the sky is pink

On 10.10.10 I turned 41. Yikes.

On Saturday morning I was going to go for a short run. I told Joe, “just two or three miles, depending how my knee feels,” and out the door I went. I wanted to get in an outdoor run before the Saturday rain hit. I started my iPod and started my watch. I thought it was impossible, but it happened again. My left ankle gave out on me (which it usually does in the same spot every run) and I did not recover (like usually do). I fell. Yes. Lera fell. Again. Go ahead laugh. I’d join you, except that I pulled a muscle in my chest and it hurts any time I try to breathe, laugh, or move. It happened so fast that I couldn't even think “not my knees! NOT MY KNEES!” Before I knew what was happening both knees were on the road and my mind was screaming , “not my face! NOT MY FACE!” And I threw my hands down on the ground. And I did a major, major push-up action. Well, I didn’t really push up. I just landed that way. Like I was going to do a push-up, if I could do a push-up. My nose came within...

Yesterday morning, I fell. I was in the chicken coop and somehow I must have stepped on a branch (that we use for a roosting bar) with my left foot, tripped over the branch with my right foot (those toes were trapped under the branch), and then fell on top of the branch. Thankfully I was wearing pants because, even though it still scraped up my leg, it could have been worse. Oh, and the pants protected my legs from all that chicken poop that I landed on. It could have been worse. The area that was swollen (and actually only slightly bruised but hurts so freaking much) is longer than my pointer finger. And I have long fingers. It's kind of hard to see in the picture, but it hurts. Oh, it hurts. It hurt to touch the mattress last night and it hurt to move it. It hurts when I stand up from sitting. It hurts when I'm sitting. I can't cross that leg and let it dangle. Apparently I'm just a klutz. Since I fell in July I haven't been right. I'm still sporting a s...

I cannot allow the day to end without posting. Today I turned 40. Yes, forty. As in 4-0 . Even though I've known it was going to happen for a few years, it's still something for which you cannot prepare. It was a good day. Filled with a morning run with Joe (and unfortunately seeing lots of dead animal carcasses along the way), two winning soccer games, buffalo wings and cheesecake. This morning I had the awful feeling I should check the local newspaper online. And, not to my surprise, there it was. An ad placed lovingly by my parents, brothers, and sisters. So, yes, my face blared through not only the online newspaper, but in black and white print. For all the world to see. Announcing my new age. It did make me smile. After I grimaced . A couple of people recognized me from the newspaper today. Well, they already knew me, but they made sure I knew they saw it. One was our bishop (and his wife.) Another was the mother of one of Carter's friends that we saw in the s...

Well, I guess I'm not "back," since I technically didn't go anywhere, but I am back to my poor, neglected blog. First off, thank you for all of your kind words from September 9th . My bloggy friends are a great source of strength to me. And for that I thank you. Mason did extremely well on his surgery and is back doing all the things seven-year-old boys do. This past Tuesday, I had surgery of my own and am recovering fine. Besides cramping the first day, I've been feeling pretty good. And it's not because I'm taking drugs. Although, it certainly can't hurt, can it? And yesterday (as if one surgical procedure wasn't enough for me in one week), I had my runners toe fixed. The old toenail fell off and the new one was growing up instead of out. And it was bubbly. And I felt pressure on it. (And, good grief, it was ugly.) And all I can say is thank goodness I have my drugs with me. All is well.

Here is the stack of summer reading books I brought with me. So far I've read the top three: The Gatecrasher (bought at Target for $11) Catherine, Called Birdy (from the thrift store) The Midwife's Apprentice (library book) I have professed my love of Sophie Kinsella's books , and The Gatecrasher is a book she wrote under the name Madeleine Wickham. It was a good one and I look forward to reading more. Other books that I brought along are: Kira-Kira (library book, currently reading) Out of the Dust (library book, which I put down after several pages) Sarah, Plain and Tall (library book to read to Spenser) A Gathering of Days (library book) Lately my criteria for a book is a juvenile book and a Newberry Honor book. I was quite pleased that our library has a section in the juvenile books for Newberry! Also read this summer: Hattie Big Sky Caddie Woodlawn (which every time I think about the name I call it Caddie Wood shack by mistake, maybe because of Ca...

my knees. Last week I did two three dumb things. One, I tripped on our front porch steps carrying a sleeping Spenser. We both ended up on the front porch. On our bellies. I banged up my left knee pretty significantly. I was bloody and had a goose-egg. A week and a half later, I still have a nasty yellowing bruise and itchy scab. And if I weren't dumb enough, the next night I went running with a friend. I have had lifelong knee problems and they pop quite often (which relieves pain and stiffness). My knee needed to pop and I couldn't get it to pop, but I ran anyway. It was a dumb thing to do. And what made it even more dumb is that I ran on it again Friday morning. My knee is not good. (Last year we vacationed in this very spot and I had a sore running knee.)

