Knee Replacement Surgery

Dress: Geo Print Black Peri Dress by Donna Morgan (size 16) via Gwynnie Bee 

Leggings: LuLaRoe via eBay (size TC2)

Sandals: ?, thrifted 

Earring: etXarte

Necklace & Bracelets: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo, Kate, & Me

Stats: 5'7" 46-43-60

This dress pattern is a bit...modern? for me...but I loved all the colors. I've been closeting both 18s & 16s on GB & forgot to put the 16 on hold...but I got lucky & it was a great fit. So, I'd say this dress runs a tad big...but it's also just a relaxed fit. There is a drawstring waist, but it's decoration only & does not cinch it tighter. The neckline was too high for me, but I liked the elastic at the ends of the sleeves (easy to push up) & the keyhole in back. 

I'm just gonna keep going for the loud pattern mixing...because, why not? This was the last outfit I wore before getting my knee replaced the next day. So, this *could* have been my last outfit ever. But it wasn't. 

This was my first time wearing these earrings...I consider them ~once a month, but other ones always win out. This might? be the first time wearing this necklace in the history of the blog...I've had it since I bought it at a garage sale in the 80s. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Electric Empire; Blaze, Radio, & Wanderlust eyeshadow from UD; NXY lipliner in Orange County; Bang lipstick by UD; & OPI nail polish in Green on the Runway. 

Prepping me for knee replacement surgery (my first ever surgery), after waking up, & sitting in a recliner in my room after walking the hallway & up & down stairs. They told me if I did those things, I wouldn't have to spend the night. They lied. I'm glad I spent the night...also, my first ever night in the hospital...so many firsts. 

After finding out I'd be spending the night...David went home to make us food. The nurses were confused as to why I didn't just order off the menu, but I wanted good nutritious food immediately after surgery (& always). So while I sat in my hospital room...I watched Michael Waite & many friends play live from the U.P. And look at the amazing sunset out my window. 

David is magical...it's a 45 minute drive from our house to Sauk, but this salmon was the best he's ever made. He warmed bricks in the oven & placed them in the cooler to keep everything hot...it was exactly medium rare, the skin was crispy, the veggies just right, & it was all the perfect temperature...how does he do it?! All the pain meds overnight had me feeling a bit queasy, so I caved & ordered a bacon cheddar omelet from the kitchen in the morning. My first look at my incision. Yikes! And my first meal at home...another expertly cooked fish dish from David...Ahi tuna on a bed of mixed veg. I requested all seafood for the first few weeks for healing. 

Surprise beautiful flowers sent to me by my parents. Whole mackerel cooked en papillote stuffed with a mix of fresh herbs from our garden, lemon, & a variety of sautéed veggies: cauliflower, shiitake, sweet & hot peppers, white wine, & evoo. In bed. DJ on Twitch. 

My first day of PT. Drinking all the bone broth David had made me a few weeks before...doing my best to heal. I walked down to the basement for the first time to watch tv & eat a meal...scallops with roasted zucchini with a garlic/mayo/horseradish dipping sauce...& the last apple off our tree. 

Kate & Jason came to visit! But the girlie still would not get close to me for fear of making me sick. 

More DJs playing tunes. And my favorite, salmon. Overall, the knee surgery was not that bad...it was painful at times, but not the worst I've ever experienced. And for once, I listened to everyone & did my PT twice a day...& that was the most painful part, so I understand why some people don't do it...but I cried & kept going.        

 

Knee Replacement Consultation

Dress: Navy & Pink Speckled Faux Wrap Dress by Donna Morgan (size 24) via Gwynnie Bee

Leggings: LuLaRoe via eBay (TC2)

Shoes: Born

Earring: Kerala Rose

Necklace: Wendy Baker 

Bracelets: Vintage 

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 47-45-65

This multi colored speckled dress reminded me of leopard print, so of course I adored it. I loved everything about this dress...the fit, shape, length, print, colors...great work dress, although I did have to pin the neckline closed. 

Let's talk about the leggings...I am fully aware they weren't the best choice. In person...a lot of the colors were similar, even the mint...but in reality, the prints just clashed & I should have worn plain pink teggings.

This is my pink summer...I've been wearing this lipstick a LOT...I like it. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Alkaline; Totally Fetch, Café au Lait, & Sprinkles eyeshadow from Too Faced; Big Bang lip liner & lipstick; & OPI nail polish in Can't Hear Myself Pink!

The first strawberries of the season that I was able to snag at market. David went to Saturday market with me as Kate was on vacation. Some fabulous music played by the lovely DJs of Twitch. 

I had been eagerly awaiting this knee replacement consultation as this particular doctor has a history of doing them with patients with a higher BMI. I had to drive ~30 minutes out of town...totally worth it. Obviously. I LOVED him & his nurse & everyone he chose to work with him. It feels like an excellent fit, & not just desperation because this doctor is my only hope of getting this surgery in 2021. Unfortunately, since I recently had a steroid injection, we had to wait 90 days out from that. I am scheduled for a knee replacement on August 24th!!! I am excited & terrified. I've never had surgery before & this is a big one. I made the mistake of searching for "knee replacement" on Reddit...a lot of good info from people who've had the surgery came up, also a picture of one in progress. I can't unsee that. I told my mom & she said, oh, your dad was awake & he was watching it on the monitor!?!! So, I am hopeful for a future where I can WALK. More Twitch DJ music. 

