VERY PUZZLING

One of our condo complex's long time owners recently needed to move in with her family.  She had an upstairs condo and a dog which just didn't work out well for her joints and bones after twelve years.

She started and managed our little lending library.  With her blessing, I am stepping into her Marian the Librarian shoes.  Our Clubhouse was formerly a preschool and after school care site.  We have two major rooms that may be reserved and used at no charge.  The smaller of the two, The Fireside Room, has a smaller attached room which is used for the library.

Lots of folks turn in a light summer read and borrow another.  When we moved in, we decided we didn't have room for some of our books so Mr. Ralph chose to donate.  Upon his passing and when I moved back, I donated even more.  Nonfiction and mostly history.  I am fiction and love mystery!  Something for everyone.

Along the way, grandparents donated books they shared during the summer with their littles.  A poker set was contributed, along with dominoes, a couple of board games and a few jigsaw puzzles.

There is always a puzzle going.  Lots of folks stop by and put in 3-4 pieces.  Sunday I brought in a new puzzle.  On Monday afternoon it was complete!  My next venture is the Dollar Store and thrift shops.

My plan is to put all of the shelving along the back wall (where the lamp is) which will open up the puzzle area.  Then I will group the two 2-chair seating areas so that they face each other.  I'm considering donating ALL of our books to our Library Boutique and let us start from scratch.  Some people have said they do not use the library because the books have been the same ones for 100 years.

Maybe in September I will host a Bring A Book gathering to show off the new furniture arrangement!  And get people excited about this great little area again!

Whatcha think?

A PERFECT JULY

Lake Oswego has had the best weather this year.  No rain, no 100 degree days and a few clouds to keep us humble.  Just right for raising little boys.

My healing continues to be right on track and I get the 30+ staples removed on Tuesday.  The torture of physical therapy lies ahead but hopefully I will survive.  My braces are working although I am not able to wear them for 22+ hours a day, so rather than changing to a new set every two weeks, I'm doing every three weeks.  I meet with the dentist tomorrow and he can determine if that is still the right plan of action.  

Every Wednesday in July, our City hosts outdoor music in the park just two blocks from our door!  In August the venue moves to a park about 5 miles away so I will usually drop off the family (nowhere to park) have a glass of wine nearby, then bring them all home.

I have lived vicariously through my sister this July.  She has been on a 25 day road trip!  She and her mutt, Zoe.  Each of her two kids joined her for a few days (they love to spend a month on Whidbey Island).  Her son rode with her part of the way (Kentucky is home base) and they met up with friends here and there and went on some amazing hikes.  HIKE!  Even that word carries joy for me.  I may get to do that again!  Or at least a nice leisure walk through nature.

This month I took time to veg out and read books.  Watched mindless Netflix TV series.  And just enjoyed this simple life.  Boys at the garden, going to camp, swimming and playing in mud.

A perfect July!

TEN DAYS OUT

Hi Everyone ~

It's been ten days since my right knee was replaced.  Today I am driving!

This surgery and recovery are polar opposite from last time.  Anesthesiologist suggested a right side spinal block and from what he explained, I voted yes.  I just didn't want to hear anything, see anything or smell anything.  I didn't.  Recovery time was much quicker with less of that hazy feeling after general anesthesia. No headache (most common side effect).  It seemed to block the pain for a couple of days.

Even the hospital stay was day and night.  Altho the room was tiny, I felt like a guest at a 5 star resort.  They gave me a goodie bag with word games, pencil, lotion, toothbrush and toothpaste, ear buds and free use of an iPad while I was there!  Both physical therapy and occupational therapy were substantial.  No one questioned me as if I were a drug addict if I asked for pain relief.  They sent me home with ten days of oxycodone (instead of three) and by day five, Aleve, Tylenol and Ibuprofen managed everything.  I'm keeping the rest until all six weeks of physical therapy is over ... if memory serves me, I may need some help occasionally.

My first physical therapy session was one week after surgery.  They took off the bandage and assured me the staples won't come flying out when I am exercising or walking around.  My bending range of motion is great (what they would expect at the end of six weeks).  Totally flat is close, but no cigar.  Don't think the left one goes totally flat either.

No need for walker although I do use it outdoors so I can bring my phone and water.  I am trying to use the cane in my left hand but it doesn't not come naturally.  At home I don't use anything.

My nursing staff at home have been wonderful and the boys are making me get well cards and not bothering me if I am in my room.  A neighbor took Jesse to the farm on Saturday and I entertained the dudes for almost two hours.  I asked Mr. 6.75 to clean off the dining room table for $1.00.  While he was cleaning, Dad's hose had an aneurism.  Both boys went running to the front door (after hearing dammit) to see what was happening.  Mr. 6.75 came back and asked for his dollar ... but I reminded him the work was not finished.  He quickly did the job, got his dollar and took it out to Dad to help pay for a new hose.  Brought tears to my eyes.

We read a few chapters of a great little boy series, Captain Underpants.  Found some Minecraft songs on YouTube then went to the table to play Legos.  I had planned ahead and purchased a new "girl" set, a Hot Dog Stand.  Even though I like to keep all my girly Legos together (and in my room ... to keep them special), I didn't have the heart to stop the boy Lego figures from having a BBQ.

Life is going well for me!

