Lemons, Limes and Everything Wicked Weather

The weekend started for me on Thursday.  I had to work in the morning but then I was OFF traveling.  I almost waited till later in the day because of the impending weather but decided to head off anyway!  We were hosting 10 guests Saturday night for dinner, a Cinco de Mayo dinner.  I also had plans to clean out, clean out the liquor corner, the buffet, the pantry, and anything else that needed to be done.  

I was so happy to get so much done along with the hosting thing.  We invited a few new people (the old group were all gone) and I really wanted to make the night go off without a hitch.  The menu I planned was Barefoot Contessa's Tequila Lime Chicken, refried beans, cilantro lime rice along with a layered dip (from friend Lesa), chips and various dips for appetizers.  

I also saw this lemon cheesecake recipe on Facebook and it looked simple so I decided I would try my hand.  I had a springform pan, thank goodness so I dove in and tackled it.  Cheesecake is not something I have ever made even though I had the pan.  With the chicken and the lemon cheesecake I was a citrus squeezing fool!  My hands actually hurt today.  I really needed more lime but that's okay, the marinade was just fine.  The cheesecake was delicious (I also made homemade whipped cream I've never done.)  The evening went so exceptionally well and it feels good to be back in the saddle again. 

Almost forgot the drive to the cabin was a bit dicey with the weather.  I really wasn't too scared, usually my gut twists when it gets weird and I was fine.  But that drive towards that shelf cloud, whew, it was kind of awesome.

Looked like I was driving into the mountains!

Luckily the road I was traveling was void of any traffic so I just stopped and snapped pictures, lots of pictures.  

 

Sunday News

I have news this fine rainy and chilly Sunday.  I saw on my calendar last week a notation about BA Museum on June 1.  Could not remember exactly what it was but thought it was a show.  Linda and I were supposed to have a two person show over two years ago at the Broken Arrow Museum but Covid stopped it from happening.  Then last July or so the director contacted me about a show in September but again I was hesitant because of the pandemic and because I could not even think about it with my hip pain and needing to have the surgery.  So I put it off until this June.  I forgot about it.  Funny thing is I got an email from the director asking me if we were still on for the June show!!!  Ah-ha, there it was the nudge to the memory.  I told Linda about it and she said, "well alrighty then!"  We are on and painting up a storm.  I originally talked to the director about doing a self-portrait theme and am still on that path but I will add florals and landscapes to the mix.  We meet with her in a couple of weeks to get a sense of the space and how many paintings we can actually have.  That may nix a few of my larger self portraits as I really want to showcase the other stuff, and possibly sell some.  No one is going to buy my self-portrait stuff but it's fun to show off.  Plus it was a fantastic challenge for me.

I will post here later the dates exactly and the opening date we will have.  I hope everyone in the vicinity will be able to come out and check out our work.  Linda is of course doing a lot of cowboy stuff as it is Broken Arrow and she paints to the audience alot, I paint for myself.

Happy Belated Easter

It was a light crowd, Easter at our abode this year.  The Hubby's oldest brother was in the hospital with a lung infection and his Mrs. was by his side.  His oldest son went camping with his family.  Sister's kiddos went separate places and so did brother and his family.  It was still a fun day and I am so glad I was able to get around and handle the company without a hitch or PAIN!  

These little bunnies are growing up so very fast.  

Weekend Happenings

The weekend began fairly early Friday with me doing payroll and then off we went.  First stop was Grand Lake for The Hubby to do a bit of electrical work for a friend and his newly purchased house on the lake.  Little did I know I would nearly lose my breakfast on part of the drive.  There is a reason we do not have a place on Grand Lake as a good part of the houses are on BLUFFS!!!  EGAD, we drove and drove and finally got to the drive we were directed to and suddenly we were nearly straight up and down driving to his house on the bluff.  A panic attack was almost had by me.  I didn't even want to get out of the truck but managed to after I calmed down and went inside.  We ended up staying there for HOURS, and I mean hours.  I had my IPad and Kindle and read a bit.  There was little to no cellphone usage but I was okay with that, had to be.  I mostly sat as far from the window that looked out to space and water and waited as The Hubby and his friend fixed outlets, the microwave issue, etc.  It was much like in the early years as I watched him work on anything.  After awhile the friend fed us a sandwich at about 2:30 and then it was back to work.  They then went to the dock that was on a mechanical lift down to the water while I waited again.  I drifted off to sleep while they were gone, nearly an hour.  The wife was on her way from Tulsa so I was by myself and my thoughts for most of the day.  Finally she arrived and we visited a bit and then we were off to the cabin.  

