Yes, I’m writing two posts today, and I’m not even going to apologize.
When I scheduled my Amazon post, I didn’t even think about the fact that I’d be hitting the three-week milestone today, and I really wanted to document my progress after this second shoulder surgery, so here we go.
This is my second full week back at work after surgery on my right shoulder, and it’s been a bit beastly, let me tell you.
My office is heading into its busiest season, which means I’m spending hours upon hours in front of my computer typing all the things.
All of them.
I’m still in the sling (and will be for three more weeks), and although I’m doing my best not to move my shoulder much, the micro movements have been enough to cause tremendous discomfort.
I remember this same thing happening after surgery on my left shoulder, but the blessing of time and the healing that accompanied it was that the memory of the exact amount of pain I’d dealt with had started to fade.
I went to physical therapy yesterday after work, and the first question, as always, was “How’s the shoulder today?”
Yeah. Not good.
Nor worrisome bad but not good.
There’s an exercise I have to do where I pull my scapulas back, and I haven’t been able to do it without a lot of pain. The only way I can do them is by supporting my right arm with my left.
One of the things I really love about physical therapy is when my arm gets stretched out.
It’s something that I both dread and appreciate. My therapist is incredibly gentle and watches me closely to gauge when he’s taken me to my limit.
I’m not gonna lie. Yesterday was horrible.
He told me that my shoulder was very tight and that he couldn’t even get it to neutral.
I told him that I wasn’t enjoying it one single bit and that it actually sucked quite badly.
He chuckled. We have a very good rapport.
I told him I wanted to say some wordy dirds (my version of the phrase “dirty words”). He said I could, but I told him that I didn’t want him to think badly of me.
Bless.
I’d gone backwards a bit, but this kind of surgery and rehab is like that . . . baby steps forward and adult steps back.
It’s becoming a tiresome journey but one I’m determined to see through to the end with as much of a smile as I can muster.
I didn’t do the scapula exercises at therapy. I think my therapist realized how bad off I was and rolled on without making me do the dreaded motions.
He did have me turn on my good side so he could pull my back muscles down – to maybe release them? I couldn’t even put my right arm on my side without pain.
But I muddled through, he iced me down and put the tens unit on me – my prize for enduring the hard stuff.
I have a friend who texted me two days ago. She’d just scheduled surgery for the same shoulder repairs – fortunately only in one arm.
She wanted advice, and I sent her a lot.
I have learned, through each of my health challenges, that God always uses them to help someone else.
As I texted my friend about buying short sleeve pajamas, purchasing a water resistant sling for the bath, going to the surgery center in her pajamas, having her hairstylist on standby, letting go of the notion of cleaning her house, and a plethora of other tidbits, I had to smile in gratitude that my journey hasn’t been for naught.
I look forward to supporting her through her own road to recovery, commiserating with her through the ups and downs, and cheering with her when she turns a corner and sees progress.
I’m anticipating my own milestones for both of shoulders (especially the right one) and am not ashamed to admit that I wish some of those would hurry up and make their appearances.
Ha!
Thanks, as always, for your prayers and for being a “listening” ear as I continue to heal.
I’ve been on the Amazon, and by that, I don’t mean the river.
I’m not that adventurous. Ha!
Nope. I’ve been shopping, and here are a few of my latest purchases.
First up – this adorable shirt, which an influencer I follow on the Insta posted about earlier in the week. As soon as I saw the shirt, I was like, “Yep, this is soooo my style,” and I ordered it immediately.
I can’t pull things over my head yet, but I will be able to in a few months. This will look so good with blue jeans or shorts.
I travel a lot, so having a charger I can take on the go is essential.
Here’s the actual size though – a lot bigger than I’d anticipated.
I like that I can charge a watch and a phone (I suspect my AirPods can also be charged on it). Look at these built in outlets.
Tuesday, I ordered these pants – another purchase influenced by someone I follow online.
I’ve been in desperate need of clothes that are easy to get on and off. I hope the fit is good because I love the look of them. Pockets are essential in my life.
The pants arrived yesterday, and although the length was perfect, the fit was baggy in the hips. I’m disappointed. The hubby is returning them today.
Have you made any good purchases lately? Do share!
Leave it to Joyce to create another round of fun, reflective, and patriotic questions.
Without further ado, let’s get to them.
1. What does freedom mean to you?
Freedom has so many meanings, doesn’t it? I actually googled the word, and the first definition is stated as, “the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint.”
Being a naturalized United States citizen, I recognize that the Constitution puts parameters around the freedoms it guarantees, and I am thankful for those parameters.
I’m also grateful for those who served and are currently serving in the military to safeguard our freedom.
My own Rooster served in one of the branches for six years. He and his wife endured many days and weeks apart due to TDYs and deployments. Our military are often underpaid and under appreciated.
We are an incredibly blessed country – a fact that is often overlooked in the midst of the various political debates that abound.
From a Christian worldview, there’s also freedom in Christ, which for a Christian such as myself means that I am no longer a slave to my sinful past because of the freedom paid for by Jesus’s death and resurrection. Praise God!
2. How will you celebrate Independence Day this year? If you live outside the USA answer this question as it relates to your own country’s patriotic holiday, wherever that may land on the calendar.
Ask me how glad I am that the 4th lands on a Friday! Can you say three-day weekend?
This year, we will be celebrating with our boy’s family! I’m working through lunch this week because I’m taking off a half day to get an early start on our drive. The Mr. will pick me up with the car packed and Gambit loaded up so we can save time by leaving straight from my office. I’m looking forward to spending time with my sweet E girl. It’s been a couple of months since I’ve seen her; FaceTime is great, but it’s not the same as seeing her in person. 💗
The kids are planning on grilling out. Rooster’s in-laws are driving up for the 4th to spend the day with all of us.
3. This or that…red, white, or blue? Stars or stripes? Watermelon, home made ice cream, or blueberry pie? How do you feel about fireworks?
Red, white, or blue, I choose you.
Blue is my favorite color. Sorry red, but as an Auburn fan, I’m not allowed to wear you very often.
While I’m not opposed to stripes, I think I prefer stars a little more. They look a bit like glitter, which my bougie self is all about.
I’ll take homemade vegan ice cream over the other two choices. Blueberries are just yucky to me so no thank you.
I enjoy fireworks, but I prefer to watch them from my own porch.
4. What have you purchased recently that made you excited?
We recently purchased reservations for our next big vacation. Does that count? I’ll tell you more about that trip when the time comes.
5. I’m thankful to live in America (or fill in whatever country you call home) because____________.
I’m thankful to live in America because I can openly worship God and share His Word without repercussions – a freedom that many people in other countries do not have.
6. Insert your own random thought here.
I’ve mentioned on my blog recently that I’ve gone back and started watching Survivor from the very first season.
I’m almost done with Season 2, and wow! It’s been a lot of fun! The differences between the first and second seasons are really crazy. The production team learned a lot and improved the show so much from one season to the next.
I had to laugh when I saw the following:
Contestants were doing a luxury competition. They were allowed to text a hello message to their loved ones using the iMac you see.
This took me wayyyyyy back.
My first job in education wasn’t as a teacher. I was the tech support person at a local middle school. The school had PCs and iMacs like the one you see above.
I spent many hours fixing computer issues on those things, and one of the last responsibilities I had before moving on from this job was removing them from classrooms so they could be taken to places unknown and replaced with newer technology. These babies were h-e-a-v-y, let me tell you.
Hmmm . . . could this have been where my shoulder issues started?
Ha! I doubt it, but you never know!
Y’all have a safe holiday weekend. Don’t forget to thank a serviceman (woman). The daily sacrifices of our military personnel are tangible. They often shy away from recognition; however, the acknowledgment is appreciated.
How is it July? Y’all, we are halfway through the year! Wow!
I would have done a weekend recap yesterday, but I needed Monday’s space to process stuff. 😞
So here we are on Tuesday, and I’m sure inquiring minds want to know how I spent last weekend.
Friday, I came home exhausted. It was the end of my first week back at work after my shoulder surgery, and it took a lot out of me (shoulders included).
Wednesday’s outfit, which was suitable for my physical therapy appointment that afternoon (dirty hair called for a headband) . . .
Here’s my Thursday outfit. My hairdresser washed, dried, and styled my hair during a lunchtime appointment later that day . . .
My Friday ensemble . . . my unit’s director told me I looked like I was headed to the beach. I wish. My outfits are all about what can I easily put on and take off. They don’t always make for the best fashion choices, but what can I say.
After I got home Friday, I immediately began icing both shoulders simultaneously. Ahhh. Such relief.
My specific job responsibilities amp up this time of the year. It’s actually the busiest time of the year for me – go figure. People always think that summers at the college are slow, but the opposite is actually true. We are doing all of the things to get ready for the start of Fall semester.
So, I was sore and tired.
I don’t think I even got a bath that night. I changed right into my jammies and on to my recliner for a much anticipated reading marathon.
Hubby and I watched a good movie that night.
I love Rami Malek. He is an incredible actor!
Saturday
Saturday morning, I slept in and lazily crawled off of the couch, where I’d transitioned to after leaving my recliner when Gambit got me up to pee at o’dark thirty.
It felt so good to sleep past 7. My weekday alarm goes off at 4:30. It takes me a long time to get ready since I’ve got one arm doing all of the things.
I woke up with a crick down my back, though. I’ve been playing with my pillow arrangement to help both of my shoulders while I’m sleeping in my recliner. I think the one I put behind my right arm hit my back wrong.
It was a situation that required the use of an ice gel pack on and off all morning.
It was also the perfect excuse to stay in my pajamas and read my little heart out all day.
At one point, the Mr. looked over at me and said, “Don’t you ever get bored?”
Nope. I’m a gal who is very content hanging out at home. Plus, I hit the ground running Monday through Friday. I treasure down time.
Football season is coming, y’all.
Need I say more?
I finished two books Saturday.
This was not bad. I gave it ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫.
It’s about a male college student who goes missing, and the gal who gets assigned his room and investigates his disappearance. There’s a parallel universe theme in this book; I’m such a sucker for all things time-travel related.
The other book – short story, actually – that I read was this:
It’s about a divorcee who unexpectedly becomes best friends with a gal she meets in the bathroom while at a social gathering with a group of single women.
I didn’t care for the characters though. There were also some cringy things that I just couldn’t relate to.
This one got ⭐️⭐️ from me.
Gambit slept in my chair with me Saturday night. He is a needy guy who loves his mama, and he refused to go to bed when the Mr. called for him that night. So, I let him hang out with me, and we snoozed the night away . . . until 1am when his bladder needed a potty break.
Sigh.
It takes forever for me to get out of the recliner. I’m petite, and with two bum arms and very short legs, trying to navigate out of the chair takes a lot of time and work.
I relocated myself to the couch when he came in, and we snoozled past 8.
Y’all, my surgery-worn body loved the extra hours of sleep.
I feel as though I’m still catching up from all of the sleep I missed out on when the whole shoulder saga began last September.
Plus, I knew that the gal I work closely with was going to be on vacation, and I would be covering for her, so my body needed to be prepared. It’s her annual last hurrah before we are noses to the grindstone processing all of the things for the students who will be making their appearances in a few short weeks.
But I digress.
Sunday
With me being a little grungy from two days of no baths (don’t be judging) and because I’d slept in, I told the Mr. that I wanted to watch church from home.
I love my church so much, y’all. The preaching aligns with God’s Word (I’ve been in churches where that’s not been the case), and the music is something else. So, watching from home isn’t always our favorite, but I’m thankful for technology that allows us to do so when we need to.
This week’s sermon was really incredible.
It was about how we are called to handle the disappointments of everyday unmet expectations.
Here are some screenshots and pictures of things the pastor said that weren’t in the notes in the app.
This next quote had me with my jaw dropped open – so good!
I don’t know about you, but my mind goes places at night, making the next thing he said so good!
Yep. My soul gets tired – especially with all of the stuff happening in the world right now.
Even John the Baptist wanted reassurance.
God so often works behind the scenes, which makes trust difficult.
He gave the example of a bamboo tree, which sits, apparently dormant, for five years before displaying exponential growth that is visible above ground. During that five-year period, activity is happening below ground, where an extensive root system is growing and thriving to provide support for what’s about to emerge up above.
I’m so thankful that God sees what the world either refuses to see or is blind to see.
I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty hard on myself.
I’ve often felt as though I don’t matter a whole lot to some people.
So many Christians look at what’s happening in the world today and are confused, angry, and exhausted.
Personally, I cannot stand the word “religion.”
Religion is a set of rites. It strikes me as a cold, impersonal thing.
Being a Christian is about having a personalrelationship with God – acknowledging that Jesus died for your sins, and walking through life with the Holy Spirit’s leading.
It’s an imperfect life because we are sinners. God knew that, which is why Jesus came.
I am a take-charge kind of gal. Thank goodness that God is in control.
Yep. It was an amazing sermon . . . one I very much needed.
After lunch, I prepped this One Pot Vegan Taco Pasta for the week. I ate a bowl for dinner, and it was extremely flavorful.
The ingredient list wasn’t too long. When I make this again, I’ll double the amount of broth because I had to keep adding water until the pasta was cooked.
Passata is another name for tomato puree, I think. Surprisingly, Kroger had passata!
I used these vegan “beef” grounds.
Because it was a one-pot recipe, the aftermath wasn’t too bad.
Since the cutting boards were already out, I decided to oil them – a task I perform monthly. Cutting boards are very expensive, and since we finally invested in good ones, I want to maintain them properly.
The Mr. helped me with another task – this one a weekly chore that we always dread.
I wash Gambit’s water jug and bowl each week. I’m doing everything I can to keep him living as long as possible, so getting rid of the junk that builds up each week is worth it.
The Mr. is doing the heavy lifting until my shoulders are working properly again.
I spent the rest of the afternoon piddling around . . . reading the latest book I’d downloaded on my Kindle and playing my NY Times word games.
Sunday evening, the Mr. and I watched the last three episodes of The Chosen.
The actor who plays John did an amazing job capturing the love this disciple had for Jesus.
The scene of Jesus Christ washing the disciples’ feet during the last supper was incredibly moving.
The final scenes in the last episode broke my heart in so many ways.
That was my weekend in the biggest nutshell ever.
How was your weekend? Did you run around like crazy, or did you stay home?
The loss of my sweet friend’s husband threw me into a tailspin last week.
I have cried a lot recalling fond memories of him. My heart is hurting deeply for his wife, left to pick up the pieces of her shattered heart.
Sigh.
That same day, as we were firming up plans to visit our son and his family for the weekend of the 4th, he shared that there will be a dark cloud hanging over their heads because they scheduled their dog to be put to sleep the week after the holiday weekend.
They recently found out that their little fur baby has bladder cancer, and further testing showed that it’s advancing very rapidly. Because they don’t want him to suffer, they’ve made the very difficult decision that all pet owners dread.
My daughter-in-law brought this little pup into their marriage. He’s a sweet boy and gets along well with our dog, which has made it easy to travel back and forth and bring the fur boys with us.
Sigh.
And then there’s the accident we missed witnessing firsthand last Thursday morning on the way to work.
The Mr. has been driving me back and forth ever since my shoulder surgery. Normally, when I drive myself, I leave between 6:45 and I because parking is an issue. With us playing “Driving Miss Daisy,” I’ve been taking advantage of the extra time (and it takes longer to get ready since I’m one-armed), so we’ve been leaving later.
Thursday, we left a lot later- as in I was barely going to arrive on time to clock in.
We were five minutes away from my building when we saw this at one of the intersections:
One of the things I love about where we live is the sound of the train passing through.
The tracks run through the middle of town. There’s no way around them. I have to cross them to and from work.
Unfortunately, about 10-15 minutes before we were to pass through this intersection, someone’s car got hit by the train.
We, along with many other cars, had to find an alternative route. I texted my boss that I was probably going to be late.
The train stretched on and on.
We finally found the end of it, and the Mr. deposited me at work. I even managed to clock in on time.
I wasn’t the only one in my office who’d had to take a detour in.
Later that day, I read that a young man from another city had lost his life in the accident.
I don’t know the specifics on the accident. All I do know is that a family started off their day learning that their loved one was gone forever. I’ve received phone calls like that before, and the pain is devastating.
