11/42

11 days down, 31 to go (I think I need one of those paper chains we made in elementary school)

It was a fun weekend with my mom. We went to Psycho Suzies on Saturday for lunch with Miss Morgan, Coco and Tanya.
It was fabulous to be outside and feel the warm sun! We came home and mom hauled all my cushions out of the basement and got my outdoor furniture arranged. It was great to rest outside, Sophie and I both managed a nap in the sun.

It was a lazy evening and we Mom and I ordered pizza for dinner and watched "We Bought a Zoo", super cute movie! Did you know the real zoo is in England? We didn't.

Sunday it was 80 out but we stayed in all day. Mom was on a mission to clean out my closets and dresser drawers in my guest room and bedroom...and that she did. I sat on the bed in each room and said "throw, keep it or recycle it". We got rid of a TON of stuff! It felt great and now I want to keep going... Only mom needs to was home. Sigh. I'm going to need to fly her back again to finish up :)

It's been great having her here. Not just because of all she has done for me (which has been a ton), but because we don't get to just hang out ever. I like it. Makes me sad she doesn't live closer to me.

Today was my 1st day downtown in the office. I ended the day in a lot of pain. It was tough but I'm blessed with awesome coworkers who jumped in to help me out and my neighbors who drive me to and from. I would be lost without my support system and truly appreciate everyone who has helped me out. It seems like I should be past needing help, but I have a ways to go. This is a lesson isn't it? Learning how to be vulnerable and let people help me... and more importantly- ask for help.

Sounds like the weather is about to turn back the temps to cold again- which sucks, so I'm appreciating sleeping with the windows open again tonight!

Post op appointment tomorrow. Hoping for more news on timing of the recovery and how I'm doing so far. Crossing fingers I am ahead of the curve and can drive again soon!!
Good night, sleep tight!

Day 5 a snow day, again

When I booked my surgery I never anticipated two snow storms the first five days. Silver lining: I'm not shoveling. The bad news: I need to ask someone else to. Thank goodness for my awesome neighbor Eddie who will be out there shoveling tonight.

Yesterday was a day with pain. It was probably my worst day, perhaps because I was completely off my pain pills and have been more mobile?

Dad came over and made me lunch. We hung out an watched Jeopardy where he showed off his history knowledge and I didn't. 😳

My Aunt Holly stopped by on her way home from St Kate's (she teaches PT there). She brought sheep skin covers for my crutches. It instantly helped! Yay Aunt Holly!!! She also brought be spinach so I can keep my smoothies going in the mornings.

Matt was suppose to come down last night but the snow once again kept him from making it here. Mostly due to the fact that he had a big meeting at 8am today and couldn't be late. It sucked. I miss him. But it was also a good challenge for Sophie and I to be alone all evening and night. Luckily Sarah, Sophie's awesome dog walker, is tiring her out every day and so Sophie mainly slept. (Side note: we ended up with about 3" Instead of the 6-8" they had predicted - grrr).

Early in the evening, I went to let Sophie outside and set my crutch against the wall. Her crazy tail knocked it down the basement stairs! Ack! I butt scooted down the stairs to get it and then back up. It made me realize I can do what I need to on my own. I'm just exhausted after doing it 😄

Tivo time:
I'm all caught up on The Following. 5 episodes in a row and I didn't have nightmares!

Today is my first day back at work...from home! I am grateful the bullseye is flexible and letting me work from home for most of this recovery, time to start using my brain again.

Lisa Is coming over today and working from my house so she can help me set up my work area in the dining room. She is the best!!

Day 3 & 4

I spent a lot of time alone the past two days. It was an eye opening experience to realize how hard every little thing is when on crutches.

I'm blessed that Dyana came over last night with a boat load of yummy and healthy food. The blessing in being stuck at home is the quality time I get with my nurses :) I have known Dy since junior high. We lost touch and the. Reconnected after our friend Amy's death from cancer a year and a half ago. Silver lining.
Dy and I solved a bunch of the worlds problems and the My friend since 5th grade, Dave, came over. We all had dinner and Dave brought me Twix ice cream (mighty good if you haven't had it!)

After they left I managed bed time alone I have come to realize this journey is mentally messing with me more than physically. My hands hurt from the crutches and it sucks that everything is hard to do. But I also know its 6 weeks and for some people it's a lifetime. So I suck it up.

This afternoon Vicki texted me to see if I needed a Target run (I did) so she stopped by with my vitamins I needed and some fresh strawberries. Yum!

