So after a week in Banana Bay, we find ourselves back in Ohio again - being reminded of why in 2009 we chose to no longer live in this climate for the winter months! Not that it's bad for this time of year. 20's or 30's in the morning and up to low 40's by afternoon. It's just that it's not 70's in the morning and low 80's by afternoon :-)
Still it is beautiful here in the early winter and then there is always the opportunity to sit in front of the great fires that Steve builds (with wood provided by my brothers Pat and Warren!). There is nothing like a Saturday sitting in front of a fire and watching the Ohio State football game! |
| Photo compliments of Cindy Peterson - Love You More |
Of course Cindy posting pictures of a wonderful rainbow in Marathon doesn't help us as we don jeans, fleeces and jackets for the cold!
It was a good first week back on the boat though. Including a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner with boater friends - turkey and all of the trimmings. Thanks to hosts Pat and George :-) !
And there were a couple of projects accomplished. Randy and Cindy helped Steve put the mast back up. It's not terribly difficult to do but an extra hand or two makes the job much easier.
We've definitely come to the conclusion that boats and equipment just do not like to sit unused for 6 months at a time. First a battery issue. Then a fresh water pump problem. Finally a troubled macerator pump which is critical to our holding tank system. Under the floor went Steve to replace the macerator pump so that problem was solved. A new fresh water pump is ordered and on the way. All systems should be a go shortly after we return next week.
Steve says he wanted the mast back up so he would be able to launch the dinghy in case the weather cooperated and he could do some dinghy fishing.
The real reason? He wanted to put up the Christmas lights! After all, it was now after Thanksgiving so it was time :-)
It makes it very festive in the marina and I'm sure others will be inspired to break out their lights as well!
So my thumb fusion surgery (part 3 of a 4 part plan for my hands) was scheduled for Dec 8. While we were still out in Phoenix, Dr. Friedman's office called and wondered if I would like to move the surgery up a couple of weeks to the Friday after Thanksgiving. Of course! The sooner the better.
The surgery was very easy (1 hr 20 minutes) and relatively painless. The thumb fusion is done by inserting a 1 1/4 inch screw connecting the two bones in that joint. Once the bone grows around the screw, this joint will be very stable and no more joint pain due to the arthritis!
Stitches will be removed on Wed when we return to Florida and all that is left for now is to wear the very comfortable splint that holds the thumb stationary for 6 to 8 weeks.
The final step 4 of fusing the right thumb will wait for the time being. Still quite functional and minimal pain.
Steve and I both have been so impressed with the Cleveland Clinic in Weston and with Dr. Friedman and his professional staff in particular. What they have managed to do with my hands has been hard to believe. So accommodating and sensitive to our being a 3 hour drive from Marathon.
For now, we will enjoy a few more days in Ohio before returning to Marathon next Wednesday.
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