In God’s Waiting Room
I cannot wait to sit under these trees that tower over our garage porch when they are full of leaves and song birds.
Updates from February, 2014 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts
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Noreen
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Noreen
From A Wild Winter Storm to Thawing
The snow and horrific winds had the power to bring down the top of our neighbor’s majestic evergreen tree during the. I would never have thought that this afternoon we are having a beautiful sunny day that is thawing the top layer of the icy snow that we got yesterday. God works in mysterious ways.
Dennis went out this morning and started up the snow blower and I couldn’t help but dress up and pick away with the yellow snow pusher shovel to lend a hand. Though I do have clearance to use my right arm with no restrictions it felt foreign to apply any type of pressure using it and I did use it sparingly. Six weeks into recovery does not mean being a wild woman. Just to be out in the sunshine and fresh air gave a fantastic that feeling I was contributing even in the smallest amount. I felt I needed to give Dennis some moral support as he has handled a lot of snow this winter solo. We usually worked together on it. Next year I will be back in splendid snow removal shape.
We are waiting for Dennis’ grandson to come with a skid loader to open up the end of the driveway before the car can be used. The city crews were on top on the snow fall and made multiple passes piling up hard packed snow on the end of the driveway. As luck would have it the garage door for Dennis’ pickup faces the alley and the city crew is kind enough to plow the alley, throwing the snow in the opposite direction of the garage door. Small town kindness speaks volumes. Some of the banks of snow that have gotten tall from Dennis’ small snow blower will be removed when the skid loader appears and relocate it to the backyard to alleviate some of the thawing mess that is bound to be taking place sooner if not later. With a late winter snow storm thriller behind us, life on Stauffer is still mighty sweet.
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Noreen
Hunker Down
The winter storm today is a tough slap on the back of the head after we just experienced several days of some great warmer temps. I have several lamps turned on trying to brighten up the living room as the gray seemed to just seep into the house. We have a huge evergreen on the northwest corner of our home and today the swaying boughs heavy with snow are the landscape filling some of the west windows.
Dennis put out the Meow-Mix as usual this morning for all his homeless cats that needed to find some nourishment. One after another did come and help themselves and then scurried off to what they have as shelter before the heavy snow started. Honey Bunny the garage kitty never came down from the rafters of the garage. I think she knew there was weather coming that she would have no interest in exploring. Honey Bunny has her nest of a box filled with various pieces of polar fleece sitting on the rafters above Dennis’ pickup.
For a short time the smell of cinnamon rolls filled the house and then Dennis settled in catching up on his reading and I found some hemming on a quilted wall hanging. It is truly a ‘hunker down’ day for all.
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Noreen
41 degrees — time to turn down the thermostat and open a window and enjoy the sweet sounds of birds flitting in the lilac bushes. We may have a true winter day tomorrow as the warnings are already aired. Catch ya later.
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Noreen
Dennis and I had a road trip date today to Mankato. More snow is forecast for this evening and this seemed to be the best chance. I was amazed how many vehicles had visited the ditches between here and there. After all the errands were run, Culver’s seemed the the best spot for a meal. Great getaway. When we got home Dennis checked over the snowblower as it will be needed tomorrow — again.
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Noreen
Seriously – More Snow?
Dennis is Determined to Enjoy the Garage Porch During One More Snow Fall
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Noreen
Today is five weeks out of shoulder repair and this morning I could put lotion on the left side of my face with my right hand. The right arm cannot quite make the sharp bend that it takes for the hand to reach the right side of the face. This is definite progress.
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Noreen
Gearing up for Winter Olympics on Stauffer Avenue
It’s time for the next test of endurance here on Stauffer Avenue. Go Stauffer Avenue Olympics! Shoulder surgery does not have a successful ending if the patient does not follow up on the excellence of the surgeon. I have been working with the elastic band that is hooked to a doorknob here in the house. The band is pulled high, the band is pulled low, the band is pulled wide, and as the days pass I grasp the band closer to the doorknob for a bit of extra resistance. Whatever movement of the arm and shoulder I expect to have in the future, I mimic those movements with the band. Oh, how much is taken for granted. I do forget that at five weeks all is going according to the plan of recovery. I’m a true blue German and I get impatient.
Dennis and I have talked about going out for a Valentine supper this Friday. We agreed to postpone the holiday supper as eating with my left hand is getting me by, but not very gracefully and when using the right hand I may end up with more food on the floor than in my mouth. Just not socially acceptable.
Generally, an exercise bike may not seem as if it would play into the next step for physical therapy of a reverse shoulder surgery. The exercise bike we have has the back and forth motions of the handlebars as the bike is peddled. What a great way to extend the arm and rotate the shoulder as it requires firing up some muscle power, giving the legs a free ride for the motion.
This exercise bike is a 23-year-old jewel that has been used to no end. Dennis checked the bike over this morning and disappeared for a bit as one of the pedals needed a bit of attention to detail in the shop. Nothing would be worse than a pedal coming off the shaft and finding myself in a recovery of another body part. I don’t think Dennis would be up for that as well. So, in days to come, I hope to give the shoulder a new challenge for movement. Tuning into the Winter Olympics on NBC while I give it a whirl should be great incentive. It’s either this or better.
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Noreen
Today Dennis’ porch cat Honey Bunny had an appointment at the veterinary office for her yearly shots. Dennis said she bawled all the way as she was peeking out of the carrier. It’s a good thing it was still below zero for outside temps and everyone had their vehicle windows shut. Someone may have mistaken the commotion as a child that was being mistreated. Oh yes, she can wind it up that loud and that consistent. Once the vet pulled her out of the carrier she never made a peep and took it like a little hero. Honey Bunny spends a lot of time outside roaming the back yards and there is no telling what she may get into and pay the consequences later. Dennis’ porch bud is good to go. Check that off the list of “must do.”
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Noreen
The cowboy made it home from the Sioux Falls trade show without out a hitch. Lots of news to share from buddies that came from far and wide. Everything is back to a usual schedule here on Stauffer Avenue. What also is usual and customary are the sub-zero temps. It can’t last forever, but even for me — the one who likes winter — it is getting to be a bit much. Catch ya later.