Temporary Wheels

Normally this 1929 single car garage has a lot less wiggle room between the car doors and plaster walls. But for this set of wheels, there is plenty of space.

Long walk for a short dive. Just thought this was an amusing photo.

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Veggie Planter Boxes: Done!

Being on a handyman-haitus lately, we had to explore other options to get those planter boxes built. With seeds germinating faster than my leg healing, it was time to call in the professionals.

Fortunately we have some great contacts. My talented carpenter buddy Jeff was able to work us in his schedule. He did such a superb job building our deck last summer when I was only partially available to help with my own labor, and we were thankful to have his help again.

Now that very limited strip of grass that was annoying to mow now offers the capacity of 3 large veggie boxes (in the distance, pictured above). Thank you again Jeff, and bring on the warm weather!

Non-shameless plug: need any help on a wide variety of indoor and outdoor projects? Jeff is your man. He is based out of West Seattle, but covers the greater Puget Sound pretty well. He is honest, competitively priced, and will be glad to talk with you about your project. 206-353-1559 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 206-353-1559 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.

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Sleepy Cats

It's the weekend. What better time for a cat nap?

Hope yours is also restful!

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Camellia blooming season!

Right on queue, the Camellias are starting that early bloom in full force. Doesn't last long, but is always really pretty.

As soon as I can walk again, these bushes need some serious pruning. Years of simply shearing really builds up the dead inner matter... So thankful for all those tips from Mike King, the best pruning guy in Seattle!
http://www.pruningman.com/

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Headed home!

My surgery, care, and overall experience at the hospital for the last 3 days has been excellent. Nevertheless, with all milestones achieved this morning, I can not tell you how much I am looking forward to going home. What a week it has been!

Remember, three short months on crutches... I'm sure time will fly!

From my hospital bed?

Yesterday my surgery went well, and my fractured fibula is now all screwed back together. Despite some unusual pain, things are looking positive and on the mend. Not much else to report today, besides being amused that I am able to make a quick post to the weblog from my hospital bed :)

On second thought...

Quick update. Saw the Orthopedist today. Surgery next week!

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Sticks, Stones, & Ice?

You've heard the phrase with the first two words... but ice? Well, ice didn't exactly leverage the striking blow. After playing hockey since my early childhood, the game finally got back at me.

Viva Weasels!

Tuesday night, while playing in my weekly league game, I broke my fibula while defending the crease. It happened in an instant. While trying to lunge forward after the puck, then turning around to skate backwards, I caught the front edge with my left skate and hyper-extended it inwards (imagine your left foot rotated 90-deg clockwise, viewed from above. Gross!). I knew immediately it went too far, and the pain brought me to my knees and elbows, unable to leave the ice under my own power. Felt kind of weird to get the sticks-ice-tapping cheers from everybody when I finally stood up with the assistance of my team mates. At first I thought I could rest it up for a couple of shifts and get back in there. By the end of the 2nd period, it was obvious otherwise.

Ouch (please imagine a fracture)

Despite some pretty severe pain, I hobbled off to the locker room. A very nice player in the game after ours gave me a chemical ice pack, which was a life saver once I managed to extract my foot from my boot. It must have been amusing to watch me carry my hockey bag out the parking lot while bouncing on one foot (the bag acted as a wonderful counterweight, and stick upside-down a nice crutch). Fortunately I was able to drive home. At this point I didn't know I had fractured anything, and the pain had gone down a lot thanks to that ice pack, so I decided it wasn't urgent enough for the ER.

The next morning I got right in to urgent care for a quick X-ray scan, which confirmed the fracture. The good news is, it's the smaller bone and initial diagnosis suggests surgery is not required. However, walking around (ahem, hobbling w/ crutches) has neither been amusing nor convenient. Despite this ending my hockey and snowboarding seasons, and dealing with a cast for 4-6 weeks, I'm thankful that it was not worse.

Load Bearing: Crutches.
Non-Load Bearing: Human Leg.
Unfashionable: Rolled-Up Jeans.

But from now on, I'm forever aiming that peripheral vision on the ice. It's just sitting there, waiting, until you least expect it...

It's all tears and smiles for the Raspor Family!

Lorelei Elizabeth Mefford popped into our lives seven days ahead of schedule. Mom (Angela) and Baby and doing great and Grandma and Grandpa couldn't be happier.

We're so in love with her already and just can't wait to meet her.