2026 Project 365 – Week Forty-four

People, we are ALMOST to the end of the stitches nightmare. As far as I can tell, my incision looks great. TBD whether they will release me to drive when I go on Monday, but I’ve instructed Dr. M to take me to work regardless because I am not wanting to sit around at home anymore (especially since I’m on pins & needles about the election). Conversely, I’m feeling a twinge about my “vacation” being over.
Sunday, October 25^th
Dr. M took me on a ramble! We went up to South Mountain State Park, which was a much more sane road trip than the Blue Ridge Parkway – I did not want to sit in bumper to bumper traffic this year.

Monday, October 26^th                    
Sheep still stare at Dr. M.
 

Tuesday, October 27^th       
Dad & Sue picked me up to take me to get my flu & COVID vaccines!
 

Wednesday, October 28^th                     
Here is my crochet project! It’s supposed to be a key fob holder but that’s my AirPods. I used the wrong size yarn – I knew that going in – I just wanted to see what I thought about the pattern before I tried making a smaller version (in crochet, smaller is harder – for me anyway). The answer is that I wasn’t super thrilled with the pattern, but I think I can modify the parts that bugged me. Remains to be seen whether I make another one though.
 

About 13 of us went out to dinner to spend time with my uncle John’s widow, Irene. She’s moving to California soon & we’re not sure when we’ll get to see her again. We had a really nice time! Pictured: Irene & all of my dad’s sisters. Not pictured: my dad. Ha!
 

 Thursday, October 29^th            
It might be the end of October, but our yard is still in summer mode!

 Friday, October 30^th          
Dr. M got photos of some fall color (and my favorite house on the hill).
 

Saturday, October 31^st        
After 5 1/2 weeks in a sling, I’ve gotten pretty good at using my left hand. But I just straight up sprayed my Garnier Fructis leave in spray on the mirror instead of on my hair.
 

Dr. M had to do some maintenance on his dad’s wall heater (another thermocouple situation), but he also got to see a Halloween decoration! I’m not sure if Blackie is his dad’s familiar, but he definitely makes Dr. M smile.
 

The time changes tomorrow and I’m trying to embrace the changing of the seasons, but even though it’s easier down here than it was in Ohio, it’s still a struggle. So anyway, I have no excuse to not go to church tomorrow with that extra hour of sleep under my belt, but I’m still conflicted. It’s All Saints Sunday, and if I go I will take a photo of my mom, but do I want to spend the day crying? Last year was ROUGH. I’m not sure why it’s hitting me so hard lately – maybe because on December 4^th I’ll be the exact same age she was when she died?

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!