On This Eve ~

Today is New Years Eve. I'm still in a cast so for me to get out and take some really awesome pictures of what's going on out there is pretty difficult.

We drove down Colorado Blvd. tonight and I got some pictures from the car ~

As we were in the parking lot at the market, I didn't get out. Do you know how hard it is for not only me but for whomever is toting me around in a wheelchair??  No fun.  So...I sat in the car and took some more pictures ~

Happy New Year!!

Kareen

Eve of the Eve of the New Year ~

We live RIGHT in the mix of the Rose Parade. Every year we watch as the city prepares for it. Fences are going up around homes and businesses. Trailers are parking on side streets vying for a good position. The city fills up with 1000's of extra people and it's just mayhem and chaos.

Oddly enough, I LOVE IT! <3

On this Eve of the Eve of the New Year, there have been some very sweet moments. My daughter earned herself a (basically) new car - from a family member for being the only one in the family who doesn't currently have a car. Luckily for her, she was away at NYU for the last year, so she won.

Thank you, Wendy!

Afterwards, we all celebrated at ~

So, we are all well fed and ready for the mayhem and chaos to continue. This year will be a bit different though - the Parade and the Bowl Game are on the 2nd. of January instead of the 1st. This happens about every 7, 6 or 5 years - depending on how that Leap Year fits into it all. I'm sure there is a way to figure all that out, but it's way too much math for me.

2012 is almost here!!

K.

Merry Christmas and Picture Overload ~

Starting with Christmas Eve, we celebrate at a lovely home of extended family. We'll begin there:

They have the biggest tree EVER - and I didn't even get the top of it.

A beautiful home and a beautiful time. 

Christmas Morning was much quieter and far less pictures.

Our poor little tree didn't get decorated, but we have lots of love.

I'll be out of that horrible cast come January 4th! The day can't come soon enough.

Merry Christmas to all ~

Kareen

Bon Voyage ~

A cold and blistery day in Burbank today.  On our way to the airport:

I've always loved Control Towers. I spent some time as a child at airports (right, mom?) and they have always been fascinating to me.

We say "Bon Voyage" to Rebecca and Elijah. See you in a few days! 

<3<3

Kareen

Tough Times ~

Today, my youngest is taking her baby to see his daddy up north. You should see the living room floor, but I won't bore you.

At this point, all I can muster up as far as decorations go (until Saturday when daughter #2 comes home from NY) is this:

Sad but true.

Even that was hard - I had to walk (ahem, crutch) across the room to do that!

Merry Merry!

<3

Kareen

Big Day ~

3 Weeks - post surgery!  Stitches come out today and a new cast is put on.

Out with the old (and dirty!)

Voila!

Then, the stitches came out! Yeow!

Pretty gross, I know but... Dr. says the tendons are "firing" nicely.  "Ok, well...whatever."  The whole right side of my foot is still kinda numb. Like when your foot is waking up from being asleep. It's still very swollen and the range of motion is small and pretty wobbly feeling.

I chose a nice Christmas Red for the next 3 weeks and then, I move into a walking boot.

It feels so much better inside that cast to have the stitches off. It's not near as painful.

That's up to the minute ~

Merry Christmas to all!

<3

Kareen

2 Weeks Ago, Today!

Last night was my 25th. wedding anniversary! Yay!  We went out for a Sushi dinner, that I had to 'crutch' to from a parking structure. Fine, except that my foot got very swollen and began to ache by the time I got home.

Today, is my 2 week recovery day.

Not enough time, I guess to go playing outside.

Today, I'm down - again.  But...I have taken some pictures of things around me to entertain both me and you.

Hey, it's all I got!

See, mom? I'm drinking my water! 

Me.

This is truly one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. I'm not a very patient, patient but in this case, I have no choice.

I have wonderful family around me and at least this is only temporary.

<3 Kareen