Where does the time go?

Since I last blogged the pictures you see have been replaced by green leaves on trees and primroses, iris and peonies. Pictures come in next blog.
We had a few days of summer with day temps in the 90's and nights in the upper 60's which brought everything rushing out. Fruit trees bloomed and daffodils faded quickly. It was very hot working in the garden as there was no shade. Now the weather is back to normal and working is more pleasant. Is is so beautiful that I have to take time each day just to admire. Since my garden has been evolving over the course of 30 years it now tells me what to do- where certain plants live and thrive, some too aggressively, and others beg to be moved to a location more to their liking.
I had great fun last week making mozarella, ricotta with herbs from my garden and pizza using a no knead technique from a new cookbook. the mozarella was fantastic on the pizza. I can't wait for fresh tomato and basil season to make caprese. I also made foccacia with rosemary. If I can't go to Italy I can bring the food to me.

visiting grandchildren

I spent the weekend in Annapolis at my son's house on the occasion of his girls performing in their high school musical performance. Maggie had a solo which is unusual for a freshman and Brianna, who is a senior this year did the sound board. It was an impressive setup with computer generated sound and lights. The cast was huge and it was so impressive to watch and listen to how good they were. It was a rock and roll revival so there were period costumes and dances to go with each song. Maggie sang "Manic Mondays" it was hilarious and she acted every bit of a 30 something.
The weather was glorious in the high 70's so we were able to have a family tennis game. this was a huge thrill for me as it had been 2 years since I had been able to get on a court.
We were also celebrating my birthday so we had festive leg of lamb, roasted veggies, baba ganush and best of all a flour less chocolate cake that Phelps had made for me.

last day

Yesterday Nick took me to the most beautiful beach. There were 4 people there, 2 boogie boarders,1 surfer,one policeman. Nick was bummed that there were other people on his beach. I didn't get any pictures but it was for sure one of the most beautiful beaches I've ever seen. Black sand jungle right down to the shore beautiful rocks. it wasn't good for swimming because of the rocks for me but I was happy walking and getting my feet wet and watching the waves.
My stomach was a bit upset yesterday so we had dinner at a tucked away place serving posole. Basically chicken soup with posole( exploded corn kernels). Just what I needed!
Today we went to the Sunday market and this afternoon going to Lina's to learn to make risotto and mozzarella. I can't wait.
We had a huge fruit salad of papaya and mangoes a few minutes ago. I will miss this life.
The top picture is the view out my room. The bottom Nick's "quiver" of boards. he doesn't surf on weekends because it's too crowded.

cold and cloudy in paradise?

Yesterday everyone was freezing to death,dark clouds covered the whole sky. Nick took me to see his friends Gaby and Andrea's house. You can see their son Max playing with the stones in their courtyard. It was an amazing house but I didn't feel comfortable taking pictures as there are already good ones on their blog. It was so well thought out though they were modest about it. They built the ground level first and lived in it for several years and then added the upper floor which now houses their bedrooms and a lovely living room. Kitchen,guest room and bath and outdoor patio are down.
Nick went to a little fish market in a nearby neighborhood to buy fish. Fresh sole! We had that, potatoes with tomatoes from their garden and fresh papaya and pineapple. Yum!
This morning Nick delivered a golf cart to his renters before we headed out to La Lancha. I had been hearing about this place as it is one of Nick's favorite surf areas. As you can imagine finding a place to surf without too many people is hard.
I had hoped to watch Nick surf but they are so far out I had no idea who was who. It was a beautiful beach so I had a good time.
As you can see from the pictures today is cool, clear and not a cloud. Not great surfing apparently, but better than none at all.

