Keeping it quiet....finding treasurers....

We are now 17 days post op and every day Steve gets a little stronger....some days he does over do (against my warning) but I am his wife and not his mother and have to balance the caring without coming off as nagging....not easy as I am a 'fixer' and still working on some of my personality traits in life! 

We have been house bound since he got home and existing on yummy meals, calls and positive messages from neighbors, family and friends and baked goodies my mom cooked up for us when she was here. They have been so appreciated! 

 

I only leave the house for small lengths of time and make sure either someone is here or that he is settled and ok for a bit....I am kind of surprised how in such little gaps of outings here and there what I can find!

 

On a morning walk earlier in the week I found this awesome wrought iron shabby chic chippy white table!  It said 'Free' but it should have said 'Way to heavy to carry'...this table weighs a ton and I carried it along with Rocky leading the way all the way home....It fills a perfect blank spot by the front entryway....

 

 I moved one of my ceramic birds on it and also a bowl of flowers of all colors to make it a welcoming sight.  I have big plans for holiday decorations for this baby!

 Kristen grabbed me for a quick errand run....we stopped by one of our fave thrift stores and she scored major bargains...she has such a good eye for things and pointed out this $6.00 mirror to me.....I jumped on it!

 

In between my nursing/care duties I removed the mirror and gave it a quick sand....

 

 I then did a base coat of white primer......

 Took it outside and gave it a quick spray of white matte paint....

 Sanded it to shabby it up....love the finished product.  It will go on my MaMa Auten's dresser that I have that is 100+ years old.....

 Rocky approved and wanted it for his grooming mirror but agreed it looked better on the dresser :)

 We noticed our cabinet doors were not holding up from our kitchen remodel 7 years ago....we called the company (10 year warranty) and they asked that we (I) remove everything from all the cabinets....sigh....I have too much stuff....

So I covered every table space, floor space, counter top, etc. with all our crap

 Then I found out this is 'Stage 1' of the process.....they came out and did the reinforcements, then took all the doors and drawer facings back to the shop.  Then I put everything back in place....in 2 weeks they will need us (me) to remove everything again and they will come and replace the hinges and put the new doors on....I am sure in the long run this will be good but I hate the look of open cabinets...it grates on my Type A neat and order personality....guess there is a lesson in there somewhere....

 Another 1 hour break on Sat a.m., I scooped up Kristen and we hit a few yard and Estate sales....no great purchases, a Candy land Disney game for $1.00 (Dylan really into board games lately), kiddie broom for $1.00, and this wonderful Play mobile Camping set for $2.00 for the boys.  I love to set up little vignettes' for when they come over....love to see their reaction on what is new....it has little camera, binoculars, sleeping bags, rafts, canoe, people, campfire, lanterns, etc.

 And at an Estate sale this family of owls (on top of apothecary box)....I love how it adds to the little grouping at the side of the fireplace.  My Auntie Gwen had an Owl collection and my mom and I would always look for owl things and send her so this reminds me of that.  I don't want or need another collection but I think this grouping is just right now.

Back to my nursing duties....hoping this week we can be out and about a little more....The Addie and Uncle Bo coming this weekend!  So excited!

Surgery, Exile & Recovery.....and everything in between!

Steve has lived with back pain for many years and managed it as best he could....gradually the pain increased severely and led to many, many injections, procedures,  epidurals, etc., over the years.  In January after 2 epidurals within a week and no pain relief he had a 'Thunderclap Headache' that led to him being taken by ambulance to hospital. After painful spinal taps and series and series of tests, MRI, rounds of doctors and second opinions, the Neurosurgeon insisted on back surgery.....so we scheduled it, took a little time to relax and recharge, mustered up our courage and took the surgery plunge!

 

Steve in pre-op.....

 

 Surgery was long, almost 5 hours, and extensive due to lots of muscle that had to be cut and reattached.  Recovery was even longer as he developed apnea and would go to sleep and not wake up!  The first day I was in the waiting room from 5:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and only getting quick updates.  It made for a really long and exhausting day, however, not as bad for me as Steve!  Luckily I had wonderful family and friends that kept in touch with me during that long lonely day. Lots of offers to come stay with me but I knew I would be stronger by myself.

 He was suppose to be up and walking the next day, but the pain was too intense....he was on oxygen and moaning and uncomfortable, disoriented and frustrated....his room was so tiny and noisy (no privates available) and he had 3 different room mates with their own challenges.  There never was a chair around so I had to go on a hunt for one, not impressed with the staff, I was convinced he had a UTI and had to force the nurse to test for one (it was positive and he received RX), the night nurse used a pocket knife to trim the tape off his IV, we had a visit from a crazy former prisoner (?) Chaplin and this is suppose to be one of the better hospitals in SD?  Like my mom says, 'Hospitals are no place for sick people'.

 Day after Day after Day this pain pump was his best friend......

 Finally the evening of the 4th day he was able to get out of bed and painfully take a few steps....my heart ached seeing his instability, weekness and determination and I cheered each step he took.....and there were few steps I am sorry to say....

 Since he was not progressing as he should have, he had to go to an Acute Rehab or a Nursing Home.  To me, Nursing Home was not an option....so I fought the good fight and with help of others, including Dr. Brody, we were able to move him to Rehab....

 

He had wonderful care, an amazing staff, lots of visitors and was able to go outside and get fresh air.....

Lots of loving messages from the boys and neighborhood kids who also call him 'Gramps'...

