Look Into My Thighs

Before

After

Check me out, man!  6 weeks post-op appointment with my surgeon today.  The cup has three screws total holding it into my pelvis.  Hadi was pleased with the even lengths of my legs and progress in walking/muscle strength.  I am ok-ed to return to work, with these restrictions:  No lifting over 20 lbs, no squatting, breaks every 2 hours (during an 8 hour shift).  I also have a cool new card that I can show airport security so that they don't think my new hip is a concealed weapon.  I can bathe and swim now, but when I asked about roller-blading, he said absolutely not for another two months.  Too much risk in falling.  Darn.

I feel amazing, I really do.  One of the things I was looking forward to most before surgery was just walking without pain.  I'm there already.  My "baby walk" is gone.  No limp, no fatigue.  I think my feet hurt just because I'm walking more than I'm used to.  Continual stretching and strengthening remain important with more activity.  Nevertheless, putting chronic pain behind me is as uplifting and energizing as I imagined it could be.

xoxo,
Rachel

Will Work For Food

*sigh*  Feeling a little defeated today.

Yesterday marked 4 weeks since my hip replacement.  Scott and I went another mile walk, which felt even easier than the first (this seems to be a trend).  I'm getting pretty good at maintaining a "normal" gait.  After these walks I usually experience the most muscle soreness in my bum, which is a really odd place to stretch, especially in my situation.  Certain, pardon the term, "booty tooching" poses are still difficult/awkward.  I've discovered I can now sleep on my surgical side for small amounts of time, which is great.  I miss my side sleeping.  The best news is I am almost completely off ibuprofen.  After taking it multiple times daily for the past year, this is a huge milestone.  I can handle sore muscles from walking.  I am no longer in pain.

Great!  Yay!  This is all good, right?  Well I am completely stressed about finding a job.  I have visited nearly every respectable bakery from Olympia to Tacoma.  No bites.  Panic is setting in. 

"Is something wrong with my resume?  Does my cover letter sound stupid?  Should I have talked to that counter girl more?"

I know my credentials are great, my personality and ethic is there, I shouldn't doubt myself.  The truth is, no one is hiring. At least no one other than Safeway (no offense, Safeway).  Craig's List is downright depressing.  Plenty of ads for bikini baristas and nurses.  No luck for an imp who's a afraid of needles.

I'm looking for a Plan B, kids.  I HAVE to start working by the end of the month.  For my sanity's sake.  Got any bright ideas?  I'd love to hear them :)

xoxo,
Rachel

Two Week Check Up

My surgeon is out of town, so today we met with a nurse.  She took off my nasty, scabby steri-strips and we got to see my incision for the first time.  I'm actually mad that I didn't take a picture - it is the neatest, slimmest little scar you ever saw!  I still can't believe all they did inside a 4 1/2" opening.  Nurse Michelle cleaned it up and put on new steri-strips that will come off on their own in about two weeks.  She was also able to tell me that the numbness in my foot will go away in up to 8 weeks, but icing my hip area to reduce swelling will help speed up the process.  I have had no discomfort from swelling, so we hadn't been icing it.  The tightness behind my knee has dramatically improved, but I still sleep with a pillow underneath it for support.  Yesterday I took the toilet seat riser off, and it feels great to pee with my feet on the floor again.    

I find my biggest challenges at this point are judging how much I can walk without feeling crippled up later, and the walking itself.  I know it's just going to take time for things to fall into place, but I feel like I don't  know how to walk without limping/overcompensating, simply because of habit.  I have think about walking like a "lady": swaying my hips, swinging my arms, long strides. If I slow down and think about it, it happens.  When I want to get somewhere quickly (ie: around the kitchen), it all goes out the window, and I do the ol' Bum Hip Shuffle, which looks a lot like a baby learning to walk:  wide spread feet, little steps, stiff, T-Rex arms that grab for walls and counters.  Yeah, my body thinks this is a great way to get around. 

