Updating again.

I'm really bad at this blogging thing.

I realized just the other day that I have not been seizing life with both hands since I came in from the 2016 Montana trip.

Must change that.

Feels like I've been just moving through the days waiting for something to happen,

Really not good.

Figuring out how to fix that is tough though!

I am now seven weeks out from knee surgery.

I'm doing well

about half way to full movement.

Hit a bit of an issue this week as my hamstrings are very tight- 

even though stretching is a part of my daily routine-

so there are some pain issues in the back of my knee.

Apparently this is quite common and normal.

Possibly caused by my interest in regaining a somewhat normal life!

Anyway, ice and more therapy will eventually fix it.

I'm having huge issues with accessing my blogger account 

as well as commenting on other blogs.

I'm going to spend some time looking at Word Press

for a possible move over there.

Since I can sit and do things without it causing a ruckus in the knee.

Now, I'm going to go to the studio and think about stitching.

Or maybe actually stitching.

A Little Catch UP

I am now 3 weeks out from knee replacement surgery.

The entire experience has been full of frustration!

The knee is good though,

perhaps it will be worth it in the end.

I spent a couple of nightmare nights in the hospital,

before I came home and realized that I couldn't get off the couch!

My sweet son in law took the time to run off to Nebraska Furniture Mart to pick up a recliner for me.

Made everything go so much better.

I sat and slept in that recliner for days,

hooked up to the marvelous ice water machine-pain relief and swelling reduction at the same time.

I've now had two weeks of home health physical therapy and start outpatient on Friday.

I am doing a routine of stretching and exercises from the last surgery on that knee and

walking the long block in front of my house.

I've graduated from a walker to a cane (likely, won't be using the cane much longer)

There is only some soreness and stiffness (of course) but I've been off heavy pain meds for over a week now.

Since it's my left leg, I'm also driving again.

For the most part I think things are going well, getting range of motion back will take some time and effort but I've been there before.

I am reading-a lot.

Stitching-a little.

Working on Family History-somewhere in the middle.

It's Hot-91F

Humid.

And I'm Quite bored!

Field Trip!

It's been such a long time since I went on a field trip!

Today, The Eiman clan and I went to

The Breeding facility of the Budweiser Clydsales

A wonderful cool and cloudy August day at their gorgeous facility.

The last three of the pregnant mares-there will have been 23 babies when these three come.

They are all due in the next month so they are "on deck"

A mare is pregnant for nearly 11 months and gains about 300 pounds

but there are never twins!

That said their labor takes from 5 minutes to 35 minutes.

They are rigged with alarms straight to the head trainer when labor begins.

He has made it to the barn from his home on the ranch in 52 seconds.

Whether he was completely dressed is a question.

They breed for the hitch and there are specific requirements:

Must be male,

Gelded,

Bay in color with 4 white socks, a black mane and tail and a white blaze on their face,

Must stand at least 6 feet at the shoulders and weigh between 1800 and 2000 pounds.

With the exception of the first two their breeding program is 95% accurate.

They're very scientific.

 We saw every part of the facility photos and questions were welcome.

Everyone's favorite part is the BABIES!

There were three in the stalls with their moms.

This a very famous little girl named Gloria!  

She was born only minutes after the 

St Louis Blues won their first ever Stanley Cup!

(That's hockey folks.) 

Budweiser's home is St Louis so it's a very big deal.

Then they brought out Stan the Man for petting and photos ops.

He's already a commercial star but isn't on any of the hitches yet!

That's Kolby with me.

Such a patient and well mannered man is Stan.

A better picture of Stan!

Ethan actually touched him! 

Then as we were headed out to the trucks,

there came along a training drive.

Boy babies are kept with their Mums until they are gelded at 1

then they go off to St Louis for "basic training"  

At 3 they return to Warm Springs for hitch training.

This 4 horse hitch is stage two.

The  Three Clydesdale Hitches appear 300 times a year.

And are well known for their fabulous Super Bowl commercials!

Have a look at a couple of my favorites!

Puppy Love!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=hck3cXzg4_M

And the 911 Tribute

www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5uEeEWhBCA

You can read more about Warms Springs here

www.warmspringsranch.com

and more about the Budweiser Clydesdales by Googling them!

(Although you do have to be 21 to enter their sites-too funny!-

I tried to add a link but something went wrong.)

It was a great trip and I now know a lot about these gentle giants.

Surprises. . .

Last week,

or maybe the one before,

I looked out the patio door and saw pink in the grass!

When I went to satisfy my insatiable curiosity I discovered. . 

flowers!

Moss Rose,

and lots of it.

I didn't plant it out there,

well, not intentionally anyway.

Each fall I dump all the pots and clean them,

at this house I have several VERY low spots in the yard.

Which hold rain water in a big way!

That's where I put the dirt.

I must have emptied the pot that held the Moss Rose last!

It self seeded.

Pretty amazing considering the horrid winter we had.

Now, when I look out the door

I hope to see pink.

Sad to say,

every time we mow they get cut down.

Doesn't seem fair somehow.

Still it is a lovely surprise when I that spot of pink appears!

At Last

It is finished!

Washed, dried and on the bed!

I can't tell you how glad I am.

Music on Monday

I'm showing my age but. . .

This song has been in my head ALL DAY!

Now it can be in yours!

Check out  Monday, Monday from

The Mamas and the Papas
Recorded in 1965!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=h81Ojd3d2rY

Nearly there

Before I get to the Nearly there, 

I have a couple of things I finished this week.

Well, yesterday truthfully

First,

 a new shower curtain rod.

The old one was rusting on the top and hard to move the rings on.

I'm always amazed at the things which I find truly annoying

the struggle with the rings was one of those odd things.

This new one is MUCH easier.

Second,

A new mailbox.

The existing mailbox was made of some flimsy plastic, 

UGH.

White, 

Well once white anyway

And broken.

The new one is metal.

While I was at it I re-painted the post.

I love these letters I found on line!

So much nicer than the peel and stick from the hardware store.

(To be truthful these are peel and stick also!)

Easy to use and nice to look at.

Lastly,

The nearly there.

Yes,

those are binding clips on

the quilt that will not be finished!

I think I will actually finish it and have it on the bed by Wednesday!

At the moment I can only see

all the mistakes in it

BUT,

in the next six months those will just magically vanish!

Other stitching is in the works,

but,

some are gifts so not showing them 

YET!

On the medical front.

After 5 weeks,

numerous phone calls and faxes

and a visit with my Primary Care Doctor

I am scheduled for a knee replacement on August 28!

Waiting for the packet in the mail with all the instructions.

I know it won't be pleasant 

BUT 

it will be done

and I will just have to get on with it.