This time next week....Gave the keys to our housesitter last night. Going through the list of things to get done. Wrapping up a very happy and wonderful time here. Seeing friends and saying our "see ya's." I did not get nearly through the projects I planned working on while recuperating but I have seen people I love and I have eaten at just about every favorite restaurant I love here. Sometimes even getting a second visit both with friends and food. Last night was my last visit this trip to choir rehearsal. If John Bolin ever decides that music isn't his thing anymore, the boy can preach. Each rehearsal I come away experiencing and knowing God better, expressed in music and with John's encouragement to always grow closer to the Lord, to trust Him and to always keep singing. This morning I will attend my last CBS class for this visit. The brief time I have spent with the core group I was placed in has been special as we have been working through Isaiah. The time I have been able to attend CBS has blessed me beyond measure and I forgot how much, dare I say it, I love the homework. Today is also my last haircut this trip with Stevie. I'm going to the land of sugar just like old times before she was in Katy on Fridays at their second location. Sugarland has a couple of stores I like to go to...so maybe I might make a quick trip to several of those.
We are experiencing spring in February. I mean when the temps are getting close to 90 degrees, it is time to head to the mountains. I am so glad I brought some appropriate clothes for the warm temps. Before meeting Lisa P for a late lunch at The Nord yesterday, I went to the Galleria a little early to stop in at Macy's. I had a good shopping trip there finding three pairs of pants...on sale...and also getting my foundation at the Channel counter with a lot of samples. They are pretty tight on giving out samples but when the sales clerk learned I lived in the mountains, she was so generous. She being from a mountainous area in Europe. Lisa and I had a very fun and yum lunch at The Nord. Oh crab bisque, I have missed you. The french fries are the best ever and the chocolate cake, divine. I am not a chocolate cake fan usually but this cake and the Coca-Cola cake at Cracker Barrel are pretty darn good. Lisa had some returns to make and I wanted to make one last trip to The Whole Earth Provision Company to see if they had received a Flax shipment. Hallelujah! They had spring Flax and I broke my guideline of not buying Flax unless it is on sale. Happy with my finds, I went to church and choir practice.
*************************************************************
Happy Friday! This morning was my last visit, at least for awhile, to Methodist Hospital in Katy. I had my appointment with my Dr to be officially released to move about the country. He is so pleased with the progress and the x-rays confirmed that things are fine on the inside of my knees. We had a fun conversation after all the official conversation and I was dubbed a fun patient. Now, that makes me very happy.
I met CourtneyS for lunch at Goode Company BBQ. Ah, deliciousness and we were the only women in that place for the longest time. As always we had a great time and in having such a great time, I forgot to give her the grits I had for her. So I met her back at HFBC and then I was on my way home. Roy had a couple of appointments this afternoon and he just got home but he is back out again picking up pizza for dinner.
Getting in any last restaurant meals in this weekend and get some more packing done or more rearranging of packing I have already done.
Friday, February 10, 2017
Wednesday, February 8, 2017
Late Night Adventures
Happy Wednesday Morning! I slept in a bit today and the mockingbirds in the backyard sang me out of my sleep. Mornings coming up have early wake ups, so it is good to get a little rest and ease into the day. The past three and a half months have included all kinds of wake up times that began early and have now regulated themselves back into a more normal routine.
This week I am making all the last minute social lunches before focusing on next week and the work involved of packing. Yesterday was my last day of PT at Methodist. I leave encouraged and committed to continue the work. I passed with flying colors but there are still improvements to be made. If I were staying around she would ask for more sessions to help with my balance and spacial recognition. She said something interesting yesterday about my charts. I guess the PT person who worked with me a couple of times in the hospital misread me and thought I was one of those patients who did not want to do the work. It all came down to low platelets and needing two units of blood yet the hospital PT didn't write of me in glowing terms. My therapist said it reminded her evaluations are a tool but her experience with patients and their attitudes should be the factor in evaluating. I think I will make an appointment with an orthopedist in Asheville to get a PT prescription and carry on with improving all that I can.
After PT I met Paige B and Peggy B for lunch at Escalante's. The food and fellowship were fabulous! Since Barnes and Noble is just across the way, I made a quick run through the bookstore...like I need anymore books. I only bought a couple of magazines like I really need more magazines. Then it was time to get home and get laundry put up and rest until Dena came over later. She was in the Katy area and we decided it would be a good thing to go out to dinner. We went to a fav, Carabba's. So glad that Carabba's which began in Houston, became a national chain. There is one in Asheville and one in Johnson City, TN. We had a great time. I told her about a Roy story that happened in the early morning, in the middle of the night and we had a good laugh. Roy even talked about it when she came in the house for a bit before leaving to return to her home in the foreign land. I will now tell y'all the story.
Roy has become very sensitive to fragrances and smells...so much so that I think some of it is his imagination and a lot of it is valid. He has been so tired that he went to bed Monday night around 8:30. I awoke in the middle of the night to find only me and Buddy in bed. I called out Roy's name and he responded from the couch in the living room. I asked him what he was doing out there and he said, "YOU forgot to wash the sheets!" (He swore he could smell the dander of Buddy at some exaggerated rate) The tone of YOU set me off. I got up and began stripping the bed of blankets and sheets. I came through the living room loaded down with bedding to be washed. Got the sheets in the washing machine and returned to the bedroom. Roy kept saying what are you doing? What are you doing? I replied simply, that I was washing the sheets. I went to the linen closet and got out another set of sheets and began making the bed. Roy reluctantly entered the bedroom and helped me make the bed. I reminded Roy I had asked him to help me remember to wash the sheets on Sunday and neither one of us gave it a second thought. Both of us were not talking to each other in our "nice married voices" and we never raised our voices or went to sarcasm...ok the sarcasm part is something I will go to. We both got back in bed and I said the whole part that got me aggravated was the YOU....and I got up and changed the sheets so that he could sleep well the rest of the night and that I loved him. I said all that kind of in a factual voice. He responded factually, he loved me too and apologized for the YOU tone. And with that we both fell asleep. Extra points if you noticed we did not go to sleep angry.
In true Roy fashion he sent me an article the next morning via email about your bedroom is making you sick. Like he had that article right there at his disposal? Then he called me and we started laughing about the whole thing. Now, I do know he has become very sensitive to fragrances and chemicals over the years but sometimes I ask him if he smells something, when there is nothing to smell, and he concurs...yes...he can smell it. Bless him.
Roy told Dena and I last night that everyone he told the story to laughed and thought it was pretty funny. I am proud of him for telling the story...he usually doesn't do that.
The reality of life is this, you can attend a million marriage conferences and take copious notes but it really gets down to figuring out what makes your marriage work. It is knowing how to get along with one another and doing a housekeeping duty, Throw away all those notes on marriage and get to work at making it work. You'll be surprised at how much you really know to be successful.
This week I am making all the last minute social lunches before focusing on next week and the work involved of packing. Yesterday was my last day of PT at Methodist. I leave encouraged and committed to continue the work. I passed with flying colors but there are still improvements to be made. If I were staying around she would ask for more sessions to help with my balance and spacial recognition. She said something interesting yesterday about my charts. I guess the PT person who worked with me a couple of times in the hospital misread me and thought I was one of those patients who did not want to do the work. It all came down to low platelets and needing two units of blood yet the hospital PT didn't write of me in glowing terms. My therapist said it reminded her evaluations are a tool but her experience with patients and their attitudes should be the factor in evaluating. I think I will make an appointment with an orthopedist in Asheville to get a PT prescription and carry on with improving all that I can.
After PT I met Paige B and Peggy B for lunch at Escalante's. The food and fellowship were fabulous! Since Barnes and Noble is just across the way, I made a quick run through the bookstore...like I need anymore books. I only bought a couple of magazines like I really need more magazines. Then it was time to get home and get laundry put up and rest until Dena came over later. She was in the Katy area and we decided it would be a good thing to go out to dinner. We went to a fav, Carabba's. So glad that Carabba's which began in Houston, became a national chain. There is one in Asheville and one in Johnson City, TN. We had a great time. I told her about a Roy story that happened in the early morning, in the middle of the night and we had a good laugh. Roy even talked about it when she came in the house for a bit before leaving to return to her home in the foreign land. I will now tell y'all the story.
Roy has become very sensitive to fragrances and smells...so much so that I think some of it is his imagination and a lot of it is valid. He has been so tired that he went to bed Monday night around 8:30. I awoke in the middle of the night to find only me and Buddy in bed. I called out Roy's name and he responded from the couch in the living room. I asked him what he was doing out there and he said, "YOU forgot to wash the sheets!" (He swore he could smell the dander of Buddy at some exaggerated rate) The tone of YOU set me off. I got up and began stripping the bed of blankets and sheets. I came through the living room loaded down with bedding to be washed. Got the sheets in the washing machine and returned to the bedroom. Roy kept saying what are you doing? What are you doing? I replied simply, that I was washing the sheets. I went to the linen closet and got out another set of sheets and began making the bed. Roy reluctantly entered the bedroom and helped me make the bed. I reminded Roy I had asked him to help me remember to wash the sheets on Sunday and neither one of us gave it a second thought. Both of us were not talking to each other in our "nice married voices" and we never raised our voices or went to sarcasm...ok the sarcasm part is something I will go to. We both got back in bed and I said the whole part that got me aggravated was the YOU....and I got up and changed the sheets so that he could sleep well the rest of the night and that I loved him. I said all that kind of in a factual voice. He responded factually, he loved me too and apologized for the YOU tone. And with that we both fell asleep. Extra points if you noticed we did not go to sleep angry.
In true Roy fashion he sent me an article the next morning via email about your bedroom is making you sick. Like he had that article right there at his disposal? Then he called me and we started laughing about the whole thing. Now, I do know he has become very sensitive to fragrances and chemicals over the years but sometimes I ask him if he smells something, when there is nothing to smell, and he concurs...yes...he can smell it. Bless him.
Roy told Dena and I last night that everyone he told the story to laughed and thought it was pretty funny. I am proud of him for telling the story...he usually doesn't do that.
The reality of life is this, you can attend a million marriage conferences and take copious notes but it really gets down to figuring out what makes your marriage work. It is knowing how to get along with one another and doing a housekeeping duty, Throw away all those notes on marriage and get to work at making it work. You'll be surprised at how much you really know to be successful.
Saturday, February 4, 2017
Saturday Morning Catch Up
There is a little bit of coolness in the air this morning. The mockingbirds summoned me out of sleep with their cheerful morning songs. Buddy has settled in for her first morning nap after having some lap and coffee time with me. I have a pedicure scheduled for this morning and a few errands to run afterwards. Roy and I are meeting for lunch and thankfully we have no other plans for the day. With the Super Bowl being in Houston this week, it is good to stick around on the prairie, although some of the parties have come out this way.
Wednesday was wait on workmen day. Our shower began leaking profusely on Tuesday. The plumbing company we use sends an email with a picture of the plumber that will be fixing the issue so you will recognize him at the front door. That is a very nice feature. So Jason was our plumber and he did a great job and a big plus, he was early to the job. He also installed the new shower head we had bought in November thinking we could change it out ourselves. I live to laugh...of course we couldn't. It was supposed to help me while I was in the midst of recovery. The warranty repair guy for the recumbent bike also came on Wednesday to finish up with the work he had started about a week ago.
I went to choir Wednesday night and as per usual, so blessed by the music and the worship. It is also a good time to do stair work. For the Super Bowl the sheriff's department has set up a SWAT station in one of the parking lots of the church. Really felt safe Wednesday night.
Thursday is Bible study and I went with most of my homework done. This past week's homework seemed especially difficult. It wasn't hard, it just had some wordy questions and my attention span went south. After Bible study several of us went out to lunch at Whiskey Cake. The food was good but it is too noisy for any kind of meaningful conversation...and it is pricey for lunch. Glad we tried it though. I had the fried chicken salad just to start getting in shape for NC fried chicken.
Last night Emily and Judy had a bunco party. We celebrated the demolishing of Emily's old kitchen and the installation of her new kitchen. I think the work begins today. We all brought snacks and had a blast. Most hadn't ever played bunco, so it was a hoot at the beginning watching friends grasp the concept and competitiveness of bunco. I got home before Roy who was at Bible study. Yes, I'm rolling dice with choir friends and he was studying I and II Thessalonians.
*********************************************************
Saturday morning. Roy is at Bible study and Buddy is still asleep. Lisa P and I have been texting this morning. Good morning world!
I had a pedi yesterday morning and Lisa, the nail tech, couldn't get over how good my feet looked. She even suspected I had a pedi somewhere else, but no, I think it is from the detox gel and also from walking differently. The good news of that was all the time she used to use on cleaning up cuticles and dry skin, she used to massage my feet and legs. Oh glory! Afterwards, I felt light on my feet while at Home Goods and then a quick stop at Emmanuel to buy product to take back with me.
Just got home when I got a text from Roy that he was leaving the park and ride, so I left home and met him for lunch at Alicia's. Then score, we also got to see Jennifer S for a quick visit. She is on the go most of the time and I hadn't seen her at our regular meeting spot, the balcony of church.
Today I will devote a majority of the day going through Roy's closet as well as packing up more things. Sticking close to home on Super Bowl Weekend.
Wednesday was wait on workmen day. Our shower began leaking profusely on Tuesday. The plumbing company we use sends an email with a picture of the plumber that will be fixing the issue so you will recognize him at the front door. That is a very nice feature. So Jason was our plumber and he did a great job and a big plus, he was early to the job. He also installed the new shower head we had bought in November thinking we could change it out ourselves. I live to laugh...of course we couldn't. It was supposed to help me while I was in the midst of recovery. The warranty repair guy for the recumbent bike also came on Wednesday to finish up with the work he had started about a week ago.
I went to choir Wednesday night and as per usual, so blessed by the music and the worship. It is also a good time to do stair work. For the Super Bowl the sheriff's department has set up a SWAT station in one of the parking lots of the church. Really felt safe Wednesday night.
Thursday is Bible study and I went with most of my homework done. This past week's homework seemed especially difficult. It wasn't hard, it just had some wordy questions and my attention span went south. After Bible study several of us went out to lunch at Whiskey Cake. The food was good but it is too noisy for any kind of meaningful conversation...and it is pricey for lunch. Glad we tried it though. I had the fried chicken salad just to start getting in shape for NC fried chicken.
Last night Emily and Judy had a bunco party. We celebrated the demolishing of Emily's old kitchen and the installation of her new kitchen. I think the work begins today. We all brought snacks and had a blast. Most hadn't ever played bunco, so it was a hoot at the beginning watching friends grasp the concept and competitiveness of bunco. I got home before Roy who was at Bible study. Yes, I'm rolling dice with choir friends and he was studying I and II Thessalonians.
*********************************************************
Saturday morning. Roy is at Bible study and Buddy is still asleep. Lisa P and I have been texting this morning. Good morning world!
I had a pedi yesterday morning and Lisa, the nail tech, couldn't get over how good my feet looked. She even suspected I had a pedi somewhere else, but no, I think it is from the detox gel and also from walking differently. The good news of that was all the time she used to use on cleaning up cuticles and dry skin, she used to massage my feet and legs. Oh glory! Afterwards, I felt light on my feet while at Home Goods and then a quick stop at Emmanuel to buy product to take back with me.
Just got home when I got a text from Roy that he was leaving the park and ride, so I left home and met him for lunch at Alicia's. Then score, we also got to see Jennifer S for a quick visit. She is on the go most of the time and I hadn't seen her at our regular meeting spot, the balcony of church.
Today I will devote a majority of the day going through Roy's closet as well as packing up more things. Sticking close to home on Super Bowl Weekend.