Finding the balance between pushing myself to walk distances but still being able to perform my strengthening exercises is tough.  Stretching is equally important.  I guess I have some goals!  In four weeks I'll see the surgeon for a more in-depth checkup with x-rays. 

Since I am feeling quite well all in all, I will return to Olympia July 1st.  This will make it easier for me to get things set up in Washington and apply for jobs, although I still don't plan on working until late July - early August.  Also, I miss Scott and the kitties.  Scott has nearly completed his first week at Steamboat Animal Hospital! 

xoxo,
Rachel

PS:  Took my first shower since surgery today.  It was amazing.

One Week Later

Yesterday was one week post-surgery.  It is really hard to believe a week has gone by, because my recovery has been so smooth!  Let's take a look back.

The morning of surgery I was very calm.  Maybe it was because it was 5 am and I was still half asleep!  But thankfully the pre-op events moved along swiftly so I didn't have long spells of waiting to get too anxious.  Again, I just wanted a nap.  So I get my IV, take some pills for  pain, inflammation, and I think nausea.  The anesthesiologist is a handsome young gent, he assures me that I won't feel a thing, I'm getting a spinal and Propofal (yesssss, Michael Jackson's drug of choice), which doesn't put me under as deep, so waking up with be faster and less nauseous.

Next, another male nurse comes in to fit me with "boots" that look like rollerblades with no wheels.  These will be hooked into what we learned is called a Hana table.  This special table allows for easier access to the joint when using the anterior (front) approach for a hip replacement.  You can see the table here.

Soon after, I'm being wheeled down the hall to my surgery suite.  I kiss Mr. Scott, Mom, and Dad goodbye.  Again, everyone is calm, no tears, I'm ready to get this over with.  The handsome anesthesiologist places a poufy cap over my hair, introduces me to the rest of the team (all dudes), tells me I'm going to get some relaxing drugs in my IV, and the lights go out.

I woke up eating ice chips what feels like 5 minutes later.  I'm ready to see my parents and Scott.  No pain yet, but I'm drowsy and this first day is shrouded in haze.

Walking with my physical therapist day two in my Bionic Woman Hello Kitty cape!  Made by Emily!

Over the next two days I am visited by the physical therapist, who helps me get up and walking with the walker.  I had sharp muscle pain from my knee down to my ankle, but still nothing in the hip.  By day two, with lighter pain killers, I'm able to order my own meals from room service, chat coherently with visitors, catch up on Bravo, and shuffle to the bathroom rather than use the bedside commode.  My vitals were constantly monitored and my hemoglobin was low and dropping, which makes me pale, tired, and easily light headed.  When it doesn't come back up by my third and projected last day in the hospital, the surgeon is notified and orders two units of blood for a transfusion.  6 hours later, about 7 pm, with more energy and pink in my cheeks, we are discharged!

Over the week I have pushed my self to walk with the walker as much as possible, until it gets uncomfortable, which isn't really more than 20 minutes at a time.  I do some light strengthening and stretching exercises every day, which I do standing up rather than the usual laying flat because my muscles are young and healthy.  Now, I can walk short distances without assistance, which is super handy, because you can't carry anything while using a walker.  I was giving no restrictions from the PT, so I can bend, cross legs, and squat all I want within my own comfort.  Dressing and using the restroom can be done on my own.  All along I have had no issues with sleeping.  I can sleep on my back with a pillow under my knee, or on the non-surgical side with a pillow between my legs.  Honestly, I was not expecting to be this capable and independent by this time.  It feels pretty good to be independent, and I may be able to return to work sooner than expected. 

Today my mom and I are planning on running some errands.  It will be my first time out off the property since leaving the hospital.  I will take my walker for stability.  I worry about getting tired and needing a place to sit down, but there is always the car.

At my two week post-op appointment next week, they will remove the steri-strips from my incision, which did not require staples or stitches.  I'm excited to see how it looks.  It's only about 4" long, centered at the top of the thigh.  I keep a thin bandage over it during the day and let it air at night, but the draining stopped a few days ago.  Besides some tenderness to the touch, my incision site and hip are pain free.

