Hangin'in the Man Cave

It has now been 10 days since Mr. CP went under the knife. 10 days of having a "newborn" on my hands...10 days of step aerobics as I attempt to keep him comfortable and alive in the Man Cave.

Mr. CP chose to recuperate in the Man Cave based on the creature comforts he enjoys. LARGE screen. Recliner. The MC came with a kitchen, Oak bar, bathroom, and hideous lighting. We did a little with the lighting--which MR. CP keeps dim. There are speakers that let you "feel" the sounds. There is junk food. A cordless phone. Internet access....everything he needs!

Which is where the step aerobics comes in. Despite his description of the perfect recuperation venue, most often what he wants/needs, right now, right now!! is not in the man cave. It is upstairs, outside, in the garage, or up-up stairs. Not only is it the 14 steps in each flight, but the carrying of the "stuff" from the far reaches to appease the god of the recliner in the Man Cave is adding to the aerobic nature of this experience!!

My knees hurt! My feet "creak". I feel like any moment I will be a >weeble< and fall or bounce down the stairs.

Despite his professed love of the man cave....he is developing cabin feever! Says he will ride in the handicapped cart at the Costco/walmart---may take him up on that. I need to get out of the man cave tooo--am starting to look like a squinty eyed nocturnal animal!!

Go Green! Go White!

In keeping with my need to have more than one project at a time, I started another pair of socks to celebrate the completion of the super secret socks. The yarn is "interesting". A little thicker than I usually knit. Selected for its colors--suitable for Spartan alumni!

Of course, I took them along to the appointment at the rival school medical center--was eyed with suspicion by the blue and gold army with little block M's on their shirts. Opps! Had not meant offense--I just don't do blue and gold.

So...Go green! Go White! First repeat of the yarn pattern completed. Using easy round toe...like the shape--in toe up socks with 2 circular needles--size U.S. 0. Working up quickly! Fun!

I can't hear you...Or ....la, la,la, la, la,la,la,la(with thumbs in his ears)

And here is how the conversation went:

Dr.: Are you employed?

2 days Post knee surgery patient: Yes

What do you do?

Sales

Travel?

Yes. Scheduled for Germany in two weeks. Mexico, and Germany usually.

None of that for at least 6 weeks. Very high risk of blood clots on airplanes!

I thought I would go into the office tomorrow or Monday

Do you have a couch in your office?

no

Can you keep your knee and ankle above your heart---like on a bed or something?

No

Well, that will not work. The risk of blood clots is very high post-surgery!

I suppose I could not go in until Tuesday

And the swelling will impede the healing. Your leg should be elevated.

I have a chair

And there is infection. But the biggest risk is blood clots and swelling.

O.k., then I can work from home until Thursday.

We do not need complications at this point. You need to stay home for at least two weeks. You will use these crutches for at lease six weeks. No weight for two weeks.

I can go in Thurs or Friday.

You can't drive with the pain killers you are taking.

I only took one this morning, but it hurts now.

So no work, no weight on that leg for two weeks. Call physical therapy for an apt. You need to keep that elevated except when you get up to use the bathroom.

I suppose I can work from home and go in Friday.

You are to keep that leg elevated above your heart. And on ice--both the machine and real ice. We will take the stitches out in 10 days, then we can talk about going back to work.

My computer isn't fixed. That will be a problem.

So, see you in 10 days. Rest, elevate, pain killers, ice, home exercises, physical therapy. Any questions?
No.

Walking out of the building:
I have to go into the office.
Wife: In two weeks. Apt for stitches removal is the 7th. You can tell them the 8th.
I can't be gone that long.
???

He didn't hear a word they said that did not agree with his ideas!

Of course, he barely made it home, and collapsed, unconscious, for several hours, so we won't fight the office battle today.

So the people at his office should thank me, as the last thing they need is a drugged invalid in their way....And all the commuters who made it home safely....And the insurance company should thank me too, as I could be a rich widow, unless of course they rule the death by blood clot a suicide!

Super secret socks!

Done!

Not what the yarn ball made me think they would look like--but somehow still "cool" looking!

Bernat--fun colors!

Acrylic--now in the same category as "orange"----nevermore!

Only "real" wool henceforth!

It has been awhile

I have been busy doing other things. Seems I have neglected to blog. There are the weeds (lots of them). New plants to find homes for. The injured husband. Work stuff. Auntie L. stuff. Surgery for Mr. Crabby pants. Life has been very busy.

