these are actually very small

Tiny Pink

Physical therapy is very happy with how I'm progressing. They say that if I continue to improve at this rate, there may only be one more week of sessions before they're done with me. That would be nice. Then I'd have to work on building strength back up on my own, and stamina, but that doesn't require any special help - just, you know, work.

The most difficult thing they've had me doing so far is standing on this board that's kind of a rounded-off triangle and which has a half-sphere attached to the bottom. There're three exercises with this thing: 1. balance on the half-sphere (difficult), 2. rock between the front semi-pointy edge and the back without letting the sides touch the ground (pretty easy), 3. rock between the left and right edges without letting the front or back touch the ground (harder, but not as hard as balancing the stupid thing.)

Also, we can't afford it right now, but I am happy to listen to any advice people have about a new bicycle. ^_^ Or, unlikely as it seems, fixing the old one! Does anybody know if a fairly seriously bent frame can be fixed or should I just not even consider it? I know I'll need a new rear wheel and gear assembly and probably a new derailleur as well. (The current one is in a position I've never seen it in before, but it moves freely, so it might just be a side-effect of being on a wheel and frame that are all bent up. I have no particular love for this derailleur - it's okay, but I was considering upgrading it if I got the money. It's a Shimano, if that's of any use to anyone. It's not a bad unit, it's just, hrm, kinda slow. And it comes out of adjustment too easily.) I put a fair amount of stress on my bike (Seattle riding is always hill riding) so I need a cross bike that can handle me throwing my weight at it to get it up a hill.

And don't say Specialised, I'm sure they're great, I'm probably not gonna have $2K to spend on a bike any time soon. Sad!