Having a Ball or Two

Having a ball this weekend. All kinds. Including golf. Wait. What?

Yup, Mr. Two New Knees finally got to swing at his friend's indoor simulator this afternoon. And he said it felt good. Yay for the little normal things! He's missing out on his winter indoor league, but maybe he'll hop aboard yet. We just want to be sure he's all good and recovered by baseball season.

Oh baseball. That's one ball not a part of this weekend. But basketball was...

Our Assumption Royals and Port Edwards teams traveled down to Fiserv Forum to play where the Milwaukee Bucks play. What a cool opportunity! It was an early afternoon game since the Bucks play tonight. We did not go since we pretty much had to commit a month ago and we didn't know what the progress of Jim's knee recovery would be by now. That's a long day to sit without elevation.

Still fun to watch on TV. And extra fun to see our boys come away with a convincing enough win that all of the bench got to see action on the pro court. Pretty, pretty nice.

We also didn't go because I knew I'd be tired after working all day yesterday, shooting pictures at a wedding, reception, and dance. Was at the church at 10:30 a.m. so it made for a long day. But it was very special to see a friend's son and his fiancee tie the knot – and capture as much of it as I could.

The bride was absolutely gorgeous. That's her on the right! 😊 Everyone had a ball – even cooperating for outdoor pictures in the 10-degree weather. Uff da.

Today was even colder so I stayed in. And after watching hoops, I finished season 3 of Emily in Paris (that ending, what?!) while Jim golfed, and we're watching football championships. Another ball. Oh, and I'm multi-tasking and crocheting with... you guessed it, a ball of yarn.

Alright, halftime is over. Gotta go. Hope you all have a ball this week!

New Year's Eve :: 2022 in Pictures

I saw a neat idea today to share "A Year in Review" through pictures – basically one picture from each month that represents that month. Here goes...

January :: We saw our first death in our immediate family when my brother-in-law Paul died. He had been battling heart issues and other health problems at the end of 2021 and just couldn't go on. He was the sweetest. We had many adventures over the years and we all miss him!

February :: Jim and I joined a group of about 20 friends and went down to Milwaukee for the weekend to see a up-and-coming country artist named Cody Johnson. Later in the year he won an award for best country video so I guess we were onto something. Mainly, it represents a year of getting to some live music and entertainment from Marshall Tucker Band and The Who to The River Dance, Pentatonix, and Book of Mormon.

March :: My mom went out to Phoenix to stay with Rayna after Paul's funeral. I had the privilege of going out there to spend a little time and be mom's much-needed travel companion on the flight back. Later in the month, we celebrated Mom's 90th birthday. She's doing pretty amazing.

April :: After 2 years of successfully dodging the 'rona, the virus caught up with me in late April. While it was a mild case, it still forced me (well, us) to miss two weddings of our friends' children. Darn COVID. I had the bouts of tiredness for a few weeks after, but otherwise it wasn't terrible. We're all caught up on all shots and boosters for that.

May :: Rising inflation was most evident in gas prices but we quickly noticed it in groceries and everything else. Thankfully, gas didn't reach $5 a gallon here. But it's still been quite a few years since we've seen it this high. Yikes.

June :: After 823 days of working at home, we returned to the office in June. We have a permanent hybrid schedule of working at home Mondays and Fridays and in the office Tuesday through Thursday. The exciting part, besides seeing coworkers I missed, was the return to golf league at SentryWorld. Jim golfed in a league in town so we both definitely got a lot of swings in this summer!

July :: We celebrated 20 years of wedded bliss and later in July, Casey and his fiancee Emily visited from Portland so we could see their wedding venue (and take in a Twins game). They'll be married this September over by the Durand-Lake Pepin neck of the woods in Wisconsin. Exciting!

August :: The month was basically booked with senior photo sessions. I got spoiled and got to sit behind the wheel of some awesome cars – including this Mustang and a replica of the General Lee.

September :: Nothing can really top seeing a president in person. For work, I attended a marketing conference in Boston and heard some amazing speakers, including Jane Goodall and Viola Davis in addition to Barack Obama. Pretty amazing!

