My front door, despite the curtain, is still drafty because the wind blows right at it. I've been thinking about making a draft stopper, and I've seen really beautiful artcraft ones.
But I decided a draft stopper hidden by a curtain didn't need to be anything more than functional. Also if it used up some materials, good.
So I hauled out a pair of old socks, found the rest of a bunch of unspinnable cotton roving, and this happened.
All the roving used, socks knotted together, now holding the fort at the front door. Empty bag to prove it.
And Misfits arrived.
I didn't order that many chickpeas, much as I like them. Two of them were packed in mistake for cannellini.
Not a big deal, I can use them, but I reported and got a series of messages about refunds. I did explain they'd sent two extra chickpeas. I can't fathom their math but since the numbers are so small anyway, I'll consider it fine.
The pieces of cod I ordered arrived labeled codpieces. Cracked me up.
Lunch was chicken croquette with mushrooms and spinach wilted in, then berries and yogurt.
And I now have the makings of tomato cheese egg bake, maybe supper tonight on toast.
I always send up thanks to the growers, pickers, packers and drivers feeding this grateful old party.
And old Helen Hip would like a word. As you know, I started months ago with what my doctor diagnosed as bursitis. Very likely, in view of my activity. And I found there are quite a few places in the hip where it can happen.
So I proceeded to get advice from various up to now trustworthy sources. Gentle stretches. Don't sit with crossed knees. Heat. Ice. Gel for pain. Pillow between knees to sleep, patience, it takes time. Use a cane to avoid falling.
And I found: hip stretches irritated it and prolonged the pain, pillow between knees transferred pain directly to the knee instead, gel did literally nothing. The other ideas not bad.
I also learned to get up slowly, stand straight before stepping forward, nobody had suggested that, maybe they thought it was obvious.
So, still walking as I can, lifting stuff as usual, no stretching, no extra pillow, no gel, it's improving. I guess time was the most effective measure. I'm happy it's doing better so maybe that pain wasn't my new normal after all.
And some of those ideas may work for some people, just not this one.
The chocolate cake is now evenly divided - some to Gary, some frozen for handsome Son's next visit, small amount left for my afternoon tea. This is how it goes when I bake. No danger of my getting more than my share!
Happy day everyone, share your cake of life!
Codpieces, lol.
ReplyDeleteI think I contribute to my pain levels at times by crossing my legs, so there may well be something in that.
I definitely did, years of crossing legs the same way probably irritated the hip. It was hard to stop the habit, but I think it helped.
DeleteI first had bursitis in my hips when I was 30. Couldn’t walk a block without serious pain some days. Like you, I was offered so much advice and none of it helped me. I was an avid workout person. As time passed I figured out what aggravated it and what didn’t. Strengthening other areas helped, too. I absolutely have to stretch all the time and I haven’t been working out or stretching recently. My hips are acting up again. I hope you find what works for you. I’d be happy with extra chick peas.
ReplyDeleteYes, you've been there. I find that it's good to keep the upper body weights going. I think the spine is helped, so all the work isn't on the other joints.
DeleteYou've reminded me that I've wanted to make a draft stopper for our balcony door. We have what they call a 'new door' but that doesn't mean it fits in the previous hole the way it's supposed to. RC has added some weatherstripping but they don't make that deep enough to fill in the entire thing. We have a doubled heavy curtain we can pull over the door but I think a stopper would also help.
ReplyDeleteGlad you've found what helps Helen.
You can easily put together the makings of a draft stopper, from your stash!
DeleteMy chocolate cake with the glace cherries did not turn out to be the tour de force I'd hoped. Still worth eating, though!
ReplyDeleteShoulda put the walnuts..
DeleteI was told I had bursitis but the only thing that fixed it was the hip replacement. Turns out I had a lot of bony cysts that would rub against each other when the hip was in a certain position causing a lot of pain. I hope you don't have to go down that path.
ReplyDeleteI hope not, either. I think you had a lot more pain from the sound of it.
DeleteI laughed at codpiece as well. I had bursitis in my shoulder. I had a cortisone shot in and it took away all the pain Nice job on making the door stopper
ReplyDeleteWhen I had bursitis in my shoulder the earliest appointment I could get for cortisone was for three weeks later. By then it was recovering so I cancelled.
DeleteGreat idea with the socks. We too have the ocean wind blow right at our front door. I too have heavy curtains and an old towel for the bottom. Think I might try the socks. Hey chick peas any day but the cannelloni are good too.
ReplyDeleteI think the socks work better up to now than any rolled cloth I've tried. Simple too.
DeleteCodpieces! I don't know where you are, but it looks cold. I hope your draft stopper helps. I am old and also have to figure out how to deal with my aches and pains. I hope your pain eases.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
I'm in central NJ and it's the sharp wind that's been chilling us as much as the snow and low temps.
DeleteI find that I'm often ending up as the expert in what ails me, too! I've been very lucky up to now, so these are new strategies.
I sometimes wonder if some stretches do more harm than good. We have ‘stoppers’ by the very front door for the porch. Mainly because snow can blow in. Now what doe Sue call them? Not stoppers? Can’t come up with it right now.
ReplyDeleteI think timing matters with stretches. I was assured that stretching would reduce pain. It didn't. Resting from stretches did. I do keep moving, but that's less stressful. Maybe when pain is history, stretches will keep it away.
DeleteYour draught excluder is effective and that's what matters.
ReplyDeleteIt's necessary to listen to one's body and exercise, or not, accordingly. You seem to have found what works for you and that's good.
I think it's good to listen to advice from doctors then try it, then decide if it's right for you. People vary so widely that the best doctor can't always get it right.
DeleteWe have one of those draft protectors -- or "door snakes," as I've heard them called. Ours is store-bought, with the Union Jack on it. We're very patriotic around here. (Not.)
ReplyDeleteI guess a draft blocker with the flag is pretty emblematic of the country of my birth. And an umbrella, maybe.
DeleteWhen I was experiencing sciatica my first thought was to "walk it off." Work through it, right? Turns out that no. Bad thing to do. Time and rest is what has helped. Gardening helps- the stretching. You never know.
ReplyDeleteDo you suppose someone at the Misfits company has a sense of humor about labeling the cod? I mean, shouldn't that be cod filets? But oh, "cod pieces" is priceless.
I wondered if you were planning on making hummus for a crowd.
I doubt if the multinational staff of Misfits are familiar with the expression.
DeleteHummus. Now there's an idea. I certainly have the makings.
When I was in PT I was told not to push on when the pain level rose, it only makes it worse. It does sound like you are doing it right, as you are improving. Cod pieces!
ReplyDeleteMainly I think I'm avoiding making it worse! But I'll take it.
DeleteDylan Thomas wrote about Swansea as an ugly lovely town, much like your draught excluder I guess. Codpieces!
ReplyDeleteI can see that about Swansea, what I know of it. I don't think I'll be able to cook that fish seriously!
DeleteI learned a number of years ago not to cross my knees. It took some getting used to but really helped me. Codpieces…a good one!
ReplyDeleteI used to do it for balance, and I've had to relearn. Now it feels awkward when I forget and throw one leg on the other.
Delete