"Tie" and "Tanium"

Oh my - when I start thinking "blog" - my mind goes in a million different directions! So many things happen - that I think are "blog-worthy." They usually aren't "world-shaking" - but they are important to me and mine.

I mentioned a couple of blogs ago that 2008 was a year of mixed blessings. I gave a hint when I talked about "choosing" pain. In the fall of 2007, Larry made the decision to have both his knees replaced. He had no cartilage in either knee - and when he walked - it was "bone on bone" which resulted in almost constant pain. By the end of each day, the swelling was terrible! So... with his mind made up - we went about the business of finding the best surgeon for the job. Since we live in a neighborhood with several physicians and other health care professionals, I conducted an informal survey over several days on my morning walk. I didn't have anyone else to talk with since walking was out of the question for Larry! Anyway - each person was asked "Based on your observations, which orthopedic surgeon has the best outcomes for total knee replacement?" Each person asked gave me the name of at least two surgeons, and without fail, one of the names given was always Dr. Brian Johnson at Mississippi Sports Medicine. So - our minds were made up. Dr. Brian Johnson it was. An appointment for an initial consultation was scheduled, and the wheels were in motion. The first replacement was April 9th, 2008 and the second was June 23rd, 2008.

I am delighted to report the surgeries could not have been any more successful. Larry spent 3 nights in the hospital each time and now has two brand new titanium knees! In fact - he has named his knees 'Tie" - and "Tanium." He recently flew for the first time since getting them - and said the scanners went crazy as they passed over his knees! Thank goodness he has cards to keep in his billfold to verify he has a good reason for setting the alarms off.























Below is a picture of Larry and Trent "running" backwards. When we were in Memphis last weekend - we took Trent for a walk - and Larry showed him how to run backwards - not having a clue how much Trent would like it. It was just a silly something to do with him. We had a good laugh - because many times on Sunday and Monday - Trent would say "Look at this" - and "run" backwards. Isn't it funny - we just never know what will amuse a child!

Do I have "Dear Abby" Written Across My Forehead?

One thing I have noticed is people (sometimes complete strangers) "spill their guts" to me. I'm not complaining, in fact - I am somewhat flattered, and also somewhat confounded!

Case in point: one day I went in a self-serve shoe store (ie. Payless). When I opened my purse at the checkout - there was a roll of lifesavers Larry had dropped in my purse just for a small surprise. I blurted out "look what my sweet husband did!" and then offered the check-out girl a lifesaver. Well - that just opened the floodgates! She proceeded to tell me her husband had NEVER given her any kind of surprise - big or small - and it just went downhill from there. By the time I got back in the car I knew all about their courtship, their wedding, their children, and everything in between.

The event that began this train of thought tonight happened at the "When Pigs Fly" store today.

Larry was home working on the always messy carport - (see photo above) and Glynn and I were "running the store." Actually, most of the afternoon was spent on the "Tommy bench" outside

(see photos above) - just pontificating about this and that, as well as "people watching." Anyway - one of our regular customers came in the store. He usually pops in and out pretty quickly - but for some reason today he lingered for a really long time. By the time he left, I knew quite a bit about (a) his father (who I assume is deceased), (b) his teenage years, (c) what he and his grandmother and uncles used to do for fun when he was a little boy, (d) his previous line of work, (e) an experience he had that made him re-examine his life and where it was heading, and (f) a new career path he had chosen. All of this is special to him - and I think he enjoyed talking about it (why else would he have done so!).

Later - at supper, Glynn, Larry and I were talking about our day. I mentioned to Larry that this customer was in and seemed to be in a particularly chatty mood - which I found to be out of the norm. I observed that I didn't know why. It was then that Glynn said "I think people just open up to you because you have a way of getting them to talk about themselves." I let that sink in for a few seconds - when it occurred to me WHY I do that- I love hearing what other folks have to say. If we just listen - it is amazing what others "bring to the table."

Is this blog about what a good listener I am? Absolutely not. It is a blog about what each of US can add to someone else's life. I know mine was made richer today by listening to this customer and learning a little bit of what makes him tick.

Recapping '08 - Looking toward '09

It's been a quiet week here in Lake Wobego ........... oh wait - I'm getting my week confused with that of one of my favorite writers, Garrison Keillor. Well - it's been a quiet week here in north Jackson - and in Olde Towne Clinton! Larry decided to close "When Pigs Fly" the week between Christmas and New Year - to take inventory, cull old merchandise, and re-stock. Of course - if anyone wanted to come in and shop while he was there - he certainly didn't turn them away! Would you believe - he had two really, really good days -- on days when he wasn't opened!

I spent this week putting up (as in "taking down") Christmas decorations and finding homes for the gifts we brought home from our perfect Christmas celebration in Memphis.

I thought I NEVER WOULD get all these lights taken down!!! (wink-wink)

The holidays, beginning with Thanksgiving and going through the New Year could not have been any better. My sister and her family traveled to Mississippi from Houston, TX - and we all then went to Memphis/Lakeland for Thanksgiving with the Matt and Joan Gatewood family. The Texas folks had not seen Baby Jack - nor had they seen Matt and Joan's new house - so a visit was definitely in order. Matt and Joan (as they usually do) were the best host and hostess. The accommodations were great, the mood was fun, and the Thanksgiving feast was scrumptious. Matt and Mark (Susan's husband) had a good time watching the video "Dirty Driving: Thundercars of Indiana" and giving a running commentary! They are even thinking about making a trip to one of the races later this year! I would have NEVER dreamed!!! Madison and Trent had a blast together. For two cousins who have only seen one another a couple of times - they became fast friends and were inseparable. We all missed having Scott with us - but - when your livelihood is connected to the hunting industry - well - you just have to stay put - Thanksgiving or not!

Larry and Matt getting the Thanksgiving turkey ready to fry. Matt is a turkey fryer extraordinaire!

Christmas could not have been any better. Larry and I went to Memphis (there's no way I could have missed seeing those kids enjoy the Christmas magic!). Scott was able to come to be with us all - and following Christmas came to Jackson for a couple of days to visit his grandparents and do a bit of shopping. He loves living in a small town - but when he does come to the "city" - he takes advantage of the stores. Joan's parents, Ken and Judy, were with us all too - and it was great fun. A good time was had by all!

Jack LOVED the penguin his Ging-Gong and Pap gave him!

When our niece, Madison, was born - we started giving her at least one Fontinini figure every year for Christmas. Of course I carried the tradition on with Trent, and now with Jack. The figures are wonderful - because they are so "kid-friendly."

Trent, coming down the stairs on Christmas morning. He was not quite sure what he would find!

Uncle Scott taking a break from playing with the kids!

Larry and I enjoyed a quiet New Year's Eve at home - after taking our friend, Glynn, to dinner at P.F. Chang's. It was his first time to eat there - and he loved it. I think he will be going back! New Years night we were invited to a get-together by our friends, Redd and Judy. Redd definitely has the gift of outside cooking - and had a wonderful tenderloin to prove it.

So - that is a recap of the things with the Larry Gatewood's since Thanksgiving.

2008 was a year of mixed blessings. I'll touch on that more in a later post. Hint: When does a person think excruciating pain would be a good thing? And - no... it doesn't have anything to do with being in labor!

We look with anticipation to 2009. The future looks bright!