There has also been knitting. Socks, shawls, UFO's. No excuse really, but have had no issues, interesting stuff, or other topics to blog. So, guess I need to think about some issue to explore. Maybe pharmacies. That was the last frustration in my life....Stay tuned.

The Bionic Man

Men (even those with normal hearing) "hear what they want to hear, and disregard the rest"--nah, nah, nah, nah, nah,nah-nah-nah-nah....Etc.

Did you know that they were going to drill holes in my femur? (yes), ..And they are going to use screws (uh-huh)...And I will have scars here, here, and HERE! (yep).

So went the conversation tonight following his pre-op appointment for the upcoming knee surgery (still dealing with motorcycle accident damage...)

I knew all of this from the detailed explanation provided by the surgeon at a prior visit...He was in the room, (which was barely larger than my oven by the way) but obviously had suffered complete hearing loss during the explanation of the procedure and recovery.....

Men, they hear what they want to hear (and disregard the rest!!)....But I will control the pain meds!!! (tee-hee!) Stay tuned!

Who is Jennifer, and is it that I should I call her?

"Call Jennifer". That is what my "to do" list said. It was among several items, both personal and business that I needed to attend to....

Who is Jennifer? What is it I am supposed to call her about?

It took me days to figure it out! Jennifer is my hairdresser. When we moved, I needed to establish a "new relationship" with someone to cut my hair. This was accomplished by window shopping on Main street with 1's assistance, and choosing the most outrageous person I saw in the shop--which for where I live is still pretty tame.

It was not that I wanted hair on the wild side, but I do like someone who is a little creative, so we are not stuck in a rut.

Anyway, after several days of racking my brain and checking other lists for a clue of who Jennifer was and what I needed to call her about, I looked in the mirror, and remembered that I needed a hair appointment---thus, the need to call Jennifer!!

Now, I do not forget her name, although I usually decide I NEED her on a weekend, and by the time Tuesday rolls around, have forgotten that I needed to call for an appointment.

I need to be able to email my beauty shop for an appointment---maybe I will suggest that! We now have a laugh every time I eventually show up, as she knows the "who is Jennifer and why do I need to call her" story! And this time she actually did what I wanted her to do with my hair--so maybe I should just let her do her thing, as it really did look better last time when I did not interfere!

@%!$@&#^!! Deer

This is what my day lilies would look like if the deer did not keep eating them before they bloom! This morning, I swear they waited until they heard the car leaving the driveway, then sauntered right up to the house to begin their munching. What they hadn't figured on was me being home, gimpy and all. Mr. Buck and Ms. Doe were quite surprised that I took exception to their breakfasting on my plants.

You would think with three acres, and all the neighbors acreage, they could find something else to eat! So I got out my super deer repellent. Sprayed it on the few remaining flowers. Was so rank (had been in the very hot garage) that I had to come inside. Hope it works--sure smells awful!

Lesson learned. You can never drop your guard--deer do not have memories!

Grace

Over the weekend, 2's friends stopped by with new baby "Gracie". Cute. Tiny. Observation: Parenthood seems much more complicated than it did when mine were babies--we didn't have so much "stuff" involved.

Speaking of Grace, or more accurately, lack there of....I managed to take a walk at lunch yesterday, and as I was walking down the street, fell. Not tripped, just hit some uneven pavement and went down. Lots of students from the nearby law school on the sidewalk--very nice--are you o.k? Thought so. One young man pointed out that "people fall there all the time"--either he is destined to be an ambulance chaser, or he has way too much time to spend at this corner.

Anyway, I not really fine. Managed to walk back to my office. Was harder to walk to my car. Harder still to press the accelerator on the way home. Decided to seek medical care. They X-rayed. Don't know anything. Ended up with what looks like an extra large hard boiled egg inserted under the skin at my ankle. Hurts. Gave me crutches (challenging, as I was not graceful enough to avoid the fall in the first place), a wrap, several sheets of instructions and a script. See a real doctor if it doesn't get better on its own. Bill will probably be a thou---if I had an X-ray machine, could have saved my insurance co a lot of money.

I know how this goes. Have been here before. Takes much longer than they say. Hurts more than they say. Crutches are impossible to use unless you are coordinated, and if you are coordinated, you probably wouldn't need crutches in the first place. My hand is bruised--so using the crutches hurts too.

