Concussions Are Not Fun

I now have to question two things I believed were true: 1) I am a good multitasker and 2) I am coordinated.

The other day as I left the house to walk to the bus stop, I fell onto the concrete and hit my knees, hands and chin.  It was a longer walk and the sidewalks were clear, so I thought I would look at email on my Smart phone and drink my coffee.  Not a good idea!  The sidewalk right in front of my house has settled so there is an inch difference.  Since there has been so much snow and ice, I never noticed.

Needless to say, I was dizzy, my ears were ringing, and I was disoriented.  No one saw so I got up and walked into the house.  I was wearing a white shirt, so I knew I had to wash my bloody hands and put bandaids on.  Managed to do this but then passed out over the chair.  Awoke 15 seconds later and made it over the couch.  All I wanted to do was sleep.  Called my husband who could tell I was not right.  He took me to urgent care and the doc said I had a mild concussion.

I thought I would be at work the next day, but when I woke up, my body felt like I had been in a car wreck and sounds sounded much louder than normal.  Today is my fourth day of recovery, my body still hurts and sounds still seem louder, but I am doing better.

Lesson: Do not walk and multitask!  And for that matter, do not drive and multitask!  I guess it took me 40 years to figure that out!

Changes Now That I'm 40

Need to start committing to yoga and exercise.  My mom is a great example of this!  She teaches at least one yoga class a day and teaches an age 70+ weights classes in Lubbock, TX.  Winter has made me a bit lazy although I did take my first kung fu class and loved it!  Didn't get to finish it because I hurt my back from either shoveling mounds of snow or my bed or turning 40.  My husband and I picked out a Serta plush bed (the Karlie) from Sears on Sunday; hopefully this helps but these no flip beds just mean the bed will last half the time they used to.  Had a Verlo mattress-and yes, we bought a cheap one-but it only lasted six months.

Mom visiting Madison

Thinking about getting these Naot shoes.  In the past, I would never spend a lot of money on shoes but now I think it is worth it.  They are expensive but very comfortable!  

One of my favorite dinners lately is Ian's gluten-free fish sticks, roasted brussel sprouts with toasted pine nuts, and quinoa.  Took about 30 minutes to put it all together.  Quinoa has more protein and vitamins than rice and is therefore, healthier.  I have to make my dad's home-made tarter sauce (see below).  Then I had to have a few pieces of dark chocolate.  I get Lindt 85% dark when I want to save money.  Dark chocolate has less sugar and is high in antioxidants.

Rolf's Homemade Tarter Sauce

1/2 c mayonaise
3 T brown mustard
3 T dill relish
salt and pepper

Mix it up.  It can be altered for more people.

Michael Moore and Michelle Shocked Came To The Rally!

We went to the rally at the Capitol yesterday and were surprised that Michael Moore showed up.  Michael Moore pointed out how Wallstreet and greed got us into this, not teachers and not unions, but they are the ones being attacked.  It's not about the budget, it's about politics.

Here a great link of 360 degree photos of the protests:

http://www.tourdeforce360.com/madison_protest/

Rally on Mar. 5

Gov. Walker says his ideals are innovative, but they seem to ultimately hurt the middle class.  The average salary for teachers here is $50,000 and I will attest that housing and living is more expensive here and the money does not go far.  But they are willing to pay into their healthcare and pension, but the biggest issue is "union busting" legislation, which seems to have nothing to do with the budget, but a lot to do with politics.  Wisconsin has worked hard for everyone to have a good quality of life, and that  is currently being threatened and so quickly.

Michelle Shocked (folk singer originally from Texas) came from LA

Here's a YOUTUBE link to watch Moore's speech and see Michelle Shocked's performance:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgNuSEZ8CDw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWrt-OutM94

Michael Moore was a surprise speaker!

The 14 senators who left are called the "fab 14"

We are all amazed that the 14 democratic senators are still in Illinois and have not come back.  It has been almost 3 weeks.  Not sure how long they can stay away for, but if one comes back, then the "repair bill" will pass.  

I have been impressed at the number of families and babies who have come to the rallies.  It has been so cold out but people keep coming-I think 50,000 on Saturday.

It was freezing out!  The woman in the green sweater gave her jacket to her daughter  (to her right) and the daughter already had a big jacket on.  It was bone chilling cold!

Protests Continue...Day 15!

                                                      


Here are some pics from inside the capitol and last Saturday's protest.  They estimate 70,000 people were there-it was definitely the largest protest I have ever been in!

Gov. Walker is still set on getting rid of most collective bargaining for unions.  He announced more details of his budget for 2012 and there will be huge cuts and loss of jobs: http://bit.ly/dXIuJ9.  The 14 Democratic senators are still in Illinois, avoiding having to vote on the repair bill.  The capital is now not allowing people in unless they are with the media or work there, but there are some protestors inside who refused to leave.  They let them stay and sleep there, but if they leave, they cannot get back in.

If you want to follow what is going on here in Wisconsin, you can go to these links (and of course my blog!):

http://www.thedailypage.com/isthmus/

http://www.channel3000.com/index.html

http://bluecheddar.wordpress.com

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Solidarity in Wisconsin

It has been a crazy week here in Wisconsin!  Governor Scott Walker has introduced a bill that essentially is aimed at getting rid of unions!  He's a real jerk.  Mark and I went to the rally yesterday and it was nice to see democracy in action. 

The protest was made up of young and old people.  I heard a four year old say,"Governor Walker is trying to take away our rights."  

Click on the link below to hear Rachel Maddow discuss the history of Wisconsin's unions and why this is related the survival of the democratic party

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/

2011 Blizzard, Good Thing We Had a Shovel

We had a total of around 16 inches. It is the most snow I have ever had to shovel! It looked like the mountain towns in Colorado. Mark and I shoveled and the neighbor came by and helped us too. Many people have snow blowers! But the damn plows push the snow onto the driveway and mailbox and you have to shovel again! Luckily the sun came out and it wasn't too bad.

Let it snow!

Is that our car!?