Change of Plans

This Dove candy wrapper is from treats brought to me by a 

lovely neighbor whose dogs I was supposed to walk this week.

It says, 

"Live your life every day

with no regrets,

it will be worth it."

I agree fully.

However...

I was supposed to spend 5 days snuggling with this cutie

but an injury caused a change of plans.

And,

I thought I would be posting this month's blog 

from Florida 

where I was supposed to be caring for another sweet puppy 

for 21 days

of fun on the beach.

I won't be needing that facial sunscreen this month.

Because I am still here with the snow 

and 

I will not be going outside 

until my next X-rays in late February.

*

On January 20th

I fractured a medial tibial plateau.

(It's a crucial bone near the kneecap.)

*

I had to cancel three traveling adventures

so I can heal properly.

Including a trip to Colorado to see a production 

of this book directed by a friend. 

Darn. 

But I gotta say,

mainly I was sooooooo grateful when the MRI 

showed I did not need surgery!!!

MRIs are INTENSE!

It was nerve racking when she said she was going to put 

weights on my foot because it was shaking.  

I couldn't feel my foot shaking, 

but I was worried the weights would hurt my knee!

(Thankfully they did not.) 

I had headphones on and listened to soft 70s rock n roll songs.

First up was "Fox on the Run"

then "Magic Man"

followed by Eagles' "Peaceful Easy Feeling."

There were two other songs I heard 

and recognized, but I couldn't remember their titles.

I must have dozed off some but I spoke to 

the technician when she checked in with me 

between the jack hammer-like pounding sounds.

"Blinded by the Light" (ironic) was midway through when I was told the testing was done.

"But it's such a good song," I said, laughing, but very happy to be done. 

Staying still is HARD!

I do not want to talk about the cause of the injury.

But I will kibitz about how this journey began.

First I was fitted for crutches incorrectly,

the first pair were a full inch too BIG!

I used them for four days,

bruising my ribs, shoulders, and hands.

Then my knee brace broke on the drive home from the doctor's.

We had to return the next day to be fitted for a new one.

My husband is working full time 

and had to cram five hours worth of doctor's visits in his Tuesday.

Plus he's doing all the cooking and dishes. 

And fetching...

Thank you Honey. 

He kindly set up a twin bed 

in the middle of the house.

It faces our wood burning fireplace which is heavenly, 

except for the fact that I cant walk on my right leg...

Our daughter thoughtfully purchased a cart for me to organize my stuff. 

She also sent a slew of stickers to decorate it with!

And she sent a grabber! Very useful!

Thanks sweetie!

Friends and family have sent get well cards. 

So sweet.

Yes, you are remembering things correctly,

I broke my shoulder in October, 2021.

When I told a college buddy about my leg she snapped,

"Well, we aren't getting any younger!"

Whatever...

I have to say my fractured shoulder (three places) was

waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay worse.

The pain was awful.

My fractured right knee is very tender 

and my left knee is sore - and is getting hardly any time to recover.

Both were banged up badly.

I am so grateful I did not put any pressure on my right leg.

I knew it was more significantly damaged.

At this time I am not allowed to put any weight on my right leg.

But lookee at me. Ta da. 

I miss going on daily walks.

To deal with the mental (sadness and self-pity) 

part of my injury I've been attending

motivating Zoom presentations.

The candy wrapper slogan at the top of the blog defines me.

I am thankful my doctor agrees and wants me to live my life to the fullest.

As Life is Good products say:

Do What You Love

and

Love What You Do.

There's no such thing as luck.

Good or bad.

So just seize the day and enjoy!

Here's some more "sweet" affirmations.

Before I got hurt I was very busy!

I heard live music at the Senior Center 

and Madame Zuzus.

My husband and I went to the city for New Year's Eve.

We went to the Art Institute and shopping on Michigan Ave.

I also went back to thrifting.

(I had been on a sabbatical. HA.)

I need to fill my baskets for my "Christmas in July"

annual giving at Phantom Lake YMCA Camp.

I didn't buy this plate.

But Shirley Temple sure is sweet

just like my mommy. 

BOOKS!

I cannot NOT shop in that area. 

There's so many good ones!

There is nothing safe about hot grease.

It's a relief when you find a replacement coat after mistakenly donating one.

(No, I did not repurchase the same coat!)

Good thing I did go shopping when I did because

I won't be driving for a long time. 

My goal is to be driving by June.

Our daughter has my car in Chicago.

I wonder if she'll notice cool numbers roll over like I do.

Before thrifting I usually tidy up and try to find things to donate.

(It's hard work so a Starbucks mocha is a reward.)

While thrifting I also bought some LPs 

and listened to them UPSTAIRS.

(Where I won't be going until after my second X-rays.)

I got a few months of Apple TV as a freebie

and now the family has decided we want to subscribe.

They have so many interesting and entertaining shows!

I just wish there was one with Timothee Chalamet. Hee hee. 

Since I will be resting for awhile I will be reading some hard copy books too.

Thanks for the gifts friends!

Audio books continue to be a joy.

The #dosomethingfornothing one started a social justice movement.

Check it out.

Speaking of injustice.

Please join me in supporting the 

Go Fund Me for Tyre Nichols

Another issue brewing controversy is the Mars Co.

I am boycotting them until they figure this mess out. 

Zoom meetings have become a big part of my life now.

They are just a great way for connection with others far away.

This Master Class is outstanding!

Did anyone else go down the rabbit hole of the show 1899?

Music continues to soothe my soul.

This song had a special meaning this month as 

some special people got married!

I used Facebook Marketplace to buy a cassette player.

Cassettes play fine on it.

The AM/FM radio works.

But the cd player and headphones do not work. 

Hey, two ottta three ain't bad.

I dug out my mix tapes and also found recordings 

of my children from when they were young.

Precious.

I am exciting to announce that Kenny Loggins is coming to Ravinia.

I have been "manifesting him home" for months!

It worked!!!!!

We continue to eat well.

Chipotle and take out Chinese - yum!

Sorry about all the preservatives Doc Heather!

(Notice the heart shaped pepperoncini!)

Here's a few pics taken between 12/20 and 12/31 

after I had posted December's blog.

We had to do Christmas via FaceTime due to Covid.

So instead of hosting our first grandchild

I watched Christmas movies alone 

and schlepped food upstairs

to the Covid Ward patient. 

(My husband.)

I'm still loving playing Rummikube,

doing puzzles,

and writing letters. 

Same ole, same ole.

I journal. My friend crochets. Both are good stress releasers. 

I will NOT be using a Snoopy sledding intertube anytime soon...

Have you ever been out in public in clothing that 

doesn't match your mood?

Like when someone "steals" "your" parking spot?

Asking for a friend again.

We did have fun on our (cut short) roadtrip. 

I would like an award for not buying these

pretty earrings that were only $10.

I have so many earrings but these were so cute!

I love being able to "buy" something with a digital photo.

It's mine to look at again and again.

But now I'm back home.

Watching the world and sparkling snowflakes go by.

I'm sending you all love and hugs.

Drop me a text or call.

I'm available...

DESPERATELY HOPING FOR PEACE!!!!

With deep thankfulness for your friendship,

Jen Pen

Be careful out there - but LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST!