March 30, 2026 Spring Cleaning

Spring Cleaning

As previously mentioned the past few years have had some challenges for my old body.  The first were the problems caused by the hiatal hernia which included reactivation of asthma.  The excessive stomach gasses leaked into my esophagus damaged my voice permanently.  Even now some days my voice can be very weak even 6 years following the hernia surgery.  There are more good days than bad so that is a win.

Following that fun experience my inner right thigh became very painful when attempting to get in and out of our Jeep.  Physical therapy helped some.  But by the fall of 2024 I was back in therapy again for the same issue.  After appointments starting with a spine specialist who sent me to a pain specialist.  More PT but still pain.  Then my leg would randomly collapse on my right side.  Pain specialist says it is not my back but my hip.  He sends me back to my orthopedic doctor who had done my knee replacement in 2016.  That ended by the same doctor doing a hip replacement in June 2025.

During the same time frame the cataracts in both eyes reached the point of needing to be removed.  While the surgeries performed 2 weeks apart were successful, my vision was still lacking.  There were floaties in both eyes.  Once the time had elapsed for the cataract surgery to be healed, the floaty removal process was begun.  That process started with the consult in January.  In a week the left eye surgery was done on January 8.  Right eye was done March 5.

All that being said, the limitations set by either an uncooperative body or time required for healing from surgeries, cleaning and sorting have not been high on my list.  PT following hip surgery and activity limits following the four eye procedures.  With the success of floaty removals my vision is crystal clear.  I see the spots on floors.  Hand prints on doors.  Dust in the corners and baseboards.  And the windows are a mess.  Being on the 4th floor there are windows that will remain unattended.

Since being released to almost normal activities about a week ago, I have set about cleaning our little apartment.  It was time for the spring and Easter decor to replace the St. Patrick decor.  An apartment inspection required we remove items from the HVAC closet.  The items moved to the guest room and closet.  With our cousin scheduled to arrive on March 31 we had to get in gear.  The guest closet had to be dealt with in a short fashion.  

Carved man from Cousin P.  Pad from a friend.

A handmade gift in the early 1980s from Aunt Sissy

Chicks happy not to be by a road.

Crochet from Aunt Cylestene and picture painted by JoAnna

Gifts from friends and family.

I spent one day doing on line puzzles while I devised a plan for the closet.  To have room for the utility cart to hold Hubby's tool box something had to go.  That meant eliminating the storage chest that had craft supplies in it.  It, also, had vintage handcrafted items from as far back as a great grandmother.  Space was made for the precious items in my bedroom armoire.

As I was moving the items I rediscovered a decorated bath towel.  I came from my uncle's wife.  I has some spots and stains, not from use but previous storage situations.  Removing the spots is my next project with the help of Oxiclean.  Not sure if that is part of spring cleaning for everyone, but it is for me.

This is following one soaking with the spots individually sprayed.

Obviously, there is still work to be done.

Wishing you each a fruitful week,

Janice