New Friends

It is the evening of a very busy work week, and very busy people can lay their cares aside to participate in a creative activity of mutual interest, a balloon jam. Distances to get there don't matter much, when to be able to share ideas and creations with others is foremost in mind. Participation brings immense satisfaction. When you next see a balloon tying clown or magician, you may understand the underlying skill, passion and love of communication combined with hours of creative practice and devotion that are on display.
A balloon jam is a great way of meeting new friends.

Skin Care Event

Christie and I enjoyed an invitation to Cameo College's (Murray UT) annual Skin Care Event yesterday. It was a blast! Heaps of people all happily doing things. Interesting vendors and enough cookies and cakes to keep any Muppet happy. I was able to transfer to a barber's chair to be given a hot towel treatment and shave by Braxton (must follow that lad in his career aspirations in SLC). Christie availed herself of several treatments to make her more beeyoutiiful - great result down to the red toenails. Amazing how many hours passed so quickly. The college is certainly a space age training facility in the pampering arts. We were impressed.

Hectic

I managed to get myself wet a couple of times over the last few days - the fact is, it was raining. Moving to and from my van is easier to accomplish if I am not encumbered by an umbrella, so I take the easy way out. After all, I can always drip dry. Some Laws of Physics come into play - something about evaporation and cooling. Anyway I managed to feel a little stuffy yesterday. Because of my general excellent health, I have been able to bound back today for a really exciting, funfilled day of work. I like what I do, I like the variety. It is very energizing - like the bunny.
Kevin and Cyril (pictured) get to play with me today in the Valley Fair Mall. Their antics are known to draw people to talk to the Realtor (me). People talk to furry animals in any language where they might normally avoid me in my scooter.

To Do Lists

It is a sure sign of Spring when my To Do list gets a little shorter ...and then suddenly gets bigger and bigger.
The air purifier is seviced - new lamp and igniter. It looks after 3000 sq ft and has again produced that comforting ozone flavour throughout our home and offices.
The porch overhead light bulb has been replaced - I give very good directions to Christie on the ladder.
The heater thermostat is back in operation. "What batteries?" (Since I come from a place where heaters are relatively unnecessary). The filter rattle that became obvious throughout the house has been fixed with a judicious application of duct tape - ironically used for almost the correct purpose for once.
My van wide angle rear view mirror froze off during heavy snow period- replaced with double-sided tape. (Good to see who is sneaking up on me when I am on the road.)
My electric wheelchair has had a hard winter with more than its share of snow and ice navigation. "Screep, screep, clunk, clunk, screep..." (You get the picture!) was the indication of a front wheel problem, a collapsed wheel bearing. With Murphy's Law in full swing, I didn't yet find a replacement. The solution (temporary) whilst not directly "duct tape or baling wire" was found in the hardware section of Lowes - 45 cents worth of washers and spacers. The chair is once again running silently with the repairs not obvious but very satisfying. My "low cost or no cost" mantra appears to be working.
You might think this activity has reduced my To Do List. However, dear Reader, it has merely provided space for more items. Yes, there is a ride-on lawnmower with hand controls... and our little red wagon would make a good trailer... Best reasons yet why I need a "cave".

I'm Back!

Things that are easy to do (writing blogs) are just as easy not to do (ie not writing when life gets busy). I am now so-o busy that I seem to have the time to write again. Maybe I am older and wiser.
I have a manufacturing business (Badges and Buttons), several small MLM businesses, I work at being a Licensed Realtor, and I have an increasing number of coaching clients,both at a distance and "belly to belly - well, almost.

The current economic climate demands that I have to work harder/give more service for every dollar earned, so that when improvement occurs, I am ahead of the game. The choice is mine of whether to be happy or miserable - and I choose "happy" every time.

This drives some potential competitors crazy. "How can you (moan) be happy all the time?" First point - they don't see me ALL the time: secondly I give them my solution - "Make your chioce (and it requires ACTION)".The majority will still be making the same observations at year's end. A few, an encouraging number, by noting my attitude, request some of the same - they want to be near me hoping for a change in their lives by osmosis.
It does not have to fall to me to be the only beacon of inspiration. You can make your choice to be happy - you can inspire others. We all need you.