Wednesday, February 1, 2017
The Countdown Continues
The last day of January. Where did this month go? It went by so quickly but I think time flies when you are having fun and I had lots of fun in January. The next few weeks will have fun but I think this is when time will drag as I prepare to return home. I have started doing some packing trying to get ahead of the game. I spent time rearranging things that I bought or was given while here so that everything can make its way back with us.
Saturday afternoon Peggy and I drove out to the foreign land to see Dena. Peggy wanted to see her new home and what a great reason to traverse out that way, dinner. We went to Longhorn Steakhouse and we took the scenic route and nearly took it a second time. Then we came back and Peggy and I decorated Dena's mantle for her. I am certain she appreciated that so much.
Sunday morning, the choir and orchestra served us with the song At The Table. Oh my, it has fast become one of my favorites. They also ended the service with We Will Remember. Then our LBS class had a special treat, Lisa P's husband Malcolm taught our class. He is a brave man to teach and interact with about seventy women and most of us with much to say. I think it used to be for just one month a year, but this year it is six weeks where most classes are participating in the Foundations of Faith lessons. This year the lessons are based upon the pastor's book Unstoppable Gospel. OK, I am laughing when I write this but as the church lady on SNL used to say, "how convenient!" Malcolm took customized his lesson for the two classes he taught on Sunday. On the handout, three mission statements from Chicky, Nordstrom and Starbucks. We agreed they are living out their mission statements but Malcolm challenged us with the fact that God's mission statement is still relevant and has been around for thousands of years, whereas Starbucks probably won't be relevant in a hundred years. The lesson was very good and to top off a very good lesson, Malcolm, Lisa, Dena and I went to lunch at The Grand Lux. The reason we went, Lisa, Dena and I were celebrating our ten year anniversary of having beignets in New Orleans. Lisa led worship for First Baptist New Orleans Women's Conference and the speaker was Liz Curtis Higgs. Dena and I took Lisa to the airport but before doing that we stopped at Cafe Dumond and as they say, the rest is history. Lisa flew back to Houston but Dena and I were on our way to the city where Steel Magnolias was filmed. I don't know how to spell it and spell check can't determine what I am trying to write. Oh my goodness, did we have a very fun lunch. Great laughs and stories and even better conversation. Everyone had something to share and say.
*******************************************************
The first day of February and what a lovely spring day it is. I didn't finish yesterday's post because well there are things to do and people to see. Today, there are workmen coming around. One to do maintenance on the recumbent bike and a plumber. Yesterday I could not get the water faucet handle to turn all the way off. Roy and I tried to work some magic on it last night but alas, a professional will be here today to stop money going down the drain.
PT was very fun yet challenging yesterday. I got to do some work on the anti gravity treadmill. It was quite fun. The worst part was putting on the neoprene shorts. I was lifted off the treadmill or it sure felt like it. The machines that kicked my butt last week didn't hold that kind of power over me yesterday. We increased the weights on just about everything. Then to end the session we did an exercise that determines if I am floor and kneeling worthy. I passed the test and left the session feeling really good about my progress. Kelly also showed me how to break up the scar tissue in my knees so that I can continue with bending those knees.
I had the delightful pleasure of having lunch with Linita yesterday and the icing on the cake was seeing Eileen and Gena at Lupe's. Gena was my core group leader twice and she was an awesome one. She and her hubby have just about completed a move to the country so it was a special treat to see her. And of course Eileen is always a joy to see and visit with. Linita and I had a great lunch and catch up time.
The rest of the afternoon held errand running and while I was in the grocery store, it was robbed. I didn't have a clue and read about it later in the evening. Wow!
I will try and finish up CBS homework and I have struggled with it this week. I'll keep plugging away at it.
So it is February 1st. I thought around November 1st that February might never come. But my time here has gone by so quickly. I didn't get near everything done that I brought with me to do. The days have held lots of social time and they have held a lot of alone time and I need both equally...well maybe more alone time now than social. One of the most encouraging words I have heard this visit came from Geni H. She said it is like you are now being the person you were always meant to be after overcoming a difficult childhood and past. I agree, the work God has done on my heart since 2008 and the effect of NC living have done their work. A slower pace of life agrees with me. All the beauty that surrounds us can be seen from our porches and also in rather quick drives around the area. I've made that turn in my heart and winding down things here.
Saturday afternoon Peggy and I drove out to the foreign land to see Dena. Peggy wanted to see her new home and what a great reason to traverse out that way, dinner. We went to Longhorn Steakhouse and we took the scenic route and nearly took it a second time. Then we came back and Peggy and I decorated Dena's mantle for her. I am certain she appreciated that so much.
Sunday morning, the choir and orchestra served us with the song At The Table. Oh my, it has fast become one of my favorites. They also ended the service with We Will Remember. Then our LBS class had a special treat, Lisa P's husband Malcolm taught our class. He is a brave man to teach and interact with about seventy women and most of us with much to say. I think it used to be for just one month a year, but this year it is six weeks where most classes are participating in the Foundations of Faith lessons. This year the lessons are based upon the pastor's book Unstoppable Gospel. OK, I am laughing when I write this but as the church lady on SNL used to say, "how convenient!" Malcolm took customized his lesson for the two classes he taught on Sunday. On the handout, three mission statements from Chicky, Nordstrom and Starbucks. We agreed they are living out their mission statements but Malcolm challenged us with the fact that God's mission statement is still relevant and has been around for thousands of years, whereas Starbucks probably won't be relevant in a hundred years. The lesson was very good and to top off a very good lesson, Malcolm, Lisa, Dena and I went to lunch at The Grand Lux. The reason we went, Lisa, Dena and I were celebrating our ten year anniversary of having beignets in New Orleans. Lisa led worship for First Baptist New Orleans Women's Conference and the speaker was Liz Curtis Higgs. Dena and I took Lisa to the airport but before doing that we stopped at Cafe Dumond and as they say, the rest is history. Lisa flew back to Houston but Dena and I were on our way to the city where Steel Magnolias was filmed. I don't know how to spell it and spell check can't determine what I am trying to write. Oh my goodness, did we have a very fun lunch. Great laughs and stories and even better conversation. Everyone had something to share and say.
*******************************************************
The first day of February and what a lovely spring day it is. I didn't finish yesterday's post because well there are things to do and people to see. Today, there are workmen coming around. One to do maintenance on the recumbent bike and a plumber. Yesterday I could not get the water faucet handle to turn all the way off. Roy and I tried to work some magic on it last night but alas, a professional will be here today to stop money going down the drain.
PT was very fun yet challenging yesterday. I got to do some work on the anti gravity treadmill. It was quite fun. The worst part was putting on the neoprene shorts. I was lifted off the treadmill or it sure felt like it. The machines that kicked my butt last week didn't hold that kind of power over me yesterday. We increased the weights on just about everything. Then to end the session we did an exercise that determines if I am floor and kneeling worthy. I passed the test and left the session feeling really good about my progress. Kelly also showed me how to break up the scar tissue in my knees so that I can continue with bending those knees.
I had the delightful pleasure of having lunch with Linita yesterday and the icing on the cake was seeing Eileen and Gena at Lupe's. Gena was my core group leader twice and she was an awesome one. She and her hubby have just about completed a move to the country so it was a special treat to see her. And of course Eileen is always a joy to see and visit with. Linita and I had a great lunch and catch up time.
The rest of the afternoon held errand running and while I was in the grocery store, it was robbed. I didn't have a clue and read about it later in the evening. Wow!
I will try and finish up CBS homework and I have struggled with it this week. I'll keep plugging away at it.
So it is February 1st. I thought around November 1st that February might never come. But my time here has gone by so quickly. I didn't get near everything done that I brought with me to do. The days have held lots of social time and they have held a lot of alone time and I need both equally...well maybe more alone time now than social. One of the most encouraging words I have heard this visit came from Geni H. She said it is like you are now being the person you were always meant to be after overcoming a difficult childhood and past. I agree, the work God has done on my heart since 2008 and the effect of NC living have done their work. A slower pace of life agrees with me. All the beauty that surrounds us can be seen from our porches and also in rather quick drives around the area. I've made that turn in my heart and winding down things here.
Monday, January 30, 2017
Seasons
It's a beautiful morning here in Rancho de Five. Sunny and the temps are beginning the predicted warm up this week. Buddy has selected her napping spot for the first nap of the morning.
This weekend held some very fun times but while it is still fresh on my mind I want to write about Wednesday first. I met Emily for lunch and then went over to the rehab hospital where I spent two weeks after surgery. My rehab Dr and I wear the same size of shoe and I had told her I would bring her some boots that I hardly ever wore because of the heel being too high for me. While waiting for Dr V I was able to see Jasmine, PT, and several nurses and assistants that had cared for me during my recovery. I was so happy to thank them for their kind care to me. Several of them didn't recognize me at first because I hardly ever put on makeup or did much to my hair while I was rehabbing. Hey, I had my priorities straight. Dr V got out of her meeting and we visited for a bit. It was so nice not having to talk about pain levels and going to the bathroom. Each and every person I talked with commented on how well I looked and my straight knees. In the elevator a nurse who had cared for me asked me again about bilateral knee surgery and what were my recommendations for rehabbing because she is having the same surgery the end of February and rehabbing at her job hospital.
Wednesday night, I went to choir practice. Before going upstairs I looked for CourtneyS in the lobby as she was working the Midlink Preview night. I had an Astro's t-shirt for her. After we had visited a bit, I turned to the area where the Women's Ministry tables were set up. I visited with Carolyn and her assistant. Greeted a few others and then wandered over to another table to talk with a friend there. She is teaching a spiritual journaling class and I wanted to tell her about Adam Feldman's book on journaling. Then I went upstairs to choir and had a wonderful time of seeing friends, worshiping God and remembering. I left quickly after rehearsal to get home before Roy went to sleep mainly because I needed his help to get my boots off and I wanted to tell him about my visit to the rehab hospital.
He was fixing to go to bed, so I just caught him. He knows I am a thought processor and knew when I talked about my Wednesday that he would really hear my thoughts on Thursday. But I did tell him this; the rehab hospital had a whole different feel for me and of course you want that. You don't want to pine for that in the process of healing. It is much better to be on this side of the work. I had heard while being there as a patient that some former patients came back many times, not to work out but to see the staff and remember their stay. I told Roy I don't think I will ever go back there unless I would be a patient because that short season is gone. I appreciated that time and know it was the best decision for those two weeks. I am also glad I opted for rehab at Methodist, where I had the surgery. New place, new perspective and a new set of eyes for rehab.
By Thursday evening I had thought it all through and I realized that both of these Wednesday experiences just reinforced what I have known for some time, this season of life is closed but it has opened to an exciting season of life in the mountains. The realization that the timing back in 2015 of the Alumni By Choice luncheon at Baylor the end of February was the bookend for this very long season of life because a month later the moving van was here and the great adventure began. This isn't a new revelation to me or to long time readers of the Monablog but I love it when we get to see examples that help reinforce the dream and challenges ahead. What is important will remain, close friends and of course good restaurants. I didn't mention Roy because that is a given. But everything else and everyone else will fade into memories, both good and some bad memories. The things here that seem to have more emphasis are not such a big thing in NC where we live. The density and pace here are beginning to rattle me and I so look forward to those country roads whose traffic jams include tractors or horse drawn wagons. My pet peeve of being overly marketed to by the church is a bit irritated here but thankfully there are things that calm the irritation and I won't be here much longer attending.
This weekend held some very fun times but while it is still fresh on my mind I want to write about Wednesday first. I met Emily for lunch and then went over to the rehab hospital where I spent two weeks after surgery. My rehab Dr and I wear the same size of shoe and I had told her I would bring her some boots that I hardly ever wore because of the heel being too high for me. While waiting for Dr V I was able to see Jasmine, PT, and several nurses and assistants that had cared for me during my recovery. I was so happy to thank them for their kind care to me. Several of them didn't recognize me at first because I hardly ever put on makeup or did much to my hair while I was rehabbing. Hey, I had my priorities straight. Dr V got out of her meeting and we visited for a bit. It was so nice not having to talk about pain levels and going to the bathroom. Each and every person I talked with commented on how well I looked and my straight knees. In the elevator a nurse who had cared for me asked me again about bilateral knee surgery and what were my recommendations for rehabbing because she is having the same surgery the end of February and rehabbing at her job hospital.
Wednesday night, I went to choir practice. Before going upstairs I looked for CourtneyS in the lobby as she was working the Midlink Preview night. I had an Astro's t-shirt for her. After we had visited a bit, I turned to the area where the Women's Ministry tables were set up. I visited with Carolyn and her assistant. Greeted a few others and then wandered over to another table to talk with a friend there. She is teaching a spiritual journaling class and I wanted to tell her about Adam Feldman's book on journaling. Then I went upstairs to choir and had a wonderful time of seeing friends, worshiping God and remembering. I left quickly after rehearsal to get home before Roy went to sleep mainly because I needed his help to get my boots off and I wanted to tell him about my visit to the rehab hospital.
He was fixing to go to bed, so I just caught him. He knows I am a thought processor and knew when I talked about my Wednesday that he would really hear my thoughts on Thursday. But I did tell him this; the rehab hospital had a whole different feel for me and of course you want that. You don't want to pine for that in the process of healing. It is much better to be on this side of the work. I had heard while being there as a patient that some former patients came back many times, not to work out but to see the staff and remember their stay. I told Roy I don't think I will ever go back there unless I would be a patient because that short season is gone. I appreciated that time and know it was the best decision for those two weeks. I am also glad I opted for rehab at Methodist, where I had the surgery. New place, new perspective and a new set of eyes for rehab.
By Thursday evening I had thought it all through and I realized that both of these Wednesday experiences just reinforced what I have known for some time, this season of life is closed but it has opened to an exciting season of life in the mountains. The realization that the timing back in 2015 of the Alumni By Choice luncheon at Baylor the end of February was the bookend for this very long season of life because a month later the moving van was here and the great adventure began. This isn't a new revelation to me or to long time readers of the Monablog but I love it when we get to see examples that help reinforce the dream and challenges ahead. What is important will remain, close friends and of course good restaurants. I didn't mention Roy because that is a given. But everything else and everyone else will fade into memories, both good and some bad memories. The things here that seem to have more emphasis are not such a big thing in NC where we live. The density and pace here are beginning to rattle me and I so look forward to those country roads whose traffic jams include tractors or horse drawn wagons. My pet peeve of being overly marketed to by the church is a bit irritated here but thankfully there are things that calm the irritation and I won't be here much longer attending.
Saturday, January 28, 2017
Sic Em At The Silos
A few days have passed and I have not blogged. The days have been filled and once home I felt the need to rest. Oh a few times I wandered over toward the computer but something else would draw me away. This morning it is quiet with Roy at Bible study and Buddy figuring out where she will start her first nap of the day. I slept in a little too not getting up until 7:30 am.