Thank you for the well wishes, cards and flowers I have received this week!  In my spare time I have been doing crossword puzzles, coloring with Hello Kitty, writing letters, and eating gummy bears.  My goal is to lose the walker by this time next week!

xoxo,
Rachel

Becoming Bionic

So much has happened in the past couple weeks, there's no way I can fit this into a FB status update.  May 31st Scott and I, with help from my dad and Scott's bro, loaded up a Penske with our belongings and left Minnesota for Washington.  After four days on the road, we arrived in Olympia, signed the lease to a townhouse we had physically seen, and moved in with our two cats, Chandler and Murph.  My dad and uncle actually did I great job of picking the place for us, I love it!  We decided to move to Olympia after Scott received a job offer from a large clinic there.  The area is beautiful, surrounded by dense forests, water inlets, deer, and dread-locked hoodlums.

You may remember this and this.  We are coming up on a year and a half now since I decided to forgo resurfacing surgery on my hip in favor of waiting for a total hip replacement.  We came to the conclusion that this transition period between jobs would be a good time for me to receive my much needed hip replacement.  Therefore, I have forgone job hunting until I know when I can return to work.  The move has been physically challenging for me - thank God for Scott, my dad, Uncle Lon, and Brian for doing the grunt work.  The surgery will take place in Medford, OR, where my parents live, so they can care for me during recovery while Scott starts his new job.

Planning a move halfway across the country is a challenge in itself, add planning for surgery on top of it.  Originally scheduled for June 10th, in the past week, the surgeon's office has changed that date from the 10th to 20th, to the 13th.  Our meticulously laid plans go out the window!  Then, yesterday, Murph goes missing.  Nowhere to be found.  No idea if he is inside or out.  We passed out fliers and took some to nearby clinics and shelters.  He made it this far, we really hope he comes home. 

This morning is my pre-op with the surgeon, Dr. Hadi.  I'm going to try and answer some of the questions I've been getting here, in case you are curious.

My current condition:
Rapidly deteriorating. I have daily, radiating/burning pain from my hip, even if I "take it easy".  I no longer like to climb stairs with my left leg.  Standing up from a sitting position is a slow process, I feel stiff, as though my leg doesn't want to straighten up.  Bending to tie shoes, etc., is uncomfortable.  Anything more strenuous than walking is out of the question.  The pain disrupts my sleep, it can be hard to find a comfortable position.

The implant:
I decided a ceramic-on-ceramic implant is the best for my situation because they can last up to 30 years before needing adjustments.  My surgeon warned me there is a 5-10% chance of it squeaking.  Yes, squeaking, like if you rub the bottom of two coffee mugs together.  You can look it up on YouTube. 

Surgery: 
Like I said, June 13th (Thursday), with probably two nights in the hospital.  The surgery I'm oddly calm about this because I know what great improvement is going to come from it.  Remind me of that when they start poking me with needles...I've heard from several people that they noticed immediately after surgery decreased joint pain.

Post-op/Recovery:
Following surgery, I will have some physical therapy to strengthen the muscles around the implant, regain range of motion, and track my progress.  I will have exercises to do at home as well.  I plan to stay with my parents until I feel strong enough to get around on my own safely.  I was told the average THR patient returns to work after 8 weeks.  Since I'm younger, I could bounce back faster, but we'll see.  I hope to be back up in Olympia in a month.  Portugal.The Man concert July 18th....maybe with my walker - yeah!

I welcome any questions!  I want my buddies in Minnesota to know I MISS YOU and your support is my strength, even from far away.