a cloudy day

The pictures are of the palapa that overlooks the town. Everything happens here. There was a power ropes class going on when I arrived to go to yoga and last night had been a big party for the "Gruppo Sayulita". this is a fundraiser and this group supports all the services in town. Nick had done the posters and invites for it but fortunately for me did not feel the need to go.
Today is cloudy and cool, probably 75 so not so bad. The house is quiet,relatively, as Treva and Astrid are in Houston. There are still dogs, cats, roosters and various venders.
After we dropped them at the airport we went to Costco and Walmart. I had never been to a Costco before. It was pretty impressive as we bought food,new insides for Nick's toilet,wine and could have bought seafood.We didn't buy seafood because we were going to the fish market in Sayulita but by the time we got there after siesta time they had only shrimp left. We cooked them and had leftovers. Delicious.
Nick was stressed as today he was welcoming his friend, Gaby's, rental clients as Gaby was teaching Treva's art class. I went to yoga while Nick was greeting them and drove the cart home. then we went to school to see if Gaby needed help. He didn't, everything was under control. He was teaching art to 5th and 6 the grade kids. We all went to lunch afterwards to let them both decompress. Both of them had been very nervous about their new jobs. Really funny to see these accomplished cool guys so stressed but I could totally relate to both- doing something new and unfamiliar is scary and kids know when you are not being true. Gaby probably had the scarier role, and as they are both perfectionists they wanted to do their best - and they did.

life in the fast lane

I started a new post because I couldn't upload another picture. I just figured it out.
Monday I went to a piltes class with Treva as she then had to take me for my massage that was my birthday/xmas present. I was nervous about the pilates but I could do most of it. It works almost exclusivly on your core.
Then we went off into the jungle to find the massage house. There are no road signs and all dirt roads but Nick's directions were good. We made one false turn but eventually climbed this steep hill and then a long path till we came to a beautiful house out of wood and thatch looking out over the ocean. It was all open no windows. It was built by Daniel and his wife who gave the massage. The massage room was a separate building with a lovely altar with Kuan Yin. Daniel looked like a nelson countier, bearded grey hair and knows all the plants. He loaned me a book so I could identify some of the plants here.
The massage was lovely, nice energy from Lisa and she used YL oils! It was a great present.
After that Treva had to work on the interior of the spa and then she and Astrid had their nails done-it meant that Treva had to be really careful doing the painting or she would mess up her fancy nails.
Nick and I cooked dinner so we could be at the store by dark for the project mentioned on the last post.
Yesterday I took the golf cart to go to yoga as Treva teaches at the school and Nick was surfing. That was a big adventure for me as I hadn't driven one before. I didn't get lost going to yoga and it's quite easy to drive so that was a relief.
Yoga and pilates are held is this big palapa overlooking the ocean and the town. Incredibly beautiful,hopefully I'll take pictures there tomorrow. the yoga class was lovely nice guy Jim an Anusara teacher but with some Iyengar background. I liked the class immensely. Few people, old yoga mats and a few blankets blocks and straps. It was a treat for me to go to a class. Thanks Michael. Classes are expensive 15$ per class just like home. But to feel the breeze and hear the ocean- wow.
Last night party for Astrid. Gaby, Andrea and son Max who is not quite 2 and just adorable. Great dinner,miso soup,salad of rice noodles cabbage and pineapple and mango, nick made sushi with shrimp. Desert was a fantastic tres leches chocolate cake from the bakery across from the school. I'll post pics.
We're about to leave for the airport.

successful logo night

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Tuesday night it all worked out. Nick was freaked out as he couldn't find the owners of the car where he needed to put the projector but we persuaded him that it would be okay. And it was as we were gone before they came back.You can see the results above.

