More of the neverending tragedy that is my foot

I saw my doctor again yesterday for a follow-up from my most recent surgery.  I've still got some drainage and bleeding that my nurse was concerned about (still, at three weeks and three days post-op) but I wasn't as worried about that as I was the pain I'm still having at the spot where my foot lifts across the top and the constant popping and snapping that I'm feeling.  

Well, I got worried when he started pressing on my wound and there was pain I didn't even know about hiding in there.  He pressed out a lot of drainage and immediately had three x-rays done right then and there.  The results showed no fractures or problems with the one remaining tendon anchor (but the rubber-band-like snapping I'm feeling MAY be from the one anchor that is not there anymore, the one he took out in January...makes perfect sense to me) or even arthritis, which is what my nurse suggested might be going on.  Nope.  None of that showed up.  What's going on is there's infection in there, either deep tissue or bone.  Since I had staph in the hospital in January, I'm more than a little worried about this.  He took out the one remaining stitch that was holding the graft on and I'm on antibiotics for a week.  We're watching the wound very closely, changing bandages every day.  If there's still drainage after a week, I'll have an MRI to see if the infection is in the bone.

The skin graft has healed over the hole and my thigh has healed as well, I just have a bright pink 2x2 square on the side of my leg, that's all.  But, hey, pink is my signature colah.  I've started working on that scar and it'll be lighter and smaller in no time.

If you've been following me throughout this nightmare of mine, please continue to pray for my foot to heal.  Once and for all, to HEAL.  Every time I think I'm getting better, something else crops up.  

Today is Holy Saturday, the day we remember Jesus' full day in the tomb.  The day all those years ago when all hope was lost because Jesus was dead.  They all saw Him die, right there on that cross.  If you're living what seems like an endless Saturday like that one was, where all hope is lost and you can't see daylight, and sometimes, I do feel like I am, then let me remind you that Sunday is coming!  It's not done yet.  God has a plan for your life and mine, too.  My foot will heal and there will be unbelievable joy for me on that day.  

Just like there will be for ALL of us tomorrow morning.  

Easter weekend

Easter is here again!  We had the best time this morning with our little egg hunt, courtesy of Pawsome Southern Rescue, a wonderful animal rescue here in town.  They would hide 2 dozen plastic, candy-filled eggs in your yard for a $20 donation.  We were so excited when we woke up and saw all the eggs in our front yard this morning!

Tabbie Hoffman wasn't interested in no egg hunt.  He just wanted to roll around on the porch.

Yesterday, we worked in the yard nearly all day long and I got my first sunburn of the year.  I got SO much done, though!  I planted flowers out by the mailbox.  Snapdragons, African and English daisies, lavender, tickweed and candytuft.  I'm really happy with the way it turned out!

I planted my sunflower seeds, too, and doused 'em good with Texas Pete.  That's my "secret" to beautiful, giant sunflowers.  That and Tabbie Hoffman pee.  Works every summer!  This year, we're going to have mammoth sunflowers, "incredible" sunflowers that grow to 20 feet (!) and teddy bear sunflowers.  All mixed up together by the fence.  I'm so excited to see them!!

I also planted calendula, marigolds, larkspur and Shasta daisies in beds in the backyard.  

I've got tomatoes and peppers and wildflowers yet to plant.  Next weekend.  Today is a rest day.  Hope everybody has a wonderful Easter Sunday and never lose sight of the true meaning of Easter.  What joy, what a blessing we have with the TRUTH that Jesus is ALIVE and was resurrected from the dead.  We have a life worth living because HE LIVES!!

A different kind of Easter

For the first time in ever, our family didn't get together today for Easter.  I felt a little out of sorts not having anywhere to go or anybody to take care of.  But at the same time, it was glorious to have such a low-key Easter.  Larry and I woke up early, put our ham in the oven, and got ready for church.  It was a wonderful service and we were blessed to see two young girls publicly profess their faith and another one get baptized!  That's what Easter is all about -- celebrating our Savior, who died for us when He didn't have to and rose from the dead because WE needed Him to.  There's no greater love than the love Jesus has for us.  Not your family's, not your husband's or wife's, not even the love you have for your children.

Larry made me a huge basket full of chocolate and all kinds of goodies!  There was even a sweet little Jadeite coffee mug that he picked up on our Peaches to the Beaches trip that I didn't even know he got.  How'd he do that??  I see everything.  He put a beautiful little decorative plate in there, too.  Along with all. that. candy.  I made him up a basket with lots of candy, too, a big-eared chocolate bunny and a little stuffed lamb.

Yesterday, I baked some treats for Tabbie Hoffman and Banjo and I put them in Mason jars and tied a little yellow ribbon around them, to make 'em look Easter-y.  I found the recipes online and Banjo got pumpkin peanut butter ones and Tabbie's were tuna and catnip.  Banjo loves his and Tabbie's coming around to his.  Persnickety little self.

After church today, we came home and I finished our dinner.  We had our ham and green beans with red potatoes, steamed whole organic carrots, deviled eggs and carrot cake.  Simple and easy.  No stress, no rushing around trying to get here and there.  It was very, very nice.

And after the dishes were done, I took a nap!  Another thing that's never happened on Easter, except maybe when I was six.

 Banjo enjoying his ham bone in the rain.

 Like Mama, like kitty.  :)

The weather was yucky, lots of clouds and some rain here off and on all day but I hope y'all had a great day anyway!  I loved all the pictures that were posted on Facebook of kids dyeing eggs yesterday and then this morning with all their goodies and family pictures outside church.  To me, that's how it should be.  Church first then family time with Easter dinner and egg hunts.  And a nap.  :)

Eggstra Special Good Friday!

I took the day off and slept in while my sweet husband boiled eggs for us to dye with our Elizabeth and Emma tomorrow.  He created this little Good Friday egg cartoon and I just had to share it!!  He is so creative and smart and pretty much the coolest person I've ever known.  From the moment we met, I knew.  I knew he was the one for me.  That day and every day we had to live apart up to this amazing, beautiful life we have now.  We are truly blessed.  Hope you enjoy this as much as I did!!

Of course the little brown egg between us is Banjo.  :)

Happy Good Friday, y'all!!  It was the saddest day in earth's history but it led to the best thing that ever happened to us.  They put Him in that grave but He didn't stay there!