flashman181

As in “ Hey you lazing by the pool, you’ve stretched it out long enough time to go home “😂 Week 4 has ended and as we enter week 5 the plan is to head home next Tuesday June 13. Not quiet 6 weeks but am allowed to drive and quite independent. If I spend any more time by the pool I will have to vote Yes in the referendum just to get a voice in Parliament 😏 Has been another glorious week of weather and spend at least an hour by pool every morning. Yes it is brisk but also glorious drying off in the sun after brisk dip

Even convinced CLP to join me but had to insist she at least take off the dressing gown first

Plans for Brissie Bash this weekend have changed a fair bit. More of a slight Bingle now. The weather forecast was a bit grim – yeah I know right 🤦🏻‍♂️ – and shoulder still a bit limiting so instead of the more salubrious plan A we move to a more relaxed Plan B. Down on Friday morning and back on Sunday . There will be some drinking, some eating, some freeloading, some drinking, catch up with wayward Queenslander ,some drinking, some babysitting and if time after that maybe a drink to relax.

Third Physio visit was fine and progressing well so have moved onto some passive resistance exercises which is new as I generally try to resist exercise aggressively. A pole is involved , the rest you can imagine

So off to Brisvegas on Friday and straight to ADJG in Burbank, Not Hollywood. First plan then is an early birthday lunch for the young fella at Julius in the city . Usual great lunch and company but no Caesar salad 🤔

Thought we would do some music shopping and looking for a copy of Ed Sheeran Greatest Hits so knew it would be a very small CD but even we were surprised at the shop entrance

Back for a relaxing afternoon then before we get serious with the eating drinking caper once more. Slow cooked Tomahawk steaks ( why don’t they make Tomahawk Chops 🤔) are in our immediate future . Time first though to run the table on variety of alcohol available

Suitably Sated and Slightly Seedy we headed to bed. Woke next morning to a cooked breakfast as you do before the next piece of the puzzle feel into place. Off to Wynnum to catch-up with a returning Queenslander my nephew Mitch and wife Cazz. Appraised their new lodgings for them , updated on the vision and then headed to foreshore for a coffee and a stroll. Lovely area and catch up

Our plan still had a bit of a gap in it hours wise so headed to the other end of Manly for a Loiter and Lager

In keeping with the tradition of celebrating birthdays early we then headed over to Quinn’s new apartment in Camp Hill which is actually rather close to the Munchkin Clubhouse . As always they put on a treat in the cheeseboard caper which would keep us going until dinner with girls – you know 5 pm 😂

Still sober but with Ratu on hand we finally reached final destination and decamped for night at Camp Hill with RJER . Munchkins were a delight as always even as the weather started to deteriorate . Time then to head indoors and in one of those miracles that usually only happen at Easter , R also had a bottle of Ratu on hand . 😳

Sadly Rick had Ricked his back so dinner plans were called off for them but have to say was impressed with what he could still offer up for dinner choices although wasn’t aware we were expected to dress for dinner 😏

Time for some more sleep before heading home Sunday morning under gray skies rather than just the usual gray hair. A quiet week ahead then which may be a tad deflating if weather doesn’t clear. I will miss my mornings by the pool . One last Physio session to squeeze in

With a quiet week ahead time to sign off for the last time during this latest rehabilitation stint. As always CLP has been a rock and would be lost without her. As a sign of gratitude I did finally track down that present for her and gave it to her this morning. I wouldnt say it was pure joy on her face when she opened it

She did tell me she also had something for me but it could wait until tonight. Not sure I heard her correctly – she was grinning somewhat oddly – as it sounded like she was going to give me an enemy but would wear the outfit just this once. Why an easy going person like me would want an enemy I dont know but needless to say I am bound up with excitement. She also said she could help with that but must be expecting a warm night tonight because she asked me to make sure I left the windows open ?

Later dudes and dudettes.

Looks like a week of glorious weather ahead as nights start to cool down and days remain mostly cloud free. The big question than is will he brave the pool yet 🤔 Baby steps

Well that’s the first hour taken care off . Let’s up the ante

No feeling below the waste . Status normal 🕺🏻 Ok time to submerge

Sitting out in the sun then was glorious. Warm but not hot. Could sit there for hours but have to take it easy. Of course on reviewing images realised with the numbing cold I have moved my left arm away from body which is a definite no no at two weeks 🤦🏻‍♂️ Oh well .

