Smells Like Christmas

"It smells like Christmas," Emily said as she opened the car door and stepped out onto my driveway.

"Ha! Yeah, I guess it does," I chuckled.

"Is that a deer?!" I love that all of my out-of-state friends are always amazed by the deer here. To Central Oregonians, it's no big deal to see a deer, but everyone else is captivated by their presence. My physical therapist who just moved down from Bellingham still stops working, grabs his phone and takes multiple pictures when one walks up to the office window... which is almost every time we meet.

From the office

But this is home now. At least, it's a temporary home away from home. Which is funny, because that was what I thought Santa Barbara was when I moved there for college. Now Santa Barbara feels like my true home while Oregon feels foreign to me, like new territory. I am learning my favorite restaurants, the best spot to grab coffee and read the comics after church, favorite local running spots for when I am able to run again... it has been an exciting process.

I did not think I would be staying here for long. I thought for certain I would be back in Santa Barbara by September, but the doctor told me I needed to remain in the area for 12-18 months so he could meet with me monthly. The news was devastating... confusing. Why did God keep throwing these curveballs in my direction? I was pushing so hard to get home to my friends, clients and jobs, but something kept getting in the way.

The view from my house

So here I am. Living in Oregon. The land of Christmas. I have taken on a new job, which does not require me to run, squat, jump, swim, yell at people, etc. My friendships here have taken off faster than any I ever made in Santa Barbara. It's funny... I find that it is more difficult to find people I connect with, but when I do find someone and we click, we REALLY click. It's fantastic. I have not had one free night in over a month and I just love it.

Early morning sunrise

My old suitemate from college and her husband moved up here a couple of years ago and I've been able to build on that friendship even more. She has played a huge role in my life for the past seven years and I am so grateful to live near her again. Two of my best girlfriends from high school live here and have joined the running club that I started. One of them is Thai. I actually introduced her to her husband back in high school. She has been teaching me how to cook Thai food and I am so blessed by her. The other girl is this phenomenal singer that I used to be in jazz choir with. She is so full of life and joy and I feel refreshed every time I see her.

Tiff and me at Brew Fest

Picnic with Amanda

Making T-Shirts with Thanittha

Tiff!

Tumalo Falls

The new people I get to boss around on the track

I even met someone. Which is a funny story in itself. He is kind, funny, brilliant and he brings a ton of joy into my life.

This new phase in my life was totally unexpected, but I cannot complain. Life is good.

I still hope to return to Santa Barbara after the year here is finished, but I have learned not to make plans. Obviously, I do not control what happens to me!

Cheers to new adventures, fantastic friendships and being close to family again.

Spelunking with Emily, Kaylee, Trevor and Cory

My parents celebrating 29 years together on the Metolius

Shooting chipmunks in our backyard

Wildflower 2013 and Update on Tendon

At this moment, I should be checking my stats from the Wildflower race; unfortunately, if I opened up the link to see my total time, I would not be able to find my name on the list. Or maybe it's still on the list with a big DNS (Did Not Start) next to it.

Wildflower was not in the cards this year. It is a huge bummer, but I know that I will make up for it next year.

Good news on Wildflower 2013 though! The pro male and female winners were both from my hometown: Bend, Oregon. Yeah, Bend! Three-peat Jesse Thomas, aka The Aviator,  is pretty well-known in my town, especially now that his Picky Bars are all the rage. He finished the race in 4:02:19. Yeah buddy! So proud of him!

Photo courtesy of Jesse's wife, Lauren

I haven't met Heather Jackson, the female top pro, but she did awesome! She crossed at 4:33:20. Baller. Now I have something to aim for next year!

Photo courtesy of Lauren

Maybe while I'm in Bend working on my rehab, I can get some pointers from them both. Hey, gotta take advantage of being a gimp, right?

In honor of Star Wars Day yesterday (May the 4th be with you), I am attaching a photo of the original Star Wars cast. You're welcome.

And, the moment you've all been waiting for, the update on my surgery! I went to the surgical center Friday where they took off one cast and put another on. It is my 3rd cast in the period of 2 weeks. Each time the cast is a little lighter, but I still am not allowed to put weight on it and I have an order to stay in bed with my foot elevated. So fun. There still is no clarity on if the tendon has completely healed or not because they don't want to stress the tendon too much if it is holding. I will go again mid-June to see if there is progress.

Thank you again for all of your thoughts and gifts and prayers. You all have been so supportive and encouraging. In fact, I'll reward you with a funny visit from my doctor's visit.

I have noticed that using the restroom is not an easy task when you have a task. It's hard enough at home where I have a system, but trying to use a stall in a public restroom? I had my first experience last Friday at the center. Crutching slowly, I pivoted around the bathroom. Flushing was the difficult part because I refuse to use my hand to touch the lever. Balancing on my crutches, I lifted my good foot and used what is left of my abdominal strength to reach the leg out and push the lever. It was pretty impressive. Then I crutched over to the sink. My cell phone was in my bra, but that wasn't the most secure place, as it fell out as I was scrubbing my hands. It slid under the sink and I looked at it quizzically. No one was in the restroom to grab it for me and I couldn't call my Dad for help because... well, I didn't have access to my phone.

"Okay, God," I pleaded. "Please don't let me fall. Please give me strength and balance." I balanced on my left leg and squatted down. I will admit, even when I am at 100% in the peak of my training, one-legged squats still own me, but I did it and was able to get my phone without touching my cast to the floor. "Oh, Shawty, got low," I proudly thought to myself as I stood up and made my way out to the lobby. Wha-bam!