Fall is Definitely in the Air

Today is the first day of fall, and I definitely felt it when I opened the door to let Annie out before church this morning.  It was plum cold!!  Well, to me, anyway. 

So many people say that fall is their favorite time of the year.  I don't know.....while the fall foliage is simply spectacular in Alabama, to me there is something kind of sad thinking about the lovely green leaves dying and falling to the ground, leaving the trees to face a bleak winter.  I just don't enjoy seeing naked brown trees, brown grass - brown, brown, brown everywhere.  I guess that must be why I have so few brown pieces of clothing in my wardrobe.  I know most people love the cooler weather.  I'm just not one of them.  Don't get me wrong - I'm not a lover of hot weather, but the cooler temperatures of fall signal that the cold temperatures of winter are not far behind.  I would say that spring is my favorite time of the year because of the birth of "green" and flowers everywhere, BUT that brings on my terrible allergies!  Even though I was tested, I'm not sure what the main culprit is.  It's something when the dogwood trees bloom.  They say people are not generally allergic to dogwoods, but as soon as they pop, I enter the land of misery!!  Last year I escaped it because we spent April in Kansas.  That sounds like a good plan next April, too.

Anyway, if I could just enjoy fall for what it is and not think about what is going to follow it, I would be a lot better off.

Here's the beginning of some trees turning in our backyard.

 

I liked this pictures because it has the turning leaves, but the rose bush below it is still blooming. (rose is seen to the far left)

 

We've sure enjoyed the tomatoes from our plants this summer.  As you can see in the background, the bush is about to give it up.  There are a few more on the vines still ripening.  Nothing like a good home-grown, truly vine-ripened tomato!

I guess we should think about trying to have some fried green tomatoes.  Although, I do prefer the red ones.

 

Guy's little miniature gardens came back this year all on their own and did quite well.

Changing the topic a bit now.  I'm continuing to go to PT twice a week.  I'm not sure how much longer I will do this, since I need to save as many visits as I can for after my knee surgery. My foot seems to be progressing well.  I'm wearing an elastic stocking (because it swells so badly) and tennis shoes and able to navigate with one crutch - unless I'm going to walk a good distance; then I need both crutches.  I think I could just about take right off and walk on this foot (with a little discomfort) if it were not for this pesky knee!!  When I walk, I end up thinking about my knee more than my foot.  I cannot put full pressure on my foot because of my knee hurting - and I can't walk on it straightened out.  My physical therapist says that is good - footwise - because that means the foot is healing. Tomorrow (Monday) I'll be checking back with my orthopedic doctor.  I hope he thinks my foot is healing well enough that I can make an appointment for my knee.  The only reason I've not already seen someone about my knee is that I want to ask him, "If your wife needed her knee replaced, who would you send her to?"  When I get that name, I'm calling immediately to get the appointment set up.  I just think there is going to be a whole rash of people having major surgeries before the end of the year, and I'm so afraid of not being able to get mine scheduled.  Everyone I talk to who has had a knee replacement has said, "Why did I wait so long," or "I've never regretted doing this and would certainly do it again." I just want to get it all behind me, so I can get back on both feet again!

I have this portable wheelchair that I've been using when I really need to hurry in the house (or I'm lazy) or have an armload of things to carry - like laundry, but the back wheels are dry-rotting.  As a result, it leaves little pieces of rubber all over the house, and makes the ride bumpy.  I try not to use it and use the crutches mostly, but sometimes when I'm in the kitchen cooking, crutches really get in the way.  I do walk around the center island a bit with only the assistance of holding onto the cabinets, when I only have to take a few steps.  That's real progress, because I couldn't do that a week ago.  Anyway, I called M.A.S.H last week to see if they could order me some new wheels, and he said he thought he could, but he has not called back.  I ordered the wheelchair from QVC several years ago to transport Mom and Dad to and from places.  It is in great shape and looks brand new, other than the back wheels, and they are just disintegrating. 

Yesterday the neighborhood geese paid us a visit.  There are two of them that have these deformed wings that will not allow them to fly when the others go south for the winter.  One of them stayed here last winter and the other one is a new one this year.  I guess they'll have each other to keep them company.  In the video below you can see one of them coming forward on the left.  Part of the wings just stick straight out.

