I’ve spent a lot of time waiting at Local Hospitals for surgeries, physical therapy, and other necessary visits.
Yesterday was another one of those events as Tracy went in for back surgery. Lamendectomy/spinal decompression was the procedure, relieve pressure on the spinal cord and Sciatic nerve.
It was all a success. I started and completed another mini-stocking for the Christmas Market and Tracy got cured of the pain.
Mini-stocking for Coal
I only have 11 days to market, but he has 14 days to the next Dr. Appt. To be cleared to drive and 6 weeks before he can go back to full exercise.
It’s supposed to snow tomorrow. I went grocery shopping after bringing him home from the hospital. I’m ready for snow – the peace and quiet and the lack of activities – will give me time to finish up beaded snowflakes and knit stockings.
Thanksgiving was always the time we went to Grandma’s house. Over US 395 north to Yucaipa – it only took 120 min, even on just a two-lane highway.
We’d arrive by noon and eat at 2pm. The adults would sit and chat for an hour, then clean up in preparation to consume one of many pies.
The 5 cousins would play board games and pester each other. It was the only time we saw each other because we were the classic have and have-not families we lived in different worlds.
I don’t remember daddy ever attending those gatherings. He never forgave his mother-in-law for a todo the first year he was part of the family, nor momma’s innsistence on moving to Calif. (to be with her parents and brother) from our beautiful home he built for her in Kansas.
But I shall be forever grateful for her being part of my life. She gave me guidance and values when I needed them the most – direct and to the point.
I hope many grandmothers have a wonderful family week.
I see from the date of my last post, it’s been six months
since I last wrote to you. I couldn’t
believe it had been that long. Where did
the time go and what have I been doing?
Moab, Utah Arts Show Booth
By the time we went to Moab for the Memorial Day Arts and
Crafts show it had been only 90 days since I had the second knee replaced. In some ways that knee was easier to rehab
than the first. But they were very
different. One would straighten out flat
immediately, but it took 5 weeks to get it bend to 130 degrees. The second knee bent to 120 degrees right
after surgery, but it still is reluctant to straighten out to 0.
That made Moab a real challenge. Had to wait an extra two weeks before I
could be certain I would be able to do the show the end of May. That delay meant there wasn’t an RV space available
in Moab. 500 spaces and they were all sold out.
That meant we had to stay in Green River and drive back and forth the 60
miles one way each day of the show. Our youngest
daughter took her vacation and joined us at the KOA in Green River the second
and third days. And she was there the
evening of take down and loaded half of all the equipment into her truck and
took it to Green River.
We loaded everything into the toy hauler the next morning
and then went on an excursion down to Capitol Reef and some of our old stomping
grounds in that area. The next morning
we came home. Jennifer was to stay
another couple of days and explore Mesa Verde and the ruins and Petroglyphs of
that area. She decided it was too hot
and she’d done enough driving, she was ready to return home to Montana. We were
so grateful she came down and helped take down the two pop-ups and helped Tracy
stowe them in the trailer. It was the
beginning of the decision to stop doing outdoor shows.
June was spent putting together product for the local Folk Art
Festival Show. Another 2-day show in 80
degree weather with pop-ups and heavy equipment. That time our good friend Glenn came to our
rescue and helped take down the booth late Saturday evening. Even then, as always, we were the last booth
to finish loading out. Too much for two
old people, especially in the heat.
July found us in Logan for another show, outdoors, with all
the pop-ups, canopies, concrete anchors, tables, jewelry racks and basket
displays. This time Jennifer drove from
Bozeman to Logan, Utah on Saturday. Got there in time to turn the drop-down
couch into her bed and then come over to the show and help work the booth,
visit the show, and load-out the booth from the Tabernacle grounds by
midnight. Good thing. Although that show has, literally, hundreds
of volunteers to get everyone off the grounds by midnight, it was a
challenge. We got into the RV park
around 11 PM and went to bed. The next
morning we went to breakfast, emptied all our booth stuff from Jens truck and
she drove back to Bozeman.
By the time we got back from Logan we had made up our mind, no
more outdoor shows that require all that equipment to set up. In August Tracy had cataract surgery on both
eyes, two weeks apart. He did well and
continues to only need dollar store readers.
My knees continue to work well, the muscles could use some
physical activity daily, but there’s still too much stuff in the garage – that’s
another post. In the meantime, Tracy
continues to participate in the Rock Club.
I’ve become an active member of the Chamber of Commerce and enjoy just
sitting around on Wednesdays knitting with the Fiber Arts Group (although I did
lead a basket class in August). The adventure continues.
After a long winter nursing new knees, I’ve popped up on the other side. Six months of pain, rehab, and time to think have reminded me of how blessed I am.
I’m no longer in constant pain. My back doesn’t hurt. I sleep well and wake up ready for the day.
I had first-hand experience with Opiods and realize how dangerous they are.
I have a spouse who stayed by my side every step of the way I can’t imagine getting through it without him.
We have a wonderful home and our flowers are blooming. The Lilacs are ready to burst forth, the Phlox are in full bloom, the Forsythia survived the winter cold, and we’re about to tackle the rock wall flower bed with more natives.
It will take us several years to complete all the projects around the yard, but whatever time we have we’ll enjoy in many ways.
The White Crowned Sparrows tried to take over the patio awnings for nests in the corrugated spaces. Petrified wood pieces make great corner fillers and are too heavy for them to move. It wouldn’t be bad, but the amount of bird poop is bad. Tracy did get one Birdhouse done for the fence. He’ll do more when he gets the table saw out for other projects.
We’ll start getting the new trailer ready for this year’s travels next week.. We’ll post some photos as we go.
When the Astrological year begins with the Spring Equinox on Tuesday, it will feature a year of making “value based” decisions – based on our core values. Do you know what your core values are?
Many of us can’t really define theirs, no one ever helped them develop a value system, but it’s never too late to start. Building a foundation for which to make choices in your life makes it easier, more plentiful and less subject to strife.
For instance, spending time “keeping up with the Jones’” makes for uncertainty and never knowing your own “enough”. High School children marching with “enough is enough” posters to signify enough school violence don’t talk about the violence in their own lives from video games and movies. They don’t speak against the late-night talk shows that ridicule others and bully those that don’t value what they purport to value. And while they think “see something, say something” is a noble way to live, they won’t “rat” on their friends. Which is really “enough”.
I hope you all find your “enough” this year of values. I hope you think about the 6 core values and choose to find out exactly what that means to you and how you’ll implement them in your lives. I’ll be living mine – working on Service to others. I need to decide who and how.
burst forth, the Phlox are in full bloom, the Forsythia survived the winter cold, and we’re about to tackle the rock wall flower bed with more natives.