Pass the drugs. Think I should just take a nap!

Federal Feet

I have not mentioned the sock knitting for awhile. It is not that I have stopped knitting, although the production has slowed due to many factors. I finished the Washington D.C. trip socks yesterday. I still have three pair on needles in various stages of completion. Have also been working on gift knitting, which is best not mentioned in the blog in the unlikely event that the intended recipient would be reading.

But the garden beckons....Or rather weed removal is required. Knitting will have to wait for evening.

Deana and Gerard

Live next door to 4. They moved in on their wedding day in 1956--50 years ago. We met them yesterday as we helped 4 start to move in and "fix" things. Deana had on the cutest little house dress, flowered, a little lace collar, pearl buttons and neatly pressed. Of course, she had an apron on to keep it clean. She was hanging out the wash. Gerard (you could call me Jerry, but I really don't like that name) was "puttering". He had embraced a more trendy fashion style, in cap, t-shirt and athletic shorts--a somewhat humorous outfit for someone his age, but perhaps cast offs from a college age grandson.

They had been friends of their neighbors, Helen and Leo. It will always be Helen and Leo's house to them. Deana pointed out what a great house it would be for 4..not too big to clean. I don't think that was one of the selection criteria, but 4 smiled and nodded. (She is very good with the elderly). They assumed she had a husband--she found that "cute".

After the intro's all around, and enough social conversation to convince them that the new neighbor was "worthy", they told 4 to come over if she needed any help. We were actually thinking the opposite.

Alice and Harold, Helen and Leo

The 1940's and 1950's. The American dream. Harold and Leo were Machinists. Alice and Helen "housewives". Harold and Leo made decent money for those days. Skilled and in demand. They bought "nice" houses for Alice and Helen to "keep" on opposite sides of the state.

Alice and Helen had clothes lines where the laundry dried in the breeze. They had plywood kitchen cupboards, tiled baths, and hardwood floors underfoot. The probably both had dust mops. Both "modernized" their bathroom sometime around the late 60's with a vanity.

Harold had a driveway poured, but never got around to building a garage. Leo never got around to the driveway, but had enough garage for 5 cars! Both Harold and Leo took care of things around the house the way a machinist would--- not at all the approach a carpenter would have had. Fortunately, both restricted these activities to areas where it doesn't matter. Thank you, Alice and Helen for making sure.

Alice died before Harold. Harold did nothing to the house..not even vacuum apparently...for years. 1 bought it from Harold. He left behind Alices "special" dresses--too grief stricken, or just to lazy to deal with them. We (really) shoveled the dirt out of the house that had accumulated under the carpet in the years since she stopped vacuuming.

Helen and Leo had more time. Both lived into their 90's. 4 bought their house from "the estate". If they had dirt under their carpets, we will never know, as the carpet had already been removed, but I somehow doubt it. Leo predeceased Helen. She probably continued to vacuum.

Somehow I have managed to raise two independent strong women. I am very proud of them. 1 and 4 both have homes of their own. Independently, their own achievement. They both bought homes from elderly couples who had lived in them a long time. They both have solid, good houses. Along the way, they are also learning to appreciate the history and charm of period homes.

4 has a coal bin, well pit and fruit cellar. Of course she did not know what they were, and even I was a little unsure. 1 has knotty pine and a grotto--basement finishing method of choice in the 50's. Both have unfinished attic space waiting to be turned into living space. Both (now) have day lilies. Both now know how to change out a lockset. Both have tool boxes.

I hope that Alice and Helen and Leo would have liked what 1 and 4 they are doing with their homes...Not that it matters. (I am sure Harold could care less.) But I think they would. I am so impressed.

"The Drawer"

I had forgotten about the drawer until S. mentioned it. It was the remaining part of a "finish it yourself" telephone stand from--1960 or 70 something. The telephone stand was replaced by a microwave cart--but the drawer was salvaged, as she needed the drawer for her "stuff".

Never mind that it was "blonde" and the microwave cart walnut. Never mind that there was no drawer space on the cart. It sat on the shelf for as long as I can remember--full of pens, pencils, rubberbands, miscellaneous scraps of paper, phone lists, and "stuff"--keys and thumbtacks, markers, paintbrushes, etc. It was the epicenter of planning for pot lucks, phone fan outs, notes to self (which were increasingly more important), and the calendars that chronicled the daily life. The microwave cart developed "groves".