In our Bible study this week, one set of verses really spoke to me.  Zechariah 9:16-17 The Message says, “And now here’s what I want you to do: Tell the truth, the whole truth, when you speak. Do the right thing by one another, both personally and in your courts. Don’t cook up plans to take unfair advantage of others. Don’t do or say what isn’t so. I hate all that stuff. Keep your lives simple and honest.” Degree of God.

If everyone took these verses to heart, our whole nation would take a 180-degree turn.


More Gifts......

52.  Sunday afternoon naps.

53.  Great friends with which to eat lunch after church.

54.  Times of just sitting in the backyard, drinking in the coziness of it all.

55.  The majesty of beautiful creatures of God - like the geese.

 

 

A Most Beautiful Day!!!

This morning we awoke to a different feel in the air.  What was that???  Could it be just a hint of fall???  It was great!  We were waiting for the mosquito man to come by to spray, so we can once again enjoy the outside.  We had a particular company come last year, and it seemed to work well, but this year, whatever they were using just didn't work.  I had to call them back during one of the months, and the guy did come and respray without charging us, but it still didn't work.  When he did not come back or call this month, I was glad.  I didn't want to tell him that I didn't want his services anymore.  So I called another company.  He came this morning about the time we were getting ready to leave.  His method was completely different from the other guy.  AND his fee was $15 cheaper!  We were pretty much gone the rest of the day, so tomorrow I'm going to test it out on the backyard patio.

We left about 10:30 to watch our grandson, Chris, play soccer.  I had a birthday card and present to give to him.  I don't know when I've seen a more perfect day!!  The sky was blue, temperatures were in the 70s and there was a slight breeze - absolutely perfect!! It was nice to see the boys again.

 You can see that the place was very handicap friendly, too. I chose to wear my boot and take the wheelchair since I didn't know how far I might have to walk.

This week, I've graduated to a tennis shoe with crutches.  It's still rather painful to take an actual step - to bend my foot, but I keep trying.  I only wear the boot if I'm out and know I'll be doing a good bit of walking.

It was fun (and nerve-racking) to watch the "Game of the Year' - Alabama vs. Texas A&M this afternoon.  We sure started slowly......as we often do, and then had to place catch-up.  But after we scored 35 unanswered points, they never caught us.  We stayed 2-3 touch-downs ahead until right at the last when we won by 7 points.  Whew!  I like it to be a game, but I like to stay comfortably ahead.  I guess we showed "Johnny Football" tonight, and that's what we wanted to do (or at least I did).  Now maybe the media will shut up a bit about him!!  Our quarterback played one of his best games (and he's a really nice guy, ON and OFF the field).

I spoke with Jeannine this week.  They had purchased several pieces of furniture from Ikea.  The price is right from there, but it comes in boxes, and you have to put it together.  She told me, "If I call home wanting a divorce, don't let me get it!"  :)  It came Thursday, and she had to work yesterday.  She went to work with a migraine (from all the weather fronts blowing through out there), and when she came home, a whole group of their friends had come over to the house earlier and helped Charles put all the furniture together.  She was just overwhelmed!!  That was so nice of them!

Looking forward to Sunday school and church in the morning.

More Gifts......

46.  Beautiful deep blue Alabama skies.

47. A slight breeze in my face and fresh air to breathe.

48.  My grandsons.  They are growing up soooo fast.  Sweet guys.

49.  My son.  He was under the weather today.  Please say a prayer for him.

50.  Jeannine and her family are safe from the Colorado floods.

51.  Having Guy home 4 days in a row again.

Lots of Mxed Emotions Today

With this being 9-11, we are all remembering.  I hope we never forget.  I was thinking today about Lori Preziose and her three children.  They would be 14, 20, and 21 now.  I often wonder if she has remarried, and how her children are doing.  I wish I had not lost contact with her.  I prayed for her and her family today.  I went back and reread the article about the quilt I made for her.  I hope it has brought her comfort through the years.

Below is a picture of Mom and Dad in the summer of 1987 when they took a trip to see my sister who was living in New Jersey at the time.  They visited New York City, and you can see the twin towers just to the right of Mom's head. 

