Like a Dolphin

Every wonder why dolphins smile all the time? Being in the water is wonderful.

The aquatic therapy this morning was absolutely great. In the pool of heated water, I can move and do things that I haven't been able to do for such a long time. I wonder if I could go and live with the dolphins. I am a pisces, you know.

Dotti the therapist put me through about 45 minutes of exercises, and when we were done, I didn't want to go. I was feeling so good. 

But I got out of the pool, dried off, and got dressed. Then I stopped by the grocery store for a few necessary items. By the time I got home, I was beginning to drag a little. I ate lunch and that's when the tiredness really struck. I was exhausted. But it was simple physical exhaustion--not the horrible sluggish kind that comes with fibro. I rested and watched the war news for a while and snapped back.

But I bet I sleep well tonight--if I don't stay awake worrying about our next impending war. I hate war. I'm sorry.  There are no good wars.

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On 08/30/2013, Sandy said ...

So glad the water therapy is working for you. I went cold turkey with television. I haven't watched any for months now and it's amazing how much I don't miss it. Get my news in snippets on the internet. Hope you have a great weekend Susan.

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On 08/31/2013, Rebecca said ...

Didn't I tell you?! That aquatic therapy is the best, I miss it so much. (I had to move.)

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On 08/31/2013, Barbara Anne said ...

Cheers that the water therapy is doing you a world of good!!! Perhaps a hot soak in the bathtub before bedtime would feel good, too?

I'm playing ostrich and not watching the news, just praying for a peaceful solution to this horrid situation and an end to cruel tyrants. Not too much to pray and hope for!

Today's schedule for me is making bindings x 5 and an LSU pre-season game tonight.

Hugs!

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On 09/02/2013, mariesews said ...

Susan, so glad to hear that the water therapy helped! Moving/exercise seems to be the best "cure" for my arthritis but that means moving when one's joints don't want to cooperate. I always feel better after exercised. Yoga has been a good option for me as well as aqua exercise classes at the Y. Hope the water therapy continues to help.

I live in CA so the autumn I experience is a bit more muted than what you see in the southeast. But I have noticed that trees are starting to change color already. Days are a bit shorter and nights a bit cooler. I say that and then we will have an Indian Summer and it will be late October before the day time temperatures drop below 90.

Enjoy the autumn & the water therapy. When do you go again?

Take care.
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Number 82

As you can see, I got another Granny block finished. Thirty-eight to go.

I guess the furbies have decided I'm not in distress or wanting to play when I lie on the floor to do my stretches. They didn't bother me this morning. I have already noticed that stairs are easier than they were before I started the stretches. Either it's my imagination, or they're helping.

I have my first water therapy session tomorrow. I'm looking forward to everything except appearing in public in a swim suit. I'm really not liking that idea. I'm allowed to go in the pool in shorts and a t-shirt, but I don't know how well that would work.  Wet shorts and wet t-shirt sound about as great as me in a swimsuit. 

Have to have the doggies at the vet at 3:00 p.m. for their annual checkups and shots. I haven't told Sophie yet. She gets so stressed when she knows we're going to the vet. Skipper doesn't care, just so I'm with him.

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On 08/29/2013, Stephani in N. TX said ...

I am fairly comfortable with the appearance of my new (one-piece)bathing suit on top, but I do wear it with nylon running shorts to feel more comfortable with my more mature bathing suit shape. These cover a little more skin and dry off quickly. I'm glad you are finding some way to move around quickly and decrease discomfort. Keep up the fight.

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On 08/29/2013, Sue G. said ...

Liking your granny squares! Glad you enjoyed your beach vacation too!!I love going to The Carolina beaches!!

I have been doing physical therapy for my knees and the exercises have helped a great deal!! I think doing the swimming will help out a great deal.. Keep up the good work!! You will for sure feel alot better!!!

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On 08/29/2013, Debra said ...

I learned the stretches I need to do in physical therapy and now, months later, I am still doing them because they have changed my life. Before, I could barely make it through the grocery store before my left leg went numb. Now I can walk and shop so much longer. Keep up your stretching. It is not your imagination. Fortunately, I can do mine on the bed. I don't care much for getting down/up from the floor!

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On 08/29/2013, Sue said ...

glad to hear the stretches are helping. It sounds too easy to really help, but sometimes that's how it is. Hope you continue to do well and that the water therapy helps too.

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On 08/29/2013, Barbara Anne said ...

Love #82! That blue fabric is one of my all time favorites of the reproduction fabrics.

Cheers that your exercises are doing you some good already!! May you continue to feel better and better!

I hear you on the quandry about what to wear to water therapy. I know there are one piece suits with little skirts so wish you well in figuring this one out.

Hugs!

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On 08/30/2013, Sylvia said ...

I also can't imagine wearing a swimsuit. I got some shorts and a tank top that wick off water at a sporting goods store. The selection is better in the men's section. I wear a sports bra under the tank top. This combination works pretty good. Glad to hear that you are feeling better.
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Porch Time

Somehow it was much easier to do my stretching exercises yesterday at St. Vincent's 119 than it was in my bedroom floor this morning. Taco was nosing my feet, Skipper was licking my face, and Sophie was pawing me on the shoulder to get my attention. Bella had left the area.

But I have to say I do feel better today. I don't know if a couple of sessions of stretching is responsible or if it's just one of those rare days when I feel better, but THANK GOD! 

This morning, I sat on the back porch with my coffee while the dogs roamed the back yard and the cats peered through the screen and climbed on the furniture. The temperature was great--a nice cool morning carrying the promise of autumn. I love it.

