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I didn't really feel I was even present in Blogland or real life in 2019.
Blogland tends to be, well honestly, it is basically so positive, we could call it saccharin.
While I have always tried to be positive, the political and social climate has been oppressive if not demoralizing. Aside from that, add a my physical trauma and long recovery from a knee injury could try even the most positive of all human beings. I don't mean for this post to be a downer---but a journey---I hope you bear with me.
I ripped my MCL (Medial Lateral Ligament) in my right knee (the driving one) in May. After X-rays progress of Medicare Medicine grinds slowly, and finally after a month of total rest of the injured knee, a MRI showed severe damage to the bones, no cartilage, and severe swelling. And, I was sent to a surgeon. After a cortisone shot to give me some immediate relief, I had to wait for at least three months for the knee replacement. I had 8 weeks of therapy 3 times a week over the summer. I couldn't do stairs to my basement for this entire time. After the therapy, I was able to drive for about 7 weeks in September and October. I had to help my husband with the garden produce, since he had been chief-cook, bottle-washer, chauffeur, gardener, handyman, and hand-holder. He's been a gem!
Finally in mid-October I had the right knee replacement. I am now in my 11th week of therapy---and slowly, very slowly making progress. Age does have something to do with recovery!
Finally in mid-October I had the right knee replacement. I am now in my 11th week of therapy---and slowly, very slowly making progress. Age does have something to do with recovery!
During all this---Blogland, while a diversion was really trying on my own blogs!
I had to close my Etsy shop twice, for a total of six months.
Unable to get to any of my stock in the basement, I was also unable to thrift shop or flea market.
Sighhhhhhhh!
Scooting around the yard for gardening was difficult except on flat surfaces.
We do have wood pathways and lots of concrete around many of the flower beds which allowed me some time outside,
though, often doing work from a sitting position in my wheelie walker!
The only Garden Center I visited this year was one created for my doll blog---posted a few weeks before of my injury!
Most of the north/midwest had been gripped in a cold miserable extended Winter/Spring. Ice storms were prevalent, we lost a 30 foot Spruce, and huge branches from 'the monster Tree'!
Soon, it was too hot to take photos after 10 am...seriously or sit on our screened porch. We went from freezing and snow to 90's in less than two weeks???
The excessive heat also kept us in the house...I became about as DOWN, as I have ever been in my life. I didn't even keep plants on the porch this year...my favorite place was too hot! And, opening and closing the windows (moving furniture) was too difficult. We have 13 windows and two doors on the porch
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| oldnewgreenredo |
I had to close my Etsy shop twice, for a total of six months.
 |
| oldnewgreenredo |
Unable to get to any of my stock in the basement, I was also unable to thrift shop or flea market.
 |
| oldnewgreenredo |
Sighhhhhhhh!
Scooting around the yard for gardening was difficult except on flat surfaces.
 |
| oldnewgreenredo |
We do have wood pathways and lots of concrete around many of the flower beds which allowed me some time outside,
 |
| oldnewgreenredo |
though, often doing work from a sitting position in my wheelie walker!
 |
| oldnewgreenredo |
The only Garden Center I visited this year was one created for my doll blog---posted a few weeks before of my injury!
 |
| oldnewgreenredo |
Most of the north/midwest had been gripped in a cold miserable extended Winter/Spring. Ice storms were prevalent, we lost a 30 foot Spruce, and huge branches from 'the monster Tree'!
 |
| oldnewgreenredo |
Soon, it was too hot to take photos after 10 am...seriously or sit on our screened porch. We went from freezing and snow to 90's in less than two weeks???
 |
| oldnewgreenredo |
The excessive heat also kept us in the house...I became about as DOWN, as I have ever been in my life. I didn't even keep plants on the porch this year...my favorite place was too hot! And, opening and closing the windows (moving furniture) was too difficult. We have 13 windows and two doors on the porch
Realizing my attitude issues with everything, the waiting, the therapy---I started painting in July...doing an entire month of watercolors, everyday to help with my HEAD!
Honestly, this saved my soul and my mind, while I had almost lost both.
I painted, and painted, and painted, and for at least 2 hours a day, from prompts.
I forgot I was impaired all the time I spent painting! These were all my most popular posts this year. I painted the mundane, the garden, antiques...just about anything.
But, my doll blog-barbieoldnewgreenredo still suffered the most.
I was unable to work on much (except some on the Grand Hotel redo on our kitchen table).
I had set-up piles of projects for sewing before the surgery---and then found running the pedal from the left foot for my sewing machine was dangerous for my fingers.
Swapping sides of your body means you have to retrain from a different side of your brain. Pretend now to brush your teeth with your non-dominant hand...LOL! Did you hit your nose???
I did do lots of hand mending of vintage doll clothes...lots of snaps and hooks and eyes.
Hopefully, the end of January 2020, I will be able to drive something other than my walker.
Now, I'm still in therapy for 1-1/2 hours, 4 times a week, and am using a brace that traps me into flexion (it's a torture device-I swear) up to 3 times a day.
I'm not totally happy with the responses of my surgeon---who seems to do patients' recovery through therapists, and others: PA's and receptionists who read you statements rather than answer your questions or needs. I have spent a grand total of 21 minutes with him in four visits in 7 1/2 months. The office has taken Five days to address a prescription refill. And, two weeks to respond with a problem with the brace device? Such, is advanced specialized care, now?
