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 ~

Saturday Snippets ~ December 27th...

Thank you for all your Christmas Greetings :-))

Last post I fell behind responding as

I've been busy with the festive celebrations...

not enough hours in the day to do everything so some things fell by the wayside.

We've never been restrained when it comes to white fairy lights!!

They illuminate our dark bungalow and add warmth and ambiance.

Sabayons, a new store in our downtown opened up just before Christmas.

It is a special place with imported stock mostly from Europe.

It is the second store run by the owners of the Market Garden on Catherine Street.

Which is our "go to" for interesting and different food items.

Displays are exquisite...

The store is full of gorgeous things...who doesn't LOVE a picnic hamper?

Creative paper mache flowers were dotted around the shop.

Choose your own shade of paper and have some creative fun...

Soaps were plentiful and we opted not to buy any this trip.

 Next time...LOOK OUT !

I sniffed all the varieties and can say that I am smitten with their fragrances...

they'll make great gifts and I may need to test out a bunch to decide on the best one.

Eye Candy...

 The attention to detail reminds me of Paris Shops and window displays.

I am already excited to go back.

They are working on the second floor of the store.

This was the floor above the escalator...

the area where we glimpsed

the pianist playing the grand piano!

We purchased:

Raspberry Vinegar

Hot Pepper Jam

Honey Mustard

French Sable Cookies

Scented Candle

We've been using our new crib board and playing 2 games most days...

Hubby wins!

(I enjoy the game so I win too)

Boxing Day table set for our darling daughter and her husband.

On the menu...

Prime Rib of Beef Roast

Yorkshire Pudding

Maple Glazed Carrots

Brussell Sprouts

Mashed Potatoes

Gravy

Pavlova

topped with Bonne Maman Lemon Curd

Kiwi and Blueberries

and

Coconut Whipped Cream

I left the coconut whip off the dessert and had everyone top their own slice.

(I tend to go overboard with the whip)

You can see the two aerosol cans in the background.

(Lazy way of serving whipped cream, I know)

Mrs. Claus bought herself a cozy jacket...

I tried on the hooded version with plaid lining but the colour was not that flattering.

Quilted in navy blue...a shocking departure from the usual BLACK!

I need to branch out a bit more...take a risk.

Hope that you enjoyed your festivities and are ready to ring in the New Year.

In other news...

I got my surgery date and await further instructions and appointments.

Hopefully the procedure will go ahead as planned and that the results will be good.

The recovery sounds fairly quick but there are lots of rules, do's and don'ts.

Exercises and physio appointments.

By all accounts, if things go well, 3 months is the "back to normal" goal.

I'll close for now as we have to get ready for tomorrow when we host a games night and dinner here with our son, his girlfriend and the 3 grands.

All The Best To You!

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Early morning post...a bit of this and that.

 

Time is flying along and I find the days full and rewarding...

Lately I have been pacing myself.

A wide variety of tasks await here in The Humble Bungalow.

Homekeeping

Baking

Creative pursuits

Reading

There are many choices and I like to mix them up...

a wee bit of work balanced with some knitting or reading

accompanied always with mug full of hot tea.

Tea has been my saviour during these past few weeks...

I've been reducing my food intake to shed a few pounds.

It is a challenge and a much needed focus.

Refining my diet to include protein with every meal...

adding fibre and a colourful array of vegetables.

So far I have lost about 8 pounds...

I cannot really see it but my jeans are looser.

The difficulty seems to be my stamina which is waning due to the chronic hip pain.

I won't go into much detail, suffice to say it is not pleasant.

I am embracing distractions at every turn :-))

This book was brilliant...I will be seeking out more of his many novels.

I've been baking sourdough french baguettes on repeat...

freezing them and giving some away.

The trick to the crust is to bake them above a roasting pan filled with ice.

Mr. HB bought this fabulous baguette pan for me...

it's a game changer.

Graham Thomas roses are putting on their last flush...

I asked Mr. HB to bring them inside so I could appreciate their beauty.

The petals are dropping off as I expected but their fragrance is strong.

~ Small Joys ~

These are especially important to me...

they lift my spirits and I find them soothing.

Those that are free and cost nothing are the BEST.

Perhaps that's what we gardener's enjoy the most?

The foraging habit continues to delight and reward me.

Pine cones, seashells, sea glass, free things on the nearby boulevards.

Books in the many wee free libraries.

So many things on offer.

Oh and this yummy recipe.

I can't remember if I shared this delicious pork 

marinade with you before?

Pork loin rib roast, 

I use the marinade to cook the roast in too.

So good...

easy too and most things are already in the fridge or pantry.

Let me know if you make it...

Our Christmas Cactus is in bloom.

I bought this orange variety last year, we have pink ones too.

Madly love these matte white McCoy planters with the drip tray attached.

Have been on the hunt for more 

Ebay and Etsy

but they seem to be as rare as hen's teeth.

When your cup and coaster match your knitting project...

Alexandra's Airplane Scarf

Churchmouse pattern using Knitting For Olive yarn

from my favourite local shop The Beehive.

So relaxing knitting this pattern...

quiet, meditative and great with a hot mug of tea.

Needs Must :-))

The front Hallway here in The Humble Bungalow.

Baskets galore...

dried hydrangeas and an antique pot.

Sourced locally from an estate sale about 30 years ago.

The woman having the sale showed me around each room filled with treasures.

I would have purchased many things if I had a wallet stuffed with cash.

Back in those days 

We lived within a tight budget,

 so extra expenditures were purchased with a LOT of thought

careful not to over extend ourselves.

The last "room" Mrs. Lettuce (not sure of the spelling) showed me was her garage.

Inside was a jumble of tools, an old car, a canoe, some old machinery...

and a bunch of pots and this antique pot with a chip in the rim.

I bought it for $10 or $20 dollars...

The large palatial home is still standing on the original site on Woodstock Street.

A new house has been built behind the old house...

I can still see Mrs. Lettuce working in her garden...

wearing her tweed skirt and cashmere sweater set.

Her messy bun and those serious black oxford shoes.

She was such a delight to chat with as I pushed the pram past her home all those many years ago..

a real character full of vim and vigour

such a charming gardener

full of knowledge 

and classy

in a genuine "old school" way.

Translation...in case you might like to know = old money.

Reminds me of The Duchess of Devonshire.

Hang in there...

a creepy spider waiting in its web for a tasty meal.

I've been "organizing" my baking stuff...

bought some Classic Anchor Hocking glass jars for the counter.

I got tired pulling out all my supplies from the cupboards.

Even though they take up valuable real estate I find them super handy.

I've been up for about an hour now and I am in desperate need of a frothy Espresso!

Hope you are keeping well and enjoying the small joys of the season. 

Take care and thank you for stopping by

The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Until next time...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~