Christmas Fun

 

Because of the imminent birth of granddaughter number 3, I traveled to Michigan the week before Christmas to help my expectant daughter with her 2 year old, plus babysit for my younger daughter with the 3 month old, so they could attend a wedding.  

It was so fun in both locations with all the lead up to Christmas.  There were lots of Christmas crafts, Christmas movies, and Christmas books.  Lots of Christmas music and shaking of  both snow globes and sprinkles on Christmas cookies.

The highlight was the Christmas Tea Party I planned for the two year old.  I think it was her first real tea party and the stars cut from cheese were a bit hit.  She also loved stirring the “tea” in the tea cups.  When I found out I was having a granddaughter, this was what I envisioned.  And, there will be many more tea parties to come with 3 granddaughters. 

I returned to Florida on Christmas Eve morning and we have been Christmas-ing since with Christmas Eve mass, dinner at home, opening presents and a walk thru some beautiful Christmas lights.  Then, dinner at our friend’s house on Christmas Day.  

It was a very different Christmas here in Florida, but different does not mean bad.  Plus, we have our family Christmas in Michigan to look forward to and meeting the new baby.  I think we made this “different” Christmas work just fine.

 

Thanksgiving Week in Photos

 

We celebrated both our Anniversary and Thanksgiving this week, plus got all the Christmas decorating done - so today, I rest.

On Tuesday, we went to Ft. Myers to see MSU basketball beat East Carolina, celebrated our Anniversary with a dinner out on Wednesday and enjoyed a delicious Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday.  My mother in law was here, so just three of us.  The Lions unfortunately lost, but MSU Basketball had a big win over UNC.  We missed our family, but they were together at Megan’s house on a snowy Thanksgiving in Grand Rapids.  

On to Christmas fun!

Calendar is Full

 

After being not very mobile with my injury, it is so great to finally catch up on all the things.  From overdue trimming around my house, to cleaning, to catching up with friends, my lists are long and my calendar is full.

My volunteer position is keeping me busy as we take on a big job in Venice where we help decorate a big park for the holidays.  I have become more involved and am on the committee, so have spent a lot of time taking on a few big jobs.  We are a powerhouse group and got it done this week.  It was a beautiful night in the park last night with families enjoying the lights turned on a bit early for testing and other non profit groups out decorating their assigned tree.  The community spirit in Venice is strong!

Also filling my calendar is continued PT which is going very well and I am very motivated.  Honestly, PT is a miracle seeing where I started.  I am even slowly starting a protocol to get back to golf.  The snow birds are starting to arrive too, so many breakfasts, lunches and dinners are happening.

And, like many of you, Thanksgiving prep is ongoing.  My daughters and their families will be together in Michigan, so I will miss them, but we will be hosting my mother in law here and I look forward to a quiet sunshiney Florida day with good food and football.

Happy Thanksgiving to all! 

P.S. Here is a recipe from the 2020 archives - my favorite Cranberry, Apple, Ginger Chutney.  So much better than the canned stuff and it is great to use on oatmeal after Thanksgiving.

Catching up - October

 

First, my recovery from my knee fracture and surgery is going very well. PT is keeping me busy this month, but it is so satisfying to be making progress (range of motion is now 90) and hitting goals like walking without a cane and finally driving.  Next goal is getting rid of the locked brace.  Then I can really get back to normal. Still a long way to go until I can golf and do yoga, but hopefully early in the new year.  I even supervised volunteers spreading mulch at Make A Difference Day 2025 in Venice on Saturday.  It felt really good.

One big goal met was being able to travel to Michigan to meet my new granddaughter, Kennedy.  She was born soon after my surgery and seeing her was always the best motivation.  We just returned from a week of seeing both Kennedy and Audrey, who turned 2 while we were there.  We were able to attend her birthday party too.  2 granddaughters are so much fun and when the 3rd comes in January we will have our own little girl gang.  

I was able to hobble around and help the new Mom and the expecting Mom a little by cooking dinners.  I wish I could do more, but plan to go back before Christmas with helping hands as needed.  Christmas will be different this year with the baby due in early January, so we plan to spend it in Florida.  We will go to Michigan within a few weeks of the birth and celebrate our family Christmas then.  

After being housebound for weeks, I am enjoying catching up on all the things.  This week is busy with appointments, a breakfast and dinner out and even more PT.  I am hoping to hobble onto the beach soon.  I miss that a lot.

Happy Monday!