I'm assertive, insistent, and I document everything. But, I'm afraid I will not be recommending his practice, not for the quality of the surgery---but for the quality of the aftercare or non-caring. He seems to be fixated on degrees and retaining his perfect record, rather than my quality of my knee or my life.
SO my word for 2020 is "MOVE"!!!
MOVE: Definition 1- go in a specified direction or manner; to change position!
MOVE, I will stir the pot...and not the cooking kind!
Hans Christian Andersen's --The Emperors new Clothes.
Democracy is a responsibility I take very seriously.
MOVE: Definition 2: make progress; to develop in a particular manner or direction.
I will entertain---for no reason---not wait for a holiday or birthday!
And I will share, the good and bad. No more 'Pollyanna' world or holding it in.
 |
| oldnewgreenredo |
Honestly, this saved my soul and my mind, while I had almost lost both.
 |
| oldnewgreenredo |
I painted, and painted, and painted, and for at least 2 hours a day, from prompts.
 |
| oldnewgreenredo |
I forgot I was impaired all the time I spent painting! These were all my most popular posts this year. I painted the mundane, the garden, antiques...just about anything.
But, my doll blog-barbieoldnewgreenredo still suffered the most.
 |
| oldnewgreenredo |
I was unable to work on much (except some on the Grand Hotel redo on our kitchen table).
 |
| oldnewgreenredo |
I had set-up piles of projects for sewing before the surgery---and then found running the pedal from the left foot for my sewing machine was dangerous for my fingers.
Swapping sides of your body means you have to retrain from a different side of your brain. Pretend now to brush your teeth with your non-dominant hand...LOL! Did you hit your nose???
 |
| oldnewgreenredo |
I did do lots of hand mending of vintage doll clothes...lots of snaps and hooks and eyes.
Hopefully, the end of January 2020, I will be able to drive something other than my walker.
Now, I'm still in therapy for 1-1/2 hours, 4 times a week, and am using a brace that traps me into flexion (it's a torture device-I swear) up to 3 times a day.
I'm not totally happy with the responses of my surgeon---who seems to do patients' recovery through therapists, and others: PA's and receptionists who read you statements rather than answer your questions or needs. I have spent a grand total of 21 minutes with him in four visits in 7 1/2 months. The office has taken Five days to address a prescription refill. And, two weeks to respond with a problem with the brace device? Such, is advanced specialized care, now?
I'm assertive, insistent, and I document everything. But, I'm afraid I will not be recommending his practice, not for the quality of the surgery---but for the quality of the aftercare or non-caring. He seems to be fixated on degrees and retaining his perfect record, rather than my quality of my knee or my life.
SO my word for 2020 is "MOVE"!!!
MOVE: Definition 1- go in a specified direction or manner; to change position!
MOVE! I will move on!
MOVE! I will continue to exercise, religiously!
MOVE, I will progress in the quality of my physical movements and my heart.
Everyone needs more heart while living!
Everyone needs more heart while living!
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| oldnewgreenredo |
MOVE, I will pass it on. Pass on the good, the bad,
the joys, the laughter!
the joys, the laughter!
MOVE, I will stir the pot...and not the cooking kind!
Hans Christian Andersen's --The Emperors new Clothes.
Democracy is a responsibility I take very seriously.
 |
| oldnewgreenredo |
MOVE: Definition 2: make progress; to develop in a particular manner or direction.
MOVE!, I will make headway in my continued weight loss and develop habits that improve my health.
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| oldnewgreenredo |
MORE vegetables!
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| oldnewgreenredo |
Eat Fresh!
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| oldnewgreenredo |
Definitely the best!
MOVE!, I want to increase my social experiences
with my friends in real life,
in my doll club, and in Blogland.
We are our own best support system. And, at my age, I also will have friends who need support.
with my friends in real life,
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| oldnewgreenredo |
We are our own best support system. And, at my age, I also will have friends who need support.
 |
| oldnewgreenredo |
I will entertain---for no reason---not wait for a holiday or birthday!
 |
| oldnewgreenredo |
And I will share, the good and bad. No more 'Pollyanna' world or holding it in.
 |
| oldnewgreenredo |
Yes, I Welcome everything!
I hope you will continue to enjoy this journey with me. I hope to regularly post to both blogs in the near future! I wish you all well in the New Year, to your own health and to your own happiness!
And, then let's MOVE ON!
There are always the seed catalogs...we have to plant some Chinese eggplant, this year! I miss having vegetarian lasagna in the freezer.
And, then let's MOVE ON!
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| oldnewgreenredo |
There are always the seed catalogs...we have to plant some Chinese eggplant, this year! I miss having vegetarian lasagna in the freezer.
Thank you for any and all comments.
Finally I am able to reply to comments by using Chrome. So all you Mac users who have upgraded to Catalina---this might help the glitches on Safari Blogger!
Join me at these fine blog parties:
Tuesdays at Our Home
Talk of the Town
Vintage Charm
Thursday Favorite Things
Tuesdays at Our Home
Talk of the Town
Vintage Charm
Thursday Favorite Things
