Nobody Warns You About the Thumb

Just thought it was cute

Lately, my left thumb joint has gone from aching to "dang, that hurts."

Apparently, decades of knitting, scrolling on my phone with a death grip, turning the steering wheel with one hand, opening jars, carrying grocery bags, and generally using my left hand like I consider normal has finally pushed the nerve alarm button.

The pain sits right at the base of my thumb and into the padded part of my hand. It even has an official name: CMC thumb arthritis.

From what I’ve read, the joint at the base of the thumb gets worn down over time. The cushioning cartilage thins out, the bones start rubbing together, and suddenly, everyday activities become painful.

In hindsight, maybe my thumb had been sending warning notices for years.

I just kept knitting through them. Remember, I am a scarf knitter. Years and years of filling my time while talking or watching TV, and knitting another scarf. Worst part – we don’t even need scarves in Texas. I had thought about quitting anyway because I was beginning to see myself as Miss Marple with a knitting bag always in my hand! I just had not found something to replace it

And yet, oddly enough, I’m not depressed about it. Annoyed? Yes. But also fascinated. Because now I understand why older people become passionate about things like jar openers, ergonomic tools, Velcro, and saying, “Oh, this cream really works.”

By the way, the thumb brace actually does help. So does Voltaren gel. I have not figured out a workaround solution for holding my cell in my left hand while scrolling with my right. I’m going to try one of those pop-up things. I had one once, but it kept my cell from sticking to the magnetic holder on the dash. So, I don’t know.

Apparently, doctors also recommend using larger-handled tools, avoiding pinching motions, gentle thumb exercises (which seem counterintuitive to me since they hurt), heat for stiffness, ice for swelling, and occasionally admitting that maybe we should stop wrestling with jars by ourselves. Yes, tell that to the pill bottle makers.

Still, I suppose this is part of retirement, too. Learning new ways to care for ourselves instead of constantly pushing through pain. And honestly, if wearing a thumb brace lets me keep gardening, writing, and pushing Bonnie Rae around in her stroller, then hand me the Velcro and call it wisdom.

 More later ... 

 

Another Adventure with Prom Queen

Some of you may remember my previous “Prom Queen adventure” when we spent two hours at the DMV to replace a lost car title. The actual transaction took about five minutes. The waiting took another hour and fifty-five.

Well… yesterday we had another one.

I had my own dermatologist appointment first. By the time I got back to the apartment around mid-afternoon, I saw Prom Queen standing outside with blood running down her arm and elbow. She had fallen again.

Prom Queen is 90 now, tiny as can be, and her skin is like tissue paper. This was probably the fourth fall this year where she ended up with a large skin tear.

When I saw the large hole and lots of blood, I didn't hesitate and told her come on, we're going to the hospital. She's at that age where she has to ask a dozen people what to do. It was obvious. Hospital. Now. Then everything became a big production.

She called a nurse who told her to come to the doctor’s office for stitches. We drove over there, checked in, and waited while Prom Queen continued bleeding through towels and tissues. Finally, the nurse came back and said there had been a misunderstanding.

The doctor didn’t do stitches.

We needed to go to the hospital.

At that point, all you can do is laugh internally and keep moving.

Luckily, the doctor’s office and hospital are close to our apartments, though we still wandered around trying to find the correct emergency room entrance. Eventually, we got checked in and settled into what looked like one of the busiest ER waiting rooms in Houston.

They finally took Prom Queen to the back while I stayed in the waiting room. Since I knew it might be a while, I figured out how to watch Netflix on my phone, which honestly may have saved my sanity.

Hours passed.

At one point, a concierge nurse kindly let me go to the back just long enough to reassure Prom Queen that I was still there waiting for her. Later, another nurse quietly bent the rules and let me stay with her because, I think, Prom Queen is such a sweet and respectful little lady to everyone she meets.

And I think nurses notice that kind of thing.

Finally, a young doctor came in to stitch her arm. I worried the whole time because older skin tears so easily. I kept thinking every stitch might pull through and create another tear. But he was patient and careful and somehow managed to pull everything back together without making it worse.

By the time we finally got home, it was around 8:30 that night.

Five hours had gone by in what felt like the blink of an eye (Ha, just kidding. It felt like FOREVER).

One thing I’m slowly learning in this season of life is that older people spend an amazing amount of time simply managing life itself: doctor visits, paperwork, pharmacies, waiting rooms, falls, insurance, medications, phone calls, and helping each other through it all. It is almost its own part-time job.

