So Far, So Good….

I say this quietly, with trepidation, and knocking on wood! I have survived the first 6 days of 2018…but I did the same in 2017 before it went to hell in a hand basket! And what exactly does that mean anyway??

To say 2017 was trying would be the ultimate understatement! To share a quote from one of my favorite movies – “that which does not kill us, makes us stronger.” Well call me Wonder Woman! NOT!!

Not only did I go thru some tough times, the girls did as well. But they both came out the other side stronger and in great places. I think it’s safe to say they are looking forward to 2018 being a great year.

One highlight of the year was having some roommates! There was some conditions for this and one was to purge my house. Let’s just say we filled a dumpster! But it was needed and long overdue!

Things started to go downhill Memorial Day weekend. That’s when a possible tornado came thru. I think it was a tornado because what else could blow my overhead garage door off…from the inside?!! So there I am trying to find someone to come and just take my garage door so I can get my car out!! Huge thanks to my co-workers contractor husband who graciously came and did the job.

So there I am with no garage door.  Two weeks later….BOOM! Some JACKASS speeds thru my front yard, crashes into my less-than-2yrold-car, spins it so hard it crashes into the garage, takes out half a wall! It was like a scene from a movie.  And the kicker of all this…the JACKASS that caused was driving WITHOUT a license AND didn’t have any charges filed against him! I’m still pissed!

I did manage a short getaway to Michigan to help my aunt and uncle celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary! My cousin, David, rented a beautiful house on Lake Michigan. But this trip was not without drama…unfortunately provided moi! Whatever made me think I could ride a bike!! As people are asking me if I’m okay, all I can think is “YOU DUMBASS! YOU’RE HAVING KNEE REPLACEMENT SURGERY IN 2 WEEKS! DON’T SCREW THIS UP!!” While the rest of the clan went on, I nursed my wounds with a couple glasses of local wine!

I also managed a weekend to visit Neil and Melissa and see their new home! It was a working trip…we thought we would tackle trying to tame some of the plant life that had grown wild around the house! We thought we had done a fairly good job, but it was a little overwhelming! They did have a pro come and do the job! Money very well spent! It made all the difference! Now you see the house, not the jungle!

September 1st came soon enough. I had made the decision earlier in the year to undergo knee replacement surgery on both knees…NOT at the same time! It is different being on the patient end!! But I knew everyone involved with my care and I wouldn’t have had it any other way! The surgery team had written messages to me on the board in the OR! And I knew Dr. Gripe(aka JT) would give me the best anesthesia and Dr. Condict would fix my 40yrs-of-OR nursing-knees.

I did well after the 1st one and was ready for #2 on Oct 17th. Again, it went off like clockwork. I was a week into rehab when…BOOM! SHINGLES!! Talk about a set back! There were 4 or 5 days I could barely take care of myself! I can’t help but think they have played some part in holding me back on getting my knees where they should be.

But the topper to ending 2017 was saying goodbye to Belle. She was a lover, always ready with kisses. And a little spitfire! She could hold her own against Brick! There is no Corgi in my house for the first time in almost 20 years.

To end…THANK YOU to my daughters for all your help in getting me to and from all my surgeries. THANK YOU to Neil and Melissa who came after my 2nd surgery and finished putting away the outdoor furniture. THANK YOU to Becky who helped keep me fed and provided a taxi on occasion. THANK YOU to everyone at BSC – for keeping in touch whether on FB, text, or phone.

Well, after 2 weeks working in the scheduling office, it’s back to the frontlines on Wednesday! Let’s hope I remember how to do THAT job better than I did riding a bike! #bringit2018