Another Good Day

About 4 or 5 years ago I was walking 10K steps a day.  I decided to enhance my stability by doing sideways steps.  At first I did 20 to each side.  If a little is good more is better.  Nope.  The additional steps, up to 200 each side, caused me to develop adductor tendonitis.  A trip to the orthopedic doctor sent me to rehab.  

Rehab showed me a series of movements.  I think I went a couple of times at most.  At home exercise over several months and the tendonitis seemed to resolve itself for the most part.  Fast forward to last August.  I had been experiencing intermittent discomfort with the adductors and tendons again.  I quit Stretch Lab and started doing exercises and stretching at home.

One of the exercises I added to my routine in August 2022 was one used back in the 1980s.  A Jane Fonda workout tape was used at the gym a friend and I went to most mornings.   The movement was to build up the inner thigh muscles.  As in the photo below one lays on your side with the top leg bent forward.  Raise the bottom leg.  

Back in the 80s it took my friend and I a few times to figure out how to make those muscles work.  That was the exercise I began doing back in August.  Not the best plan for a person with a tendency toward adductor issues.  Those are the very muscles that are the primary in the "twat tightener" movement.  Twat tightener was the name Donna and I gave the movement.

By early October I was not doing at all well.  I was losing my balance due to the pain when using my leg.  I was not able to lift my let to cross it over my leg when sitting.  Lifting the leg to get dressed was pretty tough.  If I wanted to get in the car safely, I'd best not do anything to spread my legs apart.  Stretching my legs apart would be excruciating pain.  So on Halloween I returned to Dr. Valestro, our family orthopedic doctor. 

He sent me straight to therapy.  This time his instructions to the therapist included ultrasound treatments.  On November 28 I had my first therapy session.  The therapist said the adductor tendon and muscle were like a rod.  In a relaxed position the muscle and tendon should have been soft to the touch.  I was treated and put through a series of exercises.  I was to do the exercises once daily.  I have done those initial movements as well as some additional ones added later.

Today was my tenth therapy session.   I told Michelle, the therapist, that I was to see the doctor later so we discussed the progress we have made.  She said when I first came my adductor & tendon were like a rod for about 10 inches.  As of today only about 2 inches were still tight like a rod.  She said the area always softens up a bit more after the ultrasound treatment.  That treatment is the last thing we do at each session.  I reported this to the doctor.  He checked and agreed with the need to continue therapy till at least to the end of the month or longer if needed.

With all this, I will continue to do the exercises and sit a lot allowing additional healing of the muscles.  At least for now I have improved enough that a cane for stability is no longer needed.  I can take a step backwards and not hurt.  I still sit to put on slacks, socks and shoes.  Sleep is no longer interrupted when I move my leg in my sleep.  Now you folks know the why behind my lack of enthusiasm over the last few months. 

Stay safe,

Janice

Frogs vs Dawgs

Tonight was the National Championship game for College NCAA football.  Texas Christian University Horned Frogs were competing against the University of Georgia Bulldogs.  Our son earned his undergraduate degree from TCU in 1995.  Needless to say we have followed the Horned Frogs for well over 30 years.  We watched this year as they pulled out game after game.  That would not happen in this game.  Georgia resoundling dominated the game, 7 to 65.  Utter defeat for the Frogs.

Near the end of the first half the TCU quarterback made a beautiful pass only to have it intercepted.  The audience was scanned by the national TV coverage camera.  These images appeared.

That is Son, DIL, and #3 Grandson.  Oh, well, Frogs lost but the FAB family were on TV.

As I try to always remember, it is just a game.  Georgia was a repeat winner following their win last year.  But I still wear purple cause Frogs never Quit.

Peace,

Janice

Built in 1946

In December 1946 my Mom and Dad had several changes.  The most important to me was that I was born.  Teehee.  The second thing was they moved from my Dad's home area in southeast Collin County to my Mom's home area in northwest Collin County.  That move brought us to Chambersville and this house.

In this photo I was probably 2 -3 years old.  This is the house where the snake was draped across the headboard of the bed.  It is where Daddy laid down laughing and rolled in chicken poo.  There was a cellar door where Reba Jane and I would try to slide down and not get splinters!  Lots of great memories flash as bits and pieces in my mind.  Sister #1 and Sister #2 were 7 to 15 years old when we lived at 'The Neely Place" so they had more memories.

One other thing happened in that December 1946, Christmas.  Best we can remember, that was the year Sister #1's Santa gift was a brand new bike.  Now that was more like the family bike as neither Sister #2 nor I ever received a bike.  I did get a tricycle when I was 3 or 4.  But still only one bicycle.  Sis #2 took it over when Sis #1 thought she was too old for it.  Sis #2 outgrew it so I was next in line.  By the time Sister #4 was ready for a bike, that 1946 model was worn out so she received a new bike.