It’s a quiet week at home with just a Physio appointment to squeeze in so think daily pool trips are in order. By Saturday we were into single digits in mornings and also quite a deal of shoulder pain which hope is only due to the cool weather .

Longish days leaves one time to ponder and muse but never at the same time . Mostly my mind always settles on dreaming of travel. CLP and I have a cruise booked for October 2024 but that seems a long way away and so always keen for a February type solo trip to USA as you do. These days have serious discussions with my Financial Advisor who warns me “ you know you could live to 70 afterall “ . He is the little devil that sits on my left shoulder so is still a bit pissed about the blood and staples up his ass a few weeks back. Planning continues even if ultimately common sense wins out. Yeah right eh 😂 Actually like idea of some LA/Santa Monica time when coolish and tack on a return to Vegas maybe or Phoenix. Like Vegas as great walking city ( which couldn’t do well last time) and a surprisingly safe and easy city to navigate. Also helps having a reliable accommodation option lined up. Time will tell .

Meanwhile back to the pool as day after day of clear blue skies ensue. Don’t mind wandering around the pool naked but CLP did warn me to be careful where I stood in middle of day. Not sure why……….

Of course a week at Flashman Inc does allow one to partake of some varied alcohol each night. We have had the Ratu Rum, the American Honey Bourbon and of course heap plenty vino but perhaps fondest memory is Spritzer time as reminds us of France. We dressed for the occasion

One day leads to the next and before you know it time to Tap a Physio again. Karl was pleased with my movement especially from hand to wallet 😏 Do seem to be progressing well but still need some manual manipulation of compromised joint – don’t we all eh 🕺🏻. Will maybe line up two more Physio visits and then hopefully have a series of exercises to do at home. Plan on heading back to Maryhole in second week of June, not a secret apparently. Discussing plans with CLP over a calendar for next few weeks and noticed a big red circle around June 13 th and YIPPEE written in bold 😏 I asked what the special occasion was and she just smiled . Time then to try another 4 Tapi.

Speaking of special occasions today Saturday 27 is 11th birthday of Handsome Harry ❤️ The boys love to go fishing on Dads boat now

Plenty of pool time in the sun next few days then before we head down to Brisvegas for a few days next weekend . Coolish but glorious weather if wind dies down. Oh, and time told

I’m going to Vegas next February baby 🕺🏻🍻✈️🏦🌃💰🧲🔙🔜

When last we left our hero he was at that eternal crossroads – heavy pain medication or alcohol 🤔 Did some research and found that alcohol numbs “the pain” so it was an easy decision although suspect “the” refers more to emotional pain than actual cut nervy tendon type but hey let’s not split hairs. In general this time around the recovery seems a bit better but then when you have a major surgery every year maybe you just get forgetful. Of course when you have a major surgery every year your memory can …….hmm ok.

So by day 3 it was off the pain pills and soak up some sun until socially acceptable to drink. By day 4 actually out of PJs by 9 am 🕺🏻

Lovely brisk mornings for start of the week saw the return of the Twins of Terror resplendent in the latest season’s must have flannos

By weeks end it was time to travel afar and we headed to Brisvegas to see some old farts and young munchkins. First up on Friday was a drop in to Medium Security Twilight Home to see Mum for Mothers Day. Looking pretty good go almost 97 and didn’t leave before getting name of that hairdresser

Then we were heading over to decamp at Camp Hill for night and look after Munchkins x 2 but first thought we drop into Pineapple Hotel for a juice of the frothy type . Looks a great pub and nice and quiet when we were there

Rock up to RJER in plenty of time to fetch kidlet 1 from school . Lots of Mothers Day Activities around of course and lovely for Nonna to be able to share in one with Eloise . I shared a coffee with BC1 .

