August 23, 2025

Tiny Miracles...

 
 
Yesterday was wonderful. I had my physical therapy appointment and hit my goal of 120º bend in my knee. I still will work toward 130º, which was my pre-operation measurement, but getting to 120º was a huge achievement. 

Jenna (and Nicole) have been monitoring my progress, and because I got to 120º and am walking so well, I was told that I no longer need to use the cane, and we're changing my appointment schedule from three times a week down to two. I was thrilled.

Nicole was my therapist for yesterday's appointment and we went from riding the bicycle to stair stepping to some strength training. I also stood on a flat cushion and she evaluated my balance on both legs. I passed everything with flying colors, and I'm so happy.

Even better was that, although my knee muscles felt tight, there was no pain, heat, or inflammation in my knee like there's been before. The best possible news. Of course, once home Handsome and I sat down and I immediately fell asleep for an hour (or two). I guess it was more of a workout than I thought. 

 
Friends of mine who live close have gifted us with pickling cucumbers, zucchini and potatoes, so today Handsome and I will be canning bread and butter pickles. I have a five gallon bucket-full, but that will be my limit.

I also have bread to make, so it will be easy to work back and forth between the two. I'm going to pace myself so I don't overdo it, but I intend to do more canning this next week as my knee allows. I'm looking forward to seeing the pantry restocked with lots and lots of jars this fall. I've already made a list of what I hope to get canned in the next few weeks, and some things can definitely wait until later (canning my dried pinto beans into refrieds; making baked beans from my dried navy beans. Stuff like that.) You can count on me to show you the fruits of our labors, too. 
 
I hope you have a wonderful weekend, dears. I'll be back tomorrow.
 
 

8 comments:

  1. What great progress, congrats!
    Sounds like you will be busy the next few weeks.
    Marilyn

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    1. Hi Marilyn:
      Thanks so much! I hope you're getting better, too, dear. I'm going to do my best to pace myself. I surely don't want to backslide. Happy Weekend!
      Hugs,
      xoxo
      Donna

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  2. Happy to hear you're progressing well and that both PT's are pleased with how you're doing.
    I think, at least according to the RC, the only canning we'll have to do this fall is some zucchini relish. We'll need some onion relish too but that can be made in the winter, and I will likely make some sort of jam for Christmas giving but that can wait as well.

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    1. Hi MA:
      I'm so happy to be where I am in the process. I'm slowly but surely getting there. I have a long list of what I'd like to preserve this year. What did I get done today? Um...nothing. I'm doing great at "not overdoing". lol Perhaps tomorrow. We'll see.
      Hugs,
      xoxo
      Donna

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  3. Sherryofcreateology: Congratulations on your progress of 120*. Sounds like you and Handsoe will be in the kitchen today canning and baking. Nothing like that happens here…too hot and I never developed those skills from Grandma or mom. However my daughter is excellent at everything!

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    1. Hi Sherry:
      It was sunny and low 70s today, which would have been perfect, but by the time we did our early morning running, I was gassed. I said I'd just sit and elevate my leg "for a bit", and ended up doing next to nothing the rest of the day. Hoping to be a bit more productive today. Fingers crossed. My mum did a bit of this when I was a kid, but I'm mostly self-taught. Where there's a will... I really enjoy it when the body cooperates.
      Hugs,
      xoxo
      Donna

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  4. You just never skip a beat.
    Such wonderful progress, each day is a new win.
    Sounds like a fun and productive weekend.
    Shirley

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    1. Hi Shirley:
      I wish, hon. There was no skipping today. I ran errands with Handsome to pick up the few things I needed to do bread and butter pickles, came home and just wanted to sit for a bit. Spent most of the day in one chair or another. It's supposed to be cooler today with no errands to run, so I think I'll start right out of the gate this morning. I'd like to accomplish something this weekend!
      Hugs,
      xoxo
      Donna

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Thank you so much for leaving a comment today. I'm using new settings on my comments so that I'll be able to respond to your messages to me. Be sure to come back to see my replies!

Blessings, Donna