... a little each day. Only 72° today, but that's 1 degree more than the last time. That's not the temperature, but the distance I can bend my leg back ... and it hurt. And I folded towels (for balance & how long you can stand) and then had to pick up dropped clothes and hang them on the hanger (more balance).
I finished "Sarah's Key" by Tatiana de Rosnay which is an excellent book. It's about WWII Jews in France. The author did a great job of weaving facts of history with an imagined story ... a very moving story.
Remember that brown roast beef I mentioned yesterday? Today it was beef tips with noodles. Great oatmeal for breakfast.
Enjoy your day!
Monday, March 21, 2011
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Lifted my leg ... without support!!
Sunday is the day of rest? Not here, unless you call a little sleeping in and only 1 therapy today, rest. But even though I'm griping, I'm making progress. Holding my leg in the air without a person or strap for support, as I get out of bed has been a killer, but I did it today. Walking & stairs aren't bad. Sitting with the knee bent isn't comfortable. But each day is a visible improvement because I can do more or it's easier. Got my pants, shoes & socks on by myself.
My incentive? Nancy ... no last names of the innocent are used. She was the woman in the room next to me at the hospital that screamed all night the first night & made me sleep deprived. When we went to PT, there she was ... sound asleep & nobody could wake her up. She missed 1 entire day of work and I heard her yell several times during the day. I felt so sorry for her as she looked like she had other health problems too and would be rehabbing much longer than me.
Yesterday in rehab she was raising her knee replaced leg off the bed unassisted like she should, and I must say, she looked healthier, too. Not fair. Today she went home ... her goal ... to her 1 story house.
I've never been known to be speedy (no laughing) about anything, so I'll be happy to do my usual slow and steady.
When will I be home? When I can walk a distance and the therapists are across the room not worrying about me ... same with the stairs & when I can bend my knee back to a 90° angle. My incentive? Chuck's grilling! Veggies here are overcooked, gravy is a staple, beef is very brown ... no redness. I am eating healthy & don't have much of an appetite & there are lots of choices ... certainly not loosing weight, even with the hard work. They serve small portions with plenty of calories.
That's all for today ... nap time!
My incentive? Nancy ... no last names of the innocent are used. She was the woman in the room next to me at the hospital that screamed all night the first night & made me sleep deprived. When we went to PT, there she was ... sound asleep & nobody could wake her up. She missed 1 entire day of work and I heard her yell several times during the day. I felt so sorry for her as she looked like she had other health problems too and would be rehabbing much longer than me.
Yesterday in rehab she was raising her knee replaced leg off the bed unassisted like she should, and I must say, she looked healthier, too. Not fair. Today she went home ... her goal ... to her 1 story house.
I've never been known to be speedy (no laughing) about anything, so I'll be happy to do my usual slow and steady.
When will I be home? When I can walk a distance and the therapists are across the room not worrying about me ... same with the stairs & when I can bend my knee back to a 90° angle. My incentive? Chuck's grilling! Veggies here are overcooked, gravy is a staple, beef is very brown ... no redness. I am eating healthy & don't have much of an appetite & there are lots of choices ... certainly not loosing weight, even with the hard work. They serve small portions with plenty of calories.
That's all for today ... nap time!
Saturday, March 19, 2011
It works!
I tried to get the computer to work in the hospital and it didn't, but here at the rehabilitation center it is working like a dream!
So, I have a new knee and it works ... not well or easily yet, but every day is an improvement. Surgery was on Monday and they had me dressed Tuesday morning by 6:30 AM. Shannon was firm and kept pushing, but I hurt even with the pain pill. I wanted to punch her because I was SURE I couldn't do anything. I did. When she left me in the chair I bawled. Then I scolded myself and ate breakfast. Then Colleen called and I unloaded for 2 minutes when they picked me up for therapy. I couldn't believe how much better I felt after therapy! I called Colleen right back after that session and she was so glad to hear the difference in my attitude.
Of course it didn't help that I was sleep deprived on Tuesday because the woman in the next room was in pain and screaming all night ... then they couldn't wake her up during therapy. I also napped, but after therapy and everything has been moving S L O W L Y since then, but moving forward.
So, I have a new knee and it works ... not well or easily yet, but every day is an improvement. Surgery was on Monday and they had me dressed Tuesday morning by 6:30 AM. Shannon was firm and kept pushing, but I hurt even with the pain pill. I wanted to punch her because I was SURE I couldn't do anything. I did. When she left me in the chair I bawled. Then I scolded myself and ate breakfast. Then Colleen called and I unloaded for 2 minutes when they picked me up for therapy. I couldn't believe how much better I felt after therapy! I called Colleen right back after that session and she was so glad to hear the difference in my attitude.