Love,
Rachel

Game Face On

Wow.  So I'm still reeling in the idea that I'm going to compete LIVE at The Mall of America in less than one month (October 14th).  Here are some of the deets:

Round 1:  Halloween Birthday Cake
- One carved cake plus 24 coordinating cupcakes
- Must be completed in 1.5 hours
- One-person teams
- $500 for 1st place

Round 2:  Wedding Cake
- Must be at least five tiers
- Must be completed in 3 hours and moved to display table intact
- Two-person teams (Yay Rheanna!!!)
- Design must be based on the imaginary couple profile provided:  A fall, outdoor wedding with vintage and Scrabble elements, orange and taupe color scheme
- $1000 for the first place team

The competition is hosted and judged by The Upper Midwest Bakery Association.  There is no refrigeration available, but we can have microwaves and mixers.  Cakes and icing are made ahead of time.  Neither round is judged on taste, nor will the cake be served to the audience, since we aren't working out of certified kitchens.  That's right, we get a 6 ft. buffet table in the middle of the MALL.  A four story mall, visited by millions of people each year, no less.

I have observed this particular competition for the past two years and waffled between "Do I do it?" and "This is absolute suicide."  Let's face it:  The conditions aren't great.  BUT, it's a fantastic challenge, and I finally came to the conclusion I would regret it more if I didn't try.  So here I go, competing in not one round but two, and live for the first time. 

Rheanna will be my team member for the wedding round.  We have worked together since February when I started my new job at The Queen of Cakes.  She's a foot taller than me {who isn't}, quick to laugh, and full of energy.  I'm so excited for her, as this is her first competition ever.  She's only been decorating for about a year and half, and she impresses the heck out of me.  I think we will make an awesome team!

Our co-worker, Angie, is also competing in the birthday round.  Angie has a meticulous eye for detail and endless creativity.  She will be big competition for me!  But as long as Queen of Cakes is winning, I'm happy!  I couldn't ask for a more supportive group of gals to work with.  This will be an experience we never forget.

My strategy thus far is to go against the mold a little.  Expect the unexpected! 

xoxo,
Rachel

Mallory's Wedding

Yes, it has been a month since Mallory and Nate tied the not, but there is no rest for the weary pastry chef.  That being said, it feels like just yesterday I was home in Oregon, indulging in the cool shade of oak trees, freshly picked raspberries, and the company of family and friends.  The wedding cake went off without a hitch.  The wedding itself was a BLAST.  Mallory was a gorgeous and gracious bride, beyond my expectations. 

Again, thank God for Mom/Dawn taking behind the scenes photos and acting as sous chef and dishwasher.  Even the kitten, Cinder, got in on the action, licking up dabs of buttercream and powdered sugar off the floor.  I will fight for a bakery cat one day!!! 

Come with me, on a journey through space and time...

Cinder tempts the neighbor's dog, Buster, to come inside where sweet treats are made!

6 pounds of cream cheese went into the cake and 1 pound when into Bob Wille.

Doing my best impression of Giada DeLaurentis.  We decided at the last minute to add fresh raspberries from my parent's garden to the cream cheese filling in the cake.  Each tier was four layers of Red Velvet cake with three layers of cream cheese icing and fresh raspberries.  Delish!  Here I am brushing simple syrup onto the cake to keep it super moist.

Assembled and chilled base tier, ready to ice. 

I made some separate cupcakes for wedding guests with a gluten intolerance and vegan diets.  This is the gluten free, with buttercream icing.

The vegan cupcakes with fondant circles.  The scalloped fondant ovals are to go on the large cake later.

Rolling chocolate fondant for the surprise groom's cake!  In a dress, no less!

This was one of my favorite parts and something I had not done before.  I used a styrofoam ball to hold the gum paste flowers (which I ordered online to save time, via cakedeco.com).  I love the fullness and proportional interest it gives the cake.

Almost done!  Dawnie rolled all of these balls for me, with the help of a fondant bead maker.  I then cut them in half to apply to the cake.  I wish I could remember what was playing on my i-Pod...maybe Gaga?

All done!  Time to relax!

Groom's Cake: Nate's favorite beer, Red Chair from Deschutes Brewery, with hops vines.

Myself and Mr. Scott!

Mr. and Mrs. Witherspoon!

The life of the party right here.  Recognize Ashley and Chris?  I did their wedding cake last year!

I thought this apron fit perfectly with the Mexican fiesta dinner we shared that night.  

 

Then we danced the night away....

 

And I caught the bouquet!!!

