She's My She-ro !

If you are a faithful reader, you know that I am going to take a picture of our celebratory dinner! Tonight we had broiled shrimp, sauteed vegetables, and a bread stick. In addition to that, we opened a bottle of Gruet Blanc de Blancs. It is a sparkling champagne from New Mexico--Vintage 2002. We just had to celebrate this wonderful day. Delicious!
After dinner, I got her in the car, backed out of the driveway to the street, got her walker, and we walked up the street about three houses! How about that? Then we got back into the car, and I took her up the driveway into the garage, and deposited her there. (If any of the neighbors were watching, I am sure that they wondered about those two daffy ladies driving down the driveway, and then driving back up. Hee, hee!)Those of you who know her driveway, know that it has much too steep of a grade to have her walk down it, or even up it. We have to keep telling ourselves not to do too much. We just have to take it easy. Well, tonight I put one tired little lady to bed. We had a great day, don't you think? She has just been home two weeks today. WOW! Until next time . . . . . ..

Oh, No! Don't Tell Her That!

Hello, everybody! Today is the day that we have looked forward to for two weeks. When I checked on Her Majesty at 2:05 this morning, she was sleeping soundly. Again, at 3:38--nothing! I was glad that I had set my alarm clock because it did indeed ring this morning. I quickly got up, checked on Miss Ellie, and jumped into the tub for a quick bath. Our appointment was for 9:00 this morning, and we were not going to be late on my account. At five o'clock, I went in to awaken her. She lasted the whole night, and not once had to ring that little dinger.

After we got ourselves ready, we walked out back to the backyard and check on the little flowers that we planted. This first picture is a picture of just how pretty and peaceful her little yard looks.
This second picture shows Ellen standing in her entryway. It looks like someone is taking her picture if you look closely over her left shoulder.

Then we were off to the doctor. We arrived well before the appointed time. We didn't even have to wait for very long. This next picture shows her knee just before the young man began the task of pulling all 25 of those little suckers out. I might add that it was fascinating to watch. She said it didn't hurt at all. The little staples looked like baby m's when he took them out.

Below is the picture as the knee looked after removing about half of the staples.

Next is a picture of the little staple puller in action. This last picture is of the technician who removed the staples for Dr. Westbrook. I kept asking Ellen if it hurt; she kept telling me that it didn't.

So, there you have it. The doctor came in and told her she could do what she felt like doing. (Wrong thing to tell Her Staple-less Majesty.) Sooooooo, guess where we went after leaving the doctor's office? We went to Carpet One to pick up some small pieces of carpet that she had bound from left overs. Then after we got back on the freeway, headed home (or so I thought), she says to me, " I brought my list for Albertson's!" I couldn't believe my ears. Now she wants to go to Albertson's!!!! What Her Shopping Majesty wants, Her Shopping Majesty gets! So, here I am pulling into Albertson's parking lot, and we go shopping for groceries! I am sure we were quite a sight--me walking with my cane running interference for her with her walker! (Did you get that picture?) Hee, hee!

By now, I have absolutely run out of adjectives to use to describe this lady who is my right arm. She is all of these things--awesome, fantastic, wonderful, remarkable, unbelievable, and on top of all of these, she is beautiful inside and out!

Pretty soon, Sharon won't have anything to talk about, huh? Until, next time . . . .

Surprise, Surprise!!

Good day to you all! There will be no living with her now! Her Royal Majesty showed off big time for the therapist today! Meet Leslie! She is the Terrorist Therapist of whom you have heard me speak in earlier episodes. She actually passed out accolades today! Remarkable! Miss Ellie was able to have her knee measured at 87 degrees while sitting this afternoon. Neither of us could believe it. Two weeks ago, the machine could hardly be set to 36 degrees. Now that is progress, don't you think? I know the picture looks like Leslie is beating Ellen, but she isn't. For this exercise, Ellen has to pull her leg up as far as she can get it, and hold for ten seconds.
Below is a picture of Her Royal Big Foot Majesty holding on to the belt and pulling up on her foot. (Yes, she actually has on real clothes today.) We tried to decide what to wear to the doctor in the morning. She had to get the feel of those undergarments, if you know what I mean. She shampooed her hair this morning and got all fixed up. She continues to amaze and amuse us all.
It won't be long before she will be able to outrun me. I guess I am going to have to start being nice to her. Wish us luck tomorrow. I actually ran home to get some ice and to pick up my alarm clock today. Yes, alarm clock! I don't trust me. I am afraid that Ellie will get in the car and go without me.(Hee, hee)

Until next time . . . . . . . . .