Of course it didn't help that I was sleep deprived on Tuesday because the woman in the next room was in pain and screaming all night ... then they couldn't wake her up during therapy. I also napped, but after therapy and everything has been moving S L O W L Y since then, but moving forward.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Ready to go
I'm ready ... mostly. I got my second pre-surgery haircut and Laurie said that's all I get for the right knee. Surgery is scheduled for 10:00 AM on Mon. I've got my clothes ready to be packed, phone charged & Chuck will bring the computer on Tues. for me to report progress. Now to relax.
Yesterday was a great day starting out with quilt club. Pricilla Kibbee did a wonderful garment trunk show and then I went to the RPO, the first one without Judy.
... and speaking of Judy, we (Karen Alexander, Sue Donovan and I) got her friendship quilt top pieced and ready to sign and show her. Judy loved the Laurel Burch fabrics we used.
Karen, Mary Lu, JUDY, Martha, Rosalie, me, Chryss and Sue. This picture was taken by Sue ... isn't the timer on a camera handy for getting the photographer in the picture, too? And it worked!
Cindy suggested I also make a quilt for Ozzie, because the cat is moving, too, so I did. Thanks for adding to the fabric stash, Cindy.
I think Ozzie will like it. I know Judy did when I gave it to her. And I got assurance from her family that they will take good care of her. (I know they will, but had to ask anyway.)
Yesterday was a great day starting out with quilt club. Pricilla Kibbee did a wonderful garment trunk show and then I went to the RPO, the first one without Judy.
... and speaking of Judy, we (Karen Alexander, Sue Donovan and I) got her friendship quilt top pieced and ready to sign and show her. Judy loved the Laurel Burch fabrics we used.
Karen, Mary Lu, JUDY, Martha, Rosalie, me, Chryss and Sue. This picture was taken by Sue ... isn't the timer on a camera handy for getting the photographer in the picture, too? And it worked!
Cindy suggested I also make a quilt for Ozzie, because the cat is moving, too, so I did. Thanks for adding to the fabric stash, Cindy.
I think Ozzie will like it. I know Judy did when I gave it to her. And I got assurance from her family that they will take good care of her. (I know they will, but had to ask anyway.)
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Ups & Downs
It's been a long time ... again, but I think I'll try to continue. It will be an easier way to keep everyone that is interested up-to-date with my knee replacement starting on March 14.
I'm ready now and hope I'll behave properly. Some of you may know that it was scheduled for Jan. 31 and I got as far as the operating table and had atrial fibrillation so they postponed surgery until they figured out why. After all kinds of tests and not finding anything ... no blockage & a strong heart they blame it on? You guessed it! Age. So I'm on meds and am ready to go ... again.
And I'm getting ready by finishing up some projects. The first is my Puzzle Quilt that I started in a class from Paula Nadelstern. It is done and on the wall. There are 16 blocks and each of 6 pieced blocks are repeated 2 or 3 times. Here is the key:
Block 2 Block 1 Block 2 Block 3
Block 5 Block 4 Block 5 Block 4
Block 1 Block 4 Block 2 Block 3
Block 6 Block 1 Block 5 Block 6
That means all the Block 1's are made with the same pattern pieces, but the different fabrics make them look entirely different. All the block 6 blocks look like the same pieces to me, but all the block 1 blocks do not, but is. Fabric placement is key.
What a lot of work and lots of fussy cutting, but so much fun and a big challenge. I'll do more like this, but table runner size.
I'm ready now and hope I'll behave properly. Some of you may know that it was scheduled for Jan. 31 and I got as far as the operating table and had atrial fibrillation so they postponed surgery until they figured out why. After all kinds of tests and not finding anything ... no blockage & a strong heart they blame it on? You guessed it! Age. So I'm on meds and am ready to go ... again.
And I'm getting ready by finishing up some projects. The first is my Puzzle Quilt that I started in a class from Paula Nadelstern. It is done and on the wall. There are 16 blocks and each of 6 pieced blocks are repeated 2 or 3 times. Here is the key:
Block 2 Block 1 Block 2 Block 3
Block 5 Block 4 Block 5 Block 4
Block 1 Block 4 Block 2 Block 3
Block 6 Block 1 Block 5 Block 6
That means all the Block 1's are made with the same pattern pieces, but the different fabrics make them look entirely different. All the block 6 blocks look like the same pieces to me, but all the block 1 blocks do not, but is. Fabric placement is key.
