Camp Update!

Hello?  Hello? Is anybody out there?

(Monday night I risked my camera's life to get some great shots from the canoe--more to come!)

We are here!  We are here in the beautiful Berkshire Mountains and we have been living the camp life for the last three weeks!  It has NOT been easy for this California girl to adjust, but I think I've made it.  First thing to note about living in New England--it rains A LOT, and preceding any rain storm is unbearable humidity that stays overnight into the next day.  I had to purchase rain jackets for both James and myself the second day we were here because when it rains it POURS (we weren't prepared), and I don't say that lightly.  I don't think we've ever experienced this much rain, or rain that falls this hard!  Like, each rain drop is the size of a golf ball, not like the measly rain drops we get in SoCal.

(Our backyard!)

(This is actually the cabin that we are living in, nestled in the woods, right on the lake.  Our bedroom is up on the top!)

But aside from the few rainy spurts we've had, it has been exceptionally beautiful here.  Everything is SO green and alive; it's gorgeous.  We have 20 acres of Lake in my "backyard" view and every morning there is an amazing landscape reflection on the calm water (before the wind picks up); I've tried to capture it on camera but even pictures don't do it justice..

(A shot from last night's yoga session--one of the more relaxing perks of pre-camp orientation)

I've been living/working in the office, helping with any and all administrative and design tasks that need to get done before campers arrive on Sunday, while James has been busy driving all around the state of Massachusetts (and Connecticut and New York!) to get all of our errands and pick-ups completed.  I've recently begun my transition from office work to photographer and all I will say is that I couldn't be more excited to be out of the office and onto my passion, so to speak.. And how lucky are we?!  My dad noted in an email that we have got to be some of the luckiest people around, to be spending our summer and earning our income living in such a nice place, taking hiking and swimming breaks along with doing what we love (in my case, photography).  And he's right!  It has been quite the change of scenery, but I'll take it.  Living in East Otis, the nearest town is about 30-45 minutes away (Target, groceries, airport, etc.) and I haven't had Starbucks in over three weeks!  (Or any lattes, for that matter.)  But don't worry, I'm going to Starbucks on my day off this Saturday and I plan to drink at LEAST a few cups.

So now we're down to the wire; Mia Hamm arrives in 2 days and everyone is in a flurry trying to get everything beautified and squared away in time.  Tensions are running high and coffee is running low.  But there is an exciting buzz in the air and everyone's gearing up!  I have to say, it's QUITE the privilege to know that I will be their exclusive photographer, and will be hanging out with them, speaking with them, eating with them, etc. at all times! :D  (Can you tell I'm a little starstruck??)  My new lenses just arrived in the mail today and I'm about to have a small heart attack over the excitement of it all.  Dreams are coming true here, people!

(Biceps, here I come!)

The internet usage here is quite limited, along with cell phone reception, so I can't promise many more updates like this, but stay tuned just in case!

Miss you all! (You know who you are!)

I haven't even worn makeup for the last 5 weeks!

Viewer discretion advised?

I think most everyone knows by now that a month ago I had hip surgery to reshape the inside of my right hip socket due to hip impingement.  It's a big word that means my femur bone had a sharp spur that was cutting up the labrum (soft tissue) inside my socket, causing much pain and grinding, and it would only get worse with age.  So with only two weeks notice I decided to nip it in the bud and just take care of it while I was able to.

Before surgery, all smiles!

Except for IV's. I hate IV's.

The procedure; they go in two separate places in order to get into my socket with a scalpel and a camera.

The damage; said holes and my beautiful new scars I'm rocking for the rest of my life...

Sewing up the labrum inside of my socket

 

And to finish, they shaved down the head of my femur bone.

The surgery went well with only a few complications and 14 hours later I was headed home to San Diego for rehabilitation at home with my mom and dad.  It was the nicest week and a half that I've had in a while, as I was able to catch up on many missed family dinners and conversations, and to be completely honest it was nice to just be a lazy bum for a while; I found this new contraption called Netflix, ever heard of it?

My hunny would come down and visit me in San Diego every once in a while...

Five days after my surgery I had the misfortune of experiencing dyspnea which meant that I stopped breathing, along with turning blue and numb, my mom called 911, and I got to feel what it's like to hear ambulance sirens and know they are coming to save your life.  It was a very strange feeling, not being able to pull any air into my lungs, but all I could think is, "this can't be how I go."  And it wasn't; the paramedics were there in minutes and after another trip to the hospital, a few cat scans and blood tests later (and negative), I was able to go home and bum around some more.

I also hate narcotic painkillers. They make me scratch my face to death.

The following Saturday I returned to Long Beach and since then have become a professional couch potato.  On doctors orders I have to elevate my leg for 18-20 hours a day (basically the whole day) with my trusty ice pack and lots of snacks. I  shamefully admit I have become a Netflix addict and have breezed through 2 or 3 shows.  Confession: I'm totally addicted to Pretty Little Liars and I can't wait for its return in June!  Oh, how will I survive without cable?!

#teamspoby

Today I got to go to my first physical therapy appointment (better late than never, eh?) and I will just say it was no walk in the park.  I was somewhat scolded for transitioning from crutches to cane a little too hastily, and was also reminded of the fact that I had no simple surgery, but that my condition is very serious and I need to "respect" my hip more than I am.  I got stretched out in every direction and tonight I am S-O-R-E.   But I think just like anything, in order to overcome I need to go through a little bit of pain, so that I can eventually be strengthened and pain-free.

