BIONIC GRAMMA COMING SOON!

Today is knee replacement day.

Surgery was pushed back til 2pm and I was DYING to think of no liquids after midnight.  The young upbeat anesthesiologist called Wednesday night ... and said I can have clear liquids until four hours before surgery!  AHHHH!  I'm sitting here sipping my coffee!!

Stay tuned for next blog.  I may take a few days off.  I did get a Fitbit so I can set daily goals for steps and stairs for recovery.  I have my choice of two walkers, so am ready to rumble.

Thanks for sending positive vibes today at 2:00 pm Pacific Time!

TODAY

Today is final prep for being an invalid for a few days.

We are taking up the hall carpet so the walker can maneuver easier.  Gonna try out the toilet seat extender and introduce it to Braeden (usually we share a bathroom so he may encounter it).  Jesse is putting together the walker.

I need to tidy up my bedside tables and bring in another one to set up the Cyro Cuff for icing the knee area.  I completed a new Medical Directive ... just in case.  My friend Eli is awaiting the call to drive me home (oh man, is he a great friend ... can you imagine what I might look like????)

The occupational therapist is having us measure the height of my bed and the chair I will be using so they can simulate how to manage them.  I think getting in and out of the tub to take a shower will be the biggest thing.  But I won't be taking one for 3-4 days anyway ...

Then, I'm wondering, how does the wound heal when it's trapped inside those compression hose?  I can't imagine putting them off and on more than once a day.  If I'm drugged up, how do I wake up to do the exercises at least four times a day?

What am I forgetting?

P.S.  Surgeon's office just called to DELAY the surgery until 2pm.  REALLY?  No liquids after midnight?  UGH

WHAT MONEY CAN'T BUY

While I think about my finances more than I ever have, I know I am better off than so many other retired folks, especially my parents.

My Dad worked construction and had to take early retirement due to arthritis in his back.  They still had one kidlet left at home so my Mom went back to work for a few years.  I believe they lived on $1,200 per month from Social Security.  My Mom was on a million prescriptions which was a financial burden and eventually I contacted all of the manufacturers and got her meds delivered.  My sister paid to have a house cleaner come in every other week.  They shopped at Aldi's.  The most remarkable thing?  They NEVER complained!

All of their six kids did what they could.  One brother came to visit every week on his lunch break, often bringing a pizza or Subway sandwiches.  He would change a lightbulb up high that they couldn't reach.  Another visited each Sunday, usually taking them out to dinner (when they could still get out).  All of us would buy them restaurant gift certificates, or new glasses, or a dental bridge or whatever they would not have the $$$ to spend.

So why could they always be so happy while worrying about what would hit them next?  Because they realized there are so many things that money can't buy.

They so enjoyed family, friends and their church.  They remained active by making crafts to sell at the Golden Hobby Shop, pursuing individual hobbies (Dad was  THE gardener and Mom an artist), volunteering at church and for many, many years ... hosting the family gatherings.

Neither of them attended college yet they had more common sense than any world leader I can think of.  As I read the list above ... my Mom and Dad had every single one of these traits.  And money didn't buy them.

BATTLE OF THE YELLOW JACKETS

Oh, I hate this time of year when the stinging bees, wasps, yellow jackets, whatever are out in full force.  And at ankle level.

We have a few potted flowers around this teeny tiny patio and we get a lot of visitors.  It's not safe to let the boys play out here.  And, I had to take down the hummingbird feeder as the bees were swarming it!  I don't ever remember that before.  Honestly, I thought they preferred BBQ meat!

I have flying bug spray and citronella but I finally broke down and bought a yellow jacket trap.  Who knew it would work this well?  And Braeden is enthralled with checking the death count every day.  Jesse put it up on the carport to draw them away from the patio.

Summer is coming to a close ....

9/11

It's hard to believe it has been 14 years since those evil doers killed so many of our citizens.  Just like when JFK was shot, I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing.  Like everyone else, I suppose.  I will always remember.  I'm not sure I have forgiven.  Or if I ever will.

It worries me, still, when I notice a fellow air passenger of Middle Eastern descent.  I know, I know.  I hate having this prejudice inside of me.  I guess I have always lived in a bubble.  My friendship base does not have any people of any color and most are 18th generation American.  

Today I took some time to read about the incident and how humongous it was.  It astonishes me how something this horrific could have been masterminded by mainly one evil man.  And why. Nineteen of his followers willingly gave their lives to induce this pain.  And for what?

Maybe I am naive, but I think the USA does more than its share helping out the rest of the world.

It was a rather insightful, and sad day today.

AWKWARD WEIGHT GAIN

We've been going to Weight Watchers for two months.  Mostly tiny little weight losses, an occasional gain.  Each week is a small victory for just me!  This is something I am doing for myself.  To keep my health stats at appropriate levels without need for medication.

Today I had a pre-op appointment with the surgeon (who just turned 13, I think).  He introduced me to my new knee.  IT IS HUGE!  It weighs over a pound!

Who knew?  I sure hope my WW Leader understands if my weight remains the same for a week!

AWKWARD FRIENDSHIPS

Sometimes serendipity steps into your life.  I just love it!

I stopped to get my sick neighbor some soup and ran into my former neighbor, Jody, who is the wine steward at that store.  She took ten minutes to sit and chat (I offered her food!).  Then she invited me to a BBQ at their house ... mainly a reunion of pals she met on a recent trip to Machu Picchu. One lady who lives in Australia came to Oregon for her first trip to the USA.  Three of her tour mates live here in Portland.

What a motley crew we were!  Four of the attendees are wine clients ... one lady has followed her from store to store to store!  (She worked for a chain and continually moved up).  I followed her also but we have a friendship first and then I'm a wine slave.  It was mostly single women, one single guy and one other couple.  The weather cooperated so we got to eat outdoors.  Kerry, Jody's husband is a trained chef and we each brought appetizer or salad.  Everything was amazing!  (Sorry Weight Watchers ....)

Margi and I were the first ones there so of course we started chatting.  Her trip to Peru was her first experience traveling out of the country on her own.  They all bonded beyond belief and keep in touch with email and Facebook.  Strong, independent ladies all around my age.  I had to sit a lot and she kept me company.  She is staying at the host's house for three days (after spending three days with the other female tour mate's) and I asked Jody if she would like me to give Margi a ride to the airport....because she works.

So, on Wednesday I picked her up and showed her my little town.  We had coffee (and yes, I had a little pastry!) then drove her the half hour to our airport.  I think she just might visit me in Maui!