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It’s been so long…getting caught up!

Sheesh…. crazy busy here!   I had surgery on my left foot on Friday, the same as what I had in August on my right foot, for arthritis removal.  Things are going quite well and pain-free, but I have been insanely busy getting stuff done in anticipation of bobbing around on one foot for a week!   Last Saturday was the start of Eli’s high school wrestling career, with a pre-season meet that included Class A, B and C schools (Camden Hills is Class B).  Eli had three matches:  his first was against a senior and the defending Class C State Champion (!!!!).  Astonishingly, Eli managed to get a couple of escape points and NOT get pinned, which under the circumstances was amazing (since boys’ strength increases exponentially each year…kinda like dog years!).  Then he won his next two matches convincingly.

Illuminated script lettering from Val Webb’s Watercolor Lettering class.

I’ve also been taking the most WONDERFUL online “Watercolor Lettering” class with Val Webb.  The class is hosted privately, not via an online store or school.  She creates a private group on Facebook where we can share, you download instructions from a password-protected blog (that is open for about 4 months which you have to work on the 10-week class), and there are video tutorials (some 30 minutes long!) there.   I have learned SO MUCH! The example above is one I completed today, and it is probably the best thing I’ve ever done in watercolors.   Val’s critiques are offered privately or, if you ask, on the group.  Since I learn so much from reading the critiques, I have gladly offered mine up for sharing on the group, as have others.  Val is generous yet points out in the nicest way what you can work on…helping you see where there are inconsistencies that might be done differently the next time.  Just wonderful!

Me at home last night, showing a friend what the knee scooter looks like.

On Friday, after slamming all week to get stuff done in my studio, mow about 8 acres (literally) of meadow before winter and get the riding mower tucked away for winter, and do chores more easily done from two feet, I had my second surgery.  Basically, the doc puts you under with something similar to the anasthesia they use for a colonoscopy (you have blissful amnesia after the fact), then takes a drill to remove the arthritic growth from one’s big toe.  The only hard part for me, last time, was that I had to use a walker (crutches would ahve been as bad); because of the arthritis in my thumbs, putting weight on my hands to get to places (like the bathroom) was SO painful–far worse than the foot!  So the ER recovery nurse suggested we rent a “knee scooter.”  A what?  She pulled it up on a laptop, showed me, we called the Medical supply place in Portland (on our way home) to reserve one, and I am SO HAPPY!  I can get around the house easily!

Eli’s first match yesterday, in the official season-opener meet, was against the MDI (Mount Desert Island) kid who placed third in Eastern Regionals last year. As you can see, the boy (in green) is seriously ripped–that’s Eli in red grabbing his leg.

So easily, in fact, that since this surgery is on my left foot, I was told I could drive whenever I felt up to it.  Well, yesterday was Eli’s first “official” high school wrestling meet and I had been SO bummed I wouldn’t be able to go due to the walker.  Not any more!  I felt up to it, and I MADE IT to the meet!   It helps that the meet was in a town only 30 minutes drive, too.   So I got myself and scooter into my car and went!   And Eli had a fabulous start (of course he did, he rocks!).  As a matter of fact, the team had a fabulous start.  They lost 7 out of 13 Varsity team members to graduation last year, including 3 state champions.  Yet, the team WON the 6-team Class B meet!  Ellsworth obliterated four of the other teams, and Camden Hills obliterated Ellsworth.  Can we all say “WAY COOL!”

Well…here’s just before the end of the third period, where Eli is getting the MDI boy on his back, again. Eli won, 10-3!  That’s against the boy who was 3rd at Eastern Regionals last year.  Papa Smith was VERY pleased!

And another move, where Eli is cranking on the boy in green, trying to get his shoulders to the mat and pin him, thereby ending the match immediately. He almost managed a couple of times, but this was definitely his toughest match of the day. The boy in green, by the way, is swiveling his hips to face down to prevent Eli from getting the pin, and the referee is down on the mat so he can peer underneath when it is close to see if it is a pin or not-quite.

Eli’s second match was against another seriously-strong young man from Ellsworth, here. Although this photo is blurry, I love how it shows the motion and intensity of the matches. That’s Eli on the left driving in to his opponent.

Honestly, I’m not sure why the wrestlers (boys and girls) love this so much. Personally, I would not love having someone’s knee in my back and my face held into the mat!  Eli is (duh) in good control position here.

And a win “by fall” (which means Eli pinned his opponent, the kind of win that gets the team the most points). Eli also won his third match, which was against the JV member of the Belfast team. The varsity 152-pounder wasn’t there, but is apparently exceedingly good, was 3rd at States last year.

So, Eli’s official start to his high school wrestling (supplemented by two win-by-forfeits, where the opposing team didn’t have a kid to compete in his weight class) is a 5-0 record.  WELL DONE!  The rest of the team did extremely well… so proud of all of them including the coaches, kids, JV, and manager.  This year the coaches are:   PK, the high school science teacher, former coach and former Camden Hills wrestler and State Champion is coach, True Bragg is Asst Coach (had been Middle School coach, and he too went to Camden and was State Champion), Coach Goodspeed (been around since 1982 as head coach,  part of the room and asst coach) and Paul as Asst Coach also.  Thanks to the men, ranging in age from mid 20s to 70 ish, for helping. WOOT!

So that’s what I’ve been doing.  Since I am allowed to put NO WEIGHT on my left foot all week, I hope to get caught up on some computer work:  accounting for my teaching trips this year, learning InDesign (or at least starting), learning my new iPhone (I LOVE IT!), caught up on watercolor lessons, make some small Christmas gifties, write the Christmas newsletter, order the Christmas cards, do some fun reading, watch a couple DVDs I ordered like a year ago… hmmm…sounds like I need several weeks!  I promise to try to be better about blogging! Meanwhile, enjoy the holiday season.  Happy Hannukah to those who celebrate–personally, I believe in joining in all celebrations of light and goodness and joy!

 

5 Responses to “It’s been so long…getting caught up!”

  1. Vicki W Says:

    Very stylish knee scooter there! Glad the surgery went well and I hope you have a speedy recovery.

  2. Martha Ginn Says:

    Sarah Ann,
    Good luck on this second surgery; you really have my prayerful sympathy as you bravely go about what has to be done. The scooter looks like a great improvement over crutches. I’m glad you can go to see Eli’s matches, though don’t let your blood pressure go off the charts watching.
    Martha

  3. Debby Harwell Says:

    So wonderful to hear from you and to find out about Eli’s wresting season. I knew since we hadn’t heard from you that perhaps that’s what you were busy with! I knew the wrestling season had begun and was very curious to hear how he was doing! I’m one of his biggest fans, so tell him that while I’m interested in his mother’s quilting and art and such, I’m also very much interested in Eli’s sporting accomplishments! Wow, He’s amazing! And can’t wait to see how the season shapes up for him and his school.

  4. Sally Says:

    Happy that you surgery went well. And, boy, you never sit still. I have recently broken my right wrist (black ice…) and am glad I’d signed up for an on-line class through quilt university–painting on fabric. A technique class so I can experiment to my heart’s delight and not worry about how the finished project looks. Who knew I’d sign up for it just in time. Wrist now has a plate init but still in a cast. Bummer. Hope to see more blog entrees from you…

  5. Dorothy Says:

    Lovely to hear from you. Glad your surgery went well. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas.