Sit right back and you’ll hear a tale…
December 18, 2021
Hey all! It’s your elusive blogger here, actually composing a post 🙂
I feel like the kid who didn’t finish their homework when I give myriad reasons on why I didn’t post last week. It’s a bit long so bear with me:
I had oral surgery on Dec. 6th. And although it didn’t require a hospital stay, it impacted me for several days where I wasn’t up to much activity as my head and jaw ached. We planned to drive to Denver early on Friday morning Dec 10th since I had tickets to the Avs hockey game in Ball Arena that night. But we saw a winter storm was headed our way and decided to leave after Mr. James got off work on Thursday night. HOWEVER, the weather people changed the timing of when the blizzard would hit, so I had 3 hours notice from Mr. James that we were leaving for Denver around noon on Thursday. Thankfully, leaving that early did allow us to beat the storm. Our daughter had Friday off so we got to spend the whole day with the family which was fun. PopPop stayed home with the granddaughter while Lolly and her Mom and Dad attended the hockey game.
When Saturday rolled around, I realized I hadn’t done any compilation for my November wrap-up post (due to surgery and travel and grandbaby time) so I cracked open my laptop only to realize I had NO INTERNET. My son-in-law admitted they’d been having issues, which continued throughout our stay. We didn’t arrive back home until 8 pm Sunday night and by then it was too late to post.
And when I looked at my images this week, I got a bit overwhelmed and couldn’t remember exactly what was November and what was December, so I’ve decided to do a compilation post for November and December, which will post on either Dec. 31st or Jan 1st, depending on weather and travel and family stuff since we’re going to Denver again on December 29th for another Avs hockey game! Yeah, yeah, I know, it’s weird to me too that I care more about hockey than football these days.
ANYWAY, I will have a houseful starting this week! D2 is flying in from Seattle on the 21st and D1 and her family will be here starting on the 22nd, and D3 and her husband are currently en route from Houston and will alternate staying here and staying at his parents house, since they also live in Rapid City. D1 and D2 are excited to host a baby shower for their baby sister on Dec. 23rd, here at our home, so a lot of this week will be devoted to prepping for that and for last minute Christmas stuff that always seems to pop up. We’re having our big meal on Christmas Eve since D2 flies back to Seattle at 9 am on the 25th so she can spend Christmas with her husband.
To top it all off, I’ve had pain in my lower right leg (yes, I’m fully aware I had knee issues on the left side this time LAST year) off and on for about 2 weeks and just this week it’s gotten worse. Walking is painful, stairs are murder, and even sleeping is hard because I keep jerking around in my sleep. I opted to go to the orthopedic walk-in clinic this morning, knowing the busy week ahead and wondering if I’d just pulled something and it’d get better, or if it was something else. Turns out…it was something else. Apparently I have arthritis in my right knee. And the pain meds I was on for a week following my oral surgery masked the pain in my leg. So I am wearing a compression sleeve, doing the heat/ice/rest regimen, and taking ibuprophen to help with the pain…at least until that isn’t enough anymore and we have to go to the next stage in arthritis treatment.
Whew. Glad to get that out in the open.
But even though all this, I can’t help but be thankful we were able to get out of the storm’s way, unlike the people in Kentucky who are dealing with the loss of everything after the deadly and destructive tornados. It’s made my heart hurt, seeing what the communities are going through. So I decided that this year, because I was late in getting everything underway, instead of doing a big holiday giveaway, I’m donating the amount I usually spend to Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund
I’ll still do a giveaway on my monthly wrap-up post — double this time to account for two months worth — so stay tuned for that.
THANK YOU to all my loyal readers and blog followers!
So….is everyone ready for the holidays?
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Pamela Gomes said:
Wowza for all that pain, travel, and coordination!
I am not ready – still need to decorate and bake.
The first week of November, I had a full knee replacement on the left leg and it has really impacted my mobility. My head knew it would, my determination wasn’t going to let it stop my life. Ha ha.
While it gets better everyday, I have to rely on others when that’s not always my strong suit.
Here’s to hoping your next steps are less invasive, that you can craft while you ice and elevate, and that you get to enjoy the baby shower and Christmas with all of your D’s (and that beautiful granddaughter) around you!
Michelle Holden said:
Take Care & Feel Better! I know what you mean about the leg pain- I have known for 2 years I have needed a knee replacement and have put it off due to Covid now but other plans before, now I wish I had not, I have been having severe pain in my right hip (I know I have a bad Bursa Sac already as well as arthritis) down to my right ankle. I am walking with a cane now 🙁
I wish you all the love and happiness when your family gets together, enjoy it! I am thrilled that my sister in law is getting remarried and she and her fiance are coming out here to Las Vegas from New York to get married. I am so happy for her after her hellish 1st marriage. Bonus they are bringing us some NY Pizza and Bagels for my son and I and then some treats for my beloved dog, Murphy-the basshole.
