The Old Boy!!
Not bad eh? A little over two weeks post-op and he's dancing in the backyard. Okay, so he's just showing off, see the crutch in his left hand. But he is doing really well, he even dumped the walker over a week ago. Never even got one with wheels! Personally I think he thought it made him look old and it did.
He's actually very sore and unfortunately his knee is still worse than the hip. They managed to damage it in the surgery so hopefully it settles down, that's all he needs is to have to have knee surgery now.
He started physio last week and has exercises to do at home now. He goes twice this week and then only once a week as long as he keeps progressing as he is. It does look more and more like he won't be back to work for probably closer to 12 weeks rather than 8. The type of procedure that they did is great but it takes longer for the new hip to become secure in the body and we don't want to take a chance on messing it up.


These shots are kinda 'up close and personal' but it gives you some idea of how far the actual incision has come in two weeks.
I promise not to show you any more.

Think I'll head out and get some pretty pictures...

That's Not the Thanksgiving Ham

After a very long 3 years or more Jim finally got his new hip! He went in at 8:00 a.m. Thursday and we had his smiling face and walker home by 11:00 a.m. Saturday. Pretty good, eh? His surgeon did what's called a minimally invasive hip replacement which means a much smaller incision (basically from 10" to about 5"), less bone loss on the femur and no cementing. They just pound it in (which totally explains the bruising). Jim also chose not to be put out and just had a spinal which made for a much easier recovery from the anesthetic. He even had them get him out of bed 3 hours after the surgery.
Now he's home, managing stairs and doing really well. I think so far the worst part for him is trying to sleep. He can only manage about 1/2 hour and his back starts to kill him so he gets up for a while and stands or sits. In a few days he can start trying to lay on his side but right now it's not advisable
We are soooo glad that it is done. It's going to be a long recovery because it's not cemented but it will be stronger and hopefully pain free. We can't wait to start walking together again. Now I just need to get my feet and knee fixed, you watch they will call me just as we are getting ready to leave for Mexico.

Thanksgiving Weekend 2006
We had a great time! Jamie & Johnny & Heather all came up from Victoria. Saturday afternoon we met John's sister Kerry and her two kids, Kyle & Mya. Kyle is 2 and Mya is 5, very cute! Jim had forgotten how loud a house can be with little ones in it so it was good training for when Luke comes to visit.
For Thanksgiving dinner we also had Darcee & Chris & Marty and as usual it was a quiet, elegant, occation. NOT. Sure was fun though other than the fact the turkey wasn't done when it was supposed to be. The highlight of the evening though was the lemon meringue pie. My wonderful, future son-in-law disappeared over to step-mom, Marnie's, for the afternoon and showed up later with two pies made by his own little hands. Everything was great until I tried to cut through the meringue. I got laughing so hard I could hardly stand up. When you placed the knife on the pie the meringue would fold completely up in two, like wings. Too funny! We loved it though and it was absolutely delicious. I tell you, the boy is definitely a keeper. Other than that it was the usual Thanksgiving traditions such as hanging spoons on you nose...

Then there was the photo shoot in the back yard with Jamie and Heather, it was so much fun. Those two are nuts. You'd almost think they got along...

And then there was the Whaler ride to the Royston Wrecks, as you can tell it was just a might chilly. Still darn nice for October though.
Well, that was Thanksgiving for another year, the only sad part was not having Danny & Jen here and Kyle, Lindsay and little Luke. Maybe next year.

Ahhh, Fall is Once Again Upon Us This was the only bad day we've had in I don't even know how long and it really wasn't bad at all, made for cool pictures and then finally burnt off to blue skies once again. So far the flowers are still blooming, the bees are still a buzzin' and the eagles are just back. I wouldn't imagine it will be long though and the rains will start and I hate to say it but we really need them. Hopefully it all holds until after this weekend though as Johnny & James & Heather are all headed up for turkey feed.

I haven't done any fall gardening this year, just can't seem to get into it. We still haven't decided what we are going to do now that the hot tub and gazebo are gone and it just makes it hard to get keen about anything. Then we almost bought another house. It was pretty close but when push came to shove we love this one even if it does need some work. And we can't stand the thought of being off the water. The place we were looking at was above the water at Goose Spit with a gorgeous view but I think we made the right decision. It's kind of a Catch 22, if there's an earthquake the other house will slide down the hill and if what they say is correct about global warming we will be under water here, oh well.

So house out of the way, Jim got on a plane and went to Norway and I stayed home and painted our bedroom. (don't ask) The mayors on Vancouver Island north were invited to Stavanger to view and learn about their aquaculture ventures. Jim said it was fascinating, not to mention beautiful country and wonderful people. Trust me I am really kicking myself for not going!

The other news is that Jim is finally having his hip surgery October 12th. It's been a long haul for him and it's going to be a long recovery by the sounds of it but it will be so nice for him to be out of pain. They say he will more than likely be in hospital for 4-5 days but some have of his doc's patients have been getting out in 3. I have a feeling the call for a cigarette will probably get him kicked out in 3 if not 2. We had to go to a physio clinic on Monday and I just had to laugh, Jim was upset because they told him he wouldn't be able to water ski after the surgery, I've known him 20 years and I've never seen him water ski. I have a feeling it's because of a certain little grandson. And speaking of him, I just have to end this post with these pictures.






Sleepy boy
and extremely hungry boy!
Too funny!