Learning to ride a bike

When I was 21 I decided to go on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints. I was called to serve in the California Los Angeles Spanish Speaking mission. I received my call in May and I was leaving at the end of July. This was in 2009. Soon after that I received letter from the Mission President in Los Angeles saying that each missionary had to have a bike. I have never ridden a bike before. I started to learn when I was six and my brother took over my bike and I guess I didn't want to learn bad enough so I didn't take it back. Now I was asked to ride a bike so I could serve my Lord and Savior. We had to get a bike first. We went to Bountiful and found a bike. It was a women petite frame. We where having a hard time with the size until because a women size didn't fit me and a kids size was to small.We where coming down the stairs feeling a little discouraged and Dad had the feeling to look up. So he did and there was my bike. The salesman said to me that was the bike he told me about earlier and I blow him off. opps good thing dad was listening. So I got on the bike and it fit!!! So we went home with a bike and helmet and knee and elbow pads. We tried lots of different ways to get my foot to stay on the bike. Our neighbors had said that her dad was a machinist and maybe he could help with something. He did! Dad and were outside for hours and hours trying to master the bike. A lot of the time it mastered me and sometimes dad. We both had bumps and scraps and bruises. Dad did what dads do. The hang on the seat and handle bars and run with you. Dad running with his 21-year-old daughter trying to ride a bike. I was a little embarrassed. After almost hitting parked cars and crushing and crying one day dad said "Kristie just go for it" I said what? Dad explained that we were thinking to much and that when little kids get on bikes they go for it. So with a new determination and less fear I went for it. I did it!!!! All the way down the street alone. No way!! No way I just rode my bike.
On the mission I had told President that I wanted to go to an area that I could speak more Spanish and ride my bike. He did not like that idea.When he felt that I should go to the Compton- Lynnwood area he sent me there. I was with Sister Garza and Sister Williamson. We rode bikes a couple of times there. It was different and I didn't watch for cars very well. Not good. I am sure Sister Williamson had some heart attacks I will have to ask her. There was one time that we were going to ride at night to a meeting at the church. Sister Williamson told sister Garza to go in front and head to the church and not not and wait. Sister Garza dominated that trip there. She hualed. I remember looking up and not seeing her anymore. She did great.Than I was next in line and than Sister Williamson. There was one part of the trip I was not very confident in riding and that was up the little hill/slope to the tracks and over. As we got closer I yelled should I get off and walk over. Sister Williamson Said GO GO GO!!! So I went and I had to hold the tears back so I could see. This moment and Sister Williamson's actions have gave me strength through out my mission and now. This was a wonderful moment in my mission. Before Sister Williamson and I were companions I always thought when I would see her that if I was going to ride my bike I would want her to be my companion and she was and we rode.

If I am remembering right that was the ride home.

Sexylipo

Have you heard of sexylipo? where I work they have sexylipo. What it is, is ultrasonic lipo. How it works is like getting a ultrasound. They turn the ultrasound waves up higher and they vibrate so fast that the fats cells can't take it so the pop. They turn to liquid and your body gets rid of them just like food. There is no down time, bruising, pain. It sound almost to good to be true. It is all natural and it works. The office where I work does it and there was one lady that has lost 26 inches!!! oh and once the cells are popped they are popped. You are born with a certain number of fat cells and you will die with that same number. You can't gain fat cells. Yes you can gain it back in other fat cells unless you change your habits. My friend to is really active and in great shape had one area that no matter what she did she couldn't get rid of the fat on her inner thigh. She did this and now its gone. I am telling this because I did it to my stump today. To get a good fit of the leg it is important that the shape is the same on the leg so if it is like an ice cream cone shape that is bad. The best shape is a cylinder shape. With sexylipo and changing my life style I am going to work on getting a better shape of a stump then a better leg. We did the first time today. I will post pictures and results. Usually there is a two-five inches loss of pure fat in one session.  
I posted a link on the home page.

Questions and Answers

This post is for you all to ask any questions that you may have about life as an amputee or what is going on.
Ask a way!

Details!!

My Mom has said to me over and over growing up Details details!! Mostly it was when a pant leg was not down all the way or a tag sticking out in the back. For today "Details" means that there are details about the event of the June 23rd. We are having leg events. Like a three-legged-race, hopping contest,dancing etc. So start spreading the word about the 23rd at Davis High School in Kaysville Utah.