Yesterday, Roy and I took off to Waco, TX home of Baylor University and The Silos. I watch Fixer Upper occasionally and I am not a devoted fan, but a fan nonetheless. I had wanted to go last year while recuperating from surgery but didn't make it. We thought it would be a fun day trip and a good test for when we drive back to NC. It gave us a good idea of when we will need to take breaks and things like that. So, we left home around 7:00 am and of course our first stop was in Waller at Buc-ees. Roy and I got breakfast to go and a few snacks for the road. We arrived at The Silos about 10:20 and the place was already jumping. We were coming back around the block where it is located and a big SUV pulled out of a parallel parking spot. Let the record show I have NEVER EVER parallel parked SequishShawn but the NEVER EVER ended in that moment. I had a moment's struggle and I asked Roy if he was praying for me? He responded, well I am now and the rest is history. Didn't hit the curb or any cars. The Silos are located near First Baptist Waco and the style but not the color is very reminiscent of First Baptist Asheville. Asheville being the more beautiful church cause FB Waco is yellow brick or some color like that. To be fair I think we saw FBW when the sunlight hit it just right to make it look a lot more yellow than it is. If we were going to stop at the bakery in hindsight, we should have gone in when we first arrived. We went into the main store and how beautiful it is. Lots of decorative things but truthfully like so many of my shopping stops, I was looking for t-shirts. We found them on the lower level with about thirty of our new best friends. I also spotted a metal sign that spoke to my heart and knew a small version of the sign hanging in the shop needed to come back to NC with me. After going back upstairs for a moment to look at notebooks and such, we headed back downstairs to pay for our purchases. Lot shorter line, in fact no line and then we went outdoors to the big play area for kids and grown up kids. There are also bathrooms out that way while having a line much shorter than indoors...these are just FYIs for those who have never gone. Lots of picnic tables and food trucks. Big play area and old fashioned swings, with wooden seats not that man made stuff that grips around your rear end. With this being a school day, excepting homeschoolers who might have been there, not too many kids. So I was able to get a quick pic taken on a swing but I didn't feel confident enough to actually swing like I did when I was a child. A train blew past while we were there. After we wandered about a little more we decided it was time to head over to The Baylor University Bookstore. You know, I always need to resupply a Baylor shirt or two. Before going to the bookstore though, we drove around the campus. When we went past Ruth Collins Hall, I mentioned that I had been assigned a corner room with two other roommates that I never got to meet in person nor did I ever see the room. No maybe I did see the room when I visited Mary Madeline a couple of times at Baylor. Who knows, I don't remember but I do remember having to write Alton Lee to let him know I would not be attending Baylor. Roy and I talked about the alumni by choice luncheon we attended in 2015 right before moving up to NC. I know if I had been able to go to Baylor it wouldn't have been a good or happy time and I realized this fact only after going to the alumni by choice luncheon and receiving my ABC "diploma." The realization that my father would have been working overtime to make me miserable there and thus probably causing me to leave before graduating would have hovered over the whole experience. I think I kind of knew that all these years but I kept it tucked in the back of my mind. Interesting that once receiving the ABC "diploma" I have never had another Baylor dream since then and I used to have three to four dreams a year about attending there.
We decided to head on down the road to stop at St Peters Church. Beautiful white clapboard church seen from the road on a rolling Texas hillside. I have no clue where it is to reference the location. We took pictures and walked around the grounds of the church. It has beautiful stain glass windows that has some kind of clear but cloudy protection on the outside of them. Next stop College Station, home of the George W Bush Library...I mean Texas A&M University. We didn't stop there for either of these two but to eat lunch and we chose Rudy's. Next brief stop Navasota for some DQ ice cream and then Buc-ees. Glad we made the Buc-ees stop because we got in a huge traffic jam on 290. We read on WAZE that there was a major wreck past 99. We were slow moving for about 45 minutes but we found freedom once we made the turn onto 99.
Even with the stress of bumper to bumper traffic I still had energy enough to go to Academy with Roy to see if they still had some of their on sale Reeboks in his size. He scored three pairs of tennis shoes, two of the sale ones and a trail tennis shoe for NC. We came on home and Roy did some work from the office and I settled in watching a bit of TV. I watched the special on Mary Tyler Moore.
Our Friday was fun and a driving success! Roy and I had the best time laughing and talking on our road trip. He liked having a day off. He found a Baylor workout water bottle that is the type he has been looking for. When it came to stairs or uneven ground, he was right beside me if I needed any help. I did take him up on his offer going down the stairs in order to go down them correctly and not one step, one step, one step.
Yesterday, Roy and I took off to Waco, TX home of Baylor University and The Silos. I watch Fixer Upper occasionally and I am not a devoted fan, but a fan nonetheless. I had wanted to go last year while recuperating from surgery but didn't make it. We thought it would be a fun day trip and a good test for when we drive back to NC. It gave us a good idea of when we will need to take breaks and things like that. So, we left home around 7:00 am and of course our first stop was in Waller at Buc-ees. Roy and I got breakfast to go and a few snacks for the road. We arrived at The Silos about 10:20 and the place was already jumping. We were coming back around the block where it is located and a big SUV pulled out of a parallel parking spot. Let the record show I have NEVER EVER parallel parked SequishShawn but the NEVER EVER ended in that moment. I had a moment's struggle and I asked Roy if he was praying for me? He responded, well I am now and the rest is history. Didn't hit the curb or any cars. The Silos are located near First Baptist Waco and the style but not the color is very reminiscent of First Baptist Asheville. Asheville being the more beautiful church cause FB Waco is yellow brick or some color like that. To be fair I think we saw FBW when the sunlight hit it just right to make it look a lot more yellow than it is. If we were going to stop at the bakery in hindsight, we should have gone in when we first arrived. We went into the main store and how beautiful it is. Lots of decorative things but truthfully like so many of my shopping stops, I was looking for t-shirts. We found them on the lower level with about thirty of our new best friends. I also spotted a metal sign that spoke to my heart and knew a small version of the sign hanging in the shop needed to come back to NC with me. After going back upstairs for a moment to look at notebooks and such, we headed back downstairs to pay for our purchases. Lot shorter line, in fact no line and then we went outdoors to the big play area for kids and grown up kids. There are also bathrooms out that way while having a line much shorter than indoors...these are just FYIs for those who have never gone. Lots of picnic tables and food trucks. Big play area and old fashioned swings, with wooden seats not that man made stuff that grips around your rear end. With this being a school day, excepting homeschoolers who might have been there, not too many kids. So I was able to get a quick pic taken on a swing but I didn't feel confident enough to actually swing like I did when I was a child. A train blew past while we were there. After we wandered about a little more we decided it was time to head over to The Baylor University Bookstore. You know, I always need to resupply a Baylor shirt or two. Before going to the bookstore though, we drove around the campus. When we went past Ruth Collins Hall, I mentioned that I had been assigned a corner room with two other roommates that I never got to meet in person nor did I ever see the room. No maybe I did see the room when I visited Mary Madeline a couple of times at Baylor. Who knows, I don't remember but I do remember having to write Alton Lee to let him know I would not be attending Baylor. Roy and I talked about the alumni by choice luncheon we attended in 2015 right before moving up to NC. I know if I had been able to go to Baylor it wouldn't have been a good or happy time and I realized this fact only after going to the alumni by choice luncheon and receiving my ABC "diploma." The realization that my father would have been working overtime to make me miserable there and thus probably causing me to leave before graduating would have hovered over the whole experience. I think I kind of knew that all these years but I kept it tucked in the back of my mind. Interesting that once receiving the ABC "diploma" I have never had another Baylor dream since then and I used to have three to four dreams a year about attending there.
We decided to head on down the road to stop at St Peters Church. Beautiful white clapboard church seen from the road on a rolling Texas hillside. I have no clue where it is to reference the location. We took pictures and walked around the grounds of the church. It has beautiful stain glass windows that has some kind of clear but cloudy protection on the outside of them. Next stop College Station, home of the George W Bush Library...I mean Texas A&M University. We didn't stop there for either of these two but to eat lunch and we chose Rudy's. Next brief stop Navasota for some DQ ice cream and then Buc-ees. Glad we made the Buc-ees stop because we got in a huge traffic jam on 290. We read on WAZE that there was a major wreck past 99. We were slow moving for about 45 minutes but we found freedom once we made the turn onto 99.
Even with the stress of bumper to bumper traffic I still had energy enough to go to Academy with Roy to see if they still had some of their on sale Reeboks in his size. He scored three pairs of tennis shoes, two of the sale ones and a trail tennis shoe for NC. We came on home and Roy did some work from the office and I settled in watching a bit of TV. I watched the special on Mary Tyler Moore.
Our Friday was fun and a driving success! Roy and I had the best time laughing and talking on our road trip. He liked having a day off. He found a Baylor workout water bottle that is the type he has been looking for. When it came to stairs or uneven ground, he was right beside me if I needed any help. I did take him up on his offer going down the stairs in order to go down them correctly and not one step, one step, one step.
Wednesday, January 25, 2017
Just Living It Out On The Prairie
This morning I find myself with a little bit of muscle soreness because PT kicked my butt yesterday. That is almost literally. I had an afternoon appointment and after a full morning I was a bit on the tired side but ready to tackle the exercises offered. Yes, I have a lot of strengthening to do and Kelly gave me a few new things to do at home. One thing we did showed me just how much I have been using my arms to do the work that legs and hips were created to do. Only a few more sessions and I will be on my own but I plan find a place to workout. I am seeing a year later, even though I was doing well, how much outpatient would have helped me after doing in home therapy for my hip. Some things are being corrected as we work on the knees.
To celebrate being able to do all that was asked of me at PT, I went over to Academy to look at Astro shirts. 2017 could be the year for the 'stros. I found two cute shirts and purchased them. I will be ready to represent in the ANC.
I did a little more packing and rearranging of things going back. Guess that would also include rethinking some of the things that might just go back with us. A lot of good times and memories from this trip for sure will travel back and stay with me a long time. Many lessons learned and notes from rehab hospital time are certainly going with me. Thankfully, before I came to Texas I went through a list of situations, circumstances or people that I don't have a dog in the show to speak and let those things go in how I let them affect me. In that time of reflection and letting go, I really grabbed onto the present and what the future just might hold and rejoiced in that. It is looking like Super Bowl Weekend in Houston just might be the weekend I get the most accomplished because we are all laying low with the crowds that will soon engulf the area. At the last Super Bowl they had to restrict then close all access to the Galleria. Too many people for it to be safe. I read there are a couple of events out this way. Hopefully, they won't be large venues to further complicate traffic.
***********************************************
It is an earlier morning than usual for me. Woke up pretty much wide awake. I have lunch plans and Chris will be here this afternoon. Yesterday, Erin D came over to show me Norwex products. I told her I was sold on them before she even came out to show me what they can do. Roy has become so sensitive to fragrances so I figure using less chemicals to clean would benefit him. Along with the info, I enjoyed our visit. Erin is one of those young women who I admire so much.
After she left I did a couple of errands and then spent the afternoon tracking some suspicious emails that looked to be fraudulent activity. We had a fraud alert on a credit card last week. I think after talking to many it is nothing but I am keeping an eye on things. Roy wasn't available for consultation because he was at the dentist.
We both worked on our CBS homework last night. I think mine is a lot harder.
Driving around here going places and running errands, I realize just how many more homes are being built and businesses opening. Several of the mom and pop stores that were fun to go to have closed. Both have sited busy lives but it is the box stores and chains moving in that have taken business. Even in Fulshear, one of the fastest growing areas around, a couple of home grown restaurants have closed and a fun little gift shop just closed its doors as well.
To celebrate being able to do all that was asked of me at PT, I went over to Academy to look at Astro shirts. 2017 could be the year for the 'stros. I found two cute shirts and purchased them. I will be ready to represent in the ANC.
I did a little more packing and rearranging of things going back. Guess that would also include rethinking some of the things that might just go back with us. A lot of good times and memories from this trip for sure will travel back and stay with me a long time. Many lessons learned and notes from rehab hospital time are certainly going with me. Thankfully, before I came to Texas I went through a list of situations, circumstances or people that I don't have a dog in the show to speak and let those things go in how I let them affect me. In that time of reflection and letting go, I really grabbed onto the present and what the future just might hold and rejoiced in that. It is looking like Super Bowl Weekend in Houston just might be the weekend I get the most accomplished because we are all laying low with the crowds that will soon engulf the area. At the last Super Bowl they had to restrict then close all access to the Galleria. Too many people for it to be safe. I read there are a couple of events out this way. Hopefully, they won't be large venues to further complicate traffic.
***********************************************
It is an earlier morning than usual for me. Woke up pretty much wide awake. I have lunch plans and Chris will be here this afternoon. Yesterday, Erin D came over to show me Norwex products. I told her I was sold on them before she even came out to show me what they can do. Roy has become so sensitive to fragrances so I figure using less chemicals to clean would benefit him. Along with the info, I enjoyed our visit. Erin is one of those young women who I admire so much.
After she left I did a couple of errands and then spent the afternoon tracking some suspicious emails that looked to be fraudulent activity. We had a fraud alert on a credit card last week. I think after talking to many it is nothing but I am keeping an eye on things. Roy wasn't available for consultation because he was at the dentist.
We both worked on our CBS homework last night. I think mine is a lot harder.
Driving around here going places and running errands, I realize just how many more homes are being built and businesses opening. Several of the mom and pop stores that were fun to go to have closed. Both have sited busy lives but it is the box stores and chains moving in that have taken business. Even in Fulshear, one of the fastest growing areas around, a couple of home grown restaurants have closed and a fun little gift shop just closed its doors as well.
Monday, January 23, 2017
The Day Calls
These early Texas mornings will be drawing to a close soon. The sound of multiple school busses starting and stopping as they load up kiddos for school throughout our neighborhood. Today's forecast is sunny. I have PT today and several things to take care of. One is a Buddy cat who seems to be very vocal this morning and she can't decide whether to begin her first nap of the morning or sit on my lap.
Saturday morning I had a wonderful treat of going to the Fulshear Farmer's Market. Honestly most of the farmer's markets around here are pitiful. This seemed to be the exception. Great vendors with varied offerings. Roy and I walked about and purchased a few items. The buy of the day, grapefruit for a quarter a piece and they gave him a fifth one for free. While we were looking around our shopping conversation turned to crawfish and cajun. Since we had an errand over toward Mason Road, we decided to stop at Babin's to take care of those gumbo cravings. Lunch was delicious and gave us the strength to complete the day's tasks. One task was to walk around the water feature next to our home. We learned several years ago that it is actually a creek and it was around when all this land was used for rice farming. It does run into Spring Lake which is a beautiful, man made "lake." It is one of those lakes just to look at, not enjoy. I have been practicing extending my stride and it was fun to have Roy there to walk and talk with. The turtles were sun bathing around the water and some kind of bird was doing a lot of underwater swimming and fishing. There is a new connector that no one thought would ever be constructed because the trail is between two different "owned" neighborhoods. Roy says it a flat and not interestingly designed like the rest of the trails in Rancho de Five. Before I go back to NC, I may take his trek to ride along that path.
Sunday morning the choir and orchestra were back in the 9:15 service. Welcome back! I was back to my regular perch of the last row in the balcony. I took the elevator up but took the stairs when going to Life Bible Study. Dena's lesson in the Mastering Life book was thought provoking and good. Now there is a six week break on that book because for the next six weeks all the classes will be doing standard lessons based on the pastor's book, Unstoppable Gospel. Next Sunday Malcolm Pierre is teaching our class at Dena's invite. I think it will be wonderful and all the ladies were happy when she announced that info at the end of class. After church Dena and I went to Molina's for lunch. Great Tex Mex and on Sunday afternoons it is quiet enough to actually have conversation that each other can hear. Our waiter Luis was fabulous! We went to a local furniture store nearby. Dena is looking for an entryway piece. Saw a few possibilities. Then we went to Kuhl Linscomb. What an experience! This place is so big they have maps to help you navigate the store. They carry all kinds of things, goods and wares. Some are very pricey, like a $175.00 candle and other things are reasonably priced. They carry hard to find products and there is also the usual. I loved it! I am so glad we had time to make a quick visit. Since we were so close to the Shepherd Whole Earth Provision Company, I called to see if they had any Flax brand clothes. Yes, they did. So we went the 3/10 of a mile to the crowded center and thankfully although the parking lot was jammed, there was an open handicap parking space. I will be happy to be well but dang, I am going to miss that parking placard. I found some Flax I loved and score...it was on sale. Much bigger selection than the Galleria store. Our fun afternoon called for a celebration, so we stopped at a Starbucks for coffee. On the way to Starbucks we drove on the street where Dena used to live years ago when she first came to Houston. All the apartments have been torn down to make way for high rise apartments I'm sure. So little land, so much density.
