~ Mount Baker ~
My view this week on my walk.
A crisp fresh topping of snow atop this grand mountain.
~ The new walking poles are so helpful ~
I can take longer strides,
walk faster,
feel so much more stable
~ Confident ~
If you have ever fallen, or felt a wee bit wobbly on your feet.
these poles are a wonderful tool, I think they are a real Game Changer.
(they work the arms too)
With the last few quiet days
I've been culling stuff here in The Humble Bungalow...
tidying drawers, cupboards and closets.
Taking donations to the charity shops and having a wee peek at what is for sale!
I spied these new (with tags) waterproof gloves at the local WIN Thrift Shop.
They are lined and are SO much warmer than my old thin leather gloves.
I also scored a soft charcoal grey long cardigan.
It has two pockets and is really cozy.
It also feels brand new...
Do you shop at thrift stores?
Buying second hand is so easy on the budget.
As a retiree with a pension,
I really appreciate the price points on the merchandise.
Prices have gone up a bit
most shops charge at least 1/4 off regular retail prices.
Some smaller shops are at giveaway prices!
I decided to buy a second pair of jeans...
I donated the low rise Eileen Fisher jeans as they emphasized my muffin top.
The brand I prefer and fit well are MNG or MANGO.
Mom jeans with an ankle length.
The local BAY store did not have any in stock so I ordered some from Nordstroms.
Rarely do I shop online but it was absolutely necessary this time.
Good News...
they were on sale...I got the last pair in my size :-))
Faded wash...
my current jeans are a dark wash.
Am going to love wearing these...I love denim.
They will pair well with the soft pale blue flannel Frank and Eileen shirt.
White Old Navy shirt, new-to-me grey sweater, white T shirt, black long sleeve T
almost ALL my tops will work with these jeans.
(silver sequin top)
Summer time they will be great with flip flops too!
Fortunately the jeans arrived on time and more importantly they fit!
Are you making any New Year's Resolutions?
#1
Focusing on getting as much information as I can
on the management of osteoarthritis
and reducing the pain in
my arthritic hip.
#2
Getting back to Yoga
After my recent fall and concussion,
I decided that I needed to work on balance.
Have been following a You Tube balance routine and need MORE.
My local Yoga Studio "Ajna" in Oak Bay offers fabulous classes.
I have registered for a workshop on Hips.
Which will identify moves and exercises that strengthen
the muscles that support the hip.
Signed up for 8 sessions of Yoga for Osteoporosis
at a local Rec Centre taught by one of the Yoga instructors from my studio.
#3
Continue to attend Aqua Fit Classes at the Oak Bay Pool.
My doctor highly recommends these classes and prefers them to my long walks
with my "bad" hip.
He's going to refer me to a surgeon...
(our wait list for new hips is several years long)
I mentioned to him that I did 8,000 steps last week and for the next 2 days I was in terrible pain...
he thinks that is way too many steps considering my hip issue.
Do you have arthritis?
Are you able to modify your activities so you do not feel as much pain?
Well enough about my health related resolutions...
In exciting news...
We went out for New Year's Eve!
First time in many years...
A Dinner Date :-))
~ OOTD ~
My LBD (5 years old) Eileen Fisher
Baroque Pearls from Hong Kong
Coach Loafers
(2 or 3 years old)
Aritzia Wool and Cashmere Coat
(new bought on sale)
Vintage Coach black leather bag
Vintage rhinestone bracelet
BLING...
(After All it is New Year's Eve!)
Dinner at Zambri's
The Mocktail was delicious...
(tasted like an Aperol Spritz)
I've been off alcohol for awhile
(trying to lose some weight)
slowly
Only a few pounds down but in December I have been nibbling shortbread cookies
and eating this fabulous dinner!!!
Caesar Salad
Halibut and shoestring fries...so yummy!
Panna Cotta with lemon...
Oh my goodness!
Our dinner was so lovely...great food wonderful service.
A very nice way to start the new Year.
Thank you Honey :-))
Before I forget...
I found a real Antique at Value Village last week...
French Porcelain
by
Clain and Perrier
Look at those pretty pink roses and gold gilt!
So sweet and feminine...
just darling.
The Company was located at 238 Boulevard St. Germain in Paris.
It was in business from 1879 - 1914
I am quite smitten with this wee treasure...
a compote for the top of my bureau.
For the record, I didn't NEED this, but I couldn't resist...
besides
it feels like a French Souvenir.
It is an item that makes me smile every time I see it...
and I keep looking at it.
Hope that you are enjoying the start to the New Year...
There are many new adventures waiting to unfold
so many possibilities
dreams to be dreamt
people to meet
books to read
teas to sip
music to hear
meals to be made
new recipes to try
interesting courses to enroll in
new skills to learn
SO MANY
opportunities for discovery.
What new things will you try this year?
Will you travel?
Will you stay at home and feather your nest?
Will you keep a journal?
Write a Book?
Paint a picture?
Sew or Knit?
Or will you sit still in the moment
breathe in the energy that will keep you grounded and sane?
Namaste
~ 2025 ~
~ Be Well and Be Kind ~
Thank you for popping by to read my little blog...
Grateful for you choosing to be here.
