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November 11, 2013

Prepping

I've been busy doing a different type of prepping. One of my daughters is getting married this Saturday and I am getting the first of my knee replacements five days after the wedding. Preparing for both of these events has been occupied me.

Jess and her fella were dating for four years before he landed a job where he felt he could support a family. He has two BA's and couldn't find anything that paid a decent salary so he worked two jobs, but his patience and persistence finally paid off. He landed a good tech job at a software company, they got engaged a month later. My daughter is a self employed hair stylist with a growing business and between the two of them they figure they can buy a house in maybe two years or so.

Our soldier girl is home for the wedding, of course she's one of the bridesmaids. She brought up her dog from Bragg with her, a pretty 18 month old boxer-mix-with-Lord-knows-what that she named Greta. Greta is a rescue dog that she picked up at the pound. She's a nice size, about 60 pounds and is a very calm dog with  a sweet disposition for a stray - we figure she was abandoned by her prior owner.

I haven't had a dog around me in almost forever as my wife is afraid of them (picked that up from her mom) and having one sitting next to my chair again where I can scratch her ears is nice. She got used to me in a hurry, cried when I left for church Sunday morning and gives me a big welcome when I come home. She'll be gone next week.


Earlier this month I got down to business when the doctor set up the date for my knee surgery. I was surprised that he could fit me in so early, so I started hitting the Bowflex hard, a half hour to an hour a day, six days a week to get my legs as strong as possible prior to the operation. I figured, what the hey, and worked on my upper body also. I used to work out before I retired from the PD but it's not the same; I can feel those intervening years ... but it is nice to feel things getting tight again and I wasn't as sore as I thought I would be.

I won't be able to drive for at least a month so we'll see when I can return to work. I have a VPN connection so there is quite a bit that I can do from home. My boss already told me not to worry about it; I've been there since December of 2000 and they know that I'll keep things humming as best I can.

About the other kind of prepping, my SIL and I have been talking on and off for several years and have laid in some supplies but we need to do a lot more. After my surgeries we'll get busy again, I just hope the good Lord keeps a lid on things until then.

17 comments:

Kid said...

Animals are good for the soul Sig.

Good luck with the new knee. I've seen and heard some pretty good stories about the knee replacements.

Enjoy everything else I hope.

Doom said...

Prepping? More like prepping for war! A marriage, knee surgery, and food supplies, while working out and continuing to do your regular day job as possible? Meh, it's good for you, even the knee thing. Still... I don't envy you, save the marriage.

When it hurts, **tch about it, get over it, and get back to it when you can. Good luck and keep a stiff upper lip. Tears are fine, as if you may have a choice, especially if you are planning on exacting recovery exercises. I'll keep you on my prayer list for a while then, and your family.

Subvet said...

Good luck with the surgery, my right knee was replaced a year and a half ago, it's one of the best decisions I ever made. The only activity I'm still unable to do is kneel on that knee, but currently I walk our dog 5+ miles a day. It only slows you down if you let it.

Speaking of dogs, your daughter's looks remarkably like our own except for the coloring of the snout. We've got a blackmouth cur, a breed unknown in most of the country. They're bred for herding cattle and hunting, are very affectionate and protective, good with kids and definetly a family animal. FWIW, the dog in "Old Yeller" was a blackmouth cur. Maybe your daughter doesn't have a mutt, could just be no one is familiar with what the animal is, in any case it sounds like a really sweet dog she's got.

As for prepping, we're all doing what we think best these days. God help us all and may His will be done.

sig94 said...

Kid - I was brought up with dogs and cats so I am comfortable with them. I really do enjoy her dog. They say people with pets live longer too.

sig94 said...

Doom - Thanks for the prayers. With my heart meds the exercise is not invigorating me like it did years ago, I'm plum tuckered out when I get through. But get through I will. The rehab is so very important after the surgery. I have to keep it up.

sig94 said...

Subvet - good to know about your knee. I am a candidate for a partial replacement as I still have a good bit of cartilage on one side. We'll see how it goes as my other knee needs replacing also.

Blackmouth cur? Never heard of it. She's a good dog though. I noticed that when she was playing with my 3 yr old grandson that she was trying to herd him when he ran. She would "nibble' at him and push him with her body. I was in stitches watching her. The kid couldn't move without her working along side him.

Kid said...

I believe that Sig, and I'm sure you know taking animals to visit nursing home and other such folks is scientific fact helpful.
We need companionship.

Supi said...

Congrats to your daughter and her fiancee with the upcoming nuptials. Good luck on your knee replacement.

Gorges Smythe said...

I hope the wedding and the operation both go smoothly.

LL said...

This is all very nice. I'm happy for you and for all of your family.

el chupacabra said...

What?! They worked 2 jobs and saved their earnings? They postponed a family until they could afford it?! What is this world coming to...

A thought for your knee surgery recovery(ies): consider drinking a health shake supplement between meals and at bedtime for a week or two before the operation and for first few weeks of recovery. Back off after that though as you could easily gain too much weight. The ortho department at the last hospital I worked at would issue 2 cases of Ensure or Boost 14 days before an elective procedure. It had been demonstrated to cut recovery time and improve the outcome for the patient. There was a thought it might help decrease infection rates also.

sig94 said...

Supi - Thank you.

sig94 said...

Gorges - Thank you, so do I.

sig94 said...

LL - like everything else you wait for, at first it seems so far off in time, but as it gets closer you're all, "Whoa!Slow down!"

sig94 said...

el chupa - both my married daughters and their prospective husbands waited until they could afford it before tying the knot. I have two more to go and I trust they will do the same.

That info on Ensure is interesting. Thank you!

Opus #6 said...

Best wishes for a swift and complete healing following surgery. And congrats on the good family news. Scratch your little friend for me behind the ears.

sig94 said...

Opus - Thanks much. Right now she's in the dog house for crapping on the rug.