Arizona Cardinals

This week I had all day meetings at a location close to the new football stadium. We were able to schedule a tour in the evening. Note the 'mean' new mascot from a few years ago.

Inside the visitor's locker room. We weren't allowed in the Cardinal's locker room or the cheerleader's locker room. It is the only NFL stadium with a locker room for the cheerleaders.

The famous field that lives outside and comes in for the games. It takes an hour and 15 minutes to roll in on 76 single HP motors that all start and stop at the same instant. it can only waiver 1/16 of an inch in its journey.

This is where the reporters hang out. They have additional seating plans for the Super Bowl when they are expecting 5,000 reporters.

It was a beautiful sunset that evening.

More Thanksgiving Happenings

I finally embroidered the block that will be added to the quilt Julie is making to welcome baby Noah into the world. It's much harder to thread a needle than it was 10 years ago!

Kendall surprised me with 6 poinsettias that brightened up the cabin. What a guy!

The city had a small light parade welcoming the Christmas season. OK, the picture is really bad, but I felt the need to post at least one. I guess i need a tripod and all the paraphernalia that Lois has!

We bundled up to keep warm! (self portrait)

Jake and Grace Take a Trip

Since we didn't have big plans for working this weekend and we were gone for 4 nights we decided to take the cats with us. Gracie complained on the ride up, but those of you who know her know how she loves to talk! The trip back was even more pleasant and silent as they napped and were quite adjusted to their crates. They liked hanging out in the bedroom and appreciated their beds.

They loved the new sights and couldn't wait for the blinds to be opened in the morning.

They like a Christmas tree no matter what town it happens to be in.

Kendall having a chat with the 'kids'.

Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend at the cabin. We went up Wednesday morning to prep for the meal on Thursday for 10 local family members who joined us for the day. The temperature was brisk and we enjoy the change from the temperatures we had been experiencing - upper 80's! Too many record breaking temps recently.

Kendall captured me as I was working in the kitchen and he was in the 'family room'.

The Bird on one of the checks to see if he was done. By the way, he wasn't. He needed about another 45 minutes.

The place settings.

A simple table.

I didn't get a picture of everyone this year, but I did manage to capture Uncle Del as he help to split some wood for the fire.

Second Printing, New Desk

I've moved my office upstairs to the old family room. Now I have a fireplace when it gets chilly in the winter and a beautiful view of the pool.

The second printing of The Cookbook arrived last week and 14 copies fit neatly on the bottom shelf.

Seasonal Prep

It will soon be that time of year again and the calendar is filling quickly so I decided it was time to start prepping for the Christmas season. I used the Gingerbread Boys recipe from the cookbook.

Cookies waiting to be frosted.

Cookies ready to go on the tree at the cabin and in the kitchen when the time rolls around. Kendall thinks it is such a waste of a cookie!

Out With the Old; In With the New

This weekend we had new carpet installed at the cabin. As you can see it had been a mismatch of odds and ends.

It looks so much better!

New Evergreen

This weekend was more cleaning and some landscaping at the cabin.

This tree came out. It was too close to the deck and doesn't grow up to be what we wanted in the front of the dinning room window.

This lovely evergreen fits the plan! We welcomed him with loving words and water.

Free at Last!

Kendall had a follow-up appointment with his surgeon yesterday. It's been 4 weeks since the surgery and he is now free of the sling! Last night was the best night of sleep since going under the knife.

Physical Therapy Has Begun

Kendall had his first PT appointment last week and has been doing his exercises faithfully twice a day. He says it feels good to stretch the arm again.

Work at the Zoo

I have such a fun job that we even get to play at the zoo! Actually the zoo has a good facility for groups to have meetings. Yesterday we had a "State of the Union" day for all the Chief Nursing Officers, Directors and Assistant Directors at the zoo. I gave a presentation on my work the past year. We made the day fun and interactive. One event was to teach all 250 how to do a dance routine from High School Musical. This is my boss in practice mode. Not bad for a gal who grew up Nazarene!
At our evening reception we met some of the animals. Believe me this snake was captured via the zoom lens! And no, I don't know if its name is Fluffy (nor do I care)!
A much better species.

