Oh my Aching Back

Last Thursday my back started killing me. I couldn't walk without getting a sharp pain and I'm all hunched over like an old lady. I have no idea how I did this to my back but it hurts like crazy. A girl I work with recommended her brother in law chiropractor so I made a visit on Monday. Apparently I have a condition known as sway back which means my spinal cord is curing in towards my belly button more than normal. During the visit I was iced down, stretched, and massaged and wow did it feel good. That night I felt wonderful and actually got a good night's sleep. Well yesterday, Tuesday, I went for my second visit. Did everything the same as Monday but was put in a massage chair for 10 minutes. Now today, my hip and leg are hurting so bad I get a stabbing pain when I walk and my back aches more than it has all week. I'm supposed to go back to the chiropractor on Thursday but I just don't know. I'm really considering just going to a "regular" doctor so I can get some lovely pain meds. Ouch!

Hurricane Ike

So on Sunday, September 14 Hurricane Ike decided to travel through Cincinnati. Who said we don't get hurricanes here? According to reports, we experienced winds up to 75 miles per hour which damaged houses and knocked out power to hundreds of thousands of people. Shingles and siding flew around the neighborhood along with other random home parts. Being the slightly adventurous people that we are, Chris and I decided to toss around a football in the backyard during the entire storm. That is, until, a giant metal piece from our neighbor's house came flying right towards me. I think that made me wise up a bit.

Since we had no power along with pretty much everyone else that we know, Chris and I entertained ourselves by listening to the radio on the back porch and sitting by the fire in our fire pit for three very long days. Everything in our refrigerator spoiled and had to be pitched. We dined on fine delicacies such as Los Cabos, McDonalds, and Cheeseburger in Paradise since they were the few places actually open with power. Luckily for us, our power came back on at 3:38 am on Wednesday.

My school has been closed the entire week since approximately 30% of our students are still without electricity and hot water. Downed trees and power lines block 8-10 major roads leading to school. At this point we have no calamity days (snow days) left to use even through the oh so fun winter to come. I'm really really hoping we'll be back and ready to go by Monday because I'm not too sure how long I can stand being holed up at home.

Shingle and Siding Damage that's since been fixed:

What's left of our fridge and freezer once the power comes back on. I know, we look like a bunch of alcoholics:

Neighborhood damage

The jerk with the generator

So last weekend we started this whole lawn renovation project. If you've seen our lawn previously, you know it was nothing but a bunch of nasty, hideous weeds. Well last Saturday and Sunday we aereated the lawn and used a split seeder to plant new grass seed. Each and every single day we have to water the entire yard to make the grass grow. Nature Boy Don Becker told us to expect to see new grass within about 3 to 4 weeks. Well we're only 1 week into it and we have new baby grasses!!!! Yay!!

So Sorry

Wow, I'm surprised to learn I someone who actually checks this page to see if I've written anything. Great to know but then I got yelled at for not writing in so long! I've started school since the lat time I wrote. I have a smaller class this year which is always wonderful but there are more students in IEPs and 504s. For those of you who are not familiar, these are individualized education plans for special education students. AKA, hard work! Most of my students seem to be well behaved but I'm starting to see a few who are going to test me. I guess it's pay back for last year which was almost too perfect.

I also started back on Weight Watchers this past Monday. Chris and I are thinking of starting a family sometime next year and I want to be as healthy as possible before that time comes. Not to mention the 10 pounds I've gained over the summer. My weigh in days are on Mondays so wish me luck.