Slowing Down

 I have been in high gear for a few weeks now.  Being the proud owner of a couple of autoimmune diseases does not always allow me to do what I want. When I want to do things.  

I really have enjoyed doing massive amounts of decluttering the house.  Filing up the recycling bin almost to the top. Sending huge boxes to Goodwill instead of having a garage sale.  Sharing extra fiber related things with my friends.  Emptying cabinets to the point of having not one but two empty shelves.  Leaving books in the little libraries around the neighborhood. 

Tonight my body gave me a stern warning.  Slow down right now or else.  So if I have enough spoons I will do one project a day.  Then rest by listening to books, spinning, knitting, weaving, Tunisian crochet and watching rom coms or documentaries on television.  Pay more attention to my body instead of wishful thinking that I am 30 again with only one autoimmune disease and all the energy in the world.  

On A Fiber Hiatus

 Well it seemed inevitable to everyone else but me.  The arthritis has moved to both shoulders. The right shoulder is worse than the left.  Until the pain goes away on its own or we figure out what the real damage is and repair it, I will not be working with fiber.  

So the game plan is to rest and read.  I know I did child care and reading until my 40th birthday when I went to try something new on a whim and became hook on fiber.  Well in the last almost 25 years there have been a lot of books written.  I have amassed a few and will try to read as many as possible.  I have pulled my reading glasses out.  First on my list is The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride.  

It’s Summer Hot

 Today was a hot day in the Old Pueblo. So we took it easy.  A little picking up, knitting and spinning.  John brought in dinner so we did not have to heat up the house.  My body needed a quite day.  

Mandatory Down Time

 My arthritis flare up is being quite stubborn. Instead of getting better with lots of rest, the inflammation is getting worse.  So for the next few days I will slowly put everything away. I will rest more, which to me equals major boredom.  I will try to catch up on my reading. Nothing but the bare minimum will get done. I am down one hand, thankfully it is my right hand up to the elbow. I can usually get by with just my left hand.  I will also see what my doctor thinks.  

On the bright side, I did manage to fill 2 boxes for Goodwill today. John will drop it off when he has a chance.  

This too shall pass.  

More Hand Stuff

Ok, I know that in some things that I am the most impatient person in the world. I could give any 10 year old kid a run for their money. Take my hand for instance. The stitches have completely healed and my hand should be 100% in my humble opinion. I am so wrong about this. Everything below the surface takes longer to heal than the stitches. So these are my new temporary rules to live by.

1. No folding laundry, seriously my hand throbbed for 8 hours after folding one load. The therapist took that off my plate for now.

2. If it hurts stop, do not continue. Whatever it is.

3. No putting my hand in odd positions to accomplish anything.

4. Do my therapy 3 times a day.  I now have 3 exercises, one involves knitting           needles....Really....

5. Reintroduce my hands to textures, it's part of the healing processes. Sounds           odd to me, but I will try it.

6. Take things slowly, things should get better in time. This is the hard one for          me.

7. Make time for rest breaks, although it is just my left hand that has to heal.             Apparently the whole body goes through the healing transition. I really don't         get this concept. But I will do my best to follow the rules.

So it is time to rest before Eric gets home.

Laying. Low

I spent the day laying low today.  Eric and I napped while John worked on setting up his work shop.  He is doing a great job.  I am hoping that laying low will give my body time to finally kick the bug and after effects that have been slowing me down.  This afternoon Eric and I watched a documentary on John Denver. I also got some knitting done.  I am planning another lay low day tomorrow.