned after a year of service from Afghanistan.  The troops were returned to California, but his family was in Maryland and he was not expecting to see is wife until he got back home.  but she surprised him.  His reaction was about the manliest, most loving conduct becoming a Marine I’ve ever seen. My God! I cried like a baby.


I admit I got sidetracked while searching for the marine video (it was originally posted on Facebook) by a video called Kitty kisses. Turns out I added another “one of the sexiest things I’ve ever seen a man do” to my list.  🙂

4. I have to say I think that bulldog puppies are about the cutest of puppies until I see more photos of puppies…any puppy!  They’re all so freakin’ adorable!!

5. I ran into a guy (out in the civilian world) who comes to City Hall to get permits from time to time and he gave me a really nice compliment, one I had never heard before.  He said he always thought I looked good in jeans.  I had to smile, then a short time later after further conversation he discovered and said with mild shock that I was old enough to be his mother.

Yeah, that’s right.

6. This next photo comes from my new developing file I now call, “Things that are wrong” file:
So wrong

7. I’m of the opinion that Christmas shopping shouldn’t start until the week before Christmas, probably because that’s always when I start my own.  It makes it much more exciting that way don’t you think?

8.  The only thing worse than getting hiccups until you feel drunk, is to actually be drunk and then get the hiccups.

9. I’m still waiting for my midlife crisis to hit. Of course, I may have already missed my window of opportunity. 😉

10. I’ve made a big decision regarding Facebook.  On my personal account, I’m going to delete everyone who has never liked or commented on my posts.  What’s the point of being “Friends?”  If you’re on Facebook to just promote your business or your band, then stay friends with VenturaRocks Facebook page.  Just sayin’!

11. From my favorite quotes file: “No man is a good doctor who has never been sick himself.” ~Chinese Proverb

Thanks for your time!

A Couple of Things…

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Samantha Boom Boom Baumgardner1. Look who is using her new steps!!! You can teach an old dog new tricks…with the help of bacon.  Now I can sleep through the night and Sammy can get up on the bed whenever she wants.  I had to place a towel on them so she could get some traction, otherwise she slipped when she jumped.  Thanks to all those who sent me information on steps for dogs, and a big shout out to Sergio for dropping off these steps, I owe you a burrito!

2. A torn Meniscus is the likely culprit for the pain I’ve been experiencing in my right knee. I get an MRI on Monday.  Also on a side note, Rolling Oaks Radiology has evening appointments.  How cool is that?  I don’t have to take time away from work for the MRI. My Nissan dealership on the other hand, two hours for an oil change.  Really??  They threw in a tire rotation (without asking), so I guess I still came out ahead, but it was frustrating.

2. I had a random woman commit on how much she really liked my gray hair.  I honestly didn’t know how to respond.  I’d like to think her intent was not to introvert me, but geez! By the way, I do my best to research words or phrases when I write; case in point, should I have used grey over gray?  Turns out, “gray” is only used in the United States, but “grey” is used everywhere else English is spoken. No worries about the gray, I’m feeling pretty good about myself again after finally figuring out how to change the time on my car’s clock.

3. I don’t understand how a place called “Anytime Fitness” has hours posted on their doors.

4. Have you seen that Facebook app where you can find out which holiday matches your personality?  I’m going out on a limb here and I’m guessing mine would be April Fool’s Day.

5.  All you should do is to continue to help, even when the “forces” of bad behavior dictate that you should stop.  Improving conditions for self, and your community are amongst the worthiest of endeavors in this life.

6. Did I ever mention I received my divorce documents on Christmas Eve 2004? (see previous #4)

7. I typically find that when someone says, “To make a long story short”, it’s already too late.  Sometimes I tell them as much. 😉

8. Have you tried that “seasonal” ice cream at Baskin Robbins?  It’s called “First Class Camouflage” in honor of Veteran’s Day and the flavors are – wait for it – chocolate, salty caramel and vanilla cake flavor.   They had me at salty caramel…until I actually tried it.  It just tasted like chocolate to me. I’ll stick to my Pralines and Cream.

9. While driving home recently, I spoke to a young man who was standing at the end of the 101 off ramp near my neighborhood.  He had a sign saying he was hungry.  I pulled up next to him and politely asked him why he didn’t get a job.  And he looked at me and said without any sort of apology, yet politely, “Honestly? I’m not hungry.  I’m a drug addict.”  I thanked him for not bullshitting me then I asked what drug and he said it was Heroin.  I told him when I younger and I use to do drugs the rule was always, “NEVER DO HEROIN.”  He said, “I know, I know!.” In any case, we made a connection, had a laugh, and I wished him luck on gaining sobriety.  He said, “Thank you.” I meant it.

10. I love Acronyms and I tend to use them mostly on Facebook and obviously when I text.  That being said, it defeats the purpose when you have to explain them, so here now a short tutorial.  I use these often:

  • LOL: Laughing Out Loud
  • FYI: For Your Information
  • OMG: Oh My God
  • SMH: Shaking My Head
  • TBT: Throw Back Thursday
  • BYOB or BYOW: Bring Your Own Beer or Bring Your Own Wine

These are new ones I’m considering:

  • TBH: To Be Honest
  • HMU: Hit Me Up
  • TL;DR: Too Long; Didn’t Read

or

  • TL;DL Too Long; Didn’t Listen (regarding a voicemail, which happens more than I care to admit)
  • ELI5: Explain Like I’m 5 (years old)
  • IANAD: I Am Not A Doctor (to be prefaced with “Dammit!”
  • MTFBWY: May the Force Be With You

11. There is an actual website called FlipText.org where you can enter text and they will “flip”it for you.  You can then insert it on Facebook or in a text message.  Like this: ¿sıɥʇ sı ssǝןʇuıod ʍoɥ

12. From my Favorite Quotes File, “If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.’ – Dalai Lama Thanks for listening!