Do you ever get the feeling some months speed by while others just trudge along, spreading their misery? No? Must just be me. The last few months have flown by with the speed of the Concord. Please don’t tell me if you don’t know what that was! It seems like it was just August, and now we’re looking square at Thanksgiving here in the United States. It began snowing here Sunday and kept up through the night. I’m not sure how much we got. I know it’s not near what they got up north. Unfortunately, I didn’t get my roses prepped, so I hope they make it. We’re supposed to be nice and warm by this weekend. So, I’ll throw some mulch on them and hope for the best.
Remember last summer…
Last summer, I flew to Ireland with my travel buddy. During the flight, I had to get out of my seat. I was in the middle, of course! In doing so, I twisted my right knee and have had lots of pain since. I knew that I have arthritis behind both knee caps, but I’d never had a lot of pain in that knee. So, of course, I took myself to the doctor and got x-rayed (last year), and I’ve had two injections since. Lately, the pain has been so bad, it wakes me up in the night. The pain is weird, though, because it radiates down the outside of my leg from my hip to my knee and to my ankle. So, I trudged limped to the doctor, expecting another injection. What I didn’t expect was an x-ray of my lower back. And, that’s when the doctor told me I have some pretty severe problems in my lower back. The good news, though, is I honestly don’t have any pain in my lower back. It’s weird, right? So, I begin physical therapy in a couple of weeks. I’ll be working with the same guy Nigel’s been seeing which is a good thing!
10 on the 10th…
You may have noticed there haven’t been any 10 on the 10ths lately. I’ve been so busy with being a docent and taking Nigel to P/T that it just slipped my mind in October. Then, November came up, and I just decided to skip it. So, it’s just on a little hiatus until January. I promise it will be back because I really enjoy it.
My docent journey…
As most of you know, I became a docent at the Indianapolis Museum of Art this summer. There are many different kinds of tours and opportunities for docents at the IMA. One of my favorite things is conducting Gallery Conversations. This is wandering from gallery to gallery and just talking to people about the art. Sometimes, I’ll ask the person what they like about a particular piece of art. Other times, I’ll give them a bit of information about pieces of art. Luckily, several of the people in my docent class got together and gave their graduation tours. So, I know a little bit about a lot of stuff…enough to whet the guests’ appetites.
The newest…
In September, I wrote a post (here) about VTS which is Visual Thinking Strategies. This is a scientifically researched program developed to help people look more closely at things. It’s used by medical students as well as in art museums. To become a certified docent, I had to practice the three questions as well as interact with the docents. I was thrilled to receive an email last week saying I was now a certified VTS docent! I’ll be doing my first VTS hybrid tour in January. I need to come up with a theme and select artworks to support that theme. These tours are not pure VTS. In other words, we use the three questions, but we also share information about the art and artists. Cross your fingers for me!
The outfit…
I’m wearing the Darling Rose Dress from April Cornell. You can just barely tell, but the skirt is very subtly tiered. One of the things I appreciate about the dress is having long sleeves. I also like the pockets on this dress. I would call them patch pockets, but they blend into the pattern of the dress so well you don’t notice that. I also like the crocheted edges of the pintucks. I can see wearing this as a dress as well as a duster. I could also add one of my many slips to it for added zhuzh. Of course, I love the color because I gravitate toward greys in the colder months. But, can’t you see it with my hot pink slip or the polka dotted one?
The Lewk!
I absolutely love this hat! It’s the Plum Ribbon Cloche designed by Carole Amper. Not sure exactly what a cloche is? It’s a close fitting bell shaped hat that was made popular in the 1920s. Wow! It just occurred to me that was a century ago! I guess we didn’t have a roaring 20s era, did we? The cloche is currently sold out, but if you like it, check back because April often has restocks. These are my Calla Cap Toe boots from Miz Mooz. I love the burnished grey color and the comfort. The earrings and necklace are from the IMA gift shop. I have to stay out of there!
Wrap it up, Marsha!
It’s so strange to be so busy. I have been retired for over 13 years, and most of those years were spent with no schedule or timeline. Now, all of a sudden, I’ve got P/T appointments (mine and Nigel’s) and docent practices and tours as well as regularly scheduled appointments. It’s not a bad thing at all, I’m finding! I just need to keep checking my calendar to make sure I’m where I need to be and when I’m supposed to be there. Speaking of Nigel, he’s making lots of progress at walking. He now uses his cane almost exclusively. He does use the walker at night. I’m beginning to think there may be a light at the end of that particular tunnel. So, can we talk? What’s been going on in your life? Are you finding yourself more or less busy these days? Do you like being busy? Please leave me a comment or two, and we can talk. I promise to respond as quickly as I can.
Thank you!
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Good luck with the physical therapy, I hope it helps you!
Things have been going slow here, both time and I. I’m behind with everything. I’m waiting for my long Christmas vacation to be here soon and I’m sure time will be running through that!
And yes, I did sing the subject and had to laugh when I read you asking about it.
