To Ski Or Not To SKi?

To ski or not to ski, that is the question.
SkiingDogs.jpg
Friends of ours called and asked if I wanted to ski with them today. Part of me thinks it is unfair to ski, when Hubby is so obviously miserable with his knees, but the other part of me longs for the wide open trails and the wind blowing over my face. Hmmm.
It’s a no-brainer. I’m going skiing.
Somehow the thought of one more day on that stupid exercise bike, (also known as an instrument of torture) was really more than I could take. So off I go into the snow, for a morning of skiing.

Last night while I was fixing dinner, I put on a couple of CD’s and turned up the volume and sang my brains out. Greta loves this. She follows me around the kitchen jumping up. Hubby says it because she is trying to get me to stop, but I know she just appreciates my fine voice! (LOL)

Pass The Snow Shovel

Yes, it snowed yesterday. Not only did it snow, but it snowed a lot! I knew I was in trouble when I went out before noon to scrape a pathway for the dachshunds to use, and found we already had 4 inches of snow and it was still snowing really hard! I shoveled for about half an hour and came in to make lunch. Oh, I could feel my back muscles protesting their use.
After lunch, my neighbor arrived with his plow to do our driveway. He made a few passes, (our driveway is 500 feet long, all downhill!) and then came back with his snow blower to help me get things cleared up. While Hubby, on crutches, supervised. I worked for an hour and a half with our neighbor clearing the drive the rest of the way. He had the snow blower, I had a shovel. Guess which one of us is sore today?
Snow total was 6 inches.
Once I came in, I started feeling chilled so I filled the jacuzzi, dropped in a Lush butterball ballistic bath ball and just soaked and soaked. I’d still be in there, but I found I was getting pretty hungry after all that work. I debated my decision, but after half an hour I got out and made dinner. First for the dogs and then for us.
I felt pleasantly tired. I also felt like I had done enough exercise that by this morning I would have magically reached my goal weight! (yeah, right!) At least I feel quite virtuous for all the work I did and all that I got accomplished.
I’ve never really appreciated all that Hubby did, until yesterday!

Hubby Knee Update

We were scheduled to see the Orthopedic Surgeon today. Despite the fact that we were in the middle of a terrible snow storm, we were determined to make the appointment. So when the phone rang at a little after 10 this morning we were delighted to hear the doctor’s voice.
He didn’t want us driving over to see him in the storm. He had gotten the results of Hubby’s CAT Scan and found two cysts. One on the femur the other on the tibia. He is in the process of finding replacement parts for Hubby’s artificial knee. Once those have been procured they’ll schedule him for surgery. Meanwhile, he is not to be walking on the left leg. He is supposed to be using crutches to get around, but mostly, he should be quiet. Now if I can keep him quiet then that will really be something!
Of course we are having a snow storm! The weatherman said we would get only 2-4 inches from this storm. Guess what? We have 6 inches now and it is still snowing hard! Our neighbor came down and plowed us out and then helped me do a bunch of shoveling. Right now, my back is aching, but at least the driveway is clear and I have shoveled a path for the pooches!
I need a hot bath. I think I’ll get the nice bath ball my cousin left for me and jump in the jacuzzi.

Bad Wife!!!

I’ve been feeling so bad for Hubby since this whole knee thing started. Oh poor Hubby, he can’t ski for the rest of the year. Oh poor Hubby, he needs an operation. Oh poor Hubby, he is in constant pain…
But today I found I was feeling a lot sorrier for myself!
I’ve been having to run up and down the stairs to get the newspaper, to bring down the garbage, to clean out the Jeep, to go and get the dogs, bring wood in to burn in the fireplace and by golly, if we have snow today I’ll be the one stuck shoveling off the driveway! Not to mention the fact that for the next few months I’ll be doing the trash run to the recycling center.
I know, I know, you are all thinking that I am a terrible wife. Complaining about these “little” things when poor dear Hubby is in constant pain!
And perhaps I am, but….
In the last few days he has been bossing me around! (sob, sob!!) You know, “Honey do this, Honey do that”! I’m not in the military, (which is probably a good thing). I’ve learned that I don’t take orders well.
It’s not that I really mind doing all this stuff, (well maybe I do!) I just like the fact that we’ve always shared household duties since he retired.
Before he retired, I did it all. He just wasn’t home enough to get involved. I didn’t mind then, so what’s the big deal now?
I have decided it’s sheer laziness! Yes, that’s it. I’m getting lazy in my old age. So what will I do to get me through the coming months?
Hmmmm. I’ll have to think about that.
Maybe the promise of another cruise in the future?
Hmmmm!

A Little Protein Anyone?