Life Lately

 

Life lately has been a whole lot of physical therapy over the past two weeks since I was given the ok by my doctor to start walking again.  I have a new brace that locks to allow more range of motion with my knee each week.  I can now sit in a chair with my knee bent which is a big improvement.  I have also progressed from using a walker to using crutches.  Next will be one crutch.  And I have been given the ok to drive when ready.

I am so much more mobile and we have been to two dinners out.  It has been a long two months of staying at home except for doctor’s appointments and I was more than ready to see the gulf again.  I am not ready to walk in the sand, but soon.  We are planning a trip to Michigan to see our new granddaughter, Kennedy and to celebrate Audrey’s 2nd birthday.  We are driving, since sitting in a plane would not be comfortable and I can stretch out as needed in the back seat.  We can’t stay too long, since I need to be back for PT, but will help as much as we can with my limited mobility.  And sit and hold the baby of course.

It has been a hard few months, but there is finally progress being made and will continue to be made.  There are two little girls (and one more on the way) that need me to play, chase and run around with them.

Granddaughter #2

 

This little girl made her entrance into the world three weeks early.  A sweet pea for sure at 5 lbs and 14 ounces.  But, baby, mom and dad are all doing well and getting used to the newborn phase of life at home. Kennedy Josephine is loved already.

Because of my knee injury  and my limited mobility for a few more weeks, I am not able to travel there to help, but my motivation will be high, once my physical therapy begins.  Holding her and helping her mama by mid October will be goal number one.

I will face time, look forward to photos and be as much encouragement as I can be on the phone.  I love living in Florida, but the distance to Michigan at times like these, for someone who jumps on a flight often, is sobering.  But, I will get there very soon.  Sweet little Kennedy needs to meet her Nana.

Mediterranean Spring - Final Stop Rome

Rome - amazing, beautiful and surreal, where you are literally walking amongst ancient Roman history.  It was so fascinating to walk down the actual Roman Road with visible chariot marks, seen when we visited the Roman Forum.  It was moving to see St. Peter’s and St. Paul’s and look up at the Sistine Chapel ceiling.  To enter the colosseum and feel the history of gladiators and emperors all around.  And finally, to have a magical moment one night on the Bridge of Angels with a violinist playing while surrounded by votive candles.

A highlight was a nighttime golf cart tour that took us to virtually all the sights in just over 2 hours.  The driver took us down back alleys, around Borghese Park and through streets cars could not navigate.  If you go, I highly recommend.

We ate so much good food and all the dishes suggested for Rome; Cacio e Pepe, zucchini blossoms, Margherita Pizza and of course gelato.  Many Aperol Spritzs and bottles of good red wine were enjoyed. There were so many interesting restaurants that two days was not enough.  

It is hot, crowded and really kind of dirty like any big city.  I missed the abundance of flowers that we saw in other parts of Italy too.  But, it is a once in a lifetime experience that will stay with me forever.

A Slip and Fall

 

 A brief story of a slip and fall that has me laid up for longer than I would like.  I was carrying water in my garage, it spilled over the side and I slipped and fell directly on my kneecap.  The fracture was in five pieces, but surgery on Thursday gave me a plate and several screws to put everything back together.  Since surgery, I have been icing, elevating and trying to deal with the pain (and the grogginess of the pain meds).  The pain is improving, but I am confined to a walker since no weight bearing for at least 2 weeks, maybe 6 weeks. There is a lot of physical therapy in my future.  

Timing is a funny thing.  Thank goodness we got our European trip in and the baby shower, but my daughter’s due date (in Michigan) is in 6 weeks. It breaks my heart that I may not get there for the birth or to help her, but my motivation is high to get there as soon as I can.  Sometimes, life really throws you a curveball out of the blue.

Co-ed Baby Shower

 

Once I wrapped my mind around the idea of a co-ed baby shower, the planning became easy and fun.  We had the location; patio overlooking the golf course at my daughter and son in laws country club, so the theme naturally became girly golf related.  I found the perfect pink golf cart welcome sign, made pink striped table toppers and ordered hundreds of pink golf tees.  

Set up was a bit crazy, because it was seriously windy, but we persevered and my helpers literally taped things down while I arranged brightly colored flowers in pink vases.  The menu consisted of sandwiches, salads and fruit, perfect summer food on a warm day.  An added touch to the sandwiches were cute pink golf cart toppers I found on Etsy. We served wine, beer and seltzers, plus iced tea and lemonade.

Unfortunately, our beautiful summer day, turned stormy and about halfway through, we all scrambled to move inside, just before the rain hit.  The staff was so great and the party did not miss a beat.  Our guests had a great time, including the men probably attending a baby shower for the first time. But, more importantly, the parents to be were happy to be surrounded by family and friends showing how much baby girl is already loved.