Spell Guesser

While I vehemently detest the "cloud" guessing at what I am trying to say, sometimes their guesses are pretty funny. 

My mom is recovering from some upper respiratory stuff & gaining strength to begin walking again. My text to my siblings came out the following,"Will get out in hell for a walk."

While the World Celebrates.....

.... I have become a Beatles Song

Snowbound, cont......

Or, you can dream of Spring!

Snowbound.....

& Stir Crazy. Can you say Cabin Fever? To the max..... snow virtually everyday (& lots of it) & today, wind chill 20 BELOW zero. I'm a prisoner. Can't get out to mall walk & can't materialize moving south with these conditions.

So what does one do? Add to well-known childhood lore ....

See you later alligator.... After a while crocodile..... Maybe two, kangaroo....See you soon baboon..... In an hour, sunflower.....Bye-bye butterfly....Adios, hippos... Better swish jellyfish... Chop chop, lollipop.... Gotta run, skeleton.... Better shake, rattlesnake.... Ciao ciao, brown cow.... Adieu, cockatoo.... Gotta go, buffalo....(Can't take credit - found at Signals.com) What can you add?

Vicks to the Rescue

With the new found ability to bend enough to cut my toenails, I found the dreaded, disgusting nail fungus. Resorting to Pinterest, I found the cure-all for everything, Vicks. I'm going to slather everywhere & become a new woman (search out all its wonders - you'll be amazed). Father really does know best (it was a staple in our house growing up)

Independence Day.....

..... almost. (update) I am dismissed from PT (with directions on how to get up and down from floor & continual exercises with leg weights, etc & on the look out for exercise machine). I no longer have to take long "clothes grabber" when I travel - although it was a great conversation piece & got me special rates on special rooms. And, my last great hurdle - special long scissors so I can cut my toenails - I've never been so excited!! Now, to work on socking my left foot without assistive stuff - oh, but I have that settled - moving south & going sockless. 

Just One More....

.... for all of you ADD people

leaving the Dr with.....

to ponder....

Dr wisdom.......

.... for me

advice from The Doctor

more from The Doctor

And Now......

some words from The Doctor ...... while I search out & prepare for my next move.....

Keys of Life

Does anybody else, like me, keep keys that you don't know what they go to - but you're afraid to get rid of..... If I could just find the right one, I could get rid of this static & get on with my life......

T Day ....

...... a pause in the madness of life - kind of. I'm observing most people to be in a dream-like state - just another way to avoid life's realities. Still, pauses are good - enjoy yours! 

Rugs & Life

What will it become?

I have decided Rug Making is like life - or at least like mine. Northern winters do not mesh with me regaining balance & strength. So, I am searching for my next life adventure & resting place. Where will it be? Enjoy your adventures!!

Car Wash Dyslexia

It’s a well-known fact that my visual perception (especially driving & parking) leaves much to be desired (because I should have been left handed – but that’s a story for another day) – Getting lined up on those car wash rails is always a challenge, however, following humans pointing I do quite well, until….. this young man kept pointing right & I tried as best as I could, but the tires were making this awful noise & I kept saying “I’m trying, I’m trying.” Finally, he got it & casually switched pointing directions & gave me one of those “you crazy woman" looks. I gave it right back, well, not really – I have a soft spot for people with dyslexia. I will, however, find a different car wash place, or maybe I won’t, I do have that soft spot……

Old Friends

With life-long bending restrictions, I have resorted to slip-ons. Good bye my old friends.

HBD

Happy Birthday to my daughter - treat yourself - you deserve it. I am having a piece of cake in your honor - chocolate of course - or make that a brownie with fudge icing & mac n cheese, the adult version!

Time Out......

...... on lake mi

Happy Bones

Just ran across, "Make me to hear joy & gladness, so the bones which you have broken can rejoice enthusiastically" (Ps 51:10).  I am still grinning - picturing my my bones, in particular my leg, rejoicing. May all your bones be happy today!

