Good Store

Did you know there is a store called "Life is good" at the Seattle airport? Looks just like the sticker someone gave me for me scooter last year! Unfortunately the prices in the store weren't so good.

Dear Self,

Dear Self,
Sorry if I haven't seemed myself lately. I had been feeling pretty grumpy these last few weeks. The super painful knee really darkened my world and made it difficult to find the joy in each day. I was just surviving, unable to find hope or anything positive to look forward to. I worked all day, went home straight to my recliner to put my leg up, and never moved until time for bed. Even then sometimes I hurt so much I slept there in the chair, at times not even being able to get into my pajamas. Those times I did make it to bed weren't much better. Tossing and turning all night, unable to find a comfortable spot for the knee. I know things were so bad I almost canceled this trip. Almost gave up the money on the non-refundable cruise. The pain was making me lose my confidence, my power, my determination. I'm so sorry about that.

As fearful as I was of leaving the safety of my home/work routine and the support of my hubby, I knew I had to go forth. But now the
solo,
handicapped,
suck the marrow,
trains, planes, automobiles, and ships adventure is already ending. While I wasn't quite as adventurous as I had hoped (sorry about that, too, but you can blame the pain), I did go over the Golden Gate Bridge on Scooter, all by my lonesome. (That was a biggie for me.) While I certainly haven't regained my confidence and my nighttime tossing and turning didn't get any better, I can see there will be a bright future ahead. So bear with me while I get through this rough patch. I'm not exactly sure how long it'll last.

But soon it'll be time for a new focus, one that will take all my attention, all my determination, all my power, all my confidence, and all my summer. My new knee will be coming soon. But not yet.

Hanging in as best I can,
Deb

P.S.
Here are a couple pictures from today. Remember when I used to take a picture every day? Those were the days, weren't they?

Strawberry Pancakes

I love strawberry pancakes topped with whipped cream. Nothing beats them for breakfast.

Except my eating plan consists of no breads, no pastas, no sugars. It was hard at Fisherman's Wharf yesterday to pass on all the many temptations.

Ice cream shop

Kettle corn shop

Chocolate shop

Crepes shop

Sourdough bakery

Fried fish restaurant

Cupcake shop

Pretzel stand

Candy shop

You get the idea. 

I stayed away from it all. But I was thinking about those crepes. They smelled wonderful. They are probably the closest thing I'll ever get to eat that slightly resembles a pancake without straying far from my plan. 

So this morning I returned and ordered a strawberry crepe, no sugar no whipped cream, and watched them make it through the window. It sure was tasty! Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) I couldn't finish it. 

I also stopped by the pier to say good morning to all the sea lions. They sure were a noisy bunch. 

Then off to catch another cruise ship for a ride back to Vancouver. 

I'm so thankful for the life I have. 

The Bridge

This trip was supposed to be all about today. As I was getting stronger, walking more, and continuing to lose weight I had set a goal. Something I had never done before. Something that would push me. Something that would make me feel like I accomplished something big.

I was going to walk across the Golden Gate Bridge.

But I've been scooter-dependent these last few weeks because of the disastrous knee. I was quite sad knowing today wasn't going to happen. I resigned myself to leaving the ship this morning, stopping by Fisherman's Wharf to grab a San Francisco sticker for scooter, going straight to the hotel, and then staying there for the day.

Things were set in motion very early this morning to change that. I'm not sleeping well because of the knee. Thank goodness. If it weren't for the pain, I wouldn't have seen this sight out my cabin door before daybreak.

As I was sitting there watching as our ship passed under the Golden Gate Bridge I happened to look down at my arm. "I choose joy."

And it hit me. It's okay. While I was seeing a sight many get to see, I was seeing it from a direction - and at a spectacular time of day - that fewer get to experience. I choose joy and all is good with me whether I can walk or not.

Then somewhere between getting off the ship and my scootering over to Fisherman's Wharf I got this idea I was going on a city tour. One that stopped at the bridge. And before I could talk myself out of it I was on the Golden Gate Bridge with Scooter. Scooter took me from one side to the other and I have the pictures to prove it.

If those pictures weren't enough proof of an amazing day, I scootered my way back to the pier for dinner (delicious)

and captured Alcatraz with a sailboat in the foreground, right from the comfort of my table.

Yep, all is good with me whether I can walk or not.

Bueller Wisdom

I spent my Mother's Day on a cruise ship with no phone service. Outside. By the pool. In the glorious sunshine. Watching movies on the big screen on the ship. "Movies Under the Stars" they call it. (They run movies at night, too.).

Ferris Bueller was one of those movies. Remember his quote at the end?:
Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.

To all those mothers with little kiddos or big kiddos, please don't forget the wisdom of Ferris.

Happy Mother's Day.