The day was mostly cold and dreary so the drive was too, mostly.  They sun popped when we were nearly there and I was able to snap a few photos, hopefully to paint.  I love the clouds.

The weekend was pretty quiet as our crew we hang with were either in Portugal or just busy.  I did have a drink with Lesa Saturday afternoon before the big bonfire and weenie roast on the creek for the entire club.  The weather warmed up nicely and it was wonderful to see everyone.  Tons of peeps were in attendance, some I haven't talked to in probably a year at least.  We had yummy hotdogs, a bit of drink, enjoyed the creek and the fire and mostly the friendship.

Sadly, too soon we were headed back to Tulsa for at least 3 weeks.  Next weekend being Easter and other stuff happening. When we finally get back to the cabin I can't wait to hear from the travelers and their trip to Portugal.

Sunday Babble

It is Sunday morning, nearly 9 am and I am enjoying the quiet of home.  We stayed in town this weekend because he danced Friday night and last night we went to a dinner celebrating a friends retirement.  Friday night we were supposed to have sweet Snicklefritz spend the night, and she did come and have dinner with us and helped me bake oatmeal raisin cookies for The Hubby...but...  When she came in I could tell she was just not up to par.  She was quiet and you could tell in her eyes she was really tired.  She laid in the living room floor, wrapped up in a blanket and I thought she was going to sleep and this was before 5 o'clock.  I thought maybe it was because she was tired from a week of school, getting up early, etc.  She ate a big plate of 3-way and was back to the floor wrapped up in the blanket.  We began making the cookies and she said she had a sore throat and had it since the morning.  UH OH...I thought the throat looked a bit off and texted her momma to let her know.  There was no fever but I was not set up for a sick kiddo and still a bit afraid of any infection with the hip.  I thought, if she is sick then she might feel better hanging at home with Momma and Daddy.  I didn't have any meds for her to take.  So sadly I sent her home where she really didn't get much worse.  I should have kept her but you just never know when the wake up in the middle of the night fever would happen.  Next time for sure.  Miss that kiddo.  

Last night we went to the dinner for our friend.  I actually put makeup on, curled my hair and put on my nice cowboy boots I haven't worn in a couple of years.  The Hubby came home from a day at the gun show still very much obsessed with a knife he bought, etc.  I felt kind of pretty dolled up with makeup on and my hair curled and wearing my fancy cowboy boots I haven't worn in a couple of years.  He was absorbed in his laptop researching knives and what-not and I finally asked him if he was going to get ready soon as it was 4:15 and we were to be at the dinner at 5. He never looked at me as he got up to take his shower and asked if I was going to shower and get ready too.  WTF...This is why I call him Captain Obvious.  

Now on to other minutiae of my brain.  

The beautiful spring sun is shining through and it makes me very happy.  I actually slept in till 6:30 this morning, not usual for me.  I LOVE to get up and see the sun come up and feel the warmth (not yet) of the day beginning.  It rejuvenates me.  It also makes me want to spring clean like nobodies business.  I've been doing it a lot at the studio which has so needed it and I can now.  Here at the house I've been purging my recipes and now that's done I've started pulling books off of the shelves to get rid of.  Some I had planned to read but just never got around to it and now don't interest me.  B has gone through some of them and read them encouraging me to give them another try.  I'm still going to purge ones I have read.  This morning I actually made a list of stuff I need to do around the house, today and this spring.  

Today I am going to clean Frenchie's cage (my parakeet), put the recipe stuff up, go through some music that is a pile 3' high (some mine, mother's and my grandmothers) and A will go through it too.  She had actually planned on doing that yesterday but granddaughter #2 is sick also, probably croup.  Poor baby sounds horrible.  

I started a spring cleaning to do list for later:  purge dishes (i.e. Christmas dishes, extra Desert Rose dishes, baking dishes, just kitchen crap in general.)  My closet of shoes, clothes I just squeeze into and the faded old stuff that is disintegrating every time I wash them.  

