2026 Project 365 – Week Forty-three

I’m just over here in a holding pattern waiting on my stitches to do their thing. I had an appointment on Friday & everything looks fabulous, but they’re leaving them in place until my next appointment on November 2^nd. Heavy sigh. I’m ready to move on to the torture physical therapy portion of the program! Ah well, things of note did still occur during the week. Let’s discuss, shall we?
Sunday, October 18^th
Took a photo of this handy guide in case I needed it when I voted. Also, I was amused by Ashley Bell’s campaign slogan – ha!

Monday, October 19^th                    
Things that made me smile today: A clean bandage over my new stitches (I know - it kind of looks like I have a panty liner on my shoulder)/ flowers in our yard (azaleas, roses, zinnias)/ I started crocheting again (TBD what I think about this particular project)/ postseason baseball (I am no longer pulling for anyone because I’m a jinx).
 

Tuesday, October 20^th       
The consensus on Facebook is that I AM a monster. But this is what I have to say about that: The sticks are too puny to eat one at a time! It’s much more satisfying to take a big cronch.
 

Wednesday, October 21^st                       
My coworkers gave me brownie mix & this tub of frosting & I think it’s cute how they thought I would use them together.
 

Thursday, October 22^nd           
I rode along with Dr. M to his doctor’s appointment & he dropped me off so I could vote! Then I walked down to the doctor’s office – it was less than half a mile. My handy dandy voting guide was helpful, but it didn’t mention the one non-partisan race (Catawba County Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor). And that’s why checking out your sample ballot in advance is a good idea.
 

Then Dr. M took my car to get it inspected & the oil changed! That sign is the TRUTH!
 

Finally, I pulled my hair up so I could wash my face. I look hilarious. I can't wait until I can use my right arm properly so I can move that topknot further back on my head.
 

Friday, October 23^rd        
As I mentioned above, I had my follow up appointment. The stitches are doing their thing & there is no sign of infection hallelujah! Afterward, Dr. M & I went out to brunch and I got Huevos Rancheros & it was delicious!
 

Saturday, October 24^th       
I’ve had this on my list of things to do for eight months. Yesterday I spent some time going a bunch of detritus on Dr. M’s desk (we are both somewhat paper hoarders & not super organized) and found our passports & the application in a pile of other stuff. I think I’m going to fill this out today. Possibly. Or in the nearish future. Stay tuned!

Oops – I just noticed #2 up there. I’m sure it will take another 8 months to sort out getting a photo. 
 
I wouldn’t call myself bored – I have plenty of things to occupy me. But I AM annoyed at how much Dr. M has to help me. He says, “DON’T FEEL GUILTY,” and I say, “sure whatever dude.” I feel what I feel. But I’ll try to quit making it harder for him to do things for me. Oof – being a patient patient is NOT EASY. Also, THESE STITCHES ARE STARTING TO REALLY REALLY BUG ME.

(Don’t mind me – I’ll just be over here whinging and hoping that Democracy survives the midterms.)

2026 Project 365 – Week Forty-two

This week was a rollercoaster! Also I got about 3.5 hours of sleep on Friday night & 5.5 hours of sleep last night, & I am not sure how coherent I will be. Let’s find out together, m’kay?
Sunday, October 11^th
Dr. M refreshed my flowers & put them in a new (roomier) vase. And I look a little too chipper here for a woman wearing a Bunch of Jerks Carolina Hurricanes t-shirt.

Monday, October 12^th                    
I had the appointment with my surgeon this morning. I thought he wanted to go over what might happen during my next surgery & give me the options. He actually wanted a different x-ray viewpoint (from overhead). After reviewing it, he said that he had placed the joint where he did because of the narrowness of my bones. I DON’T HAVE TO HAVE ANOTHER SURGERY!! I credit my lucky socks.

Tuesday, October 13^th       
I was fairly well pleased with my Cheeto pattern on my egg salad sandwich.
 

Wednesday, October 14^th                      
New Facebook profile pic. Why yes I did wrap myself up in that shawl and go out on the deck in 87 degree weather. Also, should I cut my hair that short again? 
 

And here's my new cover photo - this rose blossom just up and jumped in the floor all intact, and you know that Morticia had to memorialize that. 

From Dr. M: I try to be a good husband. Tonight when I’m cleaning and oiling a cast iron skillet I had used to cook her supper and my wife came into the kitchen and asked me to get her hair up off her neck, I took the time to wash the grapeseed oil off my hands before I did her bidding.
 

Thursday, October 15^th           
Dr. M had to have his regular fasting bloodwork done &, dedicated citizen that he is, he decided to go vote while he was out! It was the first day of early voting for NC. I haven’t had a chance to go yet, but rest assured, I will.
 

Friday, October 16^th       
I had another setback today (well, I guess it’s the first real one). On Wednesday, I noticed that my incision had been bleeding & today we decided that a professional needed to look at it. Turns out the incision had totally opened back up again (it was covered in Steri-Strips, which is why we didn’t know), so I had a thorough cleaning & three stitches (without any anesthesia). They said that I did very well, but frankly I’ve had tooth pain that hurt a lot worse. Anyway, now we hope for no infection (joint replacements and infection = NO GOOD VERY BAD MOJO). No photo, although I don’t know why I didn’t ask Dr. M to take one!
 
Saturday, October 17^th       
We had a cookie painting party at church! I asked Sue to take me & we had a great time. The cookies I made (left-handed!) are pictured below. My attempt at a sugar skull is pretty laughable – but it tasted good anyway. Ha!
 

