Making up for Lost Time

Hi all!
I'm recovering well from surgery. I tire easily and am sore, but that's to be expected. More medical/scientific updates in the near future. For now, I'd like to relive some great memories and share them with you.

Enjoying summer 2012.

...hang on...this is a long one...but worth it...

In the time leading up to surgery, we decided to do as much fun stuff as we could. -- And we did! Here are some pictures from the weeks before surgery to give an idea of what all has been going on here.

Aunt Sandy arrived in town nearly three weeks ago - as originally planned once we knew my surgery date. However, her visit "purpose" changed some, with mom being in a cast/crutches and not able to walk, drive, and haul stuff around the house. Sandy took on the lion's share of responsibility for caring for mom since she arrived and extended her stay to help us longer than originally planned.

Sandy has a compassionate, understanding way about her. She's enthusiastic about learning new recipes and has adopted some of the pH balanced eating habits along with us. She's even forayed into making green shakes - I'm not fibbing!

Sandy helping us populate our bare walls.
Positioning is everything.

Home Improvements: Sandy has a talent for beautifying spaces and I'd been waiting for a chance to use her talent in our home. Although we've lived here for 4+ years now, we still have several rooms that have all blank walls. What a snoozefest. Sandy graciously agreed to "attack" these projects together with me. Joshua was wise and stayed out of the should it go here or should it go there talk. He just wanted to know where to hang things in the end!

Sandy is a mastermind when it comes to interior design.

Mom hobbled downstairs, too,
to help with design decisions.

We're a good team!

A craft project I've LONG had in my mind:
Take a frame, affix several wires along it horizontally,
and use mini clothes pins to hang pictures/cards.
Makes for a unique display.

Even Lexi got in on the creativity!

Pool Time: Since mom can't use her pool membership for the rest of the summer (or at least she can't go IN the pool), Sandy and I had strict orders to use the pool at least once before my surgery. We packed up snacks, towels, and fluff reading materials and spent a relaxing afternoon together making it happen!

High-fiving in the deep end.

We enjoyed spending the better part of an afternoon at the pool.

Colorful toes = happy feet.

Beautification: Time for some nail enhancement! An ode to last summer's orange color I used when Jeney was here with Adam. Never hurts to jazz up naked nails with some fun color!

Red Rock Amphitheater: A James Taylor concert at Red Rocks which included: a rain storm, lightening storm, close encounter with a skunk, power outages, and some other 'fun' stuff. Mom skedaddled rather expertly on her crutches when all 10,000 attendees were told to seek shelter!

A bout in action!

Roller Derby Bout: My life is complete: I went to a roller derby event. Okay, partially kidding...but it has been on a bucket list (of sorts) for a LONG time. What a fun game to see live. Derby has a bit of everything: shiny spandex hot pants, colored hair, team camaraderie, catchy alter ego names, beer, pretzels, and great upper deck seating for "handi" folks! Mom, Sandy, and Joshua came to the event with me and we met up with friends there.

Mom gives roller derby a thumbs up.

Happy to be oot and aboot with Joshua.
He in pigtails, me with mohawkish hair - 'cuz why not?!

Making funny faces with Avery is always fun.

Avery and Chana are perfecting this squishy face.

Mi amigas. I love you guys.
Thanks for making a dream come true!

Camping in Rocky Mountain National Park: Our third and final foray into the wilds of Colorado. This last camping trip was just in time: the weekend before my surgery. It provided us with the peace and space we needed to prepare for what was ahead.

Joshua's pack...
looking big - as usual.

My pack...
not so big, but a challenge for sure!
(Lymphedema sleeve/gauntlet action shot.)

Happy to make it to our campsite!

Home.

Our goal: to hike up to Sandbeach Lake and back.
What a magnificent view!

Joshua played in the lake some. 

We enjoyed a hearty meal at the top.
Beans and spices with squash from our garden!

Another view at Sandbeach Lake.