Life Update

Sunday, 7 weeks out from surgery I went to the grocery store. You might think, "So What!" But, since the Covid pandemic AND the hip pain I wasn't physically able to walk in the store. It has been over 3 years since I actually set foot in a grocery store. It was honestly scary because of ALL that has happened the past few years. I walked in and was thrilled to see fresh veggies I could touch and pick on my own. It was almost sensory overload to see all the stuff, all bright, shiny and fresh. I've relied on others for 3 years to pick my groceries and now I can do it all by myself. So exciting! I feel like my life can begin again. This was a huge step in my life.

I also drove to the cabin and was planning on staying by myself for the first time in probably 9 months. We have to go downstairs to the garage basement to turn on and off the water, hot water heater and a couple of breakers and I could not do that, BUT now I can! The Hubby ended up coming later that night because his dance plans were canceled. It was a nice weekend hanging with friends and reading. The weekend before the entire family came to the cabin. Both weekends were fabulous.

See the big black dog, that is Vance and his sidekick beside him is Vinnie.  This past weekend sweet crazy Vance had a terrible accident.  Friday afternoon Snicklefritz was at her friends for a sleepover and her daddy had driven to OKC for the night to play music with friends.  That left Bri alone with the dogs.  It was feeding time and Vance is absolutely crazy dog when it is food time.  He was outside and was running to the sliding glass door for dinner, jumping up and hitting the glass as usual but the glass in the door was very old and not safety glass.  

Luckily Bri was out of the splash of splintering and flying glass as was Vinnie and the cats.  But poor Vance was not.  His back leg was sliced very deep, cutting a large vein.  Bri said there was glass and blood everywhere, kitchen, down the hallway, it was a miracle she was not hit.  She called her hubby who in turn called their friend and ANGEL!  She called everyone else to come HELP!!! Vance is a huge and heavy dog.  The Angel showed up at her door very quickly with an armload of towels and helped her to get Vance in the back of his pickup truck with her holding him and they were off to the emergency vet.  Over $700 later he had surgery to stop the bleeding.

The Angel!

Sadly the stupid expensive emergency vet did not do what he was going to do during surgery, put in a drain.  So when they woke the next morning the bleeding was still happening and they had to load Vance in yet another car to go to THEIR regular vet and he had another surgery to put in the drain.  

This poor guy does not understand why he has to stay in his kennel for the next couple of weeks.  He's a wild and crazy guy and a puppy, yes he's a puppy, so this has been very trying.  

The Angel just so happens to be in the construction business, specifically windows!  So he was quick to be able to get the plywood to fix the door and is getting them prices for a very expensive thing that was not in their plans.  Who knew that these old houses had those plate glass doors like that but now I know and they know.  I told her she needs to contact their homeowners insurance and see if they will pay for it all.  

One another note I've been going through my music.  

I REALLY have a problem, I LOVE music, so I own tons of CD's. For years I've purchased CD's & taken the covers & CD's out of the cases to put in CD books. The attic had boxes full of the cases & I felt it time to reunite cases with CD's. I've spent countless hours sorting & searching to accomplish that task while healing. But now I've found that I have about 50 CD's & no cases & about 40 cases with no CD's. Think I might need to have "someone" visit the attic again. I've taken the music to my studio because that is where I listen to it while I paint. Think I need to purge some of the CD's because I can't figure out WHY in the world I bought some of them. I like every kind of music from classical to heavy metal. The only kind I DO NOT like is country. Occasionally I will hear a song I like but that doesn't happen often.

I've taken it all to the studio because that is where I listen to music. I'm also purging a ton of them, like Dixie Chicks. Why in the heck do I have 3 of their CD's. Yuck.

Family Weekend

I'm now closing in on 7 weeks of healing and I couldn't feel any better.  Last week my Bro, Sis and I were finally able to have lunch.  We had not seen each other since before Christmas.  I really loved that and it means the world that we love each other so much.  

The weekend started with us heading off to the cabin.  The oldest had already been there with little Snicklefritz since Wednesday and their two dogs, Vinnie and Vance.  WOW, they are full of energy, especially Vance (the very large black guy who is 11 months old.)  We got there with the youngest and little Min in our truck.  Their respective hubby's would arrive on Saturday.  

