Back on track

 

Today's accomplishments.  The Patio is all cleaned and ready to go for the summer!  Ok, I don't have the umbrella out yet as I want to attempt to level the table and the umbrella base.  The patio slopes away from the house and towards the east.  A good thing as it takes water away from the house!  In a perfect world I would have a covered deck over this and everything would be level--well if I'm going to dream I should go BIG! Then I'd have a sun room like Chris's!

I also got the mount for the Stars and Stripes put up--Self tapping screws are the only way to go.

Not everything got done.  While I had the ladder available (from the flag) I decided to change some light bulbs only to discover that I didn't have any replacements with the correct base.  A trip to the store is up for tomorrow along with more outdoor chores, like pulling weeds! 

All in all it was a good day and unlike last year I am tired but not exhausted, nor in pain. 

I'll take it!

Life reset?

 Apparently, life resets happen in very short bursts!  Yesterday was my only day at home all week--what did I do?  Slept ALL day and NIGHT too!  It was another rainy day following too many rainy days (today too), also I'd had a couple of those sleep-less night earlier in the week for no reason that I could figure out.  Yet another thing they blame on getting old!

I had PT today and my very sore muscles got a workout, but my walking is getting better.  My therapist was happy with me.

On the chore front I carried up the travel stuff that I took to Denver or had downstairs getting packed.  Took two trips.  The last trip I brought the two suitcase I intend to take to Scandinavia, I have plans to decorate them a bit with paint and waterproofing.

I really haven't anything to say, tomorrow is to be sunny and 72F so I plan to get my patio cleaned and set up plus some gardening done.  I'm looking forward to it!

 

Another day away from home

I was off to the Chiropractor this morning.  Dr Joe has been treating my tilted hip and the resulting back pain for quite a while now and I always come away feeling SO much better!  Today was my first time back since the hip replacement--the doc wanted me to wait until after 12 weeks, which was yesterday.  My hip is no longer tilted and the back was in good shape!  Maybe the extra little bit Dr Salin gave my leg helped!  I go again in a month to see if it holds up then I shouldn't need to go every month.  

I left my walking stick in the car and spent the day saying to myself "Keep your shoulders level!"   Which I mostly did through parking lots,  Gusto, my favorite coffee place, Dr Joes, Lowes and Harbor Freight.  Was my right leg sore, yes.  Was I walking better and faster?  Also yes. Was my energy level higher?  Again, Yes!  All together a good day.

I marked a couple of things off my list and bought paint, plants and potting soil!  

Tomorrow, I get to stay home!  Yay.  Time to mark some more things off!

Life Reset-a little

Isn't this just a  gorgeous rose?  I don't think I've ever seen this color.  There were several of these roses in the bouquet my youngest and his family sent me for Mother's Day.  They are fading fast now, sigh.

 

Yesterday, I had Physical Therapy.  Basically, I need to buff up some muscles in my hip and leg and relearn how to walk.  I've spent the day today trying to keep my shoulders even as I walk.  It has made those muscles sore!  I also left my walking stick at home-it's become a crutch  (of course).

Last night we had big thunderstorms rolling through, of course there was a tornado warning.  By the time I got downstairs and found a weather station to watch they had lifted it (or it expired or something.)  Today, I have puddles in my yard.

I had an appointment at the Audiologist for maintenance on my hearing aids this afternoon  I really need to get better at remembering to put them on in the morning--they tattle!  Guess this calls for a sticky note reminder, where shall I put it?  Hum.

I have a 4 page list of everything I need to finish or do-to prevent episodes with the smoke alarms and such.  It's written down  so I can't forget it.  Today, I marked something off the list.  Just a little repair in my exercise area.  I've eliminated the sheet rock dust on a few more pieces in the great room so progress has been made.  I tried to put up a flag mount outside so I could fly the Stars and Stripes over Memorial Day but that did not go especially well so it's still on the list and I need to use different screws or charge my driver's batteries.  Maybe, I can work on it again on Thursday.

That's all for today!

Tomorrow after my appointment I'm headed for Lowe's  for paint, plants, peat moss and more!

Home Again--trying to get the Life Reset going again!

I've been home a week now, I think I've mostly slept! 

Anyway,  how about a few pictures?  (Blogger or Google who knows which is playing games with photos-I have no IDEA where they will end up!)

I flew out this time, normally I would drive but I decided that I didn't really want to do 4 days in the truck and with gas prices as they are It was just as cheep to fly.  I had no idea what I was getting into.  It has been YEARS since I landed at Denver International-so    BIG!  My airline lands and takes off from on the same level as the runways (I did not know that or I'd have chosen a different airline).  I arrived at Gate A31, down a ramp then walk and walk and walk, no people movers.  Up escalators, down escalators, onto a train, off the train, hunt for baggage claim.  I'm pretty sure I got 20,000 painful steps before I found my brother waiting at arrivals!

