I wrote this title at least a month ago … and I still do not really have a captivating topic. I had my left-hip replacement surgery June 12th — a good 8 weeks ago. Met with my hip-doctor yesterday for the 8th week check-up. I am doing so well — absolutely no pain. I am mainly walking with my walker … I am just not that well balanced … I did do my walk this afternoon with my cane … certainly not steady!!! Both Lori and Craig are setting goals for me!!! Craig’s are re-learning to climb at least one-two steps … and practicing walking every day. He is an excellent motivator!!!
Lori’s goals came from a conversation we had yesterday … she and Mike are doing the “Burning Man Festival” in Reno these next two weeks … she indicated she and a friend were then going to Paris to do a walk along the El Camino … about two weeks ” walk” beginning on the French side. So the conversation then humorously goes to my joining her on such next year!!! Well then … to reduce the challenge … maybe I could set a goal of walking three to ten miles next year !!! Well then … maybe one … one mile did not sound so bad to me … so maybe “ I can walk one mile next year.” … I hear myself saying that — and I set that as a goal!!!
I love those … our … children!!!
You might remember that “Little Mary” is Pete’s great-niece. She is the grand.daughter of Pete’s brother, Art. -Maybe a generation younger than our children. Mary and her family … husband, Bryan, and children, Gregory, Anna, and Catherine (Cat!!!)… have come to Colorado for a couple years now ,,, to enjoy Colorado … and to visit Pete and me … and to visit just me now. Talk about gifts … Mary and the family visiting me!!! I am so pleased and so proud … that they would visit me … I am serious … we were tied together because of Pete … now it is friendship and love that holds us together… I am so blessed. I know I could be sounding a little sloppy … but I had to indicate just how fortunate I feel.
Mary and the children keep me acclimated to current “trends” — children trends. I found out that Anna loves her Colorado sweatshirt (Christmas???) … she wears it to bed, dress, everything she does!!! So, obviously sweatshirts for each of the children. Now … it also happens to be Anna’s birthday around the time here. So … “Mary. what does she want?” “Oh. of course, LOL Surprise gifts.!!! ” As Mary explained, “These are little dolls that turn blue when they put them in cold water.!!!” Of course.. Well, I have to say Craig and I hit a home run. (Rockies” vocabulary.) Anna loved the suitcase with many items for the dolls — and for Anna. All three children played with the various items in that gift for most of the evening.
All of us … did dinner at one of our favorite Tex.Mex restaurants around here. The next morning Mary and Bryan … and children … brought breakfast here to the apartment … breakfast from McDonalds … it has been at least 3 years since I had McDonalds!!! Pete loved McDonalds’ breakfasts … and most always “snuck” out, wherever we were, to get McDonalds breakfasts before anyone else was up!!! Good memories … good conversation with Bryan and Mary … and hugs from everyone as they headed back to Omaha. What a lovely time. (Anna wearing her sweatshirt.!!!)
My hip is great!!! I have had the cataract removed from my left eye! It has been a week today … I can see the television — and people — without glasses or contacts. Yesterday I wrote the first part of this current essay … when the doctor told me my vision would go from about 3 feet to faraway — he was correct!!! I cannot see close-up!!! I knew that — but it did not register until I was on the computer!!! So — I have just ordered several “readers” from Amazon … and several “chains” to keep the readers around my neck!!! We could comment on how old I will be appearing!!! Next week … Wednesday … my right eye gets the same treatment!!! I have been so fortunate in choices of doctors. My hip doctor also does knees … we shall see if I have my knees done.
Today is Craig’s first day as a post-secondary teacher — instructor at Red Rocks Community College. He just wanted to see if he would like it. He basically retired from Actuarial work this past January. Obviously he knows the mathematics … algebra and statistics … but he has had to get acquainted with the Colorado community college support — technology — system. I am really impressed with the system … including practically everything online that you could think of that might possibly help a student … homework and hw grading, video of almost every lesson, oh … textbook, all grades within 5 days of an exam, duplicate problems … except for numbers … so students can practice, and , I am sure, more. I am really impressed. Those of you who know me, you have to realize how great it is just to talk with Craig about his mathematical experiences. If I went back to teaching, I would have to teach graduate/abstract courses … that would not be on an online system!!!
This should be interesting.
Love y’all.
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