We are walking without the aid of crutches or a boot!!!!! The wheelchair is only a memory now. Still can't drive, so thank heavens for a great taxi service that gets him back and forth to all of his church meetings, appointments, work and errands. I'm sure his lip is pretty bitten up from keeping quiet about the driver but the price is right. We have sure saved a lot of money in gas. He started physical therapy on Wednesday and will be going for the next month, three days a week. He has to get the ankle and leg muscles loosened up to make the walking easier and more natural. We are thankful that we can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. Now we just need to get our old house rented. Any takers???

On Saturday, September 6, Chip's family gathered at the Boone's in Red Bluff to celebrate Nella and Clifford Watts 60th wedding anniversary. It was so fun to share that time with his family. It never ceases to amaze me how the great grandchildren can become such fast friends and play together as if they are best friends. I have attached a picture of all the great grandchildren that were at the celebration. Is it just me or are mine the cutest???




How grateful we are to our children. They have been such a source of help and support to both of us during this recuperation process. On Saturday, August 30, the kids came over. Boys in the garage and girls in the house. The boys organized, hung shelves etc. to get things started there. The girls helped their brain dead mom hang pictures to make our new home feel like "home". We created a "Heritage Wall" in the piano room that I love. It is amazing how some of those familiar "things" can make you feel comfortable and finally at home. Thank you children. I don't think you will ever know how much we love and appreciate you.

Well, guess what? You can teach an old lady something new. Here is the "family" photo of all who were in attendance at the Doty 2008 Reunion, thanks to Anna and her athletic agility and the timer on her camera. This is the result of staying married for 60 years. Notice the smiles. Everyone is happy to be together.. Congratulations Ken and Corinne Doty. You did it!!!!

Chip's most recent visit to the doctor on July 31 gave him 3 more weeks on crutches/wheelchair. The leg is healing but still not strong enough to support weight. We flew to Oregon for the Doty family reunion the next day, wheelchair, crutches and all. The reunion was a wonderful event. The Doty's number 66 as of this reunion and were only missing 6 members. The food was great, my sister Lori did a great job organizing the meals. If anyone went away hungry it wasn't for lack of food. We had some wonderful slide shows of our early days which probably weren't as appreciated by the younger folk, but the older ones loved it. A hike up the Columbia River Gorge was the activity of the day on Friday. Saturday was a BBQ and skit night. Most every family was represented and was such a fun evening. Those that could went to church with Grandma and Grandpa Doty at their ward building and then went to Uncle Steve's for lunch. It was wonderful to see an extended family come together with such love and respect for parents, grandparents and one another, to develop new friendships or strengthen old ones with cousins they haven't seen for about 2 years. We sure hope that this bond will continue and will provide a support system to all. Jared announced that the next reunion will be in California in 2010. Once this old lady learns how to attached pictures I will start adding that feature to my blog. One final comment: I have a wonderful family and feel so blessed to be a part of this family unit. I love you all.

We are home after surgery #6. After returning home from the 5th surgery to remove the dead and infected bone in his leg, he was recovering nicely. Able to walk with his boot and not experiencing much pain. He could drive and was feeling great about finally having this all behind him. Then, it happened. He broke his leg. Didn't fall, was just walking carefully and the weakened bone snapped. I was at work, Chelsea was the only one home. The boys, Jared and Chad, hurried to get there, but I called an ambulance. How were we supposed to get a 59 year old man into a car? That night the doctor insserted an 11" titanium rod into the Tibia for strength. He came home on Thursday, July 3. He has struggled with pain and other symptoms from the medications, but seems to be coming out of it. He will be down for about 2 or 3 weeks. No walking, except with crutches. Hope we make it to Portland for our Doty Reunion.

Weeble Wobbles

We got the name Weeble Wobbles because our daughter Ashlee was talking about how we're getting older and in our old age we are wobbling more, especially with our leg problems. So she teased us that we are Webble Wobbles, "webbles wobble but they don't fall down." :)
We may be wobbling but we won't fall....yet!

Our Lives from Sutter Hospital

We're in the hospital AGAIN!!! This is the 5th surgery in 3 months. Today's surgery was to remove the infection in the bone that set in when the pins were there. It is called Osteomyelitis. The Dr. had to remove 1/3 of his shin bone and insert little antibiotic beads. Right now they are prepping Cliff for a picc line in his left arm. This will stay in his arm for about 6 weeks. He will have to give himself antibiotics intravienously every day for 6 weeks. He's staying in the hospital tonight and if all goes well he will go home tomorrow.