But there is also something strangely touching and funny about it, too. Two old women driving from place to place with blood dripping, trying to find the right hospital emergency entrance, sitting in the emergency room, people watching, sharing snacks and stories. 

I have never watched TV on my phone before, but I highly recommend you learn how before you have a hospital wait. Even if you are too nervous to watch it, it is a good distraction - unless you want to watch Lion King on the big TV. 

Not exactly what you planned for your retirement, but real life rarely is.

And this morning, thankfully, Prom Queen is stitched up, bandaged, sore, and still smiling.

More later … 

Happy Mother's Day Humor

Mom: “This house won’t clean itself.”

Me: “Have you tried turning it off and back on again?”

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My mother taught me about stamina:

“You’ll sit there until you eat those peas.” 

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Mom: the original search engine. 

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Southern mothers don’t yell.

They just say your full name slowly.

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Mama said, “Money doesn’t grow on trees.”

Then spent twenty dollars on decorative pillows nobody can touch.

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Behind every Southern family is a woman saying:
“Close that door, you’re lettin’ the air out!”

The Ah-Ha Moment

I had a strange little realization about my hurtful dream.

Maybe my subconscious was trying to tell me to let go of the pride I attached to my identity at work.

The characteristics and flaws of that work-person are who I am inside, not just who I am while performing that job. 

I think it was telling me to let go of who I used to be as a worker-person, stop remembering myself through that lens, so I can revel in how I can/do apply those same characteristics to the me I am now, the retired-person. 

As the Marines (?) say, Be All that You Can Be. 

More later ... 

ps: Sorry to blab on about that dream.

When a Dream Leaves You with Hurt Feelings

Yesterday was a good day.

My daughter came over, we had a fun, easy visit, and she brought me a beautiful plant. Everything felt peaceful.

I was not expecting The Dream. 

 I found myself back at XYZ Law Firm, not working, just visiting. I felt like a returning hero when I walked in.

At first, it felt comforting to see my old friends, but then I realized something was off. Something had changed.

I was being blamed for something I hadn’t done—something I wouldn’t have even handled. I explained, calmly and clearly, but it didn’t matter. The more I spoke, the less I was heard.

My old boss was there, but acted too busy to talk. I wanted just a moment—to be understood. It never came.

I didn’t argue. I didn’t insist. I kept my composure and trusted the truth would show itself eventually.

And then I left feeling heartbroken, no longer recognized for my good work, but leaving with dignity. 

I woke up really feeling that hurt. Intellectually, it was interesting that I was feeling hurt physically, in my soul. 

Why this Dream? The Dream didn’t match the day I had. Was it just a case of life being calm so the mind had space to revisit some old feeling?

I’ve had this dream in many variations and always wake up with hurt feelings. I placed a lot of value on my job and work reputation, and it took me a long time to let it go when I retired. Maybe I only think I let it go. 

Do you have a recurring dream? 

A Smorgasbord of Photos and Memes

 We've had quite a bit of good rain lately, so I had a garden workday before the next advertised rain. If you need a wheelbarrow type thingy I love this one. I begged my daughter to share her's with me (and she hasn't gotten it back yet). I also have a painter's bucket (thank you to one of my neighbors who used to garden) that stores my tools. I don't have a lot of tools, but it is nice to have them organized. 

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I brought the acrylic chair from my dressing area to sit on while potting at the little table. I "borrowed" the round table and the iron chair in the video from in front of my green hedges since no one ever sat there. 

So here is a little movie after I put the tools away, and the rain came.

I've had a rough week with my diabetes, and this little meme shows my attitude during the struggle. Yes, I did feel sorry for myself. 

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You know how I love to watch birds, so I bought these earrings from Etsy, made by a lady in another country. They were made with rice paper for the design. I loved these earrings, and somehow I lost one. Broke my heart. Don't you just hate it when that happens? 

This photo was taken after the disastrous Hurricane Harvey hit Houston. I keep it to remind me why I am always hurricane prepared. Laugh if you want, but at least I have bottled water to drink and a bathtub full of water to flush the toilet.  

This little meme is in response to the Rockets' games in the playoffs. Since we were playing against the Lakers, the games played there were late at night, and of course, I got riled up and couldn't go to sleep right away. It also refers to all the middle-of-the-night sugar dips recently that caused me to get up between 3 and 5 and eat and monitor my numbers. 

This little gem represents my determination to live a simple, peaceful retirement and focus on what brings me happiness. 