happenings

We were very busy over the weekend. Saturday we went to Nuevo Vallarta where there was a huge mall with an indoor jungle jim type area. For Astrid's birthday (one of her several parties) she invited 2 younger girls Serena and Tallulah for the day at the mall. No party is complete without Baskins&Robins cones.
Sunday we had a beach party for Astrid with 5 of her friends and their families. We all brought something to eat but we could have bought roasted shrimp,donuts,fresh fruit, instead we had popcorn,tostadas and salsa,quesdillas, fresh strawberries. You can see the great trees to climb in and the waves were good for everyone to boogie board, including Astrid and Treva, I didn't go all the way in the water but will next time.
We came home about 5pm and gathered up paints, computer and projector as Treva is putting a logo on a new day spa. She designed the whole space and will paint the interior designs when she gets back from Texas.
Nick set up the projector, to display the logo on the building, on a conveniently parked car's roof. Treva climbed the ladder and had begun to paint when the lights all went out. The whole town! We waited a bit but no lights so we decided to eat in the restaurant across the street. They had candles and gas burners for a delicious tacos dinner. At home with no electricity just like being in VA.
We found out today the tragedy that 4 young boys coming back from a fiesta in the next town hit the pole putting the town in darkness, As it is a small town everyone knew someone connected with the tragedy. The town had many funerals today. Will they never learn.
We went back tonight to finish the job. I took pictures with Nick's camera so hopefully I can post them. While Treva was painting Nick made friends with people who fish and have a restaurant in La Cruz who want a logo on their truck!
the last picture is Max son of Treva and Nick's friends Gaby and Andrea

visit to school

Today we visited Astrid's school and this heliconia was blooming in the school yard. We saw kittens in Treva's classroom,a soccer game and looked in on Astrid's class. She had brought chocolate cupcakes to celebrate her birthday, Everyone said they were delicious so that's good. I ended up making a 2nd batch at Astrid's request but the 2nd go around was way less stressful.
We met the head of the school and she gave us each a t-shirt from Tommy Bahama. The logo was designed by Astrid and they are donating part of the profits of the Relax line to Astrid's school. So be sure to buy those t-shirts.
Tonight we are going to friends for dinner to celebrate several birthdays. I'm told we are having paella. Yum!
Last night as the clothing exchange got underway I fled and watched a surfing movie with Nick.
Tomorrow we are taking Astrid's friends to Nuevo Vallarta, an amusement park mexico style.

lovely unknown flowers

These are flowers I saw on my way back from walking Astrid to school. On the way we walk fast but coming back I can take my time. The pink one is a small tree and the yellow I suspect is some kind of accacia. Let me know if you can identify any of these.
Today I will call cupcake adventures!
It seemed such a simple thing; make cupcakes from a mix!
The first adventure was how to light the oven? Was it gas or electric? It appeared to be gas as the top is gas but there were no lighting elements to be found. Belen was here cleaning so I somehow communicated to her my problem. She also didn't know but after looking for matches went out and bought some. There was a little hole in the front of the oven leading me to suspect that was the pilot. After she brought the matches she tried to light it unsuccessfully. In desperation I tried and fortunately we heard the whoosh which meant the stove lit. We didn't blow up the house!
Next problem there was too much batter for the 12 molds so I thought I would just fill them a little fuller. Of course as cakes do they rose over the top making them tricky to get out of the molds.
Next hurdle we bought 2 boxes but I didn't ask Treva before she left how many cupcakes to make. Should I cook the 2nd box or not?
As the cats are allowed on the counters,except when I'm in the kitchen I have to be on guard they won't decide to eat the cakes.
I'm sort of dreading the clothing exchange and may hide out with Nick in Astrid bedroom.Imagine trying to swap clothes with lithe young and I do mean young women. Treva says most are younger than her. At least there is good chili that we made.