Every day I either climb on my exercise bike or I go skiing. I’ve been faithfully doing this since January 1st, part of my New Years Resolution for a healthier me. As those of you, who read me daily know, I have been back on South Beach to regain control of my eating, and to lose the weight I put on this fall.
I felt quite humbled when I could barely zip my jeans, and I have not gone out to buy jeans that fit better. There were days I spent a lot of time in sweat pants with a wonderful elastic waist band!
The first week I lost 4 pounds, the second week 3 pounds and this week another 4 pounds!
Needless to say, moral is high right now. I feel like the Super Woman of Dieting! Able to leap stationary bikes, carrying a carrot stick, in a single bound!
It has not always been like this for me. Weight loss and I are not old and dear friends. Usually it dribbles off. 1/4 pound here, a 1/10 of a pound there. I’m usually in the deepest of depressions when I am dieting.
So what’s different this time? I think two things. First I have learned that nothing puts weight on me faster than carbs. I should just take those cookies, breads and potatoes and rub them on my hips! So I know that cutting all of that out and eating a lot of protein and vegetables is the way to go. When I do that, the weight melts off.
Second, I am learning that “exercise” that dreaded four letter word, really does get the weight to move off a little faster. I also read something in a book, (don’t ask me which one!), that it’s better to exercise in the morning because it gets your metabolism cranking and you burn calories more efficiently for the rest of the day. Thus, after breakfast I do my thing, be it on the slopes or on the bike.
I’ve still got a long way to go, and I know there will be weeks when I don’t lose anything and I come crying to you all, but today, I’m feeling good about myself and about my change in eating habits.

Down For The Count

What gets you moving up and out of bed in less than three seconds?

I woke suddenly this morning to the sound of Shubi next to me starting to throw up! I threw back the bed covers and grabbed the dog and literally leapt out of bed and ran, holding my hand under her mouth, into the bathroom. I made it to the sink just in time for her to “get sick”.

Such as it was, my day started.

Yesterday, Hubby went outside with the dogs to toss the ball for them. A few minutes later, the door opened and he stumbled back in. His knee had completely given out on him. He was pragmatic and told me that at least if it had to totally go, it went on the day in-between doctor’s appointments. It’ is so hard for me to see him unable to put any weight on that left knee. The pain etched on his face, makes you twinge.
I got his cane and his crutches so he can get around the house until Monday. I suggested a nice tall brandy for the pain, and then I built a cozy fire in the hearth, and he settled in his recliner.
Greta immediately jumped up and was full of love and kisses for her Daddy. She is quite sensitive to people and their feelings.
We were supposed to go get wood at my cousin’s house on Sunday, but we had to cancel that. Needless to say, my Lumberjack is down for the count.
I sure hope he can get into surgery quickly.

Meg’s Friday Questions

1. If you have a full-time salary paid job and are expected to work at least 40 hours each week, many hours do you really work.. more or less? [Thanks Jimbo!]
As a stay at home wife, I’ll tell you I work more than 40 hours a week! Getting paid? Ha!

2. Which way does your toilet paper roll? Forward or backward? [Thanks MB!]
Forward

3. Whats your favorite candy? pick only one. [Thanks Liz!]
Anything dark chocolate.

4. What book are you reading right now? [Thanks Liz!]
Nothing. Too much going on.

Continue reading “Meg’s Friday Questions”

Your Life Path Number is 6

Your purpose in life is to help others

You are very compassionate, and you offer comfort to those around you.
It pains you to see other people hurting, and you do all in your power to help them.
You take on responsibility, and don’t mind personal sacrifice. You are the ultimate giver.

In love, you offer warmth and protection to your partner.

You often give too much of yourself, and you rarely put your own needs first.
Emotions tend to rule your decisions too much, especially when it comes to love.
And while taking care of people is great, make sure to give them room to grow on their own.

Hubby Update

Hubby and I met his doctor yesterday. We both liked him very much. I think Hubby wishes the news had been better, but he definitely needs surgery on both of his knees. He had a replacement done on his left knee back in 1996, and that knee now has a good sized cyst growing on the bone. They will probably operate on that knee first. His right knee definitely needs a replacement, but the left knee has to come first.
So, Hubby’s ski season is over and he will be in and out of the hospital quite a bit over the next few months. Poor guy, he is not happy at all. I have tried to cheer him up and remind him that we have to take care of this now so he can enjoy the rest of his life pain free and active.
So everyone hold good thoughts for my guy. He really needs them right now.

Hubby’s Knees

I’m taking Hubby to the Orthopedic surgeon today to have his knees examined. We already know that his right knee is in serious need of a replacement, but the one he has already had done is more painful than the other! This is not good. I told him I was going with him to make sure he doesn’t try to act like a tough guy and down-play the pain. Probably the fact that he can’t walk very well will be a big tip-off to the doctor, but I want to make sure that Hubby is well taken care of!
Since our appointment is at a bad time as far as getting lunch, I have packed a picnic. A sandwich for Hubby, with chips and a pickle and a big chef salad for me. We’re leaving the fur babies home so we don’t have to fight them off while we eat!
I’ll post an update either tonight or tomorrow on what they find. I have to get my skiing partner back in shape!