Spring is almost sprung

What a glorious day. Spring is arriving on Vancouver Island BC. The hellebores and snowdrops are charming me; I am so under their spell I can’t stop taking pictures of them. Since I must get back to the Canada vs. US hockey game (GO CANADA) in today’s post the photos will tell the story.

visit to Victoria

Sweetie and I spent the last three days wandering around  Victoria, BC. It's a wonderful small city to traipse about. From busy & noisy China Town to  Oak Bay Avenue's quaint little village atmosphere there is always something to see. We had a wonderful concoction at Venus Sophia Tea Room  in the heart of China Town ~  something I've never considered (didn't know what I was missing) a rooibos latte. They grind the rooibos very fine and treat it like ground espresso. Delicious! The decadent brownie that went with it was divine as well. Good thing we (well, I) put many miles on my feet because did we ever eat well!  We started our first day by having an absolutely huge breakfast at John's Place, recommended and patronized by locals.  By far the best omelette I have ever had! Great fuel for the day of walking ahead.  Sweetie had banana bread French toast slathered in banana's and walnuts and syrup that was reminiscent of banana flavoured marshmallow cream.  Yikes! He loved it!

I loved the view from our room at the Carlton Plaza Hotel to the Ducks Building.  Great architecture, one of many interesting things to see on Broad Street. Great hotel location for people who want to walk the city! Just down Broad street and to the right is Trounce Alley where you will find the Tapa Bar, a stupendous place to eat.  We had an eclectic mix of food starting with their latin casear salad and grilled portobello mushrooms, finishing with Bistek al Ajillo (sweetie and his beef) and pollo Armanda (me and my chicken )

Amazingly flavourful food that just hit the spot.

Earlier in the day while sweetie watched some Olympic's on TV (yes, in a hotel room, sigh) I high tailed it  over to  Opus.  An hour and a half later, I emerged with a nice big bag of tricks!  I can't wait to try out my new Derwent Graphitint pencils. Here's a review on them: drawsketch review.  My right hand is healing nicely but... might be another week or so until I can really play. 

All in all it was one of my favorite trips to my favorite small city.  From Chintz and Company , Capital Iron and Silk Road to Murchies , Munro Books , The Papery and Muffet & Louisa, there is something for everyone.  And I have the credit card receipts to prove it :)

It's been a week

So it's still a bigger slice than I expected, somehow that hasn't changed in four more days. And I now have a spectacular bruise on my wrist, a lovely mottled blue/green upside down tear drop shape.  Enough of the whining, I am actually typing with it!  It feels very stiff but the typing motion causes zero pain.  Unlike the picking up motion or the stretching motion.  I wonder if it will ever feel normal again?  After 10 years or so of putting off this surgery, do I even know what normal feels like?

The weirdest thing of all ....is not going to work.  It's only been 5 days off but it's so unlike a vacation that I feel somewhat lost.  I don't know how people stay home (especially if the Olypmics aren't on TV ~ Go Canada Go)  Maybe in another week or so of healing I will be able to answer that question.  I now look ahead to getting the other one done.  I actually felt sick to my stomach when I booked the next appointment.  The not knowing was better for me (really!!).  I could  live another lifetime without experiencing those needles in my hand. But on the bright side, I have no more nighttime pain in my right hand and that is amazing. 

the day of the mummy paw

Today I really feel useless.  I had no idea just how very right handed I am.  Sure I make jokes about my spare (left) paw... but seriously!!!  I hate that I can't even make a pony tail.  And as helpful as sweetie tries to be, he just doesn't get the hair thing. All he wants to do is unwrap it to see the scar.  I can wait until I'm 90 for that!  I like to follow doctors orders... he says three days so three days it is.  Besides the minute the wrap is off I will likely forget all about the slice and do something I shouldn't.

Ouch

Yesterday I finally went under the knife. Yup, had the carpal tunnel surgery.   It was surprisingly painful to have several injections in the palm of your hand.  In fact, here I am hours later and it's still somewhat frozen.  Not so sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing.  Of course with my over active imagination, it's never a good thing. At least I didnt totally embarrass myself and pâss out... okay, so it was touch and go there for a minute or two...

This might be the shortest post ever since I am typing with my left (just a spare really) hand. This is the unblemished, albeit wrinkly paw pre surgery. It was once described as a palm readers delight!