Day 7, my first date getting up and around. Little victories.

In my last five years of schooling at CSULB I have driven past this sign nearly every day, so how ironic that I am now patronizing their business.

I would be lying if I said I'm living it up, enjoying being pampered and taken care of while laying in bed all day with nothing to do.  I'm actually going stir crazy.  Most of my days I wake up and read, or someone comes to visit, or someone is kind enough to take me out on the town, crutches, ice pack and all.  James and I even ventured out to IKEA and have now been assembling a few new pieces of furniture. It's kind of cool to receive "special" handicap treatment, getting close parking and getting to ride all of those motor carts at the stores. ;)

I never thought I'd see the day where I would want to be at work more than I want to be at home in bed ...oh wait I still don't see it that way, :P But believe me, I am ready to get back to my routines.  I miss my leg.  I miss being able to sleep on my side or my stomach, I miss being able to drive and to hurry up and down the apartment stairs.  I miss being able to take long showers without the need for a shower chair, and as much as I look cool with my cane, I really miss being able to walk around all day without wincing and having my knee swell up.  

My view, all day, every day.

It hasn't all been in vain, however.  I am feeling relief from the grinding pain I was having before surgery, which is actually quite pleasant.  I'm also enjoying this as time to reflect and do some deep thinking and meditation (I'm not burning incense or anything, but implementing Psalm 1:1-3).  I really appreciate the friends and family that have stopped by to bring a meal, or spend an hour or two entertaining me and making me laugh.  I have even enjoyed the more holistic and simplified lifestyle I seem to have stumbled into this past month.  I feel like a hippy, not wearing makeup, or a bra, or doing anything with my hair more than throwing it in a loose ponytail.  I only eat what I can scrounge up from around the fridge and pantry (I can't even check our mailbox, let alone drive to the store) so I've actually found we had a nice collection of veggies stashed away in our crisper.  And I haven't had Starbucks in so long! I've resorted to all kinds of teas, but mainly a consistent intake of beautiful h20.  

 

Our super low-key Newlywed Easter.

So it's been quite the journey, and it's not over yet, but I'm excited to continue with therapy and to grow stronger every day.  I really hate this asymmetrical leg muscle thing I have going on, so if for no reason other than the fact that it's almost sHoRtS season, I will be sure my leg gets back on track ;)

Oh and I can't forget my number 1 fan, who was kind enough to sit on my hip the day after my surgery, just to remind me how much she loves me...

#vinepost

We like it here under our rock.

This year has been quite different for me, in regards to years before and especially any other election year.  James and I don't have a working TV let alone cable, so we haven't seen a wink of the debates, or any other political or national news for that matter.  I don't watch any of the TV shows that you post about and I have no idea who all these new celebrities are.  I didn't have cable when I lived with the Post's last year either soooo make that 2 years without TV now.  How do we manage?  Well in all honesty we just always have better things to do with our time.  I'm not saying that in any attempt to sound pretentious, but really, TV does little to edify a person (all I hear is bitterness!) and I feel like there are always more constructive ways to spend a morning or an evening.  This will definitely be an interesting election seeing as we will have no coverage of it and we'll most likely receive all of our news from reading other people's Facebook outrage, so we are counting on all of you!  Post good stuff!

Wedding Blues

It's been exactly two weeks since we've gotten engaged and let me tell you, it's been a busy two weeks.  We have been planning up the yin-yang and though it's something enjoyable to do together (practice for marriage, or so I'm told) it's really exhausting, and sometimes awfully defeating.

Since I'm pretty sure hardly anyone reads this blog, I'm okay posting specifics on here, because I don't think it will give too much away.  The wedding is going to be in August, so I'm going for warm, end-of-summer colors, and attire that will be suitable for the weather.  Just yesterday it was 91 degrees in San Diego, and this gave us a grim reminder of how hot it could be on our special day...

My color scheme.

Groomsmen attire, as opposed to heavy, black tuxedoes.

We have settled on our ideal date, picked our bridal party and colors, hired our wedding coordinator, planned an engagement party, created a wedding website, settled on our perfect honeymoon, and I am going dress shopping in two weeks!  We are also currently drudging through the process of finding the ideal location for our reception--why does everything have to be so expensive?!  Sometimes it's hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel... we are going to be married at the end of all of this, right?

I guess I just have a case of pre-wedding blues, or maybe engagement blues is the better term.  Luckily for me, I have the best partner in the world, fully ready and willing to help me with any and all of the planning, from making phone calls and excel spreadsheets, to giving me a massage when I'm overwhelmed.  There really is a lot of joy and excitement in the process, it just tends to get clouded some days...

Oh, to be at ease

4 Things I Do Every Thursday

1. Pray
2. School
3. Eat a LOT
4. College Group

Yup.

"I sometimes do what I want to do, but most of the time I do what I need to do." --JIM POST

As I get older, but more particularly on this balmy September Thursday, I am grieved by the fact that I really don't have enough time anymore to do the things I want to do.  Growing up and balancing work and school is a task in itself.  I miss playing organized sports, I miss having tv shows to discuss with people, and I miss my family.

Cheers*to futures...