This is my brother Jim and his dog Scout.  Scout has decided that I am part of his Pack.  He knew something was up the day I left-he kept sitting on my feet and leaning against my legs!  Silly, sweet boy.

I made a slightly large mistake in packing--I did not pack my coat!  Now, I know how cold the mountains can be in May--I lived there after all!  I only packed one sweatshirt and no long sleeved shirts.  Where was my HEAD!  Well it was 80F at home.  So Jessie and I had to go shopping after a trip to the bank.  We were closing out the Estate account from probate and trying to move money around was proving impossible!  On a wild whim I checked to see if my bank had a branch in Denver--turns out they have Four!  Big sigh of relief.  Then on to find some kind of jacket/coat for me.  Found a windbreaker and a hoodie plus some other goodies, after all I had my personal shopper (Jessie) with me.

On Tuesday we headed into the mountains.  Breckenridge for the day and then Dillon that night.  Snow was forecast, of course.  It was chilly up there but the windbreaker was sufficient until the very end.  I had a ton of trouble with the altitude this trip on top of the walking.  9700 feet about sea level-the oxygen in thin.  We had a great time wandering through the shops that were open.  Hit up Starbucks, etc.  When the weather turned a bit nasty we headed for Dillon. After checking into our hotel for the night we went out for dinner at a really nice local place.  I had Risotto!  I hardly every get to have that! (Maybe I should learn to make it?)

 The next morning we woke to this!

A pretty, wet snow. There was concern about the road conditions but it wasn't too bad.  It was SOOOO pretty driving down the mountain, all the trees with their branches in white.  Jim and Jessie worried about the road, I just admired the scenery.

On Thursday  Jim had appointments so I hung out at the house and rested my very cranky leg. Then Jessie and I made a trip to the mall.  I have started adding Pandora charms to my bracelet whenever I travel PLUS my bracelet was FULL so I needed a new one.  That achieved we hit a favorite Thrift store-where I found a few books and my personal shopper found me a larger bag for the trip home!

The next day we went up to Estes Park. I ALWAYS want to go to Estes but I especially wanted to see the memorial bench we had placed at the YMCA of the Rockies for our brother Bobby. Also, I wanted to visit the Quilt Shop there.  Peak to Peat Stitching has quite a few things designed just for them.  I bought a few things.  In my defense I haven't bought any fabric since last year's trip!

The front range.  A kit.  I bought a laser cut Elk last year that I want to put on this.

The Faces of Longs Peak.  The highest peak in Rocky Mountain Park

Aspen!

Lastly a few fat quarters!  A big haul for the woman who usually spends about $25.00 on fat quarters!  I'm not saying how much I spent!

A drive through Rocky , with a stop to see the bench and we headed back to Denver.

After a lovely dinner of Italian food!  It was back to the house to finish packing for the trip home.

After having such an ordeal on arrival and being seriously concerned that I might not make my flight home if I walked, I requested assistance for the trip through the airport.  First time I've ever done that and I was really grateful when I was taking off from A81, the next to the last GATE on the concourse. They put me on the plane and took me off the plane and off to package claim where my daughter was waiting.

All, in all a lovely trip! 

This week I have several medical appointments.

Today it's Physical Therapy-after all the trouble I had with walking in Denver I decided I needed PT to be ready for the next trip.  The Surgeon left it up to me so I will be doing that for a while.

Also, I have a 5 page list of things that need to be done.  I've only marked a few off so far but I'm not stressing over that!

To all of you that have left comments on my Reset--Thank you!  It's heartwarming to know that someone actually reads this blog!  

 

Life Reset Continues

 Well, I need to finish packing but otherwise I am ready to go in the morning!

Plus, I booked my flights to Iceland!

I'm excited!

Life Reset continues

I don't know what's going on this week, I just feel a bit off and extra tired.  I'm looking forward to Sunday and seeing the Rockies again! Also looking forward to the hugs I'll get from my brother and his wife!

 I did some of the necessities of life:  went to the grocery store for bread and came home with ice cream among other things.  I did in fact get the bread thank goodness!  Then I paid the bills.  It happens every month on the first (this is the first month of 2026 that I have actually paid them on the first.)  Another of those things one puts off either consciously or not came up today.  My tankless hot water heater refuses to stay on.  I turn it on, it heats the water and then goes cold.  Which is a real bummer when you want to take a shower!  I called my favorite plumber to come make magic but he can't come until Monday.  Lucky for me my daughter is coming to deal with the in person part and pay for it (She has a credit card of mine in her name for just such occasions.)  The plumber has promised me hot water when I return home!

Tomorrow, will be busy, packing and tidying the house. No gardening for me until I get back from Denver.