Sister #2 and our Mom

When our Mom turned 80 in 1998 we all swooped in and did a clean out of things that we girls should have taken years before.  One of the items was the family bike.  Sis #2's hubby took the now rusting 52 years old bike to his shop.  He was an instructor at a Vocational Trade School.  He guided his students and had the old girl bike looking like new.  Sister #1 rode it the first time she went to visit Sis #2 in Oklahoma.  And Sis #1 took the bike back to her home.

Sis #1 passed away on July 7, 2022 after surviving for about 15 months longer that her doctors told her she would without chemo.  Chemo was started in February of 2021.  By March of 2022 the chemo could no longer stave off the spread of the cancer to other vital organs.  With her passing it was determined by her two remaining adult children the bike should come to Sister #2.  The bike arrived just before Thanksgiving via the Niece #1 and her hubby along with other treasures from Sis #1.

In order to have a Sister Time it was decided we three remaining sisters would trek to Cache to Sister #2's home just before the Rogers' Family Christmas on Dec. 17.  Hubby and I had to leave before the gathering as Grandson #3 was in an all state private school honor playoff on the 17th.  On the day we left we captured a couple of images of a Christmas past.  I attempted to ride the bike but the tires were flat and the adductor issue was a challenge.  Here are a couple of photos for your enjoyment or garden as needed.

Your's truly, Sister #2, Sister #4 aka Baby Sis

 And here are a couple of videos for a chuckle or two.  Sister #4 said she never could ride the 1946 bike.  Flat tires and rusty peddles made it such that 76 years old m need to help 68 years old Baby Sis learn to ride the 76 years old Family Bike.

Stay safe!

Janice

A Bit of Nothing

 Medigap insurance.  Previously known as supplemental Part C and Part D.  For friends across the Pond, these insurances are products that can be purchased to cover most of the 20% of medical costs not covered by Parts A & B Medicare.  Part C offers options named A, B, C, D, F, F high deductible, G, G high deductible, K, L, M, and N.  (Good thing someone learned the alphabet in kindergarten!)  Each plan offers different coverage amounts and monthly policy costs.  Another option is to use an Advantage Plan.  The Advantage Plans usually do not have monthly policy costs.  Some copays and out of pocket limits are higher than the Alphabet Plans. 

We were facing a probable monthly increase in the insurance plan.  I went looking for less expensive plan.  I misunderstood that the December 7 deadline was not for changing plans.  I had been waiting for a contact from an agent to see about the Alphabet Plan N with a different company for a lower rate.  While being flooded with calls, I was never really able to connect with any of them.  In haste to save $$ I switched us to an Advantage Plan.  Big mistake I found out when one of the agents and I made contact.  The Advantage Plan will not cover certain cancer treatments, etc.  Great.

Once on the Advantage Plan one is not likely able to switch back to an Alphabet plan that would cover the catastrophic expenses.  We decided to apply with one company for their plan N through the agent.  He told us we would be able to switch back in January as that was set up as an oops month for idiots like me.  My words not his!  Within days Hubby received word that the less expensive insurance company rejected him due to his diagnosis of diabetes.  Luckily our original Plan N was still in effect.  So switching back will be easy according to Jim the insurance guy.  

Okay, Part C is now sorted out but what about Part D.  Part D is drug coverage.  Without insurance our specific medications would be well over 2K a month.  After a phone conversation this a.m. Jim the insurance guy is on that, too.  If all goes well, our costs should be down about $45.  Every little bit helps!!!

Here are a couple of photos from Christmas morning.

DJ in her Christmas PJs.

Hijacked by The Far Right Wingnuts

Our democratic government was in peril on January 6, 2021.  There were groups of Far Right congresspersons that were even texting with the groups that were attacking the Capitol building.  Andy Briggs was one such person.  He is again making an attempt to overthrow our government processes by actively opposing McCarthy as Speaker.  Without a speaker, no business can be conducted by the House of Representatives.  Ms. Greene (aka, nutcake) is backing McCarthy though she, also, encouraged the January 6 "demonstration".  As it stands today there are 20 people holding the business of our nation hostage.  

Click here to get a rough idea of how the Speaker is elected.  This article gives a summary of demands that any Speaker candidate must meet to get the needed votes of the Far Right.  Some of the demands boil down to folks wanting to be heads of certain committees.  Power hunger to be able to take away more freedoms from the general public to match narrow ideas.  Prolife that takes away birth control options and I do not mean abortion as that is no longer an option.  How about IUDs?  Yes, there are governors pushing for laws to ban those.  Morning after pills are considered by the Right to be abortion.  Contraceptives of any sort are to be banned in the minds of some.

Then there is the whole other issue of banning books.  I feel like a kid again in the sense I lived in the McCarthy Witch Hunt years.

I needed to get that off my chest.  Thanks for listening.

As for Hubby and I, we are okay.  Had a wonderful Holiday season.  Time with family and new found friends has been wonderful!  No cards sent this year as I am working to not work.  My adductor tendon was so tight I was not stable walking.  Have been in rehab since early November.  Yesterday, January 3, Michelle, my therapist, said the area is soft for probably 95% of length of the adductor.  I need to remain much less active till February to get this situation resolved.  Then it will be time to begin prepping for the anticipated relocation in this area.

