My "temporary" Master Suite

It's been nearly a month since I have slept in our upstairs bedroom. Have to tell you I'm beginning to miss our queen-sized bed!!! Must mean that I am "on the mend".

For the time being, our living room has been my "master suite". Our twin sized sofa sleeper was converted (with additional twin sized mattress for more heighth and padding) to become my sleep pod.


We recently replaced my rocker/recliner with a "lift chair". It's all electric and with the help of a six way remote will operate to rise, lower, back only, leg only...you name it...it can do it! It is a real beauty...makes getting up and down much easier on the new hip. I have begun sleeping in the new chair at night - which allows Larry to sleep in twin bed. (He had been sleeping in old recliner each night to be near me, in the event I needed assistance!) Please note to left of picture, Larry extended the lower step to accommodate my walker, enabling me to move from living room to rest of lower level with minimal difficulty.


Residing on the first floor allows me more mobility to kitchen, dining, bathroom, straight stairway to accessible shower (yes I need assistance) and of course a big screen t.v. (complete with swing out arm) and cable access (and yes, I love my HGTV)!!!


Am I becoming spoiled? No, not really...I'm becoming bored with this arrangement and am really looking forward to driving, managing stairs and yes...running the vacuum.

Favorite Teacher...

Everyone has a favorite teacher. Mine was Mrs. Gladys Atkins, my 5th AND 6th grade teacher at Saratoga Elementary School (in the late 50's).

Last month I saw her obituary in the newspaper and was somewhat saddened. She was 88 years old, which was so hard to imagine, favorite teachers don't age do they?

I remember Mrs. Atkins as a loving, caring individual. She showed true patience when dealing with her young charges. I don't think I ever saw her upset or angry. She was the kind of a teacher you never wanted to disappoint.

I always felt safe in her presence, she gave me a warm fuzzy feeling just being in the room. I had and still have a great deal of respect for Mrs. Atkins. I hope that she knows how many life's she touched in her lifetime.

Thank you Mrs. Gladys Atkins.

"Bathing Beauties"

We have now entered "Indian Summer". Mother Nature is giving us 80's one day, 70's the next. Yesterday afternoon we were sitting on screened in deck, what a beautiful day, comfortable temps, sunshine abound. Looked down to see the "kitties" catching some rays.

"Samantha"

"Little Bit"

We've had the cats for about 7-8 years, coming to live with us when Little Bit was still a "kitten". Samantha is the mother and Little Bit is from her second litter. They are really a joy to have around, and provide cheap entertainment.

My New "Ride"

During recuperation I have been using a 2-wheeled walker with glides and a footed cane. Walker is a beautiful Denver Bronco blue and had a little "fanny" type pack on top bar for all my little goodies. It gets me from point A to point B just fine. You could say I am a styling grandma.

Word to the wise...never leave your "wheels" unattended in an unsavory neighborhood. Little did I know that my walker would fall victim in our own living room.
He's pimped my ride! This isn't the best photograph, but Larry has added a basket - replacing fanny type pack. He has also installed my "grabber-picker up thingy" and the "pokey thingy, they can be seen mounted on outside of front legs. He's getting ready to start back to work and didn't want to leave me stranded with no way to transport items from room to room. In all fairness I did know he was wanting to do this, he let me select the basket.

Just when I thought I had overcome the first floor obstacles I now have a "wider carriage" and need to accommodate through doorways -- especially bathroom door -- not good to miscalculate that width when in a hurry!!!

Nothing like a "fine wine"

Having the opportunity to use the motorized chairs when shopping really has its advantages. When in check out line at Target I found this...

A bottle of wine bottled and vinted by Middle Sister in Santa Rosa, California. This particular "blend" is a California Cabernet Sauvignon which they have labeled as the "Mischief Maker".

Definition on back label reads: "Have you ever dated brothers? Worn leather pants to a wedding? Paired white wine with red meat? Then you must might be a mischief maker. You keep us up after bedtime on a school night. You change your hair color like most people change their socks. You make lifes more complicated, but less boring. You'll be in the stories we tell our grandchildren. You love trouble. And we love you."

This also describes my "middle sister" ... Dubber Ann ... Think I'll save this bottle and have it with sisties when together this fall ... now to find some fine stemware!!!

Moral Support

Today was a BIG day for me...doctor's appointment to have staples removed. I can tell I was healing as I was "itchy", felt like a big old bear needing to back up to a tree for back rub. Very tempting to want to scratch...

Cooper was able to set my head straight, he gave me a very good "pep talk" as only a three and a half old week infant can.

He sent a text first thing this morning to say "Hello Grandma" and to blow me a little raspberry.
Mommy reminded him that I was having my staples removed this afternoon and he just wanted to remind me to be brave...that it may only hurt for a short time. He thought if I made a little fist it wouldn't be as uncomfortable.
In closing he gave me a little fist bump and said he was rooting for a good appointment. He's one smart little boy, as I did have a good appointment.

Got to sit in waiting room for about 45 minutes-which was extremely boring. Once in exam room my visit went rather quickly. Staples were removed, incision had healed nicely. I am no longer required to wrap myself in cling wrap to take a shower-area can now be exposed to water. Only need to wear compression hose on left leg, continue with therapy and return in 3 weeks for next appointment which will include an x-ray.

There will be one more appointment after that and that will be it. I will continue to use walker as I am most comfortable with it. I plan on taking my time with recovery and therapy, which translates to living room master suite...I'm not yet ready to maneuver the spiral staircase.

Grandma-care

Larry was able to take a full week off work following my hip replacement. Gave us the time needed to see how I can maneuver the first level unassisted. He has been a very attentive caregiver and I am so glad he has been with me through all of this.

This week he has been working from home and after my Thursday appointment will probably go back into work next week. Yesterday he was needed at work for meetings, so rather than me being home alone he asked daughter Lisa to come out and keep me company. Of course Lisa doesn't go anywhere without her new best bud "Cooper Dean" so it was really a great day. While he may look alot like his big bro' Noah...he is his "own man".


He's absolutely beautiful isn't he? Gosh look at Grandma's grey hair and "facial creases"!