Betty LaRue Posted December 30, 2022 Author Share Posted December 30, 2022 My daughter had fusion back surgery yesterday. I was there then and again today. She’s doing wonderful. Healthy appetite and has walked many times. The contrast between my surgery and hers is remarkable. But she had one level fixed, (a level is like one disk between two vertebrae). I had 5 levels, the entire lumbar spine, done. I also had degenerative scoliosis repaired, bone spurs and a bulging disk removed. Plus I’m 23 years older than she. I’m so happy she’s doing so well. Weather? Absolutely gorgeous here today. No wind, sunshine, and no jacket needed. 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Ventura Posted December 30, 2022 Share Posted December 30, 2022 27 minutes ago, Betty LaRue said: My daughter had fusion back surgery yesterday. I was there then and again today. She’s doing wonderful. Healthy appetite and has walked many times. The contrast between my surgery and hers is remarkable. But she had one level fixed, (a level is like one disk between two vertebrae). I had 5 levels, the entire lumbar spine, done. I also had degenerative scoliosis repaired, bone spurs and a bulging disk removed. Plus I’m 23 years older than she. I’m so happy she’s doing so well. Weather? Absolutely gorgeous here today. No wind, sunshine, and no jacket needed. Relative youth helps so much! Glad she is doing well! Been super quiet for me during these holidays, no magazine work for now...the week after next things will wind back up. The weather has been very mild here too. Enjoying some cooking and baking, made some banana bread yesterday with three past-their-prime bananas. Love the aroma of the bread baking! Going to take a quick three day trip to the Amish country of Pennsylvania and meet up with a childhood friend who lives in NYC. We picked a spot that was a 2 hour drive for each of us. Looking forward to that! Happy New Year everyone!! We can only hope for more sales and higher pricing...we shall see! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gvallee Posted December 30, 2022 Share Posted December 30, 2022 7 minutes ago, Michael Ventura said: Relative youth helps so much! Glad she is doing well! Been super quiet for me during these holidays, no magazine work for now...the week after next things will wind back up. The weather has been very mild here too. Enjoying some cooking and baking, made some banana bread yesterday with three past-their-prime bananas. Love the aroma of the bread baking! Going to take a quick three day trip to the Amish country of Pennsylvania and meet up with a childhood friend who lives in NYC. We picked a spot that was a 2 hour drive for each of us. Looking forward to that! Happy New Year everyone!! We can only hope for more sales and higher pricing...we shall see! Happy New Year to you too Michael ! Wish you plenty of sales and sunshine. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryan Posted December 31, 2022 Share Posted December 31, 2022 2 hours ago, Michael Ventura said: Happy New Year everyone!! We can only hope for more sales and higher pricing...we shall see! Cheers Michael I'll drink to that, best wishes for the new year, but as for thoughts of higher pricing, porcine aviation comes to mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Betty LaRue Posted December 31, 2022 Author Share Posted December 31, 2022 I decided to bake the 2 pumpkin pies I didn’t bake for Christmas since I spent the day alone. They are cooling as I speak. One goes to my son. The house smells wonderful & I can barely wait until one is cool enough to cut. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan Bell Posted January 1, 2023 Share Posted January 1, 2023 19 hours ago, Betty LaRue said: I decided to bake the 2 pumpkin pies I didn’t bake for Christmas since I spent the day alone. They are cooling as I speak. One goes to my son. The house smells wonderful & I can barely wait until one is cool enough to cut. Great news about your daughter recovering well from her operation. Allan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Betty LaRue Posted January 1, 2023 Author Share Posted January 1, 2023 7 hours ago, Allan Bell said: Great news about your daughter recovering well from her operation. Allan Thank you Allan. She came home from the hospital yesterday. She will still have pain, and it takes a year for the bone from a fusion to heal. I’ll reach my 1 year mark Jan 13th. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Ventura Posted January 2, 2023 Share Posted January 2, 2023 Since my daughter moved back in with me and works night shifts three nights a week at the hospital and one night at the firehouse, I make her (and for me too) vegetarian/vegan meals to take with her, whenever I can. Tonight I made a vegan curried carrot soup that turned out so well, I can't wait to make it again! I like doing this, it helps keep my meat consumption down to a minimum and she gets something good to eat at work. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryan Posted January 2, 2023 Share Posted January 2, 2023 7 hours ago, Michael Ventura said: Since my daughter moved back in with me and works night shifts three nights a week at the hospital and one night at the firehouse, I make her (and for me too) vegetarian/vegan meals to take with her, whenever I can. Tonight I made a vegan curried carrot soup that turned out so well, I can't wait to make it again! I like doing this, it helps keep my meat consumption down to a minimum and she gets something good to eat at work. Good for you Michael ! My wife makes, mainly vegetarian, soups throughout the winter months. She uses a slow cooker and any left overs from previous meals along with whatever is to hand from the allotment. A chilli pepper gets a 10 minute immersion to give the brew a bit of a kick, and she is not adverse to mixing in a small quantity of bought dried vegetable soup. Very nice with tasty, sourdough or harvest grain bread. