Journey to wellness

I have written about the accident I had in the store on the 27th Oct. I am still fighting to regain my health and mobility.

My leg was  damaged, my finger broken and my back severally injured.

I was in a wheel chair, then a walker and finally a walking stick. I am now walking slowly, but on my own power.

My frustration was coupled by the fact I had bought several fleece and had my loom warped set  to go and I could do neither I hobbled around hand

knitting from my stash of

hand spun and managed to get through ill Christmas.

The rubber hit the road when My family bought me and my son tickets to Smithers as a Christmas gift. I had a bit of a night mare journey up their and their kindness accommodated to my disability.

I had heard of the Bowen Therapy and I had a friend who was a practitioner in Duncan, Nanaimo and Chemainus.

I phone her and we set up an appointment.

The movements were so gentle and subtle that wonders how this will ever help a person.

The first thing I notice on the journey, was that the following day. Felt worse than I had before taking the appointment.

The following day, I noticed the pain and stiffness in my legs were slowly getting better, movement was easier  I could do a bit of house work and bath without a helper.
During the following days, nothing really seemed to be happening. However Melayne Walker, the therapist, had mentioned that my hamstrings were tight.

Yesterday, I found they were loose and easy to stretch.

The back is starting to respond   I cannot touch my toes and bend or carry yet, but the pain is less. I have been med free for 3 days now. I noticed when I had the treatment , that my spine was warm up to the area that hurt, there I could feel my pulse quite strongly.
I have another appointment on Monday so stay tuned and join me on my journey. If you want to talk to Melayne and take the first step to wellness look at her website.

http://www.b-wellbowenworks.com/

Day 6.

Well I pushed the envelope today. I couldn’t sleep last night. I had a raging thirst. ( this will not surprise Melayne)I went to the hockey tournament and was on duty for 4 hours in a hard chair.

I took some dryer balls to needle felt.

I may have to take a pain pill tonight.

I have my next appointment on Monday. Stay tuned to hear about the results.

Day 7.

I slept in this  Am. That is until two wet noses decided they had enough of that.

I did another 4 hour shift at CARHA today, but this time I walked around he little press booth  every half hour. This was much better. Not so hard on the back. Each year I do radio support for the tournament and each year it falls on my birthday.
I tease the organizer that they will have to put a candle in the timbits they give me ( They always have a box of timbits in our  station.) They use every ice rink in the greater Victoria Region.

I had told them I could not carry the radio sett up up and down the stairs, so I walked into an operating station.

When Neil came to take my station down  he brought me a cinnamon bun. Complete with candle

Week 2 day 1.

I was really disoriented when I had finished my therapy today. I put my pants on inside out, twice!

Then I straightened out, found myself very thirsty and very hungry.

I have more energy and more ambition than I have had for some time.

The pain in the back is ABSENT when I am sitting. I will see where we go from her.

Three things though: the balls of my feet hurt. I have a medium mild headache, my sinuses are pouring into the back of my throat.

Day 2. No head ache today. clear and feeling well. pain in back a bearable degree so no pain medication. The sinuses  are still draining but more slowly. Still thirsty so drinking water , and most of the night was spent either going to the bathroom or clearing flem from my throat. Seems like my body is ridding toxins.

Great energy today. No pain on standing. I cooked an elegant oyster dinner standing up. Things are getting better by leaps and bounds.

Day 3. Pain in the right kidney area. bearable. The legs are doing well. I have energy and enthusiasm for life. No more dizzy spells’

The thirst has slacken though I am still drinking lots of water. Still optimistic about full recovery.

I will be two weeks before my next appointment.
Later that afternoon. Melayne, you forgot to give me the slow sign. I felt so good, I cleaned, house, made bread, Spun 2 skeins of wool on the spinning wheel, went routing in the shed for fleece. Washed 2 sinks of fleece. Made 30 dryer balls. Washed the dog and made the bed.
Now I am in a bunch of pain. I kind of think I did too much.

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Today is my birthday

It is funny, as a child I used to think 40 was ancient. Now I think 40 are almost youngsters.

When I go to a clinic and a young thing of 24 or 25 attends me, I feel like we are playing Dr.

I have one of my sons live with me and the relationship is subtly changing to him caring for me instead on me caring for him.

through social media, I have a host of greeting and good wishes. And another aspect of social media, is the number of people who share my birthday.

I don’t feel any older. I often think how old would I be if I didn’t know how old I was.

I renewed my drivers licence for $17 instead of $85. My hair cut s are cheaper and I don’t pay bank charges. I can ride the ferry free on certain days of the week and my house taxes are cheaper.

Although the stretch of the health care is greater, there are some advantages to growing older.

So I will sit here and get spoiled today. Reality of tomorrow comes soon enough. I will appreciate each day and say each evening, well I made another one.

To all who share this day as their birthday, I share my good wishes to the others you have received.

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Be Prepared.. we can't all be Boy scouts.

A friend just phoned. His mother had been in  the UK for 6 weeks. Last night, her son got a call that his mother's house burned down.

