friday, again already!

 Oh the weeks just fly by!  I got up and went to the pool this fine morning, and it was wonderful.  Moving in the water is great, but seeing pool friends is nice too.  

When I got home, Paul was uncovering the camper!  I planned to go down and see how it's looking in there, but I haven't yet.  Is it understandable that I have trepidation mixed with excitement?  I love that camper, I really do.  It's my happy happy place, and I want it to stay nice and dry and usable.  Does this make sense?  After a long New York winter, did the mice get in?  Did it leak somewhere?   :)

It's funny how much I adore the camper.  I want to talk about it more than anyone wants to listen.  I don't want a newer one or a nicer one (well, okay, if you twisted my arm I'd take one a little spiffier), but I am totally satisfied with it.  I do have plans to redo things in it for the fun of it, but it's fine the way it is, too.  Even when it rains while we're camping, I love the camper.  Reading a book on my comfy bed drinking coffee while the rain drums...no complaints.  Waking up in the morning, unzipping the tent ends and seeing the lake. ahh.  Turning on the burner and making coffee right in there, without rummaging through the tailgate of the car like you do when you tent, ahh.  Better yet:  Paul gets up first and hands me a coffee while I'm still in bed.  yup, nothing better.

Anyway.  This fine day I've done a few loads of laundry, I washed some summer clothes so I can pack for Phoenix.  I'm still not 100% okay walking in the Birkenstocks, and I do have barefoot shoes, but they're really big and goofy on me.  I have a few days before we leave, so I can practice Birkenstock walking ha.  

Miss Kaia on the deck, we had some sunshine and 65 degrees yesterday!

Ellis and Kaia...

Blythe, Jamie, Rhys, Achilles, Char, and Sonja, gathering to sing to Grandpa.

Little Miss Sunshine is not allowed on the couch...(she is so cute!)

But Paul loves to invite her up.  Sometimes I just look the other way.  He loves her so much.  I didn't end up going shopping for his birthday, but I had Miss Char stop at the nice grocery store, Wegmans.  She got "heater cake", which is what we call the Pepperidge Farms frozen cakes, a chocolate layer and a coconut cream.  (why heater cake?  The tops look like the heat vents?  I don't actually know, but the kids have always called it that...).  Char also bought some nice strip steaks, which I plan to make tonight, grill if the rain doesn't start.  I don't know about you guys, but having steak is getting rarer, with the crazy beef prices, and me not going out and about and finding deals.  I just had her buy it anyway.  I told him his birthday present was me making him a nice dinner tonight.

To be fair, there was a nice dinner last night too!  All beef hot dogs, and burgers, grilled on the deck on the "new" grill, by Kathryn.  I also made mac and cheese for the kids.  (burgers are SO good when they're grilled!)

Ah well.  You all have a nice day!

the sun is shining on the snow!

 The snow will be melting today, and hopefully we won't see any again until next fall.  I mean, it's April!  This fine morning, it was freezing cold (30), and my windshield was all icy when I left to go to the pool.  Brrrr.  I had to wear a mitten to hold on to the deck railing for my trek down the steps.  

I found a parking spot this time, but not near the back door, so I walked up the really long sidewalk.  The water was wonderful though, it feels so good to move in the water, and I'm super thankful to be going back to classes.  That was far too long to miss them this winter!  

The girls left for the library, with Kathryn and her kids, but I have physical therapy this afternoon so I couldn't go.  I'm all cozy here under a blanket with hot coffee, enjoying myself immensely.  I have laundry to switch, and I really need to vacuum, but meh.  

Tomorrow is Paul's birthday, and I have no present for him.  I am stumped.  Also, I have only been to the Dollar General and Aldi lately, Target last week.  I don't want to get him clothes.  We share an Amazon account, so I can't order anything from there, although it probably doesn't make much difference.  I am such a procrastinator...his birthday is TOMORROW.  ugh.  

We're having some grandkids here tomorrow, their mama has an appointment.  I bought hot dogs to grill, and some mac and cheese.  It's supposed to be 65 degrees out, so we'll be outside!