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan Bell Posted January 2, 2023 Share Posted January 2, 2023 16 hours ago, Betty LaRue said: Thank you Allan. She came home from the hospital yesterday. She will still have pain, and it takes a year for the bone from a fusion to heal. I’ll reach my 1 year mark Jan 13th. Happy birthday. Allan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Betty LaRue Posted January 2, 2023 Author Share Posted January 2, 2023 7 hours ago, Allan Bell said: Happy birthday. Allan Thanks! It’s been a long row to hoe (Americanism) but I’m in better (not perfect) shape than before surgery. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Betty LaRue Posted January 3, 2023 Author Share Posted January 3, 2023 On 02/01/2023 at 02:13, Bryan said: Good for you Michael ! My wife makes, mainly vegetarian, soups throughout the winter months. She uses a slow cooker and any left overs from previous meals along with whatever is to hand from the allotment. A chilli pepper gets a 10 minute immersion to give the brew a bit of a kick, and she is not adverse to mixing in a small quantity of bought dried vegetable soup. Very nice with tasty, sourdough or harvest grain bread. A dense type bread like Italian, buttered & sprinkled with garlic powder, then toasted in the oven until golden, is wonderful with soups & stews of all kinds. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post gvallee Posted January 6, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted January 6, 2023 (edited) yes yes yes yes !!!!!!!!!! Edited January 6, 2023 by gvallee 6 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NYCat Posted January 6, 2023 Share Posted January 6, 2023 That is fabulous! Australia is so lucky to have you. Paulette 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Ventura Posted January 6, 2023 Share Posted January 6, 2023 Just now, NYCat said: That is fabulous! Australia is so lucky to have you. Paulette Ditto, +1, Agree! Congrats Gen and hubby! 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cecile Marion Posted January 6, 2023 Share Posted January 6, 2023 Congratulations to you both! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gvallee Posted January 6, 2023 Share Posted January 6, 2023 Thank you all. I am so relieved! And now onto the Permanent Residency fight. A Titan fight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryan Posted January 6, 2023 Share Posted January 6, 2023 3 hours ago, Cecile Marion said: Congratulations to you both! Indeed, and best of luck with the next stage ! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Betty LaRue Posted January 6, 2023 Author Share Posted January 6, 2023 Absolutely fantastically good news, Gen! So happy for you both! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Rooney Posted January 6, 2023 Share Posted January 6, 2023 That's great, Gen! The right decision for Australia to make. I could kiss a Kuala! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gvallee Posted January 6, 2023 Share Posted January 6, 2023 2 minutes ago, Ed Rooney said: That's great, Gen! The right decision for Australia to make. I could kiss a Kuala! Careful Edo, they're known as drop bears! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VbFolly Posted January 6, 2023 Share Posted January 6, 2023 That's great news, Gen! We can all look forward to seeing more amazing shots of Australia and it's wildlife. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebecca Ore Posted January 6, 2023 Share Posted January 6, 2023 Glad to hear that you got it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Mitchell Posted January 6, 2023 Share Posted January 6, 2023 Félicitations, Gen. Best of luck with gaining permanent residency status. With the crocs on your side, you can't lose. 🐊 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryan Posted January 7, 2023 Share Posted January 7, 2023 This is both a good and a bad thing. Years ago we planted a Juniper tree, variety Skyrocket, in front of our house. Now this is a civilised evergreen, unlike those crazy Leylandi that grow like a wild thing and blot out the light, but, even so, it had got to be too big. So big that it started to shade the solar panels on our house roof. I noticed this, when, after a snowfall, a section failed to melt on our south facing roof due to the tree. So we reluctantly decided to take it out, and now, with no birds nesting, is the time. Armed with a bow saw, a small axe, loppers and a set of secateurs, we tackled the tree at a height of about 4 feet. Unlike deciduous trees the Juniper grows on multiple tight packed vertical stems, each of which you can nibble through with effort and patience. We had some spectacular chunks of tree falling down across our garden, but no damage done. Sawn to a manageable size we gave the wood to friends with wood burning stoves. The soft growth required two trips to the council dump in our trusty Yeti, while the pine needles provided a mulch for the garden We're now left with a stump and I am hatching plans for its removal, probably involving excavation of the roots and the use of a hired reciprocating saw. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts