Sue's July Journal

[FrugalSue]

My family and I had a busy weekend getting the last of my stuff out of the antique malls where I used to rent space. I'm so glad to have this aspect of my business behind me! It was too iffy...sometimes I would make money, sometimes I would owe money. Now I will just do online selling, plus my part-time editing job.

The best part is, I'll have more time, energy, and mental space for myself. Yay!

I still don't have my knee brace which should give me better mobility, and I've been walking with a cane the last few weeks. However, the brace must be in the works, because we got a bill today for our portion of the cost. I hope it's ready soon! I'm really tired of not being able to put my weight on my right knee because of the pain.

Sometimes I have to put weight on my knee because things simply have to get done, but then it is always more painful afterwards. Like after moving the antiques out of the store this weekend, I had to come home and keep my knee iced and elevated. And that was with Larry and Betsy doing all of the actual moving! I just packed boxes, and it was too much for me.

Well, that should change soon!

[muppet]

I think you will really appreciate your brace. It will give you the support you need to be able to get around the way you want to. I hope you get it soon!

[FrugalSue]

Two days in a row, I have had kind of large meals. Not huge, and not too many calories (I had a turkey burger, for example, today when we had a 4th of July barbecue), but I felt uncomfortable afterwards. Maybe it is because it is also hotter than I'm used to. Anyway, with this hot weather and the discomfort that I felt after eating a larger meal, I'm going to go back to grazing tomorrow! I feel so much better when I just eat very light meals throughout the day.

[FrugalSue]

I am psyched! I got a call this morning from the guy who fits the brace, and it's ready! So I'm getting it today.

I'm going out of town tomorrow a.m. and will be gone for a couple of days. Betsy and I are going to the Fiddle Tunes Festival in Port Townsend, Washington. We are staying at the home of some friends and will be attending a couple of concerts, and will also have some time to just hang out in this lovely town on the water. (We live in a lovely town on the water, too, but it's always fun to go check out another one!)

So when I come back on Sunday, I'll be able to report to you about whether the brace helps me do more walking! I sure hope to do some strolling around Port Townsend!

[FrugalSue]

OK, I got the brace, and it's not terribly uncomfortable to wear. So far I am not experiencing a lot of change in how it makes my knee feel, but I was told it could take several days to feel much benefit. Initially it may feel worse, because the brace is actually shifting the way that my upper and lower leg bones meet, and that may take some getting used to. But in a few days, it should start helping.

I'll check in with you guys after my weekend away and let you know!

[Missy]

Glad to hear you got the brace today, hopefully it makes things better for you.

[FrugalSue]

I just got back a little while ago from my weekend trip. Betsy and I had a really good time. We went to two concerts and we did quite a bit of walking around the town where we were staying and the State Park where the concerts were held.

I have mixed feelings about the knee brace so far, but I think that's sort of the way it is at the beginning, according to the guy who made it for me. I can definitely put my weight on my leg with more confidence when I'm wearing the brace, but there is still pain when I do that. I do notice that I feel better when I get up in the morning than I have in a long time--I don't have much knee pain until I've been out and about for a while. So that's some improvement.

[FrugalSue]

It's been pretty hot for Western Washington lately, and the next few days are supposed to be scorchers. I'm having trouble getting used to my knee brace--the straps irritate my skin, so I need to see if I can make it more comfortable.

Between the hot weather and the discomfort, I haven't been feeling like getting out and doing much. However, I've been really good about eating right! I have fresh raspberries in my garden now, and I've been buying fresh blueberries and other great stuff. Salmon has been less pricey than usual lately so we've had that a few times.

[FrugalSue]

Now that I've been wearing my fancy Darth Vader-looking knee brace for two weeks, I am beginning to notice the improvement. It definitely gives my knee some relief from pain when I'm wearing it. And there seems to be some cumulative benefit from wearing it over time. My knee is less swollen.

Yesterday I went the whole day without using my cane, and I had a very active day, too. There is a big sale going on right now that makes it cheaper for eBay sellers to list their stuff, so all day long I was schlepping stuff out of my office to photograph it and then back in there to list it. I spent a lot of time at the computer, but it was punctuated with a lot of getting up to get more stuff. I also got out to run some errands.

So I'm feeling hopeful that I can start doing a little bit of walking again now! I can also go to my arthritis swimclass but I've been really busy the last few weeks taking Betsy to her summer drivers ed class...I think I'll be able to attend the class more regularly when school starts again.

Did I tell you guys that I will be traveling most of August? As soon as Betsy completes her drivers ed course, she and I are driving from the Seattle area to Minneapolis. My mom just moved to a memory care assisted living home, and Betsy and I are going to go through all of the furniture, clothing, household items, etc., that are left at the old place and sell and/or give away everything. We'll probably spend about two weeks in Minneapolis. Then we're going to take a little vacation on the way home, stopping to see the Black Hills, Little Bighorn, and stuff. I am so glad that my knee is doing a bit better, before taking on this big trip!

[muppet]

Sounds like a fun trip! I'm glad your knee is doing better and that you are getting along with your brace.