Back to Normal

     Tomorrow will be three weeks since my surgery.  I am doing great.  I walk without a cane most of the time, and today I drove to the grocery store.  I navigated the market in their motorized cart.  It's kind of embarrassing to be scooting around folks, backing up, turning around, etc. but I really like it.  It gives me the freedom to do it on my own, and that's a lot better than giving my husband a list and hoping I get the right groceries.  I shouldn't malign him; before I broke my ankle he had rarely been to the supermarket, at least not alone.  He did all the shopping for months, and we were never near starvation!
     So things are getting back to normal...whatever that is.

Give Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving.  In these times of national and personal stress, we can still take the time to give thanks for all our blessings.  I am grateful for all of the support I have received from Howard, my family, friends, "e-friends," doctors, and others who have given me strength to get through the past couple of years of orthopedic calamities.  I see the light at the end of the tunnel and I believe I would not have made it in such a good mental state if it had not been for you all.

Ahh, Royalty

     So Prince William and Kate Middleton are finally tying the knot.  The US media can't get enough of it.  We are so fickle.  We flit from Lindsay Lohan, to Mel Gibson, to Paris Hilton.  Finally we have two "genuine articles" to hear about daily from now on.  Their wedding plans, the wedding itself, the gown, the party, how much it cost, who paid for it, etc., etc.  Actually I love it.  The man who will be King (but when?) and his gorgeous commoner fiance.  What a story.  It's a real fairy tale.  But so were Princess Diana and Prince Charles.  Fairy tales often have sad endings, but this one sounds promising.  I will be hanging on every word, and watching all the goings-on.
     What about you in GB?  What's the story there?  Did she live anywhere near you? Is that all you hear and see on television?  Or are the Brits actually broadcasting news?  We seem to have abandoned news in favor of sensationalism.

Update Again

I am doing very well. Got up and walked with a walker and physical therapist for a little ways. Tomorrow will be more challenging. But if we keep the pain down,as it is now, I will do OK. Here is hoping I can sleep tonight...by the way, I have very good nursing so far.
Love, Myrna

Thoughts Before Surgery

Well, tomorrow is the day. I packed my tote bag, and am doing all the little things one does before leaving for a while; like washing clothes. Yesterday we marketed. Howard and I separated for the task,as we went to different markets and had different errands. If all goes well, I should only be in the hospital for a few days, but won't be getting around much for a few weeks.
I phoned the "kids" to let them know how important they are to me and how much I need their support. All in the hopes that they will check in often. I find I am nervous and a bit anxious. I don't like feeling vulnerable and needy, it goes against my "makeup." I am doing pretty well in not dwelling on the things that can go wrong. Every so often those thoughts creep in, but I have had this surgery before and came out fine.
So, I will write again while recovering, and hope to hear from you.

Update

It is 10 days before my knee replacement. I haven't written a post because I have been incredibly busy. Lots of different doctors to see, lunch with several friends, and lots of pre- planning.. My mood is "up" and I am looking forward to a successful outcome. I will write more as time goes on.

THIS TRIP WAS A VACATION.

Three Pastry Chefs in Training

We had a fabulous trip to Carmel, Pebble Beach and Monterey.  We had been there before, of course, but never with a group of 10 people with a penchant for eating and drinking.  There were some business meetings thrown in among golf at Pebble Beach.  We stayed at the gorgeous Inn at Spanish Bay, where the bagpiper plays on the beach every night at 6:15.  I can't seem to get my photos to line up where I want them; either in chronological order or any other kind of order.  All I can say, is that I had a massage and a facial, and was treated to Champagne and chocolate covered strawberries in our room.  The beautiful room looked out over the ocean and part of the golf course, with stately cypress trees all around.

The Jellyfish were astounding, as you can see.

At the Monterey Bay Acquarium

Big Sur Coastline

Dessert Plate Painting Class

My flourless chocolate cake

The Ladies were treated to a PLATE decorating class given by the extraordinary Chief Pastry Chef of the Pebble Beach Corporation.  He has prepared for the academy awards, and received numerous awards.  WE DESERVED NO AWARDS.  It was hard to do, but we got to eat our paintings.

A good time was had by all our friends....it was great to laugh so much.

Here's to You!

Bit of our room at Inn at Spanish Bay

Doings

I feel "tapped out" when it comes to creative writing.  I guess I don't have to be creative, do I?  These are doldrum times for me.  I am not doing too much because of knee pain; just going to physical therapy and doing small errands.  However, we are going on a week's vacation before I have the surgery.  We will have a couple of days in Carmel and Monterey proper, then a few days at the Inn at Spanish Bay in Pebble Beach.  I think Howard will make an effort to play golf; it's Pebble Beach, after all.  I plan to go to the spa!!!!!!!  It will be a wonderful break.
I am also mulling over the idea of writing a book.  No concrete plans yet, but I have some thoughts floating around in my head.  So, until next post, "See Ya."