It has been two years since we had a family photo taken, before little Min was born.

Vance seemed to think he was a lap dog.  He's really such a sweet boy and can he jump and LOVES to chase squirrels...you go boy!

There was a bit of coloring and a bit of reading done during the weekend.

Hiking as a family, not this girl but the others...

and of course little Min wanted to try her hand at fishing like Little Bear, her favorite show.  She spent more time dangling the worm out of the water.  

It was a most perfect weekend on the screened porch with a small fire in the new fireplace, music, and talking about families long past, some never met.  Family time is absolutely priceless.

6 Weeks!

Tomorrow will be 6 weeks since surgery and I am pretty much back to normal.  Still doing out patient physical therapy that will end next week.  This morning I was able to get on my stationary bike here at home.  It is a recumbent bike and the PT girl wasn't sure but said to try it.  It is great!!!  Monday I will start doing about 30 minutes each day on it.  I am making a pledge...(hope I can keep it.)  

Last Friday it snowed YET AGAIN and I had to be in the office to make a big deposit.  So yet again The Hubby had to drive me there.  RATS!  Luckily it all melted by the next day.  It also messed up my/our plans, my siblings and I, for lunch.  We haven't seen each other since December and I miss them terribly.  This Friday we will try again and the weather will cooperate!  

Saturday the girls (all 4 of them!) came over and they cleaned out our entertainment center, reorganizing our photos.  It looks awesome.  Friday I also brought back home the mountains of recipes I had at the office that I had been scanning.  I decided I didn't like doing that.  I wanted to purge more of the piles of them.  I had originally had three large index card files FULL of them and more that had not even been put on cards.  I purged more and more and MORE until I am now down to one box!  It feels really great to be able to do that and not have any regrets.  I know that the ones I trashed I can find on the internet.  I did find a lot of the older ones like these that you probably can't find.  

ESPECIALLY the school cinnamon rolls and the bean chowder that used to be such a staple in school.  I posted them on Facebook and everyone went nuts for the recipes.  

I also have Momma's recipe box and Granny's and I believe at one time my mother-in-laws.  Those recipes that are very old, yellowed and well used or loved I have kept in the small wooden boxes that I will never purge.  I did label them for the girls to know who's kitchen they came from.  My plan is to also cook them just like the recipe states and then possibly revamp them at some point.  That is my plan...hmmm.  There were also a lot of handwritten ones in pencil that were mine at a very young age.  One time I followed my Greatgranny around the house with cards at the ready and pencil in hand while she rattled off the ingredients for the various recipes and I wrote furiously as she walked and talked.  I want to cook those too to see if they are accurate.  I remember one time when my great grandparents still had a wood stove in the kitchen and watching Greatgranny whip egg whites by hand and make an angel food cake and bake it in the wood burning stove.  AMAZING to see it all work.  They eventually got an electric stove but that wood stove was so very cool.  I love to cook, I'm a good cook and hopefully one day I will have a lot of these recipes in print form.  

Week 5

"Max" says GOOD MORNING!  

I finished this little guy on Monday for my aunt, a commission.  I really love painting dogs but DO NOT want to be known as a pet artist really.  It was a pleasure to do this for my favorite aunt!  

I'm still healing and tomorrow will mark 5 weeks since the surgery.  Time flies when you're having fun...lol.  Now if I can get the knee to feeling a bit better I would be good.  I'm still doing out patient PT and after tomorrow only 4 more (2 weeks) left of that.  Life seems like it is back to normal, pretty much and I'm so ready.  

I'm ready for spring, ready to purge more crap out of my house, ready for Easter with family, ready for SUMMER!!!

 

For Ukraine

 

Every-Other-Friday-Payroll

Another Every-Other-Friday-Payroll and we found ourselves at the office early this morning.  Even though the employees haven't worked since Wednesday I still had to do payroll.  A couple did make it in this morning but went home because all we've got for work is outside.  But, by goodness, their paychecks were done.  I tried to talk The Hubby out of going in, saying it could wait till Monday but he didn't want to, so in the truck I found myself waiting and watching.  He has a huge box of salt so started there, letting it begin to melt, which amazingly enough worked very well.  I was enjoying the scenery, different from the four walls I've been looking at for the past three weeks.  The truck was warm and I had a heated seat, I was content.  