A week and a half ago (before getting sick), I whipped up a little pink gingham dress for Spenser. I really wanted to make it in red gingham, but sadly, there was none in my stash. I had a momentary freak-out, but decided a pink gingham dress was better than no gingham dress. (I have some now , so don't you worry.) The dress is actually the Simplicity 4206 shirt, lengthened to a dress, like I usually make. Then I added a little ruffle along the bottom edge. It kind of looks like a nightgown. I made her a size four (she is 4 1/2), but it seems big on her, even the elastic around the neck. I figure she'll have it for this summer and next summer. * * * * Thank you for your concern last week while I was sick . I am happy to say that I think (and hope and pray) that my final fever broke early this morning. I went to bed with a temperature of 101.9 and rising. I awoke in a bed of sweat. I think it's gone. It's been a long week. My doctor ran some tests, including Lyme dise...

Literally. I've had a fever going on four days now. Last night it reached 102.7 and I swore my skin was going to start to bubble and blister. It took over two hours to fall asleep because the heat of my body ricocheted off my feather bed, making me feel hotter than I already was. This morning I was only 99.9, but I can feel my cheeks getting hotter. I have perked up though. (I laughed a few times. And joked with the kids this very morning .) Just in time to get back to the dishes and laundry that have piled up. I'll be back. Eventually. I just didn't want you to think I was locked in the chicken coop again .

On Tuesday night, I swore in as Councilwoman. I was completely nervous. And immediately following, I attended my first town council meeting. (I was completely lost. Do I look it?) This week is the local fireman's carnival. And last night was the parade. I rode in the back of the truck and threw candy. This is the corner where my family was sitting. They got extra candy. (My parents, sister and her children, brother and his family, and a good friend and her family were there with Joe and the kids.) We laughed a lot as we rode around. To my surprise, there were lots of town members who gave me the "thumbs up" sign when we drove by. One man (whom I don't know), called me by name and gave me thumbs up. It was pretty cool. The town is very supportive and it makes me love it even more than I already do. And what's the parade without the Ghostbusters ambulance thing that cracks us up every time we see it?? Or the Dixie band and all those crazy, moving stuffed a...

We are getting ready to move our chickens outdoors. We have been working on our coop. We decided to enclose a part of our existing 130+ year-old coop for our birds (photos to come). I decided if I'm going to be cleaning chicken poop, I'm still going to look halfway decent. When I found these plaid rain boots , I knew it would be a fun way to clean chicken poop. Well, maybe not fun . Is there a fun way to clean chicken poop? So far I don't seem to be enjoying it.

On Tuesday morning Sawyer and I went thrifting for a little bit while Spenser was in preschool. I went in looking for Pyrex (did not find anything I couldn't live without) and vintage sheets (nothing at all) and spied a very cool vintage, polyester dress. It had a very cool pattern all over it. I was drawn to it and kept coming back to look at it. However, it was several sizes too large. I started looking around and found several more, but they were all too big, too. Disappointed (and still completely drawn to that first dress), I decided I would buy it anyway and another one. I figured I would try to alter the one I didn't like as much (the half-price vintage Alan Green pink dress above) before I attempted the other one. Yesterday, as I was without internet all day, I decided to alter the pink dress. I think I tried this dress on a few dozen times before I finally sewed my first stitch. Which resulted in removal of said stitches. And a few more try-ons and a few more pin...

As you know, election day was yesterday. My children wore their campaign shirts to school (except Taylor); and Spenser, Sawyer and I wore our shirts to preschool and to run errands. It was a long day. The younger boys had a half-day of school, so as soon as they came home, we walked over to town hall so I could vote. I think it's important for children to see their parents vote . And then we waited. The kids rode their bikes. I pulled a few weeds and found a fresh snakeskin snuggled around my lavender plants. And then we ate dinner. And waited. And went to Carter's band concert. And waited some more. Shortly after 9:00 p.m., the phone rang. It was the election supervisor. When he confirmed he was talking to me, he said, "Congratulations. You are our newest council member." I was stunned, humbled, happy, excited, scared, freaking out. I visited a few elderly neighbors to let them know and they hugged me. It was good. * * * * * Now, here are a few random facts:...

The "Meet the Candidates" forum is over. Thank goodness. It was a stressful night. It started promptly at 7 p.m. When I looked at my watch at 7:36, I couldn't believe only 36 minutes had passed. It felt like days. I could feel my knees shaking most of the night. I wore this dress . With these shoes . A yellow pendant. And my favorite red, three-quarter-sleeve cashmere cardigan. I haven't caught the re-broadcast yet. I'm not sure if I want to watch it. I don't want to re-live the agony. Today is "Twin Day" at the boys' school. Our friend, Lorenzo, wanted to be twins with Jackson, so we turned it into "Triplet Day" instead. Lorenzo's shirt has an arrow pointing in each direction. Just like the campaign shirts , these were made from boys' under shirts and iron-on transfers. * One of our chickies (Popcorn) has an injury. When I came down to check on them this morning, the rest of the flock was acting kind of strange and were al...