It moved with the cart to the apartment, to the house, and then got left behind when we took her to the "home", as she had no more need for pencils, phone lists, planning, or rubber bands. Calendars were of no use. There were no pot lucks or phone fanouts to be done. It was "inherited" by the "keepers" of "the house".

It held phone books, pizza coupons, and pens. I cleaned it out once. Other stuff, important to the keepers found a home in the drawer. We all knew what one would find in the drawer, and what to put in the drawer, although we had never had lessons. It just "was".

E left. D moved in with his boys. Various comings and goings. The drawer had staying power. The microwave stopped working, or moved, or something. There was no need for the cart. D probably moved it to make way for other furniture when the households were combined and S became his wife. I think it went to the garage. Maybe (?) "the drawer" went with it. No one seems to know.

The drawer is only important for what it was. A depository of the stuff that was important in a life that has left us...twice. First in memory, and finally in body.
The drawer is like my friend Judy's daughter's nana's monkey. An item that no one except those who loved the owner would think was anything other than junk.

It is not about the drawer. It is about the memories! (and knowing where to get a rubber band when you need it!)

Hyperopia

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

'Hyperopia, also known as hypermetropia or colloquially as farsightedness or longsightedness, is a defect of vision caused by an imperfection in the eye (often when the eyeball is too short or when the lens cannot become round enough), causing inability to focus on near objects, and in extreme cases causing a sufferer to be unable to focus on objects at any distance. As an object moves towards the eye, the eye must increase its power to keep the image on the retina. If the power of the cornea and lens is insufficient, as in hypermetropia, the image will appear blurred.

People with hyperopia may experience blurred vision, asthenopia, accommodative dysfunction, binocular dysfunction, amblyopia, and strabismus.[1]'


In other words...they only see the Forest, not the trees.

Vision, and seeing are important things. Seeing things as they really are is very important. If you cannot see accurately upclose, then you need to do something to correct your vision. It is not as difficult as it seems. Good vision is available if people make the effort.

Remember your first pair of glasses, and how exciting it was to see things clearly? Everyone should remember to change their prescriptions as needed to see clearly that which is around them. Sometimes we get too busy or too distracted or too wrapped up in our projects, but that is not good. It can lead to deterioration. If our vision is not as sharp as it should be we can make mistakes and be disappointed.

Furniture Agnst!

4 admitted that she has furniture agnst. That uncertainty between "oh joy, I bought a house"and "wow,this is perfect". She does not know where the sofa will go. Never mind that she has lived in three apartments and it has always worked out. Must be because this is more permanent....It matters more.

1 has relationship agnst. The uncertainty between the first meeting and sifting through all the meetings to find the right kind to keep. She does not know where she is going to find the keeper....And it also matters more.

I have no agnst. The flowers are planted (sort of), the laundry is not done (who cares, it can wait), and I have the sheet cake for work tomorrow---bringing me full circle to the second blog entry of last year...I have no agnst about seeing the foot Dr. again about my plantar facia, no angst about the big project I have at work, as it is currently going well ahead of schedule, and no agnst about anything, except maybe not taking enough time to knit this weekend.

If you average the agnst, it probably works out to be manageable...Probably doesn't seem like it to 1 and 4. Hopefully next year when it is my turn for the birthday cake at work again, their problems will be worked out.

4 and me

Today 4 came home. We had things to do. It was fun. We did some browsing of stores that we've not shopped together before. She got a doormat for her new back door. We talked of all the things she will need in her new house. Such fun. For me is like having a doll house. Must show restraint--it is her house. Will save it for future grandchildren--the buying because I want to.

So we looked at rugs and curtain rods, and bedsteads, curtains, and "stuff". Browsed the plants at the garden center. We talked about the things that she will inherit. We had lunch, invited 1 (who is still recovering from the fun fair fun) who couldn't come, and then 4 went shopping with Mr. Cp while I took a nap.

Fun was had by all. I like having "quality time" now and then. She found a "treasure" on sale for her living room. The moving starts Thursday.

She can't believe she is buying a house! I can't believe that I have another doll house to play in! I am glad that she is old enough now to appreciate how much little things like curtain rods cost. I am also glad that she will finally have "roots" in a house of her own that she can love. Will be fun to visit, and shop at the kinds of stores that we have not shopped at together before.

