slowly by slowly, step by step...

 So it's discouraging to follow knee replacement groups and they're all golfing 18 holes and running marathons by now.  Or they're only a few weeks out, and having different complications, but they can walk fine without a walker or cane, and I think, "They have no idea!"  I know that comparison is the thief of joy, and that each of us gets what we need, but harrumph.

So I tell myself to just walk!  Just do it!  It might buckle, catch yourself, and walk!  At PT on Monday, I walked with a cane, and it wasn't pretty, and it wasn't fun, but it was deeply satisfying.  NOW, we're getting somewhere!

So my big plans were to walk with that cane at home as much as possible.  Well.  Monday evening, the knee had wobbled and buckled a few times and I felt myself really getting down about it, was just tired.  Yesterday, we had baby Kaia here, I still did exercises, but was half-hearted about walking with the cane.  Then I got in bed last night, and could not sleep...I was awake for hours, and guess what I was doing?  I was thinking about walking, and telling myself to just do it, and praying about it.

This fine morning, I got my coffee, did some cycling, then sat in my comfy chair, then did some exercises, then walked a bit with the cane.  It's not fun yet, and I feel like I'm going to fall with every step.  I literally go so slow, and pray for steadiness.  But, it's a start.  I have things to do!  

Now I'm taking another rest, and I'll tell you about having Kaia here.  

Miss Char holding a sleeping baby, all cuddled up...

(Orange Guy!)

Kaia went to bed nicely, but was awake for several hours during the night.  I didn't get up with her, but Charlotte took care of her, they slept in the guest room.  Camille got up and helped for a bit too.  So they were tired yesterday, but they did so well taking care of baby.  I got to hold her several times too.  She's very smart and alert, and wakes up easily if you put her down for a nap, she likes to nap in your arms better, but she still doesn't sleep for very long.

Sonja and Oscar got in around dinner time, we told them they could eat with us.  I marinated some chicken thighs in lime juice, and made a pan of stuffing, put it all in the air fryer, and it was an easy dinner.  Char and Cam had made homemade pretzels, which I avoided.  Oh, and Oscar brought in some KrispyKreme donuts, I stayed away from those too.  

In a few hours, I go to PT.  It's quiet in here, Paul is working, the girls are at work, and it's just me.  I did talk to Evelyn on the phone this morning, and to Kathryn a bit ago.  My sister is in the hospital again, she has pneumonia, again, but hopefully this time she gets better and stronger more quickly.  The hospitals are very full due to flu, so she is in an ER room.  Please pray for her that she recovers and isn't suffering!  I knew something was off, she wasn't answering texts, I know she's been tired...it's hard.  She is my number one bestie in the whole world.  

My new chair came and is sitting in it's box in the middle of the living room.  I kind of want to take it out and see it, maybe later.  Getting food and groceries has been challenging lately, with the bad weather, the girls being busy, and us not going to the store very often.  We live too far for Walmart delivery, so we tend to run out of things.  If we go after PT, Paul misses work, and he's very busy right now, projects and everything, I actually have no idea but he is very busy, you know, deadlines and such.  Our freezer was well stocked, but we cleaned that out pretty much.  The regular refrigerator freezer is getting low on meat now too, which is not a bad thing, we do have to eat it, I'm just glad we had a lot to begin with.  

Sam and Grace are coming over tomorrow, so I will hobble over to the panty and see what we have, and make a plan.  :). Peanut butter and jam for dinner, anyone?  And slice up the apples to share, because if everyone takes one they'll be gone and we won't get more until next week!  Ha, I'll figure it out.  I can't wait to see baby Samantha Grace again, and her big siblings too.  I invited Kathryn to come too, with her four little ones.  Poor two year old Mr. Jamison, he fell off the couch the other day and broke his little collarbone, so sad.  I talked to him on the phone today, he said he has an owie on his arm.  

All right, just wanted to check in.  My blog friend Marilyn is having surgery today, so pray for her, please!!!  And you all have a really nice day!