Don't Put It Off - Travel Bucket List

I've been recently thinking about how important it is to live in the now, instead of wishing and waiting. I recently went on a cruise and had a wonderful time. I was 9 weeks post knee replacement surgery, so probably not the best timing. But the trip had been planned and I wasn't going to cancel. It wasn't the easiest, but I found ways to manage. During this trip, I visited Venice, Italy for the 2nd time. It had been 14 years since I'd been there, but I loved it just as much as the first time. 

 

Now, just a few weeks later, Venice is experiencing the worst flooding in 50 years and many priceless artifacts and buildings have been damaged. Venice is in serious trouble and it will cost millions to do what's necessary to protect this beautiful city.  (Photo credit CNN.com article)

I was talking to a friend who told me she'd always wanted to go to Venice and is now worried she'll never get there, or the city will be destroyed before she has the chance. I feel the same way about Petra, Jordan. I've always wanted to go, but it seems like it would be hard to get there. It's expensive, a long flight, few hotels, physically strenuous, etc. But if this is a city I desperately want to visit, why do I continue to put it off? There are ways to get around the roadblocks. I don't want to regret never visiting the place that's #1 on my bucket list. (Photo credit)

Don't let these excuses keep you from seeing the places in the world on your bucket list!

• When I retire, I’m going to travel to [my dream destination].
• I really want to go to [my dream destination] as soon as I can find someone to go with.
• Next year, I’m going to travel. (but then you don’t do it)
• A trip to your dream destination gets more and more expensive.
• You travel, but you go everywhere except the one place you most want to visit.

What can we do to make a dream a reality? 

1. Determine your obstacle. Is it financial? Is it deciding if you're traveling alone or need a buddy? Is it health related? Is it because you're afraid?

2. Brainstorm and make a list of ways to overcome that obstacle. If it's financial, find ways to start a travel savings fund or find inexpensive options for your trip. If it's health related, talk to others with your same restrictions to see what they've done, or talk to your doctor. Start an exercise regimen to get in shape. If it's because you're afraid to travel alone or the planning is overwhelming, start small. Find a friend to travel with you. Give yourself a deadline and work on a step each week or month. 

3. Apply your list. You have to decide if this dream location is worth overcoming the obstacles. If so, start today! You don't have to solve everything at once. 

I wish I had time and money to go everywhere. Literally everywhere. But I don't. So why am I procrastinating visiting the places I want to see the most? Now's the time to plan, save, and GO!

The Saga of Becoming Bionic

Here I am at week 11. It's been almost three months since my knee replacement surgery. As a relatively young joint replacement patient, I've certainly underestimated the length and ease of recovery. It's been a tough road that has tested my patience at every turn. Patience has never been my strength and I hate the uncertainty of waking up each day wondering how my knee will feel. A fellow patient recently sent me this meme, which sums it up perfectly.

Since it's been quite a few years since I've blogged, I'll share a bit of history for everyone. In July 2015 I had my first hip replaced and in July 2017 my second. While these were also major surgeries with fairly difficult recoveries, by 12 weeks I was mobile without a cane and feeling mostly back to normal. I was able to travel, there was no swelling, and no more need to ice and elevate. I remember feeling such a relief from the pain of bone on bone, that the recovery from surgery felt like something I could handle. Once my hips were fixed, it became evident that my left knee would be next. After years of compensating for my out of whack hips, this knee was crooked, weak, and completely void of cartilage. I had very little range of motion and got to the point where every day held some type of pain and stiffness.

It seems July is the month for my joint replacements. I felt very prepared for this one. Since I'd been through replacement of both hips, I figured this would be similar. My wonderful mother is a teacher, so she can take some time to come help me with the first couple of weeks of recovery. There really is nothing like having mom there when you're recovering from surgery. The early weeks were pretty similar. Ice, elevate, take pain meds, eat, nap, try to focus on TV or books. We had a major heat wave in Virginia, so I'm sure my mom was going stir crazy. But 100 degrees was too much for me and I wanted to be inside, close to my ice machine. But by the start of week three, I felt confident that I could be independent and my mom went home (my poor dad sure did miss her!). 

Other than the typical post-op blues and frustration of the slow healing process, I felt like things were  progressing at least. I had a wonderful vacation planned (a Mediterranean cruise!) at week 9 and my doctor said I'd be fine, just to take it slow. My vacation was amazing...hard at times with a lot of walking...but amazing! I even managed to hike up to the Parthenon in Athens! Ms. Knee was feeling great and getting stronger each week. Until week 11.

Here I am at week 11. Feeling new soreness and stiffness. My range of motion is still lousy. I still rely on my cane more than I'd like. I still have to ice and elevate every day (sometimes more than once). It feels like one step forward and a million steps back. So, I continue to cultivate patience. I pray for comfort and healing power. I listen to my body and try to find the balance between gaining strength and taking it easy. And have I mentioned I'm trying to be patient?

Something to post...

Yes, I know it's been ages since I've blogged. It's also been ages since I've caught up on my emails. Sorry everyone, but life has been crazy lately. Work is busier than ever as I'm trying to get a handle on my new job responsibilities. And in the middle of everything else at work, we decided to totally redesign our newsroom website. One good thing about that...I'm learning how to build and develop websites.

I'm also determined to get to the gym 3-4 times a week. So far, so good. I mean, the gym is IN MY OFFICE BUILDING. This should not be an issue (though I still have to talk myself into going every time).