It's official. I am running for Town Council. It's exciting and makes me terribly uncomfortable at the same time. I actually submitted my application about two hours before the deadline on Monday, April 13th. Luckily it was a short application, or I may have changed my mind. Again. I really thought it was a low-key election. However, there are signs going up for others and everyone is starting to ask who I am. Apparently, not many people know me in this town of 1,100 people. So, we've been hitting the "campaign trail." We are walking around town in the evenings meeting people and handing out a little bio that Joe typed. Joe designed the kids' shirts. We used regular old boys' white under shirts and iron-on transfers on both the front and the back. The front says, "Vote for my mom for (my town) Town Council." Joe even designed the logo on the back of their shirts. I had shirts made for Joe and myself. Joe's says "Elect (me) for ...

... about burning 575 calories before you've had breakfast. Since recovering from my self-inflicted knee injury , I have been running only three or four days a week. I usually run Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings, with the occasional Saturday evening. The Saturday morning after Thanksgiving, I ran my first three-miler. I didn't want to tell anyone, thinking it was just a fluke. Well, it wasn't a fluke. In fact, I've been running three miles three to four days a week since. Until this morning ... I decided it was time to pump it up a notch and I ran three and a half . Not fast, mind you. I tell myself "slow and steady wins the race." Not that I'm going to run any race ... It's just about endurance for me. I went from not exercising at all ... ever ... to running. And my body is a little old and achy. I do have to say, though, that running has greatly improved my back. Even when I can hardly get out of bed in the morning because my ba...

It's that time of year again. The one that seems to come faster and closer every year. Yes, today I am 39. (That means I'm almost 40! Aaaahh!) To keep in tradition with years' past , I decided to do a list of things you might not know about me . (My best friend loves these posts, so this is in honor of her. You know who you are.) I ran 1 3/4 miles this morning. I gained 3-4 pounds after Sawyer weaned himself this year. Since starting to run, Joe has said that my thighs are "as tight as when we were first married." I didn't realize my thighs weren't tight. Hmmm. I guess six kids can do that to you. I need a new mattress. We bought our last mattress when I was in labor with Carter . That was ten years ago. We also bought a set of bunk beds that day. I want a new sofa. Actually two new sofas. I'm waiting until Sawyer is potty-trained. I'm planning on training him as soon as school lets out in June. Sometimes I plan ahead. Sometimes I procrasti...

Thank you for all of your birthday wishes yesterday. It was nice to read all of your comments. Especially because I thought Joe had forgotten about me. (Although we did go out for lunch yesterday.) We celebrated with cheesecake. Mmmm. A Cheers shirt (from Joe's trip to Boston last week). Free vintage patterns from the Swap Shop. One is dated 1961. (Most of the others aren't dated, at least on the outside package.) They are size 2 girls. I hope Spenser is still small enough! A funny 1970 maternity pattern. I didn't realize it was maternity at the time. And I wouldn't wear them even if they weren't maternity. I just couldn't leave it there by itself unappreciated. And a pattern advertisement. Can you read the How to be the prettiest girl in town this month ? Look at her pigtails! There are some funny pictures in there. Our power is about to be cut off. Don't worry. It's not because Joe didn't pay the bill. Joe took off this week to do so...

Has it been a year already? Can I really be 38? Man, time flies when you get old! For my birthday, I decided to make another list of things you might not know about me. I hope I don't bore you too much. Here goes: 1. It snowed on my 10th birthday. 2. School let out early that day. 3. I got a sewing box for my birthday (for cross stitching). 4. I am related to Amelia Earhart (father’s side). 5. I am related to Princess Diana (mother’s side). Seriously . Can’t you see the resemblance? Not serious. 6. If someone would have told me 25 years ago I was going to marry Joe, I would have laughed hysterically. 7. I don’t like it when things stick to my feet. 8. I love to glide across my clean kitchen floor. 9. People say I laugh like my mother. 10. When I was younger, I might have been insulted. 11. Now that I’m a mother, I think it is a compliment. 12. People have said the same thing about the way I talk. 13. The other night Joe said I looked like my mother. 14. I don’t see a resemblance. 1...

Yesterday I said some words to Joe that caused some concern. I said, "I gotta go. Kristina's here." I could hear the hesitation in his voice. You see, Kristina is my hair stylist. The best one I've ever had. So why is Joe nervous? Joe is fearful because he likes long hair on me. I like short or medium-length hair on me. Unfortunately for Joe, he doesn't have much say in it. This is just to reassure him that I kept 3/4 of my hair on my head . It's not so bad. Is it? (Just one of the great things about Kristina is that she either comes to my house or I go to hers. How great is that?!? My favorite stylist that is portable.)