Peg Leg’s Blog

It’s been four months since my last journal entry. So much has happened and at the same time some things have not changed.

AUGUST

Was it just me or was August uncharacteristic cool? If my memory serves me correctly, especially in the late 1990s, August was scorching and filled with endless weeks of heat waves. Maybe my memory is becoming faulty or perhaps that was before I had the luxury of working in air conditioned offices.

Alexander

Happy 2^nd Birthday to my nephew Alex!! Loves & Kisses from your Aunt.

SEPTEMBER

BeaverKill Campground

I don’t know but this might have be the last of the traditional yearly camping trip. This ritual camp trip was started about seven years ago as a way to get all my cousins together. I didn’t want to see them only at funerals which was exactly what was happening. But because of work schedule conflicts, etc., the participants for this trip have started shrinking each year. I had thought not to go this year but my brother really wanted to go. And I think he deserved it for patiently chauffeuring me around when I was on crutches. My mom decided to join us even though she hated being one with nature. In her mind she can’t figure why we need to sleep outside when we have a perfectly warm dry bed at home. It would seemed that she went only to protect my brother and I. You know, that if we were to be attacked by some grizzly bear with a fondness for human flesh, she’ll throw herself and save us. Judy also volunteered to go with us just because she didn’t get to rough it out during her two-year stint in Africa with the Peace Corps.

This year I picked Beaverkill campground over in upstate Roscoe, NY. Because I am notoriously bad with directions, seriously I could get lost going around a block, I decided to invest in a GPS. After almost driving for four hours, we made it to the campsite. Even with the GPS the place was difficult to find because there were so many unmarked roads. So you can understand why by 4pm I was worried when Judy haven’t arrived. There I was praying that she was smart enough to turn around and head home if she couldn’t find the campsite before nightfall. It was then that I heard someone calling my name. Right across the stream on the other side, I could have sworn I was hallucinating, stood my friend waving at me. I didn’t know there was a small walking trail on that side and I thought perhaps, er, that was her spirit bidding me her last goodbye. It totally freaked me out. That was until she yelled me out of the stupor that she didn’t know how to get over the other side.

The weather was perfect except for the nights when it was FREEZING. I slept in my Subaru since I don’t think I can deal with sharing a tent with my mom.. When I was laid up with my broken ankle, I had to share a bed with her. This woman snores like a Harley, blows raspberries in her sleep, kicks, hogs the blanket, etc. You can imagine how I was barely hanging onto a thin thread of sanity. Anyway even with the windows rolled up and wrapped up like an eggroll in my sleeping bag, I still turned into a human popsicle. I think I chipped a tooth from all the teeth chattering. Every morning everyone piled into my car with the heaters blasting to literally defrost. I was all worth it. Although I’ve been camping for so many years, it still takes my breath away when I look up into the clear midnight sky and see all the twinkling stars. It makes you appreciate the beauty of nature and the vastness of the universe. In many ways each person is like a star, one of many but at the same time have the potential to shine apart from the rest.

Last that month I finished my officer training in NYC. Yes, I am allowed to carry a concealed weapon but the department rules mandates me to go through additional firearms training. You know, so I won’t embarrass them by shooting myself in the foot. As with anything pertaining to the State, I am still waiting for my badge. Seriously, at this point I think it’s much easier if I just go down to Canal Street and pick up one.

OCTOBER

Yes, as much as I deny it, it’s the month of my birthday. At work I gave everyone fair warning (with threats of death) that I don’t like celebrating my birthday. Still they did something for me. Next year I’ll try reverse psychology. My boss caught me totally off guard when he personally went out and got a birthday cake for me. It was a very nice gesture since he and I never really warmed up to each other. Don’t get me wrong, he is a fair boss…it’s just that he is so bourgeoisie.

Boo!!!

