"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"!

Bionic "Hip"

I recently had a total left hip replacement and am entering day 12 of post surgery recuperation. My days have been filled with physical therapy, occupational therapy, walking and the often needed nap. Everyone is given a hip that is...well...perfect...yours may look like this.



I unfortunately have osteoarthritis in both hips and my spine. I began having problems with left hip several years ago. Little did I know what was occurring. It's genetic and there is no known prevention. My mother had it in her spine and a younger sister has it in her hands and back. My left hip no longer had the protection of cartilage...I was bone on bone...no wonder I was in so much pain! The grey/blue area in this photo shows a little more cartilage than what I had.



Lars and I had the opportunity to attend a pre-surgery class and got to actually hold the prosthesis. It was pretty heavy, was in three parts - ball, teflon like cartilage crown for ball and the socket. Probably weighed in at possibly 1 lb. Pretty intimidating...was wondering if weight of "gadget" would make walking difficult in beginning.



Surgery was on September 9th...my therapy began right away on September 10th. I'm pleased to say I didn't have difficulty walking and was immediately pain free. Only discomfort was from incision and muscles that were disrupted during surgery. This is my new bionical hip and I proudly sport a card that lets scanners at airports know I have a prosthesis. I'll probably still need to be scanned, and look forward to my first flight!



Full recovery is at least a year to allow full muscle repair. I should be back to normal activities in 2-3 months. Everything depends on my abilities...so I am taking it slow don't want to mess anything up!

Larry has taken some time off work to be home with me. I am unable to do stairs routinely at this time so we have set our living room up as my "master suite". All obstacles have been eliminated or reduced making manuevering with my walker or cane from living room area to bath, dining, or kitchen "manageable".

I need to give a big thank you to daughter Michelle and grandson Jake who came in and removed all obstacles prior to my discharge from hospital. Also a big thanks to daughter Lisa and grandson Cooper for sitting with me when Larry needs to be at work.

I'm looking forward to the day when I can hop in car and set out to an unknown destination. It's been a year since I've done any serious traveling...dang hip nearly made having a good time impossible.

Grandsons...

Our oldest grandson, Tyler, was in town last week. He had the opportunity to meet his newest cousin, Cooper.


Tyler is 19 and lives in New Mexico studying to be a youth pastor. Cooper is 2 weeks and lives in Lincoln and at this time is doing an excellent job at giving his parents sleepless nights!

Larry and I are so lucky!!!