Caleb's Birthday

Grandson # 2 is turning 5 years old. A whole hand!

We were all lucky with the weather. The party started at 11 am. The children could play outside. There was even pizza outside. And Sarah's wonderful huge pot full of Boilermaker Tailgate Chili with all the trimmings. Nobody needed to be hungry.

At noon the "special guest" arrived: a magician/juggler. He was very professional, funny and talked like a waterfall. His magic was truly amazing. The children were spellbound and so were the adults. He made us participate and to my amazement knew most of our names since on arrival he had gone around and introduced himself.

Of course the birthday boy got special attention as it should be.

I thought Caleb was amazing too. For a 5year-old ... he didn't even blink an eye when Jonathan, the performer, juggled right over his head.

There were two bunnies. This one ...

... and a live one which had been conjured out of a burning pan. Not sure how to explain that.

Of course there has to be the bringing of the cake with burning candles and here is the VIDEO!

After Jonathan, the magician/juggler, had left it got quiet. Some present opening. Guests had to leave because it was their little ones nap times too. All the young families are in the same situation.

I am sure though that everybody had a more than great time. Including Papa and Omi!

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"Stole these photos from Sarah's FaceBook. They are just too cute not to!

Five weeks

... plus two days. Doing well! Doctors, PTs, and especially my husband, tell me that they are happy with my progress.
What do I say? Ha-ha, my patience is tested ... but I am grateful! No regrets.

Lots has happened in this time ... and I didn't get around to blogging. So, now what? I think I have to blog in several sections. I will try to organize myself.

Not much indian summer this year. We had some warm days. I was able to go for my first walk here on November 7. Since then I did one 1 mile walk and enjoyed it very much too. But, that chance is rare because most of the time it is very cold and we also had a lot of rain. Where are those nice days?

I knew I was going to be stationary for a while and had prepared the binding on this latest quilt so I could the hand sewing on the sofa with the leg up. James was eager to put it up on the high wall the next day.

Twice a week I have to go to physical therapy now, have a list of exercises I am supposed to do at home. Riding a stationary bike for 10 minutes every day was highly recommended so the gym in our community is very handy. More or less around the corner I could even drive myself from the beginning. I must say that for somebody who never cared about sports I am doing pretty well.

Saturday November 17 we celebrated Caleb's 5th birthday (which will be a separate blog). But in the evening we also had our first Richmond Forum. James had been very concerned whether I could endure the long sitting and had called in advance whether they could change us to handicapped seats but they told him that they were all reserved. When we were there we asked an usher. She was so nice and called the head-usher which did find seats for us and it was great! The speaker, the astronaut Captain Scott Kelly, was both brilliant and funny. 

For the next day, Sunday November 18, we had our next Richmond Opera. As you can see: Don Giovanni. Our tickets are for the matinee but before that there is always a free lecture. The professor is both interesting and amusing. We are enjoying the operas totally differently after  the benefit of the lecture. This one was no exception.

When we went from the lecture to find our seats, James insisted that we would take the elevator for me to save my knee somewhat. (Again, he had called ahead for handicapped seats and they had them.) 

They elevator was attended to by a "little fragile white hair lady" volunteer which had no idea what she was supposed to do. She pressed several buttons at the same time which the computer obviously didn't like because the elevator did a jerk and stopped ... between floors. She was flustered and pulled her telephone out asking "what to do"? She wanted to press more buttons which we persuaded her not to. Well, one of the other guests next to the button panel on the other side (the elevator had a door each on opposite sides) pressed the "call button". A voice came on and asked us how she could help. After asking whether all were o.k. and nobody had breathing problems she promised to send help asap. In a short while I could hear somebody working on the outside panel. When they finally forced the door open I could see that the outside floor was 3 feet lower. I was closest to the door but said I couldn't jump because I just had had a knee operation. So James jumped first. I was told to put my arm around him and another gentleman and was lifted out. A bit embarrassing but I got over it because I found the whole thing rather amusing. First time ever I got stuck in an elevator in my live ... and just at this time?

We made it to our "new" seats just on time (still chuckling) and totally enjoyed it all. The seats made all the difference for me.

Joy can be all around us. This amaryllis bought at LIDL for $4.99 certainly makes me smile every day ... and reminds me of my father.

I couldn't help much with the Church Holiday Market and CR Bazaar but I did what I could and ... most important ... I am getting better every day. And there are lots of things to look forward to.

Two week ago

Yes, Tuesday October 23 - the Day! I was really wondering whether I should even blog about it, but it might be interesting to somebody who is facing this decision. Others can just as always click it away.

In the days before I have second-guessed my decision every other day (or hour). I didn't have that much pain during regular daily living. But as soon as I tried to do a longer walk it became clear that I just couldn't do that any more. Since the specialist had told me in no uncertain terms that sometime in my life I will need a new knee I had decided to do it sooner than later when my muscles are still useful in the recovery.

Be there at 9:15 am, surgery at 11:15 am. I must say that the whole thing was as good an experience  as it could possibly be. Everybody involved from the receptionist to the head doctor was friendly and caring. I was supposed to get a spinal instead of a full anesthesia but I was allergic and had a very awful reaction (having to throw up violently being prepped - all I can remember) that I ended up getting the full one.

Next thing I know I am in the room. And at 5:30 pm the physical therapist is standing me onto my feet

... and walking down the hall.

James was very encouraged to stay too. There was even a Murphy bed for him but I insisted that he go home for the night. We both selected our meals from a menu. Very nice. 

Oh my, this looks like a meal for me.

This was more what I had ordered.

Next day, more walking of course. Graduated to crutches.

I was told that I was doing so well, I even got the lesson on the steps. I had passed all the tests but it was too late to go home so I had to stay another night.

Home at last on Thursday. And now James is spoiling me to the max. I have a picture without the giant bandaid but I spare you that. This I thought was interesting. Quilters probably can guess what the lines are for? They are drawn before the cut so the skin can be lined up properly afterwards. Caleb was very interested in that fact. 

Family and friends are so nice to me. I got cards and well wishes in the mail and flowers from the girls, neighbors and our church. Everybody was so concerned about us. We also got meals brought.

James told me several times: "Get out of my kitchen". He fixed anything I wanted, sweet husband.

The days were filled out with icing the knee, managing the medicine, doing the exercises. I am trying to be a really good patient. Not lying, I had funner days. But every day it seems better. At least two steps forward and only one back. I even managed to finish the angels for the St. Martin's Holiday Market on Nov.3

But, I had/have to miss things too, even before the operation. I was warned not to get any bug bites. 

October 19 I had to miss going with James, Sarah and the children to a pumpkin patch. Never have been to one either. Next year? I enjoyed looking at the photos though. 

Saturday October 27 our church had a Fall Festival. James came back full of how great it was. There was even a petting zoo. 

The children are unpredictable. This time Owen was happy to touch the donkey.

 

And then he was so proud of himself.

Caleb and Colin were so eager, excited and happy to ride the pony. Owen ... no way.

But the best is when Helen or Sarah do FaceTime with me. 

Unfortunately I forgot to take photos of Helen and William during it. But here is a postcard William wrote and mailed. It's an effort for a third grader but he did a great job.

So far: no regrets!

Oh yes, I am blessed, blessed, blessed.