26 comments:
What a great newsy post. You do an impressive amount of exercise, and have found interesting classes to attend. I feel I should do more after reading that! Yes, I have some arthritis, and do find that too many steps in a day can make knees/hips worse. It is tricky to find the happy medium. I use hot and cold packs at times to relieve pain after exercise. You look lovely on your dinner date, and the food looks fantastic too. You are the best shopper: love that antique dish, the new gloves and the charcoal cardigan. The jeans are a good investment, as in your climate I think you can wear them for much of the year. My jeans last for many years because they can only be worn 3-4 months at the most due to our heat. This year we are travelling to Europe in April (time for wardrobe planning), I will be journalling, particularly on my trip, I will paint pictures both at home and with my art group, and probably sew quite a lot. I won't be writing a book: my husband just wrote his life story and published it, so he wins :))
What a lovely post, Happy New Years to you as well. You are a beautiful person, stay healthy. I also bought my walking sticks last month, fortunately I had not fallen however I kept slipping. Great investment for sure.
Wonderful, positive post as always. Your antique find is just lovely and I can see why you keep looking at it! Your dinner out and outfit look wonderful. We haven't gone out on New Year's Eve in so long I can't even remember. My husband had back surgery the day after Christmas so we're definitely in not going anywhere anytime soon mode. I'd like to plan a trip and yet i don't know when he'll be up to such. As for hips - I feel your pain. I tend to have issues with my right hip and have for a long time. I'm really working on strengthening - all over, but particularly the hips and legs. We weaken as we age and don't even realize the extent of our weakness. I'm being more faithful with weight work, yoga, and general strengthening exercises. Happy New Year!
Happy New Year, L. Taking care of health is a great intention for 2025. I am working on losing a few stubborn pounds and need to maintain weight-bearing exercise for my osteoporosis. Our aging bodies need maintenance!
You found some really lovely things at the thrift stores - the gloves will be so useful and the sweater cozy. That French porcelain antique compote is a real find and I love the way you describe smiling when you see it.
We are taking a little vacation in January to see my husband's sister who lives in Mexico, so I'm pulling out my summer wardrobe and planning outfits.
I always enjoy your newsy posts.
Happy New Year! It’s a cold opening for 2025 (-28C this morning 🥶) Keeping cozy inside, just finishing my coffee. Then I’ll be spending the day in my sewing room, working on various quilts. Love your picture of Mt Baker❤️
Hi Leslie! Again! Above comment about my husband's back surgery is from Jeannine. For some reason something has changed and my comment came through as Anonymous.
I loved going to Value Village when I lived in the Pacific Northwest. You really scored a beautiful piece. Thanks for taking us along on your thrifting adventures.
Happy Holidays, Leslie! Well done on your thrift finds - that china piece is amazing! What a good eye you have.
Happy New Year Leslie! You sure find lovely things at your local thrift shops.
It’s good to see you all dressed up and out on the town!
Joan
Love your blog and admire your taste. You always find such great deals. I too have osteoporosis arthritis and found several webinars on Vancouver Coastal Health site. Just signed up for one on supplements and diet for osteoarthritis. Hope to learn something!
Happy New Years. I love looking at your outfits, our second hand shops in New Zealand seldom have such nice items and are not cheap. This year I will try more water, more walking and some exercise classes online and more early nights.
Enjoyed your post…what a delightful Christmas season!
Good for you in being so proactive in signing up for the various classes to help combat your osteoporosis. Knowledge is everything. Great finds at the thrift store and what a lovely evening you had with such delicious food.
Patricia,
Great to hear from you...your Europe trip plans sound wonderful. Wardrobe planning is the most fun.
I am looking forward to the online Zoom nutrition classes and I heard from the surgeons office that I am now in the queue...4-8 months before I see a surgeon.
Happy New Year and enjoy your sewing projects.
Good to hear that you now have the walking poles to help you navigate the uneven terrain and maintain your stability.
Happy New Year!
Hello Jeannine Happy New Year!
Hope your husband is making a speedy recovery...my husband had back surgery after years of pain and he has been more mobile ever since. My bad hip is my left one and yours is the right so between the two of us we have a good set of hips!!!!
Mexico sounds like a wonderful place to escape to in all this rainy weather! Our good friends took their family there for Christmas and had a fabulous holiday. Good luck with the weight loss and the weight bearing exercises...as you say we need to pay attention to maintenance.
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year Cathy!
I know that you love quilting! Stitching is so rewarding and relaxing...I imagine that making a quilt gives you a real sense of satisfaction.
Stay warm...we have lots of rain here and there are big puddles in our yard!
I am planning another thrifting adventure soon...with my sister. Hopefully we will find some treasures and if I do I will definitely share them here. Happy New Year
Happy New Year! Hope that you are not floating away in all this rain!!! Saw your latest post on Substack, well done.
Joan I enjoy dressing up...and it is fun going out for a dinner.
Happy New Year Joan.
I signed up for the two lectures in January on Nutrition...I also have signed up for Yoga for Osteoporosis at the Rec Centre. Hope you learn some valuable tips on the supplements and diet.
I have heard that here in Victoria we have a good selection of thrift shops and the quality of donations are usually decent.
I go to bed early most nights...I use scented lavender roll on as I find the scent relaxes me. I also drink herbal tea after dinner...I find it quite soothing and I can't sleep if I have caffeine late at night!
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year Laura!
Christine,
I want to know as much as I can about the conditions and how to manage them!
It is raining buckets here today so I made a simple clam chowder for dinner to serve with my homemade sourdough bread.
Hope that you are keeping well.
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year ! What a great post - glad you had a great New Year's Eve. We were on a cruise in the West Indies and for the first time in years we were up and out on the big night...and stayed up until after 1 AM. Music, champagne, dancing, fireworks - magic! Love your goals for the year...going to look into yoga for osteoporosis. Have very mild and infrequent pain, but after my fall and broken wrist want to beef up prevention. Doctor visit this month...would like to avoid shots with nasty side effects. Home now and getting things organized, unpacked, and enjoying cozy reading in front of the fire! May your New Year be filled with all good things!
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