Hello everyone.
Tuesday we arrived home so late from Arizona after flight delays on both
segments - the new norm - and fell into bed around 2:00 am Wednesday!
It was however a lovely trip, and seeing many family members was so
enjoyable after such a long time apart.
Since then, not the best of weeks, but I've worked my way through it
managing to get back to physiotherapy, restocking the fridge with essentials,
and cooking - always so good after so many restaurant meals when
on the road.
I'm now trying to get into the spirit of Christmas as it's coming
fast and furious here in my neighborhood. Colored lights, white lights,
blow-up Santas, faux reindeer wearing red bows, wreaths on front doors etc.
I've done nothing yet, other than place this cute yarn tree with a wooden
star on the mantel. Found at SuzAnna's Antiques 'Holiday Open House' a
couple of weeks back, it caught my eye. I have a load of leftover knitting yarns
and thought I might copy the idea later. Meanwhile it stands there to remind
me to get a move on with Christmas decorating!
Bob will definitely be helping me a lot this year as my movements such as
bending, reaching, even standing for long periods, are compromised by my
back issue. I came home to not great results from the recent MRI and now
have an appointment set up for later this month with a neurologist.
Today, I'm sitting at the dining room table with my lumbar pillow tucked behind
me - the most comfortable position currently - and writing Christmas cards.
Later Bob will spend time raking/blowing the thousands of leaves
accumulated whilst we were gone, making a pathway to the potting shed to
bring out the faux Christmas tree which always goes in the gazebo
to light the dark winter nights - I will decorate it best I can.
Over this coming week the Christmas boxes will come down from the attic
storage area and I'll decorate a bit at a time, but perhaps not as much as
I usually do.
Fortunately the weather here has been close to perfect all week and will
continue over this weekend - we are counting our blessings.
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Dearest Mary,
ReplyDeleteGlad you made it back home, be it with delays...
Getting back into the daily routine is not easy at our age and for sure not with all the aches and medical issues.
Try to decompress over the weekend and adjust to the weahter.
Hugs,
Mariette
Mariette dear, my usual daily routine for this time of year is not happening! I'm usually raring to get on with the autumn garden chores, and decorating for Christmas indoors and out, but right now it's really hard as I cannot lift, bend, reach, walk far or even stand for long periods! Talk about "aging not being for sissies" - I could be the poster gal right now. . . . . and it makes me so angry!
DeleteHowever, I'm praying for better days ahead, fingers crossed, and thankfully I have Bob who is such a help, bless him!
Hoping you find some relief soon...💞
DeleteWow.... writing Christmas cards..... something that we have not done for ages now. (I still wish some one would send us those slow moving Cards by the post)
ReplyDeleteYes, still enjoy writing/mailing cards - for me it will always be an important part of Christmas.
DeleteDear Mary, I am sorry that you are still in pain and can not be quite as active as you would like to be, but I am sure the trip did you a lot of good (delayed flights aside) and that between you and Bob you will make your home as Christmassy as you like.
ReplyDeleteI have not done much yet, either, but have only a handful of cards left to write.
Happy 2nd Advent Sunday!
Hugs, Meike x
Thanks Meike, it was good to have a change of scenery for a week - and I managed quite well despite my aches and pains! Christmas tree up in the gazebo with Bob's help yesterday - decorate it later today - along with some indoor things but perhaps not as much as usual!
DeleteI am sorry to hear you are in such pain. Sending gentle hugs.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much dear Penny - miss seeing you!
DeleteMary sorry to read that you are suffering with back trouble. Hope they can help you in the coming weeks. Glad you had a good vacation. Take care and don't over do. I have to remind myself what is most meaningful about Christmas and not get caught up in the doing but just being. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteHello Debbie, nice of you to stop by and leave a thoughtful comment. I do try to always think about the meaning of Christmas, so often in these modern times it seems to have been lost and turned into such a huge commercial holiday. With my limitations this year, shopping for holiday stuff is definitely at the bottom of my to do list! Actually sitting and card writing is the easiest thing at present so I'm getting on with that this coming week!
DeleteI just googled a map of the US to get my head round where Arizona is in relation to the rest - gosh it's a long way, and so huge! I've been watching a movie - The Power of the Dog — based in Montana. I'd love to go there one day too.
ReplyDeleteWe watched it last night Mark after reading about Benedict Cumberbatch's role - award winning no doubt - and Kirsten Dunst who was amazing. The setting and scenery was quite awesome (though it was actually filmed in NZ which appeared as Montana in the 1900's). Jane Campion's movies have always been so different, deep and thought provoking with such beautiful photography.
DeleteBTW, do try to visit Montana some day because it really is a magnificent landscape - right up your ally I would say Mark after reading your great book and learning more about your love of the land!
