Dirty Laundry

brick wall done. chandelier up. curtain hung. painted.

shelf brackets up. counter 'brackets' in place.

west wall painted cream

Puree

I am making my own baby food for Mason. Ultimately to save money, I have more freezer space versus cupboard space for jars and I always have something to mash on hand(don't have to run to the store).

I have made banana, apple, pears, cantaloupe, sweet potato and mashed potato.

Peel & core (if needed)

Boil or steam

blend and put in ice cube trays

Once the puree is frozen, take them out of the ice trays and put them in freezer zip-lock bags.
I am posting this just in case there is someone who reads this who wants to make baby food but wanted to know more.

There isn't much more to it because it is so easy. When its meal time take the desired amount of cubes and put in microwave (or leave in bowl on counter to thaw)

any questions? I love reading your comments, so do not hesitate!

On the Mend

Today the family and I went to the fracture clinic for my one week check up. I was a little worried because a couple days before i took a bath then stood up to grab a towel, stubborn me didn't ask for help and I slipped and put all my weight on my "bad" leg. I was scared something came out of place because it hurt a lot. When we got there  they took an x-ray but it did not turn out properly so they had to remove my cast and take a few more x-rays. After the x-rays they put Mason, Elysha and myself in the back of the room on a bed to remove the staples from the incision's they had made to put the plate and screws in. FINALLY I got to see the battle scars of the operation and boy were they sweet! They removed around 20 staples in total, not too much pain there, just a pinching sensation. The surgeon then came to take a look at my ankle and said that everything went as planned and it is healing nicely. I was very happy to hear that it was healing ok and that my fall didn't negatively affect anything. We took a look at the new x-rays too which were quite interesting! she said that we will have to come back again in 2 weeks to get the cast removed once again for more x-rays. I may go home with a removable splint at that time. I am still looking at another 5-6 weeks still of putting no pressure at all on my foot and another 4-5 months before I can return to my regular job. We pray each day for the Lords strength and healing hand. I would also like to thank everyone who has called, dropped in for a visit, and the cards! It is truly appreciated!

Brandon

New Page

You might notice a new page link at the top, Before/After.
I am trying to get all our pictures up from our house renovations & furniture but its not quite working. Only 3 pictures are pasting properly right now, so keep checking.


If you have transformed a room, furniture, light etc and are so proud and would love to share it, well I would love to share it for you. Send me pictures and I will post them!

Mason's Haven

I realized today while in Masons room that I never showed you the finished product. No room is ever done in this house but this is the closest it is to finished at the moment. Masons humble abode where he sleeps 11 hours at night. He has always been a good sleeper in his room and I am going to say that must be because its decorated so nicely. Or it could be the nice crib, who knows?

Lets take a journey back to what it did look like.

moving gifts into place and 'retouching closet'

Closet Before

After. I roll of wallpaper, bookcase & 2 closet rods

My Patient

Patient: Brandon Kampen
Injury: Trimalleolar fracture to the ankle
Pain(out of ten, ten being the worst): 6[its not this high all the time though]

Report: Very happy to have so many visitors, phone calls and emails. Loves sitting with Mason and all the home cooked meals provided by me.

I will take your spot in hockey dad.

So happy to be with dad so much.

Lower Level

We have four levels to our home... not the best thing when you have a broken ankle. Poor Brandon but he is getting the hang of stairs with crutches.
Our basement was going to be the last project along with windows that we did because those are expensive projects. Well low and behold we are renovating our basement and our windows are being done in March. If you search around well enough, things can be done on a cheaper budget. Our basement so far has been done by friends (and we appreciate all of you) and here is the progress so far.

future tv room

Speaking of lower level, our laundry room is on its way. The brick wall I showed you previously is not real (I wish) its wallpaper. I wasn't sure at first how it would go or look but it turned out pretty good. Obviously it won't look as good as the real deal but I don't have time for the real deal. One thing if you are going to use brick wallpaper, just know it won't line up perfectly all the time. I would smile and pat myself on the back (not literally) when the bricks would line up as I started a new row but I slowly lost that smile as lower down on the same piece, they would not line up anymore. I left the laundry room a few times to calm down... wallpaper can be so frustrating! However here it is so far.

notice the wallpaper... the bricks don't match up perfectly.