Whew! It's Hot!

On a day like today, when the temperatures will soar, I like to think of this cool rushing river in Wyoming that we visited a few years ago.  Today, I  may go out to the ocean or to the Marina and watch the boats sail out the main channel to the ocean.  It's a perfect place to reflect, and catch a cool breeze.

Use Sunscreen

Hi Everyone,
I haven't written in a while because I couldn't think of anything upbeat to write about.  I guess I was a little "down."  Yesterday I got good news.  After having a growth removed from my leg last month, and finding it was a Squamous Cell Carcinoma, I had a followup surgery yesterday that was examined by the pathologist on the spot, and it was clear.  So, aside from stitches that hurt like x#%Xz, I should be doing my thing, whatever that is, in a few weeks.  Just a reminder: USE SUNSCREEN!
 I am going for a knee replacement in November, so I won't be running around doing "that thing" in full speed until about Christmas time.  Oh well, so I didn't write an upbeat blog this time, but I never made any promises!

A Happy Heart!

     Well, my husband caved in at the last moment; after I spoke to the shelter lady.

    He said that he saw a very sad little dog sitting on the sidewalk, and he realized he just couldn't give Webber up, not knowing if he too, would be a "sad little dog."  Actually, I think he doesn't want to deal with a sad little wife!!!

    Don't you think that since he put me through months of complaining about the dog, and insisted that I come to terms with the reasonableness of giving him up for adoption , he has "waived" his right to complain?  I think that from now on he has to just "suck it up" and be the nice guy that I know he is inside!

    I am going to hire a dog trainer and a walker as soon as I can get around to it.  And therein lies the rub.  I promised that I would do that when we got him 3 years ago.  I guess I owe it to Howard and the dog to whip him into shape.  OH, not really whip.  Do I mean Howard or the dog?  Hmmmmmmmm.

Heavy Heart

Oh boy!  I started the ball rolling regarding our putting Webber up for adoption.  I called the agency, Bichons and Buddies, from
whom we heard about him 3 years ago.  It has been a wonderful relationship between me and this dog.  We adore each other.  Howard likes him, but thinks he is a lot of trouble. I have been willing to overlook the problems and the expense, but it has gotten too hard to do all that it takes to be a good dog owner.

So, he is at the groomer this morning because the owner of the agency wants to come over and take his picture for the internet.  I am "holding in" being a wreck.  I am sure the dog will adjust better than I will.  He spends most of his time "sleeping around," and the rest of the time peeing and pooping.  What I will miss is our petting time, which is almost all the time he is awake.  He has a lot of bad habits that I won't miss, but on the whole life will seem more free, but definitely more lonely.

Dance Through It

     Al Pacino had a memorable comment in the movie "Scent of a Woman," where he plays Frank Slade, a blind retired marine. After he danced a beautiful tango with a lovely young woman, (quite a feat for a blind person) he said, "If you get tangled up, you just tango on." Sometimes life just throws things at you, and you get "tangled up" in the mess.  It might be good to remember to "tango on" to get through the tough periods.

How Old is "Old?"

My friends and I have been lamenting about getting old. I know the standard reply,
"It beats the alternative," but seriously folks, the three of us mentioned here are falling apart. Thank God for modern medicine. I'm having a second knee replacement in November, one friend is due for one as well. Then there is the other gal who is facing long term tooth repair and also has ortho issues. Now you add those to the myriad of internal breakdowns and you get bodies in decline!
I am not writing to complain, I am simply making an observation. I know a lot of people my age who overcome all kinds of adversities, and live their lives as actively as possible. I know some who give in, and really get old fast. I intend to be in the first group. I will just write off this year as an orthopedic disaster, and do my best to remain upbeat.
I simply will not give in; I guess I am too stubborn! So Kath, wheel that "Trolley Dolley" with pride.

Much Ado About Nothing

So here we are in lovely SANTA BARBARA. I packed too much as usual, and will not wear most of what I brought. Today we are going to the "wine country" in Santa Ynez and environs. We plan to have a relaxing day. Our hotel room looks out over the beach, it is morning, and there are a lot of ambitious athletes out there. They are running, biking, walking, and driving convertables with the tops down. IT'S COLD OUT THERE PEOPLE!!! So the big deal I made about packing was truly "Much Ado About Nothing!"