The weekend before Halloween a group of us drove to Philadelphia to pay to get scared. Now that I think about it, I should have just stayed home and reviewed my 401K account. If that doesn’t scare you, nothing will. My cousins suggested we check out this haunted attraction called the Eastern State Penitentiary. It used to be a prison that housed such famous criminals like Al Capone but has long since closed back in the 1970s and is now a historic landmark. During the month of October they turn the place into a haunted house attraction. The two hour drive and waiting on line in the rain had me totally drained out. I was zoning out so much that I didn’t even register when some of the actors/ghouls sided up next to me and tried to scare me. It was like my brain synapses was on a 30 second delay. My cousins asked me if I got scared and my answers would be, “huh?” “What?” “Did you say something?” Throughout the haunted house I was more worried about tripping and breaking my ankle so it was hard to let yourself get scared. We finished close to midnight and had to make the drive back home. I originally wanted to have potluck dinner over my place the next day but glad I cancelled that because I was in no shape to entertain. I slept like the dead right through Sunday.

NOVEMBER

My beloved Grandfather passed away. I plan to dedicate a more detailed blog in memory of him. His death was so unexpected that to this day it doesn’t feel real.

Maybe it was out of grief or the need for change, but I totally chopped off my hair. Before my drastic change, my hair down to my lower back. However with my accident and working in Westchester, getting a haircut got bumped to the end of my long list of things to do. It is rather strange, I mean I never had hair this short even when I was a child. However, I think I’m beginning to like it…

And before I forget here is the long awaited pictures of my ankle scar…after 9 months the scars are still very visible.  Not very attractive…maybe I should get a tattoo to cover it up.

Left Side

Right Side

Ha, that is my new nickname. I have people I don’t even know come up and congrat me on walking without a crutch. I think I am famous, either for being a hardworker or being plain stupid.

It’s good to know that physical therapy is helping. One of the hardest things is to remember to walk correctly. After month of crutching and not putting weight on the right foot, you tend to retain that habit. So if you see me muttering to myself, it’s not because I’m crazy. It’s to remind me that I have to walk heel, lift, and toe.

I’m settling into my apt….actually I’ve been trying since beginning of July. I thought I had a lot of stuff but once it got to this apartment I couldn’t help but wonder where it all went???!?!?! I’ve decided to graduate and buy a sofa. Who knew they could cost so much! So I’m waiting for that. And I’ve bought a bunch of stuff at IKEA which needs to be put together. There is never enough time!! Argh!!!

Work has been keeping my busy. I just love learning new stuff everyday…keeps me from counting the ceiling tiles. I have a peace officer training coming up in Sept which will bring me back in Manhattan for a week. After learning how to handcuff criminals and ethics (that is, if you’re going to beat up someone, don’t leave bruises Just kidding!!!), they will give me a shiny badge!

It’s been a while since I updated everyone with my ankle. It’s been about 15 weeks since my surgery and I’m healing according to schedule. Oh, it’s far from being normal as it still swells up and turns my feet light purple. I was told that was normal. Actually what bothers me is the stitches, especially on my left side. When my ankle swells up, the stitches literally turn almost black and look like it’s going to split…I think it’s mainly because the stitches weren’t as tight as it should be (probably because they did the operation when my ankle was still swelled up) and here is a lot of scar tissue. It is painful! Starting last week I started experimenting on walking without crutches. It doesn’t hurt but I don’t have the flexibility, so I’m limping along. That is something my physical therapist will need to work on. Right now he’s only giving my ankle massages, electrotherapy, and stretching exercises. Everyone who had have ankle injury totally recommends to keep attending therapy and no doubt I will….

Wow, where to begin? A lot has happened.

I picked up the Forester and it couldn’t have happened sooner. I was spending $90 a day on cab fare, which isn’t so bad if the cabbie didn’t spit out the window, engage in road rage, and my favorite: How he isn’t getting any from his wife, and asked me if I was single. Ew. At that point I was seriously contemplating whether I would break my ankle if I jumped out of the cab and onto the highwway.