My Funny Faithful Phone Friend!

Two weeks have now gone by since surgery. There have been numerous cards, gifts, flowers, delightful dessert delicacies, and visitors. We are very appreciative of all of these; however, one person has been a faithful and constant support through daily phone calls. At the beginning of this ordeal, it was twice a day just to check on Ellen's progress. She would even check out the pictures of the incision and call with her nursing assessment!

We look forward to her daily inquiries and her latest antics. Oh my, does she make us laugh!! Jenny is a fellow school nurse and a dear friend. She has guided Ellen in the right direction regarding her care when Ellen was too "out of it" to remember things on her own. In the hospital she was Ellen's advocate at the Nurse's Station.

Words cannot express our gratitude for all your concern and care. We thank you with our whole hearts. May everyone have a Jenny in their lives! We love you!!

A Totally Extracurricular, Exciting Excursion!!

Hello, everybody! We hope you are well and happy! I will get to the exciting excursion is just a minute; however, first things first---Nichole and Mary, skip to the next part. For the doctors and nurses, keep looking. This first picture I posted is today's view of the knee! We both think that it looks great, and we hope that the doctor does, also ,when we go on Thursday for the big staple removal!


Now to tell you about the big excursion--Yesterday afternoon after we watched "Freedom Writers", Ellen asked if she could go along on my already planned trip to Home Depot. My former florist friend was getting antsy to get out of the house, and she wanted to add a little color to her backyard and the front entryway. With fear and trepidation in my heart, I said a little prayer and got her into the car. Off we went, nightgown and all. I was able to park up close in the first handicapped parking place right across from the plant display. That way she could supervise the selections. I held up the Vinca Red for her approval. (It is a wonder I didn't get arrested because I walked back over to the car to show her up close.)

I was trusted to go inside to find something for the entryway. I found some dwarf dahlias that looked wonderful, so I quickly made the purchase and zoomed back to the car.

We decided to take the movies already watched, and turn them in. After that, we went to my home to take some plants that I bought, and to pick up a few things from the freezer. We asked my husband to move her car which has been in my garage out so I could pull right in with the queen. By this time we both knew that it was time to get back to the house to get her leg iced and up.

But, of course, we first had to transplant the little plants, so here is Her Floral Majesty doing her thing.


When we went outside this morning after breakfast, the plants were still standing tall, and I was relieved.
Her backyard looks prettier each day, just like her new knee. She continues to amaze me. Each day as she gets better, I feel like I am losing some of my new found authority. She is inching back to issuing orders. (You know what I mean.)
Until next time, thanks for reading.

Oops! I almost forgot--last night was an even better night for both of us. We both slept longer than we had at any one time ever. When I got up at 3:00 a.m. to check on her, I could tell immediately that she was sleeping soundly. The covers were still intact and she had this soft little snore (the deep sleep kind). Praise the Lord! I even went back to sleep, and the little ring-a-ding-dinger didn't ring until almost 6:00! What a blessing!

What A Glorious Night!

Oh, my, it was wonderful! That little ring-a-ding-dinger didn't go off ALL night long! I couldn't believe it. I even got up around 12:45, checked on her, checked again at 1:30 a.m., checked again when I got up at 4:30. I figured she would pop, but no, she didn't ring that little dinger until 6:00 a.m. I even had a chance to read the paper all the way through. What a glorious night!

When I put her on the machine this morning, she asked me to take it up to an 80 degree angle. By golly, she kept it there the whole time. I am tremendously proud of her. What a girl!

Until next time . . . ....

A Sunny Sunday Warms The Heart!

We love Sundays! And we hope that yours is going well. It is gorgeous here in El Paso, Texas. The weatherman missed it again. He called for rain, but right now it just doesn't look like it is going to happen. After we got all cleaned up this morning, and I put Ellen back to bed with the Passive Motion Machine, the door bell rang. It was another mom and her two daughters from Polk. They brought by a little thank you present for Nursie-Pooh. We invited them to come in and visit for a little bit. It was a wonderful visit for Ellen.

After they left, Mary came to give us Communion. She is a Eucharistic minister for St. Patrick's Cathedral. She is also a wonderful friend, and a teacher at Polk. Our little Polk community contains some great people. We are happy to say that we are blessed to have such wonderful friends.