Days 2 and 3

These are pictures from my birthday dinner night. We went to the next town, San Pancho, to watch the sunset over the ocean and to have dinner at a wonderful restaurant.
San Pncho is a nicer town than Sayulita but unfortunately the beach has a steep dropoff so it's not great for swimming or surfing.
The picture of Astrid eating her desert, arancia ice cream, made there and served in an orange. Mine was cacao served in a cocao bean and Treva had coconut in a shell. We had wonderful mussels, red snapper, beef strips in a great sauce. The whole experience was a treat.
I have been walking Astrid to school each day which is fun for me. It's a short walk through the river bed which is now dry. I will post some flower pictures from my walk. I wish I had a flower book to identify them as many I don't know.
Nick goes surfing with his buddies and I went to PV with Treva yesterday. She had to buy a present for a baby shower and various things to eat. We went to Walmart, a first for me. I was impressed with all the things they had there.
We made egg salad sndwiches to take to the shower and started on the chili for the clothes swapping party that is happeneing here tonight.
Nick and I walked downtown for dinner. We ate on the street at a great place called Pastor that served roasted pork shaved from a spike that was turned in front of an upright fire box. Served in a soft taco with various toppings.Really good, I'm sure we'll eat there again. Dinner for 2 was 150 pesos. Of course we met many people Nick knew.
Today my job is to make cupcakes for Astrid's school birthday party tomorrow. It is being celebrated early as she and Treva are going on the 11th to Houston for her sister's baby's birth.
The weather is such a treat after all that snow and cold.

life in Sayulita

In Afton today it is snowing yet again!
Here it's about 80 not a cloud in the sky. Nick went surfing at 6am but wasn't happy with his surfing so we went again at 11 to a different place where I could sit in the shade as it was too hot in the sun.
It was a fancy resort but they didn't seem to care that that I was sitting in their chair and not spending any money.
I could never tell which one was Nick and wished I had brought binoculars. He thought he was showing off for me. I watched several people taking surfing lessons and walked a bit on the beach. The water is that glorious blue green and warm. I didn't wear a bathing suit as Nick said it wasn't a good place to swim.

I walked to Astrid's school with Treva and Astrid and found my way back home without getting lost. Treva had to teach all day today so she was beat when she got home as I gather the kids are pretty unruly so she had to discipline in Spanish.
I was pretty beat when I got here but after a really nice dinner that Treva had prepared we went to bed. I managed to sleep until 4 am as that was 6 their time. Tonight we are going to a nice restaurant in the next town to celebrate my birthday and watch the sunset over the water. Should be fun.
I'm glad I brought my noise machine as the roosters crow all night and day. Every so often the dogs or cats fight but I keep my door closed so they don't come in my room.
All in all life is tough in paradise.

giving thanks

I have so much to be grateful for. A loving family, all healthy, a lovely house in the woods, many friends, plenty to eat, the breath and yoga.

I am incredible grateful to the surgeon who performed the miracle that is my new hips. To be able to walk.sit,sleep,kneel without pain seems truly a miracle. This past week I was fortunate enough to be in FL with my teacher Gabriella and to discover that there was still a lot of asana that I could do. It will be a slow journey but I am still revelling in what I can do without pain.

I am looking forward to a lovely thanksgiving dinner with my daughter and son-in-law and 2 of my grandchildren. I will miss the rest of my family some of whom are gathered in Boston with my son and the Mexico group.

I hope all of you are enjoying this day of thanks wherever you are.

coming up to 8 weeks since left hip done

Today when I hiked up the mountain behind our house which goes from 900' to about 1200' I was able to step up on a log with my left foot. this may not seem like such a big deal but for the last few months even getting my left leg over the log was a big painful effort. I felt so uncertain on my legs after the operations as you loose your proprioception because there is no feed back from inside the hip, and now I'm feeling much more confident.
I'm even feeling my old energy coming back in spite of not sleeping well. Being able to bend over and get back up without pain seems so miraculous each time I do it. I got used to counting the steps everywhere to see if I could minimize the effort by carrying a number of things at one time. Now I cross the kitchen and back with nary a thought.
I'm looking forward to taking my first yoga class in ages on Sunday. In my own classes I am a beginner again and it's okay. next weekend I go to Chicago to be an assessor in training for the certification of beginning Iyengar teachers. I've been on the other side so I know what a scary process it is.
Shortly after that Jack and I go to the Outer Banks for a week I can't wait. We usually bird watch, walk the beach and eat lots of seafood. At least this year I will really be able to walk on the beach and not be looking for the nearest place to sit down.

able to hike again

I was so excited last Sunday as Jack and I went up into the Blue Ridge and did a short hike. It felt so good.
Yesterday I climbed up the hill behind our house to a place near the top where we have added, over the years, to a pile of rocks that was there. The rule is you must bring a new rock to add to the pile when you come to it. I was so thrilled to get up there as it's quite a climb and I hadn't done it for over 6 months. You cannot imagine what it feels like to be able to lift your leg to step over a fallen tree without pain!

