Finally got my taxes done Fri. Feels good to have that done and in the bag. Last year I spent my entire federal refund getting the taxes done. Yeah, I wasn't getting much. But this year, I decided to go to a free tax assistance place. I found it on the AARP website. 

They were patient with me and my creative bookkeeping style. I actually get to keep my refund. Again not much but it's mine, mine, all mine!. I did find out that you don't need to be a senior citizen to take advantage of these services. These folks are volunteers but "qualified" accountants and you don't have to pay anything. 

I was trying, yet again, on an on-line tax service and according to it I owed money. It gets me so confused because I do itemize and it just makes me crazy, so I'm glad I found this. Whew!

On a sad note, we, as a country, had another senseless shooting at a school. I'm so proud of these surviving students banning together and starting a movement against our lax gun control laws. 

It breaks my heart that nothing has been done about gun control in our country even after so darn many tragic events. Since those in charge aren't listening to the adults, these children are going up to engage them. Bravo! Rise up children, we are behind you.

March 24, 2018. This is the date they have chosen to stand, march and take action to be heard. Many will be eligible to vote in the next elections. Prepare for a change.

I took the same classes this last weekend and my feet, especially the left one did well. I may have pushed too much, but my left knee (popliteal cyst) really acted up. Oh well. I was pleased to be able to do the 1000's (well, thats what it felt like) of lunges that were in the barre class Fri. Not too long ago I couldn't hold myself in a lunge because of my foot. 
I think I'll send a note to the ortho Dr. in a couple of weeks to let him know that I have gotten some strength back in the foot. Butthead. 

I ended up getting sick last week, all week. By the time I got home last Mon. afternoon (early) I had a temp. of 100.4 and 2 hrs later it went up to 101.5! Miserable. I was bundled up in jammies, a bathrobe, my fuzzy slippers, a doubled blanket and the heat on to 80 degrees in the house and I was still having chills. I awoke the next morning soaking wet as was my bed. I didn't leave the house 'til Fri. Only for a couple of hours, then back into jammies, et al. I never had the temp in the house that high again, thankfully, after Mon. I'm back to healthy again. I missed taking class last week but knew it wasn't a good idea to even try. 

​I don't believe it was the flu but more of the usual sinus/bronchitis thing 'cuz I wasn't achy, but I am better and looking forward to feeling human again.

Remember folks, if you're sick, stay home. Cover your mouth when you cough, wash your hands often, stay hydrated and warm. Your bodys' increase in temperature is its way to fight the infection, to burn it out. Your colleagues, clients and your own body will thank you for it. 

 My former place of employment made us go to the Dr. if we were out for more than 2 days, and each time it was the same thing, Claritan-D and ibuprofen. So I saw no reason to change this time. 

​Well, stay healthy and keep dancing. Peace out!

​

Ooooo-ey! I went in to the studio last Fri. morning and took a barre ​class. I managed to do  much of the class, albeit with lots of modifications, but I was surprised at what I could do with my foot. I really tried to focus on my foots position on the floor while working and YES, it was taped up. I believe the tape is a life saver to me.

I think I'm gonna feel the workout in the next day or 2 but thats ok. I think its more than I've done since my foot has been hurting. Hurts so good. I'll get my chops back and strengthen/re-align my foot.

When I got home I decided to take the beautiful Delilah on a good walk. Cray-ray apparently decided not to come today. A pretty heavy duty day for the walking wounded ole gal (me, not Delilah). But the foot/ankle did survive along with the rest of me. After her walk I took a bath and went and got a mani-pedi. Aahhhhhhh, treat for me and my foot. I love getting my nails done. More for the massage than the polish. After the polish is on, while its drying I turn on the massaging chair. Yum. Not as good as an actual massage, true. But still, its something.

​​I was aware of trying to keep it aligned with my foot and visa-versa but the challenge seems to be never ending. Up the kinetic chain we go. What is the kinetic chain you may ask? Well, here's a definition for you; 
"A kinetic chain is the notion that these joints and segments have an effect on one another during movement. When one is in motion, it creates a chain of events that affects the movement of neighboring joints and segments."

​In layman's terms, when I made those conscience efforts to maintain my ankle alignment, it affected the next joint up, my knee. They're all linked together. My adjustments can work their way up to my back, hips and even into my neck. Maybe, maybe not, but it can. 

All I can do is keep working to get my whole self as healthy and efficient as my body will allow. 

Now, as for the rehab exercises I've been doing for my Posterior Tibial Tendon dysfunction. I'm using a fairly light band around the ball of my foot. I'm doing 2 exercises, 1) sliding the ball of my foot across the floor medially to externally (turnout from ankle) without knee movement.
2)  hold foot in neutral, with foot off of the floor, press the ball of the foot forward and then reach the toes forward and then pull the toes back to the ball of the foot and press the heel forward (point to flex). 
​
I also stand by the belief that what you do on 1 side of your body or part, you repeat on the other side. So both feet were done.

2/10/18

I took the barre class again this week and still have modifications to do but it does feel great to take a class and work. Do you notice that when you take a class you push yourself even just a tad bit harder than when you're on your own? I know I do. It feels good to be around different peeps too. I'm also aware that, left to our own devices, we tend to only do what we know we're good at. Taking the class makes me work on things that I'm not necessarily good at. All things are good for the body, in time. I followed that class by taking the Ballet Basics class the next day. Yikes!

I'm also feeling like a bit of a mummy, with not only my foot taped but also the back of my knee. The plies were tough and I certainly didn't sink down as low as the others due to the subsequent pain involved in the knee but I did do them. I'm also rather miffed at myself for the loss of strength I allowed to happen in my body. BUT...I'll gain it back.

I really don't care how taped up I need to be. As long as I am able to move, bend, lift, and eventually dance, I'm gonna tape up. I look forward to the day that I don't have to take a break to release my knee or my foot, that I can hold myself up and not be outa breath, not need to make modifications and I can do the entire class without stopping. Look out people, that day is-a-comin'. (Might be awhile, but its-a-comin".)

​As for my clients, I'm hoping that my convictions give them the motivation to do their best for themselves. They all have issues and can work to overcome some and do the best job possible for others, but improve their health, they can; physically, emotionally and mentally. 

As always, I will keep posting my progress' and failures. I am not perfect by any means but I'm not a quitter either. I will fight for what I need. I haven't lost any more weight but have lost a bit more in the inches. At least I'm not gaining the weight back. Thats my big fear but so far so good. 

​I think that my being able to take some classes has enabled me to sleep better these last few weeks. Its been wonderful. I also think finding out about my foot helped relax me, my nerves. Knowing is so much better than not knowing. Even if I don't like the diagnosis, it gave me something to fight and work on. The more I accomplish the more I want to do but I'm making myself hold back so as to NOT make things worse. 

I worried about taking 2 classes, 1 each of 2 days back to back. But it was fine. One week, I felt the quads and the next I felt the hamstrings. By the way, my classes got a kick outa my being sore. They laughed and laughed. Oh well, I'll get 'em. Ha-ha-ha. Just kidding, I get it.

Well, I just got home from a 90 minute massage. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! I'm done for the day. 

Happy Valentines Day people. Be kind, stay healthy and keep dancing.

​Peace out