Some more thoughts. . . . . . .

It my last posting, I neglected to mention another recent stressful event. While we were all hurrying around getting ready to pack to leave for Ohio for Mom's funeral, we threw some laundry in the washer and dryer. That sounds easy and simple, right? The dryer started making a huge noise and then smoke started coming out and the smoke alarm went off. So no more dryer. Then in an obvious show of empathetic support, the washer decided to act wonky, too. So when Golfer and I were able to get out and about after all the snow and ice, we had to go buy a new washer and dryer. The old ones had been of an age where it was time. We can highly recommend Shawel's if you are in the Tidewater area of Virginia. We went in one morning and by that afternoon they were both delivered, set-up, and in use! And while I'm making recommendations, we got Maytag Bravos series machines and I love them! I was suspicious of a washer with no agitator, but it works wonderfully well.

I also neglected to mention in that last post that Brief and the kids made it back to Georgia okay while Bikini was with us in Ohio. And she caught a flight out Christmas Eve afternoon and made it home in time to hang stockings with Bloomer and Boxer. And Nurse J, Cable Guy and BeyB made it to Illinois okay. However, BeyB got sick and had to go to the ER, but she recovered quickly and is feeling better. They are back home now.

Our house is all un-decorated and things are put away. I am, quite honestly, ready for a new year with maybe not quite so many changes going on.

I've been to the Commissary this morning for a few things. It is now pouring down rain and is dark and gloomy out. The snow is gone. And as I have said before, I am ready for Summer.

I have a pile of papers waiting for me to put through the shredder. The files have been cleaned out. I guess I'll get to work on that. Stay safe and have a good day.

My Apologies for the Lack of Posts

There has been much happening and going on with us.

As you know, my recovery from knee replacement surgery had been progressing very well. And then we hit a "snag". My physical therapy got a bit too intense and I developed some severe pain and swelling in my knee and leg. This developed while Golfer and I were on a trip to Lancaster, PA for a short vacation. More on that later. I got in to see my doctor as soon as we returned home. After several x-rays and looking and poking at my leg, Dr. A. said during the PT some scar tissue had torn and bled into my knee causing the inflammation and problems. So I've had to use the cane again, and have been taking some medicine and had a break from the PT. I also have a knee brace to wear if I'm going to be up on my feet and walking around a lot. It is getting better and I just have to be patient.

The Lancaster trip was lovely, even with my leg problems. We saw some great Christmas shows and did some sight-seeing. It was cold and windy most of the time. The area is famous for it's Amish life and farms and history. Golfer and I grew up seeing Amish buggies on the road in Ohio, so that wasn't a big attraction for us. But we did enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.

When we returned from our trip it was time to get ready for Bikini's family to come to visit for an early Christmas. My preparations were hampered a bit by my knee, but things got done and Golfer was wonderful with his help. We had an early Christmas because Nurse J's family was going to Illinois to spend the holiday with CableGuy's parents. It was great having everyone together and the kids were so cute playing with their new toys.

Then, sadly, on the evening of the 20th, we got a call from my sister and niece saying Mom had passed away. She was a good lady, 101, and died the way she had always said she wanted to go - in her own apartment. We hurried and got ourselves packed and ready and took off for Ohio the next day. Her funeral was on a cold, windy day with snow on the ground. Golfer "officiated" at Mom's request. She had said she didn't want a stranger talking about her.

We did what we could to help go through her belongings and pack things up. The weather forecast was not good. Golfer was keeping a close watch on it. After an early Christmas Day dinner with Golfer's brother and family, we got on the road and headed for home. It was a long day, and a trying time to be driving in the dark and snow and ice. But we made it home a little before midnight.

This is what we saw the next morning. There is still some snow on the ground here in the shady spots of the yard. Things were shut down and everyone was snowbound for a couple days.

So, I really have been thinking about writing here, but just haven't gotten to it.

For now, I'll just say Happy New Year, stay safe!

And we miss you Mom.

Belated Happy Thanksgiving!

Things have been busy here!

In the process of having a leaky vent pipe on the roof fixed, it was determined that we would have to start thinking about replacing the roof soon. So we started getting estimates and the first one was a good one, so we said okay and had things set up for work to be done in a couple weeks. Then on Tuesday afternoon we got a call saying the crew had some free time and could they come on Wednesday morning. Well, sure! It was a good crew and they got here a little after 7:30 in the morning. Immediately several were up on the roof tearing off the old shingles. Soon after that, the big truck with the conveyor arrived to unload the new, much better shingles. Have you ever been in a house getting a new roof?? It's LOUD! I had to go to work. Golfer stuck around to handle anything that came up. The furry kids went into hiding. The guys also re-roofed the shed so it matches. They were all done by late afternoon. They cleaned up the yard and all was well.

Other things taking up my time and energy are Christmas shopping, Christmas preparations, Thanksgiving cooking, all the usual house stuff, and work. Add in the physical therapy and a couple doctor appointments and there goes the time!

Golfer and I did squeeze in a lovely drive one afternoon. It was going to be one of the last warmer days and it was a good time for a ride in Duke, the convertible. The Colonial Parkway was lovely - still some color on some of the trees. We took the Jamestown ferry across the river to Surry and stopped for pie and coffee, then continued our drive through some lovely country.