I watched some of the Inauguration on Friday just like in years past, not much of it. I mainly like to watch the parade with the military bands. I briefly saw two of the three balls the Trumps attended and couldn't stay up much later than that. Last night we watched some of the blowout football games but we flipped between the games and some documentaries on the aftermath of WWII and how Europe came back to civility. Very interesting and I learned a lot. There isn't too much talk after...we won! But it took a lot to put lives back together.
The day calls to begin, so I will respond.
Saturday morning I had a wonderful treat of going to the Fulshear Farmer's Market. Honestly most of the farmer's markets around here are pitiful. This seemed to be the exception. Great vendors with varied offerings. Roy and I walked about and purchased a few items. The buy of the day, grapefruit for a quarter a piece and they gave him a fifth one for free. While we were looking around our shopping conversation turned to crawfish and cajun. Since we had an errand over toward Mason Road, we decided to stop at Babin's to take care of those gumbo cravings. Lunch was delicious and gave us the strength to complete the day's tasks. One task was to walk around the water feature next to our home. We learned several years ago that it is actually a creek and it was around when all this land was used for rice farming. It does run into Spring Lake which is a beautiful, man made "lake." It is one of those lakes just to look at, not enjoy. I have been practicing extending my stride and it was fun to have Roy there to walk and talk with. The turtles were sun bathing around the water and some kind of bird was doing a lot of underwater swimming and fishing. There is a new connector that no one thought would ever be constructed because the trail is between two different "owned" neighborhoods. Roy says it a flat and not interestingly designed like the rest of the trails in Rancho de Five. Before I go back to NC, I may take his trek to ride along that path.
Sunday morning the choir and orchestra were back in the 9:15 service. Welcome back! I was back to my regular perch of the last row in the balcony. I took the elevator up but took the stairs when going to Life Bible Study. Dena's lesson in the Mastering Life book was thought provoking and good. Now there is a six week break on that book because for the next six weeks all the classes will be doing standard lessons based on the pastor's book, Unstoppable Gospel. Next Sunday Malcolm Pierre is teaching our class at Dena's invite. I think it will be wonderful and all the ladies were happy when she announced that info at the end of class. After church Dena and I went to Molina's for lunch. Great Tex Mex and on Sunday afternoons it is quiet enough to actually have conversation that each other can hear. Our waiter Luis was fabulous! We went to a local furniture store nearby. Dena is looking for an entryway piece. Saw a few possibilities. Then we went to Kuhl Linscomb. What an experience! This place is so big they have maps to help you navigate the store. They carry all kinds of things, goods and wares. Some are very pricey, like a $175.00 candle and other things are reasonably priced. They carry hard to find products and there is also the usual. I loved it! I am so glad we had time to make a quick visit. Since we were so close to the Shepherd Whole Earth Provision Company, I called to see if they had any Flax brand clothes. Yes, they did. So we went the 3/10 of a mile to the crowded center and thankfully although the parking lot was jammed, there was an open handicap parking space. I will be happy to be well but dang, I am going to miss that parking placard. I found some Flax I loved and score...it was on sale. Much bigger selection than the Galleria store. Our fun afternoon called for a celebration, so we stopped at a Starbucks for coffee. On the way to Starbucks we drove on the street where Dena used to live years ago when she first came to Houston. All the apartments have been torn down to make way for high rise apartments I'm sure. So little land, so much density.
I watched some of the Inauguration on Friday just like in years past, not much of it. I mainly like to watch the parade with the military bands. I briefly saw two of the three balls the Trumps attended and couldn't stay up much later than that. Last night we watched some of the blowout football games but we flipped between the games and some documentaries on the aftermath of WWII and how Europe came back to civility. Very interesting and I learned a lot. There isn't too much talk after...we won! But it took a lot to put lives back together.
The day calls to begin, so I will respond.
Friday, January 20, 2017
Find, Regain and Walk
So after a morning of heavy, flooding rain for parts of Houston, the afternoon cleared. The streets that always flood it seems with just a drop of rain began to see the water recede and the way become clear again. The bayous were full and the water flowing through them looked like raging rivers instead of the usual, slow, meandering way that bayous have. All the news reporters standing in water and chasing after those wading through the dirty, oil and probably snake infested waters went back to their respective stations. I heard that two reporters from rival station both had on the same dress.
With the waters gone I drove into town and went to choir practice at Houston's First Baptist. Since it was the kickoff Wednesday of Midlink and the movie The Insanity of God was shown to get the semester started. The parking lot was filled but I was able to score a handicap space close by the entrance. I loved getting to see friends and worship with them. That is how choir practice is with John, we work hard learning notes and wording but we also worship. This choir practice not only was the first for 2017 but it was also the first practice after John's father's passing. Before practice began I was able to share a few minutes of conversation with John. When John began at First Baptist, I was still on staff and had stopped in the music office and by chance got to meet John. He is enthusiastic and passionate about music and worship....which means he is also very good at recruiting for choir. Back in the day it was an uphill struggle when he first came. He invited me to come to choir with the assurance he would call during the week to remind me of the invite and then asked my name...I told him Peggy Bain. Joan Brunson, church pianist, overheard the conversation and let him know that wasn't my name. I have loved John Bolin from that very moment of laughter. As we briefly conversed John told me that he has his father's hands. I think he also has his father's heart and God given talent. He told me what that meant to him and the comfort and strength of seeing his father daily in his hands. My thoughts immediately turned to my mother's hands and there is a story there but for another day. It was time for choir to begin and John went to the front of the rehearsal hall and I sat with Lisa P and Debbie B, former choir member returning to the fold. Loved every song we sang, especially the arrangement of All Creatures of Our God and King. Felt at home when we sang Holy Spirit You Are Welcome Here...thinking of my friends in the Newfound Baptist choir. Before we opened We Will Remember, we did just that...we remembered. A few from the choir shared and then John shared with us those days in Israel before the homegoing of his father. He read Psalm 46 and graciously shared with us from the heart, not as a teachable moment, cause the heart share carried teachability in the words and thoughts. Then we sang the song we learned back in 2010 with new eyes and hearts. My intention was to leave choir early because of the total lack of sleep from the night before but I stayed. I am so glad I did. Icing on the cake, seeing CourtneyS and visiting a bit with her.
Keeping close to the house yesterday, I tried to transfer some music from the computer but it is not working. My music is in files not in real itunes. I will leave that to Roy to figure out but decided in case he couldn't, to purchase three songs I already have but not on my phone. There is a method to my madness. I am trying to get a regular gait and seam of walking. Like I have written before, I am learning a new way to walk and trying to discard bad habits I got into because my knees hurt so much. I thought about the story I saw on FB about the man with Parkinson's when music was played how different he was able to maneuver with the walker. So, after searching for my head phones, which might not have made it home with me from rehab hospital, Roy told me where to find some here. I used the music to help me walk over to the mailbox which is around the corner and down the block. Having the music to walk to helped.
I went to Bible study this morning and as per Thursday usual, I was a little late. Gina was my core group leader before and the group seems very nice. And there are a couple of friends in the group. So funny, several knew who I was because of the my grits recipe. We are studying Isaiah and have been looking at the life of Hezekiah. The homework was good this week. Afterwards, Debbie, Peggy and I went to Carabba's for lunch and then I ran a couple of errands.
*************************************************
The sun is trying to come through the clouds this morning. The last few days have been rainy or drizzly. From the weather reports this weekend will be marked by several different aspects of weather from warm temps to rain to cool temps to experiencing a lot of high wind.
The PT staff have discovered a little hitch in my right hip and leg. Doesn't surprise me cause that is the hip that was replaced last year. It causes me to swing out my leg as I walk and they are working with me to eliminate that swing because it will cause trouble down the road. The worst day at the rehab hospital, Thanksgiving Day, the PT guy saw the same thing but there wasn't too much to do about it because I thought it was caused from trying to do stuff in tremendous pain because the "contract nurse" brought in would not respond to pages and believed I was the patient who had received pain meds early. I'm excited to learn how to properly walk and once again have balance to my steps.
I was texting with Lisa P this morning and told her I was beginning to wrap up this stay and turn my sights toward home. Not only are there loose ends to take care of but people to spend time with and things that I want to do. The time feels as if it is speeding up as Texas time comes to a conclusion. There are things I thought I would work on as I recovered but didn't and there are some valuable things I have learned that I wasn't planning on.
This Sunday in LBS, Dena continues to teach from the book Mastering Life. I only remember the title now because she sent out an email asking for input on Sunday in what we think about God being organized and how that plays out in our own lives. She is funny when she stated this wouldn't necessarily be a subject she would teach on. I have pondered the questions and seeing a different take or maybe not a different take since I am not reading the book on what it means to be organized. Just like most subjects that do with discipline in the life of a believer, we can tend to go legalistic with it or hold standards that are out of touch and chaotic for many people. I'm looking forward to hearing her lesson. Dena is a great teacher.
Now I am off to walk, find and regain my balance or should it be find, regain and walk? .
With the waters gone I drove into town and went to choir practice at Houston's First Baptist. Since it was the kickoff Wednesday of Midlink and the movie The Insanity of God was shown to get the semester started. The parking lot was filled but I was able to score a handicap space close by the entrance. I loved getting to see friends and worship with them. That is how choir practice is with John, we work hard learning notes and wording but we also worship. This choir practice not only was the first for 2017 but it was also the first practice after John's father's passing. Before practice began I was able to share a few minutes of conversation with John. When John began at First Baptist, I was still on staff and had stopped in the music office and by chance got to meet John. He is enthusiastic and passionate about music and worship....which means he is also very good at recruiting for choir. Back in the day it was an uphill struggle when he first came. He invited me to come to choir with the assurance he would call during the week to remind me of the invite and then asked my name...I told him Peggy Bain. Joan Brunson, church pianist, overheard the conversation and let him know that wasn't my name. I have loved John Bolin from that very moment of laughter. As we briefly conversed John told me that he has his father's hands. I think he also has his father's heart and God given talent. He told me what that meant to him and the comfort and strength of seeing his father daily in his hands. My thoughts immediately turned to my mother's hands and there is a story there but for another day. It was time for choir to begin and John went to the front of the rehearsal hall and I sat with Lisa P and Debbie B, former choir member returning to the fold. Loved every song we sang, especially the arrangement of All Creatures of Our God and King. Felt at home when we sang Holy Spirit You Are Welcome Here...thinking of my friends in the Newfound Baptist choir. Before we opened We Will Remember, we did just that...we remembered. A few from the choir shared and then John shared with us those days in Israel before the homegoing of his father. He read Psalm 46 and graciously shared with us from the heart, not as a teachable moment, cause the heart share carried teachability in the words and thoughts. Then we sang the song we learned back in 2010 with new eyes and hearts. My intention was to leave choir early because of the total lack of sleep from the night before but I stayed. I am so glad I did. Icing on the cake, seeing CourtneyS and visiting a bit with her.
Keeping close to the house yesterday, I tried to transfer some music from the computer but it is not working. My music is in files not in real itunes. I will leave that to Roy to figure out but decided in case he couldn't, to purchase three songs I already have but not on my phone. There is a method to my madness. I am trying to get a regular gait and seam of walking. Like I have written before, I am learning a new way to walk and trying to discard bad habits I got into because my knees hurt so much. I thought about the story I saw on FB about the man with Parkinson's when music was played how different he was able to maneuver with the walker. So, after searching for my head phones, which might not have made it home with me from rehab hospital, Roy told me where to find some here. I used the music to help me walk over to the mailbox which is around the corner and down the block. Having the music to walk to helped.
I went to Bible study this morning and as per Thursday usual, I was a little late. Gina was my core group leader before and the group seems very nice. And there are a couple of friends in the group. So funny, several knew who I was because of the my grits recipe. We are studying Isaiah and have been looking at the life of Hezekiah. The homework was good this week. Afterwards, Debbie, Peggy and I went to Carabba's for lunch and then I ran a couple of errands.
*************************************************
The sun is trying to come through the clouds this morning. The last few days have been rainy or drizzly. From the weather reports this weekend will be marked by several different aspects of weather from warm temps to rain to cool temps to experiencing a lot of high wind.
The PT staff have discovered a little hitch in my right hip and leg. Doesn't surprise me cause that is the hip that was replaced last year. It causes me to swing out my leg as I walk and they are working with me to eliminate that swing because it will cause trouble down the road. The worst day at the rehab hospital, Thanksgiving Day, the PT guy saw the same thing but there wasn't too much to do about it because I thought it was caused from trying to do stuff in tremendous pain because the "contract nurse" brought in would not respond to pages and believed I was the patient who had received pain meds early. I'm excited to learn how to properly walk and once again have balance to my steps.
I was texting with Lisa P this morning and told her I was beginning to wrap up this stay and turn my sights toward home. Not only are there loose ends to take care of but people to spend time with and things that I want to do. The time feels as if it is speeding up as Texas time comes to a conclusion. There are things I thought I would work on as I recovered but didn't and there are some valuable things I have learned that I wasn't planning on.
This Sunday in LBS, Dena continues to teach from the book Mastering Life. I only remember the title now because she sent out an email asking for input on Sunday in what we think about God being organized and how that plays out in our own lives. She is funny when she stated this wouldn't necessarily be a subject she would teach on. I have pondered the questions and seeing a different take or maybe not a different take since I am not reading the book on what it means to be organized. Just like most subjects that do with discipline in the life of a believer, we can tend to go legalistic with it or hold standards that are out of touch and chaotic for many people. I'm looking forward to hearing her lesson. Dena is a great teacher.
Now I am off to walk, find and regain my balance or should it be find, regain and walk? .
Wednesday, January 18, 2017
January 18th, One Year Ago Today
All that early morning business yesterday caught up with me during the afternoon and into the hour I slept till this morning. The CBS station here carried great coverage yesterday morning on the storm that tracked through our area and into north Houston and the lands beyond. A small tornado touched down and was rather close to my friend's home in the foreign land. The most reported damage in our area was the trampoline high above the ground, resting in the wires now broken, that would normally supply electricity to the surrounding homes and businesses. While somewhat newsworthy, the attention the trampoline was receiving smacked of overkill. Whose was it? How far had it traveled? Had the power company been called? I never learned the answers to these burning questions and I'm fine with that. I did learn a lot about funnel clouds and tornadic activity from the station. Very informative and educational. The meteorologist on the morning show is passionate about his work and it showed in the reporting.
****************************************************************
Wednesday morning. There were storms in the middle of the night with close lightning and thunder. And oh my goodness, the rain was some of the heaviest I have heard. It was not a good sleep night. I should have stayed with mindless TV instead of finishing up CBS homework before going to bed. Isaiah, with emphasis on King Hezekiah. He has always been so interesting to me and the questions got my brain awake and thus...a slow falling into sleep. Also Buddy was restless and couldn't settle. My brother sent a text letting us know that Aunt Amy had passed away. She is the last one from that generation of family. She is really my great aunt.
One year ago today I was on my way home to NC when I stopped at the Cracker Barrel in Lafayette,LA and tripped on a small piece of metal by the trash receptacle. The tip of my tennis shoe caught the metal piece and hurled me forward and as a long time ago volleyball player, I turned my body to absorb the hit like I had been taught. Only thing, this wasn't a gym floor, it was concrete. Thus began the saga of the shattered hip and replacement. I read my blog entries the other day from that period of time and rejoiced at how God had kept me safe and arranged the right doctors and nurses for surgery and recovery. There were small details that I had forgotten about. I rejoice that it has been one year, fall free. 2016 into 2017 is all about learning again how to walk correctly and that is an ongoing process. New knees has brought about more learning in how to "walk this way."
