It's Definitely Past Time For Another Blog Post

 AJ, AZ   High 106  Low 73 (summer has arrived)

 Contessa said its time for me to do a blog post. And it has been quite awhile since I last posted. Contessa posts a blog called 5C's Que Pasa. I don't know how to put the link in here. They go to Mexico in the winter from Canada and have two beautiful chocolate dachshunds.

The problem is, there really isn't much to post about. I'm still in Arizona and it is hot. We reached 106 yesterday and it's supposed to get warmer as the week progresses. However, I still prefer the desert heat to cold, wet, or snowy weather. Woke up to the temperature being in the 60's at 5:00 a.m. and I needed a blanket because I was cold.

I have some random pictures to share. They are slowly working on our streets here in the park. The guys doing the work are relatives of the owner, and get around to us whenever they don't have a job elsewhere. I don't think we're going to see much of an improvement even if they do finish.

My dear friend, Tacey, brought me these beautiful flowers when she came over to pick up my laundry. That's right, while I've been pretty much glued to my recliner, she was willing to help me with that impossible chore. I am now able to haul my laundry to the park laundromat in small loads and do my own. That was an exciting improvement. 

  For Mother's Day, I received this wonderful card. My wonderful daughter-in-law made the butterfly with Elias's feet and the sun with his hand. The flowers are puppy and kitty prints. What fun.

 Michaela and Elias' first Mother's Day.

Looked like we might get some rain but just dark clouds which was a nice change from constant sunshine. The weather people have a pretty easy job down here, at least til monsoons hit. June 15th, starts our monsoon season but there are no storms in our forecast.

Todd and Elias on their first Father's Day.

Jim and Todd

 My Dad and Todd

 And now the news you've all been waiting for.  There was a time when I truly believed I'd be on my way to Montana in May. That did not happen. Neither did it happen in June and it probably won't happen in July. So fingers crossed for August.

I got out of my cast and into a boot on May 25th. My instructions were that this foot was not to touch the ground unless it was in the boot.  However, I can walk with this thing on. And I'm sure glad my recliner is comfortable enough to sleep in. 

 

Four weeks later, I'm back to the surgeon's office thinking I'm getting rid of the boot. I'm so excited. Wrong!!  I can now transition from the boot to an ankle brace. (And I thought I had trouble getting the boot on, ha ha) Thank goodness for you tube cause I would never have figured out where all the straps and velcro go on this ankle brace. And it is so uncomfortable. For one thing it rubs on my heel and even though the stitches have healed, the skin is very sensitive. 

After trying many different types of padding, I found that a female pad actually does help. But it has to be a really thick one. Got that situated in the sock I wear to hold it in place, got the brace on after three tries, only to find out my foot will not fit in my sneaker.  I found an old pair of sandals in the bottom of the closet that are stretched way out of shape. It kind of goes over the brace but I'm really careful to not walk out of it. Still cannot put my barefoot on the ground and stand on it. Must have boot or brace and shoe on to stand or walk.

I started wearing the brace for one hour the first day, two hours the next day, three the next and so on for two weeks. I am on day 7 and I dread the thought of 7 hours in this thing. Next Monday on the 3rd, I start physical therapy. The surgeon said 2 to 3 times a week for 4 to 6 weeks. I'm really looking forward to that - NOT. 

So that is all the news on my ankle. I did get my partial dental and it only took a few adjustments for it to fit pretty good in my mouth. It's going to take awhile for me to get used to chewing with fake teeth as well as having all this "stuff" in my mouth. But they look really natural. 

I get around pretty good now. I can drive so Carol doesn't have to take me to all my appointments. I do grocery pick ups which I've been doing since the pandemic and I love it. But other than that, not much is going on in the way of fun. I feel great. Get discouraged and have an occasional meltdown. I miss Jim. He really spoiled me. 

My beautiful family.