Phew, that was a late finish to your travelling adventures, Mary. Welcome home! You gave me a jolt mentioning Xmas cards - although the tree went up on Tuesday (feeling smugly organised), thinking we were going Early Tree this year, I've not even given a thought to cards and I fear my window for overseas postings has probably closed (feeling woefully disorganised). How did we get to the 5th of December so quickly??
ReplyDeleteYes days are fleeting fast and I'm slowing down! Fortunately weather is great here, not too cold and no signs of snow yet, so we are able to get things done outside without bad conditions. Brilliant sun this morning and the leaves continue to fall in the light wind. Of course not spring-like as you have in Australia! Have you ever spent a Christmas somewhere in snow? I'm curious Pip.
DeleteThat does sound like a tiring return journey you had, Mary. Travel is not the same these days. Take the decorating slowly, which is what I have been doing - about 30 minutes each day. It is nice to delve into ones Christmas collections, and choose a new arrangement each year. So sorry to hear of your continuing pain and back problems, which must have made travel difficult. Take care dear Mary. xx
ReplyDelete.......Trish dear, there you are also in Australia (see my reply to Pip above), decorating in heat and I'm sure sunshine! Travel went well which surprised me - I took things easy and of course didn't have to do any chores which helped perhaps! Like you, currently doing small things in short spurts and today Bob will be dragging the Christmas boxes from the the attic. I'll choose carefully regarding what will be displayed this year, it will be less than usual!
DeleteTake care dear - thinking of you too x
Dear Mary,
ReplyDeleteWelcome home. I should have jumped into my car and made a fast trip to Arizona. That is probably as close as we can get to commiserate with you. I am so sorry that you are still in so much pain.
We would have loved to see you again - hopefully that will happen in 2022! I'm hoping to get injections soon Gina - hopefully they will bring relief.
DeleteI am so sorry you are still experiencing this level of discomfort / pain. I thoroughly enjoyed reading your Arizona posts. My son and I are going to make an attempt to get to Tucson sometime in February. We'll see. I have friends and a nephew / family there. My Raleigh son is still enamored with NC .... cannot imagine him moving ever again. Be gentle with yourself.
ReplyDeleteHope you get to take your Tucson trip dear Helen. So glad your son is happily settled in NC - let me know if you head this way for a visit next year!
DeleteMake sure you rest Mary. back pain really takes a lot out of you. I suffer from it from time to time. Nothing major but it's quite tiresome.
ReplyDeleteI wish mine wasn't major too Loree but sadly at my age the 'spine demons' don't go away with just rest!!!
DeleteAnyway I'm hoping for relief soon - fingers are crossed!
I'm so glad you got to take a trip and see family, but yes, Christmas is now coming at breakneck speed! Every year I say it's going to be easier and somehow it isn't...cards to be sent, gifts to be bought and wrapped, cookies to bake for neighbors, packages to take to the post office, decking the halls, and Christmas parties to attend.
ReplyDeleteGood thing you have Bob to help you, with having these back issues and it sidelining you a bit. I sympathize...I've had back issues most of my life (injuries, herniated disks, arthritis, sciatica) and I've been in PT quite a few times for the pain and issues. The past couple of years have been pretty darn good with my back (knock on wood!) and it's something I'm thankful for every day. Just FYI for when you're better, gentle yoga classes have been very good for my back. I know everyone is different and you can discuss it with your dr when the time is right. {{hugs}}
Hi Mel, lovely to hear from you and know all is well with you and your back at present! Interesting about your many issues which sound so similar to mine. I take it you've never had a surgery and and that PT has helped - that's good. I would love to do YOGA and may try that later if I can get the pain level down, right now I think those moves would kill me, haha!!!!
DeleteDear Mary,
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to read that your MRI results were not as good as you'd hoped, and that you are still in so much pain. You are a trooper to carry on. I hope you soon find some relief. So glad Bob is there to help you out!
It's drizzling here again this morning and I'll be spending the day doing some baking and puttering around the house. Do take good care, Mary.
gentle hugs,
Lorrie
Your 'puttering' around the house day sounds perfect Lorrie - those are my favorite ones right now as it's such an effort to get going and actually go away from home!
DeleteHope your rain has ceased and today will be a sunny one - we are due rain tonight and it will continue for several days and be much cooler.
So glad to hear you had a good trip, but sad that you still don't have a resolution on your back and pain. Take care, dear one.
ReplyDeleteSending love!
Thanks dear Marilyn, I will do my best. Decorating for Xmas is being cut back a bit this year, but still have my tree in the gazebo to light the dark nights, and have placed some pretty vignettes around the house.
Delete