The leaf sweeper has been getting a workout around here. Golfer goes out and sweeps up leaves a couple times a week. A few times the leaves were coming down faster than he was picking them up! And even though we've had a little frost here, we still have some lovely azaleas blooming and my porch geranium is still going strong. The grass looks better than it did all Summer!

That's about it from here. I was taking a break after doing a few errands and now it's time to go put some decorations on the tree! Golfer and I got it together yesterday and finally figured out how to get all the lights to come on, so the rest should be easy! Stay safe!

BACK TO WORK!

Today was my first day back to work. It went well. Sadly, I didn't think to take a camera with me to take a picture of my office before I started cleaning it up. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the work the ladies did in covering things. Most of them were volunteers and I wouldn't dream of complaining to them or about them. But one lady was getting paid to do my work.

Every flat surface in the office had some piles on it. And there were piles of stuff on the floor. Evidently, she didn't want to throw anything away while I was gone. So most of the morning was spent going through the piles and boxes, putting things away, getting things to the people where they should have gone, and bagging up three garbage bags of trash. And the rest of the time was spent trying to get my computer to work. It died while I was away. Repairs were attempted, but obviously were not successful. So that has to be dealt with.

Tomorrow is another day.

In other news, we had a wonderful visit with Golfer's brother, L, and his wife, V. They came for the weekend so L could play in a golf tournament with Golfer. They had a good time and wonderful weather. V and I had fun, too, although I can't really recommend going to the Premier Outlet Mall on a Saturday morning this close to Christmas! But it was fun.

It's cool here and is supposed to rain off and on for the next couple days.

I'm still going to physical therapy three times a week. It's going well. I may try the pool again tomorrow.

Boxer has been sick with strep throat, we're sending him good wishes. Hi, to Bloomer, too! And BeyB is getting the braces on her bottom teeth this week and we wish her well.

That's about all from here. Stay safe!

AAAAAHHHHHHH!

Golfer and I just got home from the pool at the "Y"! I finally got the okay yesterday to get back in the water. I was cautioned to take it easy and not over-do and it felt great! I have a few observations to share:

I think my balance is better when I'm in the water.

I also think that my new knee is heavier than the "original" one I was born with! It felt odd in the water; like it was heavier. Golfer was in the next lane and he said it was the new metal of the new knee. Makes sense. But not something anyone tells a person about ahead of time!

That's all the news here - just wanted to share. Stay safe!

Well.

Yes, we are still here. I just realized how long it has been since I wrote anything!

I don't know where the time has gone. I've been busy recuperating and going to PT. And trying to do a little more everyday with all the other things in life I want to do. I had a minor set-back when I ended up in the ER one Sunday morning. I woke with a fever and increased pain and swelling and a killer headache. I called my doctor's answering service and he called me back within five minutes and said go to the ER. He was worried about a blood clot. So Golfer hustled me on up to the Mary Immaculate ER where I was tested and poked, and scanned and x-rayed. After about five hours, they didn't find any blood clots but did find an infection at my incision site. So that meant more meds and a stop to the PT for a while. But it is pretty much all better now.

The PT is going well and I plan to go back to work next week. (The PT will continue for while longer) Just today I was given the okay to get back into the swimming pool but cautioned to "take it easy". So I'm looking forward to that.

Golfer and I have been keeping busy around the house. The yard looks better than it has for months! We even have some azalea bushes blooming right now. And my geraniums are still lovely. The grass seed has sprouted and grown and the yard is greener than it's been all Summer! It's gotten cooler here and there has even been some frost in some areas. The leaves are really starting to fall now.

Golfer and I have also been spending time getting to know our new car - a 2010 Acura TL. Lovely, comfortable car with lots of buttons and levers and way more technology than we can use yet!

I have been trying to get a handle on the Christmas shopping. I have tried a couple one-hour shopping trips and it's gone okay. Usually by this time of the year I am done and have things wrapped and packed up to ship off. I lost a chunk of time this year and things are not quite so efficient, but they're coming along.

I just wanted to check in and let anyone that reads this that we're still here and doing fine. Stay safe!

PROGRESS

Hey, All!

Things are going well here. I had the first appointment with out-patient physical therapy yesterday. Mostly it was just a lot of questions and measuring and poking and twisting and evaluating the status of things currently. I go tomorrow morning for a regular session.

Another milestone.... I can now get into our KIA from either side. I drove last Saturday - just over to the grocery store for fruit - but wasn't able to get in the car on the passenger side then. I tried this morning, and hooray! I can do it!

The motion machine was picked up yesterday. I still have exercises to do here at home twice a day. And I am trying to do just a little more of the regular house stuff every day. My energy level remains low and I've been told not to over-do things and activity. My appetite is almost non-existent (not necessarily a bad thing). I've lost over twenty-five pounds since this all started! I have very little interest in food or cooking. And when I do cook, by the time I've been around it and smelled it, I really don't want to eat it. I think this is because of medications, but I'm dealing with it.

Golfer and I took our Chrysler in for service this morning. I drove the KIA to pick him up. We stopped by Starbucks on the way home.

The sun is out today and it's cooler. Feels like Fall. No leaf color yet though.

As I am more mobile and able to do more, Golfer is able to get back out on the golf course. That's a good thing, and good for him. I know he's been worried about me.

So things are going okay here and that's about all the news I have. Stay safe!