Chronic Pain Lifestyle

The Ski Party (Part 1)

After Colin gave me my very own by-line I suddenly dropped out of sight.  I have sent in a few "Wanda's World" articles telling a little about what happened in my world but I don't think they made much sense - not even to me.  But for a come back let's go back in time to the early 60's (yes, I'm that old).

We live in what's called the Tennessee River Valley, near a large lake between to hydro-electric dams.  This area is ideal for lots of fishing and water sports, but there is also a lot of large barge transport traffic.

The following event happened to me and my extended family during an outting on the lake.  Early one Saturday we met for a family day of fun on the lake, several speed boats for skiing, and several fishing boats to gather the goods for a fish fry.  This was to be my first day of "learning to ski" even though I wanted nothing to do with getting in the water.  I was happy just to ride and be a spotter.  But my dad and uncle dragged me into the water, pulled me out until I was supported by my life jacket, and attached the skis to my feet.  Then the "go" signal was given.

I was, and am, deathly afraid of having no ground under me, not being able to feel my feet on the firm and solid.  I was scared of what might be in the water with me; 50 lb. catfishes, snakes, etc.  I just did not want to do this.  I'd hated swimming lessons too.  No water over my head!  "Coward" of the family!  This could not be since I was the oldest of the grand children and had an example to set.  "GO"

So off down the river I went, for maybe 20 feet, feeling the whole time as if my body was being ripped apart, but afraid to let go.  I never got up on the skis, and I have been in severe back pain ever since.

A few months later the PE teacher in school made things worse, but that is for part 2.

(Written by Wanda, posted by Lee: Wanda is in rehab recovering from a broken knee:  no more skydiving)

Hold Them Close

We had another snow storm here in Wisconsin on this Valentine’s day.  It is very quiet as the snow is falling.  A few people walk their dogs by the house and Dino and Sammie run to the window, to see if it’s someone, or some dog they know.

I spent the day reading and looking at the beautiful bouquet of flowers my husband sent to me.  I had picked it out of an FTD e-mail a couple of weeks ago, I don’t know how he picked this one to send to me.  I didn’t talk to him about it.  Well I love it, the vase is red, the roses are red, the bow is red and there is baby’s breath and white carnations and ferns for contrast.  It’s so pretty.

My life is moving along as it should.  Sure, things were better a few years ago when I could work, but when I was working, I wouldn’t have appreciated the quiet days, the snow , or the smell of the roses on the table.  I have the time for appreciating the little things and the big things now.  I have time, it’s a luxury and I’m grateful for it and for all of the good people that make me happy and take care of me.

Jerry and I have been talking for weeks about how much fun we’ll have in Indiana in September.  We’re going with friends and we are both so excited.  We’re also excited about getting away for a car show in St. Paul in June.  At that show there are over 14,000 cars to look at for my husband and shuttle buses every 15 minutes to the Mall of America for me.  We’ll both be happy.

The dogs are napping quietly, well almost quietly, they snore and my feet are a little cold.  I started to read the news, I wish I hadn’t.

I do not understand what is wrong with the world.  We are in a war that I don’t understand, we have a crazy economy that no one understands and  there is another shooting,  17 kids this time it is the University of Northern Illinois at DeKalb.

Pray for the folks at the University of Illinois and pray for their families. Pray for our soldiers fighting  for and protecting all of us, throughout the world. 

And hold those you love closely and tell them you love them.

Thanks for listening.

Anne

Super Bowl Weekend For The Rest of Us

Well, it’s here.  The weekend that sees more pizza delivery than any other weekend all year long.  It’s Super Bowl weekend.

Now here in the great midwest, specifically Wisconsin, we may all be a bit subdued.  After all, our beloved Packers did not make the big game.  It’s certainly no fault of our beloved team.  Most Packer Backers, will tell you that without the Packers, the SuperBowl is just a bunch of great commercials interrupted by a mediocre sporting event.  Unless of course, the Packers make the game.  Then by God, we love the Super Bowl.

So what exactly should we watch, while the game is on, or the pre-game or the pre-pre game????

I have some suggestions.

1.  I am certifiably wedding show crazy.  I watch them all.  I look at the flowers, clothes, jewelry, cakes and compare them to weddings I’ve attended or even my own.  I love the dresses and the decorations.  I used to carry a little photo album in my purse of my own wedding.  I don’t know why my friends put up with me back then.

But there is a new kind of wedding show that I discovered last week.  It’s on TV tonight (Friday) on CMT (Country Music Television).  The show is called “My Big Redneck Wedding”.

Now most of the folks on this show are pretty normal people, but there are a few exceptions.  For example, tonight’s preview showed someone in a wedding dress participating in a mud wrestling match.  It also showed the whole wedding party, or most of them, tearing around through mud on their four-wheelers.  Good old fun.

Seriously last week, I laughed so hard I cried.  You know this stuff is good for the soul.  Plus I had no idea that there were stores that let you ride your horse into the store, or that you should take your goats put them in your car and take them to an auction, just so they wouldn’t be lonely. 

You can’t make this stuff up.  And honestly, there were some really sweet moments during the vows.  I have a feeling that these rough and tumble guys really do have a big old soft heart underneath their flannel shirts.  It’s good stuff.

2.  There is a Law & Order marathon this weekend.  Between the regular Law & Order and Law & Order Criminal Intent and Law & Order Special Victims Unit.  I watch all of them on reruns during the day on TNT and USA.  I’ve always loved crime shows, would still like to see Kojac come back and I lived for MacMillan & Wife.  My Sunday nights weren’t complete without those shows back in the 70’s.

3.  Watch QVC.  The shopping channels normally have really good stuff, jewelry and make-up on sale during the Super Bowl.  If you are a little angry that your significant other just spent a lot of money on a big screen TV, this is your way of making up for his outlandish purchase. 

It looks like HSN is going with jewelry and scrap booking for Sunday and QVC has beauty and gardening.  Not bad if you don’t mind watching a channel that is literally one long commercial.

4.  Go see a movie.  You don’t have to make the snacks, they sell them right in the lobby and since you will be sitting in the dark, no one will see you devour the big popcorn, large drink and super size candy.  I like Dots, Milk Duds and Raisenettes.  The boxes are big enough to make you feel really bad about eating that much, thank goodness you’re in the dark.  After all if no one sees you eating it, does it really count????

5.  And finally, go shopping.  If your team is in the big game, the malls and other stores will be almost empty.  For goodness sakes, do not go to the grocery store today or tomorrow, but on Sunday as soon as the kickoff goes into the air, the grocery stores will be all but deserted.  No more waiting for the person to decide which can of tuna is the best, cheapest, environmentally ok, etc.  Even if you get stuck shopping behind someone who is walking like they’ve never shopped before, the lines at the checkout are sure to be short.

Have a great weekend and good luck to both of the teams in the Super Bowl.  And to you Packer fans, maybe next year.

Thanks for listening.

Anne