Thoughts in a wheelchair in Snow

Snow falls. All is white and beautiful. Eventually all the roads are bladed. Drive way entrances are a great place to put the bladed snow What about the footpaths and cut-aways. One shovel width does not accommodate a wheel chair or scooter. Oh well, there's always the road, in amongst the cars.
What is traction? It's what you don't have when one wheel is in snow. With both drive wheels in snow or on ice it's called circles, at best, or stationary otherwise. But it is fun nevertheless. Beats being indoors, or 'confined' to home and hearth. Confined is in the mind
Lots of arm activity can produce warmth of body. Warmth leads to more action - a great way to feel goood. To me, snow is not a barrier, nor is cold, or, for that matter, nor is any other challenge in life. I don't need or want to be held back by excuses. There is so much to do, so much life to live. On with it...

Happy New Year

2006 has been a great year with so many things achieved. It has been a wonderful prequel to

2007 - an even greater and better year

Join us in the adventure.

Health Happiness and Abundance in 2007

to all our readers.

Larry and Christie

Christmas Party

It is rare that I visit private homes. Steps, space challenges and lack of access to toilet facilities usually prevent such socialising. Tuesday evening was one of the happy exceptions in my life. Was it ever worth the effort!

Amputees on the Move held its Christmas Party at Dayna's place. It was a very cool evening following the snow dump on the weekend, the temperatures yet to get up to freezing.

We parked on ice (run-over snow) and enjoyed a journey along a cleared walkway to our destination. A ramp and willing helpers got me up the front steps and into the festivities. People everywhere, all excited. Great meal and present exchange, lively conversation. Talking in lively voice was the order of the day (er, night). Christie and I even learned a new game of dominos involving tiles going to 12s as well as a game board with trains. Technique, intrigue and skullduggery were all present. Always something new to learn in life.

Our group recently worked through our 2007 program. It includes movies, bowling, sled hockey (on ice), massage demos, performance coaching and fishing in a huge program to keep us all motivated to adventure for the year and beyond, really on the move. I can see all sorts of bonding and achievement occurring. Amputees on the Move is an awesome organisation always looking for new members.

Bring on the cool!

Who would have thought that an extreme dose of cool could be so much fun? No cold feet to worry about and lots of white stuff to play in.

I find that the scooter is a versatile vehicle in the snow that I am experiencing in SLC. New snow provides the challenge of bottoming-out (suspended with no traction) and drifts that have been meddled with by snow plows containing hidden icebergs of compacted snow provide excitement and noise. What fun getting from kerb to road - and back. Charge on!

Armed with a snow shovel on the scooter I become my own snow plow. All I have to do is get my hat and gloves on and get back in the sport before dark. Christie will be surprised at my ability - an will probably give me the job of keeping the driveway and paths clear for the whole of winter as well!

TRANSITION TO ADVENTURE

It has happened! I have made the move from subtropical Brisbane in coastal Queensland, Australia to the mountains of Utah, USA - well, to the flatter bits that make up the valley of the Great Salt Lake.

With the move I have been a bit slack as a blogger, tending to be the tourist for a while. I guess that I can use this excuse as my sea cargo has yet to catch up with me.

I have experienced many weather changes since my arrival - dusty gritty heat with low humidity and fires started by lightening, rain, sleet and snow, and a return to beautiful fall days, with overnight temperatures heading towards freezing, all this after leaving Brisbane on its one day of winter for the year.

Beauty is all around. Fall colors, especially in the mountain canyons are spectacular - I am still getting used to sitting in the right hand seat of the car where the steering wheel has been moved to the left!

The Utah light rail system, Trax, is a great asset. It is a high speed train and a city tram combined, with courteous drivers who make access a pleasure. With it and my trusty three-wheel scooter I can reach large areas of Salt Lake City and surrounds. A cell phone is my safety line. When I get carried away with my surroundings, or become lost in conversation with the friendly loacals, a message is sure to remind me that I have a schedule to maintain.

Traffic is still a surprise with its volume and speed. I sometimes feel that I have to negotiate my right to cross a street with the drivers, who may or may not make eye contact.