So you can imagine my relief when I walked into the Subaru dealership to pick up my car…and then I turned into a bitch from hell. For the record, the salesman was very nice, honest, and straight forward. It was the finance manager who was the crook. First, he said my credit was bad. Sure, right. HOWEVER, I can qualify for a lower rate if I buy an additional $3000 in options like Lojack and an extended warranty. Hmm….doesn’t that sound familiar. Well, that was when I went a little crazy. All that warm fuzzy zen peaceful feeling? GONE. I went straight for the jugular vein. I told him what a load of crap and that I don’t appreciate dealers who try to scam their customers. Everything thing he tried to explain, I countered with all the research I did. I really REALLY don’t like it when people think I’m stupid.

Whew. Okay. After intense negotiation I walked away with a loan which I had anticipated. Alot better than what he originally offered. So a lesson for you boys and girls, do your homework and don’t be afraid to be a bitch. My mom’s side of the family (which I fondly call the crazies) were so proud of me. My dad’s side was looking like I just sprouted 3 heads.

With the car, I have been driving to work this past week. It was pretty nice to have a sense of freedom after having to rely on people these past months. By all means I’m not anywhere near my old self, I’m still using my crutches and it takes forever to walk one block.

Good news is that I’m going to physical therapy 2 times a week. According to the therapist my ankle has very good range of motion and I should be walking already. The thing is that until my doctor okays that, I’m stuck on crutches. My next doctor appt in mid-July. Ugh.

I’m slowly moving my stuff into my new apartment in the Bronx. It feels a little strange, it hasn’t sunk in that I moved out of Manhattan. Maybe it’s because I moved out so fast that there is no closure. I really loved the vibrance of Manhattan, even if I didn’t particuarly take full advantage of it. But the rent became so unaffordable, especially since I didn’t get the raise I wanted with this new job. Don’t get me wrong, I love my new job at the court. My coworkers are nice, I’m learning so much…it’s just the pay sucks. With State jobs, you need to take exams (which comes up every 4 years) and wait…and wait…and wait for a position to open so you can move up and get more money. I’m not sure if I can wait that long. I guess it’s too early to tell where my future will take me. A part of me is afraid I won’t like it at my new apartment…but another part understands that I tend to freak out to new situations.

Don’t worry, once I’m all settled in I’ll let you guys know so you can come to my apartment warming party!!!

I went this weekend to the dealership to get my new Forester (in Red). The experience was alot different from the time we bought our Nissan Altima. That was a learning experience so this time I scrutinized everything with a magnifying glass. With the Altima, we wound up paying alot more than we were told. No thanks to their tactic of not telling you how much you were financing, rather how much you can afford in monthly payments…and all the extras we were forced to buy. (Bay Ridge Nissan, You SUCK!!)

The Forester looked so big in the showroom. I was hesitant because I didn’t want a tanker of a car. However, when I went out to test drive it, it looked small. I guess it’s all about your surrounding perception. Ride was smooth…felt more like a car than a SUV. It was very niiiiccceee.

The dealer seemed fair. He threw in a few extras at no cost. I had a little problem of putting down the deposit. It took a good 15 minutes. As you can tell, that only reiterates my committment phobia. Do you blame me? It’s a big purchase and I’ll be driving this car for the next 10 years.

I will be picking up the car on Wednesday…..

Don’t mind me. I’m just overjoyed because drove for the first time in three months. I took my old sentra for a test drive around the block and it felt great. The ankle was holding up pretty well, as long as I don’t stomp on the brakes. I was very careful in keeping the distance between cars for that matter. I hate to admit but I was literally hanging out the window screaming, “Look at me drive!” I mean sure, I was driving 2 miles per hour but it beats my usual 1 block in 20 minutes crutching. Plus, it’s so nice to drive myself and not depend on people to do it…. 

Just got back from the doctor and I was given the green light for physical therapy. In the meantime she has okayed me to put partial weight on the ankle. I’ve tried it at home and so far so good. No sudden bolts of screaming pain. No excuse for the liberal use of the f— word. Putting partial weight (with crutches) makes me walk considerably slower than crutching around with one ankle. I feel like I’m going slow motion. Still it’s progress!

The doctor on duty this time seemed to have so much more faith in my ankle. She put down on my form that I’ll be back to normal mid July. All I can say is she is really optimistic.