He has the joyless job of meeting her and breaking the news.

That gave me pause for thought.

What do I have and what is the value?

First lets look at some of the starting thing before you leave.

1. Cancel services like newspaper, internet cell both have holiday hold discounts while you are away..

2. Have you hot water tank turned off as well s the breaker. MAKE sure freezer and fridge breakers are on.

3..Some insurance companies will not honour your claim if you do not have someone drop in every 4 days to check on things like water leaks break in etc.have them pick up papers and mail.

4.Make arrangements for pets.

5. Photocopy any important documents and leave with a trusted friend. I have my Drivers license, birth certificate  Nationalization card. Insurance paper, and I laid credit cards, bank card etc on the copier and photocopied them.

(If you lose a wallet, It is hard to remember what cards you may have had. All are in my trust box with a friend.)

6. I back up photo'd on dropbox, so if my computer is stolen. I have documents and photos

7.www.dropbox.com is a free on line secure storage. It you want bigger, you pay, but the basic is big enough for pictures.

8. Make sure your passport is valid. I made a trip with an almost outdated passport.

9. Have a contact number both in your area, and in another town/province for if there is a disaster, family members can phone one designated person who will advise where everyone is for family reunification.

10. Leave a current photo and finger prints with a trusted friend as well as your itinerary.

11... get a timer that will tun on random lights while away.

12.. Make sure you have transport to the airport and back.

13.I used to photocopy traveler's cheques when I went AWAY. Now I use my card.

OK so you come home as my friend's mom and the place is

leveled. What to do now?
14. Before you go, either take lots of photo's of your rooms with cupboard open, jewelry box open, take special attention to hobbies and crafts, antiques, books, art etc, Document your possessions. Save it to either dropbox, or you trusted friend.

It is nearly impossible to remember all your bits and pieces and possessions without this and you will lose mega dollars for forgotten items. wedding picture, School diploma's Special awards. They are worthless and priceless but at least you will have a picture.

15.This goes for any prescriptions you are on and any medical plan information, I copy that also and take it with me.

So we have that covered and I invite people to comment with additions to this.,

Lets look at Preparedness while winter is whispering from the wings.

It has been said, we will have a record winter. Don't expect the official's to get you sorted out. They have their hands full.

Put on your Big Girl Boots and get ready yourself..

When we got up this morning, we had about 11 inches. It was still fluffy and hadn't settled yet.



Put the snow shovel and the salt by the door.

.

My ambulance driving friend worked an extra hour on her 12 hour shift. The highways department were down to one working truck at one time. A downed tree trapped the grader on a road where he couldn't turn, hydro was out full force with over 12000 homes out of power.
Which brings me to my emergency supplies. And I recommend you look at this.

Start off as you may need the products, shoes and flashlights are the first things you may need. So beside the bed, by the door. If you have pets, add a leash.
Light and heat. Do you have candles, and safe holders for them? lanterns with fuel?

You should have already set your snow shovel by the door, and the bag of salt. And a saw and clippers,  if you need to clear dropped branches. However: LOOK OUT FOR FALLEN POWER LINES

Do you have plans for heat if the power goes off? This could be going to a neighbour with a wood stove, or piling on clothes and blankets. Remember the temperatures dropped to -7 at least.

 Remember you pets in the keep warm program also. Don't assume that because they are animals, they have survival instincts. We have bred and loved those instincts away.

For dogs and cat dry warm blankets will work as will cuddling them.

For fish, reptiles and house birds, you may be refilling hot water bottles, or plastic bags, securely fastened. These can be put in a fish tank or bottom of a bird cage.
 You can heat the water on your BBQ. DO NOT BRING THE BBQ INDOORS. the fumes are deadly.

Now how can you feed yourself and your family for the magic week, before help may arrive.
Do you have the required food, water, medications, first aid, and sundries? Do you have pet food?

Have a contact list with you and your family and pets pictures with an out of province contact number, all members of the family can phone to make family reunification easier.

 I think I may have a bit more than you are prepared to have.I have a catalytic heater, propane lights,stove,  a power saw
I have a wind up radio, a generator, a 5th wheel with propane, that will run heat and stove and the most important, the coffee pot. I have extra fuel, and a winch. I have a HAM radio for communication.

Plants can be rescued by putting them in a box or even the bath and add a plastic bag or fairly warm water and cover with a blanket.
I have writing material, reading material, and duct tape, large garbage bags and duct tape.

I also have heavy gloves, mittens and heavy plastic that could, with the use of duct tape could make boots for my dog.  Remember if you dog or cat walks through salt or chemicals, wash their paws. The chemicals are not good stuff for licking and cause cracks and dryness.

Two really handy items are large plastic bags and newspaper.
They can wrap waste, contain water, become rain gear,wind protection, emergency seating, fire starter, draft control. Even if you were a boy scout, matches are easier than rubbing sticks together.

