Flanarizing

I thought I was doing great with the whole time change/lack of sleep issue, but when we returned from our walk to the Eiffel Tower park I sat down on the couch and instantly felt sapped of all alertness; it was only around 5pm, so I needed to stay awake until nightfall arrived. Michelle made us some sort of hearty sausage, potato, lentil stew for dinner, but it wasn't going to be ready to eat until after 8:oopm, so I had a goal.

I made it until dinner, though it wasn't pretty because at one point I was sitting up with my head leaning against the wall in an "I'm not sleeping, just resting my eyes and doing some serious mouth breathing" position. I was only kidding myself (what a new and fascinating thing for me).

Long story short, dinner was tasty, filling and accompanied by fresh baguette...need I say more? I was too tired to take photos (gasp!) of it, but it was another one of Michelle's gourmet delights.


I finally went to bed at 9:38pm. I got all comfy on the bottom bunk of my guest suite (which doubles as the dining room) and zonked out, waking only briefly twice during the night, and finally woke up at 9:30am when my back hurt from lying down for too long!

Michelle and got ready and set out for Friday Flânerie (I purposely scheduled my trip so that I'd be here for 2 of them!)


We walked about 20 seconds down the street to the patisserie (I adore this window).

We bought almond croissants for breakfast.
Words can't quite describe the tastiness involved here.

We took the metro a couple stops and went to the Pont Alexandre III bridge. The weather was brisk and gray today, such a contrast to yesterday's gorgeous blue sky and fluffy clouds, but Michelle and I were thrilled to be bundled up and not the least bit hot!

This is one of my favorite shots from the bridge.

Michelle in action with her camera.
It's still Creative Friday here in Paris!

We walked up the street to the Champs Elysse and saw this cool exhibit lining the sidewalk. It is 40 years of Vogue Magazine Covers (Claudia we thought of you.) We decided they were more playful and had more variety back in the early years of the magazine.


There were awesome tables and chairs all along the street (I have way too many photos to post them all) but this one we saw from across the way struck us as particularly charming.


Even in our sensible footwear (I even have cushion inserts in mine) we still needed to sit for awhile. I could happily sit on a bench and people watch all day! There is so much to see and it walks right by.


I have no idea how French women (or any woman) can wear shoes like this! She must cry herself to sleep at night, and she didn't look very happy during the day either.


We made our way all the way up the street to the Arc De Triumph (I didn't see it last time I was here) and cracked up at the hordes of Asian tourists everywhere. Michelle was approached by several people to take their photos and one girl even directed Michelle where to go to take her picture and then had her take several shots including a silly one of her with her arms out as if she were in-between the sides of the Arc. What the? We're sticking to self-portraits.


We were getting tired and my legs were really giving me grief (I am so NOT happy about feeling 80 years old here) so we took a bus the rest of the way down the street (sweet relief) and realized just how far we'd walked.


We found a cafe and sat outside (I adore the outside seating everywhere) and had lunch; an omelette for Michelle and Penne Boulanaise (with basil) for me. Do I even need to say it was delicious?


We continued to walk down the street and were treated to seeing Napolean himself at one of the souvenir shops; I don't know if he worked there or was just shopping for Josephine.


We ended up by the Louvre, which is so beautiful that just walking around the outside of it is a treat.

Even on such a gray day, everything is beautiful!

We ended up sitting on this bench, in a raised garden area and had it pretty much all to ourselves.

This was the view from where we sat.

The view to the left.

I remembered I had some peanut butter m&ms in my bag from my flight, so we shared those and upon dropping one on the ground were immediately swarmed by pigeons, including one with only a nub for a foot and only 1 toe on the other foot! Don't feel bad for him though, he was equally fat and aggressive as the others.


We wandered around inside the shopping area by the Louvre looking for a bathroom (what the? How can they be so hard to find, there are A LOT of people in Paris and surely they have to pee too!) but only found what appeared to be a bathroom store type place where you pay to use their facilities and where people are working. Instead, we fled to the metro to make our way back to the apartment, but first stopped at the cafe on Michelle's corner for some dessert.

