criplomats

This was an exciting week! Thirteen weeks after my accident, the doctor gave me the go-ahead to start walking agin! It is slow going as my muscles struggle to regain strength and I still must use the walker, but it is thrilling!

I had two visitors this week: Lea, my deputy-to-be in Monrovia came Monday morning for coffee, and dear Yomaris came to say good-bye on Thursday before heading off to Santo Domingo (thank you for the bouquet of cheery sunflowers!).

John went to an Indian cooking class Wednesday night, and to an all-day board game party yesterday with Marcus at our friends’ house in Leesburg.

I read “The Feather Thief” yesterday – a fascinating true story about exotic birds and the lengths fly tiers will go to get their feathers (as in fly fishermen). Who knew there was such a feather underground? I also had a good catch-up convo with my grade school friend Karen, and with cousin David.

We started off the week with a delightful visit from Scott, Laura, and their three-year-old Hazel, whom we had never met before – she’s adorable and loved John’s balloon animals. Scott stayed all day playing board games with John. John had another board game night with Marcus on Thursday – he’s so happy to get to play some of his games, since I am not a particularly enthusiastic partner.

My A-100 friend Sarah brought me lunch on Wednesday, and I really enjoyed catching up with her. It’s the first time I’ve seen her without a lot of other people around, so it was especially nice!

John has been cooking up a storm – osso bucco, salmon, short ribs, chicken with fennel and sun-dried tomatoes – amazing!

I cut back on my work hours slightly – on PT days, I’m cutting back to five hours instead of eight – it was just making me too tired. I think the rest of my body is starting to rebel against the extra work it has to do to make up for my left leg!

Thanks to Joan for sending me a puzzle this week!

Storm rolling in this week

115 was my happy number this week at physical therapy…a little more bend in the knee than the week before – progress!

The consular chief from Santiago was in town this week, and came for coffee Monday morning. I’m glad our apartment is downtown, so I can still meet people face-to-face to talk.

Friday my sweet friend Tammy came for a glass of wine after work – she is always a tonic and makes me laugh! And she brought me a lovely ristra from a recent trip to New Mexico (and piñon coffee for John!). I also had a nice phone chat with Joan in San Antonio – always fun to catch up!

I started binging on “Orange is the New Black” this week – I had started it a couple of years ago, but fizzled out with it. I’m enjoying it so far. I watched several episodes yesterday while John was playing board games with our friend Marcus, who we first met in Pakistan.

John and I went old school this week, and watched “All the President’s Men” (he’s been reading a lot about the 1972 election) and “Blood Simple” – classics!

I was pleased with therapy this week, and was able to make full revolutions on the bike, albeit with the seat up high! I’ve moved my “office” from the bed to the dining table, so I’m sitting up most of the day. An evaluation in therapy last week measured me bending to 106 degrees – I want to get to at least 120 (normal is 150). Little by little.

My old boss Pete came over for lunch on Thursday – it was great to see him. The rest of the week was busy with work – I’m so lucky to be able to work from home.

My talented mother-in-law took one of my Alaska photos and turned it into artwork for a note card! Neat!

By Ginger!