Easing Back in Normalacy

   It has now been 3 weeks since I had my hysterectomy and I am slowly easing back into my normal routine, with the exception of lifting anything heavy at all.  I am still taking things slowly, but am finding that there are some things that I can once again do without worrying about hurting myself or ripping out stitches.

  My hubby is remodeling my clothing closet and took everything out of it.  I took that opportunity to go through all of the clothing and sort it out.  I filled 2 big bags with clothing that no longer fit or I did not wear and will be donating it to the thrift store after I have my 2 daughter in laws go through it to see if there is anything they may want. I also sorted some of the clothing that had gotten a bit dusty into two piles.  One pile is being washed and then hung up and the other pile needs to be dry cleaned (I have a dry cleaning kit here at home that I will use to do this).  It feels good to have that project going and I am rediscovering clothing that I had forgotten that I had.  I now realize that I have many black skirts and that I do not need any more.

   We have been relying on store bought bread, bagels and English muffins to get us through for awhile.  My breadmaker is heavy and I still don't risk lifting it so last night I had my hubby get it set out on the counter for me.  This morning I got some bread going in it and then moved on to making some scrapple, which is really a easy sausage polenta with lots of sage and pepper.

   Before my surgery, I had made some precooked meals that we could just pull out and bake.  I also cooked up a bunch of hamburger and packed it up into about 1 pound portions and then froze it.  A few days ago I got out one of those packages, got it going on the stove and added some chopped frozen peppers (bought at rock bottom prices during the Summer and chopped up and frozen), some vegetable juice that I needed to use up, the last bit of some macaroni noodles that I had left from making a huge batch of homemade mac and cheese and simmered that all together making a nice casserole.  I added the last of some Italian cheese that I had in the freezer right before serving and we had a very nice comfort food meal that took very little effort on my part.

   Since the weather has turned much colder, it was time to get the cozy throws and blankets out.  Jeff got those washed up for me and I now have them scattered around on the chairs and couches, all ready to snuggle up in.  Jeff and I have been enjoying them, as has Rufus.

  I'm still trying to be careful and am learning my limits as to what I can and cannot handle doing.  I'm taking walks when the weather cooperates and my hubby can come along so that he can hold the leash for our Caesar who likes to stop suddenly to explore a new scent. I am getting out and doing the shopping with my hubby, but he has to load and unload the heavy bags and then I can help get things put away.  I have to keep reminding myself that although it seems like it was a long time ago that I had my surgery, it was really only 3 weeks ago and I have at least another 3-5 weeks to go before I can got back to my totally normal routine and even then, it depends on what the doctor tells me.  For now though, I am just thankful for the things that I can do and for my husband, kids and friends who keep reminding me to be careful and continue to rest as much as I can between doing some of the "normal" things that I can once again do.