Rooster Juice

I have been having knee problems for the past few months. Actually, I have always felt like my knees just weren't quite right, but I never really had pain ... just weird popping. So, I started having some pain last spring after working out at the gym. After a few visits to orthopedic physicians, a round of physical therapy, and some x-rays, it has been determined that I have patellofemoral pain sydrome. That's just a fancy way of saying that my kneecap doesn't stay where it's supposed to. I have developed arthritis under my left kneecap and it is causing mobility, discomfort, and swelling problems.

I have always felt that if one saw a list of my hobbies, they could assume that I am elderly. Now, with arthritis, I apparently have the health problems to go along with this :) I also had shingles when I was in grad school. How many in the under 30's age group can boast such a medical history?

So, today, a new orthopedic doctor took a look at everything and determined that I will likely need surgery at some point to get my kneecaps to stay in the right place. We discussed the fact that I have been conservative in managing this problem since it started up. So, to continue down that path for the time being, he offered to give me a shot of rooster comb to treat the arthritic symptoms, then get me fitted for a brace. Um, ok, I have heard of a brace before and that sounds good. But I also heard you say something about a rooster?? I must've misheard. Nope. That's right folks, there is a shot made from rooster comb - the weird thing on top of the head - and it is currently in my knee. Wowza.

I got a return appointment scheduled for next month and I just need to call if I wake up early tomorrow morning crowing :)

David is a painter :)

We got photoshop elements so that we could become photography editing geniuses on a budget. I got frustrated early on with this program because I didn't know what any of the little buttons meant and it was difficult to find tutorials. I learned some things about the "real" photoshop and then got frustrated that I could not do them with my very-nice-and-much-cheaper version. After I spent 3 hours on a Saturday morning with 2 photos in need of help, I judged them to actually look worse. So, my friendship with little ol' elements ended.

I am glad to report that David does not accept defeat in this way. His computer nerdiness prevailed. I'm not sure how he does it, but he periodically calls me in to the study to teach me all of the tricks and show off the coolness of our new and improved pictures.

Just the other day, he became a painter:



This was formerly a picture we took while hiking at Monte Sano. Now it is a digital painting. Michelangelo would blush :)

Rain Days

I am enjoying the end of a long weekend due to my office closing at noon on Friday. This was supposed to be in preparation for ice everywhere. Thankfully, I already had a 3 day supply of bread and milk, so I did not have to make the dreaded "snow/ice alert" trip to the grocery store. It turns out that this was the 2nd time in January that I got some time off for rain and wind. I know a lot of people just north of us got some lovely snow. I was perfectly happy to just see a little rain. I'll be alright if it doesn't snow in Alabama for another 20 years. I saw enough to last a lifetime in just one winter 'up north,' as they say.

I left church today with lofty plans to visit Target and possibly the gym. As it turned out, after David and I left his niece's fabulous birthday party, we entered into a vegetative state on the couch. Gotta love that Netflix features The Office reruns. I am always in the mood to watch Michael Scott declare bankruptcy :)