I have a large tattoo on my left shoulder.

When my mother saw it for the first time she exclaimed, “Did you have to get it so big?”

Yes, mother. I did.

I originally got my large tattoo a year and a half ago. It holds significant meaning to me. It took me two blog posts to write about it. You can see them HERE and HERE.

Since getting my cherry blossom tatt, I haven’t wanted to get anything new. But I did feel that my blossoms needed to grow. I originally chose cherry blossoms to signify growth and overcoming hardships – one hardship in particular. But why should it stop there?

In 2010 I had two character building experiences.  I decided that for each experience I would add a fallen petal as well as a new growth to symbolize the difficulty as well as to remind me of the growth that comes from all of life’s experiences.

I went to my tattoo artist, Mitch (Mutiny Ink in SLC if you are interested), asking for four minor additions. What I got in return was two days of pain, the additions I asked for, and my entire tattoo touched up.

Before

The drafting phase.

Completion.

End Result.

Sorry, Mom. My tattoo just got bigger.

Blogfully yours,

Summer

Tattoos

I’ve made it snowshoeing four times this season.

FOUR!

My goal and motivation throughout what has felt like never ending physical therapy to rehabilitate my ankle has always been to be healed enough to 1. snowshoe, 2. ski, and 3. drop it like it’s hot.

Lately my slacker skills combined with a certain gentleman distraction and of course, American Idol,  have taken over my productive writing skills, but I would be very remiss if I didn’t take the time to at least share some pictures from my adventures. They are, after all, huge accomplishments for me.

Snowshoe # 1 – Scott’s Pass

AKA – Snowshoe heaven, ankle hell.

For my first venture out I traveled up Big Cottonwood Canyon. It was sunny and beautiful for most of the hike. My foot hurt like hell – especially on steep inclines and declines, but I couldn’t have been more thrilled to be up in the mountains. I had been bugging my physical therapist for weeks to clear me to go. When he finally did, I almost hugged him I was so happy!

Snowshoe #2 – Donut Falls (in the snow)

AKA – The Blue snow phenomena.

My second hike was also up Big Cottonwood Canyon. It was snowy and magical. Picturesque? Sure. But snowy and magical also increases the difficulty factor exponentially. It was of course totally worth it, but I came home afterward and crashed hard. As in dead to the world to tired to move yet alone shower. During the hike my friends and I kept marveling at pockets in the snow that reflected the most amazing shades of blue. I guess it was some sort of light phenomena caused by the weather, but it was something we had never seen quite so defined.

Snowshoe #3 – Pioneer Trail (above Little Dell Reservoir).

AKA – Too hot to handle

Hike number three took us up Parley’s Canyon. You’ll notice in the second picture that one of the members in my hiking group is only in her bra. That member was not me. It was a very sunny day (although the pictures do not seem to show it) and, well, I guess some people run hotter than others.

Snowshoe #4 – Donut Falls in the sun.

AKA – Life doesn’t get better than this.

It’s amazing just how different a trail can be depending on the wheather. Hiking this well worn trail with blue skies and the sun overhead was simply breathtaking. It was the first time my friend Tammy joined me and my snowshoeing friends. We all had a blast and when we finished we rewarded ourselves with a much deserved apres-snowshoeing beer (or three).    

I think it’s safe to say I’ve accomplished my goal of snowshoeing. I’ve even made is skiing a few times this season. I can wear (low) heels and my pain is now very minimal.

I guess all that’s left to master is dropping it like it’s hot.

Adventurously yours,

Summer

Anklegate, Hiking

Today I slept in.

I feel like I have been running a marathon lately. Only it’s a marathon I have no chance of winning. I feel like everybody needs something from me and I am letting everybody down because I only have so much to give.

I’m tired. I’m tired of feeling like a failure. I’m tired of being behind. I’m tired of not being on top of things.

A few weeks ago my my body decided it had been feeling well for too long and it was time to remind me not to take it for granted. I felt the pain gradually building. The first week it was was mild, an annoyance that could easily be overcome with Ibuprofen. The second week it started hitting more intense until finally I couldn’t fake like everything was fine. I was doubled over in pain. Having lived with chronic pain for most of my adult life, feeling the pain come back so strong sent me into a panic attack which, of course, only made things worse.  How long is the pain going to last? Is it back for good? Will I need surgery…for the third time? Why is my body so broken? I can’t go through this again.

The pain was worse than normal. I knew something above and beyond my normal endometriosis had to be wrong. When I went to the doctor he told me that I had an orange inside me. I looked at him quizzically. I mean, who says that? Apparently the orange he was referring to was a huge cyst on my ovary called an endometrioma.

Good news: no surgery.

Bad news: the treatment is pain management until the pain goes away in 2-4 weeks.

I hate pain pills. I hate being dependent on them. Nothing will depress me more than watching the clock, counting down the time until I can take another pill because the pain is just that intense.

That was two weeks ago.

Today I am finally doing better in the pain department. The being behind in every other way department is another story. The worst part is, I am so mentally exhausted that I can’t seem to find the drive to make myself do things. I’m behind in two of my three college classes but instead of having a productive day getting caught up, I slept in.

I slept in and I felt good about it.

Sleep. It’s a beautiful thing.  It’s the cure for mental exhaustion. When your healthy in the head, the rest of life’s challenges seem so much more achievable.

Blogfully yours,

Summer

Bag full of complaints, Emotions get the best of me, Healthy shmelthy