Packing Stress

     I don't know why the preparation for packing, whether we will be gone for a few days or a few weeks, is so stressful for me.  I'm not talking about the actual act of putting things in the suitcase, I find that to be an enjoyable challenge.   I'm talking about what I'm going to take, whether the clothes need washing or cleaning, the button I have to sew on the jacket, ironing the orange linen shirt, packing the toiletries for myself (and the things Howard might need that he doesn't bother to pack).  Howard's theory is that he is not traveling into the Amazon.  There are stores all over and if he forgets something important he can always buy it.  My theory is, "why waste the time going to the drug store when I can have it all in my little bag?"
     What results is a few days, maybe a week, of pressure to get everything done amidst the ordinary vicissitudes of daily life, like doctor's appointments, hair cut, phone calls, emails, vet shots for Webber (he goes to a fancy pet hotel), and numerous other stuff.  Now YOU all travel.  Do you go through such stress?  Howard has threatened to cancel trips because I make him "crazy."  I do have a major problem; I am a perfectionist.  I have the fantasy that I I could just put a few things in a bag and go away on a moment's notice.  But I think I really could if pressed to do so; especially if we were going somewhere exciting.  I would just have to fight my nature to have everything "done" before I left.
     Right now I should be sewing the button on the jacket, but here I am writing in my blog.  Oh, well!

I Bit the "Apple..."

     Good news for me.  The "Genius" at the Apple Store fixed my syncing problem, got my contacts back on the iphone, and put all of my "dates" back in the right place.  All of the time I was waiting for my turn at the Genius Bar, I looked around at the "people concentrated" (translate: crowded) store and its inhabitants and what they seemed to be doing there.
     Of course, there were the people who were wandering through the mall, and stopped in to play with the ipads and computers on display; many of them had baby strollers and packages with them which says to me, "not a buyer."  Lots of people had boxes of accessories in their hands; iphone cases, earbuds, speakers, etc. They were in a separate line to pay, or if they were lucky, someone with a charge "thingy" came to them.
     There were lots and lots of people like me, waiting to have their computers and other devices fixed....wouldn't you think that would scare some buyers away?  Maybe they should have put us in a separate room.  Actually, they want everyone to know that they can fix any problem that arises; thus, the Genius Bar.
     Best of all  were the folks who were taking lessons on the Mac computer system, iphoto, iphone operation, etc.  The Apple people are so very patient and knowledgable that it is fun shopping and doing business with them.
     Oh, I forgot, there was a double line outside the store for people who are buying the new iphone4, which has been acknowledged to have a glitch.  Wouldn't you think they would wait for the 4.1 to come out?
     My Genius said it is like that all day, every day.....and that is just one store in Manhattan Beach. It boggles my mind.  I wish I had Apple stock!

Going's On

Well, the gardener just arrived to do some planting, and the dog is going crazy. I don't get it, since he sees the gardener once a month, and has known him for 3 years. He just likes to protect the house and its precious inhabitants. For my blogger friends in the United Kingdom, who have gorgeous gardens that you care for yourselves, I must admit that everything I have ever planted has died. Howard loves to putter out there and except for monthly trimming of vines and tree,and a little planting by the gardener, he keeps it looking colorful and restful. I love it.
So, except for dinner tonight to celebrate grandson Eli's birthday, I look forward to a visit this weekend to The Apple Store to have them untangle the mess on my computer, iPhone and iPad that occurred as a result of faulty syncing. I probably should go back to my paper agenda!!!!!!

Hot July Day

So, it's the middle of July, and summer is finally here. We are in Lake Arrowhead where the temp is expected to reach the 90s. We came to visit our vacation home, which has been somewhat unused since I broke my leg. It is such a lovely environment and I am reminded each time we come here how much I love it. I had a dream that we decided to retire up here, sold this charming house, and bought a more spacious, air conditioned home near the lake. If there was some thing to do up here that interested me, it would be a good idea. Actually, it's a well operating "small town" where everyone knows each other. We've been here as weekenders for 17 years, and know quite a lot of folks. There are groups for most interests, two supermarkets, drug store, bank,library, four screen (small) movie theater, restaurants, etc. But I'm a city girl, and like to have many choices. Maybe we could live here and have a little condo by the beach In Los Angeles. Wow i'm really a wishful thinker.

Does This Belong In My Blog?

Today I was asked whether I planned to write about some of my life struggles in my blog.
I was stumped.  I don't want to discuss specific friends or family members, but how would I be authentic in my writing if I left all the meaty stuff out?  Another issue is whether it would be boring to others, while cathartic to me.  Who am I writing for, myself or others?
Both, I think.  I love getting comments to my posts, and I fear that my followers would "drop away."

THE VOTES ARE IN: What's private, stays private. Why did I even ponder this?