 What do you think? The chandelier creates a nice romantic feel.

Nudist

We are not nudists and this post is not about nudists.
I found this print off Pinterest.

On days like these when I have piles of laundry, this is so true.
Today the laundry is piling, the dishes need to be done, the house needs to be cleaned, groceries need to be done ... however I don't want to do any of it. Maybe I will do something in the laundry room or show you what I did to Mason's closet.

Hmmmmm, what to do?

The OR

Now that all my boys are sleeping (that consists of Brandon, Mason, Tripp & Ryder[these 2 are the dogs]) I can finally sit and write this.

I never knew how many people had surgeries every day, It was very full at 9am when we arrived and more people were arriving.

Brandon's operation was bumped from 10am to 11am, which is not bad. It gave us more time to pack up Mason's things and drop him off without being rushed. [thanks again babysitter K] It wasn't the greatest news for Brandon since he was hungry and not allowed anything, not even water... poor guy.

Before Surgery in his hospital fashion wear in his comfy chair

Before Surgery

We were told to arrive 2hours before the surgery. He was prepared for surgery with questions, weight/height check, blood pressure etc. He as put in hospital fashion wear (as per the nurse) and got a nice comfy lounge chair. We waiting about 1-2hours until the surgeon came out to tell him what she would be doing. one minute later the surgical nurse came and got him, kissed him goodbye and off he went. That was 11:30. I was told to be back in 1-2hrs.

He was gone 3 1/2 hours. I read the rest of my book, some magazines, watched tv... then I started to worry. I hadn't heard a thing and he wasn't going to be more than 2hours. Finally at 3:30 he was put in the post-op area where I could sit with him.

We weren't told much other than it went well. He has a plate and screws on one side and a large screw up the other. We got to see a picture, which I am told we will get a copy of next week. The surgeon came to see him after for about 1min. We meet with her on February 1st and that's when we find out everything. Other than getting new medication, elevating his leg and resting, we weren't told much.

After Surgery!

Peaceful Sleep

We finally got home at 6pm. Made dinner. Fed Mason. Fed the dogs. Had visitors [thanks P,K&M for coming-we loved your company] Brandon than wanted to sleep, so I helped him in bed, got Mason ready and put him in bed.... Now they are both sleeping soundly.

In Brandon's words "On this medication, my sleeps are so peaceful, like really happy, I go into a peaceful dreamland"
He said this not long after coming out from surgery, so we all know as he snores here beside me, he is having a great sleep.

Delayed

I am a bit delayed on the laundry room... for a good reason.
Brandon broke his ankle at hockey on friday night, went straight to the ER, which was amazingly right across the street. I was also very close, so I met him there.

I first thought he was kidding when he called since Brandon seems to be unbreakable. The amount of 'accidents' he has had and not broken anything. But low in behold, they took an x-ray and there is no way you could miss the break.

The doctors took him into another room where they gave him propathol, which in most cases puts you out. Well not Brandon, after three doses, he was still talking away, moving his legs, saying he was hungry and making no sense at all. They did the re-set with partial consciousness (those are the words written on his chart) After they re-set it, doctors applied a cast temporarily. I say temporarily because he is booked a surgery Jan 24th @ 10am. At that point, the cast comes off, incisions are made, 1 plate a few screws will be put in, stitches and a new cast.

Brandon at 2am on Jan 21st. trimalleolar fracture

The new cast will stay on for 6-8 weeks. During these weeks he is not allowed to apply any pressure to his left foot at all and he is currently on crutches. After 6-8 weeks, that cast comes off and I believe they said he would get a air walking cast because at that point he can start to apply pressure and walk. He will build up the strength again with physio.

When he starts walking again he will return to work but only be working in the office. 4-5 months time he will return to his regular work position.

We are grateful it wasn't anything worse and he will walk in due time. It is very appreciative of all the support from his family and friends. I will update you after the surgery tomorrow.

As for the next 2 months, Mason and I will enjoy Brandon's company at home!


As per the laundry room, I will get it finished. I am determined but also very busy at the moment. Maybe those guys of mine (Brandon and Mason) will be super good for the next 2weeks and I will get it done by my original deadline of Jan 31st.