Update

Nothing exciting going on. We've been enjoying riding our bikes almost on a daily basis. We're trying to build up our endurance so we can do some of the rails to trails down here. We're up to 8 miles a day working on being able to bike 10 miles. We also got a new bike rack for the car so we can put the bikes up and drive to different trails around this area. Friday we drove up to Fort DeSoto and rode the bike trail there. It was beautiful - smooth and uncrowded.

The Cubs were in town to play the Tampa Bay Rays last week. It was the first time they had been to Tropicana Field. We went to the game on Tuesday. Unfortunately the Cubs lost. But we enjoyed being at the game. We had been to one other Cubs game since we moved. They played the Florida Marlins who play in Dolphins stadium in Miami.

I had my last ortho doctor's appointment on Monday. The doctor said he was blown away by my recovery and wishes all of his patients had my self motiviation and discipline. He stated it would make his job a whole lot easier. I don't have to go back until next March - the 1 year anniversary of having my knees replaced. I really hadn't realized how much arthritis had "stolen" from me. The decline in the function of my knees was so insidious that on a daily basis I didn't notice any difference. But over the long haul, I now realize how "crippled" I had become.

I'll close for now, chores are calling.

Nice and Quiet

Our schedule has been blissfully quiet. Other than normal activities (church, choir, taking my aunt shopping), nothing out of the ordinary has been going on.

Friday we met Eric and Sarah at a movie theater and saw the new Indiana Jones movie. We had been to see it before and it was so good we wanted to see it again. After the movie we came home and went in the pool for an hour or so and then grilled hamburgers. After eating, we spent the night scrapbooking and watching "National Treasure - Book of Secrets" another great movie.

Monday we bought new bikes. Our old bikes are 32 years old and we figure they have somewhere between 20,000 and 30,000 miles on them. The only original equipment left on them are the frame, wheels and seat - everything else has been replaced at one time or another. They have served us well, but we figured it was time for their retirement! The bikes we got are 21 speed Trek bikes with seat suspension and front fork suspension. What a different ride! Shifting gears is now a pleasure as opposed to a chore. We've also ordered a new bike rack for the car. We're now looking forward to putting the bikes on the car and exploring parts of Florida we haven't done before.

Tuesday afternoon, Aunti Vi's step-grandaughter (and her husband) and Aunti Vi came out and visited for a little while. We then went to dinner at a restaurant out on the island that fronts right on the gulf. The restaurant isn't fancy, but it does have good food!

Yesterday we took groceries down to Aunti Vi - she didn't want to go out as she was tired from having company. We also had choir last night.

The rest of this week is wide open. We'll probably spend some time swimming and biking. I also need to continue to prep for Bible study which starts July 3rd.

Today was a great day!

I have been trying to figure out a way to recap the last 2 months. I have several drafts but haven't been happy with them. So -- I've decided I'm just going to start fresh and not try and catch up.

Today was a wonderful day. We went for a bike ride early this afternoon. It is so incredible to be back on my bike again! I haven't been able to ride for over 2 years because of my knees, but after surgery, I am now able to ride pain free! After we got home from biking, we spent 2 hours in the pool, not doing much of anything except floating. By this time it was time to come in and start dinner. After dinner, we walked up to DeSoto Park to watch the sunset. It's a mile each way to the park. Again, 2 months ago, I couldn't even think about walking that far. When we got home, we just sat and cooled down. We may head for the pool again. The water is 90 degrees and the air temp is about 82.

Tomorrow will be another day like today if nothing comes up. We are thoroughly enjoying these down days.

April Update

Where to begin? Where I left off (March 24th)? Current?? 4 weeks with no post - much to update - probably too much for one post -

I'll start with today and work backwards - today was my birthday. Didn't do a whole lot. We talked about going over to Disney but decided not to. We swam this afternoon - the pool is 90 degrees. The main problem today was the air temp was 80 and breezy, so it was cool when we got out of the water. However, it did feel good to swim again. We also were able to swim yesterday - the pool was 92 degrees - again the air temp was cool (80'ish) but the water was delightful! After we swam, we decided to go to one of our favorite restaurants in Sarasota for dinner. We came home by way of the island drive (Bird Key, St. Armand's Key, Longboat Key and Anna Maria Island) and parked by the beach and watched the sunset. It was just beautiful! Yesterday we took Aunti Vi to the doctor. No major problems - she just wanted reassurance from the doctor about a few issues she's having. Basically the doctor said if everyone was in the shape she is, we would have a lot less people "pushing up daisies." After the doctor's appointment, we took her grocery shopping and then home.