I love this picture.  It was two years before I moved to Alabama, and about 8 years before they moved here. I like to remember them this way.  They were so full of life and still got around so easily.  They seemed so young then even though Dad was 73 and Mom 69.  If they could have just stayed that way forever......but time does march on.  It will be a glorious day when I'm reunited with them!

I making some real progress in my walking.  I've gone from wearing the boot and hardly being able to put any weight on it, even with crutches, to being able to take some steps in it without the crutches.  Yesterday I decided I would wear my tennis shoes on both feet and do my standing exercises with the shoes rather than the boot.  Then I got to thinking that perhaps I should first learn to walk with the boot well without crutches before going to the tennis shoes.  But, today, Robert, my physical therapist, told me to go ahead a wear a tennis shoe and use crutches until I feel comfortable going to one crutch and then none.  He had a couple PT students with him today, so he took some extra time with me to teach them.  He had me walk for 5 minutes in my sandals while they evaluated my gate.  If I had known he was going to have me walk me like that, I would have brought the tennis shoes.  Wearing the boot does not allow your foot to bend - only to get used to weight-bearing.  So when I went to the sandal that I took along today (or the tennis shoes yesterday), the discomfort was in the fore foot as I would bend my foot and put pressure on the ball of the foot.  He explained to the students that was most likely because my foot had not been bending for so long and also due to the swelling I have yet.  It feels much like the back part of the foot felt when I first started putting weight on it.  So I'm sure it will just take a little more time before the whole foot feels more comfortable.  I just have to get on both feet soon, so I can get on with this pesky knee.  He's doing a lot of knee exercises with me to get me ready for that surgery.  I've walked so long with that knee bent that the ham strings are shortened, and I've got to get those stretched out.  I can tell when I'm walking that the knee hurts about as much as the foot.  If I'm walking around the house with the boot and no crutches, I have to at least be near something that I can grab onto at any moment, because my knee just gives way without warning.  I think the knee surgery and recovery will be more painful than the foot surgery has been, because you have to get right up on it and start walking and going to PT, but I don't think it will be nearly as prolonged as the foot has been.  With the foot surgery, I had to just stay off of it until it healed.

I was able to go to my quilt guild meeting on Monday.  That was great to be among my quilt buddies again.  The program was given by two of our local guild members who have authored a book on making hexagons by a different method than the traditional English piecing.  It was quite interesting.  The one thing I think I found the most interesting was that one of the ladies had her knee replaced at the end of July!  Here she was standing up there the whole time, and even stepped up and down from the raised platform.  She said she had worked really hard on it, because she is going to quilt market in Houston in October, and knew she had to be up and going well by then.  So that gave me encouragement!

This week someone posted a picture and recipe for funnel cakes.  The first thing I thought of was the Kansas State Fair that I'm missing this week and all the fun I could have had.  I'm just having a hard time accepting the fact that I couldn't go this year when I had planned all along to do so. 

Here is the recipe:

Funnel Cakes

1 egg, beaten
2/3 cup milk
1 tsp baking powder
1 ¼ cup all purpose flour or coconut flour to make gluten free ...
2 Tbsp sugar
¼ tsp salt
Oil for frying, enough to cover the bottom of the skillet
Powdered sugar for topping

Mix egg and milk. Sift dry ingredients and gradually add to milk mixture, beat until smooth.

Preheat oil in fry pan to 375 degrees F.

Pour batter into hot oil with a funnel with a ½ “ or ¾” hole. Let batter drizzle into hot oil. Spiraling to create a circle.

Cook about 1 minute, flip over, cooking both sides. Remove and drain on paper towels.

Sprinkle with powdered sugar and top with fruit preserves while still warm.

More Gifts....

 

39.  The fond memories of growing up with the Kansas State Fair - went every year, and as an adult went several times each year.  I can close my eyes and smell the hamburgers and onions cooking on the midway.....

 

40.  Robert, my physical therapist, who is very patient with me, but yet pushes me to do more, and takes extra time with me to get the muscles around my knee ready for the surgery.

 

41.  The progress being made with my walking.

 

42.  The opening for Sofia in a charter school that Jeannine very much wanted for her.

 

43.  Cook's Pest Control who is going to come spray for mosquitoes either Friday or Monday, and hopefully I can get back out in my porch swing and enjoy the fresh air once again.