Yesterday I brought Miss Camille to her eye appointment, then she had the daunting task of choosing new glasses.  It's a big decision!   We left early, and had time to get a coffee first...

The people there at VisionWorks were so patient, so nice and friendly.  (No, I am not getting a dime to mention this!).  We were there for a while, and every single customer that came was treated so kindly and respectfully, and they were truly helpful, assisting in choosing glasses.  

These were the final choice, I like them on her.  She wanted something smaller, but couldn't find the perfect ones.  :)

We went to Aldi afterwards, I parked in a regular spot in the parking lot and walked in, then walked around in there.  It was not easy, and I got tired, but I did it.  Miss Cam pushed the cart out of the store down the incline for me though.  Then we went over to Sherwin-Williams and she ran in and picked up a can of paint I had ordered online, white trim paint for the bathroom, and a few other places around here that need touching up.  

All right, time to get moving...one thing about having a new knee, I cannot sit for very long, it gets so stiff and I have to get up and stretch...if I ignore this, when I finally get up, it's hard to walk.  So off I go, you have a really nice day!

forward, backward, hop hop hop...

 So yesterday I had a small mission to accomplish, which was to drive to the small city north of here to get Sunny's medicine.  (she is not sick, she is an old girl now, and has a "leaking" problem, you know, like when you sneeze?  so she takes a daily Incurin tablet to help with that...)

It's the farthest I've driven in the last several months, and it was quite pleasant.  I managed to get up the curb and up the steps into the vet's office, the things you just don't even think about, normally.  Then on to pick up Evelyn, to go to Price Chopper.  It's a rather large grocery store, and was a bit daunting, but I did drop myself off at the entrance, and she went a parked the car.  Well.  I was going in the big automatic sliding front door, and it started to close on me!  I thought it would sense me and retract, but it didn't do that until it actually hit me!  It was startling.  I was going as fast as I could, but apparently not fast enough.  It knocked me off kilter for a second, but didn't hurt or anything.  Did I like it?  no, not one little bit.  

The rest of the store was rather uneventful, but I like grocery shopping.  I bought a package of burger, some chicken breast, and some top round steak that was buy one get one free.  Steak for $5.35 a pound, not too shabby.  I got it home and decided it would be too tough to grill, so I made a pot of beef stew.  I dredged it in salt, pepper, and oops sesame seeds!  That's what I get for edging in when Camille's making herself ramen with an egg and seasonings for lunch, I thought it was minced onions.  

This fine morning, it's like Christmas.  

Look at that snow.  The whole house has that "it snowed!" glow, the ground is covered, and all the tree branches.  No thank you!  I have to bring Miss Camille to an eye doctor appointment today.  When she made the appointment a few months ago, I was like, I'll totally be able to walk fine by then, of course I'll bring you, it'll be nice and warm then too...

One week from today we leave for Phoenix.  I thought I'd be walking so much better, but here's what happened:  you know I have really bad end stage osteoarthritis in both knees, bone on bone.  Well.  The left knee, the non-surgical knee, has been holding up like a champ, except for when it doesn't.  Sometimes it sticks, sort of locks up.  Now it's doing a new trick, where it really clicks, loudly, with every step, and it hurts.  I think the deep squats/sit-to-stands I've been doing to strengthen the quads are bothering it.  The last two times I got off the exercise bike it was doing it badly too.  ugh.  I burst into tears last night because I couldn't take one step without it really clicking, but it calmed down and got better, and is not so evident this morning. It's just that I want so badly to improve on my walking...and there are a few things to consider...

1. " Let come what may, upon my way, I'll give my life each day!"  This is a line from a song we sing, and it's the goal, isn't it?  To surrender myself to God's will, and be thankful, and work with what He sends me. 

2.  The good old fighting spirit, the WE CAN DO THIS attitude.

It's an interesting place to be, I want to be thankful, yet not content in a way that I am like oh well, with a defeatest attitude.  

blah blah blah, walking.  Sorry!  Here's something to cheer us up: 

Miss Kaia Jean on Easter...:)

Ah well.  I am heading out the door...you all have a good day!  (I practiced walking in the Birkenstocks...not as comfy as I'd like, but I'll get there!). 

happy Easter to all of my friends!

