I approached December with little excitement, having decided to proceed with surgery on my right foot to correct a variety of issues. I chose to do this because I had met my out-of-pocket limits with our medical insurance. Our children had no specific plans for the holidays and having been together in July, we didn't feel inclined to ask them all to gather in Texas again. My surgery was scheduled for December 6, and I anticipated being somewhat incapacitated for a couple of months. I had a soft tissue mass which needed to be removed from the right side of my foot. It was a large bursa which had grown in an odd place and was affecting my toes. A hammertoe tendon would be clipped, and to fix the bunion, my bones would have to be realigned, placing a small wedge of cadaver bone in a crooked joint and stapled in place. And several bone nodules would be shaven off. The 2 1/2 hour surgery went well, and thankfully I experienced very little pain while recovering in December. I could not bear any weight on that foot, and was very grateful to have borrowed a knee scooter from a friend, which became my best buddy for a couple of months. (Our grandkids thought the scooter was the best thing ever!) Not being able to drive or climb stairs meant Bob was doing all my usual household chores. I never could have survived without his tireless service - he has certainly earned more than his wings through this ordeal!
Physical Therapy included ice water circulation and electric shock pad and some targeted laser treatments. I felt like I was doing really well and was anxious to get stitches removed in January.
My cousin from Utah, Tracy Padgett, had contacted me about a month previously to see if Bob could perform a wedding ceremony for her and Kelly Baker on December 7th at a hotel in Houston. With this being her fourth marriage, they had decided to just elope and go to Costa Rica - stopping first in Houston for the ceremony. Unfortunately, Bob had to go alone and perform the wedding without me - but on their way back home from Costa Rica, they were able to spend a night at our home. It was so much fun to catch up with Tracy! It had been many years since we last saw each other.
As it turned out, Bobby and Jill decided to fly their family to Houston for Christmas break so that they could meet baby Jude, provide some companionship for dad and I, experience the Houston area, and see the homes of their Goodman family. They arrived on Christmas Eve and spent most of their time at the Johnson's home - trying not to be a burden on me. The Bosen's would not be able to come over until December 30 - January 7. Bob and I hosted a Christmas Eve dinner at our house. Bobby grilled steaks and we ate our fabulous meal out on the patio. We opened presents from Grandma and Grandpa and enjoyed some spontaneous Christmas performances.
Michael and Kristin spent Christmas Eve at our home and Bob and I awoke to enjoy Eve and Brady discovering and unwrapping many of their Christmas gifts. It was fun to have kids in the house on Christmas morning!
That afternoon, we went to the Johnson's home to hang out, ride bikes to the park, and have Christmas dinner together. (No building snowmen in Texas!)
During the Christmas Break, Grandpa took Bobby, Max, Ben, Bennett and Tanner on a hiking/camping trip on the Lonestar Trail, while the girls enjoyed the Kemah Boardwalk in Galveston. There other days were filled playing with Christmas presents, painting ceramics and making puzzles (Jill).
On December 30, we all met the Bosens at Michael's home in Katy. It was our only chance to have a family photo taken with everyone! There was a bitter cold wind that came up and our little ones were not to happy to be at the park taking pictures. But we did it, thanks to our photographer, Allison Nunez (Wife of Michael's friend, Jordan).
Following our picture taking excursion, we returned to Michael and Kristin's home to enjoy dinner together.
Bobby and Chelsea and their families stayed with us for a few days. On the morning of New Year's Eve, we gave Knox and Holly their little "Christmas Eve" gift. We just played at our house until late that afternoon when we all headed back over to the Johnson's Party House.
Michael and Kristin were not able to join us because they were enjoying time with her brother and his family who were staying with them through the Christmas break. It was food, fireworks and fun until the ball dropped and the New Year was rung in.
Bobby had to return to Utah the next day, but Jill and kids and the Bosen Family were here until January 6th. Bob went back to work and I spent a few days relaxing at home while everyone else had some fun excursions to NASA Space Center, the Aquarium, and a beach area on Spring Creek. We got together for dinner and played at the park. And we celebrated Max's 9th Birthday, while Brady was celebrating his 2nd at his home.
Sadly, all this crazy togetherness had to come to and end. And even though I think everyone was ready to get back to their homes and normal lives, I'm always sad to see everyone go. However, it wasn't quite normal life for me, as my foot continued to heal. Stitches came out on January 2, and a week or two later, the incisions became infected due to swelling and tearing - Yuck! Take a look at all the medicine and paraphernalia I've used during my recovery from surgery! I soon hope to be good as new - no . . . better than new!
And now that I've started and ended this post on similar "footing", I'll encourage us all to put our "best foot" forward in 202, and always stand on high ground!
Happy New Year!
