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.

Two Mothers

Cast:
Naomi Watts
Robin Wright (not present)
Xavier Samuel
James Frecheville

Story of two women who are life long friends and their affairs with each others sons.

Yes. Awkward storyline. But well acted and directed. I liked it as it made you feel all sorts of awkward feelings, sad, happy and more. Oh and this is based on a true story.

If it came out on the big screen, I'm not sure I would go see it again, but a film buff may want to see it for the artistic value.

The movie wasn't till 9:45 at night so we spent the day working out and getting massages and buying our Sundance trinkets. I swam laps outside in a warm pool and the sun was shining and the air temp was 10 degrees. It was awesome! Need to do that again before we go home.

Tomorrow we have two movies - so more to come :)

Day 1

Day 1 at Sundance is all about fun and getting settled. D picked us up at the airport and we headed to the Mormon Tabernacle to see it up close and personal. It was interesting. Beautiful building... but odd vibe.

We're now hanging at Ds condo, relaxing and drinking wine. Heading to the Sundance store across the street then dinner at the purple Sage.

Tomorrow is our first movie!! Can't wait :)

2013 Sundance Agenda

5 movies and lots of fun in-between!
I am so excited to fly out tomorrow and hang with my Sundance girls Amy and Darien!

Thursday 17-

Pick you up at airport at 1:30pm
Check out the Salt Lake City Tabernacle (aka Mormon Tabernacle)
Lunch
Relax, hang out, unpack, go to Sundance store
Dinner- Purple Sage 7:30PM (southwestern)
Friday 18-Spa Day!  90 minute massages- 11am
Movie #1 9:45pm
"Two Mothers"
Starring Naomi Watts and Robin Wright Penn
2 women fall in love with each others son
(Eccles)

Saturday 19-
Movie #2  3pm
"Breathe In"
Starring Guy Pearce and Felicity Jones
Foreign exchange student challenges the lives and relationships of her host family in New York
(Eccles)

Dinner- Grub Steakhouse- 7:30pm (1/2 block from house)
Sunday 20-
Brunch- Sundance Foundry Room- 1pm

Movie #3  9:45pm
"Before Midnight"Starring Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy
3rd in the series- 9 years later in Greece with characters Jesse and Celine
(Eccles)

Monday 21-
Movie #4   11:30am
"Emanuel and the Fishes"
Starring Jessica Biel, Alfred Molina, Frances O'Connor
A troubled girl becomes preoccupied with her neighbor
(Library)

Movie #5    11:45pm
"The Rambler"
Starring Dermot Mulroney and Natasha Lyonne
After being released for prison, follows his trip home to reconnect with his brother
(Library)

Tuesday 22-
Lunch and head to the airport

Looking for Peace

Today I was in Long Island for my friend Kevin's daughters funeral.
I worked with Kevin a few years back  out East, and when you spend that much time in cars driving all over the East coast together, you get close. Every night when we would be driving, his phone came out with one purpose, to call and say good night to his girls. No exceptions, he called and said good night and how much he loved them.

When I found out it was his boat that was in the accident on Fourth of July and his oldest daughter (age 11) Harlie passed away in that accident there was never a doubt in my mind if I would be traveling to NY to support Kevin in his grief.

The past two days of being at services were heart wrenching. Just heart wrenching.
Today I watched as kids got up and sobbed and said what Harlie meant to them. No one should ever have to go through that. No one.

Kevin talked about the one thing that he is happy about is that his baby girl never had her heart broken. As we look for something "good" to hold onto at this horrible time, I think that was it for me. Can anyone ever say that? A lifetime with no broken heart? She was a vibrant girl and I can only imagine what she would have become, but I am confident it would have been amazing.

My heart breaks for her and her family, and especially my friend Kevin. May they find happiness and peace again.