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Mundane post!

Orthopaedic issues are on the mend!

I've been instructed in building my walking duration over the next couple of months

and have some simple exercises to do to build strength in the muscles 

that support the bony structure of my feet.

And ... be cautious.  DO NOT ROLL YOUR FOOT!  

(Read stepping on the little Cypress knees in the back yard). 

In the meantime, it's a search and conquer mission

to find shoes that are cute AND comfortable 

and don't add to the ever present pain when walking, standing, sitting.

You get the picture!.  (the mere fact that I always have an extra pair of  

sensible shoes nearby to change into regardless ... is beside the point!).

My foot structure has changed a lot over the last few years.  

No cutesy shoes.

No heels over 1.5 inches (and that's pushing it).

No squishy bottoms (i.e. crocs).

Nothing that ties or buckles over the highest part of my foot (i.e. most kicks).

Sandals must be scrutinized .... often rejected.

Anything I can't tolerate wearing from one end of my house to the other (the test), Gone!

I've pulled about seven pairs of shoes (hardly worn) from my closet.

Shoes I can't even wear just walking thru the house before the pain sets in.

So far, it seem Merrills are the only shoe that fit the requirements.

Seen any cute Merrills?  Nope, can't wear the cute strappy ones.

Not enough foot support (for my feet).   Only the slide-style will do.

Alas!  I found Bare Traps at the shoe store last week.  They were comfy in the store.

I knew the true test would be "the test" at home.  Yay!  So far, so good!

I know!  I know!  Who cares?  I do.  

Pain is pain. And pain with 90% of the steps you take ... not fun. 

When something as simple as putting a pair of shoes on becomes a challenge,

it also becomes stress.  Wedding invitations, Mardi Gras Balls 

and other special events present a challenge.  Dress-up?  Add appropriate shoes? 

Therein lies the rub.  The shoe dilemma.  {sigh}   

Carpe Diem!

In my new shoes!  

Afterall, we all know shoes are a sign that 

God loves us and wants us to be happy!!  Right?!!

So, on a lighter note ...

Yesterday didn't start off well (as you know if you read my post).  Physical pain begets emotional pain.  That was just old stuff.  Stuff swimming around in my head while I was cleaning the kitchen.  I don't want to learn to play that game.  I'm fairly transparent.  You know where you stand with me!  No games.

I went to bed last night with a migraine and this morning started off with a knot in my lower back!  I guess I just slept wrong.  Hubs says it was all that fun I had with Keller yesterday!  Gramma had a play day yesterday since the daycare was closed for MLK Day.  Yay me!  She's such a joy!

Today (in small increments - as pain allows), I will make an attempt to deal with the cucumbers and jalapenos crowding my counter and fridge.  Sweet Pickle Relish and Cowboy Candy!   Maybe one today and one tomorrow.  I must pace myself so as not to create a disaster - canning or lower back.  It's gonna be a long day!! Everything that was on yesterday's to-do list is on today's!   And, truth be known, most of today's will probably be on tomorrow's!!!   LOL!

Speaking of disaster!  I'm happy to report that apparently my attempt to make apple jelly which in reality became apple syrup was apparently a score!

Oh yeah!  Guess what song was running thru my head this morning?!!

Put your hand in the hand of the man who stilled the waters.

Put your hand in the hand of the man who calmed the sea.

Take a look at yourself and you can look at others differently,

by putting your hand in the hand of the man from Galilee.

My first thought was can I change that to put your foot (pain) in the hand .... !
I'm so glad my God has a sense of humor!

Have a blessed day!
♥

I ventured out today by myself.  First time in over six weeks.  The boot came off two days ago.  I'm taking it slow and cautious.  As instructed I am swapping the boot from the now healed broken foot to the other bad foot in an effort to alleviate some of the pain by immobilizing it.  We'll see.  Not very optimistic about it.  Doc is pretty certain it's nerve pain and arthritis.  MRI and x-rays show no reason for the kind of pain I'm having in that foot. 

I Can Do This!

I've be forced to re-evaluate my activities - which is the last thing I wanted to do once getting out of that boot.  You should see the to-do notebook list I've compiled.  I'm reducing the 7-9 outdoor art shows (which has been my regular routine the past four years) to only 1 in 2012.  Only one.  O-N-E.  It's an easy one day event nearby with lots of help.  Physically I just cannot take on what I have in the past.  Because of the orthopaedic issues, I also had to give up keeping my angel/granbaby girl full time.  That was spiritually excruciating.  I mourned.  I grieved.  I finally came to accept it (sorta-kinda-in a way).  Then, she got to stay with me Friday ... the day after the boot came off.  I never realized how tired I was each day and how much energy it took the last two and a half years.  Maybe it's because I've had a low activity level the last five weeks recuperating (along with the fruit salad mix of other issues).  I know I'm not 100% yet ... and may see-saw between good days and bad days.  I'm hoping for more good than bad.  I will pace myself.  Save up the energy for get-togethers and pressing activities.  My glass is half-full!  My heart is even fuller!  I ♥ my family and look forward to regaining a familiar pace!

Anywho!  I ventured out today and had lunch with my sister and then made a ever so slow walking tour stop by the garden center at Lowes.  The seed-starting trays had arrived.  I bought a couple to go with the ones I already had.  As well as another two long, narrow planters for shallow things (i.e. chives, green onions, lettuces, etc.) to grow on my back porch.  I also acquired two very large pots to grow a couple of potato varieties in.  Tomorrow I will get the seeds I've been gathering in their respective containers and place them in my little greenhouse off the dining room.  I'm hoping all the seeds will germinate into healthy, strong transplants for my spring garden. This will be the first time I've tried to plant a garden without buying transplants.

