Rest day
I took yesterday as a rest day and I think it was a good idea. My right leg is feeling better behind the knee, but my left foot is still sore under that toe. I was kinda twisting it around with my hand to see if I could see exactly what hurt but couldn’t seem to feel any discomfort when I moved it by hand. But curling my toes or walking on it, I could feel the pain. Not sure what’s going on, but it feels about the same as yesterday.
My left shin is being its usual cranky self. I did more ice last night. Then I took a sharp knife and cut it off completely. Stupid shin.
I found the race pics from the 5 mile trail run. I got about 7 shots of me, including one with the speedy woman running behind me. I look like I am going to die any minute. She looks like she is standing on the corner waiting to cross the street. I like to think that in some small way, I helped her on to victory. :)
Now for the bad news on the pics. Heal striking. Lots of it. Bad. Very bad. On the trails, I know that my form goes all to hell. I can feel it. I’m looking for rocks and logs and trying not to fall and its more than I can think about at one time. So I revert to my old bad form. I’m good on the road. On the trail, not so much. Working on it.
I’m glad to see Alison is OK. When her numbers stopped changing for the online tracking in Boston, it worried me. From her description of how she was feeling, it sounded like things were going downhill very fast for her physically. She didn’t really have an explanation for it at this point. I’m sure its more than a little confusing for someone that is that experienced and at her level of ability. Anyway, she’s a real trooper and I’m happy she’s uninjured.
I have some sad business to attend to this week. My grandmother is in a hospital/nursing home/assisted living center, where she has been for a few months now. She’s 94, very sharp mentally, but very weak now. She will not be returning to her home. Due to some 60 year old legal mistakes (that can’t be fixed without tens of thousands of dollars), the house is being abandoned to the state. My parents and I are going to remove some of the last items from it before the state takes posession, although most large items will be left behind. Its all terribly sad, especially since this is the house my father grew up in, and the one that I knew growing up when we visited my grandparents. Worse than all this, is that my grandmother does not know. I’m having alot of trouble dealing with it.
There’s so many things I think about when I think of that house. Its in a terribly bad neighborhood. It has asbestos ductwork. The sewer line is going bad. But its clean, and nice inside. It has dark wood floors that have a familiar creak sound to them when you walk on them. There used to be a crack on the ceiling in the living room, and it was either caused by an earthquake or by when the nearby chemical plant exploded and destroyed the entire building. I’ve seen pictures and there wasn’t one brick left on top of another (as my Dad always says).
Maybe 1000 square feet, the house is a duplex but the people next door died years ago and my Grandmother owns the full building (part of the legal mess). The attic joins the other half of the house and my father says the kids next door used to come steal their toys all the time.
My Grandmother used to make the best homemade spaghetti, with giant meatballs. She double ground the meat and it was delicious. It always had a particular smell to it and I once found a jar of sauce at the store that smelled the same. I think she said once that she used jar sauce and didn’t know what the fuss was about. :)
Its a reminder to keep your life in order. Do you have a will? Get one. You never know how things will turn out and now is the time to have it arranged. In Michigan you need a Durable Power of Attorney along with your living will. Some legal reasons, but I have it all together. Copy with us, copy with the lawyers, copy to a good friend. If you have kids, do you know what happens to them if you and your spouse get killed in a car accident? Here, I think they are wards of the state until the courts decide where they go. The proper documents can settle it much more quickly.
April 19th, 2005 07:04
sorry to hear about your grandmother. sounds like you and your father have some really fond memories of her and the house. hope it all works out.
April 19th, 2005 07:08
that’s awful. I guess now isn’t the appropriate time to make a joke about your shin huh?
I do not have a living will cause I have NO IDEA who could possibly raise my kids in the horrible event. NO IDEA.
April 19th, 2005 07:40
Wow - one shin. That’s got to suck.
Your high-speed low-drag new shoes may be the problem if you’re feeling it in the shins and now in the form of bumps under roast beef toes.
Either that or overuse.
BTW - Dark Side M&Ms are completely overblown. It’s bad dark chocolate to begin with, and the candy coating doesn’t carry well with the mildly richer (but still pretty miserable) chocolate.
April 19th, 2005 08:31
Sorry about all the troubles, Jon. I have some fond memories of my grandparents and the places we lived as well - you will always have those. I agree on the wills & stuff and with my daughter being so ill recently I asked her to look into it as well. I didn’t want to seem morbid, but the last thing I want is little Nikayla to end up for example back with a father who currently has little or no time for her and only paid up on his support cause the courts forced him to.
April 19th, 2005 08:45
Oh, Jon, I’m so sorry you’re having to deal with all that. My family is totally like that about houses - we get emotionally attached to them, even though they really are just “structures” - because of the memories and good times. My dad built my mom’s house, and it would be like losing a piece of him if something were to happen. Hang in there, I’m thinking about you and your family. - Mia
April 19th, 2005 09:02
I’m so sorry about your grandmother, Jon. Hang in there.
My family is currently getting information on setting up a living will for my mom, which I think she’s having a tough time dealing with. I can’t imagine having to be the person responsible for making so many decisions for a loved one so unfortunately, it’s got to be done.
April 19th, 2005 09:07
It sounds like you have a swell grandma, she provided a real home for the family instead of just a house. Take care.
April 19th, 2005 13:54
My Grandma, who just passed on, used to make meatballs when we came to visit. Hers came with gravy and we ate them over potatoes. She would serve beet pickles in a little dish and orange juice in little crystal glasses. Thanks for sharing your feelings about her house. Yes, the structure itself can be “just a building”, but memories of her in it are still dear.
April 19th, 2005 15:01
Jon: Sounds like you have some great memories. Sad to see our loved ones fading.
Glad to hear that you’re resting…I’m sure it’ll help you! Kirsten
April 19th, 2005 17:53
I’m really sorry about your situation, Jon. I’ve worked with seniors a long time, and losing a home is just devestating to everyone involved. Keep your chin up. Good reminders about keeping everything in order … I have a binder that my hubby calls the “Morbid Binder”. It has all of those details … but your post did make me want to re-read our will again. Thanks.
April 19th, 2005 18:04
I am really close to my nan and worry about her health all the time.
RYN: LOL well I was a freak too, living without a TV until I met my husband, now we have 2 and I hate them!!
April 19th, 2005 23:03
That is a sad time,, it is best she doesnt know what is happening to her home,, that would make her to sad,, sorry you and your dad have to deal with it,, you should rest some more,,, I have to reread your blogs to figure out why your tying to kill yourself again,, i musta missed that one :)
Heather
April 20th, 2005 01:08
Oh that’s too sad about the house! Well, anyway, if I’m about to loose something precious, I always think I’m better off with the memories than never have exprienced the house/person in the first place. Grandma’s meatballs…I wonder if all the Grandma’s use the same jar sauce?
April 20th, 2005 10:47
I am so sorry to hear about everything your gramma, you and your family are going through Jon. None of you deserve any of this. Hang in there my friend.