Thank you, Cat! I am really hopeful. The doctor said women usually have a lot of success with the therapy…probably because they actually do it and do it right! Oh, I’m so glad you sang the subject! That makes me happy that someone got it!!
As I said on Instagram I do like you in this cloche hat Marsha. Isn’t the year just flying by , it will be over before we know it.
I hope the physical therapy is helpful . I am pleased to hear that Nigel is doing well, it has been a long road.
Thank you so much, Jill! You are the expert on hats! I really need to wear it a lot this winter. I actually have a lavender coat that would look quite nice with it. It is amazing how fast this year has gone. I have crossing my fingers on the physical therapy. It has definitely been a long road…almost two years now. I feel like we are finally getting there.
What a pretty Cloche hat, love the colour of it.
Thanks, Rosie! I love the color and the style.
I love hearing about what’s going on with you. It totally makes sense that there is something going on with your back. When you have pain radiating down, that always seems to be the culprit. It’s sounds like a nerve thing which is something my hubby deals with. Praying PT works. Love the dress and the hat is fabulous on you!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Thanks so much for the prayers and the compliments, Kathrine! I really thought she’d do an MRI because I thought it was from twisting my knee. But, one look at the x-ray, and even I could see there were big problems there. The good news is there’s no surgical repair. The bad news is there’s no surgical repair! I am so sorry your husband is dealing with this because it’s really bad whenever it flares up. Isn’t this hat fabulous?
That’s wonderfulDocent news, and it’s no surprise that you passed. I would love to come out and take a tour from you just because I know how great it would be.
When i’ve been physical therapy will help tremendously. One thing i’ve learned in biology is that we are all connected and those muscle fibers and ligaments run far and deep.
Xoxo
Jodie
Thank you, Jodie! You are more than welcome to come on out though you may want to wait a few months now! It could be one of your 60 adventures! That’s exactly what my doctor said…the back may not hurt, but the nerves and muscles are what’s causing the pain in my leg. It just happens that I also have arthritis in my knee. But, she said the PT usually works really well for women (probably because we work harder at it).
That is great news to hear that Nigel is making strides in his walking! I really hope the PT helps you too. I try like crazy to keep my back healthy since my father’s family has a huge history of major back problems (I think my dad, aunt, & at least one cousin have had surgery already). But both my sister and I do have chronic lower back pain already that we combat with things like yoga, sleeping “right”, etc. hoping to avoid surgery and any major problems. We’re getting some snow showers today but nothing that will accumulate— I hope! It’s definitely feeling cold enough.
Thank you so much, Joanne! I am thrilled to see him upright more and more. As far as I know my family doesn’t have any problems with back stuff, but it seems I got lucky and got lots of other problems. I’m really hopeful about the PT. I don’t have back pain which is strange because even I could see my x-ray was bad. We still have snow, and it’s so very cold here. But, it will all be gone this weekend. As much as I love snow, I’m not ready for it yet.
Congrats on your VTS docent certification. It is so impressive to me that you you took on this challenge; just goes to show how intelligent you are and what a gift for teaching you have!
I hope the PT goes well and the pain subsides!
xo,
Kellyann
Thank you so much, Kellyann! I really feel like VTS is such a cool way to look at art. We will see…I’m incorporating it into a tour I’m giving Friday! Wish me luck. The doctor did say most women have a lot of luck with the PT and the pain. It’s so weird that my back doesn’t hurt at all…you wouldn’t think that if you’d seen the x-ray! Even I could tell it was bad.
That dress is fabulous, but I love the hat you wore with it even more! I really hope that PT helps your back and leg pain!
Thanks so much, Laura! I love this hat and hope to wear it often! I am hopeful the PT helps with the leg pain. I really don’t have back pain which is weird if you’d see the x-ray!
Well I’m glad you don’t feel pain in your lower back, and hope your knee problems will be over soon. And what a good news about Nigel! I’m,, retired,, 13 years ago and sometimes have such busy scedules. I can’t imagine how people do that who are still working. I have to do blood work today but I’m feeling so sick. Had the covid vaccin on Monday and since then I feel awful. Bweh! Well, have a good day!
Thanks, Nancy! It’s really weird that I have no pain there. When I saw those x-rays, she didn’t even have to tell me those vertebrae were not how they should have been. I will eventually have to have both knees replaced, but I hope to put that off for a bit. I know exactly what you mean about not knowing how I did it when I was working full time and had kids! I hope you’re soon feeling better. Flu shots and covid shots knock me on my butt for a couple of days. I need to go in for my pneumonia shot soon.
That is definitely a huge and welcome change of pace after 13 years of relaxed retirement!
It’s completely understandable that you need to lean on your calendar now, going from having no timeline to juggling P/T appointments, docent duties, and other regular commitments is a big shift. I wish you all the best in your physical therapy.
It’s fantastic news about Nigel! Moving to the cane almost exclusively is huge progress, and seeing that “light at the end of the tunnel” must be such a relief and a source of motivation for both of you.
My schedule fluctuates, sometimes I’m really busy, other times I’m less busy. Right now I am waiting for my work place to close for the year.
