“What terrified me will terrify others; and I need only describe the spectre which had haunted my midnight pillow.”

I am possessed. There is no other way to describe it. I think it is by some old lady who spent her life cleaning homes or buildings. I have proof. Yesterday I attacked and cleaned one of my biggest cabinets. I was tired of stuff falling out every time I was looking for something so I took everything out. In the way back of the cabinet I found all of the chewed pieces of paper from when the mouse lived there. That was disgusting. I also found half-filled bottles of the same thing so I poured and managed to throw away the empty duplicates. I found stuff I didn’t even know I had. Who needs three aluminum foil boxes? Obviously I do. How about two unopened boxes of Cling Wrap? Last week my nephew wanted 3 in 1 oil which I knew I had but he couldn’t find. Well, I have three of those. I also found lemon oil which is on my shopping list. That led to the next chore.

I oiled the old desk in my bathroom. You probably wonder why a desk is in my bathroom. Well, it is a small narrow, pull down front desk, and I keep my guests linen there. That bathroom has a school theme. No, it is not a reflection on my education!

Next, I mineraled oiled the butcher block in my kitchen then I noticed my dining room table. It has a stain but no finish so out came the lemon oil and I oiled the table and a small stool.

I want the haunting to stop and I want the old lady gone. It is not me to tackle such obscure tasks. The most I usually do is use my sleeve to dust and I’m quite happy with that accomplishment; however, I can hear another couple of cabinets calling me, and I’m forcing myself to stay away from them. I know the old lady is itching for me to get at them.

All of that work and staying up too late caused me to sleep until eleven; that’s right eleven. It was a put a mirror under her nose to see if she’s breathing sort of morning. The animals stayed right with me.

I do have to go out as I have a short list of things I need. What is going on? Here I am cleaning and now grocery shopping. I need an exorcist.

“It is the middle of December. The nights are longer, the weather is colder, winter comes.”

I have learned so much since the surgery I figured I’d share as none of my hard earned knowledge should ever go to waste. At first, as I was lying on the couch moaning periodically, I thought about a pamphlet or a novelette but decided my blog will have to do as the other choices seemed just too complicated. We’ll have to call this blog entry “If you find yourself, sick, disabled or otherwise incapacitated, read this.”

Just in case you’re handed a walker and sent on your way, I have a few walker helps and hints. A walker most decidedly has its advantages but getting around a house furnished for two feet makes it difficult. My walker has gotten caught on chairs, the legs of tables, a laundry bag, the butcher block and a couple of open doors. Right away I learned to close one arm of the walker so I could get around those spots. Of course, the directions tell you never to do that. I, always the rebel, did it anyway, and it worked and I was able to maneuver. A couple of times I had to wash some lounge pants as my laundry bag was filled. The walker was a great substitute for a clothes line. It also serves as an ottoman if the need rises. Right now, mine is a linen closet adjunct holding a quilt.

The worst part of being a bit disabled is getting to the bathroom. I wished I could plan my trips ahead of time. I figured an e-mail saying get up because in five minutes you’ll have to go to the bathroom wouldn’t take much and seems quite thoughtful. No, that never happens, and I ran though I don’t think using a walker can really be called running. A few times I breathed a sigh of relief at crossing the finish line just in time. Now, I stop at the bathroom on the way to the kitchen whether I need to or not. That’s my version of an e-mail.

Always have a straw which can be bent. The advantage is obvious. The disadvantages are wet and uncomfortable.

One of those grab things is a must. I used it constantly. It seemed everything I wanted was at the wrong end of the table or maybe I was. I’m not quite sure which. I used it to grab and slide stuff. Anything which fell on the floor would have stayed there without my grabber. Using it to tease people, though, is not a good idea.

Get into bed (the couch in my case) before the dog. Mine likes to be comfy and takes and arranges most of the covers in her quest. When I’m first in bed, she just has to make do.

Keep cookies handy. Sweets are one of the best remedies. I swear aches went away when I ate a star sugar cookie frosted in light purple, but I’m not sure the shape or color matters. It’s the magic of the cookie.

Today is the best day I’ve had so far. They started me on a new medication, and it seems to be working. I haven’t used my walker this morning and I’m still fine. Earlier, I was given a gift of wonder. I walked from the kitchen with my cup of coffee without dragging along my walker and no drops of coffee poker dotted the floor.

Last night I fell asleep really early with the TV, lights and computer on. I was even still wearing my glasses. I think it was a Hallmark movie which put me out. When I woke up it was a round 1 am. That was a long nap for me so I looked around for something to do. I chose a TV program with lots of blood and gore, grabbed a cup of coffee, took my pills and started a jigsaw puzzle. I was up for hours. It was almost light when I fell back to sleep. A phone call woke me around noon.

The pains are less, and I seldom yelp. I don’t seem to need the walker though I do limp a bit. I even went out on the deck a little while ago so I could do a weather report. It’s not so pretty a day, but I don’t care. I will appreciate all of today. I’m hoping for a parade later!