October :: Per usual, one of the highlights of autumn is my sister weekend – this time up by the Spooner area. We can't take for granted how blessed we are that all 7 of us can take the time off – and actually want to spend it with family!

November :: In a word, the month was heart-breaking. First dealing with the sudden death of my long-time friend Cindy, then the next week losing my Aunt Gwen, then the following week losing Jim's mom the week of Thanksgiving. It made for some quiet holidays. But we have been so blessed beyond measure with the support of friends and family.

December :: Yes, we've had a ton of ice and snow already. But this picture also represents how helpful our neighbors (and many others) have been while Jim recovers from his two knee surgeries. He had the left one replaced in October and the right one in December.

He's doing well and we were both able to celebrate New Year's Eve singing in the guitar choir at Rudolph church and sing (and eat and laugh and whatever) with the guys for a few hours afterward, too. It was the type of fun, uplifting evening we needed! 

Here's to a year of many more blessings than tears in 2023. Happy New Year!

TGIF (Tree's Gone in Fifteen) Minutes

I'm one of those people who loves Christmas and normally hangs onto it as long as I can – usually waiting at least until the weekend after New Year's to take down the tree and any other decorations. But since I'm leaving town in a few days, I figured I better do it now instead of January 21st – the next weekend I'm home.

It was a quick process. Always is faster taking stuff down since I don't have to worry about the artful placement of ornaments that make them look random, yet balanced.

Got the house back to pre-holiday status in 15 minutes. Maybe a little longer. But kitty comes out from her nap and gives that "Where's my tree?" look. Sorry, Princess, your chair – yes, it's only hers – is back in that corner now. 

It's definitely not my style to push the season aside this early. I did watch two Christmas movies today to ensure I still had the spirit even if my halls were un-decked. 

I also created a pile of clothes waiting for placement in a suitcase. I figure I'll look at them again on Sunday to see if I can't downsize that failed attempt to not overpack. But then again, summery clothes are smaller and lighter, so maybe they will fit. I'll wait a few days to bring up the suitcase and see. Hubby doesn't want our green-eyed princess to get anxiety that he might be the one leaving. Trust me, it's a real thing.

And he could go somewhere, too. Today he did a little test drive and went to physical therapy all by himself. The right (newer) knee is coming along nicely. He even got down the basement stairs and back up without issue. A slow process, but that's great news. He'll have no problem getting kitty food and water (and removing litter box gifts) while I'm gone.

Everybody wins.

I mean it's not a competition, but I'll probably have a better January. Let's get through December first.

Enjoy your last Friday and Saturday of 2022. Be careful out there!

Christmas Eve Eve and Festivus Double Feature

'Twas two nights before Christmas and all through the land... it was cold, windy, white, and I was dreaming of beach sand.

OK, seriously, it's pretty – but pretty wicked out. In central Wisconsin, we got just a little snow yesterday and then it was sunny and windy and well below zero today, but I'm not sure why they're still calling it a winter storm here. Other places yes, but we're OK here.

Unless you don't have a brand-spanking-new furnace or you have a job where you have to work outside or you are snowed in because of drifting. Knock on wood, all good here. Only had to leave the house for therapy today – Jim's physical therapy and my massage therapy. Merry Christmas Eve Eve and Happy Festivus to me!

Otherwise home bound today since we both had the day off. Got some cleaning done, some Hallmarking done, and holiday treat-eating done, too. Here comes the Festive Five again. 

It was the year of friends dropping off plates of goodies. We're enjoying a taste of the season as we celebrate all these television-inspired fake holidays leading up to the real one. Based on the volume of calories and sprinkles still sitting on the kitchen counter, we may need to invent a few of our own next week, too. Yum!

Not like we're going to go outside and get exercise. Oh no, no, no. I mean I did go out to the mailbox and back in record time today. Tell me again why we live somewhere where the weather hurts our face.

Be careful out there and enjoy your Festivus and Christmas Eve Eve celebrations!