Later, Angie and Tanya came over for our FYFF board meeting at 2. Afterwards Tanya went and picked up Sophie from the kennel and Angie left. Tanya, Sophie and I watched the Eagles documentary and ate Old World Pizza. Tanya also changed the sheets and did some laundry. This is one of the many many reasons she is my bestie.

I have had bouts of feeling alone and sorry for myself. But my friends and family constantly remind me how blessed I am.

4 days down. 38 to go.
Tomorrow I order the gel covers for the crutches :)

Knee Surgery - Day 2

Well if a girl has to be stuck on the couch in front of the TV all day, yesterday was a good day to have it happen. Wow. The Boston bomber stuff was crazy. I have spent time in Watertown and knew right where some of this played out. Crazy! It felt like an episode of 24... They shut down Boston! 👮

I hope we have less drama and more happiness in the news going forward.

My Aunt Sue and Uncle Pat came over to relieve my Aunt Sheila from taking care Of me. Pat installed a handheld shower so I can sit in the tub on a chair and shower, which worked great! Sheila and Pat both also shoveled all the snow for me... I really didn't think this was going to be an issue while I recovered. Thank goodness for their help :)

Sister Amy came over about 2 and relieved Aunt Sue. We sat and watched the Boston drama play out, ate a yummy dinner that Sue brought us and then watched "Pitch Perfect" - basically Glee the movie.

Tracy and Lucien stopped by with some mint chip ice cream (my favorite) - I do have the best neighbor!!

I am now alone for the first time since all this began. As grateful as I am for all the people helping me, It's nice to have my alone time. This will also force me to figure out how to so stuff on my own on crutches. It is going interesting 😁

I'm thinking I may need to wear my weight lifting gloves with my crutches as my hands hurt after only 2 days. If any of you have been in crutches and have any other advice let me know!

Knee surgery - Day 1

Im starting with this. I apologize for rambling, bad grammar or misspellings in advance. I'm on an iPhone typing (damn you auto correct) and on narcotics... And it's 6am.

4/18: micro fracturing surgery on my right knee went well and went fast. I decided to blog this experience on how Miss Independent learns to be taken care of for 6 weeks and ask for help. It will also help me keep track of everyone's generosity as these pain pills have me foggy.

Surgery:
Dr Vorlicky, aka McHandsome, told my Aunt Sheila "we fixed her knee", then paused and said "no, we made it better". As this isn't a lifetime fix. He also said "her knee is older than her". Awesome. All I know is I hope I have pain relief once this 6 weeks is up.

Auntie Sheila is the best caretaker:
She took me to surgery and waited, then got me home and all set up on the couch. She is managing all the pills they gave me and assuring i get to and from the bathroom with out falling. She took good care of me all day and night.

My village:
I am used to doing everything for myself and others, so this is going to be a challenging 6 weeks leaning heavily on others. Thank goodness for my village of friends and family!

Lisa Hayes stopped by with a bunch of meals that her and Molly Berg made for me they made at Let's Dish (brilliant!)- they are so awesome! Also got a fun care package from Miss Molly - it was so very thoughtfully put together of things to keep me entertained and smile.

My neighbor Tracy and Neighbor baby came by for a visit after they got home from work, which is always fun! Lucien and Sheila bonded- he knows good people when he sees them.

Cousin Sammie stopped by for a few hours and had dinner as she was needing a break from the horrible storm commute and I was right in the middle of her drive. Did in mention the yummy lasagna Sheila made. Mmmmmmm.

There was a Huge snow storm yesterday so Matt didn't come down last night for his time with me (commute would have been double to tripled last night and today) and so Sheila stayed the night. The good news was it kept Sheila from driving home in the storm too. It's April 18/19 and this was one of the worst storms of the winter. I'm not sure what we ended up with, but probably 6 inches and rain mix. Thank goodness for my neighbor husband as he will shovel - I will owe him scotch :)

4/19:
Tonight Sister Amy comes and takes care of me. Tomorrow Dyana and Dave and Sunday Tanya... she will bring Sophie home from the kennel. Adding Sophie back into this mix will be a challenge. Monday night Matt. Mom comes next Thursday for a week and that will be great!!!

Also thank goodness for pain pills!
KKp

The Rambler

Dermot Mulroney
Lindsay Pulsipher
Calvin Reeder (director and writer)

This was our last film at Sundance 2013.
It was at midnight, which we all know is way late for this gal. What got me there was the opportunity to see Dermot Mulroney... I love this guy!

