Who doesn’t like coming home to a package with your name on it? Kind of like a birthday party all year long! I always get a kick out of how easy it is to find something on the internet that I want / need / can’t find anywhere else, execute a few clicks, and get it delivered to my door. But, I often forget what I ordered and/or lose track of what is expected when, so it’s an especially fun surprise when I get it.
Generally, David opens my packages to simplify the process
for me. If I don’t want him to do that – always around his birthday or Hanukkah
– I tell him in advance to leave my packages, unopened, on the dining room
table.
Some of you might be wondering… Why is David opening
Judy’s packages at all? What kind of woman would allow this breach of privacy?
Frankly I am glad he does this because I have a lazy approach to boxed items
that require scissors to open them. I don’t feel like being bothered and don’t
see the rush to do so. I’m fine letting them pile up until I need them that
second, trusting of course that they’ll be there. Once I left a whole box of
goat soaps unopened so long that I forgot all about them and almost placed an
order for them a second time. That hasn’t changed my habit, unfortunately. David,
on the other hand, always has his utility knife ready to open whatever comes
our way.
The other day, after I had gotten home from running errands,
he said he put something on the dining room table for me. I got all excited,
thinking Ooooh, what did I get today?!??!? And there it was, like it or
not, shouting at me YOU DID THIS TO YOURSELF. It was Voltarin Arthritis Relief Cream.
I glared at it for a moment, wishing instead that it was some beautiful, soft
yarn for my next project instead of what it was, but that’s how I got into this
mess to begin with…
The issue is that I had crocheted fast and furious for a
period of time – as I recovered from my abdominoplasty – and ignored all the
flashing red lights, because I was determined to reach my goal. I had wanted to
create one scarf or baby blanket every couple of days, which I would then
donate to a local organization. I first hoped to crochet 100 items but then I
cut it down to 50…then 25…I think I had to put the crochet hook down at about
10.
While the arthritis cream is just one part of the overall
plan for my situation, my OT instructed me to get it and massage it in as
needed. This is in conjunction with warm water massage, ultrasound treatments
and a couple of custom-made hand splints which I’ve been wearing non-stop. All
this because I didn’t stop my crocheting when I felt the discomfort; instead, I
thought that plowing through it was the way to go, until the pain went away for
good. What I have learned since, however, is that in one state or another, it
is here to stay.
My first session with my OT was very long, about 90 minutes.
As we scheduled my next visit, she asked if I had any questions. After
explaining to her that I only really have 2 hobbies, I asked, “How long will it
take to get me back to crocheting?” Her response left a lot to be desired.
“It’s time to find a new hobby,” she said.
I don’t plan on completely abandoning my love for crocheting, but I do
realize that I need to be a bit smarter about it and may need to find other avenues
for my creative endeavors.
As long as I can find something that utilizes lots of colors
and textures, is relatively simple, and I don’t easily tire of the process…and
which enables me to order supplies that can be delivered right to my door…I am
open to it.
Any ideas?
I know many folks LOVE paint-by-number projects! They'll send in a picture they love - family, pets, vacation sites, etc. - to one of many online paint-by-number businesses to have them turned into a paint-by- number outline. They seem to enjoy being the artist that painted a great memory!
ReplyDeleteHi Tita! I think I should definitely try this out. Thank you so much for the idea! xo
DeleteLearn to do something with your feet.
DeleteHi Pam, is there a foot activity other than walking/working out that you would suggest?
DeleteTita, I love that idea!
ReplyDeleteJudy, I feel the same way about packages. I seem to forget what I ordered sometimes. Dave will say what did you order and I will say I don’t remember, ha. Dave and I open our own boxes but what bothers me most is when Dave opens his boxes, he just leaves them on the kitchen counter. I always ask him to please put them in the recycling bin in the garage, but he never seems to remember.
One of my favorite things is breaking down boxes😂. So we just throw all the boxes in the garage and then I take some time and pull out by utility knife and break them all down. There’s something fulfilling about doing this.
I am sorry to hear about the pain of your arthritis and the fact that you have to cut back on your crocheting. I can’t think of anything off the top of my head, but will definitely give it some thought and check back with you.
We are alike in many ways but not how we approach our packages. I'm definitely the lazy one here xo
DeleteJudy, I do hope you can do some crocheting in the future. Maybe this time you can set your timer and do a little bit at a time. My hands are aching today from knitting, but I’ll rest and stretch, take the day off and start again tomorrow. My delivery boxes never make it to the recycling bin. I strip the tape off, flatten them and place them in the garden with mulch on top to smother the weeds.
ReplyDeleteLisa please give your hands rest! I surely hope to get back to crocheting - for fun, not with a lofty goal in mind. Let me know if you want any of our boxes too.
DeleteOne of my aunts made collages that look like paintings. After several years, her work sold for hundreds of dollars. I might also suggest you find another physical therapist place so you can get another opinion. One much older friend makes newborn caps, for donation, a much smaller project than a blanket. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI signed up to learn about collages through the township, and I am excited about that. Do you have any photos of your aunt's work? i'd love to see. This OT I have has helped me a lot so far, so I am hopeful. She said any repetitive motion where pressure is involved in my thumb is going to cause my arthritis to act up again and based on what I've been reading, that seems to be the consensus. it is interesting because I also have arthritis in my knees and the treatment centers on strength and flexibility work, not heat and massage. If I don't improve enough after a period of time, I would think about a second opinion, but so far, so good.
DeleteJudy, Rabbi Richard Address from our community address's (no pun intended) "Sacred Aging." I wonder if it's time for us to see what he has to say in order to develop some kind of philosophy towards these lovely changes!
DeleteI have to correct my typo above to banish my embarrassment - addresses, not address's
ReplyDelete