 

44.  Getting though the book of Ezekiel, which at the end was very tedious with all those measurements for the Temple.

 

45.  For God's protection over me as I've been learning to walk again.  Sooooo thankful I've not fallen, and I trust him to keep me from falling the rest of the time.

I'm Driving Again!!!! Woo Hoo!!!

Wednesday a dear friend from my Sunday school class took me to physical therapy.  My usual guy, Robert, must have been busy because a lady put me through the paces.  She wasn't quite a vigorous with me as Robert, but she did add some exercises.  I was able to ride the bike for 6 minutes without any problem.  The part that I hate the most - the pressure and cold pack at the end - was not quite so bad today.  They didn't use the electrodes, and she set the pressure a little lower, so I stood it a lot better.  Next time I need to bring a shoe for my other foot as I ride the bike.

Thursday, I really needed to go to the credit union and I had to mail a small package at the UPS office.  I didn't want to ask anyone to take me, so I decided it was time for my "maiden voyage."  The first time in nearly three months!!  I felt confident I could drive with a shoe on my right foot.  So I got the boot on, which is a bit of a chore.  It is large with 2 Velcro flaps and 5 large, long Velcro straps. 

I crutched to the car with my stuff, took off the boot, put on the shoe, drove to the credit union, took off the shoe, put on the boot, crutched in to do my business, crutched to the car, took off the boot, put on the shoe, drove to the UPS office, took off the shoes, put on the boot, crutched into the office to mail my package, crutched back to the car, took off the boot, and put on my shoe.  I thought to myself, "While I'm out, do I just want to get a bit of lunch?"  Naw!  Too much trouble!  So I drove home, took off the shoe, put the boot on and crutched into the house.  Time for a nap!!  But now I'm no longer a prisoner in my home!  I feel like a bird set free!! (Even if it is a major hassle!!)

I've been cutting up shirts this week.

Sometimes as I cut up a shirt, I wonder - who wore this shirt?  What did he look like?  Was he a husband?  Did he have children?  Since it was a nice white shirt, was he a banker, a preacher, a lawyer, or a school principal?  Was he a happy man?  Did he have fun in life?  You just wonder where all this shirt has been!  I'm sure if it could talk, it would tell me a lot of interesting stories.

And speaking of cutting up shirts, I used some of the nice white material from above for this cute little needle minder.

Ever since I got my Bernina 830 LE and have been using the embroidery part of it, I've been using different needles.  In the past, I just used one kind of needle to do all my sewing, but now, sometimes, I need to change to an embroidery needle, or a ballpoint needle for knits, etc.  This always poses a problem - what do you do with the needle you take out?  You need a place to put it until you need it again.  The printing on it is so teeny tiny you have to have 3 magnifying glasses to read it.  When I load a particular needle into the machine, there is a place to tell the machine what type you are using.  So when you take out the needle, you can just look and see what kind it is.  But if you just lay it down somewhere, you have no clue what kind it is the next time you pick it up.  I don't like putting it back into the original container, because you then don't know which ones are used and which are new.  SOOOO, this was my answer!!  It is an in-the-hoop design.  You layer the top fabric, a piece of cotton batting, and a mesh stabilizer in the jumbo hoop and stitch it out.  You then take it out of the hoop, cutting 1/4" around the outside line, cut out a backing, and bind.  It takes about 45 minutes to stitch out.  The binding probably takes the longest - and we quilters know how we all luuuv bindings.  (NOT!)  I found the tutorial in an online Bernina magazine, "Thorough the Needle," issue no. 9.  It gave step by step instructions for making the design using the Bernina software.  BUT, I do not own that software; I have the Floriani design program.  If I had worked really hard I probably could have figured it out, and done it in my software, but I'm not that efficient using it yet.  Somewhere along the way, I found it already designed and available in a file in this large tri-fold size and a smaller single-fold size.  I didn't download the smaller size, because I knew I wanted the larger size.  It came with a page of directions.  Now I'm racking my brain trying to remember where I got the completed design, and for the life of me, I cannot remember!!  ARGH!!  Usually directions will a name or a company listed on them, but this one does not.  I have a quilting/embroidery friend who would like to have the design, and if I had to pay for it, I don't feel like I can pass it along to her.  I'm sure she would be willing to buy it, if I did, but I just cannot remember!!  UGH!  I just hate when my memory fails me, and it happens waaay too often.  Below is a picture of it folded.  I haven't put the snaps on it yet, so a pin is just holding it shut.