Nice List in Progress

Ever plug your name into one of those online name games on Facebook and get very accurate results? Yeah, me neither.

I did laugh out loud at this tonight! I mean I do take a break from talking once in awhile to laugh. But yeah... he's not wrong. Hopefully that doesn't nudge me off the Nice List. Think I'm safe earning points on that one just by default with hubby's knee surgeries.

Several others are also on that list! I can't believe we've had dinner delivered to our doorstep every night this weekend. We have the bestest friends in our life! We couldn't ask for anything more. 

Based on Santa's snarky opinion of me, that's probably a good thing! 

Anyway, we do appreciate the love. Knee pain sucks and Purple pain sucks, too! Yes, I'm acknowledging some bad television programming today. I guess there are more Lions on the Nice List right now so Santa had to do the right thing.

Just this once I hope. 

Enjoy every miracle this season brings. Even if they're meant to bring someone else joy! 🎅

Ice Time

While the last 48 hours have included routine applications of icing hubby's knee, I got some of my own ice time today. Yup. That's me and Mr. Zamboni reuniting for another season!

Our Pacelli-Assumption co-op team was hosting the Blizzard team from back home – a team of combined players from Luck, Frederic, Siren, Webster, and Grantsburg (where my cousin Tyler goes to school). Since a few of my cousins would be there, I did some wrangling with the patient care so I could be gone a few hours.

Yup, my sister-in-law agreed to Jimmy-sit for a while. Thanks, Sherry!

It was great to see Rachael and her son Luke, who goes to UW-Stevens Point and played in the pep band at the game today. Fun!

Since it was my first game of the year to shoot and I wanted to capture some players from both teams, I ended up taking about a thousand pictures. Haha. Not kidding. I'm done editing and uploading now. Here's a few of cousin Tyler ...

He looks a bit like my cousin – his Grandpa Gene!

Pacelli ended up beating them 7-2 but at least my cousins got to hang around the area for the night instead of hitting the road for that lovely 4-hour drive home. 

My time with them was short since I had to get home to my slowly-but-surely improving patient. Hopefully we'll turn a corner tonight and he'll get some sleep. I may or may not have random hockey dreams. Br-r-r-r.

Be careful out there and watch for ice!

Walker-ing in a Winter Wonderland

Today was just your typical Friday. You know, work and therapy. I prefer saying therapy over "rehab."

As expected, hubby had a rough first night with little sleep. Even with those magic pills! At least he's managing the pain a bit more proactively this time. But powering through his first physical therapy session this morning was as brutal as you'd think. 

My therapy session after work was trigger-point therapy. Also painful, but short-lived. And I feel loads better after.

Hubby's not quite there. I continue to feel helpless but am doing what I can. He's pretty immobile now and needs some assistance getting in and out of the recliner. I had planned to go shoot pictures of the Royals' double-header tonight, but really can't leave him alone for long. Pretty much how it was last time around.

He'll rely 100 percent on the walker for another two days, I'm guessing. Just grateful he hasn't had to maneuver that magical tennis-ball supported contraption through snow yet. I don't know how we escaped the forecast from last night, but we're OK with that! 

Thanks for the continued well wishes for him. And thanks to our friendly neighbors for delivering fish fries for supper. I certainly don't need spoiling just because he does... Not that I'll turn it down. 

I certainly won't take my healthy knees and mobility for granted ever again! Be careful out there.

Bionic Man :: The Sequel

Hard to believe that it's been 6 weeks already since the Bionic Man Steve Austin, er Jim Austin, had his left knee replaced. That meant today was time for round 2 – the right knee!

We were early to bed last night and up early today to get him checked in by 6:30 a.m. 

We've got this routine down now. After he was prepped for surgery, I went out to the waiting area and worked on my laptop a couple hours, then saw him in person. Then went home and worked some more and returned after he ate lunch. 

The doc said everything went well and that this knee – like the other – was overdue for a replacement. 

Same 2 discharge requirements as last time – after being served his antibiotics, he needed to walk around without his BP dropping or anything, and he needed some liquid success in the restroom. He accomplished both much quicker than last time so we were home around 3 p.m.