As PT is winding up, I like what we do now more than anything before. It seems like we are into the fine tuning of all the other work. My balance is still off but Kelly sees improvement. We did some tough work yesterday and I was tired at the end of the hour.
I am thankful for this past year, 2016. Lots of changes and learning.
****************************************************************
Wednesday morning. There were storms in the middle of the night with close lightning and thunder. And oh my goodness, the rain was some of the heaviest I have heard. It was not a good sleep night. I should have stayed with mindless TV instead of finishing up CBS homework before going to bed. Isaiah, with emphasis on King Hezekiah. He has always been so interesting to me and the questions got my brain awake and thus...a slow falling into sleep. Also Buddy was restless and couldn't settle. My brother sent a text letting us know that Aunt Amy had passed away. She is the last one from that generation of family. She is really my great aunt.
One year ago today I was on my way home to NC when I stopped at the Cracker Barrel in Lafayette,LA and tripped on a small piece of metal by the trash receptacle. The tip of my tennis shoe caught the metal piece and hurled me forward and as a long time ago volleyball player, I turned my body to absorb the hit like I had been taught. Only thing, this wasn't a gym floor, it was concrete. Thus began the saga of the shattered hip and replacement. I read my blog entries the other day from that period of time and rejoiced at how God had kept me safe and arranged the right doctors and nurses for surgery and recovery. There were small details that I had forgotten about. I rejoice that it has been one year, fall free. 2016 into 2017 is all about learning again how to walk correctly and that is an ongoing process. New knees has brought about more learning in how to "walk this way."
As PT is winding up, I like what we do now more than anything before. It seems like we are into the fine tuning of all the other work. My balance is still off but Kelly sees improvement. We did some tough work yesterday and I was tired at the end of the hour.
I am thankful for this past year, 2016. Lots of changes and learning.
Monday, January 16, 2017
Up For A Storm
Marathon Sunday in Houston...warm, muggy Houston. The threat of rain ever lingers and the gray skies attest to a dreary looking day. But I take hope cause I like cloudy, overcast days. The tree in the backyard has a few spinning leaves on it. Those leaves creating such art must not be hanging onto the tree to tightly spinning and twirling while the rest of the leaves remain still and stoic, behaving like leaves are wont to do.
This morning I woke up with a sore throat and this shall be a sign unto me since 2008 that I need to slow down and rest a bit. So, I opted out of church. Roy went onto church and is stopping at Walmart on the way home. He found the pretzels he loves there and they are being displayed as a seasonal item..seasonal as in football. They are in these huge plastic containers which seems to be another indicator for the seasonal designation.
After a hearty start to the day, donuts and coffee, Dena and I headed over to Home Goods yesterday morning. We are both pleased with what we found and loaded up the truck with all our Home Goods goodness. Our plans had originally been to go to brunch at Las Alamada's but we opted for Red River. We split the shrimp plate and added sides to our order. Delicious! Our dessert option came as Sonic because we wanted to bring Roy something, sort of a bribe, although we didn't need to, for his help in putting Dena's purchases into the back of her SUV. We had a wonderful day that ended too soon because Dena needed to get back over to the foreign land.
We flipped channels last night between Dateline and the Texans. Seems like we spent more time with Dateline because we kind of knew the end result for the Texans. The story on Dateline took place in Austin with some Houston thrown in. The story of a man, who was found guilty of killing a woman who was selling her home. He had a long history of making women nervous as he acted like he had cash to buy these homes on the market. He also claimed to be a Christian and he worked at a church. It was a bit unnerving as the show told the story and how he came to be discovered when the fiance and another man friend had been considered the chief suspects.
******************************************************************
Roy was especially noisy this morning while getting ready for work and since I was wide awake, I got up at 5:00 am. The forecast has called for rain but we didn't really get any yesterday but this morning, a totally different story. Rancho de Five and surrounding Beigeland was under a tornado warning. The alarm to take cover went off on my phone several times. Buddy wasn't too interested in hunkering down in the bathroom, so we moved to the closet/bathroom in our bedroom where she had a little more room to roam. Thankful that Dena was texting and keeping me in the loop weatherwise. Once the worst of the storm had passed and Buddy was onto her first nap of the morning, I went about fixing the screen on the refrigerator that was flashing error. We had a huge power surge earlier in the morning that also had the alarm system beeping and chirping. I feel a nap coming on for later this afternoon.
I woke up with a sore throat yesterday morning. Since 2008 a sore throat is an accurate warning that my immune system is in upheaval and I need to pull back and rest. So, I opted out of church but if there had been more initiatives like choir and orchestra or lunch plans afterwards, I would have powered on through. It was good to rest and read. Roy had gone to church and when he got home we made Black Eye Pea Jambalaya. It is a recipe that my mom used and lunch turned out pretty good. We also made cornbread. And what a coincidence, this is what we will be having for supper tonight.
One of my favorite movies was on TCM yesterday afternoon, All About Eve. That movie contains some great lines along with the story of Margo Channing and her star struck, yet cunning protege Eve Harrington....
Now that the sun has risen the sky has that eerie iridescent feel that comes after a storm. We had some hard rain and I think the rain loosened the leaves to fall that were twirling and spinning yesterday morning.
This morning I woke up with a sore throat and this shall be a sign unto me since 2008 that I need to slow down and rest a bit. So, I opted out of church. Roy went onto church and is stopping at Walmart on the way home. He found the pretzels he loves there and they are being displayed as a seasonal item..seasonal as in football. They are in these huge plastic containers which seems to be another indicator for the seasonal designation.
After a hearty start to the day, donuts and coffee, Dena and I headed over to Home Goods yesterday morning. We are both pleased with what we found and loaded up the truck with all our Home Goods goodness. Our plans had originally been to go to brunch at Las Alamada's but we opted for Red River. We split the shrimp plate and added sides to our order. Delicious! Our dessert option came as Sonic because we wanted to bring Roy something, sort of a bribe, although we didn't need to, for his help in putting Dena's purchases into the back of her SUV. We had a wonderful day that ended too soon because Dena needed to get back over to the foreign land.
We flipped channels last night between Dateline and the Texans. Seems like we spent more time with Dateline because we kind of knew the end result for the Texans. The story on Dateline took place in Austin with some Houston thrown in. The story of a man, who was found guilty of killing a woman who was selling her home. He had a long history of making women nervous as he acted like he had cash to buy these homes on the market. He also claimed to be a Christian and he worked at a church. It was a bit unnerving as the show told the story and how he came to be discovered when the fiance and another man friend had been considered the chief suspects.
******************************************************************
Roy was especially noisy this morning while getting ready for work and since I was wide awake, I got up at 5:00 am. The forecast has called for rain but we didn't really get any yesterday but this morning, a totally different story. Rancho de Five and surrounding Beigeland was under a tornado warning. The alarm to take cover went off on my phone several times. Buddy wasn't too interested in hunkering down in the bathroom, so we moved to the closet/bathroom in our bedroom where she had a little more room to roam. Thankful that Dena was texting and keeping me in the loop weatherwise. Once the worst of the storm had passed and Buddy was onto her first nap of the morning, I went about fixing the screen on the refrigerator that was flashing error. We had a huge power surge earlier in the morning that also had the alarm system beeping and chirping. I feel a nap coming on for later this afternoon.
I woke up with a sore throat yesterday morning. Since 2008 a sore throat is an accurate warning that my immune system is in upheaval and I need to pull back and rest. So, I opted out of church but if there had been more initiatives like choir and orchestra or lunch plans afterwards, I would have powered on through. It was good to rest and read. Roy had gone to church and when he got home we made Black Eye Pea Jambalaya. It is a recipe that my mom used and lunch turned out pretty good. We also made cornbread. And what a coincidence, this is what we will be having for supper tonight.
One of my favorite movies was on TCM yesterday afternoon, All About Eve. That movie contains some great lines along with the story of Margo Channing and her star struck, yet cunning protege Eve Harrington....
Now that the sun has risen the sky has that eerie iridescent feel that comes after a storm. We had some hard rain and I think the rain loosened the leaves to fall that were twirling and spinning yesterday morning.
Saturday, January 14, 2017
Planks and Parties But No Overthinking
It looks like some mockingbirds have taken up residence in a fixer upper nest in our one of the trees. The nest came with the tree when it was planted in our front yard. It has been used by many a bird family in the past few years. Upon returning home yesterday one of the birds rustled out of the tree and perched upon the garage roof to keep an eye on my activities. Nothing to see here bird, just getting a few groceries out of the back and I'll be on my way.
PT was especially challenging yesterday. We did all new things, harder things that kicked my butt. Had to stop and do a BP reading at one point because it felt like it had gone low. Kelly asked me why I was looking at my watch so much and I told her I was looking at it to see my heart rate and not looking at it with the thought of how much longer. Last year is the year I relearned how to walk and this year is leaning toward posture and opening up my lungs and connective tissue. When Kelly asks me to do something new or something I haven't been able to do in years, after a bit she reminds me not to overthink it. I thought I was trying to better understand the request and movement required to be able to perform it. Alas, it is overthinking and I am learning to discard that habit. It seems to be a slow discard. While trying not to overthink yesterday muscle memory came back in the form of my arm and hand shake I always did before big moments in a tennis or volleyball game. It is the way I would get rid of extra kinetic energy and calm nerves before a serve or executing a particular play. Kelly mentioned the shake and I told her just an old jock habit. She not being athletic in former years laughed saying well that is not anything I know about. We ended my session by doing some moderated planks. Yes, it is as fun as it sounds. The first nine were such a struggle barely if at all being able to count them as a modified plank. I took a moment before the last one, yes probably overthought it but I actually did one and held it for five seconds. The goal is thirty seconds. On Monday we did another assessment of progress and we did some leg stretches that helps with extension. To begin, she gave pressure to the back of my knee and then began a process of pressure points to loosen connective tissue. It stung a little at first but eventually, I could feel a difference.
After PT I went over to CBS and signed up for the remaining time I have here. Peggy's class is full but at least I was able to go into a core group with a leader I have had before. The study this year is Isaiah. Afterwards Emily, Peggy and I went to lunch. There were a few errands to run before going home and I was happy to get home because this child was exhausted.
**************************************************************
I feel like I am having a celebration hangover for Peggy's surprise birthday party last night. Such fun! Well planned and Peggy was very surprised. Jaimie did a great job. It is always fun to catch up with friends and meet new friends that you've seen on Peggy's timeline. The variety of friends and the deep love we all feel toward and about her was so powerful in that party room in Pappasito's.Before the party, Dena came over from the foreign land. Since it is such a long dark drive home for her now she spent the night. We both said it is like a mini road trip. Roy is at Bible study, Buddy is settling in for her first morning nap and Dena is still asleep. All is well..... When she gets up and after some coffee, I am already having some, we will do a little bit of shopping and considering brunch.
So happy to see Stevie at Emmanuel yesterday for a haircut and highlights. I met Roy afterwards for a quick lunch and then stop at a convenience store to buy seventy scratch off tickets for Peggy's BD. I have never bought them before.
Back to my thoughts of yesterday reminding myself of a new way to walk and how to release and ease connective tissue. A great word picture for this girl in so many ways and in so many thoughts. Although I don't want to overthink it.
PT was especially challenging yesterday. We did all new things, harder things that kicked my butt. Had to stop and do a BP reading at one point because it felt like it had gone low. Kelly asked me why I was looking at my watch so much and I told her I was looking at it to see my heart rate and not looking at it with the thought of how much longer. Last year is the year I relearned how to walk and this year is leaning toward posture and opening up my lungs and connective tissue. When Kelly asks me to do something new or something I haven't been able to do in years, after a bit she reminds me not to overthink it. I thought I was trying to better understand the request and movement required to be able to perform it. Alas, it is overthinking and I am learning to discard that habit. It seems to be a slow discard. While trying not to overthink yesterday muscle memory came back in the form of my arm and hand shake I always did before big moments in a tennis or volleyball game. It is the way I would get rid of extra kinetic energy and calm nerves before a serve or executing a particular play. Kelly mentioned the shake and I told her just an old jock habit. She not being athletic in former years laughed saying well that is not anything I know about. We ended my session by doing some moderated planks. Yes, it is as fun as it sounds. The first nine were such a struggle barely if at all being able to count them as a modified plank. I took a moment before the last one, yes probably overthought it but I actually did one and held it for five seconds. The goal is thirty seconds. On Monday we did another assessment of progress and we did some leg stretches that helps with extension. To begin, she gave pressure to the back of my knee and then began a process of pressure points to loosen connective tissue. It stung a little at first but eventually, I could feel a difference.
After PT I went over to CBS and signed up for the remaining time I have here. Peggy's class is full but at least I was able to go into a core group with a leader I have had before. The study this year is Isaiah. Afterwards Emily, Peggy and I went to lunch. There were a few errands to run before going home and I was happy to get home because this child was exhausted.
**************************************************************
I feel like I am having a celebration hangover for Peggy's surprise birthday party last night. Such fun! Well planned and Peggy was very surprised. Jaimie did a great job. It is always fun to catch up with friends and meet new friends that you've seen on Peggy's timeline. The variety of friends and the deep love we all feel toward and about her was so powerful in that party room in Pappasito's.Before the party, Dena came over from the foreign land. Since it is such a long dark drive home for her now she spent the night. We both said it is like a mini road trip. Roy is at Bible study, Buddy is settling in for her first morning nap and Dena is still asleep. All is well..... When she gets up and after some coffee, I am already having some, we will do a little bit of shopping and considering brunch.
So happy to see Stevie at Emmanuel yesterday for a haircut and highlights. I met Roy afterwards for a quick lunch and then stop at a convenience store to buy seventy scratch off tickets for Peggy's BD. I have never bought them before.
Back to my thoughts of yesterday reminding myself of a new way to walk and how to release and ease connective tissue. A great word picture for this girl in so many ways and in so many thoughts. Although I don't want to overthink it.
Thursday, January 12, 2017
A Little Thursday Shoutout
It is going to be a warm spring day in January today and tomorrow the temps might break previous records. I'm wondering if the winter season is over or if we will have a few more days of cooler temps before it is over? I know I brought limited spring type clothes. That new washing machine will be getting a workout at this pace. Because of the cold and icy roads from Dallas, on Saturday our delivery and installation of a new machine didn't happen until 10:00 pm. I was so tired and Roy told me to go onto bed but I didn't want to be in jammies with workmen in the house. Besides, I've been watching ID TV again and every situation is probable for something to go wrong. Then you become a Dateline show and we do not want that. I am thinking, with the doors open and machines being removed and replaced, it could be a crime of opportunity for someone to just come in among the change and create chaos. So, I was in the bedroom watching TV and praying for that not to happen. It all went well. We could have had the washer fixed but the repairs were almost the same price of a new washer and a new one could be delivered before a repairman could get here. We got the upgraded version of the machine we bought for NC. We've been very happy with it.
Monday was a momentous day in PT World. I was able to do three flights of stairs. Real stairs and although it was a halt and lame kind of climb and descent, it wasn't the one step, one step kind of deal. I actually used one railing, not two, and went up and down like normal. It was a celebratory kind of moment. Beginning next week PT will only be once a week.
Tuesday was a productive day in recovery world or what's left of that world. I was able to get some things picked up and although not put away because they will be going back to NC with me, at least in some kind of order. Roy was pleasantly surprised to see the work I had done especially in the closet. All the synthetic workout clothes I brought for rehab are going to Katy Christian Ministries along with a few other clothes that didn't quite workout the way I thought they would. Even some clothes that have been hanging around the closet got the heave ho. It dawned on me yesterday that I am not going to get nearly everything done I had wanted to do while recovering. A lot of time you think can be used for reading or projects is used to rest and restore. Stamina is slowly returning. One of the assessment questions on Monday, can you stand for an hour? I'm getting closer to doing that but it was a struggle on Saturday at the reception after Don Bolin's service.
