ok listen.. im still technically single.. lets see some pics of that good looking military boy of yours.. . haha... hope you are enjoying ONEderlanddddd <33
Tanti Auguri per una buona Pasqua. Many wishes for a great Easter.
Couldn't sleep anymore this morning so here I am at just before 6am on the computer. I can hear the birds singing outside, have already had several rushes of the cats with their morning energy and trying to stay quiet as a mouse to let Bernardo stay asleep.
Tomorrow for Easter we will be with his family(Papa, Mamma, sister, brother in law and neice) for a traditional Pasqua Pranzo(Easter lunch) It will begin with antipasta (procutto, salami, pancetta, parma ham and maybe some sardenes, first dish with be tordelli in brodo(little ravioli's in broth), then come the fried zucchini, fried artichoke, lamb and probably veal, oven roasted patatoes, insalata, tomatoes, then Easter cake from the one of the many local bakeries served with spumante rosse dolci. Of coarse the wine hand made from his Papa will be served throughout the meal. All deliciously made my Mamma.
The first day of Spring here was wet and cold, hoping to get to see my friendly sun man soon so hopefully my body will start warming up.
Went to see the Physiotherapist Doctoressa yesterday and she set my schedule in place for one hour a day of therapy for my leg with the new hip, one hour of pool and one hour of exercise, due to beurocratic stuff there could be another one week to 10 days of waiting, however regardless I will continue the process I do each day and that is the exercises and toning for the new hip and toning for my upper body and of coarse my walking routine of 45-90 minutes of walking around the beautiful city here, the doctoressa told me that I am doing very well with the leg and to be careful as I must not over due.
Hoping you all have a wonderful holiday weekend with the special people in your lifes.
Tanti Abbracci(Many Hugs)
Paul
Una Nuova Vita, Sono Felice-
"A New Life, I am HAPPY!!!!!
Dear Family and Friends,
I wanted to send you a short not this afternoon to tell you about my morning.
After an hour of physical therapy this morning that showed me in a week I have added some muscle to my new hip and leg. The therapist gave me a good work out and stretching, the leg hasn't been moved this way in at least four years, it is truely amazing, I am very grateful.....
Afterward I being Monday there is a large street market around Central Historic Carrara near our flat. So I got my self dressed, including putting on my own shoes and even tied them, first time since operation. The morning was crisp with many people out enjoying the street market. I stopped to see people along the way that like a Dr who had treated my hematoma and my back throught the summer months after the initial gastric bypass and he was so happy to see me, also was amazed at my appearance as he had not seen me since the abdominoplasty .
Then a bit further down the street popped in to say buon giorno to a sweet woman(Franca) who operates a pizzaria/sandwich which Bernardo has frequented for 30 years or more, she was excited to see me, warning to go slowly. Then I went shopping looking at many of the vender stands around the city, some good deals and some junk, but I got a few things.
I ran into friends, who I hadn't seen for months and some more recently, got to use the Italian I know and did well with it. Walked through the park where there were more venders and then to another little pasticeria(has been operating for 120 years in the same family) where we often go to visit or have a bite or something to drink at breakfast and la seniora(Trudy) was thrilled to see me come in alone. Had some grapefruit juice and bought a pastry for Bernardo's lunch, she wouldn't let me pay.(too kind)
Then I set off to make my return home and ran into more people I knew who had not seen me for a while, Sarah a young woman(student in Pisa) who worked at La Cava for several months when Bernardo and I were still working there in the evening, a couple who were frequest customer's of the restaurant who we befriended and he has lived in England so knows English and his GF who has learned it a little too, we used a mixture of both languages, it was good practice for me, then I saw one of the Pizza makers and one of the kitchen helpers from the restaurant and chatted in Italian with them.
My next stop was a vendor selling dishes, really nice heavy stonewear and I commented to a lady and her daughter on what they were buying, telling them the bowls were bello(beautiful), they spoke to me and the Mothers(AnnaMaria) told me her daughter(Jana) had been born in NYC, she was curious of where I was from in the States and what I was doing in Carrara and ended up asking for my telephone number to get together sometime for caffe.
Loving plants I found the plant vendors, but realized I had already spent some money and had my hands full as it was, also then realized I had been out walking around for 2 hours and it was time I get home as Bernardo was coming home for lunch, so I stopped at one more vendor and bought a roasted chicken for lunch(was range grown and grilled fresh on the fire there at the stand-delicious!!!.
Afterward I made my way home.
It was all wonderful, I cant explain the feeling I had inside to be able to walk by myself(with my crutches), see people, realize that I am in Carrara, Italy and that I dont have pain in my hip or a heavy load on my body. I felt like someone who had been set free and was in a wonderful new place.
I still have therapy ahead of me starting next week at an official rehab center, however I believe I have had a good start with doing the exercises the therapists in the hospital and the private therapist here at home have given me to do daily. I am also working on toning up the areas where I still have loose skin and in the past week have lost another 8 lbs, so I am very near my goal, with about 13 lbs to go.
I wanted to share these good feelings with you all and let you know that things continue to go forward. Looking forward to May and June when we will get to see each other again.
Speriamo tutti é posti e tanti auguri per una buona Pasqua. (We hope everyone is well and many wishes for a nice Easter).
Hugs and much Love.
Paul and Bernardo.
LOL Gwennie, you are so funny. I saw those exclamation points. Robin, Shad is doing good now. I talked with him this morning around 5 am. His spirits seemed to be up, which is an very good thing for me emotionally. As long as I know he is okay, then I'm okay. Yes, I am SO excited to be in onederland! This is a very odd day for me. Don't remember what it feels like to be this size anymore. It's been so long. But it's VERY NICE! I feel like it might actually be possible to make it to goal now. I think this gives me that extra little incentive to work harder.
You've just had a big wow moment! Can this day get any better? How's your son doing on deployment. Last we heard he was having a hard time. I think of him often and try to send some healing (emotional) vibes his way. He's a hero and blessed to have you as his mom.
Visitor Messages
ok listen.. im still technically single.. lets see some pics of that good looking military boy of yours..
. haha... hope you are enjoying ONEderlanddddd <33
GOOD! We could use a big dose of our itty bitty Carrie!