So much fun!  The next day my stomach hurt from laughing, my feet killed from dancing, and my brain was pounding from champagne and margaritas, but I would do it all over again in an instant!  

All my love,
Rachel

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Styling: Black Bridesmaids Dress

Mallory's wedding is approaching quickly!  I'll be in Oregon in three weeks!  I hit the old Pinterest for some inspiration on how to style my black, strapless bridesmaids dress and the required graduated pearl necklace.  

This sleek little 'do is a glammed up version of what I wear on a daily basis.  Work a firm hold gel through damp hair, comb into place, and gently blow dry.  You can achieve major shine, too, with the help of Bumble and Bumble's Shine spray, one of my favorite hair products.  Love the makeup also!

Overstock.com

Betsy Johnson

Amazon.com

I'm having a hard time deciding between something like these adorable cluster earrings and the edgy, deco-style drops.  I find gold really flatters my skin tone in the summer.

Tally Weijl

Source unknown

I own similar strappy heels.  A wedge is great for outdoor weddings to keep from sinking into soft terrain.  They also keep you comfy enough for dancing late into the night!

Chloe's Nails

This cool manicure ties everything together and I can do it myself at the last minute (meaning: after the cake is done!).

xoxo,

Rach

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A weekend in Denver

Two years ago, I moved to the Twin Cities from Denver, CO.  After having lived there for 6.5 years, I was itching for change:  A new job, new faces, new places, and a new chapter with Mr. Scott, who was in his second year of vet school here in St. Paul.  It's been an eventful two years, with highs and lows, successes and curve balls.  I have to be thankful for the life lessons I have learned and the insight I have gained.

I also consider myself extremely blessed to have been quickly welcomed into the fold of Scott's peers.  Having witnessed countless hours of studying and cringe-worthy slide shows, I've been deemed an "honorary vet student."  Along with baking a cake, I could probably diagnose your horse with colic and give your cat a body condition score.

Still, I have missed my girlfriends in Denver since the day I left.  It took longer than I had ever expected, but two weeks ago I was finally able to fly back and spend a long weekend visiting my college and work buddies and their families.  It was wonderful, glorious, and full of sunshine.

Elle and I met as freshman at Johnson & Wales.  We didn't bond until the second trimester, as I slept through our academic classes {but still pulled A's, thank you very much}.  But once we got in the kitchen, she made me laugh, and we've been fast friends ever since.  A couple years later, I got her a job working with me at Gateaux Bakery.  She is an INCREDIBLE cake artist with an eye for whimsy and style for miles.  I've told Elle before that she is the voice in my head that coaches me through decorating.

Audrey was a fellow pastry student and Gateaux employee as well.  I adore her for being so sweet and silly.  She and her husband Rob "adopted" me, and spending time with them showed me what true love should look like.  I can't wait for a Baby Jones, as these two will be the most devoted parents.  

Miss Kelly infiltrated Gateaux after relocating from Charlotte, NC, where she also attended Johnson & Wales.  Honestly, she's too cool to be my friend.  I am Screech and she is Kelly Kapowski.  But somehow our opposites attract and made for some of the most memorable Denver nights to go down in history.  Thank you, Kelly, for helping me find my inner badass.  I would walk 10,000 miles for you.

My darling Elle, my faux-hawk and I, enjoying a night on the town.

Sunday: A Rockies game.  My first grand slam!

What hangover?

Audrey's dad, Stephan, Audrey, myself and Audrey's "roommate" Rob, who she happens to be married to ;).  Audrey makes THE BEST spanikopita you will ever eat. 

The Trifecta!  Me, Kelly, and Elle

Elle's dad, Steven, and her FIANCE! Chris.  Elle's family hosted a BBQ on Monday.

Love this one of Chris and I.  You know you missed me!

One of my many mommies, Donna, and Elle

I wish I could hop on a plane and visit every month, but my heart is full to the brim for a little bit having seen these great people again.  Elle and Chris are planning to wed in 2014 in New York, so I will for sure be seeing this bunch again then, if not sooner {please, oh please}.  Kelly and I are collaborating on her cake!