 

There is so much to be done.  Inside and outside.  My studio is a complete wreck.  I can't even begin to think about returning to painting before that declared disaster site is cleaned up.  Before that happens, the overflow from the pantry must be dealt with ... thanks to my canning projects that require the more sturdy shelving location.  The guest room is also a declared disaster because of the orthopaedic apparati (is that even a word?!) occupying the room ... most of which can be put in the garage, which in and of itself has it's own micro-chaos.  Not as bad as it was before my husband took advantage of my clumsiness on crutches and took over the much needed task of, shall I say 'attempting to organize' MY garage?  A very valiant attempt at that!  Add the dining room table where all my business records are scattered ... not to mention the back porch where gardening chaos reigns because I had the metal shelving on the porch relocated to the greenhouse for my seed starting.  Did I just come full circle?! 

I'm pacing myself.  This will take awhile!   I'm extending grace to myself. I'm venting using y'all as a therapeutic release!  And, BTW,

Merry Christmas Eve Eve Y'all!



Keller and her
"Cookie Bread Man House"

What a month!  It takes four times as long to accomplish a task

while using a pair of crutches to keep from hitting the floor!

So goes the last few weeks after breaking my foot.

Thank Heaven for Christmas Elves!

If it weren't for them, there would have been no Christmas Tree,

no cookies, no presents, and likely no clean clothes or dishes!

I must admit although the last few weeks have been tough

(not just my foot, but ... well, read the previous post),

my heart is full of grace towards myself for not

accomplishing that mile-long Christmas to-do list.

Many, many ideas were scratched, giving way to fewer,

less stressful endeavors, ideas and dreams. 

Less stress at Christmas.

What a novel idea!

What's on your Wish List this year?

Mine includes:

another fire extinguisher for the house

(precautionary - my neighbors' home burned down this week)

my kitchen knives being sharpened

(I do plan to return to cooking soon!)

a bottle of cod liver oil for my stocking.

(Vitamin D has bottomed out).

My family home for Christmas.

Joy - Laughter - Blessings!

Life is Good.

Be Blessed! and,

Be a Blessing to someone else!



Praise Report!

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Good News from the orthopaedic doctor!

No surgery right now!

6-8 weeks - no weight bearing on foot.

Weekly x-rays to monitor progress of lisfranc/charcot

 ligament tear  and fractures on top of foot and

5th metatarsal fracture, as well.

Indeed, God's Favor.

Semi-Wordless Wednesday

Everyone has a lot on the to-do list during the holiday season!

I've had to push about 80% of mine aside and just go with the flow.

The top of my list is to get well and not further injure my foot.

Tomorrow, we find out what direction the orthopaedic doctor wants to go in.

Thank Heaven for the Christmas Elves who put up my Christmas trees!

Now, I just need Baking Elves, Cooking Elves, Wrapping Elves and Gardening Elves!

My dear husband has the Cleaning Elf and Chauffeur Elf covered!

I've gone from being Caregiver to being cared for. 

It takes a lot of grace towards myself to let go and accept the help.

I have to let go of the attitude "If it is to be, it is up to me" for now.

I know it will all be fine.  This too will pass.  My God's got this one!

While you're browsing, check out the post with our Advent Calendar !
Yep! I got the idea from Pinterest and put my own twist on it!
My daughter rolled it up and took it home so Keller could enjoy it there!

So much for SEMI-Wordless!

Link up at Flip Flops and Pearls!

This too will pass.  I keep telling myself that.  Hobbling around on my gimpy foot.  Had myself a pity party this morning over something as simple as wanting a cup of coffee.  It passed as well.  I managed to make it to the coffee pot.  Pumpkin Spice coffee is brewing.  Getting back to the chair with a cup is yet to be seen!  I retrieved an insulated Starbucks coffee cup from the cabinet.  If the lid proves to be spill proof and the weight of carrying it my pocket doesn't pull my pants down around my ankles and trip me up on these crutches, I will have conquered the return of another "normalcy" in my life.  Ugh.  And today only marks one week.

 

I'm missing my granbaby girl, but I know the situation warranted her going to daycare now.  Jen has kept me posted with pics and phone calls.  I felt a little bit of that "failure" thing this morning (along with the coffee subject).  Wishing I had done more crafty things with her.  Wishing I had taken her to the park or other off-site activities.  That's an issue when you keep a child at home.  That darned to-do list (not to mention the frustrating orthopaedic and fatigue issues).  I quickly snapped out of it when I felt that Jiminy Cricket on my shoulder (yeah I know it wasn't a cricket!) reminding me that she started daycare knowing and recognizing her ABC's and basic colors.  We gardened.  We built Lego towers.  We blew bubbles.  We chased shadows outside.  We went for lunch at The Diner.  We had picnics on the living room floor.  We watched movies.  We learned songs.  We read books.  We colored.  We counted oranges and apples and sorted big and little.  We snuggled.  We bonded. 

I miss the little phrases I heard everyday.  "Gramma, let's build color towers",  "Gramma, put my hula on", "Gramma, let's watch Gullah Gullah Island", "Gramma, I missed you so much", and all the other cute things she says!   But, I know she's in good hands.  We're fortunate there was a position open just when we needed it.  Once the frankenfoot has healed, we can spend some more fun time together again .... soon I hope!

She came by last week to show me her nap mat!

The coffee is done!  I'm gonna hobble in there and see how this works out!  I can do this!  Later!