Lovely night spent looking after girls although of course CLP did all the heavy lifting . Eloise loves coming down early morning to Nonna and we took opportunity to check for anymore missing teeth and agreed to split the proceeds. I pulled on a couple but they wouldn’t shift 😢

CLP wanted to do some cleaning this morning when RJ at the gym but as I always say it’s never too early to introduce girls to their life’s work. Ouch

Next family function on menu was celebrate Claude’s 93 rd rotation around the Sun at Burbank, Not California with most of the Della clan . As always it was a wonderful gathering with plenty to eat and drink including a 2006 Magnum of Shiraz, stored perfectly of course .

All good things come to an end of course and after our whirlwind visit to Brisvegas it was time for one last goodbye with a promise to return in a few weeks

A couple of quiet days then at Flashman Inc under cloudy skies until visit Surgeon on Tuesday. Some decent rain certainly

Surgeon was happy with wound and I was happy to get rid of staples. A comparison to 2018 ( on left ) shows a similar scar but clearly I have been in the sun a bit more this year . In 2023 there also seems to be one of those ghostly images in the background that you sometimes read about 🤔

To celebrate passing first hurdle with honours time to get Ratfaced on Ratu as you do. It’s a bit too easy to drink methinks. Just leaves first Physio visit then on Thursday . I’ll drink to that

Physio was mostly happy with me especially when I paid the $120 bill😏 Am starting Physio – correctly – a bit earlier this time so very minimal movement or active exercise. I seem to have a problem letting my arm or shoulder hang “dead” . I assured him it was only a problem above the waist …… Karl the Physio is German so not expecting raucous laughs and was not disappointed. We then had a lovely Tapas Lunch at Tapas 10 next door – sadly we only got through 4 this time but shall return.

Then it was time to start some Sun therapy and sign off for this week . In summary the surgery went very well but even when you don’t have pain it is a very slow recovery to being useful and independent

Just ask CLP ❤️

Surgery booked for Friday so came down to Flashman Inc a day early on a simply glorious day . Time for some pool action and one last look at the shoulder pre surgery

And here is a reminder of the plan of attack

Got message to be at hospital at 0730 am Friday which suited fine. Fair crowd lined up at Day Surgery desk so didn’t get into a room until close to 0830. After that was moved along quite quickly and lining up for the laughing gas OT adjacent by 0930. Great anaesthetist and explained the nerve block well which seemed to go in a bit easier this time. Wheeled in and next thing remember was waking up in recovery rather groggy but glad to see left shoulder bandaged up. Recovered pretty quickly and then out to final waiting room for a cuppa and some sangas. Doc came and saw me and said happy with procedure , cya in 10 days.

All necessary instructions given and then pick up my bag of goodies and on the way with CLP by 130 pm. They initially took the wrong patient out to CLP and she was weighing up whether she really should say anything or accept the trade 😏 Eventually got home and settled in for afternoon trussed up like usual Turkey. The block was working well and before you knew it, time for afternoon drinkies of the zero alcohol variety for some 😢

Early night of course but didn’t sleep well as not really tired . Maybe got a couple of hours by 3 am and that was it. The block has worn off but no real pain yet. Obviously have the heavy stuff on hand. As always CLP has been a legend. And today also woke up to our 21 year anniversary 👫 🎊 …..and I can’t drink alcohol 🤦🏻‍♂️

Ok by 6 am the pain was kicking in. Time for a little wipe down and surprised at amount of blood given they said try and keep this bandage on for 10 days. Ah, don’t think so . Will be changing it tomorrow.

The pain hung in all day with little relief even with the strong stuff. We are now in the Holy Trinity of Recovery with Pain, Constipation and No Alcohol 😢 Did get some good sleep on Night 2 and now on Sunday it is time to change bandage and do a site inspection. The moment of truth looms. Made CLPs day by letting her shower me and then we removed the bandage. All looks good and clean and hopefully with no more bleeding can leave new bandage on until see Doc to get staples removed

Certainly feel better after a shower and probably helps with slightly cooler weather . Time for some breakfast and my lovely Nursey Mercy even cut it up for me. But she won’t wear the uniform 😢

So, at Day 3 all seems on track and now just rest and line up some Physio for Friday week. Can’t drive for 6 weeks so will be at Flashman Inc for that period .

Of more importance today of course is the 10th birthday of my favourite Grandaughter Jessica.