Dinner with Angie & Freddie. This week David made us pork chops, mushrooms, & scapes on their charcoal grill (delicious) & Angie concocted a delightful salad from their CSA offerings for the week. Freddie let me read him 2 books on the couch while David was outside cooking...& later asked David to read them again. Such a cutie! 

 

1st Elkhorn Antique Flea Market 2021

Dress: Blush & Orange Floral Faux-Wrap Dress by Donna Morgan (size 24) via Gwynnie Bee

Teggings: Re/Dress, RIP

Sandals: Fly London

All Jewelry: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 50-47-68

The color combination in this dress was just so pretty...pink, blush, orange, & brown. The fit & length were great, but the belt was attached, which was fine, but there were annoying pointless belt loops. 

I don't know what kind of trees these weeping vines are, but I adore them.

This was my first time wearing this earring & clamp bracelet. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Bourbon, Phlox & Agate eyeshadow by Natasha Denona, NYX lipliner in Pumpkin, Toast lipstick from Bite Beauty, OPI nail polish. 

Allen Centennial Garden on UW campus, we often take photos here as it's on our way to work. I took this photo because of the gorgeous purple flowering tree, but when we came back the following week, it had already shed all the flowers. Duran Duran Friday. 

Girlie hugs! Kate & Jason came over the weekend of the Wisconsin Film Fest (online only this year) so we could enjoy some movies together. 

We watched 2 excellent films, Golden Voices & Here We Are...& a mediocre documentary, My Darling Supermarket. It kickstarted the film fest for me, as it had begun on Thursday & my first movies weren't watched until they came over on Saturday. Saturday night dance tunes. 

Elkhorn Antique Flea Market! Our first since 2019. It was so wonderful to be back looking at all the treasures. Check out that amazing dental cabinet with copper hardware...we didn't have a use for it, but wow! I also fell in love with those metal column tops/bases...they would have been spectacular rings around flowers. Our first purchase of the day was that metal table...David will make a new top for it...outside? Inside? 

My favorite score of the day...these cherub light scones...oh, my! And how perfect is this light fixture for our wreck room...which we are doing up in a 60s/70s theme.

Did this cherub vase come home with us? Sadly, it did not. It was a bit too pricey for me relative to how much I liked it. But, this victrola horn is now ours...I've wanted one for decades. David wanted those piano something-or-others to use as legs for an outdoor table. 

Oh, I lied...this mermaid was our first find of the day...we saw her in the first few minutes of arriving & I had to have her. I'm going to paint her a sparkly blue with gold highlights & she will live in the backyard. I can never resist these 60s Italian wall candle holders...another wreck room item. 

Assorted copper & metal containers...& a handmade metal rose we bought from a lovely gentleman. A catholic bell. And a lamp & music stand.

Finally, we picked up a bunch of vintage silverware & a few glass containers...the 2 blue ones now reside in our bathroom & hold make-up remover & face products. UnderCovered Live performs songs by Sufjan Stevens. 

 

Almost All Blue

Dress: Geo Print Blue Dress by Donna Morgan (size 24) via Gwynnie Bee

Cardigan: Liz & Me (size 3x), thrifted

Leggings: LuLaRoe (size TC2) via eBay 

Shoes: Boden, thrifted

Earrings: etXarte

Necklaces & Bracelet: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo, Kate, & Me

Stats: 5'7" 50-47-68

I rather liked this dress...but I've gotta say...I'm getting tired of all the blue GB has on offer...& they've got me liking blue. The geometric pattern & various shades of blue were bold, the length was great, & the fit was spot on. GB is calling this a fit & flare dress, but it's more fitted than that...& look here, I actually used the matching belt that came with it! There was a pocket over each breast...why?!! Pockets over breasts should not be a thing. 

Another conservative dress that I think I made cute...but completely work appropriate. That cardigan really changes the look...I like the added orange, but the pattern on the dress is so striking...that it's good without too...but...the pockets!

I haven't worn these shoes in ages...they make me really miss the thrill of the hunt of thrifting. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Sabbath, Nars eyeshadow duo in Mediteranee, Orange County lipliner by NYX, Habanero lipstick from MAC, & OPI nail polish in Atomic Orange. 

DJs on Twitch getting me through a Friday night with some dark music. 

It's a girlie outdoor visit!!! And look...we're all blue & matchy. It was so lovely & normal to lounge around outside on a beautiful day with a beautiful Kate. 

Saturday night new wave tunes via Late Bar's Planet Earth. UnderCovered covers Riot Grrrl bands. Glenn Crytzer & his quartet playing songs from 1937. And more spooky music.

I just adore turning around & seeing these 2 cuties.