Grandma Wreatha turns 100

I was talking to Amy today and she told me that this past Wednesday, January 13th marked the 100th anniversary of Grandma Wreatha's birth. Sounds like a long time ago doesn't it? Since we all knew her, it somehow makes me feel connected to long ago. Just thought I'd share.

We Couldn't Have Done it Without Jane

Yesterday (Saturday) Jane and I were running some errands that included getting the car washed. We ordered the "detail bag" along with the wash because they give you window and dash cleaners, air freshener, etc. I was all set to clean the windows on the inside of the car using one of these wipes (they have one for windows and one for the dash), when I read the notice on the backside. Boy was I glad I had brought Jane! I'd have been in big trouble. Jarom and Seth wouldn't have been any help, and I have my doubts about Melissa.

Here is Where I Draw the Line

I've done some things I'm not proud of, but one the things that REALLY embarrasses my family is my liking, almost passion for Tinas Burritos (http://www.tinasburritos.com). If you've not seen or heard of these, they are the cheapest food in the store. Period. I've seen these for FIVE for a DOLLAR. The Target store across the way has them in the freezer section this week for .33 each. My personal favorites are the "Red Hot Beef" and "Beef and Bean/Green Chile". Since they don't sell the Red Hot Beef in our local stores (too hot for Colorado palates?), I substitute the Spicy Beef and Bean. I have even ordered the Red Hot Beef from the local King Soopers once. For some reason I love to eat two of them with lots of cold milk. Warning: Avoid eating two if you have to present in front of an audience in the following six hours. Jarom was giving me grief the other day about my snack, so I randomly looked up the company to see if there was a way I could get the local store to carry my favorite flavor. Somewhat to my surprise I found they actually had a fairly-decent website, but what surprised me more was the fact that they offered "great recipes" for which these burritos are the main ingredients. Curious, I checked these out and here is where I draw the line. These are not "great" recipes. These are pretty darn nasty. Okay, so to most people, these burritos are pretty gross. Cutting up a few of your "favorite" burritos, putting french fries on them and topping off with melted cheese isn't a "great" recipe. Or how about a fried egg and salsa on top of a couple for "huevos rancheros"? Or my worst favorite, chocolate mole sauce with crumbly cheese. I'm a simple person. I'll take mine pure and undefiled thank-you.

Holiday Sledding Party

Today we took the grandkiddies to the High School for some quality sledding. It was Bryson's first time and after a couple of tentative solo trips, he really enjoyed going down the hill with Marie, Tessa and Ben and Uncle James. The trip with the wipeout with Mommy; not so much. The weather was a warm 38 degrees and after 2 hours we were all happy but exhausted.

Christmas in Denver 2009

Christmas Eve we all got into the big bed and snuggled and listened to a narration of Luke 1 and 2 and Matt 2


Jane's next idea was for us to all get up early and do housework BEFORE opening presents. This plan met with less than enthusiasm, so we all slept in except for Jane, who got up at 7am and did dishes. The rest of us got up at 9am. After a leasurely start, we opened our presents and got ready to go to Allie and James' in Johnstown about an hour away to spend the rest of the day.

The Thornbrues wanted a kind of old-fashioned Christmas so we kept the gifts light and high on imagination. This finger-puppet stage was an immediate hit.

We got James an indoor/outdoor thermometer. In Colorado, you HAVE to know what the temperature is. This one has a litte boy that dresses according to the weather and forcast; from bathing suit to full snow gear. It keeps track of barametric pressure and temperature. The kids can look at it and know how to dress in the morning before school.

Our family gift was Jane's baby chair being recovered by Allie and James. She had this chair when she was little. The fabric will accent our family room decor.

Grandma Judy sent $$ for locally purchased gifts, and these indian costumes have all kinds of imaginative play in store. Thank-you Grandma Judy!

The big treat Jane made for friends and neighbors are these cherry-filled braided Christmas "Candy Cane" breads. She made at least ten or twelve and gave them away. We even got one! YUM!

Surgery Result

My knee surgery went pretty well. The doctor found additional cartilage damage that was not obvious in the MRI, so he fixed that as well. He injected the knee with numbing stuff so I didn't get feeling in it for about 48 hours, but its not really sore; more like tender, but it is stiff. As you can see from the pictures there is some swelling, but those two little incisions with the stitches are the only external marks. I'm using crutches to give the swelling a chance to go down and staying in bed most of the time. Jane is giving me amazing service which is much appreciated. Jarom gives me injections of blood thinners every day to minimize the chance of a blood clot, and I got to take the bandages off and take a shower. I still have to keep the stitches dry but they gave me some plastic bandage stuff to cover them with. I see the doctor on Wednesday to take the stitches out; then its just a graduate ease back into walking.

Bummer! Knee Surgery on Dec 17th

On Sunday November 22nd I was running up the basement stairs when my knee gave a "pop" followed by a lot of pain that hasn't really been going away as quickly as I would have liked. I called my othopedic surgeon the next day and had my knee examined. The doctor couldn't be sure what was going on, so he order an MRI. I had that done on Monday, and I met with my doctor today (Wednesday) to hear the good news/bad news. The good news is that (from the written report) "The anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments are both well visualized and intact with no sign of a tear". The not so good news is "The medial meniscus has sustained a large horizontal tear of the posterior horn and mid body extending to the inferior surface of the meniscus. A moderate size joint effusion is present (swelling?) There is also a Baker's cyst approximately 2 x 2 x 5 cm in size. Since the meniscus does not have a blood supply, it can't heal by itself and I am schedule to have orthoscopic surgery on December 17th to repair the damage. I will be off my feet for 3 or 4 days (or on crutches) and then I can walk on it after that. I should be able to go skiing in February. Bummer!!!