My other sister in law is hoping to come in from Maine for the wedding too. 😀
Take care and enjoy the family time!
K. A Bylsma said:
It has been a December for you, no doubt! At least you have answers, fixes and fun things to anticipate! 😊
Very kind of you to donate to the Kentucky fund…so Heartbreakingly dreadful for all those people! 😔
Bobbie Sue Kearse said:
Isn’t get old fun. I have the same knee issue. I get it. Well, I hope you recover quickly. That storm was horrible. I am baking up a storm which is not helping my ass but that’s life. Have a merry Christmas 🎄
Debra Wolsleben said:
You have been a busy lady! Merry Christmas and I hope 2022 is kind to you. No, I am not ready for Christmas. I still have more candy to make and all the gifts to wrap and another small thing or two for Hubs. Sure hope the compression sleeve on your knee works well. And you are correct, dental work is no picnic.
Janice said:
Sorry to hear about your health problems. My hubby had a hip replacement in August, and he’s doing great. So, hopefully they can help you.
I’ve got two of my kids birthdays right around Christmas, so it’s nothing but shopping and wrapping for me. Haven’t even thought about baking yet, but at least we’ll have birthday cake!
Alice Freeman Diaz said:
About your knee, I have the same thing. I received from my Dr. a prescription for Diclofenac Sodium Gel, 3%. It works wonders, it is a tube of gel ointment. You rub it on your pain location and this is immediately pain relief. When it rains or its super cold from the mountains with snow and wind, it works wonders. Ask your Dr. about it.
Moran said:
Sorry to hear about your your knee pain. I hope the treatment you are doing will help 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻
My dad has to do a knee replacement surgery . He’s been putting it off for many years now but he’s finally retiring in the end of the year and we hope he’ll do the surgery next year.
Happy holidays and enjoy your time with your family 💞💞
Linda West said:
Hope you are feeling better soon and have a happy holiday season.
Elisa A said:
Well, if life were easy, it wouldn’t be as fun.
I’m sorry to hear about your oral surgery causing pain afterwards. Headaches are so debilitating sometimes, you just want to sit in a dark room, curl up and do nothing. I hope that is in your past now. Arthritis is not fun to deal with. You know it just keeps getting worse. I hope you’re able to manage the pain well enough so that replacement surgery to way off in the very distant future.
It warms my heart that you decided to donate to the Tornado Fund instead of doing a holiday giveaway. It’s so hard to celebrate holidays sometimes when you know others are in dire need.
No, not at all ready for Christmas! I have at least done some Christmas baking and put together tins of goodies to hand out instead of buying gifts. As for the rest, no, not much decorating going on around here.
Tammi said:
I feel this holiday season has found me a little lost. Teenager just wants gift cards for online games.
June Hart said:
I will be staying at home in New Mexico with husband. Foot surgery in November had made the holidays very different this year. Getting around on knee scooter had limited my activities. My husband has been great caregiver. Merry Christmas to everyone.
Vanessa Ernst said:
sounds like a busy week…..have fun…..take care with your legs….happy holidays
Diane Amato said:
First for the arthritis try voltarin cream on the knee. You can find it at Walmart or your local pharmacy. I have found at least expensive in Walmart and worth the price. My doctor had recommended it for our arthritic knees and it does help along with the ibuprofen.
I am not nearly ready for Christmas I still need to bake and I have some wrapping to do but I will get there I’m completely confident in that.
Enjoy your family and the holidays!!!
Kathleen O said:
Usually I am going crazy trying to organize getting gifts to everyone, and staying home for the holidays. This year I have invites for Christmas coming from every where. So Christmas eve at my oldest cousin home, and on Christmas day I am going to my youngest cousin house and staying a few days. I’m looking forward to both. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas.
Kim B said:
Donating to the tornado relief is a great thing to do. It reminds you of what Christmas is about. I’m not ready but I’ll finish up hopefully on Wednesday. Hope you have a Merry Christmas with your family, to me that’s the best part about Christmas.
ROSE TRESTKA said:
I just finished baking over 23 different cookies. I make trays to give to friends nearby. Baking helps me deal with the stress of the season. My sons will go to their girlfriends houses for the day and my aunt might join us for the day. Life changes and the holidays are a sad reminder of all the family we have lost. Things can never go back to the way they were, but move forward and make new memories and traditions. I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas, Happy and Healthy Holidays for those that don’t celebrate Christmas.
AnnaMarie Melchiorre said:
We’ll, the holidays are over but they were wonderful. Not sure if it was because last year was so unsatisfying due to Covid but 20221 was much better. Now it is January 3 and we are in another Covid crisis. Prayers to everyone for a safe and healthy new year.