Five on Friday: November 28, 2014

Where did November go? well, for me it was spent in the hospital and rehab so that I could come home today with a brand new, mostly functional knee! For the most part, it's been an easy journey with, while I hesitate to say it, almost no pain or narcotics. I know that isn't everyone's experience but it has been mine and I am truly GRATEFUL. Now on to ....more and more Physical Therapy and practice getting comfortable with a new body part! Oh yeah, and lots of rest. Many friends have said that doing 1 thing a day is about the most they could do for a while. So far, I've found that to be pretty much on the mark.

1. In one day I learned that Vicodin and I are not friends.  I felt as if my brain was outside of my head, which I guess pretty much sums up being 'out of one's mind'. Extra strength Tylenol and I have a good relationship.

2. After the daily sessions of physical and occupational therapy, I have been pretty content to ice my knee with the the trusty AirCast machine. I love the ease of this little beauty.

3. Other than a quick glance at the BBC and WashingtonPost headlines on my phone, I have been content to mostly ignore the news. I believe the world had gone on its not so merry way without my attention. My body is the better for that.

4. There has been a lot of time to think and reflect on  my life these past two weeks. I feel that in some way it's been like being on a semi silent retreat. I have a private room and other than the nurses and PTs I really don't have to talk to anyone if I don't want to. I have been willing to listen to others and hear their stories. As I recently read, sometimes all that is necessary is to say "Me too."

5. What, if anything, do I miss? this view from my window from dawn to dusk. Watching the leaves fall, the wind shaking the limbs, the snow quickly turning to rain and back and forth as Mother Nature played her games with us. The view calmed my soul and reminds me I need to be outside some time each day.

November has been good to me, and I hope it has been the same for you. May we all have a December filled with love and peace.

Until I'm Back

30 Days of Thankful CatchUP

Trying to get a bunch of loose ends caught up here today and then pack my hospital suitcase. The only thing I am not looking forward to is being awakened every four hours to have blood work done while in hospital. I'm not good with that at the best of times! Hopefully, the drugs will make me a bit less squeamish.

See you on the other side!

30 Days of Thankful: Day 8

And yes, it's my mistake. That album is called Sonic Highways.

Five on Friday: November 7, 2014

So much of my life recently has been concerned with the upcoming surgery. It's amazing what a time suck that has been but I do go to be tired and sleep well. Good thing since the hospital is no place for sleeping!

1. 30 Days of Grateful - I'm doing this project and enjoying it a lot. Here's yesterday's page.

2. They said at the hospital, when dh (my coach for the 3 days in hospital) had a "Joint Camp "Class, that people often don't feel like eating much the days after surgery. Apparently one woman lost 30 lb! I suspect that included the total of 8 weeks recovery time, but in any case I'd love for that to happen!

3. Yesterday, we had a day of rain, sunny, fog roll in, and a good rain storm. I was continuously adjusting my layers of clothing. But that's what layers are for, I guess. Not just fashion. This was just before the rain storm.

4. This weekend will be packing time for me. One batch for the hospital stay which won't include much more than the basics, and then a suitcase for rehab. Rehab is the time that I  have hopes of using the laptop. Hospital time? more likely free time will be nap time, in'shallah.

5. DH has been given Laundry 101 lessons. He's going to be ok with the washer and dryer, though one time he was about to start the load without adding detergent. Actually, I think with most of our stuff, just the water would do but.... What is going to be difficult for him is putting my clothes away. He said I have so many rules! I think it's that women have more categories of clothing. 

That's all for now folks! Most likely I will be off doing medical things for the next two weeks. We'll see! But in any case, I hope you will have a marvelous weekend and time to be grateful for the many wonderful good things in your life. Try a gratitude list! It really works.

TBT: Two Brothers 70 Years Ago

While I told another story about my father's family in WWII, this page relates more to my father.

I have my knee surgery on November 11th and I thought that considering how much my father went through, I can count on his support from above.

30 Days of Thankful: Day 5

I'm grateful for my tea every morning but today I had an especially warm feeling of gratitude for the grandson who bought me this mug. Yes, I'm a USC grandparent. Go Cocks!

Wordless Wednesday: November 5, 2014

30 Days of Thankful: Day 4

Travel With Me Tuesday: Day 2 in Torino

This is mainly my day in Turin as I spent the afternoon taking a nap after not getting much sleep the prior night. 'His' day was different as he spent a lot of time in a museum while I slept.

30 Days of Thankful: Day 3

Our Jotul seems to have 'an issue' and while it still isn't fixed, he gave it his best.

AAM Monday: WITL Monday

This Week in the Life  project may become bogged down as I have so many things I want to get done before hospital time. I really don't know how much I'll be able to scrap while in rehab and if any project gets put on hold it will be this one. But I do have some days done and if nothing else there will be another sub folder on my computer in the folder of Works in Progress. You know how it is...don't you??

Yes, this day was hospital related. What can I say? That's how it is round here now.

30 Days of Thankful - Day 2

Many things to be thankful so far today but I picked the first thought I had this am.

30 Days of Thankful - Day 1

This is going to be made into a 6" printed book since so many of the days this month will find me in the hospital and a rehab. I am making it as simple as can be with either words or a photo or on the reeeeally good days, both.  Today is both, and I've started prepping a few more pages with the numbers. All photos will be the same size though I suspect I will have a few that are horizontal too.

Are you doing this project? It's a wonderful way to look at the small things that make our lives so very good.