I laid in the pool, not on my bed

Today was a WONDERFUL day. Probably one of the best I've had in a long time. My sister was off work so she took me to my friend Mara's parent's pool. It felt amazing. So good to be out of my room for the first time in 9 days (outside of the doctor's office or PT). Too bad my new swimsuit didn't come in time. I bet I'll be there several more times before this whole thing gets better. Here are pics:

day 9 of herniated disc morning shots

More urban outfitters model poses (day 3 without a shower)
bloomies on my new patio furniture
morris jumping on me
lucy jumping on me
Here are some pics of when I just woke up from a muscle-relaxer coma. I needed to let the doggies in to feed them so I grabbed my camera to capture the experience. Updates: getting up didn't hurt as bad as when I had to let the doggies out at 6:30 this morning. Probably because I brought a new ice pack with me to lay on immediately. Time I was up: 4 minutes. Later today: Pool pics!

day 8 of herniated disc picture post

Jeff had a good idea-- since I'm so bored and can't get up without wanting to punch someone that I should keep the camera by my bed and take pictures daily to put on here as photo posts of the excitements of my day.

Here are some pics of just the past hour. First is Jeff's shirt covered in Sammie hair after he petted him for five minutes, second is pics of my doggies keeping me company, and third is how I look all ratty and un-showered. Hey, I'd fit right in as a Urban Outfitters Model!

U.O. disappointment

I just got the new Urban Outfitters early Fall catalog and i was quite disappointed! Most of the time I get the catalog I know there are going to be a few things in there that are quite edgy and too grungy for me, but this time EVERYTHING in there is uber grunge. Do we really have to go back there to that sad, sad, state of ratty clothes, drab colors, and look like we haven't showered in several weeks in order to be fashionable? Here are some of the looks from the catalog:

I sort of like the long cardigan here, but don't like how it looks like she's worn it five days in a row.

Yuck! Plaid!


I like some of the boots, but check out the girl in the meshy-whatever- top. ick.


oh, and to add to this as an afterthought, I just saw on fugly that MK Olsen is looking like a shower is in order:

Mama Mia!

I don't know about you, but I am sick of hearing or seeing something about Mama Mia every time I turn on the TV or am on the Internet. That dang song gets into my head and I HATE it. Blech!

Shopping in bed

I love online shopping. Well, I'd rather go to the store, but I obviously cannot at the moment. My mom and dad gave me a present today: 100 bones to shop online for whatever I want. Wanna see what I bought???

First thing: a new swimmie. Jeff and I went to Six Flags and walked around the waterpark in our skibbies and I was horrified at the feeling of nakedness in my bikini and just wanted to cover up... quickly. I thought this was very cute and reasonable.

This bag is from Target. I've had my eye on it for several months and then saw it online today for 8 BUCKS! Score!

This rug rocks! We could use a bigger one for the sunroom for when the doggies track in muddy-ness.

One red plate from UO. I know it sounds silly, but I am going to start collecting red plates for my kitchen because i've broken most of mine... mixing and matching means I won't have to worry about replacing the whole set!

From CB2 I got those teardrop hanging vases I showed pics of in a previous post, a new bathmat (exciting I know), and this cool planter on sale. (the green striped one)

There are more things like clothes, but if I went through everything you'd get bored fast.

I'm glad this has kept me a bit sane today since my sister and amazing friends all went to KC to see Feist. I had a ticket but ended up selling it to another friend so she could go in my place. They went to church today, ate at First Watch (a GREAT brunch spot), went shopping, and then saw Feist at the Starlight. I was really sad to miss out, but had the shopping to distract me which was nice. My mom came over for most of the afternoon too which was great. We had some great conversations and she did some of my housework for me, like sweep the ridiculous amounts of grass off my sidewalk and patio from when Jeff mowed yesterday.

Anyway, So far it seems like I'm inching my way to getting better, but I'm not nearly there yet. We timed how long I was able to be up today and I topped off at 13 minutes. Pretty exciting. It hurt like hell getting back into bed after that though.

7 days disabled and counting...

Well, folks, this isn't healing fast. at all. Here are my updates in case you're interested:
1) The pain:
Its miserable. When I stand up and move around I can only do so for about 5 minutes then I have to get back in bed because my sciatica flares up and I can't walk. My left foot even goes numb. I've been going to PT every day this past week. I shower only every other day and have to get my sister or my husband to dress me.

2) PT: I love my physical therapist. She's such a fun girl (my hubbies' age) and is great to joke around with.

3) My family and friends: They've been amazing. AMAZING! I have visitors stop by every few hours to get me food and give me good conversation. I've felt so blessed by how each person I truly care about loves me and takes care of me in their own way...

which leads me to the supernatural part of this all. God is really using this to heal me mentally, which sounds sort of strange. I am felling "alive" for the first time in a long time... all I've had time to focus on is classes and homework and what needs to be done next, I've truly ignored myself, my needs, and most importantly the dependence I MUST have on God to be who he's truly made me to be. Through this experience I am having to trust Him SO MUCH (I had to drop two classes this month and probably push back my graduation date) and give up control on ALL things. I'm learning what a control freak I actually am and am having to give that up on just the simplest things like how my medication is arranged on the bed next to me. I'm seeing myself through this mirror of honesty that I haven't been able to use because of all the busy-ness and stress in my life... I am truly blessed, however funny it may sound, to be in this condition so that I can remember what its like to be dependent upon my God.