Thank you, Benita! I have never been a calendar person so the very fact I’m using one is big! But, I have to do it in order to juggle all the different things going on in our lives. It’s really kinda fun! Before, we just went to work and came home. Oh, yes, it is wonderful to see him upright and walking. It will be a bit before he’s completely confident and ready to let go of that final crutch (if ever), but we are so much farther than we were. Your work place closes for the year? This is the perfect time for that to happen, right?
I am so glad to hear that Nigel is making good progress! And I hope the PT can help with your back -> leg pain as well.
That is such a cute dress! Kind of a gray periwinkle.
We are doing well. Something has ignited my fibromyalgia – which hasn’t been a problem since we first arrived. But I am confident that I can beat it into submission. On 11-20, we will get our residency ID cards, then we can buy a car. 😄 I’ve decided to let my blog, Post Cards From the 3rd Planet go. I’m not really enjoying it. I think because the blog was created in anger, it just isn’t giving me the feeling I want to encourage. I am still blogging on book blog, Bemused and Bookish as Olivia. It’s a calm space.
Thank you, Michelle! I’m hopeful about the p/t for both of us. It’s been such a long road with Mike. I’m sorry to hear about the fibromyalgia flare up. Hopefully, you do get it under control soon. If you’re not enjoying blogging on a certain space, it’s a good idea to let it go. I’ve been cleaning up the blog (trying to gain back some storage). It’s so strange to see those early days of our print mixing! I didn’t know you had another blog. I’ll check it out soon.
I love your “lewk”, Marsha – the dress and hat are so cute and you look darling in both! I can only imagine how great you are as a docent! It sounds like a wonderful outlet for using your gifts and I’m so glad to read that Nigel is doing better! I’ll pray that the light at the end of the tunnel continues to get bigger and bigger! I pray that PT helps you as well! I had three tears in my meniscus the summer I retired (happened when I was packing up my classroom – how fun is that?) and I tried shots first but ultimately needed surgery. It’s amazing that different parts of the body (your back) can have such a profound impact on another (your knee). Have a good week!
Thank you so much, Laura! I do love hats. I either forget to wear them, or I am going somewhere I know I’ll have to take it off. My hair is so thin that hat head is a real problem. When we had our Harley, I would get really bad helmet head! How I miss riding on the back of that! Thank you so much for the prayers. I’m hoping that hole in the tunnel gets bigger and bigger sooner and sooner! I really thought that’s what my problem was…a torn meniscus…unfortunately, not the case. I would never have guessed my back was the cause of my knee pain. I hope your week is fabulous, Laura!
That cloche is all kinds of fabulous. Love it paired with that dress. It kind of gives a vintage vibe.
I’m hoping your PT goes well and that you find relief quickly. Yay for Nigel finding relief.
Thanks, Daenel! I love the color and the shape. Now, to actually remember to wear it. I agree about the vintage vibe…both the dress and the cloche. I am hopeful about the P/T. Mike is beginning to doubt himself. I think he feels a little bereft since he knows he’s now on the hook for all the practicing himself.
Hi, Marsha – Wishing you good luck with your PT and VTS. But I don’t think you need luck with the VTS because it’s something you love and are good at, so it should be natural to you! My body had an inflammatory reaction to the Covid vaccine and I’ve been battling arthritic aches and pains ever since. PT helped me wait for treatment when doctors were all deluged after lockdown. Since then, my daily yoga practice takes the place of pain killers. Sending blessings that the pain goes away – Angie, http://www.yourtrueselfblog.com
Thank you so much, Angie! I need to plan out a few more tours because I’ve given the same tour a few times now. I’m just afraid I’ll get all that information twisted up in my head! I do love the VTS process. It’s such an interesting way to look at art. I am hoping the PT helps though I really don’t have that much pain in my back. Of course, now that I know how bad it is, I’m noticing it more. I really need to get back into yoga because the stretching really does work so well. Thank you for the blessings!
It’s interesting that your lower back is the issue, but you have no pain. I hope the PT helps and you’re feeling better soon! Congrats on your VTS certification!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Thanks, Jill! I was so surprised at how fast I got my certification because they are really focused on the correct use of the questions as well as the paraphrasing that happens in between the questions and conversations. It really is weird though now that I know how bad my back is, of course, I notice a little more pain. But, after seeing that x-ray, I would think it would be excruciating. I have my consultation this week and can’t wait to get started!
Congrats on becoming a certified VTS docent! I hope the PT goes well for you. I love your dress and hat! Thanks for linking!
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
Thank you so much, Emma! It’s fun but intense, and I love it! I’m feeling really good about the PT!
Sorry to hear about the back injury – pain in that area, hips, etc can be so debilitating. May this physical therapy work swiftly and smoothly!
I love the hat accompaniment – it’s a fun cherry on top (semi literally!)
Thanks, Edi! It’s weird because, until I saw the x-ray, I really didn’t have that much back pain. It seems to be working so far. Isn’t the hat fun? I love hats but forget to wear them!