Working My Way Back to the New Normal

My surgery was on March 16th. I was told I was one of the last surgical patients before they shut down surgeries.  Shortly after being taken to my room after post-op, we were told that Les and Jacquie had to leave, no more visitors allowed in the hospital.  I was well taken care of and did get to go home the next day, but that took a lot of figuring out since Les wasn't allowed to come inside.

But we made it home and he has been taking very good care of me.  Sadly, my recovery is not going as I had planned.  Before the surgery I heard a lot of "oh, hip replacement surgery is so much easier".  I really dare anyone to say that to me now.  I have never had a surgical incision hurt so much. And the pain has gone down my leg.   The nurse and the PT have been coming twice a week.  I am finally very slowly getting to feel a little stronger.  Still using the walker, but I hope to move to a cane soon.  I am doing my exercises every day and working hard at it.

And of course we are social distancing and being careful.  Scary times right now everywhere, and way too many things to worry about.

All the grandchildren are having school online or being home-schooled.  And I am pretty sure that is for the rest of the school year for all.  I know for sure it is, here in Virginia.

Jacquie and Pam are both working from home.  We're all trying to be careful.

I miss going to Starbucks!  We have been brewing ours here at home. 😷

Life remains good, even if different.  Stay safe and God Bless America!

Early Happy St. Patrick's Day

I will be "going dark" and be offline for a short time, so am posting this early.

Thank you, Pam, for the new pillow covers!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  Stay safe and God Bless America!  Will "talk" to you later when able.

Comments on General State of Things and Some Random Observations

First, let me just say, let's all take a big breath and think pleasant thoughts.  Then let's just get on with what needs to be done.  We all have way too many things to worry about right now.  Be sensible, stay safe, and take care of yourselves.

Jordan has had Spring break from ODU this week.  It has now been extended a week and when classes resume they will be online.  Pam found out last night that Boxer's and Bloomer's schools are now closed.  They were going to be allowed in today to pick up items they need and when classes resume they will be online until further notice.  Jacquie found out last night that Cutie Girl's school was closed today for teacher planning to prepare for schools to be closed and class work online there, too.  Little Miss E's pre-school follows the York County schedule so she will be off, too.

I have totally lost count of how many letters from companies and stores I have received in my email.  Mostly just assuring us all that they are cleaning and taking precautions.

We had been stocking up on things for our freezer and pantry because of my planned surgery, so I think we're good in that area.  I still haven't figured out why people are hoarding toilet paper, but I guess if it makes them feel better, more power to them.

We had started planning the updates to our bathrooms before we found out I was having surgery and before Corona made its appearance.  Yesterday we had a plumber here installing new fixtures in our master bath shower.  We figured this was one part we could get done and off the list.  They look nice and work well.  The matching sink fixtures will be installed when the new counter top and sinks are installed in a month or so.

The cherry blossoms are starting to bloom on Canon Boulevard.  Very pretty! 

Our yard guys came and did another round of weed killer and fertilizer.  Les has gone out and checked to make sure all of our equipment worked and I am sure it won't be long before he decides he has to mow and trim.  Like I've said, he likes to wait until at least April. 😊

My pain level keeps increasing so I am getting slower at getting things done but I keep plugging away.  Life is still good!

Stay safe and God Bless America!

P.S.  This just has to make you smile!  It was "What do you want to be when you grow up?" day at Little Miss E's school.

She is going to save us all!

More Art!

This one Jordan calls Alter Ego Portrait. Except for the mustache it is a very good self portrait!  😊

The sun is out. The temperature is warm.  Les is playing golf.  I am at least up and partially functioning.  Just trying to keep up with what I can.

Life remains good!  Stay safe and God Bless America!

Just Stuff

I seem to have more pain each day since stopping my meds for surgery.  But I keep " plugging away" at things.  This morning Les and I did the Commissary shopping.  I've been trying to have things stocked up so there won't be so much that he might have to go get.  So that chore is done again and everything is put away.

I took care of a bunch of desk stuff.  It's the time of year when we have multiple services that get renewed, paid, and/or scheduled.  That is all done and papers filed.  Other than a phone call a few days ago to ask us a question, we have not heard from our tax guy yet.

I got my cane and walker labeled and ready.  I'm using the cane, but did not have my name on it yet.  And I got my overnight bag out of the closet.  Have not packed anything yet.

I'm trying to not watch too much of the depressing news in so many areas. 

But I have a smile to share!  This happens frequently around here!

Thanks to I Can Haz Cheeseburger site for the picture.

Life remains good!  Stay safe and God Bless America!

Feels Like Spring!

I hope everyone is well and happy.  Remember to wash your hands often!  And that is all the news I will talk about here.

Before we found out that I was going to be having surgery, we had several projects planned around our home.  And I had us on schedules for some things.  One of those things was to have new mulch delivered and put down.  I had hoped to get the mulched areas all cleaned up and ready, but that did not happen due to weather and pain levels.  When the man called last week and said he would like to come do our mulch work the next day, I explained that to him.  He said no problem, let his guys take care of that for us.  So for an additional very small charge they cleaned up all the leaves and pine needles, bagged it all and hauled it away when they left.  They even cleaned out the river rocks across our back yard along the sound wall.  The rocks are there for drainage reasons and the fact that we couldn't get grass to grow back there.  They look nice, but are the dickens to keep cleaned up.  The leaves and needles just stick down between them.

The yard is looking much better now.  I am not stressing about not getting any yard work done.  At the rate the grass is growing I am afraid it won't be long before Les is going to have to mow and trim.  He usually gets to wait until we get into April.  But this year things are growing and blooming and sprouting all over the place.

I am continuing to get ready for my surgery and I'm doing my pre-surgery exercises every day, and following all my instructions.  On one beautiful morning last week I got ready and went out to do a couple errands.  One of those was looking at the garden center for pansies for the front porch.  Found some!  And got them all potted and set up even if it did take me longer than usual to do that job.

So on that note, here are a couple pictures that make me happy.

New mulch

Pansies!

I have to mention that I started writing this on Wednesday, March 4th. I discovered that I can not do blog posts on my tablet.  Our computer has been "sick" and Geek Squad was working on it.  The computer is back home now with a brand new hard drive and we are trying to get things set up.  I say "we", but the work is mostly being done by Les and he is doing a great job.  We have lost some things, but at least the computer is back and running.

I hope you all remembered to change all your clocks last night!

Life is still great!  Stay safe and God Bless America!