Boss's Day

I was surprised to find out it was Boss's Day when I got to work. My terrific staff had a celebration planned that included bagels and donuts for breakfast and a fabulous cake that looked like a hat before being cut into in the afternoon. All this in addition to a gift card and a greeting card! Strawberry Creme Cake

I shared a piece with Kendall

Chicago The Band

Last night we heard one of Kendall's favorite groups -- Chicago. Definitely an enjoyable evening. As we left the venue one of their songs was on the radio too! I saw they will be in Bloomington, IL for those of you in the same age range that listened to them in you earlier years.

Care Package

Kendall was excited to receive a goody package from Mom today.

Chocolate galore!!

Weekend

Kendall had his first follow-up appointment Friday morning. They took the stitches out - no more showering with Saran Wrap over the incisions. After the appointment we headed north to the cabin. Less bruising than anticipated.

At the cabin there were some Handyman activities that the Handy-woman in house conquered with the supervision of the Man of the House.

Power tools! Yippee Skippee!!

Up on the roof to add a booster to the antenna for the 4 channels we pick up.

Hanging towel bars in the bathroom.

Hanging a light in the dinning area to add lighting to the space.

It was cold enough to relax and enjoy the warmth of the fire.

Doing Much Better!

We'll hope for restful sleep tonight, but Kendall is feeling much better today. Here he is on the phone with his sister Torrie. I guess it helped that the Cardinals beat the Steelers today! Sorry Dad. As Rachel said last year when she was here visiting, "Go Cardinals!".

Late addition to today. Uncle Del and Cousin Kelly stopped by for well wishes.

The Healing is Beginning

Yesterday was much better than the day before. Kendall is up part of the time, but still knowing when the pain meds are due! As a nice surprise his mother flew in from Kansas to be with him for a few days when I go back to work. After the last 3 nights I know why people our age don't have babies. This getting up in the middle of the night is not for the faint of heart! Nights are the more difficult time when he wants to rest and sleep. Able to work on the crossword puzzle left handed.

First 48 Hours

The first 48 hours have been about as rough as you would expect after the work Kendall had done on his shoulder. There was a lot more sleep last night than the night before, but it wasn't hard to beat (2) 1.5 hour segments!

This edible bouquet of "healthy get well wishes" arrived yesterday morning. The fruit is quite tasty and includes chocolate covered strawberries and apple slices.

The Patient is Home

Due to 'abuse' over the past 19 years with repeated injuries to his shoulders, it was time to do an overhaul. We were at the Surgery Center at 6:00 this morning to register and get prepped for the Operating Room. The surgery took 1 1/2 hours and was a little more extensive than the surgeon had hoped. He seemed pleased with the outcome. There were 4 muscles that needed to be repaired including the rotator cuff and bicep. Kendall was home and in bed by 11:00 -- heavily medicated! Due to the extent of the repairs, he will have his shoulder immobilized for 3 weeks with the "premium" sling.
The Polar Care unit will be his friend over the next few days as it keeps cold water circulating over the shoulder. It is on for 20 minutes and off for 20 minutes for the first 24 hours while he is awake (or maybe while I'm awake since he is snoozing as I write this).

First Weekend in the Cabin

Late Friday afternoon we met our Real Estate agent to get the keys to the cabin. We then unloaded our things and loaded up the extra beds and furniture we weren't going to use. We had powerful thunderstorms Saturday so we were very thankful we had all the unloading/loading done the evening before. There was a break late in the afternoon so we found the local Goodwill and made a trailer full of donations.

Saturday we cleaned and Kendall worked on plumbing. He replaced the toilet and faucet in the bathroom and the kitchen sink.
Isn't it a beauty?!
Our view Sunday morning from the dining area.
The living room. We took timeout Saturday to watch a movie we rented.
Firewood ready for the chilly weather the next time we are up.