a date makes it real...

 ...but it's not really set in stone, is it?  I talked to the scheduling lady about the total knee replacement surgery.  She agreed that it was too aggressive and not actually realistic to fit it in after Phoenix and before the May weddings, with pre-surgery testing and all.  I have a camping trip on the weekend after Abigail's wedding, that first weekend in June, and it's in my favorite camping site.  So, June tenth is the date we decided on.

But.  It will ruin my summer.  I will not be able to get down that ladder into my pool, even if my incisions do heal up in a month.  We do not have AC, and the thought of not being able to swim all summer, even if I can still do the other three camping trips I have booked....the second trip would be four weeks out from surgery...would I be able to wade into Lake Ontario?  I don't know. 

So.  Being the excellent Second Guesser that I am, I am thinking perhaps trying for September instead.  Sonja and Oscar are having their baby around the beginning of the month, but I'd still be able to hold a baby, right?  Summer would be over, and I would be able to heal up by the holidays...it seems to make more sense.  

(The schedule lady was extremely understanding and if I call to change the date, it's fine)

Also, I was googling the heck out of total knee replacements, and there's a study that says 1 in 5 patients have regrets.  So I googled "total knee replacement regrets" and oh dear.  It was SUPER second guessing time!  But no, I had enough of that, and googled "Thankful for knee replacement", and okay, that's much better ha.  I mean, who needs to read stories about people who had even more pain afterwards?  No, I need "It changed my life and I can do more than ever!"  :). (as with a lot of medical procedures, there is the question of:  are way too many tkrs being done?  Do all these patients actually NEED this done?  Are some drs pushing for them because money?).  (for the record, my dr hasn't pushed me at all. )

Anyway.  Life is good, isn't it?  I am trying to make the most out of my challenges, went to Wegmans today, then Walmart for a few things for the wedding shower we're having here on Sunday.  Camille needed cream of tartar for her macarons, I wanted some pretty plates and some Baby Binks  (the cute little Palmer chocolate bunnies that used to be 88 cents, now $1.36!) for Easter for the grandkids, and something more for Evelyn's gift.

There was clearance stuff in the center aisle in Walmart so of course I perused, and found some of my favorite giant underwear for almost a fourth of their usual price!  I like the ones that come right up over the belly button, and hold my tummy in a bit, no bikini thongs for me.  

My point is we ended up have some things in our cart...more than 15, for sure, but not too much stuff.  There were two of the self check registers open, and yes, there are signs that say 15 Items Or Less.  But, there were only a few check- outs open with Real Human Cashiers, and they had carts just full of stuff.... the thought of getting in line behind them and waiting at that point...well, my knee was throbbing.  The girls convinced me no one would care at the self check out, so we checked out there, quickly and efficiently, with Char and Cam scanning, and me putting things back in the cart.  No one was behind us, there were still empty registers.  I was pretty surprised when the Self Check Lady approached us and reprimanded us for having more than 15 things.  "I understand, and I tried to use the other checkouts, but I didn't think I could stand that long, I have a really bad knee."  She told me there were a lot of registers open, which wasn't true, but I wasn't going to argue with her.  We were already finished.  She said next time we come in, we should remember the rule.  Okay.  Have a nice day.  

I don't much like to get in trouble.  But it was interesting.  I felt the temptation to be a witch with a capital B.  That growl-y feeling.  It gave me a sudden feeling of mercy for people who lash out at other people.   Maybe they're just in pain!  At the end of their rope, either physically or mentally.  I'm not saying it's good to lash out, just that I undersood it more, had this flash of clarity.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will obtain mercy.  We all know that verse.   We don't suffer for nothing, there is always something to learn, and God is good.  

The table color in the daytime...

The birthday party...

Wulf loves Pokemon!

Ashley and her three, Declan, Elise, Anya

Anya is so good with her little cousins...Ruth, and Rhys

Margaret made a poke-ball cake and cupcakes, and Pikachoo peeps.

Uncle Benjamin with Jamie, and Blythe, and Paul had his guitar out.

The grandchildren except for Lydia, Ophelia, Denzel, who didn't come, and Jamie who didn't want to be in the pic, and newborn Ellis.  So 11 of them!  Blythe didn't want to play Get Your Picture Taken either, but Evelyn tried!  

Yesterday we went to the Amazon store, it was $6 bin day.  We found a few fun things, then went over to play with Grant, Ruth, and Maeve for a bit while Grace had an appointment.  They are quite adorable, and we had a good time with them.

We stopped at the grocery store too, just for a few things, this store has closed in our area, and they had pork chops for $1.99 a pound, the center cut ones that are so yummy...these days, meat for that price a pound is a steal.  Paul does not care for pork chops, but I love them.  I think it's a childhood thing, we got to have a whole one, and we mostly had meat that was in a casserole or something.  Anyway.  They're marinating in lime juice, olive oil, salt and pepper, and I might just go throw them on the grill this afternoon, even though...if you can believe this....it was snowing here today!  brrr!  Spring, my arse, as my mother would have said.  

Anyway.  I'm going to get up and putter around a bit.  Camille has started the macarons, she's making cookie butter with cookie butter buttercream, and strawberry with vanilla buttercream and strawberry jam in the center.  I will be making strawberry cupcakes with pink vanilla buttercream frosting, and Margaret's making the carrot cake cookies.  We have pale pink gingham tablecloths, and we're getting out the tea cups.  We'll have punch, and Diet and regular Coke, water bottles, coffee, tea, seltzers.  Dill hummus with pita chips, a fruit platter,  mini meatballs in bbq sauce, bruschetta with baguette, chips and dip, white chocolate dipped strawberries, and some puff pastry things Emily is making, vegan curry puffs, and fried buffalo chicken bites.  

I cannot get the fruit until Friday so it's fresh, and I forgot to buy the frozen meatballs today, and I had a list on my phone.  I'll get the tomatoes and the baguette on Friday too.  I think I'll make the cupcakes today, and freeze them.  

On Thursday, we're headed to the House to paint ceilings.  Sonja, Char, and Cam are helping, I'll probably work on finishing painting trim.  We'll then get some dinner, as promised as payment ha, then visit with Evelyn for a bit.  Then Friday Margaret is coming here to work because she has some meetings, I might bring her children to Aldi with me.  Saturday will be the real Clean The House and Decorate Day, and hopefully it'll all get done.  

I love sitting in my comfy chair typing about how busy I'm gonna be...:). Hot coffee, kitty on my chair arm purring away, Char making rice and Asian chicken in sesame oil, Cam making her macrons and humming "Phantom of the Opera".  She'll be belting out some lyrics soon too.  

Warm and good and special and delightful, these days with these girls.  I know they are numbered.  Miss Charlotte will be going to college in the fall, not positive if Camille will be starting then too.  They will be working more soon, and won't have these blissful days at home, and freedom to go out and about with their old mother.  

Yes, children are supposed to grow up and stand on their own two feet.  In no way do I want to stop that, but the last few flapping their wings ready to fly, oh dear, it's hard for my soul.  They both have driving permits, Charlotte Claire did all the driving today and is doing quite well.  Cam is coming along too.  It's only a matter of time...they're 17 and 18 now.  They're not moving out yet, they'll probably live at home while they're in school...

Anyway....you all have a good day, stay warm, and enjoy the day!