Finally, a picture of my dear departed Buddy Boy dressed by the Grandgirls in the hat from Woody in Toy Story, and a beaded necklace they made. He'll be gone a year next month. I still miss his little barking face. 

More later ... 

The Words I Still Use

My vocabulary is a living museum of American English. I use words from several eras at once.

Some people sound polished and current. They are Woke while I still reach for older expressions like Dang, Darn, and Dadgumit. For me, it feels like they soften irritation without turning every small annoyance into a major event.

Of course, when I’m truly angry, I know stronger language too. Sometimes a sharp curse word says exactly what I feel. There’s no denying that.

I probably thought more about my words around the time I had Grandchildren. Growing up in the 50s, I don’t remember a lot of cussing, either at home or on TV, certainly not like the kids hear all the time now.  

I also still use words from the 60s and 70s—Cool, Bummer (one of my favorites), and Vibe (yes, I still get your Vibe). Every now and then, Far Out, Right On, or Can You Dig It may still appear.

One phrase I’ve never given up is: Keep on Truckin’. 

I often use it to end a text or comment. To me, it means keep going, keep moving forward, keep handling whatever life brings next.

And then there’s: Bless your heart.  I use all versions of it—Bless his heart, Bless her heart, Bless their heart. (I know, it drives Margaret crazy.) I think, for me, it is a kind of “I’m sorry this happened/is happening to you.” 

The words we often use say something about where we came from. Mine reflect family habits, different decades, changing times, and my sense of humor. 

So, if you hear me say, Dang, that’s a bummer… keep on truckin’, you’re hearing a little of my history mixed in with my everyday conversation.

Sunset

 

My Daughter and DIL share this from their last camping trip before the summer sets in. I wish I could blow this picture up to one of those wall-sized posters! Wouldn't that be great to relax to?

Sweepstakes Wins over the Years

 

I was organizing my photos recently and came across some pictures of my Sweepstakes wins.

This is a ring I won from a jewelry maker. 

I absolutely love this necklace, which I won from a lady in Spain on Instagram. 

I didn't find a picture of all the items I got in this win from Maker's Mark. It included one of those projectors and a movie screen. My son claimed this win and uses it for outside movies. You know me - anything for the Grand Girls. 

This was a medium-sized dog cape that came from AutoTrader. It was too big for Buddy, so I gave it to a friend with a larger dog. 

This is a speciality Shampoo with Vitamin C12. I don't remember any great change after using it, but then I didn't have any scalp problems. 

Now this was a biggie. A $500 gift card from my bank, Regions Bank. The sponsoring area bank was not the location I was banking at at the time, but it just so happens that it is the bank near my house that I bank at now. 

  

This Retro Collection sweep was sponsored by Planters Peanuts. 

This was a really nice win from Rakuten. The tea and tea kettle went to my daughter, the weighted blanket went to a teenage friend, the candles went fast, and the Uggs were definitely saved for me. 

A couple of wins I didn't have pictures of were the Curved Monitor, which my daughter uses in her work-from-home office, and, of course, the all-expense-paid trip for my Son and DIL to see Post Malone New Year's Eve in Las Vegas. 

So you see, that's why I enter sweepstakes. And, no I've been lazy and haven't been entering many lately until Better Homes & Gardens reminded me that a new house contest just started. And yes, I will win that new house or new car. I'm sure of it. 

More later ... 

A New Dog Stroller

 

My little rescue Bonnie Rae came home with me skinny, frightened, and unsure of the world. I think she was raised in a cage because she has never liked to walk on grass or concrete. 

If I am going to walk, I need a companion, so I bought this dog stroller that satisfies both of our needs.  

Now we can enjoy fresh air and new sights. You know the neighbors I pass are laughing at me, but who cares. 

More later ...  

Changing and Rebranding Blogs

For a long time, I shared pieces of my life in two places — Welcome to Simple and 101 Captured Moments. One focused on the joy of simple living, and the other celebrated everyday beauty through photography. Over time, I realized both blogs were telling the same story: finding peace, gratitude, and happiness in ordinary moments.

That is why I’ve brought them together under one new home: Peaceful Retirement Living at 101capturedmoments.com.

This new space combines the heart of both blogs — simple pleasures, cozy living, retirement joys, photography, gardening, Bonnie Rae, family reflections, hobbies, and the little discoveries that make life meaningful.

By combining these blogs, everything I love now lives in one welcoming place.

Click this link to save Peaceful Retirement Living.