Get A Life

I was talking with my sister yesterday and she said that she had just read my blog posts for this month....she said: "You need to get out more".  Yep,  I know the pickins has been slim.  I've resorted to photos of blurry deer and flowers.  I then had to confess that yesterday I also had just taken a bunch of pics of a bird eating seeds off the little pinecone feeder that Addy had made for me for Christmas.

Chubby little guy has stripped it clean.

Here his beak is covered with snow....maybe it's a she?  Of course I could show the pics of all the snow we were given from Mother Nature....or perhaps it was Old Man Winter who left it:

Back deck is loaded.

Haven't even bothered shoveling the front steps. Come through the garage if you're planning to stop over.  So if I'm not shooting the weather or fowls,  I have to resort to food...

Fruit pizza I made last week.  Atleast it has color!  There has been the opportunity to throw in a Grandkiddo shot:

Addy  had cheerleading for the little kids basketball games...she loves her outfit! Yes, Midge is right...I do need to get a life.  Until I'm out and about in a more active way I guess I'll have to keep posting from the Pines with pics from the computer room window:

Or some artsy shot through the front door wreath:

Hey, maybe by Valentines day I'll have found that life! Wish me luck!

YaYa Here!

It's been a while since I've posted..I don't usually let things go by this long.  I guess I figured I really didn't have a ton to blog about.  So I had to get my thinking cap on and look back to see where I was and where I'm going.  I've spent much time with ice and the recliner which sits by the large slider in the living room.  I saw this big gal lurking up at the Creepy Woods looking for some snacks.

These are some of the things I'll see being home during the day....so exciting...yawn.

Looks like she found a few goodies.  My days have been filled with exercises and trips to physical therapy.  I'm doing fine in that area.  I can walk without the cane most places but I still take it with me to the store or any outing...which hasn't been much more than the store! Today I did go to Church...and man I was exhausted the rest of the day.  I couldn't even put together a meal that was worth eating...I ended up throwing away a casserole that just didn't turn out right.  I decided it was time to give it up and retreat back to the recliner! However, I did do something I probably shouldn't have done. I know you won't tell...right? I drove my car on Saturday.  Just a little test run to see if I could....piece of cake!  I remember asking Dr. B how long I had to wait to drive. His answer was: "I have to tell you 4 weeks...(pause...looks me in the eye) but knowing you, 2 weeks...." Well, I held out for 3 so I guess I'm good to go!  I'm driving myself to PT tomorrow...wish me well! The other stuff going on has to do with flowers. I've received some real beauties.   Thanks to our friends Stacy and Kyle:

Lovely! Then on Saturday my son Jack arrived with his gang and they brought me these:

Cameron told them that's what YaYa would like! He's right on! Thanks so much! I also had received some beauties from Craig and Amy after coming home from the hospital but didn't get pics except with my kindle..and it wasn't the best pic...take my word for it, they were awesome. Every visiting nurse and PT person commented on their beauty and how nice they smelled.  So I'm here getting along just ducky and maybe I'll have something interesting to blog about after being let free! Ha!

The Color Blue

I was tired of looking at the color purple from the last post...those lovely hamhocks called legs!  I'm posting the blue, blue skies and if I could I'm sure I would capture the blue, blue lips of anyone hanging out in this weather! It's dango cold out there! Schools were closed today and staying indoors is a good idea.  Of course today would be the day I had my post-op visit and got my staples out.  At 7:30am no less! Anyway, everything is going fine...he said I was a "rock star"...Ha! I feel more like just a "rock".  But in 2 weeks I can drive and then I'll feel truly on the road to being me.  Anyway, if you live where it's warm...enjoy! If you live where it's -27 like it was here today (wind chill)...you can fill in your own words!

Blue skies... and no matter what the temps are, sun is always welcome!

Squeeze in between those giant pines and come visit.  I'm appearing daily!

