Tears and Fears

Progress is being made with recovery on my post-surgical Total Knee Replacement, yet there are fears that I have that still remain. As a  writer it just feels good to write about it....sometimes those near and dear to me are tired of hearing it anyway. I don't regret the decision to have Total Knee Replacement, but the pain and long term recovery was more than I had anticipated.  As of late, the thing that most concerns me.....no, terrifies me, is the prospect of having to go under anesthesia again for "manipulation under anesthesia " if I don't have the prescribed range of motion achieved by 6 weeks. Here is a description of such from Wikipedia:
Manipulation Under Anesthesia (MUA) is multidisciplinary manual therapy treatment system which is used to improve articular and soft tissue movement using specifically controlled release, myofascial manipulation, and mobilization techniques while the patient is under moderate to deep IV sedation using monitorized anesthesia care (MAC).^[1]

Post Surgery-Now the recovery begins...

Well, finally made it home and survived my Total Knee Replacement. Ahhh, such a good feeling to be home again and my husband and friends are helping in so many ways to make my life easier. It almost helps make up for the pain.  In the long run I am sure it will be worth it, but I had no idea the pain would be as intense as it has been.  So many things in life you take for granted and when you can't move like you normally do, just to accomplish simple tasks....then you really learn to appreciate the "normal" functioning of your body.  I have learned to maneuver quite well with my walker, and stairs are "doable" with my cane. Although I lately try to avoid the stairs except at the end of the day to go to bed. This lucky lady has a little horn on her walker....which might come in handy-after all I go so FAST on it. Actually, as I progress, I might not be needing a walker too much longer anyway..

I am however signed up for 5 weeks of physical therapy.  I have been to a couple sessions, and I am impressed with the therapists knowledge and technique.  However, sometimes I feel that they might be thinking they are not working me hard enough or are not doing their job if I don't end up in tears.  Not trying to be a cry baby, but HOLY COW , it really hurts! I know, I know, with further therapy it will hurt less and my "range of motion" will drastically improve. But in the mean time it feels like a long uphill battle.  To compound the issue, I am feeling guilty and a sense of loss from being away from my writing.  At least, I can update my blog, and the other projects will follow. Guess the other projects will follow when I am feeling better.  So thankful and feeling blessed that the surgery is done and the road to recovery begins. Prayers Answered.

Medical Leave of Absence

When I first started this blog, I wanted to keep it updated on a weekly basis and keep the topics fresh and interesting.  I still hope to do that...but I am taking some necessary time off from my writing. It is getting down to the wire. In just a few days I will be undergoing surgery for Total Knee Replacement. Since I have arthritis, the cartilage in my knee has eroded away to the point that I am now bone on bone....so that pretty much necessitates a replacement.  I am optimistic about my prognosis and hope to have much more mobility in the long run (without the pain)!

 Living with arthritis article

Since I am a writer, it is easy for me to write about things I am experiencing and also things I want to learn more about. Arthritis is no exception.  I am now in the process of writing a very interesting article about the disease itself, therapies for it and different coping mechanisms. Until I started writing this, I did not realize that arthritis is more prevalent than most people believe and there are many different types of arthritis.  Osteoarthritis ( the type I was diagnosed with) is the most common-27 million Americans have it.

So here is a diagram showing the diminished cartilage in a damaged knee.  I look at these diagrams, and also at my own x-rays and I think; "Damn, no wonder my knee hurts so much!"

I am not shy to admit that I am nervous about the upcoming weeks, but it does bring me alot of comfort knowing that my family and so many friends are supporting me in this.  I was told I probably can't drive for 6 weeks....Wow. That is hard for me when I am accustomed to being so independent. In some ways, it can be viewed as a blessing because it makes me appreciate good health and the good people that help me on a day to day basis.(I love you folks so much...you know who you are.)

 The Optimism of Spring

As I write these words, it's 30 degrees out and there are patches of snow here and there.  In a few weekends the daffodils and tulips will be shooting up and hopefully I will soon be up and about and back to be writing schedule.  I think it is so funny that I would title this a Medical Leave of Absence, when after all I am my own boss.  Yet, I have a certain degree of self-inflicted stress- I am such a slave driver...even with my self.  What is that expression-"You are your own worst critic." Pretty true for this gal. See you again in a few weeks.....Post Surgery.

Journaling...documenting your treasured memories

Journaling....documenting your treasured memories

 I have been keeping a diary and /or Journal since I was a young girl. When I was very young we had little one year diaries complete with a lock and key to keep our innermost secrets safe. It was terrific to record all the events and day to day happenings of the day. The disadvantage of those little diaries

were that they came with a page printed to each and every day of the year, so one felt obligated to writer EVERY day.  Sometimes this got a little ho-hum, and then there were days that you could have used 10 pages to describe a major event and ALL the emotions surrounding it. So we graduated to Journals, allowing us the freedom of expression and the freedom to document when and how much we wanted to.  To this day I still keep a personal journal, yes with pen and paper, and I love the freedom to write only once every few months...whenever the spirit moves me. In my life, the Journaling process has navigated over to my scrapbooking craft. It is so valuable to designate dates, events, names in your albums.  Years from now when looking back, it is so hard to remember details like that. There was a time that I felt all the documentation in my albums should be typed and neatly displayed by the picture. My attitude on that has changed...the originality of having the information and impressions of the moment be in your own handwriting is so much better.  I believe that you don't want your family travel pictures to look like a printed up brochure-you want them to look like your very own family album. Having notes in your own handwriting gives it a look that is distinctly yours.