Time to plant some flowers

It is that time in the spring that I must find some annuals that the critters won't eat! The perennials have filled in nicely. In several years will not need the annuals, but have big pots.

Need something very distasteful for the deer. Adventures in the flower vendor tomorrow!

Dear FBI:

I am sorry you did not find Jimmy in my neighborhood. I appreciate how difficult it is to find some bones from 30 years ago, especially in a place like this...so many trees on so many acres. Although the townies seemed to have a weird sense of humor over the whole thing, you have to understand that nothing more exciting than a 4th of July parade ever happens here--and even that is not very exciting! Please also understand that the vast majority of us who live here like it that way, thank you very much. It is part of the "charm" of the place.

A couple of years ago my grandson found a bunch of bones on our acreage--and did not have to dig! There they were, right on top for the picking up. I doubt that they were the remains you were looking for, although 30 years ago, my "yard" was just another natural area here in the neighborhood with dense trees--so it is not without some plausibility that someone could have dumped someone here, and no one would have been any wiser. The bones looked pretty much like deer when my grandson assembled them....so we did not call you. He was so thrilled with them, that he bagged them up and took them for show and tell. His teacher (who thought them creepy) allowed them to be displayed on the "back table" for the class. Then they were packed again and kept in the garage, until his mother threw them out.

So, if these were the bones you were looking for, try the landfill at 5 mile in Plymouth Township. They won't be many feet down, as it was just last year (not thirty years ago)and they are probably still in a brown paper bag. I hope they were only deer bones. The parents at the school would probably find it kinda creepy if Jimmy Hoffa's remains were hanging out in their kids classroom for a couple of days.

Lest you think we were insensitive, we did discuss the possibility of famous remains (e.g. the Oakland County Child Killer and Page Marie), however never really thought to call you about Jimmy. Besides, we are pretty sure they were deer bones. We do have pictures, if you would like them.

Sincerely,



A Milford resident

Back from the Oregon Trail

It was beautiful. It was nice to see something new. It was wonderful to be in a place where fibers and fabrics and things related are appreciated, and apparently are big business. I visited three yarn shops!! The first, the Yarn Garden was wonderful. A very nice selection, and nice but not pushy people. I bought stuff I didn't need, but wanted at a reasonable price from a great selection.

The next one was in the "Pearl District". Definitely uptown. Really nice yarn, but pricey (of course what would you expect really nice yarn to cost?) It was a cute shop with an enthusiastic keeper, who sensed immediately that 1) I knew something about knitting and 2) I was a bargain hunter. She left me alone, and worked on more impressionable customers buying $20.00 balls of exquisite wool so they could teach their ten year olds to knit.

I found the bargain bins in the basement. 40%off. Bought another thing I did not need, but wanted, and it was "reduced". Hand dyed, and in my colors!

Third store was the snootiest store. They would (for a price) knit up their pricey yarn for you. She was not interested in knitters (except maybe for slave labor). Interesting--seems you can make a living selling very expensive yarn to the clueless if you have some slave knitters tucked away.

I returned with new additions to my stash. Also visited a needlepoint store, a button store and a very nice fabric store, but bought only a pattern for a jacket. Portland, you are still a wonderland for the home ecers among us (as long as we have enough cash!)

Rocks, Elk, Slides, etc. On the Oregon Trail

We decided to go to the "beach". It required a two hour ride through the rainy wine country, and then arrival in a typical shore town, resplendent with wind sock sellers and taffy vendors. It was hard to see the beach for all the resorts and condos.

We drove up 101 to Tillamock--taking the scenic route whenever available. Oregon has beautiful beaches. (Note, the tour guide warns anyone entering the water to beware of logs--honest! I could see why!). In Tillamok we visited the cheese factory and had some really good ice cream. Then we took the drive back through the mountains--absolutely beautiful, but full of dire warnings of Elk! Slides! Rocks! Snow! Fortunately, it was an uneventful day for our drive through. Except for a little one lane bridge construction, we just enjoyed the forest.

The moss is notable. They get 90 inches of rain a year. The moss is everywhere!! I have seen whole buildings taken over with mossiness!!! Very strange looking.

Oregon is beautiful. Am amazed that not more people live here. I suppose if that happens, it won't be so beautiful.