Valentine's, Birthdays, Kindle, Oh My!!

      I wanted to share some pictures of this last weekend. We had birthday parties, dinners, and Valentine's treats! This first picture is Mom and Dad. Sixteen of us went out to dinner for Mom's 74th birthday! 

     Next is a picture of the treat bags I made for Valentine's Day.  I make an even dozen of them for grandkids and nieces and nephews.  This final picture is of my youngest (so far) grandson, Lee. He turned 2 years old on Valentine's Day. He noticed my Kindle right away and made himself quite comfortable with it! Check him out!

Happy Valentine's Day!

   Valentine's Day is extra special in my family for two reasons....My oldest daughter, Aimee, and my youngest grandson, Lee. They both have birthdays today! I wish them very happy birthdays!
    My mother's birthday is on the 18th...so I spent a little time today making her a card. I usually make the grandkids treat bags for these occasions. I have all the stuff...just no inclination to actually do anything about it. How lazy is that?! I'll try to go in there in a bit and crank out something festive...I'll post a picture update if I do. Here is a picture of Mom's card.

February Already?!

   Wow! Where does the time go? Between work and physical therapy I have lost track of a lot of time! I plan to get into my craft room this weekend to get ready for Valentine's Day. My oldest daughter and my youngest grandson share a birthday and Valentine's Day! I already sent out all my Valentine's that had to be mailed. Now I will work on the kid treat bags and birthday stuff.
    On another note...I need to start preparing for my camping/kayaking trip coming up on March 9th. Time to make some lists!!

Chili Paddle!

    Sounds funny, doesn't it!? It is chilly to paddle...but a chili paddle is something else entirely! So first everyone paddles their kayaks out in the Cumberland River - those of us who can anyway. The rest get together and put on this huge Chili Dinner for when everyone gets back! YUM!!
    This weekend was super busy! No great pictures to show yet...going to sit and relax now. Thunderstorming again...I love to sit and listen to the rain...so peaceful! A cup of tea and a good book to read...nice, quiet house...mmmmmm! Good night!!!

Winter Kayaking!

     Yesterday my kayaking meetup group went on a paddle to the Stones River in Murfreesboro, TN. Everybody had a great time - except me - sniff, sniff! :-( Of course, I cannot lift my right arm to hold my paddle!!! But it still is not fair! Whine...whine...whine!!  Just so I would feel better, I signed up to go to a chili supper after next weekend's winter paddle!! If I can't paddle for real yet - then I will paddle vicariously through everyone else! The week following that, I plan to start hiking again with Nashville Hiking Meetup. They do lots of events and I can pick and choose the ones I am able to accomplish.
     Next Dr. visit will be January 31st. He'll probably let me start driving again - I've been driving without permission for over a week now. Then I start 6 weeks of strengthening therapy and then I should be done. That puts me at mid March for recovery. I am planning a camping/paddling adventure with Aquaholics for March 9th! We will be going to Ft. McCoy, FL! Paddling the Rainbow River and the  Ocklawaha River and camping at the outpost right on the river - how fun is that! Here are some cool pictures!!

monkeys along the river  in Florida!

Leslie on the Stones River

Where is my kayak?  :-(

First Post Op Visit

  Today was my first day back to work since my surgery. No students today...just meetings and planning. This afternoon I saw the dr. More x-rays to check on broken arm...healing nicely. Biopsy results were fine. Just some kind of cyst attached to the bone. Not cancer! He thinks all the pain is because the arm was so banged up to begin with. I am doing great as far as he is concerned and he thinks I expect too much from myself. I guess I'll just simmer down and enjoy the pain meds! Therapy again tomorrow...oh joy! Thanks for thinking of me!

Hello!

     Today was another physical therapy day. I was able to do a bit more but ended up with another new prescription for pain.  This arm is very different and I am having a SIGNIFICANT amount of pain with it. Doc thinks it's probably due to the fact that the bone was broken in addition to the tear. I also had some kind of cyst on the bone in my shoulder that has been sent for biopsy. It caused the tear to appear smallish but as he went deeper the tear became much larger...that is kind of scary! I see the Dr. again on Tuesday so maybe I'll have some answers then. Meanwhile regular things like dressing and feeding myself have become exercises in proper planning and pain management. I am ready to be well and strong again! As a side note, sleeping while sitting upright is miserable! Wow! So much whining in such a short amount of space! Thank you for your thoughts and well wishes...I know you care.   :-)