And, happy new year!

 This is also a special date for Paul and I, we met on this night in 1982...that's 44 years ago?  wow.  Yes, that maths.  I was 16, he was almost 19.  

We stopped at the DG on the way to Emily's, Sunny couldn't believe that Paul went in without her. 

It was a blustery night!

So yeah, we went to Emily and Mariel's house for New Year's Eve, and it was so cozy and fun.  She has had the whole upstairs renovated, of her old Victorian house.  She made a nice playroom up there for the kids, and converted one of the rooms into a library, with built-ins and wallpaper, and a coffee bar with a sink.  The grandkids had so much fun, running around the house and up and down the stairs.  I didn't attempt to go up and look around, as I was certain I would get knocked down:)

Our drive home was not fun, I was glad Paul was driving.  It was snowing like crazy, windy, and cold.  We drove over a ridge of snow left by the snowplow, but we were not going very fast at that point, as the turn-around is in town...there was at least four inches of new snow on the road, then bam, there were two deer in the road...they were on the edge, and if they decided to continue, we couldn't have stopped, but they stayed put...it was nice to turn on to our unplowed road, and into our driveway.  Paul was so nice, he jumped out and got the shovel, so I didn't have to bump through as much snow on the way to the front porch.  

By the time we got into the house, I was very chilled.  My sneakers had gotten soaking wet near the door, as the grandkids had all gone out to watch Jonny set off fireworks, they must have flung wet boots everywhere, as children are apt to do, ha.  Anyway, a hot shower and off to bed by eleven...we're old.

Paul took the tree down yesterday, wah.  Most everything is taken down, but not all of it yet.  We have to pack away the throw pillows and Christmas tree blankets.  I decided to leave the lights in the front windows for the winter, as it makes it so cozy in here, and they're still programmed to my phone, so why not?  

In half hour, I'll start getting ready to get out the door for my ortho appointment.  The sun is shining here, the lake snow has moved up north, but it's very cold out.  I was kind of hoping for a snowstorm so we could cancel, but we're going.  I'm hoping for some answers.  Here's what I want him to say:  The x-rays are perfect, there is nothing wrong with that new knee...just keep working on strengthing the quads, and you;ll be walking in no time.  You're doing great, and you're not a big baby.  What I don't want him to say:  You are a big baby, just let go of that thing and walk, you're not gonna fall.  Or:  the x-rays show that new knee is all messed up and you need more surgery to fix it.

In any case, it is a new year, so new deductible to be met, each visit is so expensive, PT is going to cost an arm and a leg, but that is life nowadays, isn't it?  I shall be thankful we have modern medicine and good doctors, although shh, I have not quite reached the point where I'm glad I had this done.  I'm getting there, but it'll be more when I am walking by myself.

The new grandbaby is doing well, she's back to birth weight all ready, and settling in with her family, keeping her mama up at night, like good babies do.  

So sadly, my son Joseph's sweet doggy Bucky passed away unexpectedly this week.  She was, as Joseph said, sweetness embodied.  

She lived the happiest pup life though, very spoiled and tons of attention, lots of walks and adventures.  Joe said she went peacefully.  It's so sad.

In hum-drum news, this is the chair I ordered, looking forward to summer and camping...Aaron gave me his Kohl's cash, and I perused the site, and what did I really want that I wouldn't just buy?  This!  It's sort of a rocking chair without the rockers!  

The girls went to the big mall this week, and who did they see working?  Jonathan!  

Anyway.  I'm finishing my coffee, doing a few exercises just to warm up this stiff knee, and getting dressed to go to the doctor.  I'll check in this afternoon to let you know if he says:  Actually, I have just the thing...this magical knee brace!    Or:  Oh, just click your heels together three times and say I can walk!

Have a good day!