Sigh.
I know there’s an ebb and flow to life, but the valleys sure do stink.
They are reminders of our need to press into God more.
I do not know how people get through tough times without having a personal relationship with Jesus.
Through all of the topsy turvy seasons of life, God is the only steady presence we can rely on.
And so it is with this sure knowledge that I lift up prayers of comfort for my friend, Barb, and my Rooster boy and his wife.
Last Friday, the Mr. went to dinner with a friend, so I took the opportunity to stroll around the house looking at my plants.
Y’all, my hostas are looking amazing!!
That’s a side of the house I rarely visit, so I was quite shocked to see the progress they’d made since I posted about them last month.
Here’s a photo from that blog post – just so you can compare. The third plant down grew so much, and wait until you see the last hosta in the line.
This entire flower bed has clay beneath the mulch. Planting the hostas was a BEAST of a job. The Mr. dug every single hole, and I supplemented with extra soil and fertilizer. We didn’t think they’d last long. The last plant in the row looked like it was gone forever.
Here’s what I saw Friday.
Forgive the weedy grass growing around it. My bum shoulders have rendered me a pathetic gardener of late, but I’ve already told the Mr. that this situation must be remedied immediately before my poor babies are choked.
Anyhoo, let’s focus on the positive.
Look how big she’s grown, and she’s even got a flower (with more to come).
Here’s what she looked like in May.
But God . . .
What a beautiful reminder that no matter how tough the situation, God is still there, and by His will, life will grow and even, if you allow Him to work, bloom into magnificent beauty.
I just found out that the husband of one of my best friends passed away yesterday, and I’m absolutely devastated.
I met David and his wife when we moved back to the Florida Panhandle in the early 2000’s. Our boys attended the same middle school and played soccer together – both in middle school and on a travel team.
In fact, I’m pretty sure I first met David’s wife (my future BFF) during one of the first middle school soccer games our boys played in. She quickly made an impression on me with her energy, and I decided I wanted to do life with them.
As the years went by, our families grew closer. Before I started teaching I subbed for David and his wife, who taught at our kids’ middle school. I remember David walking into his room early on a day I was subbing and watching him teach his class.
He was incredibly patient and explained concepts so well. He ruled his room with an iron hand, but his discipline was based in love, and the kids knew that.
When I was preparing to take my General Knowledge Test to become a certified teacher, the math portion freaked me out. I called David and asked if he would help me study since that was the subject he taught. I showed up at his house on the weekend, a wad of Kleenex in my hands (I’d been crying from stress), and listened carefully as he calmly walked me through several practice problems.
I remember at one point him leaning back in his chair and saying, “I have no idea how they got that answer.” He assured me that there wouldn’t be hard questions like that on the test despite my worries.
I never saw him fret.
Ever.
Even after he had to rebuild his home after Hurricane Michael destroyed it.
It was the second time he’d rebuilt that house – Hurricane Opal had flooded their home several years before.
Even when they lived in a camper in their driveway for months while he put their home back together, he was steady as could be, and I don’t think I ever heard him complain.
He and his wife were in our small group at church. We shared many, many meals together. His quiet faith did not waver.
Ever.
He loved his family and friends steadfastly.
I will never forget this amazing man – his southern drawl – his easy take on life.
Please pray for his wife, their children, their grandchildren, and their community. His passing is already being felt by all who were honored to know him.
Hello, friends! I always look forward to Wednesday. Not only does it mark the midway point of my work week, but it’s a chance to reflect as I answer Joyce’s fun questions and visit new areas of the blog world to see how others answered them.
Let’s get started!
1. What does adventure mean to you?
When I see or hear the word “adventure,” I immediately think of participating in an activity that may be new to me – something that might ask me to step outside of my comfort zone – visit a place I’ve never been to before. An adventure evokes a feeling of anticipation and fun.
2. What are your thoughts on tipping? What businesses or service providers do you regularly tip? Do you resent being asked if you’d like to add a tip? What about when a suggested amount is presented?
I am all for tipping, if the circumstances warrant it.
