April Showers ~ Bring May Flowers

 

There is a smattering of rain outside today.

The gardens need the moisture.

The weather is mild and there is a symphony of birdsong.

Hummingbirds are flitting about...

I've been following the advice of the physiotherapist and kinesiologist.

Exercising and walking daily.

My new hip is getting a workout...

actually I think it is the muscles

that are getting the exercise and feel much more stronger.

I'm feeling less dependant on my cane and am now able to sleep better.

Thank goodness I can sleep on my side now.

The surgeon suggested that I buy some silicone cream, 

apply and gently massage the scar.

He told me that plastic surgeons tell their patients to do this...

This is my routine now after my morning shower and before I go to bed at night.

I went to the mall to buy some white pants...

Bagatelle wide legged pants in my size came home with me.

I took a picture but it is such a bad photo...

the outfit looks terrible but you get the idea of the pants.

Pants that fit are scarce (rare as hen's teeth) in my closet 

since losing almost 25 pounds.

I've had a couple of emails about my weight loss and how I achieved it...

 it started last October after meeting the surgeon.

It was gently suggested that if I lost some weight that I would not be in as much pain.

WOW!

That's what I needed to hear.

The pain was BAD.

So I cut out all alcohol.

(my daily wine was just a habit)

I started eating more protein and removing most breads and starchy carbs.

My lunches are Greek high protein plain yogurt, fresh fruit, and some chopped walnuts.

 ~ OR ~

Simple green salad with 2 hard boiled eggs and a homemade vinaigrette.

(I add a few nuts and sliced French pickles)

Dinners are lean chicken or fish, a couple servings of seasonal steamed veggies.

Every so often I add a baked potato or small portion 3/4 cup of rice.

For the first 6 months NO SWEETS.

Now I have a few pieces of chocolate or a couple of digestive biscuits with my afternoon tea.

I've had a few muffins when I have gone out for coffee, some biscotti and cookies.

These treats mean I compensate by walking more or cutting back on my main meals.

I'm wearing KUR Veil #8 by Londontown.

I need to paint several coats to get this darker coverage.

The shade is pretty and I like how easy the Kur polishes are to apply.

I found the cutest top by Cut Loose at Adventure Clothing on Oak Bay Avenue.

It has a crinkly texture and I adore the stripes.

The pockets are a cute detail too...

 

This will work with my black pants, jeans and the new white pants.

~ Anemone ~

Ground cover in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

Love the "almost periwinkle" blue shade.

We have a white one out front and this one is on the side near the slate patio.

We hung this vintage mirror last year before the Teeny Tiny Garden Tour.

The Hospice fundraiser had us perking up the garden for several weeks and we saw this idea in another garden and a friend gave us this mirror so we painted it black.

I quite like the effect...

All our garden furniture is black...

several iron tables and chairs 

the 2 new

Adirondack chairs are black.

Lots of our pots are black too...black seems to be a good background for colours.

New black cushions for the front porch.

My usual red geraniums...

after planting, sweeping and fluffing the cushions

I brewed a pot of tea and sat on the front porch and enjoyed the peace and quiet.

~ Flowers are wonderful ~

So many varieties, colours and forms.

I love seeing flowers on my walks and when I wander around our garden.

I think I have "aged" since my surgery...

my skin feels drier and I am now using a facial moisturizing oil from Merit.

Drinking more water as I think I need to add moisture from the inside out :-))

My body has been working overtime to heal too so it might be tired.

Losing weight has shown on my face...

more wrinkles have appeared.

Well I am 71 so that's what should I expect.

I do feel like I am getting stronger and my sleep has improved.

Getting outside in the fresh air and sunshine does give me a boost.

My energy seems to be improving too...

(will work on getting stronger and report back soon with an update)

Well that's enough about me...How are YOU?

Hope that you are doing well.

Leave a comment and let me know what's new.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Post Op ~ Pearls, Books and Blooms

 

~ Star Magnolia ~

This beauty is out front of The Humble Bungalow and is currently in BLOOM.

The sheer elegance...of pure white flowers.

I love a crisp white flower.

I am doing well post op into week 6 now...

walking more steps but still at a slowish pace.

The hip muscles are getting a workout!

I can tell because I need to pop a Tylenol

after a day of walks....

even these frequent short ones that the physiotherapist has recommended.

I am a rule follower and I am pushing ahead trying to be mindful of my capability.

Oh but the urge to go farther is so tempting...

that being said if I overdo I am not doing myself any favours.

I drove the car to meet a friend for coffee today and it felt so amazing!

~ FREEDOM ~

I've been reading a LOT...

I've read many books in the past 5 weeks.

I've just finished Mrs. Van Gogh...very interesting and well written.

Tartufo was a fun romp set in Italy, comical, it could be made into a film.

Lady Tremaine is up next...a Reese's Book Club Pick.

A Cinderella story told by the wicked stepmother's perspective.

I've been paying attention to my hands...

they've been quite dry so I've been slathering on the hand cream.

Wearing my Akoya Pearls...

always want to add a bit of polish to my plain white Tee and grey cashmere sweater.

They positively GLOW.

Mr. HB took me for a drive to the Beacon Drive In...

I had a soft ice cream cone.

The first one in about 5 YEARS!!!!

So Yummy.

Why did I wait SO LONG to have a cone?

I guarantee I'll be going more often to enjoy this wee treat.

I pulled out my paints...

made some Mud Pie Paintings.

Easter Colours Perhaps?

I feel like a kid in kindergarten when I paint...

no judgement just let the brush flow.

Healing over these past few weeks has made me realize what a lot I have to be thankful for...and feeling so much gratitude as I wake up every day.

The return to more normal activities is wonderful.

I am not taking anything for granted.

 Tea Time is a TREAT!

So many choices...

What blend to brew?

My friend Michelle gave me a tin of Harney and Sons Earl Grey which is so GOOD!

The tea is full bodied and in wee silk gossamer bags.

I feel very posh when I sip it.

I've been using mugs because I have a cane in one hand and I daren't juggle 

a cup and saucer just yet, but can imagine how lovely it will be to sip this POSH tea out of one of my fine china cups and saucers.

(lah dee dah)

Sun is shining and I've got to go for my afternoon walk...

(doctor's orders)

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Hope that your week is off to a great start.

Until next time...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

HIP HIP HOORAY ~ 2 weeks Post OP and some Merit Beauty

 

Well here I am today 2 weeks post op

total hip replacement surgery.

The past 2 weeks have been a bit blurry...

Strong pain medications which are totally foreign to me

sleeping on my back

swelling in my operative leg and ankle

resting mostly in bed

walking with a walker and a cane

doing exercise that strengthen the muscles which have been comprimised

OH MY! I am a rookie and this feels like a LOT.

Thank you for the kind wishes and emails.

They are most appreciated.

XO

So besides following the surgeons orders I have been:

Reading lots of books and perusing magazines

posting on Instagram

playing Word With Friends

and

Kind of a surprise to me "online" shopping...

It's a surprise because I am an Old School Shopper who likes to go to a store.

I've been a wee bit obsessed with Merit Beauty for a few years...

and I've watched a lot of You Tubers who share their make up routines.

So I took the plunge and ordered an eye shadow in Iris and a blush balm in Cheeky.

They arrived with a darling corduroy bag and a free sample of the Glow Serum.

I tried them out and immediately ordered 

Instant Glow serum

The illuminator in Bone which is a concealer/foundation

and

The #1brush

I LOVE the Instant Glow Serum and have been wearing it daily

with no makeup while convalescing.

Here's how it looks.

My Thoughts...

The illuminator feels moisturizing on my dry skin but not oily...

the brush makes it super easy to blend

Added a bit extra on my cheek area which tends to be red due to my rosacea.

I used the Cheeky Blush Balm higher up on the cheek and on my lips.

I have to say that I am VERY impressed.

I've got appointments with the doctor next week and the physiotherapist.

I think they will remove the staples (eek)

assess my mobility and give me some new exercises.

I've got a few months before the statistics claim that I will be 90% healed.

I can hardly wait...

I've dodged a bullet because

The Fashion Police have dropped me off their Radar.

Wearing only baggy soft cozy outfits purchased specifically for this rehab time.

As a side note they are all in shades of grey white and black :-))

I cannot imagine trying to put on my beloved Danish Mos Mosh jeans.

No deep bending and dressing with a surgical bandage would make it a challenge.

I'm already dreaming of wearing my denim shirts and white tees.

Pearls have definitely helped me keep my spirits up!

I've worn them to remind myself that I am still ME.

So I suppose that's enough chatter for my first post "post op."

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Waiting to be Worn....

February ~ Cocooning in The Humble Bungalow

 

Thank you for all your comments and emails from my last post.

I took time off to be quiet, stay at home and just relax.

In preparation for Surgery. 

I've been feeling calm and cocooning...

One of the projects I tackled was a messy cupboard...

it's been a disaster for years and I just "lived" with it.

One day I opened the cupboard stuff fell out...

that was the signal to me to get serious and act.