Journaling: helping the pictures tell the story

There are many different ways you can Journal in conjunction with your Scrapbooking. Some take a fine pen and write directly on the page.  This is great if you have decided and already practiced what you are writing.  If you do it directly on the page, it is harder to correct if an error is made. I like using Journaling cards.  If you mess up, you can get a new card and not have to worry about fixing the entire page.

 The styles and colors on the market provide a very wide variety to reflect any theme. It is so fun to select complimentary papers, journaling cards and embellishments when telling the story with your photographs. In addition to pre-printed cards for journaling, you can also create your own with rubber stamps. I own several and have fun stamping out designs with several different colors to create journaling cards that fit my needs. Here is a picture of one of the stamps I own that I use alot...definitely got my money's worth.

Although Journaling seems like extra trouble when organizing your photographs, it is worth it in the long run.  Things that seem so obvious now, years from now you can confirm which cousin is which and which lake is which....and what year did we met Aunt Judy at Custer National Park? When did I buy that car?  The possibilities go on and on, so be sure to document it to help you answer those persistent  questions.  Keep Scrapping!

Scrapbooking....finding your Creative Niche

Scrapbooking....the joy of taking all those cherished photographs and arranging them in albums with special papers, stickers, embellishments and journaling to document events.  I have always believed this is a better alternative, then sticking them in an old shoe box and placing them on a shelf somewhere.  So many memories can be preserved through scrapbooking your events in life...both the "big" things and the everyday treasures found in day to day living. I have been Scrapbooking in one way or another for over 30 years-it's funny because I was a Scrapbooker way before it was cool or "trendy".  I remember a trip to Paris my senior year in HS that is well documented by not only my photos, but collected postcards, ticket stubs, menus and of course the journaling of my visit there.
So in some ways I think of myself as an expert in this field: I know what I like and what I don't like when it comes to Scrapbooking and scrapbooking techniques.

 It is an Art....not an exact science

 My main purpose in this blog is to encourage every Scrapbooker out there to follow your creative spirit and go with what works for you. I don't like to be pushed into something just because it's the trend or I "should" to it that way. It is an art...not an exact science. To give you an example, I use albums that are 8 1/2  x 11 format, smaller than the "mainstream" size of 12 x12.  I have several reasons why I prefer the smaller format, but mostly because they are easier to use when you sit down to look at pictures....less cumbersome I think.

 Albums and papers of the 8 1/2x11 size can still be found, thank goodness, but the predominant size on the market is 12x12. I have dug my heels in, and have refused to "convert" to a 12x12 format, and have not regretted my decision. I still have so much fun creating the albums with the format I am most comfortable working with. Here are a couple of pages documenting our Alaskan fishing trip-a very successful catch of Halibut. The shading on the pages was done by texturing several different colors (stamp pads), with a stiff bristle brush.  I love the marbley look you get with that....and it is a subtle look that does not distract from the pictures themselves. Also, I really love to use die-cuts whenever I can find them. The blue "Alaska" die-cut I found in a Scrapbooking store up there. My guys were very patient with me when I just HAD to make a stop there. The use of a Cricut machine is also handy.  I don't own one, but I have a friend that can sometimes do cut outs for me.

 When creating die-cuts, the use of paper punches for small, simple embellishments are great to just add a little pizazz to your albums...here is a good example with the little orange swirls. These are photos of Devils Tower Wyoming, very impressive but lots of gray...I put them on forest green paper and the orange swirls add a touch of color. Matting pics in a contrasting color also makes then stand out.
Do whatever inspires you & you will be sure to create a family keepsake. Keep Scrapping! 

Compulsory Tranquility

This morning as the bone chilling wind blew, and the tiny snowflakes filled the sky....I warmed my hands with a cup of hot coffee as Max and I shared the comfort and security of a warm, dry house.  We could both sit in comfort and watch the snowflakes fly.  I had to venture out into it later, but that was later. Just for a short while, I could just sit and enjoy the beauty of the snow.

While enjoying the quiet of the snowy morning, it occurred to me that sometimes in life things as simple as a snowstorm compel us to slow down and take time to have a few tranquil moments.  Perhaps in our busy lives we don't take time for reflection unless something from beyond our control forces us to do so....compulsory tranquility.  At this time of year, so many people are so very tired of winter....the cold, the shoveling...enough. Many are dreaming of green grass and daffodils.  Perhaps I am the eternal optimist, but I find there is something to be found, perhaps inside ourselves, when mother nature changes our plans. It is my feeling that allowing yourself to have those few extra moments to soak in the reflection time is incredibly beneficial to a person's well-being.  Some may use meditation, some use prayer and sometimes it's as simple as watching the snowflakes fall with your cat.

Don't Forget the Sign Picture!!

My love of writing extends to Journaling in the scrapbooks that I compile with photographs of family events and travels. While preparing for our next trip, to Alaska, my husband and I were talking about a family tradition of standing by the sign of  the attraction (usually for us a National Park) to document that we were actually there! When my boys were younger, it was viewed as more of an adventure, then as a task, when they hear Mom say..."Ooo, Ooo...stop the car! We gotta get this sign picture! Nevertheless, I like to think that as the years go by my family & friends will look at the albums with a smile and remember when....

My blog is here to show my love of writing and sharing ideas through words and photographs. So come share your ideas, tips and inspirations with me.