Playfair Park ~ A quiet and serene walk in the Gardens ~ Arthritis Walking update

 

~ Playfair Park ~

A scenic oasis of beauty in our city.

Camas, azaleas and rhododendrons dot the landscape.

The Birdsong is heavenly.

This park is situated between two major streets and I didn't hear any traffic.

It a lovely spot to escape to and be in a lush green space.

A reader asked me to share any tips on my arthritis journey...

It's very early in my journey but I will attempt to share a few tidbits.

I am easing into this new phase taking baby steps

avoiding at all costs 

going down a rabbit hole of gloom and doom.

New beginnings...

Embracing Daily Delights

Snippets of beauty

Gorgeous Fawn Lilies.

Like the famous Nike slogan says...

Just Do It!

Walking with intention...

slowly and mindfully.

A gentle warm up helps prepare the hips.

Moving sideways and backwards first to get the hips to get ready

then moving forward, slowly at first and pace yourself in a comfortable speed.

Each day my hip feels different, some days there is more pain than other days?

I have no clue why?

All questions to ask my physiotherapist when I meet with her.

My goal is to halve my usual walk into two shorter ones.

These steps and km were accomplished by taking three shorter walks.

I am feeling weary now and have taken an Advil.

My doctor told me that I could take them during the day and the most important one

 is for nightime to help me with pain and allow for sleep.

It feels weird taking a pain pill as this is so not on my usual radar

but Needs Must...for now at least...in time who knows?

But hey let's check out the flowers...

Camas grows in large areas below the Garry Oak Trees.

Camas close up, 

the First Nations People used this as a food source.

A lovely rhododendron, one of many here in the park.

Pink, red, white, mauve and yellow dotted throughout the gardens.

Last week I walked in Playfair Park, along The Esplanade at Willows Beach

then I met up with a friend for a walk near her home in South Oak Bay.

I feel like I have accomplished something positive...

these are the most steps that I have recorded since my initial diagnosis.

One other thing that my doctor mentioned was to take extra vitamin D.

He indicated that there is a lot of scientific research to support its use.

I am enjoying lots of salads with fresh lettuce harvested from the Humble Bungalow Garden.

My lunches are focused completely on salad.

I am getting creative by adding nuts, feta and cooked quinoa to the lettuce and veggies.

I use a simple Kraft dressing that is oil based.

One type has Italian pesto and spices and the other one has Greek Feta.

Both are 35 calories per tablespoon and they add a LOT of flavour.

That's about all for now as I need to get up and move.

BTW

Thank you for your many supportive and encouraging emails

I am excited to be taking charge of my Health and continuing to explore new options.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Current Topics ~ What is on my radar and mindful walking.

Greetings from The Humble Bungalow Garden.

The Muguet des Bois are blooming...

SO FRAGRANT!!!!

I invited a couple of friends over to dig up some lily of the valley plants.

We have so many :-))

Gardeners like to share their plants with other like minded enthusiasts.

The Auriculas are blooming and they are so charming...

I have several plants and could repot some of them as they have multiplied over these past couple of years.

I see many new varieties in the UK which are so tempting...

not that many are here in the garden centres 

unless they are already in private gardens!

Haven't actually seen many of these auriculars locally at all this year.

I am not moaning here on the blog about my health but I am being proactive...

I've been online researching arthritis...

there is a lot of information to sift through.

Basically I know now that I need to keep moving...

take pain medication and get some physiotherapy.

I've got my appointment lined up and will see the specialist in June.

My walks are around 3 km and am getting 5,000-6,000 steps in during the day.

That number may not be totally accurate because the step total is from my IPhone

I don't have it on me the entire day.

I suppose I could buy a watch that counts the steps...

but does it really matter?

Two 3km walks might be the way to walk now...

a rest in between seems sensible and will help with the pain.

I'm taking Advil and it helps.

In other news I have switched up my skincare routine a wee bit...

I don't tend to spend a LOT on products.

Skin care basics need not break the budget.

Andalou make a sensitive line which works well for my everyday skin regime.

These lotions and potions are very affordable and free of nasty ingredients.

I love using the CC cream as it goes on easily and has SPF

it evens out skin tone and adds a dewy healthy glow.

The Great Lash is an iconic mascara and is often on sale...

The Burts Bees glow stick is a creamy blusher that I use on my cheeks and lips.

It takes me about 5 minutes to do my daytime make-up.

I tried an organic glow stick

 which developed a rough grainy texture

which I did not like at ALL :-((

(I returned it)

Burt's Bees All Aglow is lovely...

it is creamy and very easy to apply.

The shade gives me a soft natural looking blush.

~ Simple make up ~

My favourite red lippy from Miss Pupa of Milan.

Fresh haircut...

(in a bob style)

My thinning hair needed a makeover so my hairdresser gave it a blunt cut.

I can wear it wavy or flat iron it...I like the versatility of the style.

It will be easy to maintain.

Saw this gorgeous iris at Government House on one of my walks this week.

I love to wander about in the local gardens here...

so many great flowers and plantings that inspire.

The weather forecast is for hotter temperatures...

unseasonably hot, or so we are told.