Today we went to Cracker Barrel for breakfast.  As we were leaving we had to go around behind the building because there was a bus in our exit area.  As we came from along side the building, I yelled at Guy, "SHE'S NOT GOING TO STOP!!!"  He threw on the brakes as this lady came barreling through the parking lot in front of the restaurant, jammed around the corner in front of us, and NEVER so much as looked our way!!  And we had the right-of-way!  Oh, boy, had I been driving, she would have GOT THE HORN!!  I was going to give the "the eye" as we went by her to turn right, but she was digging in her purse and never looked up.  ARGH!  It was awfully early for the crazies to be out!!

I had another session of PT at 11:00, and I drove myself.  Robert was back.  He put me through the paces and talked with me about some exercises that would strengthen my right leg and knee in preparation for my eventual knee surgery.  They are so good there, and I really appreciated him getting me ready for the knee replacement so I'd have a jump on getting my muscles in shape.

I keep seeing news and FB posts about the Kansas State Fair that opened today.  Guy told me a final "No" the other night on getting to Kansas in time for The Fair.  *sniff*  I know it would be a chore, but I so hoped we could make it this year.  I guess it just wasn't to be.  I know we can plan to go next year, and I'll hopefully be walking on my own, but, at our age, one never knows what will happen in a whole year's time.

More Gifts.....

36.  Able to put more pressure on my foot, and sometimes walk with only one crutch.

37.  Still have not fallen during this recovery - SO thankful!!

38.  Being able to drive again and not having to rely on someone else to take me, although many dear friends have been more than willing.

Lazy Hazy Days of Summer

Saturday was the LOOONG awaited day - SEC college football!!!  It seems to take so long to roll around each fall.  Of course, we are huge Alabama fans!

 

I found the cutest applique embroidery pattern over the weekend from .  I'm going to put it on a shirt and, instead of monograming my initials, I'm going to have RTR (Roll Tide Roll) coming out of the trunk.  I'll probably do the body of the elephant in black and white hounds tooth fabric.

 

We watched football all day long.  Guy wanted to go to Simmons Sporting Goods in Bessemer, so I tagged along, and then we ate lunch at Bright Star.  That is where we started watching the first game.  12 hours later, I was a bit tired, but enjoyed the whole day - especially since our team won!! 

 

Sunday we enjoyed going to church.  I could not wait to WALK into church (with the help of crutches) - something I had not done for 12 weeks.  I'm sure Guy was happy to not have to haul the wheelchair in and out of the car as well.  It was nice to not have to worry about getting down the somewhat narrow aisles and stashing the wheelchair between the pews.  I was actually able to stand a bit now and then for the singing. 

 

I'm trying to walk more, using the crutches.  I still cannot put full weight on my foot - just too tender.  I've got to build up the other leg and foot as well, because it gets tired really quickly.  If I need to get around quickly or have to carry a bunch of stuff - like laundry, I'll revert to my portable wheelchair.  It sure is a lot easier using the wheelchair, so I have to force myself to walk with the crutches.  I'm faithfully doing my exercises the PT told me to do, but it sure is slow progress.  I JUST WANT TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE!!!

 

I've been working on cutting up my shirts that I got at The Foundry last Thursday.  Here are the piles of lights, mediums, and darks after washing and drying.

 



I would have had two more in the light pile, but Guy latched onto them.  They were his size and really nice shirts.  I spent much of Saturday during the games cutting.  Here is my stack at the end of the day.

