New Orleans

My hubby and I just had to get away for a few days, so last week we made a quick trip to one of the places I've always wanted to visit, New Orleans.

We stayed in the French Quarter at a hotel called the Bienville House, which was really lovely. The place had that New Orleans feel that I always imagined, with little balconies off the street and in the courtyard, flowers and plants hanging down from them. Very romantic indeed!

Loved the French Quarter and the French Market, especially the Cafe` Dumont, but did not even remotely like the humidity!

Probably the thing that was most amazing to me was the fact that so much of the city is still not recovered from Hurricane Katrina. In the hospital district, one of the largest hospitals, Charity, is still not rebuilt or even the beginnings of repair. Many homes and even churches are still boarded up and un-repaired.

With all the beauty of New Orleans, the devistation left after almost 3 years is heart-wrenching.

Waiting for Surgery...

I am currently jobless. 

This is not the way I planned it. I had everything neatly arranged. My boss said that if I needed a knee replacement (my orthopedic surgeon AND my knee said that I do!) then I would have to find me another job. Nice kick in the pants, but unfortunately for me, Alabama is a job-at-will state, so I can get let go for any reason at all, including needed a new knee. 

So, I got out a calendar and figured out everything neatly. First, I really, really, really, REALLY want to walk across the stage at graduation to receive my diploma. That is, on my list, the number one priority. OK. Graduation is on August 23rd, so I figured if I had my surgery on July 14th, I would be properly healed to be able to walk by graduation. My last day of work was July 11th, the same day I found out that I had a urinary tract infection and the same day my surgeon put off my surgery until said UTI is completely cleared up!

Since my surgery had to be put off, I've decided to wait until graduation is over before having my knee done. Barely -- I graduate on Saturday morning and my surgery is now scheduled for Monday morning after! This is so frustrating but it's about the only option I have a this point. I miss working and I miss feeling useful, but the rest is probably doing me good. I'll just be glad to get the surgery over and have my brand new knee....