Monon Trail & Central Midland Trace Trails in Westfield, Indiana

Everyone has heard of the Monon Trail, which is a multi-use trail system running from Westfield through Carmel and all the way to downtown Indianapolis. It's an awesome trail for biking, walking, running and general enjoyment. I like riding my bike from Westfield south through Carmel then on down to Broad Ripple. It's a long ride but easy with very few hills. I'm happy to report, the Monon is expanding north from 161st St up to St Rd 32 as we speak!

Also, soon to open, is the first completed leg of the Central Midland Trace Trial. This new trail system is opening from downtown Westfield east to Hazel Dell Parkway. Once completed, the 7+ mile Midland Trace Trail will run from Sheridan to Westfield to Noblesville! Some are calling this the East/West version of the Monon. :)

This trail system follows the old path of the Central Indiana Railway, dubbed the Midland in the 1920's. The trail will link up with the Monon and head east. Its plans show it crossing over two old iron truss bridges, which are not in operation today.

Possibly the best part? It's going to run right through my neighborhood! No more hauling the bike to the trail. I can just hop on it from my house and go anywhere I want! How awesome is that? Wanna see a map of the proposed trails in Hamilton County? Ok!

HAPPY NEW YEAR - 2011

I'm pretty proud of the fact that I've been actively blogging since 2005! It's 2011, I still have things to say & from the looks of my google stats, people still read what I'm saying (or look at the wacky things I find online). Though you don't all comment much, I see you out there stalking my blog. It's OK. Not everyone wants to have a voice online.

I enjoy posting things about my life & the interesting & useless stuff I find online. Even if no one was reading my blog, I'd still have it & I'd still maintain it. So if you were hoping I'd move on, try to find something to do with my life, other than ramble here - we'll sorry bout ya! I'm gonna keep this bad boy going!

In fact, I'm going to try to keep this baby more up to date in the new year. Enjoy your New Year's Eve & here's to a GREAT new year!!

Hysterectomy Update

So here we are, Wednesday evening, 2 days after my surgery. I have to say, this surgery wasn't nearly as bad as my gallbladder. I was so sore after that surgery, I was expecting the same or worse with this hysterectomy. Fortunately, I went to the BEST doctor (Sara Murphy - Women's Health Alliance @ Clarian North Hospital) and she proved herself to be just that.

So I went in at 8am to get registered & complete some paperwork. They called me back to my "pre-op" room around 9:00 where they had me strip down, put on a beautiful hospital gown, and some compression hose (which are used to prevent blood clots) and an IV. I laid in there until around 10. Just before they wheeled me off for surgery, Jill & Mom thought it would be funny to snap a couple of pics of me. Aren't they thoughtful! hahahahahaha!!!!



Just before 10 am, Mom & Jill came up. I was glad to see them before surgery. Of course Monday was one of the worst travel days of the year so far. We had a bunch of snow the night before and strong winds, so I wasn't sure Mom would be able to make it down south. Aunt Jill drove down separately but at the same time as Mom. That made us all feel better.

So they wheel me back into the surgery area, which was at least 20 degrees colder than the rest of the hospital. The anesthesiologist was there waiting for me. He talked to me for a minute, then Dr Murphy came in. She practically laid on top of me while they put me to sleep. She was talking to me and holding my hand, but laying across my chest. Not sure what that was all about but I was only awake about 5 minutes from the time they put me in that room so who cares what she did.

Next thing I know, I'm trying to wake up in the recovery room. I could NOT get awake. They kept talking to me and I kept asking, "do I have to wake up?" They would say no but then talk to me some more. I remember trying to open my eyes and I just couldn't do it. Finally they wheeled me up to my room.

Once in my room, they asked me if I could move from the bed I rode up on to my hospital room bed. I told them I thought I could and hurled myself into that other bed. I think I surprised them that I could do it without any help. The man who brought me up to my room said, "Wow! OK I guess you can!" hahaha!! Hey they had me on some goooood drugs, that's all I can say!

I don't know what time it was but I woke up sometime in the afternoon. Long enough to tell Mom to go home.

I slept most of the day Monday. The nurse came in around 2 and asked me to get up and go pee. They didn't bother me too much in the night, about every 2 hours they were in to do vitals and check on me. Around 6 they had me get up and walk the halls. I didn't have any trouble doing that at all. I took a few laps, talked to some of the nurses and then went back to bed.

My doc came in around 8 and said I was good to go home that day! YAY!!!!!

So I'm at home, enjoying my drug induced haze and sleep. I've felt pretty good though, I have to say. This wasn't nearly as bad as I expected. AND to top it off, my stomach is WAY smaller than it was a couple of days ago. Little Uma had to come out - we couldn't be together anymore, it was her time to go. I'll miss her (not!) and I'm sure gonna miss having periods every month (NOT!).

I'm happy to report all is well and I'm on the mend!

Hysterectomy

Well the verdict is in: the uterus must come out! Finally got the call today. December 13th. That's the day. Leading up to this I've been through a very, *cough cough*, very thorough physical exam and a even more thorough ultrasound, not only of the gut but also the left breast.

In the above mentioned physical exam, my doctor found "something" in my left breast. I was over due for a mammogram anyway, so of course, off I went to the mammogram place. They squished and squeezed both girls nice and flat, and of course as expected, did an ultrasound on the left breast to see what the Doc felt. Only a couple of little cysts which are are microscopic, I'm not even sure how the Doc felt them, but she did. The ultrasound tech said, "those doctors have magic fingers." So the mammo turned out all clear - a relief.

