Gettin' Old

I have scheduled yet another surgery, for Dec 11th. This is one that I had always sworn I would never have, but here I go. I have been having increasing trouble with my lower back and pain across my hips, sciatica, etc and some numbness in my right leg and food and I'm beginning to develop some weakness. Thought that the arthritis and osteoporosis had done there dirty deed, but the spinal specialist shows me on the MRI that I have a piece of bone missing on one vertebrae that is allowing (causing?) it to slip over the one below it, narrowing the spinal canal and pinching nerves in the process - ergo pain and other symptoms. Disc is slightly flattened, but still "in place". Doc and then the surgeion, assure me that I will have good results and ten to fifteen years before there would be any "creeping spine" stiffness or difficulties. Sure hope so!
I am to the point now that I cannot cook a meal unless I sit on a stool to do it, shopping and standing in line at the store leaves me nearly in tears and I can't walk for more than five minutes without severe pain. My extra weight doesn't help any, but without being able to move around, it is next to impossible to shed an ounce. I can say that I am a little tired of having to use my vacation times for surgical recovery! I hope to be back at work Jan 5th or so, perhaps half-time for a couple of weeks.
This does handle one dilemma, what to do for Christmas. Fortunately we had all the kids and grandkids last year, so I won't have to worry about entertaining the troops. I also won't have to "pick" which house to go to. I have a very good reason to have a quiet Christmas at home with Ernie, Sarah and myself. Perhaps the two sons in the Bay area will drive over for a day or two as well. I'm giving checks this year, smallish ones at that. Hmmm, I wonder if Sarah and Ernie will set up the artificial tree and decorate the house?
The paperwork required of the Social Workers at the office has nearly doubled in the two years I have been there, leaving absolutely no time to "do nothing" and not enough time to actually have counseling sessions with the boys. All this in the name of $$ to stay in business. I plan on one more year at this rate, then I think I'll downscale our living and retire!
It seems like it has been years since I've heard from my online pals or since I've visited a blog. Thanks for stoppiing by, and I promise to visit yours ASAP. Peace.

All Things Great and Small, hmm that oughta be...

The title of a book? This has been a lazy Saturday. I cleaned the bathroom and then set about to cut out a halloween costume for the office. I'm going to be a witch. Not sure about the wicked part. Halloween is always a fun time for me, or at least it was when the the kiddies were smaller. Last year we only had a dozen or less kids come by for candy. I had laid in tons because I expected a larger turnout. I guess the kids around here are a little old for trick or treating. From the sounds of cars racing in the wee hours of the morning they aren't too old for street racing though. I think grandson Daniel was the champ for getting costumes though. He always knew exactly what he wanted to be and we would go out shopping together for the pattern and material, then Daniel would dance around excitedly until I got it put together. Daniel has been a baseball player (blue striped fabric, including making a cap), a cowboy, an indian, two "super heros" and Zorro. Now he is a big 8th grader and way too cool for costumes, at least the kind that grandma would make. Angela has always been the recipient of hand-me-downs from her just-older cousin, whose parents always splurged on expensive store-bought costumes.

It is strange to think that our granddaughter, Jennifer is a Mrs. by now. The wedding was scheduled for early afternoon in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, or somewhere near there. Ernie and I had hoped to attend, but the cost of gas and airline tickets kept us homebound. When the first great grandchild arrives though, I'll be on my way, even if I have to thumb a ride.

It has turned to fall, nearly time to drive up towards the mountains and see all of the splendid fall colors. We did that last fall, and it was spectacular. Probably not like being in Vermont or some such place, but certainly prettier than the desert we inhabited for so long, and the Central Coast didn't really have a fall, so this is a treat. I pulled out the flannel sheets and put them on the bed this morning. I like my sleeping room cool to cold, but I like the bed cozy.