Erin Taylor and I at the Bash

This was toward the end of the dance

Kayla, Kevin, Nate, Me and Jarom

Erin, Kierstian, Stephaine, Hiedi, Drew, Bret, Me, Carolynn. Kelsey, Steph, Sarah and Wendy

Somethings to be excited for

I think that the more I think about getting a new leg the more I realize or acknowledge the things that bug about my leg. I am not trying to complain. I am trying to make it relatable for you. Sometimes while I am standing the knee bends without warning. I don't normally fall (knock on wood) because I put most of my weight on my good leg for security to not fall. The other thing is this baby seat of a socket. The top part of my leg sticks out so far that it makes a great seat for kids. (I think I wrote about that before) Also my toe is falling off. This is common with fake feet. At least it doesn't hurt.

I look so short in this picture. haha cause I am. You can see the "hip-age" or baby seat really well. If you are a Chiropractor or Physical Therapist I didn't mean to cause you pain by see the picture.

Yuck!

The June 23rd Event

On the news and in the paper they have talked about the event at Davis High school. Here are the details:
Yard Sale
5k
Bizarre
    * Face paint
    *Food stands
    * Games
    *Entertainment
It is going to be fun fun fun

The dog's favorite toy.

It is true that artificial legs are a dogs chew toy. It has never happened to me luckily. One time at Shriners Hospital we were there with a mom and her son and over the weekend the dog got a hold of his leg and chewed it up. The most expensive chew toy ever! That would be so awful on so many levels to walk in and see the dog with the leg all in pieces.You could get some good jokes about this. "Why did you miss school?" "The dog ate my leg!" or When the kid got older and people ask what happen to his leg he could say that it was a dog attack. hehe You could get some good stories and reactions from people. When I was on a LDS mission in Los Angeles California, I would tell someone a the wrong story about what happened to my leg they always new someone that it happened to. I felt bad so I stopped telling the wrong story/a lie. Now sometimes I will pull a good story out and see what happens. One friend gave me the idea to say "Well you know what happens when you get your finger slammed in a car door..." HAHAHA oh man ouch! Now the story about our dog and her favorite toy. Lexi (the dog) loves reflections and flash lights she chases them for ever and she always wants to play "reflection." While I was unpacking yesterday she was right under my feet. And then I realized that I was wearing shorts and my leg was making reflections every were! Plus I was walking around so they were moving. HAHAHA oh man it was really funny. Unpacking and playing reflection with the dog, all in a days work. ;)

I have some cousins that are such good exmaples to me I might have told you about them before. I wanted to share what they are doing. My mom got a phone call from my cousin who is nine (Hollie) and she said that she was going to sell some of her toys for my leg and maybe some shoes and clothes and get Hailee (our other cousin who is eight) to help. When my mom told her how much we need she said "don't worry, don't worry I will help!" This put tears in my eyes and reminded me to be more childlike and Christlike.
Then about two weeks later we found out from Hailee's mom that Hollie and Hailee set up a museum in Hollie's room and they charge .50 cents to get in and they are giving they money to me for my leg. They are so great! They put tears in my eyes again and reminded me to be more willing and Christlike. 

WOW!!

So some of you most likely saw the report on channel five. Today at six! It was so great! They did a really great job. Well they did have some really powerful women on there. On Friday we had the Mustache Bash! It was so great. There were more people then I was thinking would come. It was at the Pinnacle Security building and it was a bash!! We had a photo booth and there was a room with lovsacs and chairs to chit chat. The music was good and people came and danced and we really had fun. I am thinking that there will be more to come in the future. I am not sure I can express in the right words how touched I am  about everyone coming together. To have friends and family using their time and energy to help me get a leg is so... I don't the best word... great, wonderful, wow!
The news report was so great. They said what needed to be said and they were able to get the message across. They talked about up coming events next month. They were a little vage about because I am too. On June 23rd at Davis High School we are going to be doing a big event carnival type thing. We are partnering with another business that is starting up. I am not going to say very much because we are still planning it. When I have more details I will let you all know. For know that this is so WOW! Oh and if you would like to volunteer post a comment or send me an email. This is so great!