I'm ready for the Olympics

So last night marked the three weeks since I tumbled off my bicycle. I am able to laugh about it now because I just don't know the who, what, why about it. It was very scary, very bloody and the lovely pink scar on my left cheek, hands and legs are ample reminders that I am blessed more bones didn't break outside of the ones in my left foot. I do know that it hasn't shaken my love for riding at all. If anything, I am so hungry to get on the bike again. To feel the wind in my hair, see the clouds floating by and hear my favorite music in my head.

But in the meantime, crutches have been my go to for getting around. And let me just say that I am pretty darn proud of how quickly I've gotten used to them. New bruises have formed under my arms from them pressing against me but I figure that's just my body saying, "What the heck are these things?!"

Here's why I think crutches should be an Olympic sport:

1. The last time I hopped was in elementary school. Now I hop everyday darn day. And the length gets better every time.

2. Humans should be trained to fetch things with their mouths too. I can now fetch plates of food, keys, cups and washcloths with my mouth...it's quite exciting really. No wonder dogs are so happy.

3. Crutches somehow cling to things, especially if they have a strap. I won't list how many lovely things have been (successfully) dragged by me. 

4. Crutches teach you to balance like you never have before. I thank my right leg and foot every night. Doing laundry, washing dishes, making dinner...on one foot? Yeah, Olympics baby!

5. If there were ever a category for being the slowest...I could win hands down. The battery charged motor cart in the grocery store? A definite Olympic feat. Who on earth created the slowest motor vehicle in which you can safely read every ingredient on a Cheerios box while still moving? And that lovely beep beep it makes when you reverse? Every store camera has caught me blushing with that sound.

6. Going to the bathroom with crutches...sorry absolutely no details...other than the fact that again, balancing on one foot when trying to grab toilet paper? Yeah, another Olympic feat.

7. Driving with crutches in your passenger seat does help in the drive through - you get sympathetic glances and offers for extra help. No gold medals but right now I am loving drive through anything - Bed, Bath, Beyond and Target are you listening? 

I see the doctor next week and while my left foot is the size of two feet combined from the swelling, these crutches have become my best friends in a very literal sense. I lean on them. I count on them. And they are everywhere I am. When I am fully mended and can walk again, I'm pretty sure these crutches won't go to Goodwill. They are going to stand proudly somewhere where I can be reminded that my Olympic calling has yet to happen...

Chapter 2

Today, Chapter 2 began...

Happy Memorial Day...

The 25 and okay, 10

Just for fun, because well, why not? And in no particular order...

25 things I really love:

1. Rain, not pitter patter but more like thunder showers

2. Milk chocolate or anything with the word, Ferrero Rocher

3. Nascar, yes one day, I want to, I must drive like those guys

4. Speed, in other words, all things fast

5. Depeche Mode, all things Depeche Mode

6. Sports, something I didn't grow up much learning or loving, but thanks to my husband, I love everything about sports, well not the "lied about steroids or deflated balls" part.

7. Music, can't live without it.

8. Long drives

9. Trees, I can photograph and stare at them swaying in the wind all day

10. Movies, romance, travel, sports, foreign - can't do horror, violence or sci fi, sorry Harry

11. Seinfeld, need not explain that I live by this show, the whole family lives by this show

12. Nature and weather shows because they are reality, not a reality show

13. Ziploc bags

14. Baby wipes, a mother's best friend

15. Being goofy

16. Supporting mom and pop restaurants

17. Buying from local businesses

18. My parents

19. My family - I can't replace waking up to my trio of everything wonderful and inspiring

20. The color green

21. Trident cinnamon gum

22. Creativity in any form

23. Architecture

24. Honesty

25. Paying it forward

And just for kicks...

10 things I really detest:

1. Jealousy

2. Competition, sports yes, people not

3. Bugs

4. Lack of manners

5. A flimsy handshake

6. Heat - shade is better

7. Clutter

8. Discounts, offers, organizations, freebies, just for women. Really? Let's be fair here.

9. Explicit lyrics

10. Stupidity, yes, plain ol stupidity

To be a person, yes a very thankful person

Since I last wrote, life took a bit of a tumble...for me anyway. Last Friday, I fell right off my bike and plummeted my face right into the pavement. 

The evening sky was beautiful. Mosquitoes were out. And our traditional after dinner ride was just about to wrap up. 

I was riding alongside our daughter, Saloni while Sunil was up a bit ahead with our son, Sohan. All I remember was chatting with her and the next minute...my head in a pool of blood. It was awful and I had no idea how scared the kids and my husband were as I was making no sense and couldn't see. I could hear voices and feel a million mosquitoes biting me. The next thing I know? In an ambulance - felt like I was in a movie.

I'll fast forward to the bit of good news...mild concussion to the head but no broken bones or skull fractures. A very botched up, bloodied face but whew! Thank God for just that. 

Bad news? Five broken bones on the top of my foot. Ouch! Crutches for four to five weeks...blessed that that is it. But for me, immobility is darn hard! 

My trio has pitched in way too much already. Saloni makes breakfast and all the lunches. Sunil sets the table, cleans, organizes. Sohan helps both of them and planks plenty of kisses on the "good" side of my face regularly! 

I'm praying this time passes fast...but it's giving my time to be thankful for my great great kids and loving amazing husband and friends who have all come to the rescue. To Judy, who took me grocery shopping and laughed with me as I rode the 5 mile an hour scooter and roared when it beeped going backwards...and picked up my kids from school. To Staci, who graced me with gorgeous tulip flowers and home cooked lentil soup. To Charlie, who brought balloons and flowers and Dinosaur books for Sohan. To Pixie, who gave me a wonderful energy massage, essential oils and arnica tablets to help my ailments. To Dan, who said my arms would look like Popeye's in no time because of the crutches! To my sis Heena who always makes me laugh when I need it.

I know I'm just a person out of millions. But right now, I'm the most thankful grateful person because without all the love and honest to goodness support from my trio and friends...I wouldn't be smiling under all the bruises.