Ice, ice and 24

It's been a whirlwind the last several days mostly trying to help Brian manage the pain. At last count, he's used 130 pounds of ice, and we've got another 50 pounds in the garage ready for action.

We've been helping him heal mostly with ice, a carefully-prepared concoction of painkillers, and favorite comfort foods like apple sauce squares, his mom's homemade veggie stuffing and banana bread.

The surgery was a success and in addition to repairing the ACL, the doctor ended up needing to complete some additional repairs. Brian came through fine, but was groggy for many hours after the 2-hour surgery.

It's difficult for him to feel so rotten especially since he's used to being so healthy. He's also trying to avoid taking prescription painkillers as much as possible, but that also comes at a price. We're trying to manage the pain as much as possible with over-the-counter medicines. We head to the doctor this afternoon for a checkup as well.

Coincidentally, while I've been hauling ice in and out of the house we had a few minor ice storms here. Nothing horrible, but it seems like there's ice or water everywhere.

To add to the already constant flow of water, Our washing machine also leaked on Friday and Brian's mom and I spent time wiping up all of the water that had flooded into the bathroom. The problem is easily fixable.

I got Brian the last season of 24 as an early Christmas gift and anyone whose seen that show, knows watching Jack Bauer save the world, can help distract you from just about anything.

Liz is doing very well and having a blast hanging out with her Mimi Hedger. However, she had one of her world-record-breaking tantrums in the morning on Saturday but pulled through and surprisingly has been a great girl.

We made Christmas chains for the house and she's helped me make banana bread and she and I also played in the snow over the weekend. She and I also went to her friend Dylan's birthday party on Sunday and had a blast there.

I could go on and on about how utterly behind I am for the holidays, but seems useless to write about it because it won't change. We're not sure if we're going to travel for Christmas. This year, might be the first year that we don't journey across the Midwest over Christmas and actually stay put and have Christmas at our house.

To be honest, it seems too exhausting right now to think about loading up the car and traveling through more ice and snow.

Speaking of ice. Time to get some for Brian.