Creme brulee anyone?

And then the rainy weather disappeared and turned picture-perfect again, but we were way too tired to wander any more.


We hobbled (Michelle was hobbling at this point too) back to the apartment.


Could it be any cuter? It's right over (with the geraniums) a stationery store, that's just good for the soul!


The happy sight of one of the family room (or should I say salon?) windows.

Should every home have iron work window boxes with geraniums?

In the apartment, Max was doing school work on the computer, Lucas was playing the Wii, Marc and Eva were playing a game on his iTouch, Michelle was reading a book on hers and I laid on the couch to get my legs back to normal again. Michelle and I both ended up falling asleep. Not a bad day!

Comment Window Tidbit: I have no concept of time. It's night time here, but early at home and my body thinks it's both!

Five for Friday--Painful 80s Edition

1. The kids didn't have school on Monday so I took them to see "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" (we all liked it) and to hobble around Thanksgiving Point. It was very brisk, delightfully fall-like and fun.


2. I added this piece of paper to my vintage typewriter last week and am delighted with the results. Landon told me it's his favorite Halloween decoration now.


Speaking of decorations, how cute is this? This is on the front of one of our ward member's homes and I just had to take a picture to share with you guys because I think this idea is such a good idea.


3. Yesterday afternoon was the first time I was able to sit in my computer chair for any decent amount of time so I was finally able to work on some good mail, ebay listings (my last ditch attempt to get money for Paris), and to watch Fame: Season 1 the TV show.

Oh my goodness, I have some seriously mixed feelings about the show. It is painfully 80s in fashion, music, and dialogue. I find myself wincing occasionally, but then singing along to the songs I remember as if 28 years haven't passed! Oh how I love the song and the scene in episode 3 where the dance class competes with a bunch of football players to prove to the school board that the performing arts school doesn't need a gymnasium because they get tough enough work outs in dance class. "Watch my smoke, feel my thunder, you'll be fading in the distance (distance, distance), I'll be leaving you under..."

Here's a quotable: "You are your instruments, and unless that instrument stays in Stradivarius shape, all the things you want to do aren't going to get done." (Profound no? Especially to me after all this back pain.)

4. I took this video of Whitney after her art class yesterday. I love the projects she's doing there and how excited she is each week.


5. I had my 2nd chiropractic appointment this morning and am now doing even better (Crystal, I will be forever grateful to you for this recommendation). I am now a total believer in the benefits of chiropractic care and am feeling transformed! I go back Tuesday for one final appointment before leaving for Paris on Wednesday. He's going to work on my ankle and hips so I'll be able to walk better.

**Do you love fall decorations?
Do you know what I mean by painfully 80s?
Do you like Whitney's art?
Any big plans this weekend?**

Comment Window Tidbit: I'm drawing a blank.

Comical Update

Thank you to everyone who commented on yesterday's whiny post and offered me advice and support, I really appreciate it. You'll be happy to know that Crystal gave me info about a chiropractor and I can now say I'm "well adjusted" (Ha, I couldn't help myself).


It's amazing to me that I went into the chiropractor feeling locked up, sore, nervous and clueless and came out of there laughing and amazed. When he sat me down to talk for a bit and give me some background (no pun intended) info about back pain I was seriously trying to keep from turning into a weepy mess.

Then he had me lie face down on the table and then did some pressure point stuff and resistance exercises, then had me turn over (I practically slid off the table because of my rayon pants) and then he proceeded to crack the living daylights out of me! It took me by surprise really (which sounds stupid considering he's a chiropractor), but I was just lying there and then he came over and turned my head and popped like 6 things into place...what the?


