Auld Lang Syne...

Lizzie and Bear chasing each other in the snow

Fitz and Lizzie having a romp. This is Lizzie's first snow.

Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind? Should old acquaintance be forgot, and old lang syne ?

CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne, we'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne.

And surely you’ll buy your pint cup! and surely I’ll buy mine! And we'll take a cup o’ kindness yet, for auld lang syne.

CHORUS

We two have run about the slopes, and picked the daisies fine; But we’ve wandered many a weary foot, since auld lang syne.

CHORUS

We two have paddled in the stream, from morning sun till dine†; But seas between us broad have roared since auld lang syne.

CHORUS

And there’s a hand my trusty friend! And give us a hand o’ thine! And we’ll take a right good-will draught, for auld lang syne.

CHORUS


Happy New Year Everyone! May you have a wonderful and prosperous 2010.


Amore and Arrivederci For Now

Ahhhhh Heat...

Woke up to 60 degrees this morning in the house. It makes it hard to crawl out from under the covers when it is that cold at 5 in the morning. I took some melatonin last night and was able to get a bit of rest. I have talked to several friends and as I understand it this goes on for awhile, the lack of sleep, Arghhh. I had a couple of space heaters and the oven going to get the temp up to 62 while I made coffee this morning.

The service technician came by the house around 9:30 and replaced a capacitor and got the heater going again. Ah blessed heat. It took about 2 hours to get the heat up to 70. It felt so good to have heat again.

I got my exercise regime done, had some lunch, took a 45 minute nap and then we decided to go out and walk. One of my friends that has had this surgery said for me to concentrate on heel to toe walking and not to flat foot it. I could definitely feel the difference. We toured Wal-Mart, then made a trip to Best Buy and then hopped over to Sam's Club so I could pick up a prescription.

After we got home I decided to fix tacos for dinner. Boy, were they good and we had enough left over for lunch tomorrow. While fixing dinner, my friend Janis from Tulsa called. She is another person that has had knee replacement surgery. So we spent some time comparing notes. I needed to be reassured that some of the stuff I am experiencing is normal. Apparently the lack of sleep thing is normal, much to my dismay. I will be happy to get my energy level back up as well. At this time everything is a chore to do. Just thinking is exhausting at times. I was reminded today that not only did I have major surgery but major trauma to my system so it will take longer to recover.

After dinner we watched Harry Potter and the Half-Blood-Prince. We are defiantly Potter fans. Dave loves the Blue Ray DVDs as he says it is a film professors best friend, as in all the extras that comes with the DVD that can be used as a teaching tool. We finished out the evening with some football. The Vikings and Bears.

We are expecting snow again tomorrow evening, at least 2 inches. Ah, so much for global warming. Actually I think the snow is beautiful. Especially since we don't get to see it very often around here. Baby girl is driving home from Texas tomorrow. She is hoping to get here before the weather turns nasty. It will be fun to see how her dogs react to the snow as they have never seen snow before.

Just another day in the life of...

Amore and Arrivederci For Now

Honestly....

If it's not one thing it's another. The house seemed cold today and we couldn't seem to get it warm. After checking a few things out Dave discovered that the blower motor on the furnace had quit working. So we will have to wait until tomorrow to call a repairman to come out and fix it. Now I know that 68 inside is not bad at all except since the surgery I am perpetually cold, no matter how much clothing I put on and then when I go to bed I sweat to death. Normally I sleep with a fleece sheet, comforter, fleece blanket and a sleeping bag on top of all that. Since the surgery all I can stand is the comforter and fleece blanket, everything else is too heavy for me to turn over in. There seem to be no happy medium for me at the moment. And oooohhhhh what I would give if I could just sleep restfully. But I have to move my leg about every 30 minutes or so it seems to try and find a comfy spot before it start hurting again.

I managed to get my shower in today and wash my hair, what an ordeal. After I finish I have to put on a pair of embolism hose. I have to wear them for another 3 week. I think they are a part of my problem in sleeping as they stick to everything. I will be happy to be rid of them.

