On the art front, I am still pecking away at the stitching stage of my current large piece. It is verrrrry different for me and I look forward to the hubub of the start of the school year to wind down so I can really hone in on what it needs. More stitching, and most important, BEADS. Oh, the embellishment possibilities that exist with this one. I can see where this piece will lead to the next, so feel good it is well underway. It is a final piece for the coursework I was supposed to complete over the summer, so it had best get done soon! Yikes.
Survived another birthday, and have reached the ripe age of 52 now, which for some reason I never thought would happen when I was young. Still seems funny to be in my fifties. My attitude gets younger as I get older, I think. Good old John Denver has said it best, as always...give a listen to Poems, Prayers, and Promises...it's all in there. The world gets smaller, but it is okay.
The roughness of this past summer taught me a lot about letting go of personal expectations, and trying to focus on keeping the RA in check as best as I can. The start of the school year is always ushered in with an uptick of symptoms, and this is no exception. Examining the visual state of my ankles and ret hot, swollen feet at the end of a day, and evaluating the pain level in my lower extremities throughout the day, I've come to a point that I can't ignore. Walking is hard, now. Every step. All day. Whatever damage has occurred to the soft tissues and joints in my feet, ankles, and knees, and lower legs is making quick jaunts nearly impossible. There, I said it. I can putter in my house, and walk in my classroom (limited steps in every direction, can lean and sit as needed), but walking with fast purpose to get to another classroom, the office, or even exit for a fire drill, is challenging and pain inducing.
I've made a decision to accept this. Not fight it as I always have, not prove to myself that I was stronger than the pain. Denial isn't working anymore. Along with my birthday comes my RA Anniversary of seventeen years, and I'm quite satisfied that I've been able to hold off on an option like this for so long.
I am getting a Pee Wee Herman Mobility Scooter to assist me in my speed-required jaunts around the building, and even to get my fat arse to and from school (I hate driving my car 300 steps!) It isn't that I CAN'T walk, it is that it hurts too much most of the time, and this is a solution. I will walk my puppy after school, on a nice long leash so she can run, but I can take my time doing so (unlike trekking around the building, pounding on the concrete.) Hopefully by reducing the pain throughout the day I can conserve a little energy so that my life can have more balance. This "going to bed at 7 thing" is getting very old. Especially when I can't sleep, but the legs are too painful to do anything else.
And, I need more art time! Lots more! So many pieces to make! Be well.