Well crunch time has come! I eventually found the name of my original orthopedic surgeon who told me in 2010 that my hip was not ready for replacement yet and to come back when it broke and he would fix it. I decided to go back to him and tell him it was not broken but has been giving me almost constant pain for some years now despite regular massage, physio, pilates, personal trainer and paracetamol. He took one look at the xray and asked when I wanted it done. While I could have said next year, I just thought the sooner the better would probably be the best option.
So I am booked in for mid July to have a hip replacement.
The doctor I saw two years ago booked me in for one and was only going to keep me in hospital for one night then send me home to an empty house. I had thought that was a bit dodgy so called off the surgery. I'd forgotten the name of my original surgeon. He says 4-5 days in hospital then 1-2 weeks in rehab which I could do from home with a daily drive but as I will not be able to drive I am choosing to take the live-in option at the hospital for as long as appropriate.
This of course will cause issues for all sorts of obligations. My most disappointing one will be that I will not be able to look after Heather twice a week. This means she will start kindy but at least will be with Ivy. She would have started next year anyway but I just love having her and watching her grow. Geoff is about to start a new job and will not be able to take leave to look after her.
I'll be able to go back to collecting the boys after school as soon as I can drive so that will only be 6 weeks or so but Ellen is giving me 3 months.
In fact there would be no good time that would suit all the family so I'm just doing it. I hope to be back to almost normal activities by Christmas and look forward to joining the choir at church again in time for the Christmas music. Then I hope to enjoy a Gerroa holiday without the usual hobble to the beach. I am having to forego a singing workshop in Goulburn in August and my planned holiday to the Flinders Ranges in October which is another disappointment but I'm sure there will be other holiday opportunities in the future that I'll be able to enjoy properly.
As I will not be allowed to drive for 6 weeks after the op and then may not be able to drive for a while I will be a bit housebound once I come home from rehab. If you fancy visiting or having a pop-up sewing day just let me know and I'll let you know how I am faring. I think the things I might need help with might include pottering in the garden, dealing with washing, sharing a meal. I will have Arianne here at least two nights a week to help so that will be excellent.
I pray that I will have a good recovery and that it will not take too long.
Wednesday, May 30, 2018
Monday, May 28, 2018
Underhill is so so dry
Last weekend Geoff, Jen, Ivy, Heather, Ponyo, Elaine and I went for an overnight visit to Underhill, ready to brave the cold. It is oh so dry.
Geoff had arranged for a straw bale delivery on Saturday morning and everyone helped to put a single layer around the lower end of the central drive yard to try to catch a bit of water and deter animals from burrowing under.
Ivy was a great help with wiping up and is so organised in the way she did her job. She had a real sense of mission in the task.
She also had fun with "yucky doll" who has now disintegrated quite badly and has been put in a safe place. It has been such a treasure for two generations now.
Heather just loves being at Underhill and Ponyo is so good with her. When Heather takes herself on a little adventure Ponyo keeps her company without actually disturbing the procedure.
We go lots of work done - burning off, rigging up the portable fridge to the solar system, planning and starting some more tank water management systems, and clearing out the accumulated bits and pieces from the scullery and the tool shed. Thank you Elaine for all your help.
Geoff had arranged for a straw bale delivery on Saturday morning and everyone helped to put a single layer around the lower end of the central drive yard to try to catch a bit of water and deter animals from burrowing under.
Ivy was a great help with wiping up and is so organised in the way she did her job. She had a real sense of mission in the task.
She also had fun with "yucky doll" who has now disintegrated quite badly and has been put in a safe place. It has been such a treasure for two generations now.
Heather just loves being at Underhill and Ponyo is so good with her. When Heather takes herself on a little adventure Ponyo keeps her company without actually disturbing the procedure.
We go lots of work done - burning off, rigging up the portable fridge to the solar system, planning and starting some more tank water management systems, and clearing out the accumulated bits and pieces from the scullery and the tool shed. Thank you Elaine for all your help.
Saturday, May 19, 2018
Orphan Blocks and Bits and Pieces
I have just used a lot of orphan blocks to create my latest quilt - Dancing Gorillas. I hope you like it Jenny.
Jenny donated the gorillas with mid green borders a few years ago. Now where should I send it?
Jenny donated the gorillas with mid green borders a few years ago. Now where should I send it?
Wednesday, April 25, 2018
Red Squares
Another quilt finished. This time for Desley and Jack and their grandchildren. I've called it Red Squares.
Saturday, March 31, 2018
My Chook Scraps quilt wins a prize!
I arrived home from Norway to find that my Chook Scraps quilt had won a prize at the Milton Show! I now have a prize winning quilt.
On the back I have attached some of Surrey's winning ribbons for his Silkies shown at the Berry Show years ago.