Ecard I published on Facebook:

The inside said, 

"May your life be filled with all the joy our Grand dog, DJ, feels when riding with her head out the window of our car.

Blessings to each and every one of our friends and family."

Happy New Year

Janice 

It Comes and Goes

The desire to write has been coming and going.  It never stays long enough for thoughts to become worth putting fingers to keys.  Sister #1's two adult children with the help of Sister #4 have sorted and distributed all of Sis #1's remaining possessions.  A huge bag of clothing came my way.  I worked through the pile.  Some I kept, most went back in the bag.  True to my requirement of one thing in one or two things out, my closet is less full.

There is a plastic tub of items sent to my family.  There are several bird figurines that are going to BGdaughter.  Her Grappa is an avid birder so she felt good about taking some of my mom's and sister's collections.  I took a crock pitcher.  Son asked for something else.  I haven't gotten up the gumption to get the items sorted.  Part of the issue is my right adductor tendon/muscle is giving me fits if I am on my leg too long.  The orthopedic doctor has me on limited activity till January.  Bummer.  Any activity I do has to be on a day that not many other things are done.  Oh, well.  The severity of the discomfort comes and goes.

It occured to me recently that the 'new' century is already over 1/5 over.  My mind did not want to grasp that reality for a bit.  How could it be that it seems like only a while back I was a king wondering how old I would be at the turn of the century.  I remember thinking that I would be really old at 54 years of age.  Then there were the months prepping for the unknown of what would happen to all the computers when Y2K became a reality.  Now we are almost 23 years past all that.  Emergencies come and then are gone.

We had errands this morning so both of us are not doing much more than keeping the recliners from floating to the ceiling.  Hubby turned the radio to an oldies station.  "Moments to Remember" came on and I was immediately sad thinking of Sister #1.  The song was popular the year she married at the young age of 19.  My Christmas sister gifts came this morning.  Only two gifts this year.  Just like everything in this world lives come and what seems the briefest of time, they are gone.  

Take care,

Janice

Unintentional Narcs

Son and DIL

This past weekend was another DJ, Lyla, Norma, and plants care weekend for us.  Son and DIL were in Montana for Parents' weekend.  To say Bonus/GS #2 is happy is an understatement.  BGS #2 is not in love with the out of doors.  He can hardly wait for the snow to set in.  We shall see how he feels about that along about the end of March or April of 2023.

BGS #2 at 

When BGS #2 and DIL visited in February it was soooo cold.  Like  -14.4℃, 6℉.  Yes, it will be even colder with -℉ numbers being common.  So long as he is happy and the grades stay acceptable it will be good.  DIL noted that most of his new friends all grew us in areas where skiing and snowboarding were normal.

Hubby always likes to check around Son's home to see if there is something he can do for them while we are house setting.  There is usually a recycle bin needing attention.  I took care of that before Hubby had the opportunity.  He did remember DIL's closet light had issues.  He first tried the small step stool.  He is over 6 feet tall but still did not feel comfortable on the top step of the stool to reach the 10 ft. high ceiling fixture.  He helped himself to the tall ladder in the garage.  That worked fine.  He had asked me to spot him on the step stool so I just continued to hang around.  And tattle to the kids that he was on a ladder.

Hubby successfully was able to remove the fluorescent light tubes.  A trip to Home Depot, another climb up the ladder, and the light project was finished.  Except the old lights contained mercury so a special recycling place needed to be found.  Online info noted Home Depot did recycling.  After going to two different locations, Hubby found that was not possible through Home Depot.  Lowe's proved to be the company to provide that service.  Hubby was able to do the Lowe's run on Monday afternoon on the way home.

We had noticed the last couple of times we had been at Son's, one of the end tables seemed extra wobbly.  I just thought it was a loose screw.   I noted the wobble to Hubby as he was still in 'fix-it' mode.  Upon inspection, it was obvious the table support system had suffered a major injury.  There were attempted repairs made at some point.  They were insufficient as boards were split and needed to be glued back together.  Hubby gathered the parts of the table needing repairs to take home.  He has glue and clamps for these types of projects.  The table top was placed in Son's closet.  We failed to mention this to Son and DIL.

BGS #2 & Son

Son and DIL returned to Round Rock Monday night, mid-evening.  Today, Tuesday, late-afternoon Hubby received a text from DIL.  She wondered where her table was.  Hubby told her he had parts of it here to repair.  He noted it appeared to have been damaged.  Shortly Hubby's phone rang.  Oops.  Seems the damage was unknown to the parents.  With three boys that have been in the area of the table, facts are unknown.  There are suspicions about one particular BGS #2 as he was alone a couple of weekends.  But nothing conclusive.  

Did not set out to narc on anyone.  As stated, nothing is conclusive.  In a few years, maybe the truth will come out with an amusing story.  That is usually how it works.  And Grandma will be a narc in the story. Ha!

Bonus/Grandson #2

Take care out there!

Janice