For breakfast I fixed hash browns, bacon and eggs with some left-over french toast casserole.
It was good but boy did it wear me out.

Well I guess I will try taking a nap and see if I can get some shut eye for a bit. Boy I will be happy when my body returns to normal

Just another day in the life of...

Amore and Arrivederci For Now

Christmas Day...

It's Christmas Day!

With all the flurry of presents, good food, laughter and merriment. We stirred around 9 this morning. I got up and made a french toast casserole with french bread, eggs, cream, vanilla, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, syrup and walnuts. Baked it at 350 for 30 minutes. I also fixed some bacon to go with it. Boy was it good. Have enough to last for the next 2 days.

We then watched some of the Disney Christmas parade, it was a lot of fun to see the the children's faces. I remember when we took the girls to Disney World one year for Christmas. What memories. Dave then decided to tackle the 14 inches of snow on the driveway. It took him about an hour to shovel it off. Yes, you read right we got 14 inches of snow.

We then open our presents. I gave Dave a shop/vac and a frame with the girls photos in it.
Christie gave him a framed picture of him and his professor buddy and some movie wall art. Dave gave me two new pair of pants big enough to let my swollen knee have room to move and a matching top. From Christie I got a Wii Gun and a video game called House of the Dead: Overkill, sounds like she will be playing it more than me. I also got a sleekstor measuring cup set that collapses down for storage and some measuring spoons. Cleaver idea. They will be handy when we get out on the road. Dave gave the family a copy of The Christmas Sweater by Glen Beck.

I then started the process of fixing dinner. I have been at it pretty much all day. Taking it in small snippets as being up wears me out. I am in the final stage and dinner should be on the table soon.
I hope all of you have had a most wonderful day with family and friends and you have taken a moment to reflect on what the season is about and what it means to each of you. Merry Christmas everyone, may your hearts be filled with love and joy and may you pass it along.
Amore & Arrivederci For Now

Christmas Eve...

It's time to hunker down in the house. Dave and I went shopping last night for our Christmas day breakfast and dinner before the weather moved in. Our daughter was able to get away from here around 2 to head to her sister's house in Texas. She said that she had rain most of the way but nothing nasty. She took her dogs with her and she said they passed out for the trip, so we have our little guy with us. At the moment he seems a little lost without his buddies to harass. When the kids got him for us he was presented to us with a jingle bell Christmas collar. So I have that on him and am able to hear him before I see him which helps since he is so little and black. He is easy to trip over and I don't need that. He has a tendency to get stepped on a lot.

Our winter weather moved in around 4 a.m. this morning with howling winds and rain, at present it is sleeting and freezing. We are expecting anywhere from 4 to 8 inches of snow. This is only the 10th time in the states history that we have had snow for Christmas. Dave has gone to put gas in the car and get gas for the generator. Yes we have a generator, during the storm of 2007 we lost our power for a week and Dave went a bought a generator so we could have heat and keep the refrigerators, freezers, some lights and TV going. I had to wear ear plugs just to be able to sleep. It is one noisy sucker but it handled the load with ease. I feel better having it. We were even able to have an elderly couple move in with us for the duration.

The temperature outside is 29 at the moment. Inside it is 68. We did not set up a tree this year as no one was going to be here. Please understand I am not a scrooge but I have to be realistic. It's just Dave and myself and with my surgery it is just one more thing I would have to contend with. Dave did get lights on the front of the house so we are lit. I do have a wreath up on the door but no decorations on the inside. It just wears me out to even think about it.

I had the gingerbread candle going this morning to make it smell like I have been baking. I love scented candles. I am ready for Christmas. Yes it is going to be quite, and low keyed but it will be filled with love. Just me and my honey.

Merry Christmas everyone, I hope your day is filled with wonderment and love and much happiness.

Just another day in the life of...

