Category: Life & Family

Stay the Course!

January 24, 2023 PassionateAboutTeaching 1 Comment

For those of you that read along, you know I completely tore my ACL on October 27. I’m ten weeks post-knee surgery and slowly getting back to some normalcy. It has truly been a LONG and ARDUOUS journey. Yikes! There’s been a lot of ups and downs, to say the least.

I go to PT (physical therapy) two times a week – it’s draining, painful, and tough work. I’m getting there, however. My most important goal, for now, is bending my knee – 135 degrees is my ultimate goal. Over time, I’ve moved from a bend of 55 degrees (my first PT appointment) to a 121-degree bend (yesterday). Therefore, I’m headed in the right direction.

I just wanted to send a little reminder to everyone that if you’re going through a hard time, hang in there. Stay the course. Lean on others and support yourself with positive people that will encourage and motivate you. We’ve got this!

This past week, I hit another mini-goal. I was able to go ALL the way around while pedaling the bike at therapy. Prior to that, I could only go halfway around. Another mini-milestone – yea!

Happy Tuesday!

Until next time,

Life & Family, Self-Care

Are You Missing Someone this Holiday Season?

December 6, 2022December 6, 2022 PassionateAboutTeaching 2 Comments

Are you missing someone this holiday season? If so, I’m there with you! It’s during this time that the hole in our hearts rears its ugly, painful head again. Yes, I usually cry big, ugly tears this time of the year (already done that, check)!✅

Me? I’m missing my dad. 💔That empty chair is a huge void around the table. I miss his deep voice, constant encouragement, and telling me, “I’m so proud of you. You can do this!” I miss calling him on my way home from work and conversing about our day. I’m so blessed to have a few of his voice mails saved (like precious gold). Hearing his voice, however, is a blessing AND curse- I love it, but it yanks hard and rips opens that chasm in my heart even wider.

I’m wishing you all a wonderful holiday season and sending an extra little thought and prayer for those dealing with hurt, anger, loneliness, and loss during the holidays.

I can’t believe it’s been six years!! I miss you terribly, Dad!😇

Until next time,

Check this out!, Life & Family

Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃

November 24, 2022November 25, 2022 PassionateAboutTeaching No Comments

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you all had a wonderful day! Mine was a little different since I’ve been recovering from knee reconstruction surgery for a torn ACL.

I just wasn’t up to the family gathering like usual. 😣However, my faithful “therapy cat” kept me company. 😹

Together, we enjoyed some Thanksgiving food!😂 He didn’t see a problem with this at all!

Join us on Tik Tok! 😹 http://www.tiktok.com/@passionateaboutlifeteach

Anyways, I hope your Thanksgiving day was blessed, relaxing, and memorable.

Until next time,

Life & Family

Stop and Count Your Blessings! 🛑

November 1, 2022 PassionateAboutTeaching No Comments

Every day we take our gifts, talents, and abilities for granted. I’ve truly come to appreciate the ability to walk in the past week. For our school’s Halloween pep rally, our teachers were involved in a TIKTOK trend where the teachers dance to the song, Supersonic. My “cheerleader partner” and I were doing a couple little dance moves along with a kick. During practice in the gym, all went well. At home, when I decided to run through my part a few times before the big performance in front the of the school the next day, all DID NOT go according to plan. What my husband thought was a clap was actually my left knee going outward and popping. Ouch! I laughed it off (in pain), not thinking I’d damaged it that bad. However, when I went to bear weight on that leg, it felt like my knee was “floating” and was very wobbly.

After a check up at the ER and with an orthopedic doctor, I now have an upcoming MRI tomorrow. I’m on crutches and using a knee brace in the meantime. At home, a rolling chair has become my “best friend.” 😂Being a teacher and not having full ability to move around is truly an arduous task.I’m depending on my students more than ever (and they are meeting the challenge – bringing me needed materials, carrying my items to and from my vehicle, you name it – they have done it).

It’s during this time, that I’ve realized how blessed we are with the ability to just move around independently. I know it’s during these times that we grow stronger (and yes, sometimes, frustrated as well). Please send some good vibes, thoughts, and prayers (if you’re the praying type) my way since tomorrow is my MRI. I’m hoping for great news and am not wanting to hear the dreaded word “surgery.” 😩

How did the pep rally performance go – THEY (I wasn’t able to participate, obviously) did a wonderful job. I’m proud of our teachers and cheerleaders! 💜

Life changes quickly – 🛑stop and count your blessings!

Until next time,

Life & Family

Overcoming Neck Surgery

October 6, 2022 PassionateAboutTeaching 4 Comments

We all have challenging times in life that we have to overcome. For me, it was neck surgery after a car wreck. Four years ago, on slick roads, a young girl pulled right out in front of my daughter and me. I tried to slow the momentum, but it was futile. We slammed into her passenger side like a brick wall. This was the first time I experienced air bags deploying in a vehicle. Shaken up and fearful to drive again, I tried to move on. However, over the next week, I was in excruciating pain. X-rays and an MRI (that was No fun) would show three bulging discs as the culprit of my severe pain and agony.

Trying to teach with my neck hurting, day in and day out, was agonizing. After many steroid shots, lotions, creams, chiropractic care, heating and ice packs, and the whole gamut, the expected (and much dreaded) news from the neck surgeon was “You are going to require surgery to eliminate the pain and have a ‘normal’ life again.” Yea, I knew this news was coming!

Let’s just say that wasn’t a fun time AT ALL. I couldn’t do anything for myself and slept in a chair for three weeks before I could even sleep in the bed (neck brace was a must while sleeping – oh joy)! Fast forward three years, and I’m doing well. I can’t believe how many things I can do again. Riding rollercoasters again? Nope, that is off my list and never again (suggested adamantly from the surgeon). Boo! I used to love rollercoasters!

However, I’ll count my blessings! I’m living pretty much pain-free (except when cooler weather comes in). The picture below popped up in my “memories” so thought I’d share. This was my first time out and about (with my lovely neck brace). 😂