A Little Shopping

 Usually when I make a trip to Fort Wayne to shop, I try to visit several stores to make the hour commute worthwhile. I am learning to think differently now that shopping is not very easy for me. Yesterday I shopped only in Macy's. Since this was following a medical appointment, I felt shopping one store was OK.

I used my Rolloy rollator in the shopping mall (really only the one department store). I shopped for almost an hour, and I only needed to sit down once. I think this is because unlike many people who use a rollator and are bent over, holding the handles gives me the support to stand straighter and taller. This eases the pain in my lower spine. I cannot do it without extra help because my muscles fatigue quickly.

I was pleased to see that Macy's had a lot of sales and markdowns. My goal was to find a summer top that was comfortable and casual enough to wear at home. I did not want a tee-shirt, but I would have looked at Polo shirts if I had seen some. 

This Style and Co. top has one of those prints that is hard to photograph to get the real colors. The spirals look orangish or coral but really are a bright pink.

It fits well, was on sale, and should be good to wear in the summer or spring. My other two mainstays for summer are 5 years old now. They are usable, but I am tired of them. 

Though I was not shopping for pants, I saw a pair of JM Collection slacks regularly $49.50 on sale for $19.99. I own a pair by this company which I wear so often they are starting to look a bit worn.

These have a bit of Spandex and are so comfortable. I find I have to try on petite or short slacks. I have lost 2 inches from spine compression, and the regular Misses sizes are usually too long. These have slimmer pant legs than many slacks which I like. The only thing I do not like about these new pants is that they have no pockets, but at this price I am willing to overlook that.

We had been home about 45 minutes when our power went out. No air conditioner nor fans when it was 94 degrees outside. Since we had eaten an early lunch in order to get to my 12:45 check-in time at the doctor's office, we headed for Bob Evans for some supper. We had been planning to eat out. When we arrived home a little after 6 p.m. the air conditioner was running. Back to normal. 

We have two more days that will be pretty hot and humid. July 4th will be mid-80's which is warm but not beastly. I am going to grill some chicken thighs to eat around noon. Hope your holiday is pleasant.

A Little Exercise

 

I spent about an hour this morning weeding the plot next to my patio. Not strenuous exercise, but I did work up a sweat since I was in full sun.

Yesterday I took the Rolloy for a walk again. I went further this time. I enjoyed the beautiful peonies in bloom over by the Community Center. I sat down in the shade of a fir tree as I continued down the block. A rabbit crossed over right behind me, about 3 feet away. When I tried to get out my phone so I could take a photo, the rabbit hopped around the corner of a building. 

We are in for a stretch of really nice weather through next week. I hope to spend some time sitting in my rocker on the front porch enjoying the geraniums and the hanging pot of fuchsia.  No exercise in that, but it will make me happy. 

Rolloy Rollator

 

My back pain ramps up fairly quickly while standing and walking. I purchased a Rolloy rollator so instead of searching for a place to sit to get relief, I have my own seat with me. This is mainly to use outside or at large venues like museums or shopping malls. 

It arrived Wednesday; I took it for a spin this afternoon. I think it is going to be just what I need. It has wide wheels for stability. I tried it on some grass, and it moved easily. 

It folds up compactly so it will fit easily in the car. Some people use them at airports either putting them in the overhead bin or checking them at the gate. I will not have trouble navigating the aisle of an airplane so I would choose the latter option, having it ready to use after the flight walking throughout the airport. 

There is a "backrest strap" which I think would be awkward for me because of my kyphosis and curved spine. The backrest has to be removed each time you fold up the rollator.

It also has a bag that attaches at the front.

We are renting a cabin in Brown County Indiana in a few weeks, and I hope to walk some of the nature/easy access trails of Brown County State Park with this device. On the way south, we will stop at Newfields in Indianapolis. This is the Indiana Museum of Art, gardens, sculpture garden, and the Lilly house. I am not interested in the art museum this time around. I want to wander the grounds weather permitting. We will also try walking around Nashville, Indiana to look in shops. The Rolloy will get a testing. 

My surgeon told me last fall before my sacroiliac fusions that I would still have considerable back pain. The best thing that came from those surgeries was that my weak legs regained strength. For now, I adapt with a rollator for lots of walking/standing and with a stool in my kitchen to do cooking and cleaning. 

It was raining when I went to bed last night. Today it is gray with a few drizzles. A chance of rain tomorrow, too. I may have to wait until Monday to have a dry day to take my Rolloy for another walk.