I'm also trying to cook more often. I got a wok and some decent pans for Christmas. I'm on the lookout for recipes (so feel free to share!). I successfully made chili last week and my mom's chicken enchiladas this week. My ultimate goal is pie crust like mom and grandma. We'll see.

Here's a fabulous recipe that everyone should make immediately. Thanks Staci, for sharing! It's super easy, but be warned, it doesn't last long!

Baked Corn

Ingredients
1 15.25-ounce can whole kernel corn
1 14.75-ounce can cream-style corn
½ cup sour cream
1 cup butter or margarine, melted
2 eggs
1 12-ounce package corn muffin mix

Method
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine the whole kernel corn, cream-style corn, sour cream, melted butter or margarine, beaten eggs and corn muffin mix. Mix well and pour into 9x13 inch baking pan.

Bake for 35-45 minutes.

Serves 10-12

Magical Night of Music

Last night Eileen and I had tickets to see Marc Broussard (w/Charlie Mars opening) at the Birchmere. For those of you not in Virginia, the Birchmere is a great little music venue with table seating. You line up for a number when you pick up your tickets at will call and then they let people in based on the number. We were 11th in line and ended up with seats in the very front, about a foot from the stage. And, it turns out, directly in front of Marc. :)

We started a conversation with the others at our table and learned that one of the ladies (Becca) was a member of Marc's fan club and had meet & greet passes for the show. She was a die hard fan and we found out we had both seen Marc in Pittsburgh a few years ago at Mr. Smalls. She left to go pick up her meet & greet wristbands and when she came back, she had 2 extra with her. She graciously offered them to us and we were thrilled! After a quick trip to the Birchmere gift shop to buy a CD for him to sign (since I didn't have one with me of course), we got in line for the meet & greet. While we waited backstage (only about 20 of us!), we heard Marc and his band doing a little rehearsing. Then he walked out, said hello and started chatting with everyone. We took photos, he signed stuff and thanked us for coming. It was over quickly, but he was amazing.

I knew he was fantastic live, but this show was the best I've seen. His guitar player (Joe Stark) is young and talented and amazing and I love him. The band (Marc, Joe and Chad the drummer) seem to be good friends and have a great connection with each other. It was the first show of their fall tour and I imagine they'll only get better as the tour goes on. If Marc Broussard is coming to your town...GO SEE HIS SHOW.

The opener was Charlie Mars...a great singer/songwriter from Mississippi. He's beautiful to look at and listen to. And he has a southern drawl that melts me. :)


A great night of music was enjoyed by all who were there...and it was finished off with a kickass version of Steamroller Blues...one of my favorites. Thanks to Becca for letting us join her backstage and thanks to Marc, Joe, Chad & Charlie for sharing your incredible talents!

Lesson of the Day

This is correct.

So is this.









And this will work too.










This, however, is NOT correct.










This is also incorrect. Rhinestones? Really?










And this is TOTALLY and COMPLETELY horrible.










To quote from one of my favorite blogs...
"I don’t care if your boyfriend/husband/whatever bought it for you. Shame on you if you bought it for yourself. We are the Pittsburgh Steelers, not some sissy team from Cleveland. You DO NOT look cute when you wear something like this, you look like an idiot who doesn’t know a damn thing about football! If your boyfriend/husband/whatever wants to buy you a team jersey, make sure he knows the official colors. The same applies to Pitt football, whose colors are Blue and Gold."


Listen to me people, the Steelers' colors are black and gold. NOT PINK. If you want to follow this team, you must wear their colors. If you want to wear pink, then pick another team to support. Yes, I know that the official Steelers store sells these monstrosities. Just because you can buy it, doesn't mean you should wear it. I mean, stores sell spandex in size XXL...does that make it okay for someone who's XXL to wear spandex? NO.

There is one exception to the pink rule...you may wear the pink Steelers baseball cap because proceeds from those sales go to breast cancer research. That is all.

I'm proud to wear the black and gold. LET'S GO STEELERS!!!

Blowin In The Wind

Such a loss. RIP Mary...your beautiful voice will be missed for sure.

Lists

It's been ages since I've updated the blog and I'm pretty sure no one reads it anymore, but I'm in the mood to make a few lists. And who knows, maybe if I start updating this more often, I'll get my handful of readers back!

Driving Way Too Much
1. The threat of rain and being on I-70 seem to be two things that make people forget how to drive
2. Yelling at stupid drivers makes me feel better, even though they don't know I'm yelling at them
3. Just because you flip on your turn signal, does not make it okay to cut me off at 70 MPH
4. EZ Pass is the greatest creation...EVER
5. The best Sheetz is in Breezewood...people should go there just to check out that Sheetz
6. Diet Coke, Junior Mints and Broadway cast albums are must haves when dealing with traffic

Current Obsessions
1. Any and all things associated with the current Broadway revival of Hair
2. Cooking shows (even though I don't cook)
3. Neil Gaiman
4. Finding the perfect shelves to organize the kitchen
5. Pushing Daisies: Season 2

Music I'm Listening To
1. Hair (New Cast Recording) (see above)
2. Ray LeMontagne
3. Marc Broussard (to prepare for his concert in October)
4. Otis Redding
5. Annie Lennox
6. U2 (to prepare for their concert in September)