We learned some things last time and our primary focus is getting AHEAD of the pain and ice as often as we can. His left leg needs to step up now and be the strong one! I definitely won't be leaving him unsupervised much until we're sure Lefty's doing his job.

Thanks for the well wishes and support. We're just grateful for a skilled doctor, a flexible work schedule for recovery.

And the fact that we shouldn't have to pay 6 million dollars for the upgrade.

Count your blessings and be careful out there!

Warm Fuzzy Friday

Sometimes when it's been a tough week, you just need a warm fuzzy. And something warm AND fuzzy works, too!

And of course, she only sat on my lap like this for like 3 minutes. But it was nice while it lasted.

I think she wanted me to forget about the poop piles and puke piles she's left me this week. But I will admit that it was probably payback for not feeding her Wednesday morning before I left for work! I was distracted by having to take out garbage and driving in the snow.

Thankfully my good patient chose that day to do stairs in the morning. I'm sure he saved her 7th life or something.

So yes, Jim's recovery is going well. Can't believe that 3 weeks after surgery he is walking cane-less and can do some stairs and can drive his big-ass truck. He's not completely pain-free by any means, but wow, recovery is going well. Thanks for all the prayers and support.

Keep those warm fuzzies coming. Between recovery and some other stressors, we can certainly use them. Thank you. We're grateful. 

#gratitudemonth

No Need for Drama

As I exclaim over the massive snowflakes falling, I had to remind myself to chill on the drama. This is perfectly normal when the calendar says November. Even though my heart is in September, still trying to slow down fall. 

Oh and by the way... we have control over none of it!

So I made the best of it. Slept in. Drank Pumpkin Spice coffee in my fuzzy robe. And got on with my day. 

Since we have very few concrete plans on the weekend calendar with my Bionic Man still in recovery, it was kind of a free day. And since some of our Lady Royals 8th-grade basketball players "invited" me to take pictures of them at their home tournament today, I hopped over the school and captured their last game of the day.

For those keeping track at home. Middle school boys have school ball now and girls have tournament team play. By January, they're both playing school ball and the boys will switch to tournament teams later that month. If I recall. As for high school, our Lady Royals tip off next week and the boys tip off Thanksgiving week with the Cranberry Classic tournament. 

Oh and our first hockey game – for the Pacelli, Assumption, etc co-op team – is November 22. In case you're looking for things to do. 

Or in case you need to escape the house for unspecified reasons.

No need for drama.

It's Gratitude Month

I feel so behind. I realized today that it's November, which I always observe as Gratitude Month. As this lovely illustration shows, some days I need a crap-ton of coffee to get that gratitude train a-chuggin'.

Today I am grateful for health. That even though my heart is hurting, I am physically OK. Even though hubby is recovering from surgery, he's going to be OK. And hopefully more mobile.

We just have to look at all the people we're praying for and we know we're grateful that for this moment in time, we don't carry their health burdens. We don't have cancer or a child with cancer, we don't have diabetes, we don't suffer from dementia or osteoporosis, we don't have COVID (long or short), we don't have crippling diseases like MS or even fibromyalgia. We aren't recovering from a miscarriage, heart attack, stroke, or rare infection.

We're just plugging along and thanking God that for today, we've got it pretty good in that department. We also know, from very recent experience, that it could all change in the blink of an eye.

So thank you, Lord, for our health. Today.

#gratitudemonth

Mr. Independent

Big day today. I returned to the office and my patient was left unsupervised for the day! And, drum roll, please...

He's officially graduated from the walker to the cane! That's huge. Trust me, just a few days ago, that seemed like an insurmountable feat. But he did it and each day the mobility meter goes up and the pain level goes down. Incrementally, but still, progress in the right direction – considering it hasn't been a week yet.

A good reminder that when we're down – whether physically, emotionally or spiritually – we gotta keep working through the pain. One tiny step at a time if we need to. Just keep moving. God will get us where we need to be eventually.