My cane is gone so I feel more like a normal person each day. I continue to go to PT and it's hard work but I feel each new day brings new strengths.

I had my checkup with the surgeon and xrays showed " a matched pair of hips" according to the surgeon. Sounds like good news to me. I'm going to try some standing poses this week as he cleared me to cross my legs (on the right). It's useless to ask him about what poses I can do so I'll simply let pain be my guide.

Again thanks for all the support and food!

some things lost, some things gained

Tomorrow will be 4 weeks from surgery. I have been forced to take coumadin since the operation and am supposed to take it for 6 weeks ,but as I stopped the last time at 4 weeks, I'm doing that again. I am very active so it seems to me the risk of clots is slim.
the nurse comes once a week to measure the level and in spite of increasing the dose I haven't gotten to a 2 yet ( optimum level) so it seems rather pointless to continue.

I noticed today that when I bend forward from the hips I don't have groin pain, nor do I have it when I stand up from sitting and best of all when lying down and doing straight leg lifts there is no pain. This is something i have not been able to do for about 3 years!

Trying to do some yoga poses is another thing. When I think back to the days of dropping back to a back bend from standing, it seems like another lifetime. On the other hand my progress from day to day amazes me. I can and do walk mostly cane free in the house. I feel fairly upright also something I wasn't able to do for years. I can even stand one legged on the new hip side.

Again I have been enjoying cooking though as usual I overdid it and have a back spasm today.
But I have also truly enjoyed the great food we've been brought, including fresh picked green beans and dahlias

One thing I've lost and don't know why my facebook account has been "disabled". I didn't realize how addicted I was to it till I don't have it. So I don't know what anybody is doing.

3 weeks out

Yesterday was 3 weeks from surgery. I reread my blog to see where I was on the other hip at this time. My PT came today but I was somewhat hindered by a sore foot. She discovered that the arch on that side was slightly fallen leading to pain in that bone that sticks out just above the arch. this also contributes to knee pain. You think that just replacing the hip will cause an end to all problems but the reality is that the body has to adjust from the ground up to the new hip. My legs are at last the same length so that I'm sure will cause it's own adjustments in the body.
This is all a good lesson on interconnectedness not only within the body but in the larger world around me. The surgeon needs the support of the staff in the OR but also of the PT's to carry out the rehabbing. Add to that the support from friends bringing food, Jack doing extra duty in dishes and laundry, my son who came for the weekend. I've had a friend send books to read and have enjoyed having time to read.
I learned again how to get up and down from the floor so tried out supported shoulder stand this afternoon.. I'm happy to say it went well and felt great. The last 2 days I've driven myself to my neighbor's heated pool, temp 85. That was a treat. I've made up all sorts of pool exercises for my hip. I hope the weather stays warm for a while so I can do more pool time.
It feels like I'm on this wonderful staycation- if only sleep would come more easily!

home again

I came home on Friday. checking out of the SnF was fast, smooth and painless. When I left the other SNF I had to wait and wait for the paperwork. I heard that the day before I left a woman who had broken her hip and been in there for a month fell as she was saying goodbye to the PT people and broke her other hip!

It was so quiet at home that in the beginning it was a bit unnerving. I managed to get to the farmer's market on Saturday and even cooked a simple meal of chicken breasts and roasted beets. I think jack was glad to have someone cooking and I was glad to eat my own food. I also managed to get in and out of the shower. there is something so healing about water.