I have swapped out my winter clothes for the spring and summer cottons and linens.

I found a few things that were no longer useful.

Dropped a bag off to the local charity shop, 

had a good browse and came home empty handed.

I replaced a white linen top that I donated with a fresh new one from Marshalls.

It is a simple basic...

Under $30...

will wear it a LOT.

I DO love a bargain.

Well I must close for now and get some stuff done here...

hope that you are enjoying your weekend so far.

Happy Mother's Day!

I will think of my dear MOM...she was one of a kind.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Hostess OOTD ~ "Edgy Biker Style"

 

Butchart Gardens was one of the highlights that I enjoyed last week.

Walking slowly taking note of the gorgeous flowers on a sunny day was such a tonic.

We munched on a healthy salad sitting in the shade in the main courtyard.

Watching people come and go and listening to their delighted comments.

Butchart Gardens is a JOY to behold.

Moving on to an edgier OOTD...

~ Dressing Room Selfie ~

I went shopping for a new denim dress.

I love the denim jumper that I bought so much, I decided a dress would be handy.

It was a petite and on sale so what's not to love?

~ OOTD ~ 

The faux leather biker "Moto" style jacket is getting lots of wear.

I paired it with a simple white tee ~ Lands' End

Jeans  ~ MNG 

Chelsea boots ~ Josef Seibel

Faux Leather

Moto Style 

oodles of "edgy biker" details

great fit and very comfy to wear.

~ Reitman's ~  

a Canadian brand that hearkens back many decades.

I have just rediscovered the store...

reasonable prices

a wide range of sizes

(petites ~ plus size)

cute styles

My test results are in and I have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis.

My hands, back and hips are affected.

 I won't be moaning about my health, I am taking the news in my stride.

After all, I am 68, so some aches and pains are to be expected.

An appointment is booked to see a physiotherapist who specializes in osteoarthritis.

She will give me advice on exercises and administer IMS treatments.

I've been reading up on the condition and will be going to the pool for aquafit

there will be shorter walks, 

perhaps twice a day instead of one longer walk.

My Doctor has ordered a new bone density test as I have osteopenia.

He's asked me to take a higher dose of Vitamin D

and

take anti inflammatory pain medication as needed.

I've baked the sourdough, have a load of laundry in the wash.

This weekend The King was crowned...

Did you watch the ceremony?

The highlights I saw looked incredible.

It's the dawn of a new era for the Royals.

I do miss Her Majesty the Queen.

So what are your plans for the coming week?

Anything exciting?

Things might be kind of quiet here after such a busy week...

Will try out the pool and see what the Aquafit classes are like.

My responses to your comments are at the end of the comment section...

I am unable to respond to each comment automatically through Blogger

so if you comment as anonymous 

please put your name somewhere so I can respond at the end.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Last Week ~ in a wink of an eye...

 

Gorgeous flowers

a surprise cottage welcome bouquet from a friend.

Springtime seems to have finally arrived at the Cottage...

warmer days and sunny skies.

Such a tonic after all the grey gloom and rain.

~ Thrift Shop Finds ~

Adams English ironstone jug and a well used wood board

A soft wool sweater...

it is lovely but is a wee bit too small.

I have a friend who stretched a lovely wool sweater by washing it in conditioner and manually stretching it back into a larger size!

I hope the conditioner trick works!

Read this book and loved it...

set in a charming picturesque area of Cornwall

involves a woman who has a daughter

is recently separated

and

with her mother buys a rambling old house on a cove by the sea.

This book appealed to me on so many levels...

I would LOVE to buy an old rambling home by the sea and redecorate!!

If one cannot have a rambling old home by the sea...

how about a week at the cottage once a month?

(I cannot nor dare not complain, I am immensely grateful)

My husband brought a few lettuce plants with us so we could harvest it fresh.

He really has discovered his "green thumb" upon his retirement.

The expansive sea views feed my soul.

They never "get old" and there is always something to see.

Boats, otters, whales, birds...

I baked a sourdough boule and two kinds of cookies.

Found a "flat oyster" shell on the beach...

they are a European variety.

I walk the local beaches daily in search of sea glass and the occasional shell.

I am surprised by the amount of glass I find.

There must be 8 or 9 jars full downstairs here in The Humble Bungalow.

What to do with it?

I suppose if I felt creative I could make mosaics...

for now I just keep it on the window ledge in the vintage sealer jars.

Have you read Anne Morrow Lindbergh's book Gift From The Sea?

I love the gentle story that she weaves of her time spent alone in a small rustic cabin on the beach.

She went there to rest, restore and recharge...

we all need a place to find solace and peace.

Years ago when life was really busy and hectic I went to the Spa for relaxation.

It was not a frugal option, but I was working and could justify the expense.

As a retiree, now living on a pension, I chose to find relaxation in Nature.

~ Things I find soothing ~

puttering in the garden

 reading a good book

knitting

sipping a cup of tea from a pretty vintage cup

baking bread

walking

beach combing

soaking in the tub

looking in thrift shops

ironing linens 

What do you find soothing?

Our week at the cottage passed so fast...

in the blink of an eye and here we are back home in The Humble Bungalow.