The Color Purple

I don't want to gross anyone out...so feel free to pass this post by!  My blog is also a journal for me. With that in mind I wanted to grab a pic of my lovely bruising.  This is my worst leg and this actually looks better than the other day.  I've gotten into a routine. Jack and I get up together at the same time I always got ready for work.  I've been going up and down stairs since I got home last week, but never alone. Once I'm down stairs I'm here for the day. PT had me using just a cane today...slowly moving forward. I see the surgeon on Thursday so he can remove the 35 or more staples per leg. So I'm hoping to sleep through the night one day and walk unassisted...sort of like being reborn! Except for these ugly specimens! I hope purple is in this Winter.

Zero To Ten

I haven't missed a January 1st post in many years and I didn't want today to be different. We celebrated the same way we've done in the past. We cooked ribs on the grill and threw in the sides that are supposed to bring good luck.Most might shudder at the menu, so let's just say it was good and move on!  I didn't take any pics of the food or of Jordan,  Phil, or Eddy who joined us. So what to post about was kicking around my cranium. I kept coming back to something that happened while in the hospital.  There was a question that I was asked as much as I was asked my name and birth date.  "How would you rate your pain on a scale of  zero to ten." Just in case you couldn't figure it out, a picture was shown of the zero with a big smiley face and ten with a big crying face. Funny, the only time I would have said ten...nobody asked! (Maybe it was my vocabulary). Having worked in healthcare for a few million years, I understand that the goal is pain management...or actually pain free. People do not want to feel pain...really, who does? But is that realistic?  If hospitals don't do the most they can to insure a comfortable stay, well there are enough government watch dogs to make sure we do!  This  thought had me wondering how we would rate our lives on a daily basis with that scale.  See, we want our patients pain free, but I'm not sure a pain free life is ideal. I've learned a lot of lessons between zero and ten.  Trust is built, faith developed , love is learned...as well as earned, and that can't happen on a constant zero. We all know the lesson of tasting the bitter to appreciate the sweet.  2015 will have it's share of tens...and it's blessings of zero. But I don't want to discount the two through nine...that's where the character of our souls is waiting.  

Shuffling Out Of 2014

Usually I'm  thinking that the old year slides out and the new year slips in.  This year I'm more into the "shuffling"  mode.

These have become my good buddies. But the real gems have been good friends and my wonderful family. Jack and the boys are always ready to help and encourage my shuffling . Each day brings improvements.  The physical therapists are pleased.  Me? Glad to move forward and thankful for the offers of help and meals sent...but most of all, the prayers offered.  Enjoy your celebration tonight.  Good bye 2014...It's been an interesting year!

The Bees Knees

Friday morning found me on on the other side of the operating table. I had bilateral total knee replacement. I've been having problems for a long time. I decided in the fall to finally take care of it.Everything went good and now it's the healing process. I'll be off work for 3 months. Once I start feeling better I'll be a bit stir crazy. Today however, I just want to go home and and try to move forward. Actually, I'm hoping to move at all!

Friday afternoon after surgery

  
The final project.

Going home in a few minutes.

Whew! Glad it's over! I much prefer doing the surgery instead of having the surgery!

Christmas 1946

My Father served in WWII from 1942 to 1945.  He married my Mom in February of 1946.   December 25th found them celebrating their first Christmas together.  They overcame obstacles and family upheavals to be married.  During the war my Dad had written many beautiful letters to Mom.  I'm hoping to get them from ink to computer one day so they can be preserved and shared with family.  This is a letter my Dad wrote to Mom on their first Christmas.  It shows his ability to write...but more importantly his love for Mom.  I hope everyone can have a love like this in their lifetime...and also a very Merry Christmas, 2014.
                                 
                               A LOVE LETTER TO MARY
                                
Dearest Mary,
     I am going to try and write this before you get home today so I don't know exactly how much time I will have. Not enough I know to wish you the kind of Merry Christmas I would like, but perhaps enough time is mine in which to tell you that this is the best and happiest Christmas I have ever had.
     All the dreams of those dark days long ago, but which I still remember, have been fulfilled.  I can sit here now and look at our first Christmas tree and marvel that all this is mine.  There is no snow as in other years, but I never wished for snow.  I wanted you, a home, and all the little bits of laughter and joy, yes even the unhappiness that comes now and then in every home.  I wanted the chance to love and hold you and now I have every bit of that.  Do you ever feel so quiet and content that it seems the whole world has stopped?  I do.  There is a wonderful warmth that comes from the fact that I can see, feel, and even breathe the little things that are here, that are you.  There is nothing that man could want that is not mine today.   I feel as though all the Christmas carols that are sung and all God's blessings of this day are for us alone.  All the cold, unhappiness, and grief are outside.  We keep them locked out of our hearts for there is no room for anything but the love and peace we have found in doing what our hearts told us was right.
     I guess I'm doing a bum job of this, but I do want you to know that I love you and always will, and that this Christmas is just the first in what I know is going to be a long succession of happy ones.
     Merry Christmas Dearest, and know forever that you have brought the happiest year that I have ever known.  If the world should end tomorrow, I could feel that in loving you it has been worth while.
                                     Love always,
                                        Carl
    