John's song, Daddy's Lullaby, was used in the service on Saturday. I just happened to be sitting in between two friends who both had wonderful daddies. And there were tears. I even had some tears, but not because of such love...I kind of laughed to myself, oh this song would have to be re-written for my circumstances, your daddy hates you. Now there was a day that thought would have put me over the line emotionally but thankfully, I am not living in that season anymore. It was like an acknowledgement of life but the forward pressing into the present that I have a Great Father and I have Roy a great, great hubby.
*************************************************************
Once I hit the floor running, I didn't stop until last night. I met Geni H for lunch at Collina's. The ravioli is one of my favs. So another place marked off the list to go to while in Houston. We had a wonderful time of catching up and I came home with a handmade knitted lamb. So, so cute but must keep it out of Buddy's vision. I took the back way through Memorial to Memorial City Mall and wow, so many new homes, giant homes... I stopped at Macy's and that was a bust. Must be getting close to inventory time because most departments were filled with clearance items. Lots of clearance items...more so than usual. That stop at Macy's, although quick, put me in Houston 5:00 traffic. I have avoided that kind of traffic on most trips back here. Wow! It is a bear but like most things here that are opposite of life now, you adjust for the time here or avoid. Chris was still here when I got home and I barely beat Roy home from the office. Leftovers sounded like a plan for dinner.
Today, PT and then I am stopping in at CBS to register, I am happy that I was able to schedule the rest of PT on other days than Thursday.
Well, I better kick, stretch and kick...cause I've got PT ahead of me.
Monday was a momentous day in PT World. I was able to do three flights of stairs. Real stairs and although it was a halt and lame kind of climb and descent, it wasn't the one step, one step kind of deal. I actually used one railing, not two, and went up and down like normal. It was a celebratory kind of moment. Beginning next week PT will only be once a week.
Tuesday was a productive day in recovery world or what's left of that world. I was able to get some things picked up and although not put away because they will be going back to NC with me, at least in some kind of order. Roy was pleasantly surprised to see the work I had done especially in the closet. All the synthetic workout clothes I brought for rehab are going to Katy Christian Ministries along with a few other clothes that didn't quite workout the way I thought they would. Even some clothes that have been hanging around the closet got the heave ho. It dawned on me yesterday that I am not going to get nearly everything done I had wanted to do while recovering. A lot of time you think can be used for reading or projects is used to rest and restore. Stamina is slowly returning. One of the assessment questions on Monday, can you stand for an hour? I'm getting closer to doing that but it was a struggle on Saturday at the reception after Don Bolin's service.
John's song, Daddy's Lullaby, was used in the service on Saturday. I just happened to be sitting in between two friends who both had wonderful daddies. And there were tears. I even had some tears, but not because of such love...I kind of laughed to myself, oh this song would have to be re-written for my circumstances, your daddy hates you. Now there was a day that thought would have put me over the line emotionally but thankfully, I am not living in that season anymore. It was like an acknowledgement of life but the forward pressing into the present that I have a Great Father and I have Roy a great, great hubby.
*************************************************************
Once I hit the floor running, I didn't stop until last night. I met Geni H for lunch at Collina's. The ravioli is one of my favs. So another place marked off the list to go to while in Houston. We had a wonderful time of catching up and I came home with a handmade knitted lamb. So, so cute but must keep it out of Buddy's vision. I took the back way through Memorial to Memorial City Mall and wow, so many new homes, giant homes... I stopped at Macy's and that was a bust. Must be getting close to inventory time because most departments were filled with clearance items. Lots of clearance items...more so than usual. That stop at Macy's, although quick, put me in Houston 5:00 traffic. I have avoided that kind of traffic on most trips back here. Wow! It is a bear but like most things here that are opposite of life now, you adjust for the time here or avoid. Chris was still here when I got home and I barely beat Roy home from the office. Leftovers sounded like a plan for dinner.
Today, PT and then I am stopping in at CBS to register, I am happy that I was able to schedule the rest of PT on other days than Thursday.
Well, I better kick, stretch and kick...cause I've got PT ahead of me.
Tuesday, January 10, 2017
A Service, A Call, A Purpose
I went to one of the most God honoring funerals this weekend and by the newsfeed on Facebook, many others felt the same way. Our music and worship pastor and friend, John Bolin lost his father unexpectedly last week. John and his four brothers were in Israel when their father passed away. Out of this tough week of getting back to the states, gathering the family, planning the service and most importantly taking care of their mother, came such love and compassion in telling the story of a life well lived and well served. You knew that Don Bolin loved the Lord and invested in others knowing the Lord too. The service was more music than talking. The seven children invited us to sing with them, they told stories and Don's wife told a few too. Most all of us leaving with the thought in our hearts, I would love to be a part of the Bolin family.
Reading stories from friends and family on Facebook before Saturday told a wonderful story of his life and it was all confirmed there Saturday morning in the service. I briefly talked with John at the reception afterwards. I mentioned the fact that his father never served at a large church and yet, his impact upon lives is like a minister that has served in large churches...but unlike ministers at large churches where you hear their words and know their leadership from the stage, those who served with Don Bolin got to know the man and know his words served with him in the trenches. John told me that his father purposely served in smaller churches so that he could spend more time with his family and not have the demands a large church places upon him. Watching his seven children lead the service, you were assured that the legacy continues and God will be glorified and lifted up in their lives, their children's lives and those that are fortunate to know and love them.
This week and the coming weeks ahead will be difficult and a huge hole has been left in their family as they adjust to life without the leader of the band. Yet, they know and have the assurance that God is there, He has new mercies every morning, and great is His faithfulness.
Yesterday morning in church I sat close to the front. My usual spot is the back row in the balcony but since I am avoiding stairs with lots of people, the main floor in the worship center has been my choice for seating. The congregation heard some exciting things from the stage yesterday and the vision for the future...We also learned the church staff at all the campuses are doing the Daniel Fast for five days. I would think twice about calling the church this week because this means none of them have had caffeine. With First Baptist being a presence in downtown Houston since 1845, not too sure on the date... it is awesome to know that First Baptist continues to have the vision and care for downtown Houston in 2017 and beyond.
Life Bible Study, formerly known as Sunday School, was good too. Dena and Carole are teaching from a book by Robert Morgan and true to my inability to remember titles, I cannot tell you the name of the book. It has something to do with being purposeful and successful in life. Dena taught from the first chapter, what we can learn from a twelve year old. Of course that twelve year old is Jesus when he told his mom and dad he must be about his father's business. The other end of the bookend with this thought of what Jesus said on the cross, "It is finished." So we start the day thinking about doing our father's business and when the day is done, we say it is finished. Dena gave great examples of going into meetings at the office with the purpose of doing the father's business. What a good challenge for me to think and act through my day with a like mind even though I don't have meetings per se or having an effect on many. My days of course are known by God and He knows that most of them are rather mundane....I am not complaining, I have come to love the mundane. So being about my father's business is about treating sales clerks, food servers, friends and those I meet along the way with love and compassion...even when it is difficult to do so. I used to think back in the day, okay Lord, is this a push over the "money changers" tables kind of day for me? Purpose and success in my life is on a much smaller scale in the grand scheme of things and that is just so fine with me. Dena shared the story of Sam Wyche, football coach, who received the diagnosis of cardiomyopathy, and given only a short time to live....but a heart transplant saved his life. My own diagnosis of cardiomyopathy in 2008 and the healing of my heart by the Lord, put me on the path to live life in a greater way in the smaller places of life, where I began to experience more than just an existence.
The Saturday service that honored Don Bolin still has friends encouraged to serve and chose differently how to live life honoring the One who created them. A call or challenge from the stage to praying, giving and going. The emphasis for the month praying which includes fasting. A purpose of being about the father's business...being used in small ways, in smart ways, in whatever ways God has purposed.
Reading stories from friends and family on Facebook before Saturday told a wonderful story of his life and it was all confirmed there Saturday morning in the service. I briefly talked with John at the reception afterwards. I mentioned the fact that his father never served at a large church and yet, his impact upon lives is like a minister that has served in large churches...but unlike ministers at large churches where you hear their words and know their leadership from the stage, those who served with Don Bolin got to know the man and know his words served with him in the trenches. John told me that his father purposely served in smaller churches so that he could spend more time with his family and not have the demands a large church places upon him. Watching his seven children lead the service, you were assured that the legacy continues and God will be glorified and lifted up in their lives, their children's lives and those that are fortunate to know and love them.
This week and the coming weeks ahead will be difficult and a huge hole has been left in their family as they adjust to life without the leader of the band. Yet, they know and have the assurance that God is there, He has new mercies every morning, and great is His faithfulness.
Yesterday morning in church I sat close to the front. My usual spot is the back row in the balcony but since I am avoiding stairs with lots of people, the main floor in the worship center has been my choice for seating. The congregation heard some exciting things from the stage yesterday and the vision for the future...We also learned the church staff at all the campuses are doing the Daniel Fast for five days. I would think twice about calling the church this week because this means none of them have had caffeine. With First Baptist being a presence in downtown Houston since 1845, not too sure on the date... it is awesome to know that First Baptist continues to have the vision and care for downtown Houston in 2017 and beyond.
Life Bible Study, formerly known as Sunday School, was good too. Dena and Carole are teaching from a book by Robert Morgan and true to my inability to remember titles, I cannot tell you the name of the book. It has something to do with being purposeful and successful in life. Dena taught from the first chapter, what we can learn from a twelve year old. Of course that twelve year old is Jesus when he told his mom and dad he must be about his father's business. The other end of the bookend with this thought of what Jesus said on the cross, "It is finished." So we start the day thinking about doing our father's business and when the day is done, we say it is finished. Dena gave great examples of going into meetings at the office with the purpose of doing the father's business. What a good challenge for me to think and act through my day with a like mind even though I don't have meetings per se or having an effect on many. My days of course are known by God and He knows that most of them are rather mundane....I am not complaining, I have come to love the mundane. So being about my father's business is about treating sales clerks, food servers, friends and those I meet along the way with love and compassion...even when it is difficult to do so. I used to think back in the day, okay Lord, is this a push over the "money changers" tables kind of day for me? Purpose and success in my life is on a much smaller scale in the grand scheme of things and that is just so fine with me. Dena shared the story of Sam Wyche, football coach, who received the diagnosis of cardiomyopathy, and given only a short time to live....but a heart transplant saved his life. My own diagnosis of cardiomyopathy in 2008 and the healing of my heart by the Lord, put me on the path to live life in a greater way in the smaller places of life, where I began to experience more than just an existence.
The Saturday service that honored Don Bolin still has friends encouraged to serve and chose differently how to live life honoring the One who created them. A call or challenge from the stage to praying, giving and going. The emphasis for the month praying which includes fasting. A purpose of being about the father's business...being used in small ways, in smart ways, in whatever ways God has purposed.
Monday, January 9, 2017
It Is Monday Already
Brrr...It is overcast and cold this morning. There is talk of sleet in the area. I am also keeping an eye on NC weather. On Monday here on the prairie, it will start warming up and we will soon be in spring like temps.
Yesterday was an ensconced kind of day. I stayed around here and totally enjoyed the time. I was texting with a friend and told her I think the units of blood I got in the hospital were from a petite woman who was always cold and is an introvert. Being cold instead of hot is the biggest change and I already know I am an extroverted introvert.
We, well mostly me, watched the Lyle and Eric Menendez, twenty six years later program last night. ABC presented factors that led up to the night Lyle and Eric decided to take matters into their own hands. We came away with it all factored in, their lifestyle, wealth, dysfunctional family, their greed and so on.
******************************************************************
It's even brrrer....this morning. It was 22 when I woke up with a windchill factor of 9. That is rather cold for these here parts of the country. It is snowing in NC and friends have posted a few pics. The community center just posted all the roads have snow and ice in our area. Roy is out and about this morning. He bought food for Bible study and he came back here with some donuts for me...to keep me warm this cold prairie morning.
I have been focused on January 6th since December 2nd. My follow up visit with my Dr and Orthopedic Surgeon. My friend from joint camp was in the waiting room when I arrived. She was also there on 12/2. We got caught up with each other's progress. She still needs to use her walker away from home and she was jealous that I haven't used a walker for almost a month. Her "good" knee is taking a beating from the repaired knee and she is wondering now if she should have had both knees done at the same time. My doctor visit was very good. He is so pleased with my progress and even stood and applauded my walking. Wow, I have never had a Dr do that. I asked a lot of questions on this visit. I have been concerned with stamina but he assured me it will return. I am so off the charts in my recovery that these few little things are coming into play much more than they should. He assured me around the six month mark, my stamina should be back. I am a party pooper now with bedtimes averaging between 8:30-10:00 most nights. Dr Smith told me I am the poster child for bilateral knee replacements and I have had the best recovery of any of his double knee patients. I don't think he believed me when I told him in July I was very motivated. I said that a lot to medical people as well as I am a slow starter but once I understand what is needed from me and I understand it, I accelerate quickly. I think I am also a good example of not needing the machine that moves your knee back and forth. My Dr is getting away from using them and only prescribes one if the patient is insistent.
****************************************************************
Monday morning...where did the weekend go? Well, you'll have to wait for another post.
Yesterday was an ensconced kind of day. I stayed around here and totally enjoyed the time. I was texting with a friend and told her I think the units of blood I got in the hospital were from a petite woman who was always cold and is an introvert. Being cold instead of hot is the biggest change and I already know I am an extroverted introvert.
We, well mostly me, watched the Lyle and Eric Menendez, twenty six years later program last night. ABC presented factors that led up to the night Lyle and Eric decided to take matters into their own hands. We came away with it all factored in, their lifestyle, wealth, dysfunctional family, their greed and so on.
******************************************************************
It's even brrrer....this morning. It was 22 when I woke up with a windchill factor of 9. That is rather cold for these here parts of the country. It is snowing in NC and friends have posted a few pics. The community center just posted all the roads have snow and ice in our area. Roy is out and about this morning. He bought food for Bible study and he came back here with some donuts for me...to keep me warm this cold prairie morning.
I have been focused on January 6th since December 2nd. My follow up visit with my Dr and Orthopedic Surgeon. My friend from joint camp was in the waiting room when I arrived. She was also there on 12/2. We got caught up with each other's progress. She still needs to use her walker away from home and she was jealous that I haven't used a walker for almost a month. Her "good" knee is taking a beating from the repaired knee and she is wondering now if she should have had both knees done at the same time. My doctor visit was very good. He is so pleased with my progress and even stood and applauded my walking. Wow, I have never had a Dr do that. I asked a lot of questions on this visit. I have been concerned with stamina but he assured me it will return. I am so off the charts in my recovery that these few little things are coming into play much more than they should. He assured me around the six month mark, my stamina should be back. I am a party pooper now with bedtimes averaging between 8:30-10:00 most nights. Dr Smith told me I am the poster child for bilateral knee replacements and I have had the best recovery of any of his double knee patients. I don't think he believed me when I told him in July I was very motivated. I said that a lot to medical people as well as I am a slow starter but once I understand what is needed from me and I understand it, I accelerate quickly. I think I am also a good example of not needing the machine that moves your knee back and forth. My Dr is getting away from using them and only prescribes one if the patient is insistent.
****************************************************************
Monday morning...where did the weekend go? Well, you'll have to wait for another post.
Thursday, January 5, 2017
A Beloved Recipe Is Found
The long lost apple cake recipe has been found! My brother texted me last night announcing this good news. He had found it hiding in his recipe box and it had been safely ensconced all these years. We have bought apple cakes looking for the same taste but never came close to it. We have discussed recipes for apple cake we have found along the way, but alas they didn't fit the bill. He also found a recipe for caramel icing that he is going to drizzle onto the cake. I told him he will not have any leftovers as he is taking it to a Sunday School potluck this weekend. I also asked him to send the black eye pea recipe that my mom made every New Year's Day. Bonus, he sent the caramel icing recipe.