 I have something for you all, a movie suggestion that might just change your life...I loved it so much I want to watch it again, it's called Escaping Esau:  A Ladder To Heaven, and it's on YouTube.  There are some wonderful songs on YouTube also, called Hidden Treasures music.  :)

We had a wonderful day....I saw 12 of my kids today, with their spouses, and most of my grandkids.  

My just-for-fun Easter cake...bunny butts sticking out of the garden...

and some cupcakes...

Sonja holding Maeve, Ruth, Rhys, Jonathan, and Sunny...

Char and Cam with Ellis

Sonja, Ruth, Rhys, and Jon with his new Emilia

The boys with their babies:  Jon and Emilia, Sam with Samantha

Camille with Ellis

Sonja played matching game with Jamie, Ruth, Rhys

Sam, Darius, Char, Cam, with Ellis

Aunt Kathryn with Kaia, and Jon with Emilia

Grandpa with Jamie

Uncle Sam played Yugio with Wulf, Achilles, and Grant

Camille, friend Amanda, Kathryn, Charlotte Claire, and Margaret sang in church this morning...sorry it's so short!  

We had a spiral sliced ham, mashed potatoes (Evelyn and Sonja peeled them, Evelyn made them when they were all boiled up, mmm!). I peeled several pounds of apples, and baked them with unsweetened applesauce, some brown sugar, and cinnamon, and we had Hawaiian rolls, baked up a little bit.  

Camille made an orange cake, which called for oranges, peels and all, in the food processor...it was so good!  Margaret made carrot cake cookies, Kathryn made chocolate cookies, and lemon with blueberry frosting.  I didn't take a picture of the huge-0 Easter basket, and it's but a memory now.  I let the kids and grandkids take home whatever they wanted.  There is a small bowl of candy there now.  

I filled 48 eggs with candy too, and Margaret and Kathryn hid them around the living room while the kids were in the guest room waiting...it was great fun to watch them search around, Jamie shrieked with joy when he found one!  

The day went by too fast...there was crying and laughing and a few messes, but oh dear, it was a good day.  We have so much to be thankful for.  

This fine Monday morning:  snow.

Against all my lazy will, I got up and got ready for the pool this windy cold spring morning.  The parking lot at the rec center was full.  I drove around and around, no parking spots, unless I wanted to walk a very long way.  I have done that before, but not in a long while, and it was snowy and a little bit slushy, and it's a hike across the parking lot.  I drove back home, dang.  I am going to do some walking today though, so all is not lost...I have some plans...you all have a good day!

no leaps and bounds over here...

You know, I got super excited that I was more mobile, so I got ahead of myself, and forgot how un-linear this process is.  Today I felt like I was walking in thigh deep mud.  I did get up and go to the pool, and I did push myself in the pool.  I did the class work out, then walked forwards, backwards, sideways...I will say though:  it is downright exciting to be able to walk even minimally better.  

Home...that after-pool coffee, ahhh.  Especially today, I didn't have my before-pool coffee, was in too much of a hurry.  It was warm today, I think it was 72, and windy, partly cloudy, but when that sun came out, so nice. Yes, I put on a sundress and sat on the deck.  I didn't call my sister though, and it was hard.  

I finally took the Christmas wreath off the front door and replaced it with a nice pretty summery one, that I bought a few years ago and never put up, still had the tags on it.  (Joann Fabrics, $99, ha, I did NOT pay that much!)

I made cupcakes for Sunday, and a cake.  I will frost them tomorrow, and decorate them all Easter-y.  I put pork in the crockpot, with some vinegar, brown sugar, salt and pepper.  I wiped down the new-to-us grill, Paul grilled chicken last night (bone-in chicken thighs that were marinating in vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper, oh dear they were good!) 