Dining at a sit-down restaurant where someone takes my order, and it’s made especially for me. – where someone checks on me to make sure my water glass is filled up and things are to my satisfaction. I am more than happy to tip in this case.
We don’t do fast food much, but when we do, I’m not about to tip. Sorry not sorry.
I believe that other service-oriented personnel, such as hair stylists, nail techs, food delivery and Uber drivers should be tipped. We’ve even tipped movers who transported and unloaded our home’s furnishings. These people work hard, and I want them to feel appreciated.
With that said, yes, I do resent being asked if I want to add a tip.
Last year, we were buying a few trinkets from a souvenir shop during a trip with friends. I was absolutely aghast when the shop worker gave me a pen to add a tip. “Um, no. You rang up my purchases. That is it.” The request was extremely tacky.
If a suggested amount is provided, I become rebellious – unless the number provided lines up with what I’d planned on tipping anyhow.
3. I scream you scream we all scream for ice cream…do we? Is ice cream a favorite treat at your house? What’s your favorite flavor? Regular, soft serve, gelato, sherbet, or some sort of non-dairy version of ice cream…what’s your pleasure?
I have had a milk allergy since I was pregnant with my youngest, so I have missed out on real ice cream for over thirty years.
Thank goodness for recipe creators who have figured out how to make plant-based ice cream that tastes like the real thing.
I can’t have oat milk, so mine needs to be made with almond, cashew, or coconut milk.
Did you know that Kitchen Aid has an ice cream bowl attachment that you freeze and make ice cream with? Yep. It works amazingly well!
For store bought (i.e. the lazy woman’s go-to), this one is my favorite at the moment and one we stocked in the freezer in the days leading up to my recent surgery. It went down so smoothly and eased my sore throat when I got home from the surgery center.
4. What’s your ‘back in my day, we____________________ ‘ story or saying?
Back in my day, we didn’t overthink our baby’s sleep habits. We asked our mamas and friends, and we might have read What to Expect the First Year. Ultimately, we used our God-given intuition, and our kiddos were fine.
5. Somehow this is our last Hodgepodge in the month of June. Next week’s Hodgepodge lands in July. Wow. Sum up your June using three adjectives.
Because June has been all about my shoulder surgery, my three adjectives are related to that: anticipated, painful, and restful.
These words seem contrary, but they follow the progression of the month.
6. Insert your own random thought here.
I just finished this book:
It must have been a free book I downloaded from Prime’s First Read offerings one month.
This is a lovely book that depicts two people who meet while visiting their loved ones’ graves. The friendship they forge as they navigate the turbulent waters of grief is unexpectedly funny while simultaneously tender.
I thought I’d share what I meal prepped for my first week back at work.
By the way, here’s me, yesterday, all ready to rejoin my sweet coworkers.
I cooked two dishes Friday afternoon after my doctor’s appointment.
First, though, was a late lunch in the form of a smoothie. I make a similar version of this, but this new-to-me recipe, posted by one of my favorite recipe creators, asks for tofu to bump up the amount of protein. It was delicious! I sipped on it while I prepared the other dishes.
Thank heavens for the Mr., who has a lot of experience serving as my sous chef given the number of surgeries I’ve had over the years.
I veganized it by cubing up a block of tofu, draining it, and frying it up after liberally sprinkling the cubes with salt and pepper.
I made a pot of rice to serve the curry with. What a flavorful dish!
Since the Mr. was in chopping mode, I got him to go ahead and chop up a couple more things for a second dish I wanted to prepare – Creamy Tomato Soup.
This recipe is in the cookbook pictured below – a longtime favorite of mine.
This recipe came together very quickly with a minimum number of ingredients.
All of that cooking made for a lot of dishes that needed to be washed up. I did every single one of them, using my left hand.
We had run the dishwasher earlier in the day, so it was still full of clean dishes, which is why they needed to be hand washed.
When Super Sis and I were growing up, we took turns with the dishes. One of us washed while the other dried. It was the cause of many an argument because we never could remember who’d gotten the best job – the washing. Our mom finally had to post a chart in the fridge to keep us straight.
We took pride in our stacks of clean but wet dishes. The Mr. is forever telling me that it’s not a contest to see how high I can stack them.
AuburnChick's Adventures 