What a lot of work and lots of fussy cutting, but so much fun and a big challenge. I'll do more like this, but table runner size.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Published ... Kindle, too.
For Christmas, Cindy had my blog published so I decided to reread it. It's much easier to read when it is in order, rather than going back and forth, so, thanks, Cindy. As I was reading it I noticed 3 typo's, all on the same blog page, which I corrected. One was a grammar error, another a spelling error (which was underlined, but I didn't catch) and the last one was "quite" instead of "quiet". And I read it ... how many times ... before publishing it?
I do like the book, but miss the links, so if you want to access the links, the blog is the place to go.
Chuck got me a Kindle and I do like it. No, I haven't given up books completely. I still like quilt books with patterns in book form and some older books are cheaper in paperback. I downloaded Mark Twain's autobiography, published this year 100 years after his death & a very big book, and John Casey's new book onto my Kindle. Now I need a trip to not have heavy books to cart with me. I did start reading the Twain book & like it.
I'm going to try and be more diligent about blogging
I do like the book, but miss the links, so if you want to access the links, the blog is the place to go.
Chuck got me a Kindle and I do like it. No, I haven't given up books completely. I still like quilt books with patterns in book form and some older books are cheaper in paperback. I downloaded Mark Twain's autobiography, published this year 100 years after his death & a very big book, and John Casey's new book onto my Kindle. Now I need a trip to not have heavy books to cart with me. I did start reading the Twain book & like it.
I'm going to try and be more diligent about blogging
Thursday, March 18, 2010
March
We have been having a great time at The Villages, but not all the days have been sunny, and that’s been a blessing. The first day we got here we had dinner with Risë and Denny then Risë and I went to a Central NY gathering while the boys stayed home and watched WVU play basketball. We got home and I got up early the next morning to go to an 8:30 AM quilt meeting. Next was some grocery shopping and getting to know the house & that evening was the monthly quilt meeting. YES, I went!
From there it has been walking with some Greece people ... former teachers & their spouses. We walked every day ... except I miss Tues. mornings because I HAVE to go to the quilt meeting. But Chuck walks. But we are only fair weather walkers.
We got to sleep in 2 mornings because it rained & it felt good. Chuck kept occupied with all the basketball ... it’s endless in March. Even with the rain, it was warm so I set up a sewing room on the screened in porch. Beth Brandkamp had given me oodles of stripes of fabric which were leftovers from some project she got carried away doing and I decided to finally use them up by making comfort quilts.
I was happily sewing away when the phone rang and it was Risë wondering what I was doing and when I told her about my porch set up she asked me if I heard a weather report. No, I had my iPod plugged in, but I knew it was raining heavily. She thought perhaps I should go inside and I told her I would take care ... but ignored her. That is until the phone rang again with a tornado alert. When I got back to my sewing, some of my fabric was quite wet because the rain was not coming down straight anymore, but sideways. So I went to the kitchen table. Oh, yes, the tornado hit Ocala, not us, but it was a productive day.
And those of you that saw my facebook entry and were wondering why I was complaining that the iron was cold, thinking I’ve lost my marbles because I was ironing ... it was for the quilt which only needs binding now And I have enough to make another one, but have to shop for some backing.
From there it has been walking with some Greece people ... former teachers & their spouses. We walked every day ... except I miss Tues. mornings because I HAVE to go to the quilt meeting. But Chuck walks. But we are only fair weather walkers.
We got to sleep in 2 mornings because it rained & it felt good. Chuck kept occupied with all the basketball ... it’s endless in March. Even with the rain, it was warm so I set up a sewing room on the screened in porch. Beth Brandkamp had given me oodles of stripes of fabric which were leftovers from some project she got carried away doing and I decided to finally use them up by making comfort quilts.
I was happily sewing away when the phone rang and it was Risë wondering what I was doing and when I told her about my porch set up she asked me if I heard a weather report. No, I had my iPod plugged in, but I knew it was raining heavily. She thought perhaps I should go inside and I told her I would take care ... but ignored her. That is until the phone rang again with a tornado alert. When I got back to my sewing, some of my fabric was quite wet because the rain was not coming down straight anymore, but sideways. So I went to the kitchen table. Oh, yes, the tornado hit Ocala, not us, but it was a productive day.
And those of you that saw my facebook entry and were wondering why I was complaining that the iron was cold, thinking I’ve lost my marbles because I was ironing ... it was for the quilt which only needs binding now And I have enough to make another one, but have to shop for some backing.
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