We traded in a 2022 Tacoma for a 2025 model. DH feels the need for a truck, especially with all the stuff we take to FL. This model is a foot longer in the bed and a few inches deeper so That’s a plus. And it has some additional safety measures.

Pam, I’m so glad you weren’t in danger from the floods. But it’s terrible that some of your friends are injured or missing.

a lot of the condos are still rebuilding. We’ve stayed at Loggerhead Cay several times. I thing they’re 2 bedroom units but they’re nice. Another big condo place is Sundial. Relatives stayed there and liked it. We used VIP Vacation Rentals the one time we rented a house. I see where they have joined a group called Glass Casa in May. All our stays were before Hurricane Ian. There are less rentals available after the hurricane so they’re pricier than before the storm. I’d buy travel insurance just in case. Hurricane season last through November. Sanibel is lovely and I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. It will still be summer like heat in September and October. We went down once in October and it was hot but much less crowded for restaurants and such.

We usually have noise that continues into the early morning hours but not this year. Very unusual. And the holiday was even sort of on a weekend.

Maryanne, I’m hoping your surgery is over and you are successfully rehabbing now! Sending you positive thoughts and encouragement as you recover. Please let us know how you are doing, when you feel up to it.

Maryanne, how is your recovery going?

I was at the eye surgeon today for a 4 week check up after my surgery. We’re both pleased with the results. I still have some inflammation in the eyelids where the stitch lines are. He told me not to put anything on the eyelids after the first two weeks. For the next month, I’m supposed to put vitamin E oil on the eyelids to get rid of the inflammation. Unless I have any problems or questions, I don’t need any further appointments. My doctor was great. He explained every aspect of the procedure and also had a great sense of humor. I’m glad I had the surgery done.

I wonder how Maryanne is recovering. I hope she’s up to updating us soon.

I'm still here! I survived the absolutely ludicrous, disorganized pre-surgery process. The day of the surgery went fairly smoothly. Toward the end of the day they brought out a physical therapist who loaned me a walker and had me walk up 3 steps (I kid you not). That was the extent of it but I had to listen to all about his legal woes with his ex-wife (WHEN will I learn to lie about my occupation?)

I've had in-home physical therapy 3 times so far and have one more session. This woman is FANTASTIC! And she lives right around the corner (small world).

My first recheck appointment was with a PA who's who's been there since 2002. What a jerk! He was so full of himself, bad mouthing the in-home physical therapist and talking up their facility. I sort of lost it. Their facility is really sad compared to the 2 places I went before (which unfortunately no longer exist) and I brought that up. Turns out his wife used to work at the place I went before and now works there (oops!). He had me sign up with her. I decided to go with it as at least she's older and has been at the place I went before. If it sucks, which I sort of expect, I guess it sucks.

I only used the walker one day and then switched to a cane. Many times I find myself not using that. But I am in a fair amount of pain. I found some cold packs I like and use those a lot. Sleeping is the most difficult. At least during the day I can keep busy, interspersed with reading.

I filled the freezer side of the kitchen fridge with frozen casseroles before the surgery so we could eat on those for awhile and that's what we're doing. I've switched temporarily from the store I usually order from to the Giant since DH has to have his rotisserie chicken salad. LOL! Ordering myself things like muffins for breakfast and having leftover casserole for lunch. We've also got a ton of tomatoes from the garden which we're enjoying.

Pam - I'll check into the ice machine - thanks!

Maryanne, here’s a link to the one we bought for DH. You would need a different pad shaped for the knee instead of the shoulder. DH especially liked the timer feature. Also, we used frozen water bottles instead of ice — much easier to change out and less messy than filling with ice. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D4F8SC8X?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

Helene, ouch! I hope the home remedies bring some relief.

Yesterday I sat through a 4+ hour mediation hearing in an effort to settle my pending lawsuit from the car wreck I was in almost 4 years ago. In the end we did not reach an agreement and we’re still very far apart on the dollar amount being offered vs what I and my attorneys feel is a fair and reasonable settlement. The mediator will send a letter to both parties recommending what he feels is a fair offer, then each side will have 10 days to either accept or reject it. If both sides accept it, we are done. If either or both sides reject it, we go to trial, probably late next month. Part of the presentation yesterday included video clips of the deposition of the driver who hit me. She was very argumentative, refused to accept responsibility, and actually lied about whether she was using her phone at the time. We have subpoenaed her cell phone records and they show her receiving a text and a pic at the time of the wreck. That doesn’t prove she was looking at the phone, but it’s highly likely that she was, or at least was hearing the notifications. So, we will see where this goes from here. I’m so ready to put this behind me!

It will be a jury trial. I only saw a couple of brief video clips from her deposition, but she certainly didn’t come across as likeable to me. Of course, I might be a tad biased, lol! I also learned yesterday that if it goes to trial and the jury awards me damages, I would be paid interest on the award from the date of the accident, which could add a significant sum onto the amount I walk away with. I don’t think that applies if we settle out of court, though. It was interesting that she didn’t seem able to identify what a broken arm is. She’s a nurse with a PhD and her husband is an ER doctor. That’s part of the reason she presented so poorly in her deposition -it seemed very obvious that was being intentionally obtuse. She even argued about and refused to answer questions like “Do you think you took reasonable precautions to avoid the crash?” She argued about the meaning of “reasonable” and refused to accept any responsibility at all for the crash. However, she wrote me a letter immediately after the wreck where she did admit fault and apologized for causing my injuries, etc. It’s handwritten and of course I saved it and gave it to my attorney. My attorneys think we are very well positioned if it does go to trial and are having a hard time understanding why State Farm is being so stingy in their offers.

Pam - between the handwritten letter and the strange deposition it sounds like you may be in good shape but I'm so sorry it might actually have to go to trial!