So there you have it. I for sure have not been this insightful every day while in this condition. There has been a lot of crying and pain and some depression, but I am trying to let go. Let go and let the cards fall where they may.

Oh, and PS, check out my facebook pics if you want to see some hilarity with me not being a showered, clean michelle. Its pretty funny.

New Beck Album

Just got the new Beck Album for a b-day present for my dad... he loves my sister and my's taste in music, which is lots of fun. We get him a CD and right away are able to download them.

I have each of Beck's albums and am always so impressed with each one he puts out. I loved Guero and The Information in the last couple of years... this one, Modern Guilt, seems a bit more loose, grittier, and melower, and I'm loving it so far. Its nice to have some good new music to listen to when you can't move. Here's the cover, find it at your local CD Warehouse or purchase on ITUNES. can't tell you what songs are my faves at the moment, they sort of all run together. Enjoy!

still laying flat...

Well, here I am, five days into my injury and still laying flat on my back in a lot of pain. Trying to stay positive. Trying to get out into the world through cyberspace and continue to call and talk to people. Its been a huge test of faith and my need to control everything-- I surely can't right now. Its hard to even get up to go to the bathroom. honestly, I'm starting to get depressed.

So, wanna see some cool stuff I've been looking at when I am bored and no one is around?

I got the new CB2 catalog in the mail yesterday, and although a lot of it is way modern for me, I like to so much of it! I am the type who wants to mix modern decor with old grandma-y stuff, so I thought some of it was way neat and am coveting a lot of it. I can't get some of the pics to come up on my blog, but you should check out the website and the new catalog.

These are some hanging vases I am coveting from CB2. On sale even, super cheap, but what a great idea! I think I may order a couple.





These plates I found are on sale at Pier 1. Not that I can run out and buy them or anything, but I thinking I want to start mixing and matching my dinner wear in reds and whites so these would be perfect.


I have been super into gardening this year and am really into doing anything that spruces up the yard. Isn't this little birdie house cute?


Another covet of mine: Tom's Shoes. Ever heard of them? Its an AMAIZING company with an amazing mission. I love these red polka dot shoes. Before I post the pic, I sort of have a beef with Tom's shoes, not the company, but my husband. I bought him some last year and they were too small, he NEVER returned them so I'm sure they're way beyond the point of being able to. They're still sitting in our utility room for whenever he feels up to calling them to figure it out. We'll see. But here is my fave:

Laying on your back for two days sucks

So, no exciting updates-- just pain. I went to the doctor today who put me on steriods, vicatin, valium, and some other pain meds-- I start physical therapy tomorrow. If that stuff doesn't work then I guess I'll have to drop a class and get a MRI or something. I've been in a fairly good mood today, which is good. Gave my dad some b-day presents and my parents came over and brought me a good dinner. Winnie took care of me too, even helped me shower. Going to the doctor was the worst pain I've ever experienced and hopefully will ever experience. It was excrutiating. I was crying and wincing and screaming at some points b/c of the amazing amount of pain just getting up and walking and sitting in the wheelchair. I'm fine when I'm flat on my back, not fine any other way.

Anyway, pray for me. I'd really like to be able to stand up sometime soon without crying.

disabled

So Jeff and I went to St. Louis this weekend to go to a Cubs/Cards game and catch some rides at Six Flags. Altogether it was a great little trip... nice to get away and enjoy some different things. I cant say I was entirely the best company for Jeff; however, because I was just so exhausted from these last two classes I've (almost) finished for the month of june. Its been so hellish to try to fit in 20 hours of class, 20 hours of work, 10 hours of grad assistant stuff, and on top of it all try to get all my assignments done on time and with an acceptable amount of work put into them. Its been really hard and very trying.

With that said, I have been having a hard time with my back lately. I think all the sitting I've been doing on top of bending over a lot to work on my garden has just done me in... so today I lifted a lawnmower and my back has completely given out. I can't move. I have gotten up a few times and each time the pain is excruciating. I am very very frustrated.

Anyway, i really don't have much else to say besides that... just a lot of frustration and exhaustion. Not doing so well today, folks.

BAHHHHH!!!!

OK, so today is the last day of my two June session courses-- career development and research and statistics. It has been a very hellish 4 weeks but I am almost, almost there.... reaching, reaching, reaching-- ALMOST! Then I get 5 days (FIVE DAYS PEOPLE, that's more than i got between spring and summer session courses!) off before I start two more classes for four more weeks. grrrr. I can make it. Can you tell this is a pep-talk to myself?