INDEPENDENCE DAY

Wow!  We have a gorgeous 4th of July here today.  75 and sunny with a little breeze ... heading to 80.  The little family walked up to our tiny City parade and family fun booths.  SO sweet.  They were both so excited this morning ... Mr. 3.5 got up at 5am!  Woke his brother up about 7am.  Needless to say they each took a 3 hour nap.  Poor Mom and Dad .... none!

Today I have had some quiet alone time (outside on our Community patio) to think.  Surgery is Thursday around noon (send positive vibes to the surgeon and staff) and I will be losing some independence for a week or two.  This is the hardest part about growing older.  Losing little bits of strength, stamina, energy.

I hope I can follow in the steps of my favorite blogger, The Misadventures of Widowhood, and work on regaining strength and balance.  With two knees that aren't painful with every step, I will have no excuses.  She has noticed a great difference in six months.

I am so thankful for a live-in support system ... and the best darned nursing staff ever!

WHAT DID YOU SAY?

Gramma, you a dummy head.

But WHY don't you want to sit in the hot sun?

That is rude Gramma.

I can't go to sleep ... the sun is still out playing with me.

Get up, Gramma ... the sun is out!  It's a bootiful day (then sings as he waters all the flowers outside ....)

McDonald's isn't very healthy, Gramma. Let's EAT FRESH (Subway).  

Dammit.

Why don't your knees work?  Did you forget to exercise when you were young?

I free ... are you 100?

Stop Gramma.  S T O P.  And red means stop too.

Someone came in my room and stole Brubber's lego police man.  Not me.

Why does that toe curl up?

Were you ever a little kid?

Brubber said I could play all his legos because he is not using them.

Today we built wickiups and filtered river water to drink.  

I don't want to read in the summer.  I am on a break from school.

Gramma I love you.

MY PRIVILEGED LIFE

priv·i·lege

ˈpriv(ə)lij/

noun

1. a special right, advantage, or immunity granted or available only to a particular person or group of people.

"education is a right, not a privilege"

synonyms: advantage, benefit; 

I grew up in unincorporated Columbus, Ohio in 1952.  Second child, first daughter.  Soon there were 6 of us children.  Those were the days when only the Dad worked away from home.  He was a carpenter and during the winters, he was mostly laid off.  

It was, for me, a great childhood.  While we were not poor by any means, we were definitely lower middle class. One car.  Hand me downs from cousins.  Never missed a meal but often had beans on toast. (Which I still love to this day!)

Recently on Facebook someone posted a "quiz" to see how "privileged" you are.  Since I am not black and I am heterosexual, I came up with pretty darned privileged!  Here is where I object to being part of a special "advantaged" group.  I could not choose to be any other race.  I am what I am.  Just like I can't choose to be transgender or bisexual or gay.

When I moved away from home, it was a step up in life for me.  I probably earned almost the same as my father did ... by being a secretary/bookkeeper.  Each time I changed jobs, it was another step up in pay and status.  For the life of me, I don't think I am where I am because I am "privileged."  I worked hard, commuted and helped raise a kidlet who is rather ashamed of her "privilege".

Sorry I just don't feel privileged.  I feel very LUCKY to have had humble beginnings and great parents who raised me to reach higher.  To give to community.  To use my talents.

Here's a link to this totally unbiased quiz ..

https://www.buzzfeed.com/regajha/how-privileged-are-you?utm_term=.tve92GVgQx&ref=mobile_share#.kr6mglbE7W

See what you think!

BRACE YOURSELF

Yesterday I had Invisalign braces put on!  Yep, 65 years old and getting braces!!

 

Did you know your teeth continue to move all of your life?  In my family, it seems like you either needed glasses or braces.  I was glasses.  But with all the movement (and teeth grinding!??), it was getting harder and harder to floss.  My bite had changed.  So I am changing all of that.  I read somewhere that 40% of ortho patients are over 40!  With continued longevity, I am very interested in keeping these teeth in good shape until I don’t need them any more.

Several other things that continue to grow or change as we age.  Feet!  With age, feet change in shape… they will flatten out and elongate.   It’s estimated that many people over the age of 40 can gain half a shoe size every 10 years.   (So, have your feet measured often and don’t get hung-up on the size on the shoe box but the actual fit of the shoe).

And then we move on to noses and ears.  Bones stop growing after puberty and muscle and fat cells also stop dividing. But cartilage - that’s the plastic-like stuff in ears and noses - cartilage continues to grow until the day you die. Not only does cartilage grow, but the earlobes elongate from gravity. And that makes ears look even larger.

So it’s really true. Older people do have larger noses and ears.  Bad news for me as I started out with a large, long nose. That might just be the ONLY plastic surgery I could be interested in ...

Back to the braces.  What an interesting concept (invented by some Stanford kids).  The company makes a new set of clear, plastic coverings that you step up to every two weeks!  Depending on how much movement needs to be done, you can be wearing these for up to three years.  My dentist is confident that mine will be just a year.

Yesterday they put porcelain "warts" on about 12 teeth so that the plastic things have something to snap onto.  So it kinda makes me WANT to wear the braces for that smooth tongue feel.  These will sure help me cut down on snacking.  You can only drink water with them in.  After you take them out for eating, you need to brush your teeth and brush the braces with water and a kids soft toothbrush.  My car is now equipped as is my purse.  And of course the Gramma pad.  

Wish me luck!