Last week I said that my fantasy was that at the Monday meeting with the surgeon he would tell me I didn’t have to have surgery & my fantasy came true! However, in the process I had to splay my arm out on the x-ray machine in a way that I hadn’t actually been cleared to do yet & I think that’s why my incision opened back up. OR I tried to do too much. Or some of both. Anyway, I’m back to trying to be Very Good. On the plus side, I think the shoulder itself seems fine. I haven’t even had to take any pain meds! I know that will change once PT starts, but for now it’s nice that I can continue to protect my kidneys.

2026 Project 365 – Week Forty-one

10/12/26 EDIT!! I saw my surgeon this morning & I do NOT need another surgery! Woo hoo! However, you can continue to read my tale of woe below.

We got some hard news this week, but also some good things happened. Let’s dive right in.
Sunday, October 4^th
This was actually Monday morning, but since it was the wee hours, I’m counting it as Sunday. I could NOT fall asleep! I was wide awake, so I decided I might as well log into work and get some things done.

Monday, October 5^th                    

Dr. M was able to get some sheep photos today. We might live out in the country, but it’s surprisingly difficult to find a traffic-free moment to stop in the road!
 

Meanwhile, I made “chocolate milk” out of some Necco wafers. It was pretty good!

 Tuesday, October 6^th       
I roamed around the yard a bit & gazed with resignation at the remnants of the bee balm. I had hoped to get it chopped down before my surgery. However, it makes an excellent Halloween decoration!
 

Wednesday, October 7^th                      
From the socials: Things did not go as planned with today’s post-op appointment. Something isn’t right with the new shoulder apparatus & my surgeon will have to go back in to determine what went wrong & what will be required to fix it. My new surgery is next Thursday the 15th. At which point the clock starts all over again. Prayers for & apologies to Dr. M & my coworkers! At least I got my stitches out & consolation French toast!
 

Later, because he knows I love them, Dr. M sent me a photo of a soybean field.
 

Thursday, October 8^th           
I had to laugh at my attempt to pull my hair “back” – I can only do it to one side. I told everyone I had was wearing my hair as a fascinator. Ha!

I asked my dad to come get me for a play date! I wandered around his yard, worked the puzzle, played on my phone, & visited. It was lovely!
 

Friday, October 9^th       
My cousin picked me up to hang out at the salon while our other friend got her hair done. We had a lovely time (apologies to the other customer because we were kind of rowdy). Kim pulled my hair back for me (& I still haven’t taken it down – yay!).
 

Saturday, October 10^th       
I made myself such a huge bowl of cereal that I had to switch to a pasta bowl!
 

I got this photo from my cousin’s daughter – tummy time with that ridiculous starfish I made. I love that she knows how much it means to see my creations out in the wild.

And I posted this on the socials asking if I was a monster. Truly, I am very random with how I eat a Kit Kat.
 

I have an appointment with my surgeon tomorrow to discuss the new surgery (my appointment on Wednesday was with his PA – she’s the one who saw something that didn’t look right). I have this fantasy that he’ll look at it in person & say that I don’t have to have another surgery (even though the x-ray was pretty clear, AND the PA could see and feel that the “ball” wasn’t in the right place). Whatever happens, you’ll surely hear all about it next week!

2026 Project 365 – Week Forty

This week there is still a major obsession with my hair (and frankly, when is there not), gifts, some happy news, and actually not a ton of recovery discussion. You just never know what might happen around here (well, except for hair).
Sunday, September 27^th
I ate some of the potato soup that Dr. M’s Aunt Sharon brought us. Later Dr. M took me to Dad & Sue’s to hang out & my Aunt Lila pulled my hair back for me (woo hoo!). I was feeling very thankful!

Monday, September 28^th                    
I went on a walkabout & got a little happy with the clippers so I brought some flower in for us to enjoy.
 

Tuesday, September 29^th       
I went on another walkabout (without the clippers!) & took pictures of our three Encore Azaleas that are blooming right now. I love how different they are. So pretty!
 

Wednesday, September 30^th                      
After 24 hours of labor, our baby was born! Well, my cousin’s grandson. Which makes me some sort of Removal Cousin, but I’ve said that he can call me Grant (for great-aunt).
 

Meanwhile, Dr. M spent some time sitting with his Pop & his elderly cat.
 

I was VERY amused with myself posting this “recovery progress” video. Listen to the end. Ha!
 

Thursday, October 1^st          
My cousin came by to visit and brought flowers & the best ice cream in all the land (Ben & Jerry’s Phish Food, lest you forget). She also helped me dry & style my hair, and showed the birth video (babies look like little aliens when they’re born). We had a nice visit! Later I got a card from someone in my church. She had painted it herself!
 

Friday, October 2^nd      
Otis to Brady ratio – our baby is such a little bean! It’s going to be a while before he’ll be trying to play with that octopus!
 

Dr. M caught some soybean harvesting in action. We were expecting a huge amount of rain this weekend, so they were racing against the clock (turns out we just got SOME rain, not the buckets they’d predicted).
 

And I tried to pull my hair up myself. Um.
 

Saturday, October 3^rd       
I put out a plea to my family to get me out of the house, & boy did they respond! My brother & his wife picked me up & took me to dad & Sue’s, then they went to Jason’s Deli & got their loaded potato bar with salad (yum!). I got my puzzle fix, caught up on all the news, and then Dad & Sue brought me home. I put on real clothes!
 

My pain has still not been what I expected it would be even though my last dose of Oxycodone was at 4:30 a.m. on Thursday morning. However, sleeping has been hit or miss because I HATE to sleep on my back. I think it’s more like dozing. I’ve thought about taking Tylenol PM, but would the hangover be worth it? I get my stitches out on Wednesday, but I still have another 2 ½ weeks of wearing the sling. All of this to say, I have entered the cranky portion of my recovery. May God have mercy on Dr. M’s soul. How have you been? I mean, I’m pretty sure we’re all just generally cranky because of current events anyway.