Last week, was doctor's appointments for me. Monday, I had my first post-op ortho doctor's appointment. He's thrilled with my progress and told me I was way ahead of the normal recovery curve. The only issue is the flexion in my knees. My right knee flexes 92 degrees and my left knee 91 degrees. He wants both flexing at 120 degrees. I reminded him prior to surgery I had about 80 degrees of flexion in both knees! Tomorrow I have my first outpatient ohysical therapy session. We'll see if I've gained any more flexion in the last 2 weeks (I have been working on my flexion independently). Tuesday was my post op appointment with my family doctor. He too is thrilled with my progress and said I didn't need to come back for 6 or 7 months (which is when I'm due for my annual physical).

Wednesday was choir. It felt good to be back even though I didn't go up on the platform. Just seeing everybody and sing along felt great! Friday night we went out to dinner with friends who are leaving to go back north for the summer this weekend.

Well I'll close for now - this post is long enough. More later.

Update

Life has been relatively quiet. Both Dan and I are pretty much recovered from our bout with the flu. Aunti Vi is feeling better but it is taking her longer to recover. The antibiotics the doctor put her on almost did more harm than good. Hopefully by next week she'll be 100%. We did take her to Wal-Mart on Wednesday and she enjoyed being out n the air for the first time in 3 weeks.

Bible study finished up on Thursday. After the morning session we all (there were 14 of us)went out to lunch at the Amish restaurant near church. It was great to be able to visit and spend some social time with the ladies. Each one is so dear and spending the last 11 weeks with them has truly been special. Right now, I believe the Lord is leading me to offer "When Godly People Do Ungodly Things" over the summer. It's only an 7 week course so right now I'm figuring on starting either the 3rd or 10th of July and going through the middle of August. Our fall Bible study ("Living Beyond Yourself" - A study on the fruit of the Spirit) will start September 11th and end November 20th. As far as the evening session goes, two of the ladies bring refreshments and we "graze" the entire evening. The evening ladies are also dears and I love each one of them. The two sessions are as different as night and day. The morning session is 90% discussion, 10% going over homework. The evening session is 90% going over the homework and 10% discussion!



Friday, we went over to Disney to the EPCOT Garden and Flower Show. The flowers and displays were beautiful. I don't know if we'll get over there again this year, but I'm glad we had the chance to go Friday.

Today was the choir cantata at church. It was presented last night and then at both services this morning. Because of my knees, I have had to drop out, but Dan sang. It was beautiful and the message was phenomenal.

Well, I must go, laundry is calling!

Not quite hale and hearty but better -

We are feeling better - just about 100%, but still coughing. Not as much as we were, but still not rid of it totally. Monday, we went down to check on Aunti Vi and she was afraid her's had gone into pneumonia, so we made a doctor's appointment for her Tuesday. We took her in and all the doctor said was it was going to take time for her to get over it. There's nothing they can do. It's a viral flu. She did give her a prescription for a broad spectrum antibiotic as a precaution. I talked to her a little while ago and she had eaten 3 meals today for the first time since she got sick and she was feeling just about normal.

Tomorrow is Bible study - I can't believe we'll be finishing up next Thursday. The 11 weeks have flown by. The ladies are pressing me to lead a Bible study over the summer, but I've told them we need to wait and see. I do have one picked out that I believe the Lord is leading me to, but I want to wait and see how the next several months go. This study is only 7 weeks long, so it would work to do it over the summer.

Friday we're heading up to Tennessee to celebrate my mom's 87th birthday on Sunday. We'll be back home on Monday.

This week is the Tampa Bay Scrapbook Treasure Hunt. It's been fun to go to the different stores and see the different scrapbook products that are available. There are 15 stores on the hunt, but I'm only doing 9. Last year I did all 15, but several of them are a couple hours away and I wasn't overly impressed with them. Also with the price of gas what it is, we haven't wanted to use a tank just running around.

Well, I'll close - it's just about time for bed.

Sunday Update

I did go down to see Aunti Vi yesterday. She was a lot better than I expected. She's just weak from not eating very much for the last 5 days. Her fever is gone and now she just needs to rebuild her strength. i didn't stop by today but did call her. We're going to stop down tomorrow with some more cough medicine and also some canned chicken broth. When I talked to her today, she said she "fancied" some chicken broth and had 2 cans so she heated up one and thoroughly enjoyed it. Now she is down to one can but she likes to keep 2 cans on hand as she uses it as a base for her homemade soup.

Just wanted to update ---