Random Long Weekending

Whew!

I had a doctor appointment a couple of weeks ago and she ordered a few things, so Friday I went in for labs, a mammogram, and my first Dexascan. Labs were better than expected — triglycerides are a little high, but the prescription is still “diet & exercise.” The Dexascan measures bone density and there was absolutely nothing to see there… bones are good! They called me back on the mammo for a closer look at one area, which I did on Monday, and they want me back again to do what I think of as a “needle biopsy.” I’m not sure when that will be yet, and I’m not particularly worried as I’ve had this same calcification cluster in the same spot for years and even had this procedure done once before, but I’ll get it done — things change.

My doc also gave me an ortho referral, as my hip has been bugging me more & more. I was envisioning myself going down (going up isn’t much of an issue) several flights of stairs in a giant stadium in Amsterdam populated by people more spry than I — not to mention walking/cycling around Amsterdam for a few days — and that would not be pretty. The recent x-rays, compared to the one I had three years ago, showed that there’s no space/cushion anymore & more than a couple of bone spurs. He said that I’m looking at a hip replacement in the future… but we’re not there yet! Instead, I had a cortisone injection yesterday and so far, so good. It can take a few days, even a week or so, to really take effect, so I’m not doing a jig just yet. It felt so good to just normally walk down a flight of stairs yesterday, though!

I also finally had a dentist appointment on Monday after a couple of cancellations, and that went better than expected, so yippee! Not so great is my “new” dental insurance… gonna have to run some numbers but it might be worth getting back on the plan at work, if I can.

And I had the kids for a few hours on both Friday & Saturday when Ali picked up a couple of shifts. We made muffins, took some walks & did a lot of bike riding (between rain drops… OMG, it.is.so.wet), certain kids played Minecraft, others watched a movie. Davy crawled up on my bed and said, “Lay down with me Nona,” then covered me up with a blanket and we took about a 3-second nap! haha.

SO BUSY!!!

There hasn’t been a lot going on in the Swiftie Bracelet Factory, but I did take an hour or so to trim the knots on all of them & secure each with a dot of glue. They look much nicer! I think Annie will be up this weekend — we leave for Amsterdam a week from today!! — and I know she wants to make a few herself. I’m sure I’ll make a few more, too. I’ve been wearing my MARJORIE bracelet… my mom died 10 years ago on Sunday. So hard to believe.

I’ve been picking up Maddy’s panel for the Family Temperature Blanket a little more — progress is slow but sure. I think I’m in February now, so only March & 25 days of April to go after that. She’ll be here in less than three weeks!! We had a nice chat the other day, too.

Other than that, y’know, laundry, dishes, starting to think about packing… the travel reminders are arriving. Oh, I returned the convertible yesterday (sob!) and I’m going to miss it. Who knew I’d love that so much?