Family Christmas 2012

Front row: Keri Smith, Emma, Haylee, Katie, Macayla Romines, Robert Back row: me, Jarrod Smith, Kurtis, Shane, Colby, Ryan, and David Romines

          December 26, 2012, at least part of our family assembled at son Randy's house. It's always good to be with family at Christmas time.

          Son Bob, with service dog Barney, flew down from Colorado Springs. 

          Of course Randy, Janelle, Ryan, Colby, and Shane were there (we were in their house). 

          Granddaughter Macayla and husband David, son Kurtis, and daughter Haylee were there. 

         So was granddaughter Keri and husband Jarrod and daughters Katie and Emma. 

Great-granddaughter Emma

          Now to share some candid shots taken during the afternoon:

Emma on Keri, Ryan, and Bob watch Kurtis play with Barney

          

Great-granddaughter Haylee

Great-granddaughter Katie - Haylee in background

Macayla and Keri

Keri, Bob, Robert Jerrod, and David

Keri, Ryan, Haylee in front of Bob, Katie

Kurtis, Bob, Robert, Jarrod

Kurtis, Macayla, Bob, Robert

Great-grandson Kurtis

Grandson Shane, Robert, Jarrod

Randy and Janelle

Grandchildren and great-grandchildren present

Granddaughter is now an RN

      Tonight, my granddaughter Macayla Romines was pinned and is now a real registered nurse. We proudly watched as she marched in to take her seat. We teared up a bit I'll have to admit. She worked hard, going to school full time, working, taking care of her children and getting to visit with her husband and to sleep once in a while.

         I'm not going to write much, just post photos of this meaningful evening. Congratulations, Macayla.  Your PaPa and Granny love you and are so proud of you.

 

Waiting in line to be pinned

Macayla being pinned

Macayla "did it"

Macayla looking at Haylee in the balcony

School Concert Brings Christmas Thoughts to Mind

  

     December 9, 2012, Robert and I attended the Christmas concert for Crossings Christian School. One of our grandson's, Colby, is one of the two young men in the High School choir. They may be outnumbered by the dozen young ladies, but they hold their own.

     We sat through the band numbers, the middle school strings and drama, the high school strings and drama, and finally, the part we waited to see and hear: the high school choir. We didn't slip in after the other groups finished, but a large number of people did leave in bunches just before the high school choir performed. Very rude.

     However, we thought the choir was the best part of the program. I just wish my little camera took better photographs. The group looked better than the picture does, and they sang very well. Last year, the choir was three girls. This year, the choir has the two guys and twelve ladies.



     

Close up on Colby as he sings

     For some reason, a school or church program makes Christmas official. I haven't found a way to get to church since surgery, but our son Randy drove Robert's van so we could attend Colby's concert. 

The best photo of the Crossings High School choir

 

Christmas is coming

     Only 16 days until Christmas Day, 15 until Christmas Eve. I'm as ready as I can be. The presents Robert and I can afford are bought, most are gift-bagged or wrapped. The most important part of Christmas, to me, is family, and we'll be with at least part of ours this Christmas.

     I work hard to keep my Christmas spirits up and full of joy each year. Yes, the season from Thanksgiving until Christmas has some painful memories, but I still want to feel the joy and blessings of Christmas. I have so many blessings for which to be thankful. I have a husband who still walks  rolls beside me. We have three living, productive, smart, good-looking children. We have ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren (we count the ones added by marriage, too).

     Robert and I have health issues, but God gives us strength to continue. When life isn't fair, as it usually isn't, we know that we have more than many people in the world. When the aches, pains, and misery come, we realize that as long as we feel, we are alive. We know where we're going after this life, but we would rather stick around longer since we happen to love our family and friends.

     Yes, we have friends, wonderful friends. Some we see seldom. Some of mine I've never seen. However, this age of technology, we can stay in touch with friends and family far away.

     We won't be sending Christmas cards this year, but we hope all our family and friends know we are thinking of them.

     I hope everyone who reads this blog has a marvelous holiday season. Those who are Jewish, may Hanukkah be bright and all you expect. Those who celebrate Christmas, Merry Christmas.

     

Update after shoulder surgery

Don't have a photo showing misery

      I bragged too soon. I posted before Thanksgiving that the after effects of shoulder surgery were less than expected, which was true until I went back for my checkup and to have stitches removed. Oh, my, oh, me.

     The surgeon's Physician Assistant didn't impress me at my first appointment. He was condescending and patronizing. He didn't want to listen to me. When I tried to explain that going to physical therapy after surgery wouldn't be possible since I wouldn't be allowed to drive and my husband couldn't. In fact, he informed me that was my problem: I could refuse surgery, my choice. Ish. 

     On the Monday after my after-surgery-exam, the nurse removed the stitches before the PA came into the room and examined my shoulder. After a very brief conversation, he told me he wanted me to do the exercises he would give me. When he gave me the sheets with the exercises, he said I was to do them all. Therefore, when I got home, I began them. I still hadn't heard from the home health care therapy, so I was still on my own. 

     When the regular therapist came (the therapy people had not be notified by whomever that I was to have therapy) on Thursday, my shoulder hurt worse than before surgery. The therapist looked at the pages of exercises and asked if I had really been doing all of them. He was not happy when I told him I had all that I could, but I couldn't do a couple of them. He informed me that my arm was not ready for almost all the exercises. He had me rest until he returned Monday, only doing two every benign exercises once a day.

     Yesterday, Monday, the therapist manipulated my arm while I allowed it to go limp. I had sharp pains shoot down my bicep, and the shoulder joint popped and made grinding sounds, hurting each time. He had me do the "pendulum" exercises and some more popping, but not as loud and not as painful. When he left, he told me to rest the arm and to do only the pendulum exercise and only once a day. He'll be back Thursday.

     I went through surgery and the miserable after effects which included being in the hospital with sub-standard care, and I am not any better off than I was before -- maybe not as well off. 

     Now, I pray that the shoulder will heal and be better than it seems to be. I do not want any more surgery, and I do not want to see that PA again.  
  

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