No Elf On This Shelf!

A few weeks ago Addy and Lexi came into the house and were looking around at the decorations with a funny look on their faces.  Addy piped up: "You don't have one of those creepy elves sitting around looking at us do you?  I assured her that there were no "Elves on the shelves" here at the Pines...just scary YaYa and PawPaw!  They were both relieved about that! Then last night I told them I had made an appointment to get them a manicure and an elf was going to do it! Addy got a panicked look on her face.  No not that Elf! This Elf:

Our good friends have a daughter who's a nail technician and she was giving holiday manicures all week dressed as an elf....After seeing her picture, Addy was excited! So after work I grabbed them and off we went to visit our nail polishing Elf!

Selections had to be made on what design and colors...Addy is very focused and serious in this step!

A hand and arm massage almost put her to sleep!

Red, with an ornament and jewels, was her choice.  Next it was Lexi's turn.

She went with a blue theme that included snowflakes and jewels!

Nice choice!

Lexi's finished design

Addy's finished design.  Tomorrow they have a Christmas Eve party at their Mom's and other Grandma's house, and now they can go looking festive! (Santa will be impressed I'm sure!)

Breaking Tradition

Many families have Christmas traditions.  Some gather together on Christmas Eve...some Christmas day.  Some gather when ever or where ever they can to accommodate schedules.  Growing up, Christmas day was when we opened gifts and celebrated. Of course church was another tradition.  Midnight mass was usually when we went when I was a teen...I really don't remember going on Christmas day. Hmm..I need to check with Mom on that one! As we grew up and had homes of our own, Christmas Eve was held at different homes each year. The last one I hosted when I lived in Chicago was in 1975.  Our first born son wasn't in a manger...but he was in the hospital NICU.  He was born premature a month before Christmas...exactly...and was still in the hospital.  My family gathered at our tiny apartment.  The same traditions were honored...gifts, food, and family.  I had to work the midnight shift at the hospital.  I didn't mind because that's the same hospital my baby was in and I could spend his first Christmas with him on my break.  I remember going in to see him and on his incubator was a tiny angel and the smallest pair of Christmas socks ever!  I still have those tiny socks....I doubt his 39yr old feet would fit them! Ha! Many things had changed by the next Christmas in 1976.  My Dad passed away that November and Jack graduated from Chiropractic college and we moved to Ohio.  We moved into his family's traditions.  We would gather together with is family on Christmas day to open gifts and enjoy family and food.  We would head down to the farm and gape at the ginormous tree they always had and enjoy Jack's Mom's delish food....many things that I now serve are recipes from those days.  I wish his Mom and Dad were still here to celebrate with us.  Now we host the gathering here at the Pines.  Tradition has us getting together on Christmas day also.  Except for this year.  We moved the celebration to today.  I'm having bilateral knee surgery on Friday and felt it would be better to do this today....and I'm glad we did.  It was a lovely day all around.  The weather was in the upper 30's...warm for us! The sun actually shown bright and it was great to see everyone.  We sure wish our son Craig and his family could be here, but living in Oregon makes it hard to be together for holidays.  The usual things we do on Christmas day were done today...this first day of Winter. (I think the first day is today!) The shortest day of the year, but it was long on love, laughter, fun, family, food and gifts.

The tree was ready with the gift part! (A little football before the gift opening didn't hurt!)

Jack in his favorite Christmas shirt!

Cameron giving Squeak a little head rub...Squeak looks like she's just tolerating it to be nice!

