Post-op Day 8 *WARNING*

*SURGICAL IMAGE WARNING* I'm going to post a picture of my knee post-op without the bandage.

I haven't updated lately because my days have been similar. Rest, ice, tell Milo to stop barking, sleep, repeat. I have been healing though, i've been able to put more weight on my leg each day. I used two crutches, then one crutch, now i'm hobbling around without anything at home but used my cane when I went to see the doctor. Speaking of my GP, they didn't even send her the report! She didn't even know I had surgery until I said "well, i'm here to get my bandages off...". Lol. And what a relief it was to get them off! Wanna see a picture?

Bruises and Stitches

It's pretty bad quality...but basically my knee is inflamed and brused everywhere. It doesn't hurt much though, the feeling is like it's bruised. Which it is. And like I can't bend it all the way. And a bit achey. But compared to sciatic pain, it's nothing! I'm not sure why i'm bruised farther down the leg, maybe the surgeon was leaning on it? I'll have to ask next week. The stitches are prickly. My wrists are also getting quite sore. Whether from being on the compy/phone, arthritis flaring, or from holding my self up on counters and crutches i'm not sure.

In other news, i've started the second book in the A Song of Ice and Fire series. I'm trying to catch up with the tv show (which is on season three, I think it would be around book three?) but it's slow going. I don't think I read as quickly on the computer as I do a physical book. Strange?

Swimming Again

Still not feeling awesome, but I did get out for a swim :). It was nice to be in the water again. I definitely can notice the difference in my muscle tightness after a good swim. Joints, maybe more mobility, but it doesn't help pain wise. I was able to swim for around half an hour before my R elbow decided it didn't want to do anymore.

I slept for around 11 hours last night >.>. But only needed one coffee today!

Now i'll go finish my book and possibly nibble on some dark chocolate <3.

Of Books and Cooks

I've just started a new book, Sacred Hearts, by Sarah Dunant. I haven't read her before, but I like historical novels and for some reason I like reading about religious people. This particular book is about a convent of Nuns in Italy during the 1570's and so far it's very interesting.

The last book I read, Committed by Elizabeth Gilbert, was also good, though drastically different from my current book. Her's was all about the process she has to go through for her and her now husband to be able to live in the USA together. I can sympathise somewhat as my husband and I are going through a 'process' for me to live here, although thankfully we don't have to live in another country while the visa is going through! It was also about marriage and how she came to accept her (slightly forced by the US govn't) place in marriage history. It was a good read, especially for someone like me who is always pondering what exactly marriage means and how the heck I got here. But that is another story :).  


Beyond that I had the rest of my papers printed off, to be filled out tomorrow over a big cup of coffee and much annoyance. So close, yet so far! Bran is going to photocopy our 'proof of relationship' stuff tomorrow including our letters back and forth, our lease, bank statements, internet messages, adoption papers for our dog, etc. etc. Hopefully they will see that we are indeed a happily married couple who has been in a partner type relationship for over three years. Here is to hoping, eh?

Once more, sorry for the lack of pictures. The english muffins are basically gone, so no pictures of them :( i'm considering making more tomorrow though, they are so handy and Bran really likes them. I also may make some tortillas, mmm...tortilla, as I like to make wraps on them. Maybe pita bread instead, hmmm.

On a completely different note, I had an interesting feeling on the way home from the library. I was looking up at the mountains in the distance, and just had a powerful feeling of everything being right and wonderful. I had to stop, and gaze, and be thankful for that moment. To me, those are the moments when you know that God/dess/s are there, listening to you, trying to help or guide you. Those quiet moments where you know you are exactly where you are meant to be in the world. I've been working on stopping and sending out my thanks lately, I know I have such a blessed life. Not to say there aren't bumps, and that I don't throw a fit over those bumps :D but I truly am thankful to have the life and path that I do. And i'm greatly looking forward to what may come next on this path.

Now for bed, goodnight!

Of pasta and pies

So one of the most exciting things to happen in the kitchen is when I make pasta bake. But it isn't any old pasta bake! We use mixed pastas! So They are different shapes :) of course you can't really tell with the end result, but I always find it fun mixing up the different remnants of the pasta bags to have this mixed up bit. 

Some mixed up pasta

So I did not do very much today. It got up to 35 degrees Celsius (95 Fahrenheit) and we don't have air conditioning.  Also our poor little dog had to have a vegetarian dinner of lentils and rice pasta :( we ran out of his special hypoallergenic vet prescribed dog food o.O;. But he seems fine so I'm not too worried. Here is my soup btw. It's based off of a Jamie Oliver recipe for corn chowder. 

Corn chowder and home made bread

I know it looks gross, but it was actually very tasty... I swear!

Tomorrow the plan is to finally make that apple pie I keep meaning to do. I like to use the recipe from the book The New Vegetarian Epicure as a base and add spices and whatnot depending on how I feel. It seems to work out well and Bran likes it so that's what really matters :). I wish the visa people would hurry up and call me :( that's my only real stress at the moment. 

I'll try and write tomorrow morning so I won't be quite as sleepy. Bye bye <3