 He especially enjoyed this little 4 legged furry visitor!

 And after all his hard work he was able to come home - Hooray!

He still needs a lot of care and attention but I would rather he be here at home.  His brothers and other loved ones can come and go, the neighbors pop in, the boys come by, nice to be surrounded by love and support....oh, and the AWESOME dinners so many have provided - so appreciated!!!

Our Exile days are coming to an end.....which is a good thing!  My lists are long and the work is endless but I am grateful and humbled by this entire experience.  Thank you all for your love and concern!

A visit from my Brother, a little history and his simple question that saved us 99k!

I love it when my brother comes to town...he is a busy guy, entrepreneur, business owner, real estate professional and on the go with the ladies constantly....so it is not often when he makes it over and I treasure each visit he makes.  He is funny, strong, deep, kind, generous and a precious piece of my past.....

 

We hung out at Harbor Island (116 degrees in Phx, 66 degrees @ Bay), Seaport Village, Top of the Hyatt, hit the Food Trucks, Tin Fish, Poker Games, Croquet Matches, Breakfast outings, family time and got him hooked on watching 'News Room' to 2:30 a.m....the only thing missing was The Addie and Ms. Shannie were not here....luckily for us he is planning to come back in August when The Addie is in town... 

My brother has built many homes, historically restored homes, we have flipped homes with him, he owns several beautiful homes and an incredible eye for structure, functionality and  design.  He can recall layouts from homes we were in when we were kids...and when we were young and at home during the summers it was not surprising to anyone when we would move all our furniture one day trading rooms and then back the next day.

Some of his greatest traits are that he has a calm approach, is very methodical and not afraid to try things! 

So, one afternoon while Steve was resting his back upstairs, downstairs we talked about our current flip and ideas I wanted to bounce off him about our house.  When we originally did our addition we were limited due to 'load bearing walls' so as I walked him around questioning him on his thoughts of bumping out this wall, moving this over, tearing that down.  He listened patiently as I walked and rattled on.....adding up my ideas to a construction budget.  When he got to 100k he calmly and patiently asked me the simple, yet brilliant, question:

'What are you hoping to achieve?'

That made me think......

Bottom line is that this house really does not fit our life style any more but we love it.  At some point we need to just move on but it does not feel right at this point in time and with Steve's surgery and unknown future so we are in a holding pattern.....

So for the short term the answer was:  I am not happy with my family room/dining room (16' x 30').

Then he said - 'how often do you use your fireplace?'.....then I said, Nov - Feb....and with a stroke of brilliance he said - 'why not flip your room for summer and then back in winter?' - again so simple - (I am now convinced I overthink and overlook many things).....and better yet - without a hesitation or sign - he said 'want to try it out now?"

I swear I heard the halleluiah chorus singing!

So like back in the day we started moving things around....this way....

 

....and that way.....

trying it out this way......

 Poor Steve got up half way through and it took him a bit, however, he got into our mode as well....and helped us try out options.....

 
 So we changed out light fixtures and bought new matching fans and a few other things for about 1k 

and came up with this fab alternative that will be a fun change for us while Steve is recovering....

 
 I really really like the new footprint.....we have a better view of the fountain and back yard, have a better breeze between the two French doors, the lighting is better....

 ....and it is Rocky approved!  He loves to sit on the perch and monitor the events around the manor...it's a big job but he is up for it!

Thanks Baby Brother - I can't wait until you come back in August....I have a few ideas to share with you ;)

Road Trip 2013 - Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and heading home!

The last leg of the trip was via the great state (and long, hot, boring roads) of Texas!

First up - Galveston - oh Galveston!.....such a mixture of opulence and deterioration.....the grandest of grand?  The Bishops Palace.....

Such an ornate mixture of colored stone, carving, woods, stained glass windows, luxury materials and furnishings.....it is on the American Institute of Architects list of 100 most important buildings in America. 

 Described as Victorian, I found it more Gothic in structure......

 Amazing and beautiful.......

 However, most of Galveston looked like this, a city in need of a lot of TLC and one that has weathered many storms and recessions....I would so love to do this as a fix up but way over my pay grade:

Then on to Corpus Christi so Steve and his brother could pay respects to their dad who is buried there.....

.... right across from Selena....not a bad place to spend eternity!  We also went to Padre Island  and drove around where Steve grew up and the base his dad was stationed on.... can't find my pics of that!

 Stopped in San Antonio for the RiverWalk....it was so hot and humid....not at all like the experience I had a few years ago when Mom and I went and strolled for hours and enjoyed it all.....

 The next a.m. a quick stop at The Alamo.....and headed to Scottsdale via crossing New Mexico....

 The only highlight of New Mexico.....Dan got to break out his First Aid kit when Steve hurt his  toe.  Steve was in pain the entire time with his back and tailbone and spent most of the trip laying on my lap in the back seat as it was the only position he could be in pain free.  I admire the fact that he wanted to do this trip amidst all the pain, pain patches, aching and RX before facing surgery and knowing it will be a long time before he is able to do anything....

 Then after hours and hours crossing the desert...on to Scottsdale!

 Spent time with my brother and in Old Scottsdale....

 Stopped in to see my favorite of favorite Hollywood transplants....

 Enjoyed one more beautiful Scottsdale sunset.....

 ...and crossed the desert between Phoenix and San Diego one more time....

So happy to be home and preparing for Steve's major surgery and a plethora of other things going on.  Grateful and appreciative for this time together and for the next chapter!