Herding Ducks

For the past several days, I've been trying to get my ducks in a row, in preparation for surgery. About a week ago, I did some shopping for pull-on, pull-over, loose, cool, and comfortable clothing and slide on shoes. I think I have everything I need.

Then it seems I spent much of Friday traveling from grocery store to grocery store--and do you know what? I STILL have a list of a few "last things" I need to buy tomorrow.

At some point, someone--and I'm sorry I don't remember who it was--commented with the idea of freezing individual dinners ahead of time, so I spent Friday night preparing those dinners. I have five different meals, two of each. Generally, I tried to design simple-to-eat meals, although there is one that includes a pork chop that I might need help cutting. I've also cut up various types of meat--a couple of whole chickens, a whole tri-tip, chicken breast slices, etc.--and froze those so they're ready to cook and serve. I've made and frozen hamburger patties. Some of these meats Soccer Son will be cooking--he and his fiance have offered to cook for us twice a week and will make enough to ensure we have leftovers for other meals. Tomorrow I'm going to chop and slice a bunch of salad stuff and fruit. I also stumbled across a blueberry cake recipe I NEED to make. So, as far as food is concerned, I think we'll survive.

On Saturday, I did a general, overall housecleaning. Really, after all the "spring cleaning" I've been doing for the last month, it didn't take too much time or effort, but at least I know it's as good as it's going to get--because it might be awhile before I do much more than the bare minimum again.

Today, of course, was Father's Day, and I spent a good part of it cooking again and cleaning up afterward. Soccer Son and his fiance came to dinner and we spent some quality family time together, eating, talking, and playing dominoes.

Tomorrow I plan to do all the things I haven't been able to do so far, as well as a few things I just WANT to do--like Knot-y Ladies Embroidery class tomorrow night with Gran.

Sometimes I think about people who suddenly break a wrist or a hand and are out of commission, much as I will be after surgery. Then I wonder whether I'm spending too much time preparing--because if I was to break a wrist, I wouldn't have ANY time to prepare ahead, and I'm pretty sure I wouldn't die because of it. But I guess it gives me something to do and maybe it will make things a little easier later.

If you've ever been pregnant, I bet you remember other women telling you horror stories about their pregnancies or the pregnancies of people they knew. Heading into carpal tunnel surgery is much the same. It seems everyone has either had it themselves or knows someone who has, and I've heard a wide range of stories from protracted and difficult recoveries to super quick recoveries; so, at this point, I'm not really sure what to expect. AND--and this is a big AND--because this is a workers' compensation injury, I really need to do what the doctor tells me to do when he tells me to do it rather than be my normal rebellious self and try to push myself to get back to "normal" as soon as possible. That's not to say I won't push to recover--but I suspect I'll have to be a little more cautious about it and follow orders.

So tomorrow--all the final stuff. And wouldn't you know it? Tonight the microwave seemed to act oddly, so I'll have to try it again in the morning. It's a fairly recent purchase, so I'm sure it's under warranty, but what a hassle trying to get it repaired or replaced at this point!

Several quilters have told me they were able to sew not long after carpal tunnel surgery--just simple seams, though. So I've picked out a pattern, much like half log cabin blocks, that I can sew without having to make any further cuts. I'm hoping to get at least part of it cut by tomorrow night, so I have something to sew once I'm at that point in my recovery.

Gosh, now that I think about it, it sure FEELS like there's still a lot to do, and time's running out, so I'd better get off the computer and get busy! Thanks for stopping by!