What a hoot!
On the back I have attached some of Surrey's winning ribbons for his Silkies shown at the Berry Show years ago.
What a hoot!
Wednesday, March 21, 2018
CFT Northern Lights - Oslo to Dubai to Sydney
Saturday 17 March
Basically just off to the airport after breakfast today for our flight to Dubai, arriving in our beds at about 2:30am exhausted and with swollen ankles.
Sunday 18 March
Up for breakfast then we both went back to bed for a few hours. A late lunch of apple streudel and hot chips then a repack of our bags to try to get everything crammed into our booked in luggage. Mine ended up only 22 kg but absolutely chockers.
At 5 pm we went downstairs to meet Karen who is currently living in Dubai. She joined us for dinner then we all went to church (traditional Anglican service) at the Holy Trinity church in the churches compound in the city. Lots of hymns and sung responses. Home by 9:30 pm.
Monday 19 March
Early call at 5:45 am then a box breakfast to collect as we boarded the bus to the airport. Again the morning was spent at the airport then in the plane for our 14 hour flight home. I watched The Glass Castle and 6 Below and did not sleep much because of the family of jack-in-the-boxes opposite and in front who did not stop talking loudly and walking around all night. I was able to get a bit of silent music practice done for Easter and Chorus Oz.
Tuesday 20 March
Arrived at 7:30 am and had a very quick customs clearance. I was home by about 8:45 am quite dazed and jet lagged.
Basically just off to the airport after breakfast today for our flight to Dubai, arriving in our beds at about 2:30am exhausted and with swollen ankles.
Sunday 18 March
Up for breakfast then we both went back to bed for a few hours. A late lunch of apple streudel and hot chips then a repack of our bags to try to get everything crammed into our booked in luggage. Mine ended up only 22 kg but absolutely chockers.
At 5 pm we went downstairs to meet Karen who is currently living in Dubai. She joined us for dinner then we all went to church (traditional Anglican service) at the Holy Trinity church in the churches compound in the city. Lots of hymns and sung responses. Home by 9:30 pm.
Monday 19 March
Early call at 5:45 am then a box breakfast to collect as we boarded the bus to the airport. Again the morning was spent at the airport then in the plane for our 14 hour flight home. I watched The Glass Castle and 6 Below and did not sleep much because of the family of jack-in-the-boxes opposite and in front who did not stop talking loudly and walking around all night. I was able to get a bit of silent music practice done for Easter and Chorus Oz.
Tuesday 20 March
Arrived at 7:30 am and had a very quick customs clearance. I was home by about 8:45 am quite dazed and jet lagged.
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| Photo courtesy CFT |
Saturday, March 17, 2018
CFT Northern Lights - Oslo
Friday 16 March
This morning's activity was a cruise on the Oslo Fjord on the SS Helena. We were walked to the harbour, supposedly 15 minute walk but we took almost 30 minutes and lost Barbara and Anthea who luckily were able to find us before the boat left. We were not warned about the cold but at least Barbara and I had decided to wear our thermals. The temperature was -4C and with the chill factor we all got quite cold. So cold, in fact, that walking to the restaurant after the tour was quite difficult. At least it was sunny and clear.
The Restaurant Louise was warm and amazing, all decorated with shipping memorabilia. The meal we had was the best we've had all trip. Fish of course but the vegetables were delicious and the cod very pleasant. I walked back to the hotel after lunch but others went shopping or sightseeing in the city. I just needed to get totally warm again.
We were collected by bus at 5pm to go to Wallmans for dinner and a cabaret. It could have been quite pleasant but instead was horribly loud doomp doomp music, even for the songs we knew. A few of the sketches were a bit bawdy for my tastes. I know others were even more shocked.
The adventure of this outing was the bus driver who had no idea where he was going and kept trying to go down narrow lanes and one way streets. We took about an hour to get there. The restaurant is on a lovely canal but it was very icy and slippery to get into. Our return trip with another driver took about 10 minutes.
This morning's activity was a cruise on the Oslo Fjord on the SS Helena. We were walked to the harbour, supposedly 15 minute walk but we took almost 30 minutes and lost Barbara and Anthea who luckily were able to find us before the boat left. We were not warned about the cold but at least Barbara and I had decided to wear our thermals. The temperature was -4C and with the chill factor we all got quite cold. So cold, in fact, that walking to the restaurant after the tour was quite difficult. At least it was sunny and clear.
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| Margaret, Anthea, Lyle, Barbara |
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| SS Helena |
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| Anthea and Barbara rugged up against the cold. |
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| John and Nancy |
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| Barbara and Betty |
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| John |
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| Barbara |
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| The docks area, Oslo |
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| Park near Thon Opera Hotel |
The adventure of this outing was the bus driver who had no idea where he was going and kept trying to go down narrow lanes and one way streets. We took about an hour to get there. The restaurant is on a lovely canal but it was very icy and slippery to get into. Our return trip with another driver took about 10 minutes.