Sunsets

Some muted with soft pastels
Some with bright red hues poking through dark clouds
Some barely perceptible
Some no clouds, just the sun sinking
Some not observable
Some breathtaking bursts of red, yellow, orange

Sunsets - all different & all beautiful - like people. Enjoy yours today!

The Lake

I've been on Lake Michigan where temperatures were in the 60's & 70's - unheard of in November. Ecstatic to know I can walk on a beach - a little scary being off balance & knowing if I fall, I can't get up (I don't have one of those magic buttons that bring help). Looking forward to the day when I can walk normally - I want to dispel that look of pity from others. In short, I want to stop acting my age and get back to being normal.

Time Out

I've been on a self-imposed spiritual retreat, walking the beach, listening to the surf, soaking in nature, reading from all genres. Truth can be found anywhere & it is incumbent upon us to explore - take what is useful/ truth & disard the rest.

Perhaps seeking Spiritual is what happens when one is faced with unexpected significant life alterations. Whatever the case, I've resolved to take two weeks of vacation every year. If you haven't had yours yet, I urge you to do so, before you hear words from medical professionals you thought you'd never hear.

Danger Lurking

The following is what I was pondering (and going to post) back over Labor Day, when I sustained my injury. I now pay closer attention to the physical path I am walking! (update: with much therapy & exercising, I am now walking, unassisted, 1.5 miles & have just about mastered climbing stairs normally)

_______________________

Meditation for the Week

“He knew me before I was formed in my mother’s womb.” What was I like? What am I with my earth suit removed? What is the real essence of “me”? Is it possible to speed up the painful refinement process? Join me on the journey – better yet – take your own life’s trip.

_______________________

Not the journey I was expecting, but as a friend pointed out, “spiritual can manifest as physical,” so that has given me much to explore. And, I will add a Warning: Be careful on your journey – it may be dangerous to your health!

a month later....

..... after my debacle, the days are much shorter, the leaves are changing, I am slowly coming back to life as I know it. Finished with blood thinners - aspirin doubling as pain killers - I am experimenting with the correct dosage & timing of tylenol / advil / aspirin for physical therapy and exercises ameliorated by ice, I walk mostly without a cane, but carry it as a security blanket. Showering & dressing deserve their own post (stay tuned). I can get in & out of my jeep (not as easy as it may seem), pump gas, make it through the banking drive in window, grocery shop, take out garbage, take my mom to appointments, etc. (all slowly). People tell me how quickly I am recovering - but I have discovered they have all been force fed "power of positive thinking" on steroids - still, I'll take what I can get. One thing for sure - I have greater empathy & understanding of those enduring painful breaks and surgeries (& I am searching for other positives from this experience).

Waddling

First visit to PT post surgery in which I am told to stop waddling like a duck & think beauty pageant walk (whatever that is) & advised to watch Miss Congeniality 

More of the Truth

The problem with blogs is that various people read them so one has to be a little careful. In this case, now that I am well on the way back to normalcy (in all it's glorious forms), details can be shared, details that were held back so as to minimize anxiety production (for 91 year old mom - who reads this & who was supposed to have this injury, not me). I now have a new ball on the top of my femur - yes, the dreaded 1/2 hip replacement. My recovery is most miraculous for which I am eternally grateful. I expect to be driving & walking the riverfront (with my cane until I gain confidence) very soon. 

And, since my creativity & wit appear to have suffered, and this has degenerated into boring, boring, boring, I'll take some time to process.........

Thank you again for all your support - I'll be seeing you......

On Being the Youngest

I have another sibling. The three eldest, turning out differently than expected, after a gap, you came along, with a challenging role to play - living with an ill father and grandmother while we were out doing “life.” And now you are stuck with all of us aging, and you get to be our executor (shh –  haven’t told her yet!).

You instinctively know what people need – from toys I would not buy my kids, to what I need to speed my recovery – in this case, Sherry’s Berries. Everybody should have a youngest sister!