In a Western Place

Unfortunantly, we didn’t get the house. A buyer with a substantial down payment won. We were used by a bunch of FHA-hating-house-flipping-turds for leverage. The deal was shady from the get-go — it truly wasn’t meant to be.

We’re in a good position; it’s a buyer’s market and there’s no rush to leave our current home. We’re already pursuing some other prospects, but I need to stop watching so much HGTV — it’s making me impatient!

Glenview | Oakland, CA

One SF to-do off the list! My friend Tracey held her wedding shower at the Fairmont during afternoon tea this past Sunday. The service was top notch, and I sipped on Jasmine Butterfly tea and photographed while everyone snacked on the dainty grub. It felt so good to throw on a sundress on a beautiful day to hang out with a bunch of fun ladies at a San Francisco landmark. Fancy, indeed.

We put an offer on a house last Tuesday and we submitted our final counter earlier this week. Alas, the seller’s end is one gigantic sketchfest.

In less frustrating, happy news: I’m off crutches! I feel so free and full of energy. I love my new knee.

I also discovered a rare opportunity to bury Joey in a pile of M’s clean socks and underware.

Wow, if Calla Lilies were native to Sweden, I’d have a really good metaphor here.

Happy Saint Paddy’s day.

We’re officially house hunting! We found a fantastic Realtor that knows the Oakland area very well so we spent our Saturday scoping out about 20 properties. M and I have big plans for some land — it may or may not involve chickens.

I’m bummed! I didn’t get to see A Sunny Day in Glasgow at the Hemlock last night — and I had tickets! M was sick and my knee wasn’t keen on enduring several hours in a standing position (I’ve been having issues with swelling this week). So, boo!

On the bright side, I did snag us tickets to see Mr. Conan O’Brien on April 22nd. Oh, yes.

Anyway, here’s a pretty decent live version of the band performing one of my favorite songs, Things Only I Can See. Sigh.

The frugal hubby declared me nuts after I signed us up for a produce delivery service. His reasoning? The waste per dollar factor. Well, the large box service ended up feeding compost bin more than our stomachs so we compromised by downgrading to the small box service. It’s pretty cool — we receive a new box of assorted in-season vegetables and fruits on our doorstep every Tuesday. Yesterday I threw some of last week’s fair into the crockpot with some beans and stock. Viola, yummy stew.

However, the kale keeps piling up. Any suggestions?

I’m in a great mood today. Waking up to fog-less, sunny morning in San Francisco is such an uplifting experience. After my physical therapy appointment in the Castro early this morning, I cut through Pacific Heights and the Presidio on my way to work. Steep hills galore — worth the extra wear on the brake pads for such a breathtaking view of the Bay. Ever so often I need a day like today to remind myself how lucky I am to live in one of the most beautiful places in the country. It makes me giddy.

It’s been 3 weeks since my surgery and physical therapy has become more challenging. Initially, I thought it was ridiculous that I had to attend so many sessions — that I had to start out with the most remedial of stretches — that I would have to “relearn” how to walk. I can walk now, dammit! However, this morning’s session involving steps was a little trying on my patience — a bittersweet reminder that I need to slow down and strengthen muscles that have grown weak after months of improper knee use. A tough reality for me to accept because I want to run, now! So we’re eliminating bad habits, resetting my muscle’s memory. It’s weird to think while walking, step heel, roll to toe, squeeze buttocks, tighten quads, engage core!

Funny, crutches are a conversation piece. Because I’m young, most assume it was an accident, an injury. It’s such a buzzkill to reveal that I have arthritis, I often reply, “eh, me knee just went bad”. I gave up self-loathing years ago, so pity is a huge turn off for me. And that’s what made me decide to have surgery, because I didn’t want the auto immunity to win. So, I opted to have my knee sliced open and hollowed out like a jack-o-lantern and repaired. Good as new. Arthritis 0, Kirsten 1.

I’ve been told that additional surgery is a strong possibility in my future. I certainly hope not. I prefer not to live my life in that mindset. Yeah, I have bad day every once and awhile, and it’s frustrating. But I have more days like today where I feel on top of the world. How many people can say that? Before my procedure, my Orthopedic held my hand and told me that he’ll be with me for the next 25 years. Daunting, but it’s reassuring that my first surgery went as well as it did…. you know, just in case.

Long post. Treat your bodies well, folks. Never take any of its functions for granted, ever.

Well, I’ve made a ton of progress in the last week, healing-wise. I celebrated over the weekend by throwing on a pair of real pants and leaving the house! On Saturday I got my hair done then M and I “crutched” over to the new wine bar in our hood for a glass of Sauvingon Blanc (my first drink in weeeeks). On Sunday we drove up to Oakland to check out a few open houses. It felt so good to get out and see the sun!

I’m down to a single crutch, so I’m going back to work tomorrow. Joey’s been keeping me company during my recovery and I’m going to miss the purring bugger. He made a fantastic work-from-home companion.