I'm Retiring

Wouldn't it be great to say, "I'm retiring and moving to Hawaii?"

But that's not what I'm doing. Actually, I'm more like trying to retire. Not me myself, but my scooter and cane.

Scooter has been with me over a year now making sure I get where I need to go without running out of air or falling because of a busted up knee. She's taken me on trains and planes and ships. She's been my trusty companion and she's been rewarded with a generous helping of stickers, both travel related and inspirational. She even got herself some new stickers here in Hawaii. But on this trip, other than the airports, I only hung out with her on the rides down to the grocery store. Otherwise she's been parked in the room.

And then there's the cane. It tagged along through my knee replacement a few years back and then started up with me again before this knee replacement. I used the cane the first couple days here but she's also been spending most of her time in the room. (Keeping Scooter company I guess.)

They are both on the edge of retirement.

I came cross a quote yesterday that read:
Deal with each challenge and become stronger. Work through every challenge and feel the confidence that comes from knowing you can do it.

While I'm not yet strong enough to do those things on this trip I wanted to do - no snorkeling, no swimming with dolphins, no stand-up paddle boarding - I am ever-so-grateful for both the mental and physical strength that builds every day. For someone like me - rheumatoid arthritis, limited mobility, paralyzed diaphragm, two knee replacements, two shoulders repaired, gastric sleeve - to get a second chance?

Life changing.

Nowhere Else

Cats and birds. Beaches and sunsets. Flowers and fruit and luaus. Our 30 year wedding anniversary. Nowhere else but Hawaii.

Glaciers and Sunsets

I'm starting to consider myself somewhat experienced when it comes to traveling North America. I've been to all fifty states, Canada, and Mexico. There are places that are exciting, relaxing, challenging, easy. I've been to many destinations I wouldn't ever want to visit again and many I can never get enough of. While my familiarity varies depending on the town, city, island, or country there are two things at the top of my list, two things that are must-sees, add-to-your-bucket-list kinds of things. Things you simply cannot pass up.

Glacier Bay National Park. Watching - and listening to - glaciers calving is an experience that cannot be duplicated.

Sunsets in Hawaii. Walking on a beach like this in the morning may not seem too much of a must-see.

But when the sun drops below the horizon across the ocean waters it's a spectacular sight. I've never seen such beauty. Yes, sunsets in Hawaii ARE all they're cracked up to be.

Flora, Fauna, and Food

Hibiscus 

Flowers they use to make leis. 

Lily pad flower unopened and opened. 

Eel. Ick. 

Some orange-beaked bird. And another bird and another. 

Huge koi and a monster koi. 

Coffee plant with a close up picture, too. 

The flakiest, tenderest, tastiest fish and chips I've ever had. (We've had a lot so we should know.)

Rib eye, hamakua mushrooms, mahimahi, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, baby chard. A huge portion - this is only half the order. Hubby had the other half. And I didn't finish mine.

Ice team with lemon? Nope, they served it with pineapple.

Pupu platter. Kilauea BBQ wings, kalua pork quesadilla, Maui wowie onon rings.

PT in HI

For me to be able to take this trip I had to be motivated to keep up with my physical therapy. And motivated I am.

Today's physical therapy in Hawaii consisted of:
Treadmill, 22 minutes, almost 3/4 mile.

(Treadmill view, 6:00 AM)


Bike 15 minutes.

Morning walk to the beach.

A swim in the infinity pool.

An afternoon walk to the beach.


Yep, got my PT in HI. In Waikoloa on the Big Island to be exact. Anyone would be motivated to rebuild the strength in their knee here!

A Day of Clues

Long live my suck-the-marrow life.

Today is a set of clues with new pictures posted throughout the day. Keep checking back!

Clue #1, 6:07 AM

Clue #2, 7:48 AM

Next clue...ever see an airport like this? 

Clue #4...Different shades of lava flows with the ocean in the background.

Clue...open-air hotel lobby.

Ever see such a gorgeous place to stay and play for a week? Any guesses where we are sucking the marrow? Clue...no passports required.

You're Right Debbie, I Can Do It!

I had gone my whole life without knowing or even meeting another person named Debbie. Even at work, for years I was the only Debbie. But not anymore. Now the school district where I work has four Debbies. Four working at the same place in one tiny town.

This post goes to one of the Debbies - Debbie D. - and the crew who thinks I'm doing great. Thank you! Despite my complaining I know I can make it through with the knee. Just look what has happened with my weight loss over the last three months.

Over the course of the last seven months I've managed to have lost 122 pounds (as of today). Thanks to all the Debbies and non-Debbies who cheer me on!

Whiny Monday Morning

When my alarm went off early this morning it jolted me awake. I'd had another rough night tossing and turning with an achy knee. And a bawling cat that wanted outside. And a snoring hubby. And a hot bedroom.

I sat there on the edge of the bed after the alarm jolt. Sat there for quite some time, my head full of negative thoughts.
Why me?
Why do I have to be in pain all the time?
Why is this knee taking so long to get better?
How come I'm the only one that has to work so hard to just function normally?
How is it that at the age of 49 I've already had 12 surgeries?
Why do I have to go to physical therapy?
Why do I have to work so hard at physical therapy?

I'm tired.
I'm tired of pain.
I'm tired of working.
I'm tired of working through the pain.
I don't know if I can do it anymore.

It's not fair.

Despite the thoughts in my head before my feet touched the ground, I got up, got dressed, and got to therapy. I did all my required work with a cheery imposition. No one would have known about those few minutes of negativity that faced me earlier in the day.

Yes, I'm tired. But I can do it. The pain lessens a bit every day. The joint is healing - and muscles are strengthening - at a faster rate than the last time 'round. All this pain and hard work is going to pay off in a big way. I'm going to have two good knees for the first time in 30 years. (5 of my 12 surgeries have been on my knees.)

Pity party over. No more whining.

Especially no whining on Wednesday. That day is going to rock! It'll be almost as cool as my scar. Awesome, right?

My Temporary Life

Strawberry Greek yogurt with chocolate protein powder for breakfast. Either an apple or banana with peanut butter for snack. Plain tuna fish with five Ritz crackers for lunch. Whatever I can get for dinner. Depending on the day it could be beef jerky, a taco, or a piece of birthday steak. Water. Crystal Light. Lots of physical therapy. Treadmill, bike, balance board work, calf work, leg raises, weights, wall squats. Pain pills thrown in here and there. Sleep, no sleep. From the bed to the office chair to the camp chair outside. Supervise the cat's outside visitation. Don't supervise the cat's visitation.

She's doing quite a nice job of being outside by herself and sticking close. Thank goodness because closed doors sure aren't her favorite thing. Just check out her work when the bedroom door is closed.

And yep, it's all temporary. Things are about to get interesting.