CFT Northern Lights - Oslo again
Thursday 15 March
When I got up at 1:30 am I was starting to lose feeling in my toes because my sleeping bag had been touching the ice wall. I decided that losing toes was not worth the experience so I joined a few others in the warm lounge room in the heated part of the hotel. Sleep was intermittent as I only had a chair to sleep in.
Breakfast at 6:30am then a wander in the clear cool air of the morning. Apparently they had had 30 cm of snow overnight and there was lots of snow clearing activity to make the paths usable.
On the bus at 9:30am and off to the airport for a long wait as the plane was late. We watched snow ploughs on the runway and then cleaning the wings with antifreeze before we took off. The flight to Oslo was clear and amazing with the whole country again covered in a white doona.
At Oslo we were transferred to the Thon Opera Hotel again and made ourselves comfortable and ready for dinner and bed. Again I missed dessert as I was so exhausted and falling asleep at the table. It was, however, nearly 9 pm.
When I got up at 1:30 am I was starting to lose feeling in my toes because my sleeping bag had been touching the ice wall. I decided that losing toes was not worth the experience so I joined a few others in the warm lounge room in the heated part of the hotel. Sleep was intermittent as I only had a chair to sleep in.
Breakfast at 6:30am then a wander in the clear cool air of the morning. Apparently they had had 30 cm of snow overnight and there was lots of snow clearing activity to make the paths usable.
On the bus at 9:30am and off to the airport for a long wait as the plane was late. We watched snow ploughs on the runway and then cleaning the wings with antifreeze before we took off. The flight to Oslo was clear and amazing with the whole country again covered in a white doona.
At Oslo we were transferred to the Thon Opera Hotel again and made ourselves comfortable and ready for dinner and bed. Again I missed dessert as I was so exhausted and falling asleep at the table. It was, however, nearly 9 pm.
CFT Northern Lights - Snow Hotel Kirkenes
Wednesday 14 March
This morning was a slow free morning so Barbara and I walked up to town. In the town square we met a lady from the ship (not in our group) who had rented a room in town and with it came a "sparke" so she let us both have a tiny try. What fun it would be.
The half way line for the Finnmark Husky Race was in the town square also but we did not see any come through while we were there. There was also an ice stage built for the event.
The snow was also difficult for the dogs to pull in, especially once we were reduced to 7 dogs. The scenery we rode in was magical with a thick white doona and the trees covered in snow.
Eventually we returned to the gabba (a sami style hut) for a warm sweet drink prepared over a fire in a wonderful fireplace.
We were then taken to see our room in the Snowhotel (#19) and shown up to dinner where we were given instructions on how to sleep in a sleeping bag!
This morning was a slow free morning so Barbara and I walked up to town. In the town square we met a lady from the ship (not in our group) who had rented a room in town and with it came a "sparke" so she let us both have a tiny try. What fun it would be.
The half way line for the Finnmark Husky Race was in the town square also but we did not see any come through while we were there. There was also an ice stage built for the event.
We wandered on to the Kirkenes Church for some photos and when we walked around to the front through ankle deep snow there was a lady clearing the paths who invited us to go inside. This was an inspiring visit. Rather than pictures in the windows they had hooked rugs between the windows. There were obvious Russian influences in the artwork behind the altar. We had a lovely quiet time there and just as we were leaving, a larger noisy crowd came in so we timed our visit well.
A little further on we came to a newsagent so went in there too just for fun.
We were back at the hotel in time for lunch with the group, then headed out to the Snowhotel. Our first activity was a snowshoe walk which Barbara and I decided to cut short as we really just wanted to stroll and see the little things and take photos rather than just a speed hike to the end and back again.
Then we went out on a Husky ride. We saw some mushers and teams in the Finnmark race. It started to snow "bullets" which made the ride cold and uncomfortable. One of our dogs started collapsing so our musher called for a skidoo to come and collect is. While we waited in the cold he suggested we make snow angels. This was hilarious as the snow was very deep and soft.
The snow was also difficult for the dogs to pull in, especially once we were reduced to 7 dogs. The scenery we rode in was magical with a thick white doona and the trees covered in snow.
Eventually we returned to the gabba (a sami style hut) for a warm sweet drink prepared over a fire in a wonderful fireplace.
We were then taken to see our room in the Snowhotel (#19) and shown up to dinner where we were given instructions on how to sleep in a sleeping bag!
After dinner we ventured down into our beds in the freezer (-4 C) and I soon fell soundly asleep all warm and toasty - but alas, I needed the loo at about 11 pm then also at around 1:30 am!
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