He did some adjustments for my back which created the kind of noises you hear in chiropractic visits you see in the movies. Each time he did this I grunted and then burst out laughing. I couldn't help it, it was just too crazy. Plus, I kept thinking how amazed Randy would be by these sounds, because when we crack each others' backs occasionally we only hear 2-3 cracks, but this was like a home run in the World Series of back cracking.

He also worked on my gimpy ankle a little bit and gave me a bottle of Ligaplex to help it heal faster. Plus, the office visit was only $40! I could not believe the difference I felt after this appointment! I still wasn't in skipping kind of shape, but I felt like giving it a try. I'm going back in Friday, but am now feeling seriously hopeful and much more at ease, which is very important because my stress was related to the back pain in the first place!

Funny note: The doctor said I was the first patient he's ever had who laughed hysterically after being adjusted and the first who has ever slid off the table. I'm so proud.


After my appointment, Landon had a football game (it was deceptively cold) and scored 2 touch downs and an extra point, plus I actually got the touch downs and a kick on video for once.

Touch down number one.

His victory celebration with Randy.

Kick off!

It's remarkable to find myself sitting at the computer 24 hours later feeling completely different. I know this whole episode has been a blessing, and I think the back pain ended up sending me to a chiropractor which will end up helping my ankle, which I was worried about but unsure of who to go to or how I would pay for it in the first place, so the back pain was a blessing. This is totally one of those times when I can see the Lord's hand in my life.

**Have you ever gone to a chiropractor?
Have blogging friends helped you before?
Have you ever laughed in a doctor's office?**

Comment Window Tidbit: What a difference a day makes eh?

Keep it Together Man!

You must watch this video to grasp the thinking behind my title.

I am officially fighting the urge to freak out and give in to the crying mess inside of me (yes, me the noncryer has been on the verge and even produced some tears over the past 3 days) that's trying to break free. I feel like I'm falling apart physically (oh wait, because I am!) and mentally (this is where the "Keep It Together Man" comes in), but thus far I am in tact spiritually (good timing with Conference this weekend.) I don't want to whine, but I'm gonna.

My back is still a mess, though I haven't had any more near-pass out episodes, and Paris looms. Paris shouldn't loom! Paris should entice and intoxicate and fill one with anticipation, but for me right now Paris is a taunting, frenemy.

Not having insurance, means that any doctor or chiropractor visit I manage this week will be a serious stretch financially while already in the middle of an uncomfortable preParis stretch as it is (my back hurts, I'm in no position to stretch). I've already been stressing about shoes, taxi fare, food, museum passes and incidentals, and have not been planning on a doctor visit!

Here is Landon imitating my current state of woe.

Another lovely ailment that has been plaguing me is the psoriasis on my scalp. I've had it forever (it doesn't go away) and can usually keep it under control with a prescription. Of course, I ran out of it months ago and have been suffering ever since. It is so bad now that Randy sucked it up and went to get my prescription, only to find that it was twice the already horrendous cost we were expecting!!

I cried.

I'm sick of eating humble pie, I've been served more than I care to eat.

I am consciously trying not to give in (all the way) to the strong desire I have to feel sorry for myself and give up, but it is hard.

**How do you keep it together?
Can you believe the price for this prescription?
Would you slump down and cry?
Do you have any rich relatives who'd like to sponsor me?**

Comment Window Tidbit: I can do hard things!

Humble Pie

I am in the throws of the worst back pain I've ever had in my life! I was hobbling around today and thought I could function, so Randy and I went to the movies (my mom had taken the kids to the Discovery Museum) to see "Whip It" (which was enjoyable). I brought a lumbar pillow (Randy used to use it at work), took the stairs slowly and didn't move much.


Upon returning home I took some Turmeric (my mom's miraculous herbal remedy for back pain) and laid down on the couch to watch "Phoebe In Wonderland" (Interesting, but not what I thought it was going to be). After that, Whitney and I watched "The Water Horse" (Now I want to go to Scotland) while Randy and Landon went to the Priesthood Session of conference and to dinner.

{This hits a tad too close to home.}

I had been down on the couch for a long time, so when it came for me to get up (Mother Nature called) I couldn't do it! I was on my side and couldn't maneuver in any direction without extreme pain. Randy was there to try to help me, but my muscles resisted each time he tried to help me up. When he finally did, I straightened my back and fell against him. I got a wicked head rush, my ears plugged, I broke out in a sweat and thought I was going to pass out! I stood there leaning against him waiting for it to pass and picturing the ambulance coming for me. It was so scary!


After a couple minutes (it felt like a long time) I was able to gingerly sit down on the couch to wait out the rest of the episode. My ears unplugged and began ringing instead (a welcome relief). I sat there for another half hour or so trying to feel normalish again, meanwhile I still hadn't made it to the bathroom yet!

Eventually I was able to slide into a kneeling position and use the arm of the love seat for leverage and eventually stand up! (Sweet victory!) I warned Randy to listen for a crash or a scream as I headed to the bathroom, but am happy to say I made it and completed my transaction all by myself!

So here I am, blogging in pain, but feeling confident because our computer chair has arm rests I can use to help me up. I have no idea what is going on with my body, but I'm not happy about it. I am just so relieved that the primary program was last Sunday because we would be in serious trouble if I needed to be crawling around on my knees behind the podium tomorrow!

**Have you ever dealt with pain like this?
Have you ever passed out?
Any advice for me?
What did you do today?**

Fun Mom or Stupid Mom...You Decide

Today's visit to the pool began just like any other, we packed our bag full of treats, goggles, toys and towels, lathered ourselves liberally with sunscreen and found a spot to set up camp.


It wasn't until the end of the day that some sort of mania came over me. I suggested to Max that we take a few turns on the diving board since this was our last visit to the pool for the season.

My first time down the diving board I did a decent dive, nothing fancy (how fancy can a potato be?), but as Max and I were talking about the back flips we wish we could do I found myself really itching to do a front flip.

I used to do all kinds of tricks off the diving board back in the day, and my body still thinks it can do them. My mind, however, knows I am much heavier than I was back then and that physics now play a more active role in my relationship with the diving board.

But I pressed on, I did a flip which was under rotated and resulted in my ham hock/buttocks area slapping the water painfully, but I was optimistic because I didn't die in the attempt!

My 2nd attempt was great, I got good rotation and was pain free. I think I probably lost points with the imaginary judges for plugging my nose, but so be it, I didn't want to clean out my sinuses in the pool.


Max and I were feeling increasingly confident about our flip prowess and decided to get Michelle to come document them for posterity (which means you). I realize that a girl of my size should not be eager to have photo and video evidence of her rotating corpulence, but my excitement blinded me and I just wanted to have proof that I did it.

Behold...I give you proof!


It wasn't until after Michelle went back to our base camp at the kiddie pool that the real trauma happened. I started thinking I could probably do a back flip. Sure I haven't done one for 20 years, but what the heck, it's like riding a bike right? Oh wait, I haven't done that for 20 years either!

I walked to the end of the diving board and turned around but then panicked and sort of slipped off and did a backward pencil-type entry. It was clearly a mistake, so Max, Landon, Lucas and I laughed (apparently Bella and Whitney witnessed this from a distance as well).

So when it was my turn again I thought I should go back to my proven front flip, no need to be a hero, I wanted to keep my spine in tact. So I did my approach to the end of the diving board and ended up sort of slipping/belly flopping into the water and felt my left Achilles tendon give some sort of rebellion.

I felt it instantly and was praying for it to be nothing serious before I even surfaced from under the water. All I could think was "oh crap, we don't have insurance, I can't be hurt, I can't be hurt, man it really hurts, what have I done, I'm an idiot, what was I thinking, how am I going to get out of the pool, good Hell what an idiot, please don't be hurt, please don't be hurt."