Amore & Arrivederci For Now

100 Degrees...

I had another Physical Therapy visit today. It's my last PT visit until the 4th of January. So that means I have to work out on my own until then. Progress is going well and today I asked that Mark measure my bend and I am pleased to say that I have 100 degrees of bend in my knee after three weeks out from surgery. Phil my PA (Physicians Assistant) wanted me to have at least 90 degrees at six weeks so you can see I am way ahead of schedule. Yea Me!

I will be really pleased when I can get some rest. This two to three hours of sleep a night is for the birds. Just wish I could find that sweet spot.

I need just a few more things (little) to finish out the Christmas list and then I am done. I'm going to attempt to cook Christmas dinner for the two of us on Friday. I will see how long I can stand. I just have to build up my stamina so I can return to work in three weeks. I'm going to fix a roasting hen with dressing, Brussels sprouts, whipped yams, green bean casserole, cranberry relish and mince meat pie with rum for Dave and a pumpkin pie for me. Geesh it's already making me hungry just thinking about it.

Just another day in the life of...

Amore & Arrivederci For Now

Christmas Luncheon & Shopping

Our college at the University had a December Event (Christmas Luncheon) today and I decided to go. Last night was the first night that I have slept more than 2-3 hours. I got 6 hours of much needed sleep. It took me 2 hours to wash and dry and curl my hair, get dressed, make-up put on and brush my teeth. What an ordeal. By the time I was ready to go I was worn out.

It was great to see the office staff and I got some great healing hugs that I needed. The luncheon was great and a good time was had by all. Sure am glad that I had taken my pain pill as it was needed.

After the luncheon my leg need some movement so we decided to go do some Christmas shopping. We first went to JC Penneys then Sears then off to Sam's Club. I got my walking in and was finally tuckered out. It's hard to think that as of Wednesday I will be three weeks out from my surgery. I am pretty amazed as to how I'm doing. Just wish my knee was not so stiff every time I sit down or get up. Dave says he got me an oil can for Christmas, HA HA!

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Amore & Arrivederci For Now

Semi-Graduation...

Today was Physical Therapy day. Karen added 5 new exercises to the equation, two of them were the bicycle and low hurdles. Oh Joy! I also semi-graduated to the cane today. I can walk around the house with the cane now but still have to use the walker if I venture outside. Last night was one of the best nights that I have had for sleep. Somehow I managed to get comfortable and get some rest. Today however is a different story no matter how I place my leg or body I cannot get to that Ahhhh state.

We got the Harry Potter DVD set from Amazon.com for $15.00 and free shipping. It is a cool set at a cool price. Too bad it was shipped from AZ. Darn! Inside joke :)

Just another day in the life of...

Amore & Arrivederci For Now

Glasses...

Interesting how everything seems to break at this time of year. First was my tooth. Now my glasses. So off we go Thursday to get an eye exam and then to Eyemart Express for new glasses.
I will not make the mistake of getting wire hinges again. To fragile. This should be fun since I will have to sit in a chair and try to ignore my knee. Dave needs new glasses as well so we will be a matching pair. Oh the joys of December.

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Amore & Arrivederci For Now

Nine Days Out...

I am nine days out from surgery today but am going to go back a bit and recap some of this last weeks events.

I totally understand that you really don't get any rest while you are recovering from surgery. All night long the first night every two hours or sooner the techs and nurses are in checking your vitals, tubes, water, temp, getting you on and off the bedpan (guys have it so much easier)and anything else they can think of. It was and is very exhausting. I had one mishap that was sort of funny, still is, when you think of it. It was late and one of the techs came in to check my drain. Well, the little retractor pump was extremely full and so she emptied it. Then got me on and off the bedpan and made sure I was comfortable, when she went to pick up the cup of blood her glove was wet and...yes you guessed right, it went all over me the bed and anything else that was around. What a mess, she apologised profusely, I told her not to worry about it, that it happens. Well after getting myself cleaned up(sponge bath) new sheets, bedding and gown and the bed and equipment wiped down, she put me back on the CPM machine for two hours. So that was an exciting side bar to the evening.