In the comment area after this post, please tell me some of the ways you have used duck tape, newspaper, and plastic bags.
The guide lines for your safety include, but not limited to:

Adult Grab & Go Bag Have a Grab & Go Bag for each person in the house. Keep it by your bed or near a door. If you need to evacuate, grab your bag and go.
1. Flashlight, batteries, and light sticks
2. Portable radio and batteries
3. Keys (house and car)
4. Money (coins and bills)
5. Glasses, contacts lenses and solutions
6. Medications (at least one-week supply)
7. Comfortable shoes, two pairs of socks
8. Comfortable clothing (sweats, extra underwear)
9. Warm Jacket or sweatshirt
10. Whistle (call for help if trapped)
11. Pocket knife
12. Paper and pencil
13. Emergency phone list, out-of-state contact #
14. Lists of people to notify if you are injured
15. Copies of important documents: insurance, identification, social security, etc.
16. Small first aid kit
17. Toilet articles: comb, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, washcloth, face towel, shampoo, lotion, razor, lip balm, emery board, nail clipper, sanitary products, tissue, sunscreen, etc.
18. Toilet paper
19. Zip-lock bags, plastic grocery bags
20. Good book, playing cards, crossword puzzles
21. Work gloves, several pairs of latex gloves
22. Blanket
23. Dust mask
24. Crow bar (may need to remove debris)
25. Drinking water – store in a separate place (minimum one gallon per person)
26. Food Snacks (granola bars, trail mix, peanut butter)
In Addition to these Adult Bags there are the following bags:
Seniors or People With Disability

Seniors or Disabled Grab & Go Bag
These items are in addition to the Adult Grab & Go Bag. Have a Grab & Go Bag for each person in the house. Keep it by your bed or near a door. If you need to evacuate, grab your bag and go.
1. Food for special diet needs
2. Batteries for hearing aids, wheelchair, etc.
3. List of style and serial # of medical devices
4. Special supplies: oxygen, catheters, etc.
5. Prescriptions for eyeglasses (not older than one year)
6. Personal sanitary items (Depends, disposable bags, ties, wipes)


Infant or Toddler Bags

Infant and Toddler Grab & Go Bag
These items are in addition to the Adult Grab ‘n Go Bag.
1. Formula, disposable bottles, nipples
2. Diapers and wipes
3. Instant baby cereal
4. Bowl and spoon
5. Sunscreen
6. At least two changes of clothes
7. Light jacket
8. Thermometer
9. Medicine dropper
10. Pedialite, electrolyte replacement solution
11. Tylenol, Triaminic and other medications
12. Firm soled slippers or shoes
13. Toys, books, stuffed animals
14. Authorization to Consent to Treatment of Minor Form


Pet Bags

Pet Grab & Go Bag
Keep your Pet Grab ‘n Go Bag in an easily accessible location near your own emergency supplies.
1. Food, water – 7-day supply for each pet
2. Bowls - non-spillable
3. Collar and leash -for dogs and cats
4. Muzzle
5. Poop scooper, bags
6. Treats, toy
7. Blanket, towel, or newspaper for warmth
8. ID tag should always be on pet
9. Extra name tag
10. License number
11. Pet carrier or crate for each pet labeled with pet and owner’s information (keep near your bag).
12. Name, address and phone number of veterinarian, animal control agency and shelters.
13. People to contact to take care of the animal
14. Vaccination and medical records. Keep inoculations current. In an emergency, pets may come in contact with diseased animals.
15. Allergy or other special instructions
16.Pictures of your pet

This is like insurance. You buy It and hope you never use it.

All the best for Fall

Four Women and a Man with Warped

Anyone who has followed my log has read about

Lorna Margaret (Colwell) Allen.  She is the author of “Thursday Child”and has donated the loom and accessories to the Saanich Historical Artifacts Society. Well we got the loom from the attic and had a good look at it.

Oh dear. It need a lot of TLC. It had rotten cords, a busted shaft, no hooks for the treadles, of course no manual.

Catherine Mick

Then we got some terrific help from  Member’s of the Victoria Hand Weavers and \Spinners in the was of Catherine Mick and Della Wilkins and Glen and Judy Moores from Deep Cove Spinners and weaver.

Over the last couple of weeks, we have scrubbed, repaired, and got a starting a warp on the the loom.. Soon I was looking  around the museum to see what else could fit into our display.

I found a 70 year old ironing board, made by a fellow for his wife, An iron, that you build a little fire in it and it gas a chimney. There is a  dressed dummy with an 1800 taffeta gown

.

Then I found a prefect 1850 Bell Sewing Machine made in 1850 in Montreal. A  galvanized tun, that would do for washing fleece in the old days, Some awesome posters from the BC Museum and a woven chair,
A couple of comfortable chairs, for the knitters who may be there, two spinning wheels, wool winders, swifts, It grows and grows.
It is exciting to see the domestic arts being celebrated.

Out big opening will be at the 15th of September where we are hopeful that

Lorna Margaret (Colwell) Allen will be there to cut the ribbon.

We  have a couple of rug hook frames, so we need some tools and it would be great to get a quilting frame in the “Loft ” also. That is for the future.

Catherine Mick