Slowly but surely all the to do's on my list are being checked off as done. This means we are getting closer to returning to the mountains. I also do my exercises, or at least most of them, faithfully everyday. That means, I am getting closer to returning to the mountains.
So, I got a Fitbit for Christmas. I like it but not for the reason I thought I would. My best thing on my Fitbit is the sleep tracker. This has been an interesting look into how well I do or don't sleep. I am not meeting my goal on steps but I am meeting my goal on sleep. Then you factor in the times you are awake or restless while sleeping and boom, I am still meeting my goal. This Fitbit also keeps a record of my heart rate and that has been especially helpful. These past seven weeks have been revealing in that knee pain caused a whole lot of the stress I experienced. These weeks of recovery have held very few afib moments or events. Sometimes I couldn't tell the difference between heart episodes and knee pain but now I can.
*******************************************************************
Good Thursday morning! I got out and about yesterday and never came back to the blog. I went to Hobby Lobby, Whole Foods and Kroger. By the time I finished at Kroger, I was a bit fatigued and ready for the quick drive home. I spent the afternoon doing things around here and as has been my custom for most of this recovery time, I was in bed asleep before 9:30 pm. Today, I thought I might make a quick trip to Memorial City Mall but while looking through the closet last night, I found I could put together an outfit for a funeral I will be attending this Saturday.
On this cool morning it is nice sitting by the fireplace. I miss having a real fire even though it comes on with a click of a remote. The electric insert we put in the fireplace in NC is nice and it will warm the room, just not the same though.
The new washer is delivered this Saturday and the people from Nordictrack also come on Wednesday to tune up the recumbent bike. Roy is certainly enjoying his Christmas gift, a small freezer for the garage. He loves to slow cooker cook and then freeze for days ahead.
Slowly but surely all the to do's on my list are being checked off as done. This means we are getting closer to returning to the mountains. I also do my exercises, or at least most of them, faithfully everyday. That means, I am getting closer to returning to the mountains.
So, I got a Fitbit for Christmas. I like it but not for the reason I thought I would. My best thing on my Fitbit is the sleep tracker. This has been an interesting look into how well I do or don't sleep. I am not meeting my goal on steps but I am meeting my goal on sleep. Then you factor in the times you are awake or restless while sleeping and boom, I am still meeting my goal. This Fitbit also keeps a record of my heart rate and that has been especially helpful. These past seven weeks have been revealing in that knee pain caused a whole lot of the stress I experienced. These weeks of recovery have held very few afib moments or events. Sometimes I couldn't tell the difference between heart episodes and knee pain but now I can.
*******************************************************************
Good Thursday morning! I got out and about yesterday and never came back to the blog. I went to Hobby Lobby, Whole Foods and Kroger. By the time I finished at Kroger, I was a bit fatigued and ready for the quick drive home. I spent the afternoon doing things around here and as has been my custom for most of this recovery time, I was in bed asleep before 9:30 pm. Today, I thought I might make a quick trip to Memorial City Mall but while looking through the closet last night, I found I could put together an outfit for a funeral I will be attending this Saturday.
On this cool morning it is nice sitting by the fireplace. I miss having a real fire even though it comes on with a click of a remote. The electric insert we put in the fireplace in NC is nice and it will warm the room, just not the same though.
The new washer is delivered this Saturday and the people from Nordictrack also come on Wednesday to tune up the recumbent bike. Roy is certainly enjoying his Christmas gift, a small freezer for the garage. He loves to slow cooker cook and then freeze for days ahead.
Wednesday, January 4, 2017
One Word, Flourish
Psalm 92:12-15New Living Translation (NLT)
But the godly will flourish like palm trees
and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon.
For they are transplanted to the Lord’s own house.
They flourish in the courts of our God.
Even in old age they will still produce fruit;
they will remain vital and green.
They will declare, “The Lord is just!
He is my rock!
There is no evil in him!”
Mark 5, the passage about Jairus' daughter, became my rally prayer before and after surgery. Yes, I know I am not a twelve year old girl, but Jesus giving His hand out, her getting up, walking around to the amazement of others and yes, even the part about give her something to eat kept me focused in prayer for the outcome of one of the scariest decisions I had made in quite sometime. But, I knew that I needed another passage to keep me centered and Psalm 92 came to mind. As I read and reread this Psalm the word flourish stood out. 2017 was fast approaching and I hadn't discovered my One Word for the year...but flourish had definite possibilities. I kept looking and praying about One Word and flourish kept my attention. Then I remembered Margaret Feinberg's devotion book Flourish and it had been packed with other books making their way to Texas. I need all the help I can get to keep sharp and on point with things like this. On January 1st I read the introduction and first chapter and knew I had found the word and the book to help me along this year.
Flourish-grow or develop in a healthy or vigorous way, a fanfare, a bold or extravagant gesture or action. Yep, that is the definition of the word but biblically it means more than that. Flourish is an agricultural term and mainly used by the poets and prophets. I learned this from the devo as well as tree in the Bible often serving as metaphors referring to people, not plants.
WE FLOURISH WHEN WE PURSUE THE LIFE THAT GOD INTENDS
I have written in the past and will most probably write in the future about the move from the hot prairie of Texas to the mountains of North Carolina. While I was tired, exhausted, at my wits end, parched and giving up hope daily, my wonderful and thoughtful hubby intervened, with great sacrifice I might add. With the cooler temps, the slower pace of life, and a a change of view, the life that at one time lively and full of spirit and had deteriorated into just existing returned thriving, exciting and blossoming with new energy and life. This is not just happy talk because there were tough days and nights. There are results and residues making the change. There are people who gossip and speculate about circumstances falsely. Friendships transition and some hold tight and others begin to slip away. Roy and I began a new normal and our conversations and ideas are more focused and real. In all these things, I want to flourish when things are good, when situations are beyond understanding, and in the waiting times. We flourish when we pursue the life that God intends. I will also share that I laid several dreams and goals at the feet of the Lord. If He resurrected and gave new life to them, Praise Him. If He left them there at His feet, Praise Him.
Flourish...yep, that is the word. The desire is it to be the real deal... I know as the year goes by, the word will develop and grow and fit my life specifically. That is something I have experienced since doing the One Word. For now I am happy to present my One Word, flourish, in the best way possible.
Monday, January 2, 2017
Happy New Knees...I Mean New Year!
After two nights of fireworks, with the worst of it all being New Year's Eve, God is now putting on quite the show with rain, lightning and thunder. Round one came through earlier and this is now round two. This time around we experienced much more lightning and thunder...oh and rain. There were a few no time to say one Mississippi kind of lightning and thunder.
It has been some time since I have experienced lots and lots of fireworks going off in the neighborhood. On NYE the fireworks started early and continued on until 2:30 am. Many a time it sounded like war instead of celebration because of the echos and sounds. Our neighbors behind us must have spent all their savings on fireworks and sadly they seemed to be the most inept in firing them off. While beautiful colors filled the sky, their attempts seemed to just produce a lot of smoke and noise with the occasional success of reaching the target of the sky. Last night they still had leftovers and set quite a few off and then thankfully, they stopped after what looked to be a disastrous attempt at filling the skies with brief flashes of light and color. Tomorrow night I am so tempted to go out in our backyard with pots and pans and Bose speakers as they try to go to sleep and get their kids in bed early for the start of school on Wednesday morning and have my own celebration of the new year. I'm tempted but I won't do it.
All the fireworks made me think of my mom. She hated fireworks and she was on patrol NYE and on the Fourth of July, especially if there hadn't been any rain. Her thinking was, ok, yes, you can shoot off fireworks for about five minutes after midnight and then it must cease. Of course, it never did. Sometimes you would find her outside doing preparatory hosing down of the yard and as much of the roof that she could reach. She kept her eye on the boys next door who had the notorious reputation of being mean and mischievous.
On NYE afternoon we drove over to the foreign land to see Dena. Roy hadn't seen her new home and on a more minor note, I wanted to see how I did with driving an hour. The driving part went well and we had such a fun time with Dena. Roy was disappointed though, that we went to dinner at Carabba's after hearing Dena and I speak about carbmomma's. He had forgotten about the dream I had while in rehab of not being able to say Carabba's but only being able to say carbmomma's. Roy said, I thought we were going to some local place...which technically we were. Carabba's started in Houston, so it is local. We had a delicious dinner and a great time and we were thankful that we got there early because by 6:00, they had a huge wait for a table. We came back to Dena's and watched a little football, then we headed back to Rancho de Five before all the crazies were out for NYE. 99 makes it so nice of a drive. If we had to go I45, I don't know how often we would get out there.
Roy and I had a very lazy New Year's Day. He went to church and I did not. I kind of spent the day resting and recovering from a fun day before. I did do some work in organizing a few things and getting stuff ready for the recyclable pick up.
Tomorrow our schedules and lives get back to a normal routine. It has been such fun spending time with Roy but since yesterday he is starting a micro manage campaign that I don't especially care for. Of course my micro manage campaign is totally fun and welcomed by Roy. Uh no....
So I just finished up putting 2016 Monablog into book form. I do this at the end of every year. It is kind of fun to read and look at how the year went in print and it is easier than reading it on the computer.
The sun is starting to show and I think the rest of the day is supposed to be clear. The high is 76 today. I'm so glad I remembered to bring capris for such days as this.
It has been some time since I have experienced lots and lots of fireworks going off in the neighborhood. On NYE the fireworks started early and continued on until 2:30 am. Many a time it sounded like war instead of celebration because of the echos and sounds. Our neighbors behind us must have spent all their savings on fireworks and sadly they seemed to be the most inept in firing them off. While beautiful colors filled the sky, their attempts seemed to just produce a lot of smoke and noise with the occasional success of reaching the target of the sky. Last night they still had leftovers and set quite a few off and then thankfully, they stopped after what looked to be a disastrous attempt at filling the skies with brief flashes of light and color. Tomorrow night I am so tempted to go out in our backyard with pots and pans and Bose speakers as they try to go to sleep and get their kids in bed early for the start of school on Wednesday morning and have my own celebration of the new year. I'm tempted but I won't do it.
All the fireworks made me think of my mom. She hated fireworks and she was on patrol NYE and on the Fourth of July, especially if there hadn't been any rain. Her thinking was, ok, yes, you can shoot off fireworks for about five minutes after midnight and then it must cease. Of course, it never did. Sometimes you would find her outside doing preparatory hosing down of the yard and as much of the roof that she could reach. She kept her eye on the boys next door who had the notorious reputation of being mean and mischievous.
On NYE afternoon we drove over to the foreign land to see Dena. Roy hadn't seen her new home and on a more minor note, I wanted to see how I did with driving an hour. The driving part went well and we had such a fun time with Dena. Roy was disappointed though, that we went to dinner at Carabba's after hearing Dena and I speak about carbmomma's. He had forgotten about the dream I had while in rehab of not being able to say Carabba's but only being able to say carbmomma's. Roy said, I thought we were going to some local place...which technically we were. Carabba's started in Houston, so it is local. We had a delicious dinner and a great time and we were thankful that we got there early because by 6:00, they had a huge wait for a table. We came back to Dena's and watched a little football, then we headed back to Rancho de Five before all the crazies were out for NYE. 99 makes it so nice of a drive. If we had to go I45, I don't know how often we would get out there.
Roy and I had a very lazy New Year's Day. He went to church and I did not. I kind of spent the day resting and recovering from a fun day before. I did do some work in organizing a few things and getting stuff ready for the recyclable pick up.
Tomorrow our schedules and lives get back to a normal routine. It has been such fun spending time with Roy but since yesterday he is starting a micro manage campaign that I don't especially care for. Of course my micro manage campaign is totally fun and welcomed by Roy. Uh no....
So I just finished up putting 2016 Monablog into book form. I do this at the end of every year. It is kind of fun to read and look at how the year went in print and it is easier than reading it on the computer.
The sun is starting to show and I think the rest of the day is supposed to be clear. The high is 76 today. I'm so glad I remembered to bring capris for such days as this.
Saturday, December 31, 2016
2016 Thoughts and Advice For Bilateral Knee Replacements
The last morning of 2016. I'm happy that Buddy stayed with her regular routine and spent a good amount of time in my lap while I read and drink coffee. She has moved on and is now taking her first nap of the morning and the sun isn't even up yet.
I've been thinking of what I will post on the so you are having bilateral knee replacements site I found those months before surgery. What I read was about 95% helpful in my rehab and recovery these past six weeks. If I was to give any advice or share thoughts on bilateral knee replacements, this is what I would recommend.
I've been thinking of what I will post on the so you are having bilateral knee replacements site I found those months before surgery. What I read was about 95% helpful in my rehab and recovery these past six weeks. If I was to give any advice or share thoughts on bilateral knee replacements, this is what I would recommend.
- If you have time before surgery, I had three months, exercise and try to get into the best shape possible. You will need upper body strength cause there will be quite a few days into weeks you are pulling yourself up from chairs, potties, bed....etc. I worked on my quads but didn't do much work on hamstrings. I know now hamstring work is just as important.
- If you don't have a recliner, buy or borrow one. I read an article before surgery and everyone interviewed in the article proclaimed the goodness and helpfulness of a recliner. I was in the hospital for five days and then in a rehab hospital for two weeks. When I came home I tried sleeping in bed the first night and it wasn't an hour later I headed for the recliner. The first week home I slept in the recliner every night and now I occasionally nap in it. It is great for keeping your feet and knees elevated. The recliner paid for itself the first night home.
- Wear comfortable clothes. I found that I liked wearing cotton more so than spandex or nylon. I wish I had brought more cotton capris than workout clothes. For long pants find workout pants that have zippers at the ankles. You will have lots of people looking at your incisions over the course of six to eight weeks.
- Take the opportunity if offered to go to a rehab hospital to begin the hard work. I had at least three hours a day of PT and OT with lots of extra walking around thrown in. I was approved for two weeks by insurance. It helped Roy with me being in there and it helped me tremendously. Everything about you is monitored and evaluated which is good but can also be a pain.
- Even if you have friends and family come and visit be prepared to spend a lot of time by yourself. The nights are long and sometimes uncomfortable so have a plan on what you will contemplate and think about. Some of the staff worried that I didn't have a lot of visitors, less than most in the facility. I assured them Roy came everyday and friends came during the day, not in the evenings like the others. Make sure those late night thoughts are positive and don't let yourself get used to the status quo. There will come a day and you will rejoice exceedingly with great joy when it no longer hurts to stand up.
- Bring a few things to keep you amused but you will rarely need them. With pain meds and lack of stamina, most of your down time will be sleeping and resting. Even now when I try to read, I get sleepy because I am not back to full speed, although I am working on it and each week can feel and tell a difference.
- Do your exercises! It is the key to recovery. Don't over do but keep those feet and ankles moving. There is a lot of swelling in your feet and calves the first few weeks. I used a detox gel and a honey rosemary mint balm to help with the skin tightness and the relief in my ankles.
- Talk to as many people as possible about their knee replacement. Take good info and make it part of your recovery. Learn from their mistakes and what they would do differently.
- Laugh! You have to laugh at things so you don't get overwhelmed. There are parts of recovery I don't think I will ever talk about unless specifically asked.
- Let others help you and when you don't get help, don't get bitter. I came off pain meds early so I could drive myself to PT. I am happy to have been able to do that. Have family and friends that are supportive to talk with and laugh with.
The room at the rehab hospital had a small window where others had several large floor to ceiling windows. At first I was disappointed with the small window but when I saw the scenery or lack thereof outside, I was happy to have the small window. It kept me focused on what needed to happen in that room, not daydreaming of what to be.