It really takes a good bit of time to cut up one shirt because I first take off the labels with a seam ripper.  Some of these labels are really sewn on there well.  If it is black, and if often is, it is hard to see the thread to stick your seam ripper under.  Next I take off the little buttons if it is a button down collar.  Next I take off the pocket with a seam ripper.  Some come off easily and some not so easily.  Once you get them started, it doesn't take long, but that area at the top of the pocket which is sewn on so the pocket does not come loose, takes some time to get started without ripping a hole in the middle of the front panel.  After that, I go to the collar, then the cuffs of the sleeves.  I don't remove individual buttons (other than the ones that hold the button-down collar).  I just cut the whole strip of the shirt with the buttons intact.  I save that and cut a strip off the sleeve cuff to save those buttons, too.  This way, if you have a shirt with a button missing, and you just can't find one to match, you can replace all the buttons with a matching set saved from the ones you cut off.  I stuff all the fabric with the buttons in old empty Puff's tissue boxes - just because that's what I had on hand.  After that, I cut off the yoke, then the sleeves, removing all the seam allowances.  Then I cut the fronts from the back.  This will yield a good bit of fabric, especially if you can pick up mostly 2X-3X.  I just can't decide how to cut the salvaged fabric.  I know Bonnie Hunter has a plan for the sizes she cuts up, but I'm not that organized, and I generally wait to cut until I know what pattern I want to use and the sizes needed.  Just as sure as I cut them in 1 1/2  and 2 1/2 inch strips, I'd need a 3" square.  It's actually about as much fun cutting them up as it is to make a quilt with them.

Today we took Annie to the vet to get her annual shots and exam.  He said she was very healthy, but just a little on the top end of normal for weight.  She is 17.1 lb and should be about 15.  So we'll have to cut back just a bit on the food - or the treats.  We started out giving her a treat whenever she went out and did her business, but now she just likes to go outside to play and thinks she needs a treat when she comes inside from that.  It's really hard to refuse her when she sits there so patiently, looking at you with those big brown eyes,  anticipating the treat each time.  I remember our last dog, Maggie, learned the go-outside-and-get-a-treat very quickly.  She would beg to go outside, and immediately beg to get back inside so she could beg for a treat.  They are smart little boogers!

More Gifts....

32.  A nice long 4-day weekend for Guy.

33.  Slow progress for my foot.

34.  Trees still green outside my window.

35.  Slightly cooler temperatures.  It has been a really mild summer in the south.  Out highest temperature has been 96, and most days have been in the 80s to low 90s - just my kind of weather!

Fun & Not So Fun

Last week my friend Tracy said they would be going shopping one day this week, and did I want to go?  Oh, YES! I can't tell you what that means to me, still not being able to drive and stuck home all week!  It gave me something to look forward to all week.  She and daughter, Courtney, came by to get me yesterday afternoon.  We took a trip to The Foundry.  I had never been before but had heard of it.  Their motto is "Where lives are shapped by the hand of God."  The Foundry is a Christian rescue mission and recovery center, and they have a superthrift outlet center that is the largest thrift store in Alabama.  Their online site says, "What's the secret to our success?  Quality products, low prices and attentive customer service."   I've been to thrift stores before and usually find them very crowded and rather dirty.  Not this place!  It was very clean, and the workers were very friendly and personable.  You seldom find that in any store any more.  It was really a pleasant shopping experience.  I was in my wheelchair since I can't yet stand for long periods of time, and it was easy to get down the nice wide aisles.  I found the prices to be less than the Alabama Thrift Store, too.  I went straight to the large men's shirts.  Where most of the shirts at the ATS are $2.99 and $3.99 and up, here most of them were $1.99 and $2.99 and up.  I found a few for $.99 and some of *them* were even on sale.  One I got for $.40 and another for $.74!  I got all the bags below, and only paid $2.99 for one shirt.  It was a 5X, so I splurged for that one since it had so much fabric in it.  The rest were $.99 and $1.99.

HOWEVER, tonight as I pulled them all out of the bag to wash, I took a look at the receipt and noticed the first shirt listed was $6.99!!  What???  I couldn't believe that.  I just knew they had to have made a mistake.  There was no way I'd pay that much for any shirt.  I went back through all the tags I'd just thrown into the trash, and sure enough - there was a tag for $6.99!!  And I have no idea which shirt it even was.  So all my careful sleuthing for bargains just went out the window paying that much for one shirt.  When I checked out, I noticed the amount was more than it I thought it was going to be, but just figured I got a few more than I thought I had.  Oh, well.  I'll have to be more careful next time.  Any way, it was fun and I came home with a lot of cotton fabric.  Cutting them up will keep me busy for several evenings.