Ellen has the machine up to a 78 degree angle now. We hope the Terrorist Therapist is happy with that.

We are going to watch a movie this afternoon. I am not sure if it will be "Freedom Writers", or "Charlotte's Web."

Below you will find two pictures of Ellen's incision as it looked this morning. On Thursday of this coming week, the doctor is supposed to remove the stitches. We are both excited about that. Whatcha think, Miss Jenny?


The next picture is of Mary and Ellen.

This last picture is of Deanna, Emma, and Lily who came by after church for a quick visit.
Right now, it is nap time for me. Sooooo until next time . . . . ..

Happy Hands, Thanks To A House Call

Hello, everybody. Happy Saturday to you, and Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

When you read this, you are probably going to think that we are both going a little stir crazy. Today, a lady who owns a manicure shop came to the house, and gave us both a manicure! Ellen had the idea to call this lady, and ask her if she did home visits. She is the mother of a former student of mine. She is a wonderful lady, and we had such fun. I was going to take a picture of Ellen getting a manicure, but could I even remember to get the camera and do that? NO!!! I was so mad at myself for not doing that. After dinner tonight, I got the idea to take a picture of our hands. At least you could see what a nice manicure we got! (Hee, hee!) And it means another day of no picture of an incision. (Nichole and Mary will be glad for that!) Don't look tomorrow, girls, because I can promise you there will be a picture of the incision.
I mentioned that the manicurist was the mother of a former student of mine. Her son was in my class back in 1997-98. Those kids are graduating from high school this weekend. Her son will not be among them because he died last July of a heart malfunction called cardio-myeopathy. Her son went to bed one night, and when she went to wake him the next morning, she found him. He was already gone. Bless her heart. This is a very hard weekend for her family.

We had a great time with her, and another friend came over for a visit during that time. It was a good day, but I am afraid that Ellen's leg was down for too long. Right now, she is sitting with it iced. Poor thing. She has been freezing for a while. That is about it for today.

Until next time . . . . .

Thanks, Press 'N Seal Inventor!

Happy Friday to everybody! Today's note will be about a few little things. Ellen continues to do a wonderful job of recovering. Her leg looks like someone used it for a baseball bat, but the incision looks wonderful. At Mary's request, there will be no pictures of the incision today.

If you have ever had stitches, or if you have ever broken a part of your body, remember when they tell you NOT to get it wet. Then they proceed to tell you with a straight face that you can take a bath or shower. Well, may we tell you that Press "N Seal works wonders? Plus, it is much better than trying to tie on a plastic bag! We just seal up that part of her leg and it is amazing!

She had a so-so night. She woke up every hour on the hour. Her leg was hurting so much. We determined that it was muscular and not a blood clot building up. We have iced the leg this morning, and right now she is in the passive motion machine to get the joint all warmed up for Miss Terrorist Therapist!

Last night, she wanted to go sit out back on the patio for the first time. What the queen wants, the queen gets! I got everything ready outside, sat her down, turned on our beautiful music, poured ME a glass of wine, and we watched the hummingbirds fly around just before sunset. It was wonderful. Here is the queen sitting outside.

Have a wonderful weekend! Until next time. . . . . . .

Hooray! No More Bathing In The Kitchen Sink!

When the queen rang for me this morning, I knew that it was going to be a wonderful day. She still hurt from yesterday's torture inflicted by the therapist, but she walked on it a little. It was still hugely swollen even after a night in bed. So after breakfast, I got her all set up in her chair in the living room, and hooked her up to the ice machine. Then after I got myself cleaned up and ready to go, she was ready to try out that new shower seat and shower handle.

Oh, my, I thought I would never be able to get her out of it. You just wouldn't believe how happy a nice warm shower made her. I had time to finish putting on make-up, and combing my hair. She didn't want to get out, but I reminded her that I still needed a little hot water for the laundry.

This first picture is of the shower handle that I got installed for her yesterday.
And here is that wonderful shower chair. You can see just how she can sit down on the bench part outside of the tub, and swing her legs inside. (No, I didn't get a picture of her on it! Sorry it you were expecting more.) This is, after all, a family blog. (Hee, hee!)
Today is the day of the fifth grade party at Polk. We won't be there for it, and we shall miss seeing all of the fun, but it's okay. We will hear all about it. And our outcome will be so much brighter. Until next time. . . . . .