Today is laundry day as well as guild newsletter deadline. Got to get busy on my article now.

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On 08/28/2013, Barbara Anne said ...

Cheers that you feel better today no matter what the reason! I do hope the PT exercises will bring about more and more good days for you. Perhaps you should put the critters on the porch before you do your exercises so you'll be less bothered by the little faces and feet of those concerned about you!

Your basket of pinecones reminds me of a funny family story. My parents had a coal scuttle filled with pinecones in their den by the fireplace. My mother once asked my father to wash the dust off of the pinecones so he took them outside in the sunshine to spray each with the hose. Before putting the pinecones back into the scuttle, he let them dry a bit. To his surprise, the coal scuttle was just over half full when he refilled it with all of the pinecones. Later than evening, my parents kept hearing odd popping sounds they traced to the coal scuttle and the next morning the coal scuttle was full again. When wet, the pinecones had shrunk and they filled out again when dry!!

Hugs!

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On 08/28/2013, Joanne said ...

So glad you're feeling better! The promise of autumn helps a lot, doesn't it?

Love Barbara Anne's story!
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Number 81

Granny Square Block #81 of 120

Finally got some sewing done this morning. I spent yesterday working on a guild project that, as it turned out, didn't need my help. But I'm all set for next year.

Must rush. I have my first physical therapy visit at 1:00, and I have to shower and get ready. I'm taking my swim suit, just in case I can talk the therapist into water therapy.

Taco decided to grab some heating pad time while I wasn't occupying it.

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On 08/27/2013, Barbara Anne said ...

Love the 81st Granny Square!! Way to go, girlfriend! What fun it will be to lay these blocks out to choose what goes where when you sew the blocks together. Do you plan to sew the blocks in a totally random pattern?

Hope you feel better after PT and join in your hope that water therapy is included.

Taco does have the right idea! Our cats love old flanned shirts.

Hugs!
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Home Is Where the Sewing Room Is

Andy and I had a great beach vacation, with only a couple of glitches: lots of rain and having the beach cops take our new beach chairs and umbrella away when our backs were turned. But I'm trying to take my friend Loribelle's advice and let that gooooooo and forget the $150 it would cost to replace them. Andy went to the dollar store and found a replacement chair. It wasn't very comfortable, but she used it.

We cleaned up the condo, packed up, and drove home yesterday. All four of us--me, Andy, Sophie, and Skipper--were delighted to be home. And Taco was ecstatic that his dogs were home. Bella was silent on the subject.

Jesse fared pretty well while we were gone. He managed to confine all his dirty dishes to the kitchen sink. I told him that before I left again, I was going to teach him how to load the dishwasher. He took out the garbage, and he was able to feed himself pretty well on fast food and canned goods. Oh, I think he did cook some eggs and bacon a couple of times.

We brought Jesse a present back: a pair of shorts, a back scratcher, and a sea blue tee-shirt from Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville restaurant with the words, "No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problem." That's where we had lunch on Wednesday. I had my first Cuban sandwich, and it was scrumptious. Andy had a margarita; I had sweet tea; I do not like tequila. 

Jesse and I ordered pizza last night. I haven't had a pizza in more than a year, and it was surely good. For breakfast this morning, I had a donut from the famous Panama City Beach establishment Thomas's Donuts. A scrumptious sour cream donut. We brought home a box full. There's one sour cream and one chocolate covered left. When they're gone, it's back to eating healthy. Vacation is over.

And today, I'm going to try to get a bit of sewing in. I missed not being able to go to my sewing room whenever I please and stitch up a quilt block.

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On 08/26/2013, Barbara Anne said ...

Welcome home!!!

Bummer about the beach chairs and umbrella, Can you contact the police department and claim them? I know you're once again far away so it would be difficult, but that just seems like theft!

Yesterday I cut backings for 3 small quilts (each less than 22" square) that already had battings cut so hope to machine quilt at least one of those today. It will be good to have those finished and tucked away.

Hugs!
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Beach Dogs

I think they're ready to go home.

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On 08/24/2013, Barbara Anne said ...

Is their Mom ready to go home, too?

Hope you're relaxed inside and outside and have one or more little treasures to take home with you besides Sophie and Skipper!

As least you won't hear "Are we there yet?" from these two!

Hugs!
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PC Sundown

Our first day at the beach was great. Some clouds, but no rain. Very few people on the beach but lots of seagulls and sandpipers. A group of pelicans flew low across the water looking for fish. A very relaxing day.

I made a big bowl of chicken salad, and we've been eating it all day.

I took my beach chair to sit on the beach to read this afternoon, dozed off, and had a very nice beach nap.

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On 08/22/2013, Sandy said ...

Sounds like you're getting your money's worth!! Have a great time.

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On 08/22/2013, Dolores Tanner said ...

beautiful beach picture!!!

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On 08/22/2013, Barbara Anne said ...

How sweet it is!! Don't get an uncomfortable sunburn.

Love the photo and can almost feel the breeze and hear the lapping of the waves. Sigh!

Enjoy!

Hugs!

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On 08/23/2013, Linda said ...

Sounds like the perfect vacay. Beautiful photo. Love the beach. Enjoy!

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On 08/23/2013, Sharon Penney-Morrison said ...

Where are you beaching?? Looks wonderful

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On 08/23/2013, Pesky Patti said ...

I honestly felt my own blood pressure lower as I read your entry...I love the ocean. Keep relaxing as much as you can...

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On 08/24/2013, Helen in Switzerland said ...

Glad to hear you are having a well-deserved vacation!
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