Got it!

We now have the new refrigerator in the kitchen and the one that was in the kitchen is in the basement and the "broken" one from the basement is gone. When the men were finished Chuck asked me if everything was working OK ... and I said no. The basement one was plugged in, but was not running. So when Chuck went down to look at it, he saw that it was not plugged in to the correct socket. I didn't know there was a "correct" socket. I used the one that was used before.

What we finally figured out was that the electricians who were doing some electrical work unplugged the refrigerator and then plugged it into another outlet that was right next to the one that was supposed to be used. Now every time we turned off the light we also turned off the electricity for the refrigerator. Of course, we didn't realize this until we got the new appliance installed. And by that time they had tossed ... yes, actually tossed ... our perfectly good basement refrigerator on the truck and hauled it away.

The moral of this story is that I need to pay attention to the things Chuck has been doing. That means I need to pay attention to car care. Luckily I am in the know about our finances.

The great news is that Chuck went for his 6 week checkup for his hip replacement and the doctor said he was in excellent shape with no restrictions. He is at the 3 month stage after only 6 weeks. He is SO glad to be independent. We are very lucky to have our older years just be inconveniences.

Getting it!

We went window shopping at Home Depot for a replacement basement refrigerator/freezer. I was explaining to the salesperson what I REALLY wanted (see previous blog) and when I said it was too wide to fit down our stairway she said, "Even with the doors off?"

So when I got home I measured ... and it will go down with room to spare! I called and asked if when they delivered, would they make a 3 way exchange ... bring my kitchen refrigerator downstairs, take the basement one out and bring the new one into the kitchen. The answer was, "No."

Next I called Charlotte Appliance and they said, "Sure!" It will be delivered on Monday and is the same price as the one at Home depot.

Now I'm taking a break from cleaning up the basement so the exchange will go smoothly. We have 3 big coolers to store cold food in, but they aren't big enough for all the food to be out before the big, strong men lift, haul, push, or lug the appliances into their proper spots. I'll have to cook (ugh) and eat (mmm) before they deliver the new beauty. No more perishable food shopping until Tues!

New refrig ... dream on ...

So the basement refrigerator died and I got all excited! I have wanted a refrigerator with a freezer on the bottom for years, but am too thrifty to just get one while the ones I have are very serviceable. So I took my yardstick and measured all spaces. Yes, my kitchen one will fit in the space of the refrigerator that died. Then I found one that fits in the kitchen space ... and it was on sale!

So next I shared the information with Chuck. He looked at all of it and said it wasn't bad, but did I measure the doorway to the basement? He thinks of everything! The kitchen refrigerator is too wide. We'd have to take off all kinds of door frames and then get them back up. With all the other work we have going on, we'll do without the freezer on the bottom.

What other upcoming work? We had de-icers put on the roof & now will have some electrical work done ... something with the main electric box. We are having the front porch painted, the floor in the computer room is getting new flooring ... rug is the pits ... and both bathrooms will be painted. That's enough for this season. The computer room will be the most work as we have lots of "stuff" in it and that all needs to be sorted, tossed & cleared out. I've started. I have a LOT of outdated computer things.

Cindy planted the rest of the annuals for us and we are going to enjoy the abundance of color in the yard. It looks pretty good.

... another knee

2 days after I had my right knee done I thought, "Why would anyone have this done again!" As I got better I began to not totally reject the thought. And after only a few weeks the cortisone (which I had 2 weeks before my right knee got fixed) has totally worn off my left knee and now I can hardly wait for the work to be done.

The cortisone has quickly worn off my left knee, it is throbbing, bone on bone, the leg is no longer straight and because I am on a blood thinner I can't take an anti-inflammatory to reduce the pain to a discomfort level, so it is time. Dr. Niles is going to give me another new knee on Aug. 22. When I told him that was the date I wanted he asked if I could wait that long. I want Chuck to completely heal, not spend the whole summer inside and it is when Colleen said she could come and help.

We are so lucky because Chuck's new hip is doing very well and I am finished with out-patient physical therapy so we are well on our way to total recovery. Chuck is still with home PT and Jessica gave me some exercises to continue my progress, which I am doing in the pool 2-3 times a week. West Irondequoit has a free swim for seniors and being in the water takes the pressure off the left leg so I can really work on those exercises.

Now Chuck and I are off to 2 outings ... a Red Cross luncheon and our neighbors (mother - MS and son - HS) graduation party. First outing for Chuck ... besides chatting with all the neighbors that pass by while he is outside.

Ahead of Schedule

I can't believe the progress. Jessica, the physical therapist, told me after she got my leg back to 120˚ that if they had an ad for their facility and I was in the ad, they'd have to put a disclaimer saying that all do not progress as well as I have. I looked at her skeptically & thanked her for the build up. No build up she told me. I'm doing very well and am ahead of schedule. Then she said she didn't want me to get tendinitis from patting myself on the back so much. Funny woman!

Cile, a woman I swim with also had surgery, but on her foot and I asked a mutual friend how Cile was doing. Maggie replied, "She is like you. Ahead of schedule and complaining that she hasn't done better." I really think that doing the water exercises before surgery helped a lot with the healing.

And now I'm ready for Chuck to get his hip replaced. Surgery is set for 7:30 AM on the 16th. He is SO looking forward to feeling better.

Colleen is coming up to help so that will be good. Now I'm going to get those last minute quilt projects finished before the show June 3, 4 & 5.

Swimming!!

Well, water walking. I got a call from PT that my therapist went home with a stomach bug and therapy was canceled for today. So I decided to try the pool. It has been 7 weeks and felt good.

First I was greeted like royalty and then cautioned to not over do. Believe me, I didn't. The knee felt funny, but the exercise felt good. I did what the therapist had me do last week, but in the water and it took the pressure off the other knee.

I went for a walk last week and as I was nearing home I felt my knee was bothering me. I laughed when I realized it was not the repaired knee, but the other one. I will get it evaluated, but not going to have surgery right away. I want to enjoy the nice weather. I had a cortisone shot in my left knee about 2 weeks before surgery and it lasted about 8 weeks. I really used that knee a lot & now it's saying "enough!"

I was so glad when Dr. Niles told me I could drive. Chuck had me drive home and I have no problem.

Chuck goes in for his much needed hip replacement on May 16. Poor Chuck is very uncomfortable, but it isn't stopping him. He just is doing some moaning. I know when Chuck complains of pain it is REALLY bad. And he will be having Lynelle and Tracy for his therapists, too. Our neighbor Jeff brought down the lounge chair for Chuck and he is somewhat more comfortable. No, I was not going to give up mine. It is the perfect height and is so nice to be able to have the leg comfortably up after working the leg.

The washer is calling me to dry the clothes, so I'll take care of that and then perhaps a nap ... forget the perhaps.

Wow!

Today was another day of PT and I didn't feel I'd progressed, but I have! I bent my leg back 100˚! That's from 96˚ 2 days ago! And it's getting easier each day. I have 2˚ more to go to get my leg completely straight. Walking is more comfortable each day and I have not taken pain pills ... except before Lynelle comes. And then ice after PT. Now if the weather would co-operate and stop the snow & rain, I'd get out to walk more.

Standing is still a problem. Chuck got me a fresh pineapple which I cleaned and cut up ... and then I was ready to sit. Before that I was antsy about 1 minute after standing.

Tues. I get my 6 week check up and he'd better tell me I can drive! I'm ready!