One of the employees gave a quick hand to smash and scrape away the ice until it was pretty dry very quick.  Payroll is done and I'm now at home waiting for the final in-home physical therapist to come.  Then I don't have anymore for a couple of weeks when I will go to the place for the therapy.  I sooooooooo hope that is very short-lived.  I'm getting around extremely well now but know there a few things I will have to be shown yet to progress the mobility of my body.  

A Sleeting We Will Go

Ice, Ice, Baby...

Goodness this stupid weather.  First was the morning of my hip surgery and the snow we had to travel through at 5 am to get to the hospital.  Yesterday it was again another iffy drive for my post-op.  It was sleet and a lot of it.  Honestly that drive wasn't as bad but this morning is a lot worse.  In fact we shut down our business because the employees didn't want to drive in (don't blame them.)  It's the same story this morning and will probably be the same tomorrow.  Tomorrow I have to go in though to do payroll.  Hmmm, well we will see.  

Back to my post-op.  We did make it!  So excited to have the stitches OUT and permission to drive, when this stupid ice is gone.  The doc is very pleased with how this new hip looks and me too.  I was disappointed that I have to do out patient.  Really didn't want to but it could last 1-4 weeks so I will be a good patient and get it done. 

Last nights dinner, yes I cooked again, was what I could dig up out of the pantry/freezer since grocery shopping is not happening via hip and weather.  I found frozen shrimp in the freezer and a jar of marinated artichoke hearts.  I googled those ingredients and came up with a shrimp & artichoke bake.  

Shrimp & Artichoke Bake

(What I had:)

Frozen shrimp (about 14)

Small jar of marinated artichoke hearts, drained & cut up if too big

Red pepper flakes

1 tsp Kerry Gold garlic & herb butter

1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

2 Tbls shredded parmesan

Preheat oven to 400°. Saute drained artichoke hearts in non-stick skillet with butter and pepper flakes for about 3-5 minutes. Take out and put in small casserole (I used deep dish pie plate.) Put shrimp in skillet cook till pink turning once, about 3-5 more minutes. When done put on top of artichoke hearts. Top with the mozzarella cheese and parmesan. Bake in oven 10-15 minutes.

I would have loved to serve it with fresh broccoli or spinach but fresh pantry is bare.

It was quite yummy.

Monday Morning Ramble

Good Monday morning all.  Yes still rehabbing from hip surgery but it's close to seeing the end of this ordeal.  Physical therapy was here bright and early this morning and she had me already sign that I would be released from PT on Friday!!!  That's exciting.  The Hubby seems to think I'm going to have a ton of outpatient PT but she said normally that happens on knees not hips!!! Wednesday, before all the ice that is supposed to be here, we go to my post-op where they will take out the stiches and I should be released to drive!!!  She said that the stiches are very ready to come out.  I looked at it today and the scar is really nice.  There are 14 stitches and they are quite pretty.  I'm moving around very nice and will probably continue to use the walker a bit more just for the stability, mainly because my stupid knee is giving me fits.  I was on arthritis meds during the first part of this and felt great but now that the prescription has run out for that my joints are hurting.  My knee, my elbows, my hands, my SHOULDER which I have to sleep on.  Can't wait to be able to sleep on the surgery side.  I'm hoping she will extend that prescription and if not I see my general doctor in a couple of weeks who may prescribe it.  I want to keep being able to move, move, move and it's difficult when the knee is screaming.  I'm not ready to have it replaced, yet.  

We were able to toddle off to the cabin on Friday, a welcome relief to different four walls.  I'm spending a lot of time here at home by myself and it's quite boring now.  I've read two books, started another, napped, watched a LOT of TV, binge watched the second season of Sweet Magnolia's and I'm need something else.  The cabin was nice.  Fire roaring, friends over for drinks on Friday afternoon, it was nice.  The weekend wasn't without a bit of drama though.  Saturday night we went to John & Lesa's for dinner, beer can burgers, yum!  While there one of the ladies, who is a sports FANATIC to the MAX was of course going on about OSU basketball, then while we were beginning to watch a movie she wanted to watch the Olympics instead.  Okay.  Then she said she was recording it (then why are we watching it) and that she would watch it later at home.  I popped off and said, "You're recording it to watch later?!"  She replied, "that all the talking we were doing she didn't want to miss any of it."  I verbally did an glach sound to which she said that wasn't very nice.  Sorry girl but you force me EVERY SINGLE WEEKEND to watch damn sports, whether it's football, basketball or whatever and now Olympics, no matter who's cabin we are at.  It just takes me back to being a child and my father only watching the crap and us not allowed to watch anything (one television in the house.)  I have hit the point of total resentment to her on this crap.  