As luck would have it (and thanks to my small bladder) I ran to the bathroom before the movie started, as I was walking back in there was Dermot getting up from his seat! This was my opportunity, and I wasn't missing it! I asked him if I could get a quick pic and he laughed and started talking to the usher, I thought he was blowing me off - but as he walked away, he stopped, turned around, pointed at me and said "yes, wait or me". Woot!!
So there I stood waiting. Feeling a bit stalker like, but then he came back with his popcorn (yes he ran to get his own concessions) and I got my pic :) he is truly very nice. We chatted about the movie. I asked if I was going to be scared, he said "no but lots of gore and violence"... Hmmm ok. Well I love the Walking Dead and movies like Pulp Fiction- so I'm excited.

That was the last time I was excited for 90 minutes. This may be the worst film I have ever had to sit through. I was constantly wondering if it was almost over and if in someway it would all come together at the end. What I think is you need to be tripping on acid to enjoy this film. Crazy!
It's one dream sequence to another and none Of it goes together or makes sense.

Amy and Darien felt the same way so since I had already met Dermot, we bolted and didn't stay for Q&A. I sort of now which we had just to hear what the hell that movie was suppose to be about??!

Ironically, of all the movies we saw, it's the only one that was picked up for distribution. So you will get your chance to see it... Probably a summer drive in movie my guess.

Till next vacation, which is in 2.5 weeks :)
Yes I have the bet boss ever to let me go in the hole with vacation. He is the best :)

KK

Emanuel and the Truth about the fishes

Jessica Biel
Kaya Scidelario
France's OConnor
Alfred Molina

Francesca Gregorini (director/writer)

This film was probably the best we have seen so far. I think it's already been pikes up for distribution too!
Let me start with Jessica Biel got her street cred as a fabulous actress in this film, wow.
The synopsis is a troubled young woman becomes obsessed with her mysterious new neighbor, who bears a striking resemblance to the girls dead mother.
The movie is in no way predictable. It makes you think and is thoughtful and makes you sit and take it all in.
I would recommend in, however my guess is the title will change. Way too long and no one could remember it. Looking forward to seeing how it goes over with distribution.

After the movie we went to Main Street to wander and grab lunch. It was a good celebrity day we saw:
Paulie Shore
Jane Lynch
Casey Wilson
Chris Noth (aka Mr Big)!!
And many more I didn't know but Darien who is a walking IMBD knew and was excited about. The ones I listed I actually spoke with- but only snapped a pic with Paulie, hilarious! We actually saw him two times as he wandered.

As D and I were starting to walk up Main Street to find Amy who was stalking Mr Big, we ended up joining in a parade marching down the middle of the street to promote the Louisiana Film Festival. It wa so much fun and Amy was shocked to find us in the middle of the pack... But joined in and had fun too :)


Tonight is "The Rambler" with Dermot Mulroney - woohoo! It's a midnight showing and I'm hoping I stay awake :)
Will review in the morning :)

Before Midnight

Ethan Hawke (not present)
Julia Deply
Richard Linklater (writer/director)

This was the film I was most excited about seeing. After loving the first two films "Before Sunrise" and "Before Sunset", I can't say I LOVED this film. It was very much like the first two. Real dialogue and a real relationship. However... (Spoiler alert)
They fight a good chunk of the movie, and it's continual arguing and bickering that I found annoying after a while, I think others in the audience did too. In the end it all wraps up as it should (don't want to reveal too much). If you liked the first two, you should see this. If you didn't see them or like them, pass.
I'm happy I saw it, but admit it let me down a bit :(

The fun part was Ted from How I met Your Mother was also in attendance and I was able to get a pic with him (we below).
It was a fun night over all.

Earlier in the day we went to the Sundance Resort for brunch - wow it was yummy!!!! No Robert Redford sightings, but we hiked around and bought art and jewelry and had a blast. We were suppose to go tubing, but spent too much time at Sundance- which was just fine. We met fun people and it was so beautiful up there!

Breathe In

Guy Vance
Felicity Jones
Amy Ryan

This movie was well directed and well acted, but the story line was old and predictable. Middle aged married man nit happy about his life falls in live with the 18 year old UK exchange student they have come live with them for a semester. The only thing not predictable was "how will this end". It was the second movie if inappropriate relationships. We had to laugh and wonder if that is the theme of Sundance 2013?

We went to dinner at Grub Steak House. While dining we met Paul Potter- some guy in the movie business. He attempted to get us tickets to the Eagles Documentary, but only came up with one. We checked with the waiter, who knew Paul, and said he was legit, just too bad he couldn't get 3 tickets as it would have been a great documentary.