Now onto the stomach. When I had my gallbladder out, the doc took pics of my uterus and showed me some fibroids that were hiding in there. She said, then - 2 years ago - that I would need a hysterectomy. To me it sounded like, "would you like fries with that gallbladder removal?" but hey I'm sure she was telling the truth.

Since then I changed job, my insurance changed 3 times and I've been packing away moolah in my health savings account. Thankfully so, because here we are today....staring a hysterectomy in the face.

As mentioned already, my doc did a quite thorough exam on me and determined my uterus is currently the equivalent of a woman 5 months pregnant. No wonder my pants aren't fitting so great! And good news, the doc said I will see a significant difference in the size of my stomach! I knew I wasn't this fat!!!! Rock on! So I'm anxious to get this whole thing over with and only have to wait a couple of weeks - or few days - depends on how you wanna look at it. I'm ready to "feel good again" even though I didn't realize I felt bad. I bet I do feel different with this thing out.

Please keep me in your prayers on the 13th - that all can come out laproscopically and that I'll be a new woman and back to work in no time flat.

Thanks in advance!!

Prettymaps by Aaron Straup Cope

Wow, check out the maps that Aaron Straup Cope turned into Prettymaps! Awesome!

Peanut Butter Bacon Cups

OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG!

These really need no explanation! Peanut Butter Bacon Cups. Get me some.

Free November Desktop Wallpaper

Who wants some free desktop wallpaper....YOU DO, YOU DO! On the first day of every month (rabbit, rabbit, rabbit), Smashing Magazine publishes user submitted desktop wallpaper, free for your personal use! Get you some & freshen up that desktop!

While You Were Away

Refillable Air Horn

Well, it's something I've thought of a million times.....yeah, no.

Air horns damage the environment!!!! Dang it!!!!!! C'mon jump on this bandwagon with me! I'm ticked OFF about it. ;-)

I have to honestly say, the two thoughts have never intersected in my mind. Well obviously, I shoulda thought of this! What's wrong with me???? Of course air horns are environmentally unfriendly. Duh!

Well...GOOD NEWS!!!! Now they aren't! Here's a refillable air horn! Yep, fill it up with air (does that mean you simply remove the cap? Heck I don't know!), pump the pumper and blow the horn. Wanna do it again? Rinse & Repeat (hahahaha)!!

Click on the pic below to learn more....

Nobody Says it Quite Like Shakespeare

Your Favorite....

Gimme a Hug

Chocolate Covered Bacon

Well. I can die now. Or, maybe this stuff'll kill me, either way I'm ok with it.

Finally someone has combined my 2 loves: chocolate & bacon. My address is (ahhhh, you know it) I'll be waiting for the package!

If They Don't Chase You.....

Edible Bling Spray for your Food

Ever spray paint food, then realize, "ah crap! Now I can't eat that!" (ala Turkey Day .... just sayin)

Well now you can! Spray paint anything you want: bananas, hamburgers, a donut, cheese. Hey you name it. If you don't like the look of your food as it is naturally presented, change it up. Spray it gold or spray it silver!

G'head, just do it, cause you can!

Taking Nerd to a Whole New Level

Here it is! The hottest gift for the 2010 Holiday Season. I can see you now, fighting some old lady for the last iArm in Best Buy, camping out in front of Target on Black Friday eve, hoping to race the crowd to the iArm display.

How quick are you going to run out and get your iArm forearm mount? Yeah, me either.

Can you imagine needing all 3 of your remote controls so bad that you have to attach them to your arm? How about your ipad or Kindle? Can't live without it? Well just mount up, baby, and strap it to your arm!

Ohhhhh heck no, you won't look completely ridiculous and stupid. Everyone wants one of these things! (keep telling yourself that)

Ah now, don't get your pocket protectors in a wad, my dear geeks, this is just a prank!!! It's a fake. It doesn't really exist. It's just a gift box, nothing inside - just a joke box to fool your family & friends. For that split second, make your gift recipient think they've received the "gift of the season!!"

I know, I know, you really did want one, didn't you? I'm sorry.

Here's a kleenix to wipe your tears.

Eat Here & Get Gas

This joint is legendary where I come from.....

Eyelashes for your Car

Whadda think? I think these Carlashes would look rock awesome on my Honda!

The World's Most Annoying Alarm Clock

So this alarm clock would last O.N.E. day on my nightstand. BUT, if you have trouble getting up in the morning, this little annoyance might be just what you're looking for.

The Tocky Alarm Clock will literally JUMP off of your nightstand and roll away when it's time for you to get up. Or. Record your own sounds to wake you up, like um, your mom's voice or the dog barking, whatever is a sure fire sound that'll wake your lazy butt up.

Hey if you don't bounce, then I feel sorry for you, but hey, there is an option and it's called Tocky. Getcha one!

Oreo Cake Pan

O.M.G. So everyone loves Oreo's. Am I right about it? Yep.

I know, while you've been munchin' on Oreo's you thought to yourself, "man, I'd love to have a pan that makes a cake that looks like a giant oreo." Don't deny it. You know you have. Well today is you're lucky day!!!!!!

Crapity crap crap crap! I am iiiiiiiin love! Click here so you can buy yours (or mine). :)