I paddled over to the side of the pool where Max greeted me by saying, "That looked like it hurt!" I asked him which part, and he said, "All of it." Oh dear.

I ended up gingerly making my way over to the shallow end of the pool rather than attempting to use the ladder to get out of the water. Max went over to Michelle and said, "Jill is damaged." So she came over to see if she could help me out. I just sat on the edge of the pool for awhile trying to move my ankle and assess the damage (as if I have any assessing skills!).

She ended up helping me over to a chair, then cleaned up our stuff and pulled my car around so I wouldn't have to hobble down the stairs to the parking lot. It seemed impossible to get out of there at that point so I really thought I might have to live there. I don't know what I would have done if she hadn't been there!

I was able to hobble to the car and drive home (luckily it's my left ankle, not my right), but I'm not sure how I'm supposed to function now. I can get around slowly, but don't see any stretching, dancing, stair climbing, or any normal walking in my near future. What have I done?

**Am I a fun mom or stupid mom?
What you have wanted proof?
Do you plug your nose?
Does your body think it can do things it used to do?
What should I do to fix my ankle?
Do you remember this trauma from last summer?**

The Curse Continues

Oh my goodness, yesterday was our 10th time at Seven Peaks this year and the first time I felt done with it for good. (It's a good thing next week is our last time before school starts.) Our area was NOT infringed upon, the grass was wet but not saturated, the kids were in good form, Michelle and her kids finally joined us (it was only her 3rd time this year), and the weather was nice BUT...


I foolishly decided to go on the rope swing after Landon begged me to and said, "Come on Mom, make an impression!" How could I refuse that? (By saying no thanks honey, it may just be the death of me.") So I stood in line with Landon and James, handed Max my sunglasses for safe keeping, and moved forward as Michelle, Whitney, Eva and Jessica looked on bemusedly (that's right, bemusedly) from a neighboring pool.


I reviewed my mental checklist...
Bathing suit, board shorts, t-shirt all in-tact for full coverage...check!
Rope wrapped many times around very thick and secure pole because I don't want to be the fat lady who breaks it...check!
Rope diameter appears to be 4 inches, that's manageable...check.
Pool is 9 feet deep by about 12 feet wide, that's safe...check.

So I moved forward, grabbed the rope, swung out just enough to clear the safety padding and then let go/slid off the rope into the water while giving a little "yelp" as I plunged into the water. My ears popped rather painfully and the swim to the ladder felt farther than it should have (I'm not a strong swimmer) and involved me gulping down a mouth full of water (sickening). I climbed out of the pool and instantly felt like I'd made a HUGE mistake. I felt light-headed, way out of control of my body, and like I may have wrecked my ears. (I just love feeling like I'm 80.)

{Video of the kids reviewing my stunt.}

I stood there for a minute or two more and then headed back to camp where Amie was sitting with her sister-in-law Lacey. She couldn't believe I did it and was bummed she didn't get to witness it. As I described how I felt, I said "I can't believe I feel so..." and she said, "OLD!" That pretty much sums it up. I think I should stop trying to be the fun mom because my body just isn't cooperating any more.


I ended up sitting in the sun by the side of the kiddie pool with Michelle (as we watched Eva troll for a friend) and ended up getting a headache that turned into a full-on migraine by the time I got home.

As we were leaving for the day (around 6:15 which is early for us) I was apologizing to Amie for being "the life of the party" and she reminded me that I actually do well when I don't try to do things in an attempt to be the life of the party for my kids. Good point. I should just stay in my chair under the umbrella for safe keeping.


This was one of our neighbors yesterday...yikes! Amie gets so sicked out by freakishly hairy men that it just cracks me up. I think this is nasty too, but think she's hilarious about it. (I couldn't resist sneaking this picture.)

**Would you go on the rope swing?
Does sitting in the sun for too long give you a headache?
Do you feel like your mind thinks
you can do things, that your body can no longer do?
How do you feel about hairy backs?**