Then the evening took another dark turn.  One of the other ladies wanted to have a discussion (mind you a bit of bubbly was on board for some) on a news story in the headlines.  She was just curious what we thought, posed a question about the Elizabeth Holmes-Theranos scandal.  She posed what/who does it benefit that she go to jail for 20 years - since the trial began she had a child that will never know it's parent for 20 years.  She was just curious and want some feedback from what she thought were intelligent women.  First mistake there.  The sports fanatic would not let her even get the question out, the story.  Every time she would start sports girl would interrupt and say guilty, send her to jail, or give a thumbs down, to the point that the questionier was then in tears and walked out the door.  Sports gal was so smug in her answer even though the question had not even really been asked, no discussion could be had.  It made the evening end on such a sour note.  The first time I met sports fanatic I thought she was so nice and sweet but over the years my opinion has certainly changed about her and definitely not in a good light.  So we will skip next weekend for The Hubby to dance and that will be okay with me.  I need a break from the STUPID drama.  

 

Day 14 - 2 Weeks of Recovery

Today is day 14 of this hip recovery.  Two weeks to the day and nearly same time of surgery and my life heading to the better.  Everyday is a new day and a realization of getting better and better.  I am moving around very easily now, with the walker and really would like to ditch but hey, it's only been two weeks.  The body heals in a timely fashion and I am willing to wait but dang it I want to just get on with life.  I'm pretty proud of my self, able to shower and dress myself, even my socks and shoes.  It feels good to be clean and dressed everyday.  There are still things like after the shower I have to have The Hubby dry off my legs because I can't get down there to do that.  In the first few days you know true love because I could not do ANYTHING on my own.  Example, the toilet thing.  You know true love when your other half can, does and willingly wipes your ass when you can barely twist your body in fear of dislocating said new hip.  He is johnny-on-the-spot to fill my water bottles, feed me, help me in the shower and that toilet thing.  Now I'm pretty much self-sufficient in most of that regard.  I've even been to the office twice now and that was one of my major fears is getting my work done, payroll, bills paid, etc.  I'm hoping that next week I will once again be in the kitchen cooking.  Our meal train thing ran out on Tuesday so last night was BBQ and I think tonight will be KFC, which I'm okay with that.  We still have some yummy spaghetti and meatballs for tomorrow nights meal and Saturday burgers at the cabin!!!  Yes I said cabin.  We are going to the cabin, physical therapy said it is okay, and enjoying beer can burgers at one of the cabins.  Luckily it has very flat entry.  The only thing is we do have steps to get into our cabin but once in it is basically flat and they were okay with it.  I've got this walk thing down really well.  My only issue is my right knee that I had arthroscopy on 10 years ago is really giving me some fits.  In fact a couple of times when I sit on the toilet, when I stand it locks in a bent position and has to pop out for me to stand and THAT IS PAINFUL!  Gosh, I do not want to have my knee replaced, yet.  The Hubby said maybe look into doing that in 6 months...uh....NO!!!  Not ready to go through this stuff again for awhile.  I want to have some normalcy for a bit first, enjoy the summer.  

Last week was a lot of company of which I so welcomed.  This week not so much and in fact I have been on my own a good part of the week.  He comes home for lunch and feeds me and sometimes stays a bit but it's been a bit lonely.  I really don't have much to do but read, journal, watch TV and may cat-nap a bit but I don't want to do that all day. 

Oh on Monday Af brought a friend over who is a hair stylist and I had my hair all cut off, not short short, just to the top of my shoulders.  My hair was driving me crazy with breaking off and falling out by the handfuls, hormones.  I love it and will probably keep it this length for a bit.  

