Life Viewed Through an Amber Focus

Merry Christmas Eve and Christmas to those of you who celebrate and lovely days to those of you who don't.

We're heading out to spend Christmas Eve with Chris's parents, sister, and two neices. Possibly sister's boyfriend, too (I forgot to check). I'll pretty much be flat on my back in the recliner with an icepack the whole time (massive back pain during the last PT session and my legs collapsed right under me. I've been told either flat in bed or as reclined as possible for the next 72 hours) and not to do anything. I spent all day yesterday in bed with my laptop. I think I just pinched a nerve (I hope, I hope), but ouch, it hurts. I'm on a muscle relaxant and painkiller which is offering minimal relief and lots of nausea. Called the specialist at one yesterday and waited all day to hear back and of course did not so likely won't until Monday now. On the bright side my knee feels just fine. *sighs* My life.

I didn't get to make my Christmas lasagna this year. Feels like breaking a tradition. But I don't have to stand at the stove cooking, either, which is always nice.

I went to the dentist today and my mouth is killing me.  I had two cavities filled and they had to do some debrading, too.  I haven't had a cavity in years so I forgot just how much it hurts when the numbness wears off.  Let's just say I'm very glad I still had hydrocodone left over from my knee injury because I really needed it once the novacaine was gone.  It is just barely cutting the pain.  Ouch.  I hope it feels better tomorrow because this is not on.  And also, I do solemnly swear I will never go three years between cleanings again and I will try to remember to floss every day for the rest of my life.  Owie.

Well, we survived WASL testing.  How much do I hate standardized testing?  Unfortunately if the kids want to participate in WAVA next year they have to take the darn thing.  And I love WAVA.  It makes homeschooling ten times easier, it's accredited, and it pays for all the books and even reimburses for paper and printer ink.  We just, occasionally, have to jump through hoops set by the state.

The kids actually seemed to enjoy themselves, both thought they did well, and they both completed each section within the required time frame.  I was worried about Tobias, mostly because he prefers to take his tests orally and not fill in bubbles and write down answers, but he did okay with it. 

It's not like they technically have to pass it, either.  I mean, I have no doubts they will, but the requirement is simply for them to take it like all public school kids do.

I thought this morning that I had broken the middle finger on my left hand and jammed up the ones around it, but now I think it's just horribly sprained.  I've had ice on it off and on all morning and the swelling is down to half of what it was earlier.  It hurts to type, but it's a dull ache now, so I really hope it won't interfere with my writing too much.  Obviously I will have to take it easy and I don't think I'll write today at all, though I may dictate into my microrecorder so I can type it up when my fingers feel better.  Typing isn't anywhere near as painful as what trying to grip something is like.  Or trying to straighten them out or make a fist, neither of which I can do at the moment.

It's just as well it happened now when my beta is going on a retreat this weekend and won't be available anyway.  Maybe by the time she is back it'll feel better.