Merry Christmas! I've been enjoying my Christmas at my folks house.
Yesterday I went to visit my friend, Tristian. OOOh she just had the most adoreable and sweet son, Dustin Dean, aka Double D :) (well that's what I'm calling him...:)). Tristian just had her baby on Monday, December 22nd at 2:34pm at 9lb 2 oz. and 19.5in. .long. He's a cutie!
Last night we went to my Aunt Becca's house in Fresno. My Aunt Melanie and my three cousins, Shylah, Chloe and Max came up. My Aunt Becca has three kids of her own, Aven, Arianna and Noah. So, needless to say, a lot of kids. I got there extremely late, but enjoyed the time I spent with them.
A few months back my Great Aunt Helen passed away. My Uncle Johnny (my mother's oldest brother) decided to give the kids (yes, I'm considered one of the kids) gifts that were from my Aunt Helen. I received a green asian vase with bamboo and stork decor. It came with a decorative wooden stand and a wood box with asian writing. I thought this was a cool and creative idea! :)
We all ate a "Spanish Christmas Eve dinner" which consists of shrimp and lamb. It was yummy. See's candy (as always), Cream pie and Russian Teacakes for dessert. We headed to my folks house that evening.
This am we all opened gifts and our stockings. I got some really pretty earrings, Motor Trend magazine subscription, a hatchet (thanks Dad :P), a "Women and Money" book, a bamboo wind chime, a gift card to Bath and Bodyworks and a bunch of other stocking items.
We all watched "
Everything Is Illuminated" this evening. Good movie! My sister in law has spent many years in the Ukraine and knows Russian. Her family is very active in the churches and orphanages. She said the movie did a good job resembling the Ukraine's environment and culture.
Now, I'm going to read a bit then go to bed. I'm heading back home in the am. I get to see my puppy :).
So, I had two physical therapy sessions. I got to start moving my arm a little. Sure not much, 110 and 15 degrees (compared to the 90 my arm is locked at). I have 10 more sessions...I hope to recover fast! I want to get back out there!
I'm trekking along at school. Next week will be my final week prior either taking 2 or 1 more class (still need to sort this out). And then? And then? DONE! OOh, OOh, I'm so excited!
Jada got attacked by a Mastiff the other day :(. She's ok, had a couple bite marks, but nothing that really broke the skin. We were taking a walk and the dog darted across the street from an open garage. They did very little sniffing before scuffling. I'm glad I didn't need to take her to the vet! Hercules was the dog's name...so, yea, he was big.
I got my Christmas tree over the weekend. THanks to Rox and April for helping! I'm a little useless right now, although they needed help so I was able to carry the top of the tree :P. THe tree is about 10' tall and is beautiful! We put it in the living room this year vs. the office and front window. Sure, I'd like to see the lights and tree from the front of the house, but it feels better in the living room, next to the fire :). I want to spend my Christmas here!
I've done very little CHristmas shopping, a total of 2 gifts so far. Yes, I know, we're a week away. I suck and despise shopping. Argh, I need to finish this :(.
CHristmas lights aren't on the house yet. I obviously need help with that too. They should have already been up and could have been up last Saturday, but it was cold and I lagged...
Last weekend I went to my friend, Rad's work's CHristmas party. It was at a Illusion's in Palo Alto. The place was nice and they had an AWESOME 10 piece band! They played Jazz, Reggae and a little Blues (more like 'new Jazz). I need to get the name of them. I would have them at my wedding, that's how good they were!
I went to my friend, Cindy's 'Naughty or Nice' Christmas party on Saturday. It was fun hanging out... you know the usual...Sierra Nevada and Jager :). I got a naughty gift that I left at their house... she is probably not going to be too happy, but Marco will! :P
I finally got to hang out with a long time friend, Keith. We hung out, chatted and ate some dinner. We haven't seen each other in 2 yrs., but have IM'ed each other often. He's a great friend and is incredibly knowledgable. Too bad he lives in DC.
