Tonight the local township hosted a community event and displayed fireworks for all to enjoy for free. We all piled into the truck and took the short drive down the street to enjoy the event. The kids got glowsticks and hussled over to play on the playground before it was completely dark. That only lasted 15 minutes or so before we saw the red flares light-- the earliest signal that the fireworks were going to start booming their show out.
We had the most perfect spot available- right in front, on a slight hill and laying with our backs on the ground. We watched the fireworks magnificently light up the sky above us. They were humongous that close up and they showered over us in brilliance. They had a couple ones I'd never seen before, including a couple illiptical shaped, a circular one with a star in the middle of it and rainbow ones that shot up in sequence, almost like from a gun on the ground, waving back and forth like sprinkler water does. It was really cool.
Of course, they had my favorites- the whistler ones and the ones that look twinkly in the sky and then turn to gold dust. They also had some really nice patriotic colored displays. It was about a 20 minute show, which was just right for us, but Nathaniel started to get a little bored and was saying his belly was hungry. So, after it was over we loaded up the truck and headed home.
Ariel found a toad on the sidewalk on the way into the house and was so excited. Romona picked it up to show the kids how to handle it, and it peed on her- twice. lol We then got some popcorn for a snack & went outside to admire the stars and catch some lightning bugs. The kids were a bit nervous in the dark, as they're generally not allowed to stay up that late. They liked the look of the fireflies, but wouldn't catch any themselves. After I caught two, they gave up and wanted to go inside. Ah well. It's only the very first of the summer season. We'll see how well they become adventuresome as time goes by.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Day of Doctors
Yesterday we spent half the day visiting doctors. Our first and most exciting one was for the cast removal. Dustan was so giddy. After 10 minutes of the nurse sawing thru the thickly layered cast, Dustan's leg felt fresh air for the first time in 6 weeks.
The stitches looked gross and needed to be cleaned up a bit, but otherwise it wasn't terrible looking. He could hardly move his leg though because the muscles were so out of shape. They got a knee brace for him, and he is to walk in full extension (and so continued use of the crutches is necessary) and then he can have a 40 degree movement range whilst sitting. It has swollen up again and he said it's rather stiff. He is scheduled to do physical therapy for the next 3 weeks to hep regain his strength and mobility. His foot is itching him a lot too, as all the calluses are peeling off from not being used. Ewwww....
In other news, I decided to go see the doc about my head injury from last week as I was still feeling a lot of pressure on the oneside of my head on Thursday, which was more than a week since I fell. The doc confirmed that it was, after all, a concussion, and he rated it a 2nd degree concussion-- whatever that means. He said that the force I received was equivalent to injuries incurred by football players and requires a 3o day no impact, lots of rest recovery plan. He said if I bump my head at all- even a slight bump or if I see spots or faint again that I must immediately go in and get a catscan. The main problem- the possibility of bleeding in the brain and a multitude of ill effects from it. So, I guess I have another 20 days to go before I go bungee jumping. ; )
The stitches looked gross and needed to be cleaned up a bit, but otherwise it wasn't terrible looking. He could hardly move his leg though because the muscles were so out of shape. They got a knee brace for him, and he is to walk in full extension (and so continued use of the crutches is necessary) and then he can have a 40 degree movement range whilst sitting. It has swollen up again and he said it's rather stiff. He is scheduled to do physical therapy for the next 3 weeks to hep regain his strength and mobility. His foot is itching him a lot too, as all the calluses are peeling off from not being used. Ewwww....
