Lucky...

I'm still here! I have been reading more blogs than posting due to being iPad challenged. I can't seem to figure out how to get my pictures to post. I will begin regular posting again, but will most likely change my format to more house posts than stories. I have a house and it wants some FaceTime on my blog. It shelters me and keeps me warm at night and holds many happy memories. It also holds a few secrets you might be interested in knowing. Until then, I have a little Christmas story for you. A few years ago a relative gave all the men in the family monogrammed snowflake boxers. The next year all the men in the family received silky boxers with a New Year's theme; champagne glasses, party hats, and horns with confetti. They were quite festive to say the least. Last year my husband was the only one to receive a pair of Christmas boxers with jingle bells sewn on the legs. His nickname is Lucky. Anyway, that has nothing to do with the story so back to it. One of the men took quite a liking to the silky boxers. He liked them so much he wore them to the grocery store. He liked them so much he wore them about town. He liked them so much, he wore them to our house for a visit one day. Turns out, he thought they were shorts and not underwear. He had no idea.

Rotator cuff surgery recovery tips

Before I had rotator cuff surgery 5 weeks ago I searched the Internet for recovery tips and advice. I didn't find much other than YouTube videos showing a day to day physical recovery. I was looking for advice on pre and post-op information. I will share what I learned in the process and hope it helps someone else looking for tips on ways to make recovery a much easier experience. This is my experience and may not be the same for anyone else. It is a general list of items and tips I found helpful. Here goes:

The best news I will share is the surgery was not painful. I slept through it like a little baby once they slapped the gas mask over my face and asked me to take five deep breaths. I don't remember a thing after that...

When I woke up in recovery my arm was in a sling and my shoulder had a bulky wrap covering it. I opted for the nerve block on my shoulder before surgery. My doctor said it numbs the arm and helps ease any pain you might feel after surgery. I felt no pain. I also couldn't feel my arm. That was okay with me. I told my doctor I had zero pain tolerance when asked. I actually am around a 1 out of 10 on the pain scale but I didn't want to brag.

I gained a liter while in surgery. The surgeon plumps up your shoulder and arm with a liter of fluid. Nobody told me that was going to happen before surgery or else I would have opted for a contour spray tan to distract from the giant ham hock hanging in a sling that was once my arm. That fluid is the most uncomfortable part of recovery during the first day or two after surgery. My skin was stretched to a "whole notha level" and burned from the pressure. That is the only way I can describe how it felt. It's not a deal breaker or unbearable, just bothersome and irritating. Kinda like some relatives in my family...

My surgery was at noon on a Friday and by 7:3o that night I was sitting on the patio in my backyard enjoying the beautiful summer breeze and hanging out with family. The good ones, not the bothersome, irritating relatives. They were told I was in a coma, indefinitely...

Pain pills were dispensed by my doctor but I didn't really need them. I take half a pain pill an hour before physical therapy. It really helps and makes it a pleasant experience. I highly recommend it. I didn't take a pill for the first appointment and it was unpleasant to say the least.

I have been sleeping in a recliner. It is easier and feels better for my shoulder. If you sleep in a bed surround your shoulder and arm with a pillow underneath. It takes the pressure off your shoulder. I like the recliner because I am confined to a small space and like the cocoon feeling. I may never go back to a real bed again. It also helps prevent bags under your eyes as an added bonus of sleeping in a semi-seated position. Yahoo!

I'm a girl, so this next bit of advice may be of no help to the guys out there. I bought (tube/ smocked) strapless maxi dresses for post surgery attire. They have been ideal and I can't recommend them enough if you are having this surgery during the summer or live in a warm climate. You can step right into them and pull them up instead of struggling to get them over your head or get an arm in a sleeve. The maxi length covers your legs so you don't have to worry about unshaved legs. I am right handed and my surgery was on my right shoulder so I am not able to do much about shaving my legs and the dresses cover that little secret.

I also bought a long handled buff puff body scrubber for use in the shower. It is a handy thing to have when you only have one arm that works. A velcro closure body towel is another helpful tool for drying off. I also bought a dental floss device with a handle that looks like a toothbrush at Target to floss my teeth. You can floss your teeth using one hand.

That is all I can think of right now. Good luck with your surgery and I wish you a speedy and pain free recovery.



My doctor covered my incisions with steri-strips and said to keep them on for 6 weeks to prevent scaring and aid in healing. It is working.

Lovebirds...Part III

I made these cupcakes. They are a Barefoot Contessa recipe. I decree these are the best cupcakes in all the land. The rings are from my extensive jewelry collection. I hired a bodyguard to stand near these cupcakes to make sure nobody ate a ring. You never know.

This cupcake flavor was for the bride. She likes white cake with buttercream frosting.

Other people liked them too.
I also made the labels for the the water bottles. I told all the guests if they drank the water they would fall in love. If anyone fell in love after leaving my house on Saturday I feel completely responsible for their good fortune. 

Lovebirds...Part II

My sister made these centerpieces for a bridal shower held at my house. The theme was "Lovebirds."

My sister put these wedding bells on my staircase. She collects them. She says she likes to think of all the happy weddings these bells have decorated.

I dressed these lovebirds in their wedding finery. I'm thinking of opening a wedding haberdashery right next door to Vera Wang. It will take the pressure off her having to think about veils and hats and will allow her to concentrate on those beautiful dresses she makes. Hopefully she has some experience in dressing birds. 

This is not a Vera Wang gown. It wishes it was.

Lovebirds

My friend is getting married and I'm the matron of honor. Her bridal shower was held at my house last Saturday.

This is my sister's collection of cake toppers. One of the guests asked how many times she has been married. Once. 

She made the happy couple on the left for one of my wedding anniversaries. It looks just like us.

The four of us are not married to each other.

Mrs. Bobba's Toffee

You must make this! 

1 cup butter

1 cup sugar

 4 cups Kix cereal
That's it - So easy!

                           Over medium heat boil sugar and butter stirring constantly until mixture reaches a nice caramel brown color like the second picture.  Turn off the burner.                                 

 Add the 4 cups of Kix cereal.

   Mix until all cereal pieces have been coated.

Spread on cookie sheet, parchment paper or wax paper and let cool. It cools quickly, usually in under 5 minutes. Break apart and have a taste. Bet you can't eat just one! These are delicious, buttery, sugary goodness with the crunch of Kix. Store in airtight container or ziplock bag. 

I haven't met a single person who didn't like this toffee treat. I came by this recipe from my sister-in-law who is a cardiac rehab nurse. It was given to her by a cardiac rehab patient as a gift. Her name is Mrs. Bobba. We call it Mrs. Bobba's Toffee in her honor.