My Jabiru hat is becoming a trademark, even at night. I could have sold 100 of it between here, Arizona and Nevada so far on my sorties of exploration. I have been able to link up with an amputee support group in Salt Lake City (Amputees on the Move). The energy of the group is high and the promise of mutual support outstanding.

Learning Spanish, involvement with business groups, motivation seminars, road trips, regular exercise. So much to do!

Boomerang Gym

Johan and Ruth Tonsbeek have a winner in their Boomerang Gym.

In fact, they have solved a challenge of mine without my having posed it to them.

I am a 61yo double above knee amputee of two and a half years (Update 12/2013 - 69 yo 10 yrs) who chooses to be active and live life to the full. My mobility is a combination of wheelchair and prosthetics. Exercise, attention to health and maintaining of motivation through mind conditioning exercises are priorities in my life. Attention to upper body exercises and a determination to replace the “lost” 25 years of my life (shambling invalidity, pain beyond belief - with increasing dependence on prescription drugs, and a resulting negative attitude) have allowed me to regain a very active lifestyle, including world travel, marriage and a return to business.

The Boomerang Gym CAN be used in a wheelchair. Range of movement may not always be as indicated in the instructions, but the results are amazing. I have found that I can certainly raise a sweat. I am delighting in finding variations that I can use personally, for example, the ability to exercise both stumps together for sideways resistance using the Boomerang Gym to provide the needed resistance.

When wearing my prostheses (and being back to my former 185cm) I find that the exercises greatly assist my side-to-side movement controlled by my hips. The Boomerang Gym is my “take any/everywhere” exercise reminder. The music is well chosen, with a beat that gets me bopping along.

In my view, I get most of the benefits of the “Lymph Pump” as described in the manual, even though my lack of legs might indicate otherwise.

I have a particular interest in the developing use of the Boomerang Gym for the disabled. Check with my blog “Life Without Legs” http://lifewithoutlegs.blogspot.com for further comments. I expect a healthy future from the continued use of the Boomerang Gym.

I recently re-read Johan’s book “Emotional Freedom”. I use EFT to enhance my life. I am pain free, drug free, my weight is under control and my energy level is high – I have a life to live. Johan’s approach to the subject is thoughtful, entertaining and downright practical. It is real – the author is real. It should be read by all from the most sedentary to those inclined to the extreme. I can see its application in all fields of human endeavour.

We can all expect to benefit from future contributions by Johan and Ruth Tonsbeek to the world of good health and wellbeing.

See www.boomeranggym.com for further details and additional testimonies of uses for the Boomerang Gym

PS I am developing charts for the Boomerang Gym to allow the exercises to be wheelchair specific. Johann has instructed me in the normal exercises, and is overseeing my project (as well as keeping me honest in my personal application of the exercises).

Watch this blog for further announcements. I can be contacted at allchristie@yahoo.com
.

Homework

One family of blogs:
http://live-life-and-laugh.blogspot.com
http://allchristie.blogspot.com
http://accountingcourse.blogspot.com
http://lifewithoutlegs.blogspot,com
http://financialfog.blogspot.com

Strange reaction

For an overseas flight I had ladies’ stockings on my stumps which allowed me more space and a little ventilation inside the sockets of my legs than the normal stump stockings.

For a single male, purchasing the stockings the day before had been a wierd experience. As I took my power chair through the hosiery aisle, my space became more restriced by overhanging product. I saw the type of stockings that I was after, but it was out of my reach.

I asked a lady shopper to obtain a pack for me. She asked, “What size does your wife take?” She was more than a little puzzled when I said that they were for me. I am sure that she had visions of my being an aging cross-dresser. As she handed me the packet, she did so with averted eyes, and a hurried scamper to get out of my presence. However the checkout operator knew the stockings were for me, asking whether I was sure that I had gotten the right colour.

Life without legs

I had a quote given to me (source unknown, I suspect to protect the innocent) that sums up opportunities available to the limb challenged. It reads:

"You'd be surprised how many girls are turned on by a prosthetic leg".

The donor of the quote has one prosthetic leg, a big smile and a lot of determination. He has youth and opportunity on his side

I have two, and a beautiful wife who sees that I have no need to explore the vagaries of the female mind. I am truly blessed because Christie chooses in no way to categorise me as "disabled" or"helpless". I am just Larry.

Life is great, and adventures abound.