Sunday I took as a day of rest as sleeping is still a big issue. A friend came and we picked blueberries and the next morning she brought warm blueberry muffins. What a treat.

The home health nurse came on Saturday and said I was very healthy and my wound looked fine. Today the PT came and we did a few exercises. Fortunately it is a woman with whom I have been working the last few months at her facility to build strength in my first done leg. She will come 3 times a week for a few weeks and the nurse comes 2 times a week. I cannot complain about Medicare- I feel well supported.

Tonight friends brought shrimp and grits, roasted veggies, salad and apple crisp. I over ate. No sooner had they left than another student called to find out when she could bring food. I feel very loved and well cared for. I'll probably get fat!

One of my friends does flower arranging and my lovely children ordered flowers from her. I will post the picture tomorrow.

Life is good.

computers drive me crazy

I have spent what little free time I have here the last 2 days trying to retrieve my bookmarks. So far I have not been successful in Mozilla but luckily I also have bookmarks in Safari.

Today was again shower day and what a treat! I was a little more used to someone washing me this time and better able to stand during the whole thing.

as soon as I was through I had to go to OT where I prepared a salad. they had bought some lettuce and the OT brought a tomato and cucumber from her garden plus a few baby carrots from her house. So I washed the lettuce, tore it up, cut up cucumber,tomato and carrots added olive oil,braggs vinegar and a little salt and tossed. this is a test to see can I cope at home. all this was done in the PT room which has 8 PT's and the same number of OT's and all the people they are working with at that time. So while I was making my salad someone was making a toasted cheese sandwich, shrimp stirfry and everyone else was being put through their paces by the various PT's. Talk about a circus!

I ate my salad and daily fruit and veggie smoothie sitting in the sun and barely finished before being whisked back to the same room for my PT. I did my various exercises until 3:30 when my friend Susan came to visit. I was escorting her out when Jack arrived.

He stayed a bit then I worked on the computer then my daughter came with a wonderful dinner-parmesan chicken,asparagus,quinoa and Caribbean black beans.

I plan on going home on Friday and since I've passed my tests and the PT's think I'm doing well,I can walk with a cane again.

Just had a nurses aide who turned down my bed, she was from Liberia and has 9 living children.

What a place.

Whew this is a busy place!

As I was eating breakfast this morning someone from the PT dept. came and told me to be ready at 10am for my PT. Shortly after that Laurie who was the wife of the adorable young PT, Dave,who was my PT at the hospital, would come for me at 10:30.
I was told my hair apt. was at 10am too, of course. I decided having my hair washed trumped PT, She did a wonderful job of blow drying my hair and gave a good shampoo so my day was made.
I then went on to PT to meet Laurie. I did 1/2 hours or upper body work- I'll probably not be able to lift my arms tomorrow since I've done none for a week. I was allowed 1/2 for lunch,my smoothie, some almonds, fresh figs and plums eaten sitting in the sun!
Went back to PT and Ralph started my leg PT. Finally at 3:30 I had visitors coming so I quit! I walked up and down steps, 20 minutes on nustep, many bridges, several other leg exercises and then walking down the hall with a cane! I have been using a walker but was surprised to find I did okay with the cane.
Then friends came for a visit of about an hour, sitting out in the sun. Then Jack and my granddaughter Alexi and Marina all showed up. Marina brought a delicious dinner and a little wine and so we sat outside. I ate while we all talked. Now I'm in bed with my leg elevated and an ice pack on as it's very swollen. This happened before so it didn't freak me out. But it sure looks gross.
So never a dull moment- we'll see what tomorrow brings!
I'm planning on going home on Friday- at this rate I'll have to go home to rest! But I'm here for the PT and can't believe how each day I'm stronger and stronger. There are a number of women here who were operated on last week as well- one with hip replacement one with knee replacement, it's the place to be for rehab.