A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

Well, I fooled myself. I didn't think I'd be blogging quite this soon, but stuff happens. Good stuff! My soon-to-be Grandson asked for Amanda's hand in marriage, but he made her work for it! He sent her all over on a scavenger hunt, and she got a piece of jewelry at each destination (where he had incognito photographers waiting) until he popped the big one! HOW ROMANTIC IS THAT? It was a whirlwind of a day, that's for sure!

I don't know how to move the pictures around so I'll ask her when I see her to put them in order for me. Maybe you can figure it out--I think I have! It's a bit of a scavenger hunt in itself. Can you find "the moment" she said yes? Wish I could have been a fly on the wall. Aren't they a beautiful couple?

It's Me...Just Me

I couldn't decide whether to start a new blog or continue this one. I decided to stay here where all my memories are.

Any of you who know me or used to read this blog know the sad part. So much has happened since Jack passed.  Now, I have three who will travel with me nestled in my heart. I didn't think I'd ever travel, again, mostly because of back pain. 

I sold my trailer lock stock and barrel. Why have a trailer when I couldn't walk? I tried a few times with friends and wound up frustrated with pain and not being able to get from point A to point B. I don't believe in miracles, but this is as close as one gets. After trying everything, finally...I CAN WALK. Maybe not as far as I once could, but I'll take what I can get.

I went to a pain clinic and they discovered that it was NOT my back causing my pain but my S.I. joints. That's why the pain never went away after surgery. In all my research beforehand and second opinions, I never saw a word about them. Now, they say that a large percentage of back surgery fails because they miss the joint diagnosis. I still would have had to have had back surgery some time down the road so I'm glad it's behind me. Those of you who have back pain, look up SI joint pain on YouTube.

A doctor my daughter works with and highly recommends did a couple of ablations; the third worked. That was in June. Other than arthritic pain, I've been pain free since. You have no idea how wonderful it is to walk even ten feet without pain. I have waited 6 months for it to start again...I expected it with every step I took. I did two rounds of aquatic therapy and now exercise three to four times (two hour sessions) per week in a pool at our community Jewish Center. I believe the combination of the ablation, the water exercise, and weight loss did the trick.

Seems when I'm pushing through sadness, it's travel that helps me push. So, I bought a new trailer. I'll take possession after the first of the year and head west in the spring. As a matter of fact, I just made reservations to stay two weeks at Ft. Stevens State Park in Oregon. I will meet a few of my camping friends out there for 3-4 days.  It felt good because I made a commitment. I'm busy looking into places where I'll be able to continue my aquatic therapy. I think between YMCAs, churches, community centers, motels, etc., I'll be able to do it.

I haven't been very good about keeping up with my favorite blogs, but I've been busy walking (never thought I'd say that, again). :) So, there it is in a snap shot. I'll leave in the spring. When? When I'm packed.

I don't think I'll be blogging until then...I've almost forgotten how and it feels odd not to be posting a picture of you know who.