That was the fun part......today was the not so fun part.  It was my first physical therapy visit.  Those people are so nice at Therapy South.  It was all great right up to the last part where they put the electrodes on my foot and then put this wrap on it.  The wrap got VERY cold and VERY tight.  When he took it off, I could then see what was so uncomfortable.  The little plastic pieces that hook to the electrodes were nearly embedded into the swollen part of my ankle.  I hope next time they can somehow put those little plastic pieces on the outside of the wrap.  I remember when I was going to PT back in November, the cold therapy at the end was just the worst! 

I told Robert about my knee, and how I really needed it replaced.  He agreed that I better get it done before the end of the year.  He said he if I would work really hard on the foot exercises at home, I could come twice a week rather than 3 times, and that would save enough visits for me to come back after the knee surgery since Medicare only pays for X-number of days of PT in one year.  I'm really hoping I can get this done.  I'll bet the surgery schedules will explode during December with everyone trying to get their surgeries done.  I better get mine scheduled way ahead of time.  Robert is going to give me names of good knee doctors since I forgot to ask my doctor who he would recommend.

And speaking of exercises, I bet get started on mine so I can get to bed.

Night all!!

Some things are easier than others.

Today, for the first time in a long time, I ventured out with my walker and boot into our screened-in porch.  The fresh air felt so good.  The weather has actually been pretty nice this week - little lower humidity.  I sat in my favorite place - my porch swing.  After retiring, I spent most spring and fall mornings out here, because it is just so peaceful.

In previous years, Guy has aways put out hummingbird feeders right at this corner of the porch, and that has been so much fun to watch.  But this year, for some reason, he just didn't want to keep up with them.  I've seen a few, through the kitchen door occasionally, come around that hibiscus plant you can see there at the corner, which at the current time has no blooms on it.

Annie certainly was happy to have me out there.

This morning I was finally able to get a shower and scrub that nasty leg and of mine.  MAN, did that feel good!  When I got out and dried it off, I rolled enough dead skin off that thing, you would have thought someone had crawled into my trash can and died!  And there is still lots to go, but that is for another time.  I lotioned it all up, and let it dry a bit before having to put on the support stocking.  Whew!  That took a good bit of effort - made me break out in a sweat!  But I got it and got all the straps fastened on the boot, and I was ready for the day.

It would sure be a lot easier to just reach for the wheelchair each time I have to get up to do anything.  In some ways it is a lot easier, and certainly a lot faster.  But I'm forcing myself to use the walker or crutches.  I'm trying to figure out what I can use and get the most natural gait with.  Believe it or not, it takes a good bit of concentration to walk as naturally as possible.  I can't put a lot of weight on that foot yet.  I started out with Mom and Dad's old walker.

While it does have wheels on the front, with all the throw rugs we have in the house, you do have to pick it up a lot or the tennis balls on the back roll up the rugs.  I can't seem to get much of a natural gait going with it.  So I asked Guy to get out another walker I had bought Mom - a Rollator.  

This seems to work better, and I can sit on the seat when I'm wearing out - and it doesn't take much!  Wow, I have so little stamina right now.  Discouraging.....

My living room is looking like a physical therapy gym.

I had high hopes of being able to use that rolling knee walker, but my knee just would not tolerate it for long.  With its wide turning radius, it was difficult to maneuver easily in the kitchen.  I hope I can sell it.  The wheelchair is rented, so it will go back soon.  I have a portable wheelchair stored upstairs, that I bought for Mom, but someone either has to push you, or you have to maneuver about using your legs, because the wheels are small.  You can't use your hands to propel yourself.  

I've tried using the crutches a little more now, since getting on my feet.  It seems that they might be the best to use since I seem to have the most natural gait with them.  I just feel a little safer and more stable with the walker. Those crutches also were Mom and Dad's. I knew that keeping all their equipment just might come in handy someday - and I was right!

More Gifts.....

28.  Quiet mornings to sit on the porch and have my devotions.

29.  A sweet soft companion to sit beside me.

30.  Two feet to help me keep my balance when I stand.

31.  Answered prayers.