I removed all the items and placed them on top of the dining room table.

I discarded things that were no longer needed

things that were out of date and expired.

Organized the rest of the items and popped them into baskets.

Think that I will be able to maintain order 

after I took the time to tidy up.

Looking at the before and after images makes me wonder why it took so long :-))

Do you have cupboards, drawers or entire rooms that are in disarray?

Perhaps catch all areas where you close a door and look away?

Candles, books and lots of tea kept me company during these quiet days.

Tried some new teas...

my current favourite is an Irish imported tea by Barry's

very strong and rich and is decaf.

I found it at The Irish Linen Shop here in Victoria.

While I was there I bought a couple of new linen tea towels and looked at their gorgeous Irish Wool Sweaters.

Spring feels like it is going to be early...

so many flowers are blooming.

We've had rain, and gusty winds but no snow.

I've got a dozen books in my to be read pile...

am currently reading A Traitor in Whitehall by Julia Kelly.

So good...she wrote The Last Garden in England.

New to us...

Vintage Arts and Crafts Weller vase

Imagining our David Austin Roses in this pretty little vessel.

Wrote in my journal...

not daily as I had originally expected, but when I felt like it.

So many random thoughts are swirling around in my mind.

Health seems to be at the forefront.

Surgery is getting a lot of air time.

Reading up on the preparations, sorting out the medical equipment required.

Researching post op hip replacement weeks that other people have experienced...

want to have some realistic expectations.

Enjoying the Thrifted Shetland Wool Hand Knit Sweater.

It's the warmest sweater that I own...

When winter started I owned 3 maybe 4 sweaters 

but since recent thrifting finds

I now have 3 more.

The blog may be quiet for another few weeks...

~ Post Op ~

when I stay home and recover and get my new hip ready for action.

Hope all is well with you and that you are enjoying life.

 Are you noticing Pops Of Colour?

Savouring moments of Joy

Living Simply?

Take care

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Embracing those Silver Linings ~

 

~ Silver Linings ~

 ~ a consoling or hopeful prospect ~

 ~ a sign of hope, comfort, or a positive advantageous outcome 

that emerges from a difficult, sad or challenging situation ~

Popularized by John Milton in 1634

the phrase refers to the bright silver edge of a dark cloud.

~ Baggu ~

Silver is shiny enough that a crow might want it, bold enough so it is not boring.

I'm embracing the days as I wait for my new hip.

The days seem long and I crave distractions...

the kettle is boiling 24/7 as tea is my tasty elixir.

I have lost 20 pounds...

The new jeans are feeling roomy and I am not wanting to buy more.

There has been a resurgence of chocolate...

slow moments of bliss as the chocolate melts on my tongue.

~ Dressing Room Selfie ~

at Alexa's lovely shop in the Oak Bay Village

a la mode consignment

Can one have too many denim shirts?

(I now have 3)

The 5 year old thrifted Old Navy shirt, the pale Gap shirt new from last year

and now this Eileen denim shirt from Frank & Eileen.

The neckline is lower...the shirt is distressed...

it can be worn as a layer overtop of a camisole for a feminine flair.

Plus it is "pearl friendly!"

Accessories continue to add interest in my wardrobe.

The bird of paradise brooch thrifted from Salt Spring Island.

~ Two  new to me leather belts ~

Ralph Lauren and a British Columbia Big Buckle Belt

Chloe fragrance an relatively new accessory that I am embracing.

Look at those dirty windows!

All the street work and winter wind storms have made a mess of our windows.

Now look at that hyacinth...it's a beauty.

oh and the fragrance...

Speaking of fragrance...

I've bought incense...the same incense that I burned when I was a teenager!

Surprised they still make it after all these years.

Tapio Wirkkala Pollo Bud vase 

(gift from darling daughter)

is in use as my holder until I can find a better option.

Reading The Lying Game by Ruth Ware

it's good so far and I am reading it slowly

my mind is not as focused as it usually is so I am re-reading sections.

I think I am starting to come to terms with the fact that I am going to be having major surgery and undergoing anesthetic...

there is the unknown pain factor post op which I am a little unsettled about too.

The strong prescription drugs are foreign to me so that is another issue altogether.

Basically 

trying to avoid these niggling thoughts and using as many distractions as possible 

to pass my days without obsessing about things which are unknown

things that i have no control over.

I need to have faith.

That's all for now...

not sure when I will post again?

I might not have lots to say as I plan to cocoon in February.

Thank you for stopping by...

Hope that you are staying sane

 not stressing too much about stuff that is beyond your control.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~