I am allowed to put up to 40lbs on the ankle so driving is OKAY!!! WOOHOO!!! AHEM!!! Okay. I just need to get a car now.  After consideration I’ve decided to invest slightly more and go for a Forester. The rear seats are much more comfortable (none of the knee to the chest)…and the trunk is bigger!!!  Eventually it’ll come in handy when I go and complete my cross country trek. [The car only looks big. It's really smaller than my dad's Nissan Altima]. Fuel economy is not so bad, it’s a trade off for the safety features.

There’s several things you learn about shopping. 1) Never shop when you’re hungry, 2) Caveat Emptor (‘buyer beware’), and most importantly 3) never take someone like my mom shopping.

This weekend we went to a Subaru dealer to check out the car I wanted. Money is hard to come by and I’ve done my research about the prices and options. Over the years, I’ve learned to make sure I didn’t get caught with my pants down. Plus it’s alot of money!!! (More like debt).

So I’ve got my quotes and go into local dealer to haggle. And it went like this:

Dealer: So, I can give you the 2008 Impreza for $18,900….we don’t have red, just blue.

Me: Well, I got a quote from a Middletown dealership for $17,800..

Mom: $18,900? We’ll take it.

Me: (Mean look at mom) I am hoping you can match the price since they do have it in Red..and I really had my heart set on the color red.

Dealer: We don’t have red but the color blue is still very lucky (big teethy smile)

Mom: Yes! Yes! We’ll take it. When can you ship it?

Me: (@#%^#%#$@&%^)

Dealer: I can get you the red but it’s not the same trim and that’ll cost you additional $1500 *mumbling very fast* and $500 for shipping from the manufacturer..

Mom: We’ll take that too!!!! We need a car now!!!

Me: (#^&%#*^#*&(#&^#)!!!!!!!

I was at the end of my wits. Safe to say I told the dealer I would have think about it and got the hell out of there before my mom decided to buy everything he offered to sell including his socks. My dad was good enough to stay quiet although he did ask the dealer why they don’t make 8-cyclinder engines anymore. The dealer was stumped speechless

Next time I’m going to bring my grandfather with me. I remember going with him jewelry shopping once for my grandma. He was looking at a $5000 ruby ring. He offered $500. Hahahaha. And he was serious. Now that is who you want to be by your side when you’re shopping…

Although it didn’t get a car, I did get to check it out. It was pretty nice…the trunk space was a bit smaller than I had hoped for. Other than that, I liked the car. I just have to keep shopping until I get a good price.

It’s nearly been three weeks since I’ve gone back to work. All I can say is that it’s bearable. There are days (like today) that I wished I was at home vegging in front of the tv. The ankle, on the hand, never fails to do it’s imitation of a big fat grapefruit. I’ve given up on wearing the airboot because it hurts when the ankle swells up. Of course it’s weird crutching around at work in my sock, people think I’m healed. Eh, one time I didn’t notice I had a hole in my sock

June 2nd is when I go back to the doctor and hopefully hear the good news that I can bear some weight on the ankle (although I’m deathly afraid it’ll snap). I’ve already signed up for PT (physical therapy) after work..and I heard that is going to be very interesting. People who have taken PT have said never in their life they have used the four letter word so freely.

There’s so much to do and I can’t do them with crutches. I have a whole list of things and I figured the first would be to buy a car. My brother took my dad’s car, my dad took my car…and I have no car to take. It’s frustrating because right now I’m paying $90 a day on cab fare. That cannot be helped until I get the green light from the doctor to drive. But in the end I still need a car. It’s settled, I’m getting a 2008 Subaru Impreza Wagon in Lightning Red (kachow!!). Please no cracks about the wagon and its relation to my age…I’ve had a two door before and it was no fun at all.

Well two minutes ago I nearly slipped and broke my ankle again. Wet tiles and crutches are a deadly combination. I had a little flashback and it scared the hell out of me. Luckily, I landed half on the bed so I spared the injured ankle. Whew.

I think I need to pick my heart off the floor and lie down…