Be patient, patient. 

Thanks for all the prayers and well wishes! Fingers crossed for more forward progress. For all of us.

Good For My Soul

Today was just the spiritual uplift I needed. It was confirmation Sunday at church so I had to redirect my attention to something and someone else.

As her mentor, I got to introduce her during the service, stand with her during the ceremony (for lack of a better word), and share her chosen Bible verse.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. – Psalm 23:4

I love that she chose the version with "darkest valley" instead of death. As she pointed out, this is important in dark times, not just times of death. "I chose it because I wish to live by it, and help others live by it. No matter what fear stares me down, I will show peace and comfort in the presence of the Lord." Very smart teenager!

As I've said before, it was awesome to get to know Ainsley and learn from her!

In fact, Pastor Cheryl shared part of Ainsley's faith essay as part of her sermon today...

I will continue to worship with other Christians, listen to God’s Word and take Communion because of how it makes me feel. There’s a comfort in being surrounded with your fellow believers as you worship your ever loving Father together. This is all something that can’t be simulated elsewhere, no matter what. As you listen to God’s love for you, eat the body and drink the blood that signifies how deeply He cares, all while around your siblings in faith; nothing can make you feel more welcomed and whole.

Did I mention how incredibly smart and deep into a personal faith journey this "student of God' already is? 

Knowing how confirmation strengthens her faith helped strengthen mine and more importantly, gave me some needed peace today. 

That and the sugary frosting on confirmation cake...

And the much-appreciated many kind words and condolences you've shared with me...

And a nice visit from Son #2 and his girlfriend. Mainly to see the patient, but it was uplifting for me, too...

And of course, there was...

Good for my soul and my SKOL!

Let's find something to uplift us each day this week!

Sad Show on TV

Since I can't leave my patient alone for too many hours, I stayed home and watched our Lady Royals on TV (via live stream) instead of going to Athens.

After a crazy comeback Saturday to upset the No. 1 seed Marshfield Columns, our ladies took the Regional championship. Tonight was the Sectional semi-final at the No. 2 ranked team's home court. We lost the first two games and rallied in the third – actually having the lead at one point – but fell short and are done for the season. Sad!

Pretty amazing seniors, though. I'll miss them! Well, until the next sport begins.

That was about the only action around here today. I worked from home to help as the Bionic Man needed me. He went to his first visit to the Torture Chamber (aka as physical therapy/rehab). That after a long night last night in painful discomfort.

I feel pretty helpless. Thank goodness someone invented pain medication years back! It doesn't take away the sadness of losing a volleyball game. But does help the man on injured reserve here. 

Another bright note: Jim is convinced his left leg is now an inch longer. I'm guessing after he has the surgery (and extra inch added) on the right leg, he'll be able to dunk a basketball.

Patience, my patient. One step at a time!

My Bionic Man

I'm not sure if I can call my hubby the Bionic Man, but the original nickname belonged to Steve Austin. Potential relation? Maybe.

We'll see how it shakes out in the coming weeks. 

Before the crack of dawn, we were at the surgery center so Jim could undergo knee replacement surgery. This time on his left knee. Next time, God willing and there's a great recovery, the right knee. He wanted to wait until after golf season for the surgeries so he got as many rounds in as he could this summer. Even one last night!

I camped out with my laptop and worked in the waiting room while he was under the knife. When he cleared that first hurdle (quite figuratively since he doesn't have bionic powers yet), I went home to work in my office a few hours so he could rest.

Went back around noon. Crazy that some 3 hours after surgery, they had him up and walking! He got a little woozy after that, but was good to go home by 4 p.m. Yay! 

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all the prayers and good thoughts. He's got a long road ahead. Thankfully he doesn't have to walk it all! 

We'll just take things one step at a time. And Six Million Dollars later, he'll be good! 

(You might be too young to know these references. If so, you missed out on some quality entertainment back in the day! Believe me, I'll be doing the Bionic Man sound effects when he takes those first unaided steps. If you know, you know.)

Disclaimer: That's clipart up top, not his real X-rays!