So, that's part of my thoughts on this last day of 2016. I am hoping for no surgery in 2017.
Friday, December 30, 2016
Friday And Thursday
Gee, you take a nap and upon awakening you hear your hubby on the phone with computer people or someone like that going over stuff that sounds really, really tedious and boring. This is when I would just go buy a new computer or something. Of course his computer is a rather new computer so who knows. I am just happy that it isn't me having to do all of this. When I started my nap he was talking with the Turbotax people. I do not know if these things are related at all. Hmm...after about 45 minutes on the phone, they just hung up. I've just been informed the icons were too small and this is what he and the guy have been working on. Again, so glad it isn't me that has to deal with this kind of stuff.
Today started with the early appointment at PT. A little bit of stretching and we were off to the races working on squats and balance and climbing stairs and balancing on one foot with no hands and my eyes closed. People, this is scary stuff for this one. Kelly kept saying you are overthinking this and I finally responded, not overthinking but it is pure de fear. For the next week on my own I need to keep strengthening my hips. I found a pair of 3lb ankle weights at Home Goods the other day and that will help me with homework.
Headed home and waited for Roy to get home from a follow up Dr appointment and working out. We went out to lunch and then had a delightfully scary ride to Waller. How people drive on 290 past 99? Well, I guess with all the construction, very carefully. We went to Buc-ees. For once we had time to actually look around the store. We are always in such a hurry on our way to or from Houston when we stop in Baytown. About halfway through our shopping tiredness hit me like a ton of Buc-ees beaver nuggets and we left after making our purchase. Which brings us back to the fact I took a nap this afternoon.
******************************************************************
Good Friday morning! Even with a nap yesterday I found myself heading for bed a little before 9:00. We watched Arkansas collapse against Virginia Tech. I think Roy watched some of the Alamo Bowl. This now explains why there were several tables of people in orange at lunch yesterday. OSU was playing in that bowl. Guess the people were on their way to San Antonio.
We might make a trip to Brookwood today. Roy asked me if I thought there would be room in the truck for more since I have done a fairly good job at finding things that will need to make their way home with me. There are also things I brought here that will not go back with me. I will look for small things. Kelly and I were discussing the next course of action in my rehab and if I haven't met all my goals she is requesting additional sessions for me. I told her not to request too many because we are planning on a February exit to the mountains. It is almost like I need to delete several things and places on FB because they make me so homesick yet the thought of ice and snow keeps my feet firmly planted here on the prairie. Thinking of and missing friends has my heart in the mountains.
Today started with the early appointment at PT. A little bit of stretching and we were off to the races working on squats and balance and climbing stairs and balancing on one foot with no hands and my eyes closed. People, this is scary stuff for this one. Kelly kept saying you are overthinking this and I finally responded, not overthinking but it is pure de fear. For the next week on my own I need to keep strengthening my hips. I found a pair of 3lb ankle weights at Home Goods the other day and that will help me with homework.
Headed home and waited for Roy to get home from a follow up Dr appointment and working out. We went out to lunch and then had a delightfully scary ride to Waller. How people drive on 290 past 99? Well, I guess with all the construction, very carefully. We went to Buc-ees. For once we had time to actually look around the store. We are always in such a hurry on our way to or from Houston when we stop in Baytown. About halfway through our shopping tiredness hit me like a ton of Buc-ees beaver nuggets and we left after making our purchase. Which brings us back to the fact I took a nap this afternoon.
******************************************************************
Good Friday morning! Even with a nap yesterday I found myself heading for bed a little before 9:00. We watched Arkansas collapse against Virginia Tech. I think Roy watched some of the Alamo Bowl. This now explains why there were several tables of people in orange at lunch yesterday. OSU was playing in that bowl. Guess the people were on their way to San Antonio.
We might make a trip to Brookwood today. Roy asked me if I thought there would be room in the truck for more since I have done a fairly good job at finding things that will need to make their way home with me. There are also things I brought here that will not go back with me. I will look for small things. Kelly and I were discussing the next course of action in my rehab and if I haven't met all my goals she is requesting additional sessions for me. I told her not to request too many because we are planning on a February exit to the mountains. It is almost like I need to delete several things and places on FB because they make me so homesick yet the thought of ice and snow keeps my feet firmly planted here on the prairie. Thinking of and missing friends has my heart in the mountains.
Wednesday, December 28, 2016
The Year Coming to a Close
The year 2016 is winding down and quickly coming to an end. There are so many so happy to see this year go into the books, for so many reasons that I won't go into. It seems as if many of music's royalty have departed this year. Last night on the news they said it equalled the year 1971 when so many young rock stars like Janis Joplin and Jim Morrison died. 1971, I was a junior in high school. FB did those year in pictures thing but I didn't publish mine because it seemed all the pictures had to do with my hip and knee surgeries. 2016 would be the year of repairs for me. Because of my accidental fall in January it paved the way for the bilateral knee replacements to almost be free of costs because I had met my deductibles and out of pocket expenses. If I hadn't fallen, I don't know that I would have had knee replacements this year and my SIL brought up the fact that I was getting dangerously close to have waited too long for them to do the surgery. Yesterday was six weeks out from surgery and I took a little bit of time to think of how far my recovery has come in six weeks. A friend from NC and I were talking last week and she mentioned those dark nights of the soul in recovering from surgery and pushing forward in health. Those dark nights of the knees were hard and like most dark night things, you experience them by yourself but of course I knew I was never alone and depended on the Lord. In those times I knew better times were coming and I just needed to proceed and endure till the different trials faded away.
I started doing the One Word thing instead of New Year resolutions several years ago. One word is easy to keep focus on. My word this year was ful and I was able to put a word in front of ful, like playful, grateful, etc... Proceed and persevere are too words from years in the past that fit their years perfectly. I think I have my word for 2017 narrowed down.
Fitbit, it's an ok gadget. I don't know how accurate the step counting is but I love it for the sleep breakdown. What I have learned is, I am a restless sleeper, well I kind of knew that but didn't realize how restless I truly am.
Yesterday, Dena came over from the foreign land she has moved to, Well, that is what I call it. We had such a great afternoon. We exchanged Christmas gifts which was a whole lot of fun. Love the Texas mugs and the NC cheese plate. The mugs look like oil barrels and are red, white and blue with the Texas star. They'll be going back with us to NC for sure. What a happy way to remember Texas and the time I have spent here since November. We went to Taste of Texas for a late lunch. It was delicious as always. Good conversation and good food go hand in hand. We took some pics and headed back to Rancho de Five. So glad Dena didn't have to rush back to the foreign land because Roy got a chance to sit here with us and visit.
The other night Roy and I had such an interesting discussion. We were talking about the Christmas sermons we heard this year...he has heard more than me this time around and somehow we got into the conversation of the 400 years of silence thing. Roy said, that is so misunderstood. God still spoke to his people, He didn't use major or minor prophets to do so. Then he began naming people in the Bible who were part of the 400 year generation that heard from God, Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth, Zechariah, Simeon, and Anna. Something really to think about.
Roy and I think differently on many things but as the years have come and gone, we are now more alike than we are opposite. I mentioned that there seemed to be a lot of platitudes coming on Twitter in these remaining days of 2016. All these ministry types are flooding the Twittersphere with "wise words" and teachable moments in 140 characters. Roy said, I unfollow so many that start doing that because it is so easy to buy into the theme or platitude and get farther away from scripture. Roy is a wise man.
I had planned to have lunch with a friend today but had to ask if we could reschedule. I was feeling the tireds last night and knew I would need today to recover. I have early PT tomorrow and then next week I am on my own since the rehab people are moving to their new digs in the second professional building at the hospital. So this morning I slept in a bit and now easing into the day. Chris comes this afternoon and I might go out for a bit while she is here.
I started doing the One Word thing instead of New Year resolutions several years ago. One word is easy to keep focus on. My word this year was ful and I was able to put a word in front of ful, like playful, grateful, etc... Proceed and persevere are too words from years in the past that fit their years perfectly. I think I have my word for 2017 narrowed down.
Fitbit, it's an ok gadget. I don't know how accurate the step counting is but I love it for the sleep breakdown. What I have learned is, I am a restless sleeper, well I kind of knew that but didn't realize how restless I truly am.
Yesterday, Dena came over from the foreign land she has moved to, Well, that is what I call it. We had such a great afternoon. We exchanged Christmas gifts which was a whole lot of fun. Love the Texas mugs and the NC cheese plate. The mugs look like oil barrels and are red, white and blue with the Texas star. They'll be going back with us to NC for sure. What a happy way to remember Texas and the time I have spent here since November. We went to Taste of Texas for a late lunch. It was delicious as always. Good conversation and good food go hand in hand. We took some pics and headed back to Rancho de Five. So glad Dena didn't have to rush back to the foreign land because Roy got a chance to sit here with us and visit.
The other night Roy and I had such an interesting discussion. We were talking about the Christmas sermons we heard this year...he has heard more than me this time around and somehow we got into the conversation of the 400 years of silence thing. Roy said, that is so misunderstood. God still spoke to his people, He didn't use major or minor prophets to do so. Then he began naming people in the Bible who were part of the 400 year generation that heard from God, Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth, Zechariah, Simeon, and Anna. Something really to think about.
Roy and I think differently on many things but as the years have come and gone, we are now more alike than we are opposite. I mentioned that there seemed to be a lot of platitudes coming on Twitter in these remaining days of 2016. All these ministry types are flooding the Twittersphere with "wise words" and teachable moments in 140 characters. Roy said, I unfollow so many that start doing that because it is so easy to buy into the theme or platitude and get farther away from scripture. Roy is a wise man.
I had planned to have lunch with a friend today but had to ask if we could reschedule. I was feeling the tireds last night and knew I would need today to recover. I have early PT tomorrow and then next week I am on my own since the rehab people are moving to their new digs in the second professional building at the hospital. So this morning I slept in a bit and now easing into the day. Chris comes this afternoon and I might go out for a bit while she is here.
Monday, December 26, 2016
A Day After Christmas
The day after Christmas and we are pretty darn happy that we don't have to contemplate taking down Christmas decorations and then hauling them over to the storage unit. We learned after our first Christmas in this house we weren't much for trudging up and down the attic steps. We only have a cute reindeer to put away and he might just go back to NC with us when the time arrives. We had a great Christmas with our time wide open and able to do whatever we wanted to do. I finally was able to sample some of the Thanksgiving dinner we had ordered and then Roy froze when we realized Thanksgiving would be in the rehab hospital. So, we had a delicious Christmas lunch. We also went to the new park that just opened by Cinco Ranch High School. It is well done and even has a Frisbee golf course. I had forgotten about the constant breeze out here and nearly got blown over as we walked around for a bit.
On Christmas morning I also started wearing my Fitbit. It's kind of fun and I have set the amount of steps at a lower level as I continue rebuilding strength and stamina. Roy went to church on Christmas morning and well, I slept in once again. As a child I didn't require very much sleep but I can't say that now. I feel like I am finally getting caught up on sleep and rest since the first four weeks of recovery were so chaotic schedule wise. Roy was prepared to make Christmas morning breakfast but we opted to have that this morning and instead had Christmas morning donuts. Ah, the best donuts of the year.
On Saturday we went to the 4:00 pm Christmas Eve Service at Houston's First Baptist. It was packed and since we arrived a little early, we had great seats on the main floor. I wasn't too much in the mood to climb stairs. We also went up to the rehearsal hall and saw choir friends. We left church and drove over to River Oaks to go pay homage to Scary Angel. River Oaks doesn't disappoint with a myriad of lights in trees and on houses....or should I say mansions or as Maxine Messinger used to call them swakendas. We opted out of going to Fu's Garden and opted instead for take out close to home. We dropped off a book at Peggy's, mailbox delivery, and then picked up our food and went home.
Doug gave us a flash drive with home movies on it. Oh my, watching the girls in dance recitals and such so fun. I did get taken by surprise when my mom was on. She was always so much fun. I also watched the Christmas that was at my parent's home in Georgetown, TX. Instead of being involved I sat in a chair to the side and at first I was like, what? But then I remembered this was the Christmas my father didn't want us to come, refused to let us stay at the house and ignored us during the time we were there. It was also the Christmas we gave the girls an Easy Bake Oven, so that activity put him over the edge. Now that was fun. I knew it was best if I stayed subdued and aloof from activities because we would experience another one of those memorable Christmases and I was determined for the girls never to have to experience a Christmas like that. Months later my mom and I were talking and I mentioned that Christmas and my mom asked me never to bring up the Christmas happenings of that last year. She paid a high price emotionally now that I look at it in retrospect. The funny thing we learned later is that my father had asked his Dr for a pill to take the edge off of from our family visit and the Dr replied, maybe it would be better for me to give the family prescriptions to take the edge off of being with you.
This morning we made flight and hotel reservations for Easter. Southwest is back to the early morning/late night non-stops. This time I made reservations at the Holiday Inn by the airport instead of the Express. We will see how that works out. We also looked at flights in February just in case I am released and can go back home.
This morning I have also been online looking at western boots. I don't know why I have a hankering to have some....more. I just might have to order some.
Well, I better get moving. Roy went to workout and we are considering lunch out this afternoon.
On Christmas morning I also started wearing my Fitbit. It's kind of fun and I have set the amount of steps at a lower level as I continue rebuilding strength and stamina. Roy went to church on Christmas morning and well, I slept in once again. As a child I didn't require very much sleep but I can't say that now. I feel like I am finally getting caught up on sleep and rest since the first four weeks of recovery were so chaotic schedule wise. Roy was prepared to make Christmas morning breakfast but we opted to have that this morning and instead had Christmas morning donuts. Ah, the best donuts of the year.
On Saturday we went to the 4:00 pm Christmas Eve Service at Houston's First Baptist. It was packed and since we arrived a little early, we had great seats on the main floor. I wasn't too much in the mood to climb stairs. We also went up to the rehearsal hall and saw choir friends. We left church and drove over to River Oaks to go pay homage to Scary Angel. River Oaks doesn't disappoint with a myriad of lights in trees and on houses....or should I say mansions or as Maxine Messinger used to call them swakendas. We opted out of going to Fu's Garden and opted instead for take out close to home. We dropped off a book at Peggy's, mailbox delivery, and then picked up our food and went home.
Doug gave us a flash drive with home movies on it. Oh my, watching the girls in dance recitals and such so fun. I did get taken by surprise when my mom was on. She was always so much fun. I also watched the Christmas that was at my parent's home in Georgetown, TX. Instead of being involved I sat in a chair to the side and at first I was like, what? But then I remembered this was the Christmas my father didn't want us to come, refused to let us stay at the house and ignored us during the time we were there. It was also the Christmas we gave the girls an Easy Bake Oven, so that activity put him over the edge. Now that was fun. I knew it was best if I stayed subdued and aloof from activities because we would experience another one of those memorable Christmases and I was determined for the girls never to have to experience a Christmas like that. Months later my mom and I were talking and I mentioned that Christmas and my mom asked me never to bring up the Christmas happenings of that last year. She paid a high price emotionally now that I look at it in retrospect. The funny thing we learned later is that my father had asked his Dr for a pill to take the edge off of from our family visit and the Dr replied, maybe it would be better for me to give the family prescriptions to take the edge off of being with you.
This morning we made flight and hotel reservations for Easter. Southwest is back to the early morning/late night non-stops. This time I made reservations at the Holiday Inn by the airport instead of the Express. We will see how that works out. We also looked at flights in February just in case I am released and can go back home.
This morning I have also been online looking at western boots. I don't know why I have a hankering to have some....more. I just might have to order some.
Well, I better get moving. Roy went to workout and we are considering lunch out this afternoon.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)