Well, I'm half way done with my final assignment, but want to get some sleep. I've had 7 & 8 am meetings for the last two days and tackling it again tomorrow...makes for such a long day!
-Larissa
Quick update before I go to bed...
Arm:
I had a follow-up with the surgeon on Monday. Apparently I didn't rip just one tendon, I managed to rip three. Three tendons were pulled and strapped onto my bone with a metal anchor. My one ligament in the Ulna region was sewed back together.
I start physical therapy on Thursday. I also get a brace then too. Yea! Out of this nasty splint and sling. Yea!
Work:
Been busy as usual. I need to get back to FOCUSING on work. I've been disorganized and disoriented really. SUre I have a lot of things on my plate, but that's work. I was able to have a better grip on it before. I need to fix this.
Car:
1.5 wks. to fix. HOpefully will start tomorrow. The insurance company needs to approve of the new findings the body shop found. Hopefully 1.5 wks from tomorrow.
Life:
I've been attending Bible study regularly now. It's a nice group of people and I feel comfortable. I'm enjoying it and learning a lot.
School:
I'm going into wk 4 of my hopefully final class. I'm still trying to get credits sorted out to satisfy 3 of the 5 credits remaining. I'm still contemplating testing out or taking a class for the remaining 2 credits.
Bed time.
Ok...I'm at it again, yes been awhile. It's been tough typing. Although, I have found that those difficult to use natural ergonomic keyboards make typing so much easier! I can actually use my right hand with it!
I had surgery last Tuesday. Everything went fine (my arm is still here). The doc re-attached a tendon with a small pin, then sewed my ligament to re-attach it. Fun!
Next Monday I see the doc. THe doc will determine if I can get pulled out of this splint and sling and placed in a brace (vote yes!). He'll (who is kind of cute) will also decide when I can begin physical therapy (vote now!). I so want to get out of this splint and start using my arm!
As if the dislocated arm wasn't enough, a too old to drive man smacked into my car! I was crossing a 4 lane street and while I was almost in the 4th lane the foo hit my right side. My poor doggy jumped out of the car. Fortunately we were right in front of the vet who ran out and chased after Jada. She was so scared; she was shaking when they got her.
I'm still battling with my insurance companies. I think this is going to be considered uninsured motorists claim since the prick was driving a rental and only has mobile home insurance. Fortunately I have two policies from two companies; one for liability and one for coll/comp damage. My coll/comp has a $1k deductible and no rental coverage, but my liability policy has uninsured motorists property damage. I''m trying to have that cover my deductible and rental. I still should sue this guy. Such a hassle!
I dropped off the car yesterday. Looks like close to $7k of damage and 2 wks. to repair. Lovely! I had a nasty Ford Taurus for the last week, but now I'm driving a Mazda 3. Much nicer!
Now to top these last 30 days off, I've been sick since Sunday, ick! I feel much better today and will be going back to work tomorrow, hopefully not contagious!
I went to my 10 yr. highschool reunion last Saturday; that was interesting! Funny how so many people are the same rude or snobby people as they were in highschool. Hopefully at the 20 yr. reunion they'll mature and grow some frindliness. I did enjoy it and liked seeing old friends. It was fun and funny dancing with a broken wing. Of course I'd rather dance with both arms :p!
I've been reading a lot lately. I have a bad habit, every time I go to a bookstore I buy about 4 books then set them nice and organized on my book shelf. They sit there...and sit there...and not get read. I've got a little more time now since I have physical limitations and don't have a loser bf that I need to spend time with. I've been reading some religious books and self-improvement books. I'm nearing school end, yea! So soon I'll have ore time so I can get some novels in.
I'm also hoping to purchase a piano soon. I really want to play again. I think it'd be nice. I might even get my Grandma's old one that she bought for my Aunt! I'd rather have that one, even if my Aunt wants me to pay for it. Sentimental value, you know...
ok...book and bed time!