In other news, I decided to go see the doc about my head injury from last week as I was still feeling a lot of pressure on the oneside of my head on Thursday, which was more than a week since I fell. The doc confirmed that it was, after all, a concussion, and he rated it a 2nd degree concussion-- whatever that means. He said that the force I received was equivalent to injuries incurred by football players and requires a 3o day no impact, lots of rest recovery plan. He said if I bump my head at all- even a slight bump or if I see spots or faint again that I must immediately go in and get a catscan. The main problem- the possibility of bleeding in the brain and a multitude of ill effects from it. So, I guess I have another 20 days to go before I go bungee jumping. ; )
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Longwood Gardens
Yesterday Romona and I and the kids went to Longwood Gardens, which is located in westside Philly. Being a 2 hour drive from here, we made Ariel take her motion sickness pill and let the kids watch a movie on the way there.It was a gorge
ous day out- even a little on the cool side, especially for June, and it was perfect for spending time outdoors. The first thing we did when we got there was to watch the water fountain show in the main garden. Ariel liked it, whereas grumpy lil' Nathaniel would rather stare at the gravel. We then enjoyed a leisurely lunch at the terrace restaurant, and when I say leisurely, I mean downright slow. Nearly 2 hours. Uh-- yeah. We got free dessert out of it, bu
t it really wore on the kids patience and ours too as we had somewhat limited time there to begin with since we had so far to drive home.After lunch we went to the conservatory to investigate the children's garden, water lilies, palm house, and various other odds and ends. The kids loved the children's garden and we found some beautiful things to admire. Soon, though, it was time to go. I think we only made it thru about a third of the place. We will be going again though because we have a year long family pass. Definately worth the time, and makes me reminisce of going to Schwetzigen's Gardens.
Casting off
Tomorrow Dustan is getting his cast off, and he can hardly stand to wait. In some ways 6 weeks is a very long time to wait for something-- especially when you're irritated by something, but I still can hardly believe that it's already been 6 weeks. Ah, well. He is happy for now and we are looking forward to finding out how much or how little he'll be allowed to do in the coming weeks with his new knee brace. Wish us luck!
Sunday, June 15, 2008
So, as it turns out, "Why?" happens to be the most important question in the universe. Bet you didn't know that one.
Can you guess what the most important answer is? Almost- it's not 'because I said so'. It's 'because that's the way it is'.
Do you know who can change that? Well, obviously it can depend on what you're talking about, but most usually in the topics we find ourselves talking about in our daily lives happen to be about the things going on in our daily lives, so the answer to that question is you. Only you can change the way it is in your life, no matter what the 'it' factor happens to be.
Why does it seem so often then that we can do nothing? It is just a mirage--- an erroneous view thru a funhouse mirror that we view our lives, thinking that we cannot change how our life happens. But, every minute of everyday we distinctly act or react to the things around us that bring about subtle or dramatic life changing events that constantly transforms us into a different person- and not always one that we can be proud of or could have ever imagined ourselves to be.
The conflict within finding that balance between Providence and free will must eventually spark into accomplishment of something or else smolder into dust and death. Passions and opinions change sometimes easier than the way the wind blows, and then, at other times, they seem to be our only steady course; either way, we must live with what happens in response to our actions or lack thereof, and frankly, sometimes -even quite often- I am put to tears by those decisions.
Can you guess what the most important answer is? Almost- it's not 'because I said so'. It's 'because that's the way it is'.
Do you know who can change that? Well, obviously it can depend on what you're talking about, but most usually in the topics we find ourselves talking about in our daily lives happen to be about the things going on in our daily lives, so the answer to that question is you. Only you can change the way it is in your life, no matter what the 'it' factor happens to be.
Why does it seem so often then that we can do nothing? It is just a mirage--- an erroneous view thru a funhouse mirror that we view our lives, thinking that we cannot change how our life happens. But, every minute of everyday we distinctly act or react to the things around us that bring about subtle or dramatic life changing events that constantly transforms us into a different person- and not always one that we can be proud of or could have ever imagined ourselves to be.
The conflict within finding that balance between Providence and free will must eventually spark into accomplishment of something or else smolder into dust and death. Passions and opinions change sometimes easier than the way the wind blows, and then, at other times, they seem to be our only steady course; either way, we must live with what happens in response to our actions or lack thereof, and frankly, sometimes -even quite often- I am put to tears by those decisions.
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