Jan 24, 2009

Dear Gang,

Thanks for the Holiday greetings and emails. We didn't forget you, we've just been on the run! Ever since we bought our condo in St Lucie, the months have been flying by, with several trips back to RI. My mother has had some setbacks, many trips to the emergency room, hospital stays and rehab. And I've been trying to get the house ready to sell.

We love our condo with its gorgeous view of the harbour and our boat at the dock. I have a social life (the brief periods I'm here), and Ken can work on his boat. I've even joined the Water Lillies in the pool for exercising. (although I told them I feel more like a rice paddy)

Having gotten Mother and Ralph into Assisted living in Oct, I thought she wouldn't be needing me. Wrong! Returning to FL in Nov., we made plans to head for the Keys over the Dec holidays. We left Dec 6 and had great sails to Miami, with a 3 day stay in FT Laud for bad weather. An emergency call from RI had me on the way to RI and a long time sailing friend, John Downs, joining Ken to continue down to Marathon where Ken thought he would wait for me.

They had a great trip, good sailing, and took a slip at our old stamping grounds in Marathon. Unfortunately, on the way, Ken destroyed his right shoulder. A trip to the doctor in Vero Beach (where everyone from our condos go) confirmed a "serious" tear in the rotator cuff as well as two tendons and surgery scheduled for Dec 30th.

So I got my mother out of the hospital, into rehab, kissed her goodbye and said "Now Ken needs me more than you do!" We're almost four weeks along, he can just start minimum PT this week, start to drive a little around town, and must keep wearing his sling getup for at least another month. We're off to Marathon tomorrow and he'll get his PT while staying on the boat. The doctor told him a couple of weeks ago "No Boat til after our next appt Jan 23rd," Therefore, we only went down to the boat for four days last week!

Oh, yes, and the house has sold, with a closing Mar 3rd, so I'm off to RI Feb 3rd for 3 weeks to clean out the house. Ken's daughter is coming to visit the first week I'm away. She's a nurse and I'm sure she'll keep him in line. Mother is back in assisted living and doing well (this week).

And that's why I haven't written, but please keep in touch. I hope to see my RI friends while I'm there.

Happy New Year Jane and Ken