Another biggy is sleeping in my OWN BED!  The thing is that I can't sleep on THAT side yet but I can sleep on the good side.  I tried it last week but was just too painful (no pain meds since day 5) so every night I sleep in my new Relax-the-Back chair.  We purchased it the week before surgery and it was delivered the day I came home from the hospital.  I do NOT know what I would have done without this chair.  Some cabin friends encouraged The Hubby, actually insisted we purchase a recliner of some kind for me to sleep, they knew I would need it.  It has been a game changer because when my food swells I can get it above my heart and it has a heated seat that is just yummy.  Nothing like a warm butt!  I've wanted to get back to my bed because I don't want to have the chair to become more of a favorite place to sleep.  Don't get me wrong I sleep quite well in this chair but I so miss my bed.  So night before last I was able to stay in bed for about 3 hours but not being able to switch from back to good side I had to get up and come to the chair.  Last night I decide I was going to do the side thing and I ended up with 4-1/2 hours in bed and figured out I could switch back and forth, back to side myself quite easily.  Yipee.  This will also come in handy because going to the cabin tomorrow I will not have access to the recliner but bed or couch only.  The couch thing I would have to step down in the middle of the night and I do not want to do that so I NEED to master this bed thing tonight.  I'm having a bit of trouble getting my mind to shut down to sleep in the bed because I am worrying too much and that is making it hard to sleep too.  It will all work out in time at some point.

Next Wednesday I go back to the doctor for post-op and will have stiches (14 of them) removed and will be released to DRIVE!  So very excited about that, not that I have many places to go, but it would be nice to be able to go to my studio again.  I brought supplies home with the idea that I would paint at home but I just have not wanted to get it all out and my mind was not in the place to be creative.  So I'll have The Hubby bring all that stuff back to the studio hopefully next week and I will yet again be painting.  

Day 10

It is now day 10 of hip healing and it is going very well.   It is amazing how every single day is better and better in this healing process.  I've had almost constant company so The Hubby could work from daughter #2 and her little Mini.  Yesterday daughter #1 and Snicklefritz came while he had to run to the cabin.  I'm good now spending time by myself but he is not too keen on my getting up to use the bathroom unless someone is here.  He's just cautious.  Friday evening he went briefly to a dance and I invited Snicklefritz to spend the night for company and just in case.  We chatted and visited, watched the Olympics and played several games of UNO. 

So far every task or goal the physical therapists set I far exceed and they have to step it up more and more.  I so want to ditch the walker soon and I know all in good time.  I've doing a lot of sponge baths because my doctor's protocol said NO SHOWERS!  But we did read that I could if they kept it under the waterproof thing after the aquaseal was removed.  Luckily on Friday the aquaseal was removed and a new kind of waterproof but on and until it left to air dry I can now shower.  I was okay with the sponge baths and we started washing my hair in the kitchen sink which was a huge help.  But...TODAY...I go to have an actual shower.  The Hubby got shower chair (our shower is ADA/wheelchair accessible) and we both got in and SCRUBBED!!!  Goodness that felt so good.

There have also been a steady flow of friends bringing food and some will stay and have a nice visit.  The Hubby's best friend and his wife brought food from one of our favorite restaurants and we all dined TOGETHER!  Having friends and family add the physical healing of my body to make me whole again.  Onward to week two of staying home then to a half week and hopefully cut loose to live the rest of my life without PAIN!  

NEW HIP Installed

The day came and went without a hitch.  That morning we had to drive through a snow storm to get to the hospital but it all went well as not many were on the road and the snow was really pretty dry.  We arrived, got checked in and after a time trying to find a vein for my IV it was ready, set, go!

I was able to go home the next day and now I just heal and try not to fall at any point.  

It is a very slow process but I will get through with a lot of sponge baths and a lot of food from friends.  

It's Nearly HIP DAY!

 

Okay, I need good vibes, prayers, ALL the good luck I can muster for tomorrow.  We have to be in Broken Arrow by 5:30 am for my hip replacement surgery at 7 am.  I have to tell you I'm excited and nervous and anxious.  I can handle all that, BUT, mother nature decided to throw a wrench in the plans.  It is snowing to beat the band right now and they are predicting 4-8 inches.  My gut is absolutely in knots right and I KNOW my blood pressure is up, I feel it.