You can see not too much is going on around here.  The girls were at work today, so it was quiet.  I was tempted to go to the thrift store, but decided to just stay here and hop on the exercise bike a few times, and practice walking, and stretch the knee...PT said I need to keep doing that, or I'll lose flexion.  In between all these things, I had some nice sits in the comfy chair.  :)

I accidentally bought a dress from Target.  I forgot to hit the Save For Later button!  I had four or five dresses in my cart, wishful thinking...decided that even with 30% off, didn't NEED them...so I did a grocery pick up order the other day, and hit the Pay button, didn't know a dress was still in the cart....I picked up the groceries, then yesterday I noticed an email of an upcoming Target shipment!  oh dear, $28 for a sundress!  It IS pretty though...

Well, would you look at that!  I accidentally bought a dress and I accidentally showed you all what size it is, and guess what?  I accidentally do not care.  Like, big surprise, I wear a big dress, ha.  

Camille looks like Ryan Renolds...:)!

Ellis...too cute!

Baby Samantha, also too cute.  

All right, I don't have anything else to bore you with this fine evening, so have a good one!!!!

it's all the perspective!

 So not to brag, but...I just went to the Dollar General all by myself.  Can you even believe it?  Now, if it had happened several months ago, as it should have, would it be as sweet?  It's like spring in the northeast, we appreciate it all the more because it takes SO long to arrive.  

Some grandchildren are visiting today, and we didn't have much bread.  The girls went out and about last evening, so I asked them to stop and get some, they forgot, and they're at work today.  So, I sucked it up, and went to the store.  I wandered and meandered, too.  I mean, all the effort to go there, I'm going to look at the spring stuff.  I bought bread, turkey, some really cute plates for Easter, some watercolors for the kids, and brushes, and one toy marked down 70%, a flat wood cut out doll with tons of cool wood clothes.

As I exited the store, parked the cart, carried the bag and walked with the cane, I had to make a decision:  step off the curb, or go down the ramp, which was longer and involved navigating a puddle.  Hmmm.  I chose the ramp.  I inched down it, and noticed out of the corner of my eye a man turning around and walking back towards me.  He asked if he could help, or carry my bag.  I thanked him and said I could manage, but it was so nice of him.  Small town living, the guys in camo with their ball caps on, driving those pick up trucks, can be so thoughtful.  

Home...I made it up the stairs and into the house with the bag, and put the things away, put my clothes in the dryer, and here I am, landed in the comfy chair.  I am going to get up and vacuum soon...

My goal is to practice walking, forwards and backwards, sideways, and to go faster.  Another goal is to put the Birkenstocks on and learn how to walk in those.  I know, it's not that big a deal, but it kind of is.  My trip to Arizona is in less than two weeks, and I don't want to wear my wool sneakers, or my water shoes:)

You all have a good day now, off I go to clean this place up!  (Oh, and thank you for the kind comments!)

it's no joke!

 Today I am happy.  I had a good physical therapy session, and feel that I am on the right path, FINALLY!!!  It won't automatically be smooth sailing from here on in, one thing I've learned is this journey is not just linear, it's more like the bunny hop:  forward, backward, and now finally...hop hop hop. But still, let me have my moment of exhilaration!  

This was the first time going to PT since my appointment with the surgeon last week.  I was totally honest and told the therapist how that appointment was awful and humiliating, and I have done some crying.  But, then I really examined my walking, and knew I had to get that bend in, and by the grace of God, I was able to, and the knee hasn't buckled in days.  My cane is not as necessary, and I can see, for the first time, that I won't have it forever.  I can picture myself walking normally in the future.  I still have work to do, he gave me specific things to work on, and the surgeon was right, I have to walk more.  But, now at least I have it figured out...you think it's natural to just walk until you can't do it!  

I did go to the pool this fine morning, and yes, it was a struggle to get across the wet pool deck and down the ramp into the water, but I did it.  There is a joy in that, even if I barely did it.  

So now I am beat.  Yes, I am tired.  I drove myself to PT, came home, poured a Diet Coke on ice with some lime, and ahhh, here I sit.  We're having bacon and eggs for dinner, so I don't have to start cooking yet.  

Grace is coming over with her kids tomorrow, maybe Kathryn will come too.  

And...wow, I am rather tired, can't even think of anything to blather on about!  You have a good evening!