The next morning after breakfast and being on the CPM machine for two hours the Physical Therapist came in and we did some exercises and then she got me up out of bed and we went for a walk down the hall and back. We also worked at getting up out of bed and to the bathroom. So that was an experience plus being HARD WORK. I will say this about the food instead of describing it. It was like eating at a very good restaurant and you could have all you wanted. Also the staff has access to some out of this world ice cream. Great late night fare. I even had company come and see me. David and Jo, very dear friends of ours dropped by and brought me a Grandma Picture Show-off book. We had recently told them we were going to be grandparents. It was fun seeing them again as it had been awhile since we last saw them and their visit was the highlight of my day.

Friday was a tough day for me, I got nauseated and have had a touch of it on and off these past 7 days. I did have one lovely surprise as my office cohorts called and expressed their best wishes for a speedy recovery. How very sweet and thoughtful. I work with a really great bunch of people at OU.

As I was getting ready to leave Saturday around 1p.m. I decided to take my temperature just for the kick of it and discovered that it was at 100.8, if my temp was over 100 I could not go home. I think the nurses were amazed that I discovered it and not them. Dave had already arrive to take me home and instead we had to work on the breathing machine to get my temp back down. I am not sure what the correlation is between temperature and deep breathing is but apparently there is one. I was able to leave around 3:30 once my temp was down to 98.6, we got home at 4:30 and into bed I went, and on the CPM machine for the prescribed two hours.

I will say one thing, I had wonderful techs and nurses. Every one, except for one, a real sourpuss, went beyond the call of duty. I have never had such wonderful care like I had at the McBride Clinic Orthopedic Hospital. One of my techs, Rhonda, was a real sweetheart. If everyone was like her no one would complain about anything. She was so upbeat and cheerful and helpful, it made you want to get well faster.

Saturday and Sunday were non-eventful days, days that mostly consisted of being on great drugs, the CPM machine, eating and being out of it most of the time. I did have to learn how to give myself a shot of Lovenox (blood thinner) I will have to do this until the 15 of the month.

Monday was my first Physical Therapy day. Karen at Goddard Health Clinic is my PT person. She is very considerate but works you. I was doing great, she was quite surprised that I had a 75 degree bend so soon after surgery. I was beaming from ear to ear.

Tuesday was an off day, the routine was the same except Dave gave me some popcorn as a late night snack. That was when all the trouble began. The popcorn was great and Dave made sure that any hard kernels had been removed. After I finished my popcorn I went to put in my mouth guard and something was not right. It was hurting while I was trying to insert it in my mouth. I reached back and found a little bit of popcorn stuck on my tooth. I removed it and tried again and still the mouth guard would not go in. So I felt around and the next thing I had part of my rear molar in my hand. I have discovered that I can cry faster than the speed of a falling pin. It does not take hardly anything for me to turn the faucets on. This became evident very early Wednesday morning while calling the emergency room at McBride Clinic. They calmed me down and later that morning I got in to see the Dentist after having Dave get me an antibiotic to take before the appointment. The Dentist informed me that I would need to see a Periodontist to have the gum around the affected tooth removed before the Dentist could put a crown on. This procedure will have to wait until I have the funds available. After the Dentist I had a PT appointment and then went to have my hair cut off after lunch. Needless to say my poor knee got a workout and a half and I was pooped.

Yes, you read right. Off came the hair which was past my shoulders. I got tired of trying to keep it up while in this condition for the next 5 weeks. I was waking up every morning with my head and body ringing wet. I sleep in a cold room so I know it was not good for me. And I don't need to catch a cold right now. My knee started cramping so the assistant at McBride Clinic told me to take it easy for the next few days and let my leg rest as I most likely had overused it and it decided to rebel.