Love,
Rachel

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Is this a blog about cakes?

One of my loyal readers "complained" that I haven't been posting enough cakes on here.  So, T**, this is for you :)

Just to give you an idea of how hard I have been working lately, I've upped my output to about 20-25 custom cakes in a 12 hour shift (Saturdays). On those days I could go through upwards of 10 gallons of buttercream.  We are trying to hire another decorator to help with the ever-growing weekend load.  Last week in total we did just shy of 160 custom orders.  Even with the growing demand, I still LOVE what I'm doing, adore my coworkers and boss, and feel completely spoiled.

Fondant ladybug

Reuben for Mr. Scott's birthday!

Lab coat I've done three times now

Isn't the tutu the cutest?

High heel "Teeny" cakes

Old school Mario

These buttercream elephants were a challenge!

Hello Kitty + Gumballs = Sweet

Ruby is a popular name I guess....pink chef hat!

Not many wedding cakes yet, but those are starting to pick up as well as the season progresses.  I will be taking more of those on once the new person is hired.  

Until next time!

Cake and cats,
Rachel


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Mallory's Wedding Cake Inspiration

My best friend from since middle school is getting married in July.  God, just saying that makes me feel old.  This is the girl I spent every weekend with as a teenager.  She's known me through my best and worst times, supporting me through breakups, cheering me on as I pursue my dreams, and making me laugh every moment in between.  We've come a long way since the days of barking like dogs out the windows of my parents' minivan and coloring our hair over the kitchen sink (her's blonde, mine blackish brown).  I still have a {locked} box of notes we passed in class, my favorite being the drawings of which outfits we would wear to the Britney Spears concert (What the hell was I thinking with those zebra shorts??).

After high school I moved to Colorado to attend pastry school, but Mallory and I kept in touch.  She set the standard of what I look for in a friend (sense of humor, big hands), yet could never be replaced.  Lucky for me, she's stayed close to the Rogue Valley, so we were always able to visit when I went home.

Needless to say, Mallory holds a special piece of my heart.  Mal deserves every happiness life brings her way, and her fiance Nate has been nothing less than a blessing.  There wasn't really a question as to whether or not I would do her wedding cake - I couldn't imagine it any way else.  I used to bake for Mal quite a bit (shortbread and cheesecake are her favorites), and she had a huge impact on my decision to go into the pastry field.  Thinking about it now, there was never a time since we've known each other that I wasn't obsessed with food and opening a bakery.

Making cakes for people you know is as nerve-wracking as it is fulfilling, and you know I will be stressing over every detail until July 7th!  She has just a few simple requests:  Red Velvet cake with an all black and white exterior.  How cool is that going to look when they cut into it?!  Oh, and Nate prefers square tiers.  The wedding is being held at the River House in Shady Cove, Oregon, and needs to be able to hold up outside.  Other than that, I have free rein.  I've been scouting out inspiration on Pinterest based on the other details she's shared with me regarding her dress, invites, and flowers:

Invites similar to Mallory's, via Etsy.com

Close-up of a flower from her wedding dress (which is a frothy, dreamy confection in itself!)

Rose and carnation bouquet inspiration from conroysflowersdowney.com

These are some cakes I'm pulling inspiration from.  Mallory sent a few of them to me, others I found on Pinterest.  I want to create drama for her evening wedding, but without getting to formal or stiff.  Being the fun couple Mal and Nate are, it needs to have some playful elements.  I'm seeing black lace/damask details, asymmetrical draping strands of black pearls, a chic monogram, topped with gum paste white roses and carnations....perhaps in a vessel of some sort?  I would love to play with the proportions of the tiers as well. 

Follow me on Pinterest for more cake and floral inspiration, fashion picks, hair musings, recipes, and some Hello Kitty too :)  There is a entire board dedicated to Mallory's wedding!

I'm still working on sketches, then I will submit them to Mallory for approval.  I think the final pick should be a surprise, don't you?

xoxo,
Rachel

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