Yes, I've been quite the stranger. I have had a poor year or two. Lots of correctional surgeries that have not all gone as well as hoped. I am currently at home in recovery mode from a complete left hip replacement (metal parts for the ball and joint portion). Quite painful, but if it will allow me to walk pain free, worth it!
I did two weddings just before the surgery, the "good one" and this one. I tried to talk my relatives out of doing this wedding, should have tried harder. All during this wedding, my kidney stones were giving me heck and the bathroom loomed as my "best friend". I've also passed all three stones now and feel better for that as well. I'd always heard that passing kidney stones was painful, but for me, not as painful as my hips had been (are still). I passed the last stone last week while off in "la-la land" of the pain pills. Much better now. See ya!