Today, Friday, is PT day and staple removal day. PT went well. I just wish the pain was not so constant. Dave and I were thinking on the same wave length today, as he thought when he dropped me off for PT that a hamburger from Sooner Dairy would be great. I on the other hand had Karen my PT person call him to come pick my up after my session and she told him that I would love to have a Sooner Dairy Hamburger. We call them Dairy Delights. He told Karen that we were indeed on the same wave length after 37 years of marriage.

After our Dairy Delights we came home and I took a nap before heading out to the McBride Clinic in downtown OKC. I will say this for the group. You do not have to wait very long before being called back for your appointment. Phil, my PA came in and said that the incision was looking good and started removing the staples. I had two that were a little on the troublesome side, Dave had me do some labor breathing and everything went well after that. Phil put some Steri-strips on the incision and said that I could remove what would be left of them next week. I can now take a much sought after shower. After that I am to get some vitamin E oil and start massaging it into the incision so it will not build up scar tissue and to make the area pliable. We left there about 4:00 p.m. and went by the Wal-Mart on Sante Fe just off of I-240 and got gas for $2.26 picked up our favorite pizza, a Wal-Mart hand-made thin crust Canadian bacon and pepperoni pizza. We then put pineapple chunks and mushrooms on it and baked it. It is one of the best pizzas out there, and the price is right!

The weekend us upon us and I am ready to start working on the girls Christmas gifts. Nothing big this year mind you. Just simple. I need to start building up some stamina. It's amazing how fast you can loose your strength when you lie around.
A slug I am not!

Amore & Arrivederci For Now

Surgery Day...

Got up and took my morning shower. We left the house at 8:45 and was there by 9:30. I did not have to wait very long before I was called back to admitting. After completing all the paperwork I was sent back out front to wait for the next portion, I did not have a long wait, about 5 minutes and my name was called again. Off I went to the prep room where they get you ready for surgery. I got dressed in a cute purple paper gown and purple non-slip socks called Bair Paws. After putting my street clothes into a plastic bag and getting my I-V in I was sent off to holding. They gave me something in my I-V to relax me. I never knew that they had set me on the edge of the bed and put a shot in my back called DepoDur, a block for 48 hours. Then off I went to surgery. I woke up in my room around 3:30 in the afternoon with my leg in the CPM machine set at a 45 degree angle. All I can say is that I had great drugs and I really don't remember much of anything.

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Amore & Arrivederci For Now

Count Down....

Apprehensive, nervous, excited, dreading and many more adjectives do I feel at this very moment. Tomorrow is the big day. It's not every day that one gets their knee replaced. This is going to be a tough surgery and tough recovery. Everyone that I've talked to says the first two to three weeks are the hardest but to follow what the Dr. says and what the Physical Therapist tells me to do and I should come through with flying colors.

Today is only Tuesday but it feels as if a week has already rushed by. I have to quit drinking or eating anything by midnight tonight. Take a shower and scrub the surgery knee with an antibacterial soap for 5 minutes tonight and then take another shower tomorrow morning. Guess I will be squeaky clean tomorrow. The only thing that I hate about surgery is every time I go under I come out with a little less memory. I hate loosing my memories.

I have to pack what I need to take tonight. Interestingly enough the hospital has requested that I bring all my meds and all my toiletries plus my exercise clothes with me to the hospital. They want me to also bring what I will be wearing for the next couple of days as I am supposed to be dressed by the second day. I have a feeling that they do this to save costs to not only them but to the patient as well. The only down side to all of this is that they want their money up front. I would much rather pay it out but that's the way it goes. When I have this done again next year in December I will have all the money in hand and not have to take a loan out for the procedure.

I hope the weather holds so we can get to the hospital. The weatherman is not sure but there is an outside chance that we could have snow. Me, I will take rain any day. It is suppose to be cold until next Monday then a warm-up. Just as long as we don't have the ice that we had back in 2007, that was horrible. I will keep you updated with all that goes on. I know that Dave will get some great pictures.

Just another day in the life of ....

Amore & Arrivederci For Now