Well I have a busy week ahead...

lots of social things planned and will be catching up with friends.

How about You?

What does your week ahead have in store?

Hope its a good one.

Until next time...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Hoping for a Sun day...while waiting, I shop.

Greetings...

our weather has been really rather beastly.

This weather is for the birds!!!

Rain with high winds and all manner of things blowing away.

We are hanging onto our hats in hope

as we read the forecast for the start to the week 

which is promising (teasing) us warmer temperatures and some sunshine.

If you are reading this post you know that I have decided to continue to blog

using the free Blogger platform.

My research revealed that it would cost me about $2,000 to transfer all my posts

and migrate to a new host. The host would then be charging me an annual fee for the posts and GB that I would be using to keep my blog live.

I am retired and this is a hobby so that was not going to be reasonable.

Thank you again for following.

It is great to read all your comments, I really appreciate them.

I have been forced indoors during the inclement weather

so I have had a few shopping trips to 

 the local shops and malls.

I found a comfy and fun pair of Converse sneakers.

I chose the blue ones but they were also available in red 

which was SO tempting...I really didn't NEED two pairs.

I think they will look great with all my denim pieces and my white jeans.

I have a faded blue linen skirt that I purchased last year which might be fun to

wear white ankle socks and these together.

Oh and I also found a new backpack...

to replace the thrifted one that I repaired .

Hands free for hiking, walking, shopping and beach combing.

Soft leather, attractive details and wonderfully made.

Big enough to pop in a book and my usual wallet, keys, sunglasses and lipstick.

It looks smart too...

I am pleasantly surprised by the quality for the price.

I've been having an espresso on these cold windy afternoons.

I made coffee this way when I was in Roccatederighi, Italy

The Lavazza brand Crema coffee is smooth and needs no cream.

The new to me espresso /demitasse cups are vintage by Susie Cooper.

Made in England.

I found them at Kay's Korner in the Cook Street Village.

I love Karin's shop...

I regularly walk in our Fairfield neighbourhood and will pop in on my route.

If you haven't been to Kay's Korner yet...you have a treat in store.

 Spook Street is a book in the popular British spy series by Mick Herron...

my husband has read the entire series and purchased all the books so I am reading them now.

Interestingly, he has picked up the Louise Penny series which I love and is reading the first one now!

I have a few more things to share with you but will leave those for the next post.

For those of you who were enquiring about my back...

I had some X Rays of my back and hands, 

both have been very surprisingly stiff, uncomfortable and very painful.

 The doctor also ordered blood work.

I haven't seen my doctor since before Covid.

He is very busy and it takes a long time to get an appointment to see him.

He's thinking it may be arthritis 

 I won't know more until my follow up appointment in early May.

In the meantime I am taking Tylenol at night which is helping me sleep a bit better.

We'll see...

Hope that your week has some sunshine and fun packed into it.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Thank you so much!

 

I am overwhelmed by the comments and emails that I have recently received since publishing my last post on blogging.

The information that I discovered to switch to a new platform and bring all my posts with me was quite beyond my tech ability and to hire an expert to help with the migration was more expensive than I ever imagined.

This wee blog is and has been a fun outlet and a hobby not a business or a job.

So I am going to stay with Blogger as it continues to be free...

there are limitations and tech issues but I suppose I will have to live with them if I want to have a blog and an audience without cost.

Researching style with this fun book by two authors from Refinery 29...

I am heading to the shops to scout out some edgy fashion options.

 At 68, I am no spring chicken but I am not giving up on having fun with fashion.

Recalling former conversations with girlfriends over coffee...

the crux of the dialogue revolved around what we might be wearing when we got OLD.

Well we are OLD now and I remember a particular friend saying

 "Shoot me if I ever wear pull on pants and old lady tops."

Pull on pants are very comfy...

Yoga pants and some dressy pants with smooth waistbands.

I have returned to regular denim jeans 

the spandex stretchy fabric loses shape "stretches and pouches out" at the tummy.

Makes me look bigger than I am...

not a good look and I feel bad about my tummy.

No one wants to feel bad about their body...

it supports and carries us around.

The only one we have,

 so we better appreciate, honour, and accept it.

 Making peace with the reality of our forms at an advanced age takes time.

At least it has taken me awhile...

looking at younger fitter women on social media sets up unrealistic expectations.

Dress the body that you have been given...

 fitness is a great goal at our age

Walking Yoga, swimming, aqua fit classes

and a healthy eating regime should be a focus.

Fad diets and exhausting exercise can be hard on our systems and our joints.

Moderation is my preferred method.

Have you heard of MNG?

Love "MOM" jeans...

but hey did you notice they are "NEW MOM" jeans :-))

Gosh the last time I was a new mom was in 1981.

I love the fit of these jeans...size 12 

These are ankle length which I love because I am 5'1

no hemming required.

I bought them at our local Bay store for $70

Now I am thinking I need a fun pair of sneakers...

Converse perhaps?

Something comfy and a wee bit edgy...

Women in Paris are wearing sneakers.

That's it for now...

I thought I would just check in and say thank you for your lovely messages.

Stay tuned for more posts...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~