"Knee Update....."

First off, I'd like to apologize to those of you who have expressed concern at not seeing any new entries as of late. I should have written a few words to let you know how I have been getting along, even though I didn't have any photos to go along with them. :)

I had my 2 week after surgery "check up" last Friday, January 23. I was given the OK to drive as soon as I cut down on my pain meds. :) Another HUGE bonus, was that I was also told I didn't have to wear the thigh high socks during the day any longer! Those words, believe me, were VERY sweet to hear.

I was discharged from home bound nursing and physical therapy last Monday, January 26, and began driving to out patient physical therapy the following day. I have driven twice this week and each time it has gone very well. I even went through Mc Donald's drive through for lunch today.

My next driving excursion takes place on Monday, when I have another physical therapy appointment, plus I have to go have blood drawn to check my blood thinner meds.

Again, I apologize for not updating sooner and thank you for those little "nudges" I received. ;)

"A Visit Plus........."

Lonny and Charlie came to visit the "home bound" patient last weekend. Charlie baked a blueberry coffee cake (which "was" delicious, by the way)....bringing it over and staying for a visit.


The "Cryo-Cuff" at work. The hose is connected to a cooler, which is filled with ice water. During my stay in the hospital, there is an electric pump connected to it which circulates the ice water continually. Unfortunately, pumps are not sent home with patients, but the cooler and cuff are, and they work very well on their own.


I really am quite comfortable, but yes, I am more than ready to be back in commission, too. :)


Lonny, with Copper looking longingly at his coffee cake. :)


For those of you who might get a little squeamish at the sight of surgery incisions......stop here. ;)

"At the Beach....."

Simon, from North Dakota, sent the above drawing to me, wishing me "speedy recovery". :) I received it yesterday, along with a nice "get well" card. It is titled "At the Beach", thus my title for the day. ;)

This bouquet of flowers was sent to me from Maniphone, Jonathan, Simon, and Henry (yes, of North Dakota fame). Beautiful, aren't they? I must admit, I have never seen the pink flower on the right. The petals feel like bird feathers........

"A Room with a View....."

Here is my view from room 992, Meriter Hospital. That is Lake Monona in the distance. I'm not sure if they are visible, but each day we saw many ice fishermen on Monona Bay.


The Capitol in the distance.

There's No Knees Like New Knees

This is Don posting for Michael, who had his first of two knee replacement surgeries yesterday morning. The surgery went well except for a bit of a glitch with the anesthesia, which they had to wake him up to readminister. Fortunately he has no recollection of that at all.

Here he is proudly modeling his hospital finest before going under (we'll spare you the picture of the sparse other side):

We'll try not to take it personally that his underwear came back from surgery in a biohazard bag:


That's not a party cooler by his leg (I think he gets that tomorrow), but a knee "air conditioner". Everybody should have one:


They don't waste any time getting you moving after surgery. He'll be headed to the exercise room today already. He's determined that he will be out bicycling like normal (or better than normal) this summer, so I'm sure will do whatever they tell him to. Well, maybe not jumping jacks. Yet.

"Noro Yarn...."

I have been knitting a scarf for Don's cousin Sherry, whom we stayed with when we went to Des Moines for Thanksgiving. I started using some yarn that I had bought when down to Studio S, outside of Delavan, but was not happy with it at all, and ripped it out twice. I finally went over to Lakeside Fibers and asked for suggestions. Miranda had no hesitation whatsoever in showing me the Noro Yarns, then printing out a pattern from Jared Flood's blog, brooklyntweed.blogspot.com. I check/read his blog everyday and have also used another pattern of his, and like how they turn out.....I was not disappointed with this one either. I am VERY happy with how the scarf drapes and feels. The yarn is made up of silk, kid mohair, and lambs wool, and the color pathways are beautiful! The pattern calls for 2 skeins of each color pathway, alternating each after 2 rows, carrying the loose yarn along the edge. That's it.....VERY simple.

Don took this photo using a flash and it really shows the brilliance of the colors.


When I took this photo of it outside, I don't think the flash lit, so the colors may show more true. :)

"Catch-up Time...."

Charlie and Lonny stopped by after getting back from Nevada, where they spent their Christmas vacation with family. It was nice to "catch up" on happenings in their busy lives.


Don's sister, Bonnie, and her husband, Eugene, sent us an amaryllis bulb for Christmas. It has just started to sprout this past week.


Unfortunately, I didn't correctly care for the one they sent us last year, because it is still green leaved and sitting downstairs in the cooler garage. My goal is to follow the care directions this year with both, setting them outside this summer, and then bringing them in to the basement for their "rest". Hopefully, we will have both blooming again next year.

"The Holiday's in North Dakota....."

Maniphone was busy this year in the kitchen, making all sorts of treats for the holiday's. These little truffles took her much longer than anticipated, but from what has been said, they were very much appreciated!


The process of rolling the ganache in crushed candy canes......


A close up the the finished truffle!


The holiday's seemed to be all about food for Maniphone, Jonathan, Simon, and Henry. ;) Maniphone made these little "stuffed" pancakes, using this new pan. A little pancake batter, some "stuffing" of left over ganache and bananas, a little more pancake batter, bake/fry(?), and "presto changeo", a little stuffed breakfast treat. Maniphone said it was like eating dessert for breakfast. Looks and sounds good to me! :)


Ringing in the New Year had the same theme.....FOOD! LOL The men of the clan are enjoying all of the special things that Mom/Maniphone gathered together for the New Years Eve Feast!


Ringing in the new year are from left to right: Simon (tipsy on too much food!), Maniphone, and Henry.

They, along with Don and I, wish everyone a Happy New Year! :)

"End of the Year Photos..."

Rob joined us cleaning up the leftovers from our Christmas dinner. Don took this photo and remarked that it looked like we were all singing, which I believe it does. :)


A "light" shot that Don took, "just because". The plate is one that my Great Aunt Dordy painted in 1959.


Copper in her apron, getting ready to clean up the kitchen.......spooky eye color, eh?

"Ending Christmas Day......."

After our Christmas dinner, a few little gifts were opened. The photo below shows Penny opening her 2009 knitted mini sweater ornament that I did for her. :)

Sheila opening hers......


Don and Sheila. Sheila wearing both ornaments as ear rings.....


Then "Let er Rip" was brought out and the silliness began! We were laughing so hard I'm surprised no one had an "accident". ;)


Having it stick to my mustache was NOT part of the plan! :)


As Penny and Sheila were getting ready to leave, head gear began being tried on. The hat Sheila has on is called a Kufi, which I had knitted for Don as a prototype, but he wasn't totally happy with the way it fit. We all liked it on Sheila, and she seemed to think it was "OK", too, so it became hers.


Penny trying on my "Too Cold to Care" head gear under my hat. I think Penny would have been happy to wear it home, but I specifically said it was not being offered. LOL I knitted it for "self protection" when I use the snow blower. :)

"Christmas Dinner....."

I know I have shown a photo of the table already, but I really like this photo, so I am including it. Don got "artsy" because of the light coming in the front windows. :)


Sheila and Don soon after she and Penny arrived.


Penny, Sheila, and me....aren't I all "dressed up" for a holiday dinner? ;)


Don actually took this photo of all 4 of us using the "extended arm" technique.


Everything on the table and we're ready to dig in! The dinner was delicious and we all had a very good time. From left to right are: Penny, Sean, Don, and Sheila. More photos to follow........

"Happy New Year!"

Don and I both hope everyone had a nice New years Eve. We did, although we stayed home. Rob stopped by for a bit to shoot the breeze, but that was the extent of our "partying". :)

Best Wishes for a GREAT 2009!