Summer claims her spot on the couch.

Anthony took the recliner!

Cameron....what a sweet kiddo!

Jordan..on the left..Phil on the right....snacking in the middle...oh wait, maybe it's Addy in the middle!

After the gifts were opened...I never got one shot of that..too busy playing Mrs. Claus!
Dinner was held in the dining room. 

With a little table for the littles in the group! I was really having trouble with my camera blurring the shots...or maybe it's just user error...I was a bit bummed by the results..sorry!

Dessert was amazing...calories don't happen on Christmas...just sayin.

Jack grabbed the little ones and took them for a ride around the pines...the fresh air and fun was just what was needed after dinner.  I hate to leave this with a blurry shot so here's a clearer pic.

Anthony riding shotgun and the little monsters hiding in the back are Addy and Cameron.  Poor Lexi was sick and had headed up to a nap after dinner. So tradition may have been broken this year, but the rest was as we remember it to be.  However you celebrate, I hope this Christmas finds you healthy and happy and remembering the gift of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and all the blessings that were had this year.  Enjoy this Christmas week!

Jingle and Mingle....Arends style!

It's hard to believe this weekend is over and we're back home.  Our family get togethers are always packed with good fun, good food, good people and many memories.   Before we left home, our tree needed to get decorated.  Thanks Addy and Lexi for lending a hand and doing a great job!

TA DA!  With the tree done and our bags packed....along with tons of stuff we  packed in the car...we headed out.  The weather  has been a weird warm.  That's OK with me because it makes the drive much easier and less stressful.  We've  had our fun of "dashing through the snow" in past years...I'll take this warm weather!  We're lucky to have Mom with us.  At 88 she's a marvel!

Isn't she cute?!  This year my niece Katie and  her family were hosting the "Jingle and Mingle" event.  They have a beautiful  home and plenty of room for all.

Pretty huh? Then the family began to appear.  Young and youngers!

My niece Amy and her little boy Parker.  (She's a mom of 3...all 3 and under!)

My brother Rick (with Jack) came from northern Wisconsin...he looks so much like my Dad!

Mom and Katie's Mother-in-law who's holding the youngest member...Amy's little guy Conner (7 months old).  Hmm...Mom the younger and Conner the youngest! Ha!

Of course Santa made an appearance for all the other "youngest" of us! His glasses were steamed up..he's used to the frigid North Pole, not the warmish Chicago.

My niece Katie with her little guy Mason giving Santa his gift of cookies.

It was then time for the adults to have the yearly "White Elephant" gift exchange.  Maybe you call it "Bad Santa" gift exchange.  No matter, it's always a hoot!  Somehow everyone gets that perfect, imperfect present.  Many times the same gifts get re-gifted each year.  Like this one:

These charming Christmoose shorts have made a few appearances on my blog over the years!  Along with the moose made out of socks wreath....enjoy Vicki and and George!

My Sister is eagerly digging into her gift....glass cleaner and wipes and car freshners...(from yours truly!) She loved it!  It was very fun to see how perfect the gifts were for those who received them this year.  My brother's daughter is getting married next year and she opened the often passed around gift of a fertility goddess...given by my niece Amy..you know, the one with 3 kids 3 and under! Amy was very happy to get that thing out of her house! I'm sure Betsy will be too! My sister-in-law who hates sock monkeys got the last gift left...a sock monkey mug...go figure!  So what did I get? Well, what every good non-drinking Mormon girl needs:

A bottle of wine and a dish to put cheese on....it was re-gifted immediately! Ha! Time went quickly...dinner was delish and all the goodies were overwhelming...the company was fun and I even got to talk to my brother in Atlanta who couldn't make it out this year.  Hugs were given all around:

And soon it was time to go.  As I looked around the room I realized that all the little ones who used to scamper for Santa and eagerly await his arrival, are now the ones with kiddos who are continuing the tradition.  The younger members are hosting the event instead of Mom or one of us.  We miss those who couldn't make it.  None of my boys could this year but my Granddaughter Driana did..along with her boyfriend.  Makes me feel very old!  I'm grateful for this family and for the love and laughter and good times that have been the constant over the years.  It's good to have the important things stay the same!