Summer Sundays in Texas

ByPamela Lutrell Hours Categories Lifestyle
Comments 48 Comments

 

Summer Sundays in Texas

Happy Sunday, all!  Welcome to my weekly lifestyle post called Summer Sundays in Texas. 

Someone commented on my FaceBook page this week that “lifestyle” posts were just reasons to complain…they obviously do not read my lifestyle posts!

I am beginning my birthday with you today…I am officially a young 71 and celebrating on one of my Summer Sundays in Texas.  71 and fun…right?

And I am so pleased to say that I am still smiling, joyful and having fun…even after a year with a few surprise challenges.

Each day is a gift and should be celebrated whether it is a birthday or not.

Do your best to get up each day and ask the image in the mirror…How should we celebrate today?

So come along with me on my birthday and allow me to celebrate with you in this Summer Sundays in Texas.

And by the way,  today’s feature picture is from my birthday dinner with Mr. B last night…a new restaurant that is amazing.

ISUMMER SUNDAYS IN TEXAS: RECOVERY PACE

Summer Sundays in Texas

Kathie Lee Gifford has been out conducting interviews to promote her new book, Herod and Mary, which I want to read.

One of these interviews was with Southern Living where she discussed her recent hip surgery and she said something that really resonated with me about recovery.

 Gifford said she “jumped off that gurney after my surgery.” Sitting still isn’t something the longtime television personality is used to—but she soon learned the importance of taking things slow.  ‘I walked, I climbed, I walked, and my doctor said, ‘Kathie, no. You have got to realize that this is serious,’” she told People. “And I was off my walker in two days. I was off all my medications in three days, and then I did too much. I just did too much because that’s who I am.’ 

That is also who I am, and speeding up recovery has not served me well either…trying to do too much too fast has resulted in a muscle strain that has been a real bear.

I tried to do it all…cardio and weights…and attempted to return to the workouts I did prior to surgery.

Summer Sundays in Texas

However, after my two foot surgeries, one of you said it would take at least a year for me to get back to my activity level…and I honestly scoffed at that.

But, I am learning now that whoever said it was most likely correct.

Since this muscle pull is so painful, I began to do only floor exercises with light weights and some simple Pilates moves.  I try to do this every day and it has helped.

I plan to do this workout for awhile and when I feel stronger add back in the cardio.

Her words now resonate in my head,  she said…. 

“And you can’t. I have learned from this that you only can only do so much. You’re just human. You’re just human. And I’m so grateful.”

I am actually feeling much better now that I have scaled back some…and I only need to be patient about the weight gain.  This has been the most difficult mental battle.

Summer Sundays in Texas

Sigh! I did eat some of this amazing birthday cake…so I guess I am not taking it too seriously just yet.

But I could not insult the chef……now let’s make a quick turn to veggies.

SUMMER SUNDAYS IN TEXAS: GREAT GIFT IDEA

Summer Sundays in Texas

My sweet friend, Leigh Ann, sent such a unique and appreciated birthday gift.

She sent a box of farm fresh veggies from FARMER JONES FARM.

This isn’t from Texas, but farm fresh is good no matter where the farm is found.

Summer Sundays in Texas

The Best of the Season Box is amazing and both Mr. B and I are enjoying it so much.

I was so excited to find the rainbow carrots, leeks and squash as well as so many others…and the sprouts added to my tomato sandwiches this week were next level.

Summer Sundays in Texas

I quickly made a wonderful farm fresh veggie chicken soup. 

We ate on this for several days.

Such a great gift that I highly recommend.

SUMMER SUNDAYS IN TEXAS: MORE WAYS TO COOL OFF

Summer Sundays in Texas

Summer Sundays in Texas are all about heat, so testing and sharing cooling products has been a joy.

Tux loves this COOLING BLANKET FOR PETS so much.  He sleeps on it every night and will not move once we put it on the bed.

You feel the cooling part of it immediately which is great for a warm climate such as the one we live in. 

I give this high recommendations.

We had experienced him rejecting his red warm blanket once the temps began to increase this summer.  I was happy to try the new cooling on to see if it helped… and can now say that it works.

Now, through the end of August, if you use the code at checkout:THFBZY2G , you will receive 10% off the pet blanket.

Summer Sundays in Texas

I was sent this COOLING PILLOW to test for my. neck.

But Mr. B believes the marketing is all wrong.

After years of knee issues and testing many devices created to go between the knees for sleep, he says this pillow is the best ever to sleep with between your knees if you have problems.

He is now traveling with it and will not sleep without it.  

He could easily do a commercial for them…he is now so passionate about this pillow.

I am a prime member and on my page, there is a 40% coupon available to use on this pillow…if you are interested, look for that savings on your Amazon account.

Summer Sundays in Texas
Coffee with My Father on Instagram

This is an Instagram page I am inspired by, and wanted to share it with you…especially the message in this post….COFFEE WITH MY FATHER.

Sometimes cooling off is best done in reflective silence.

That is all I have for you today in this Summer Sundays in Texas.

Last year at this time, I was on an amazing cruise to Alaska to celebrate my seventieth. 

This year, all is quite and that is fine….I am full of joy this day.

STAY STRONG & KEEP SMILING!

By Pamela Lutrell

Disclaimer:  Product was provided in this post for my review and the words are my own.

Summer Sundays in Texas

48 Comments

  1. Hi Pam,
    How wonderful that Mr. B took you out to celebrate your birthday. You look so happy, full of big smiles and so pretty you looked. Mr. B looks handsome and happy too.
    What a beautiful and thoughtful gift that Leigh Ann gave you. What a great friend, I admire your wonderful friendship.
    Happy joyful birthday to you❣️

  2. Happy Birthday, Pam!! You and Mr. B are glowing in the picture. You look like newlyweds! Bless you with a day and year of joy. ❤️

  5. Happy Birthday! You both look very relaxed and happy. Love the veggie box idea. I know Mr. B has taken a shine to the cooling pillow, but how is it for your neck? I’m very interested in the pillow, but cannot find a link to your Amazon page for the discount. Keep up the terrific posts. I look forward to getting them in my in-box.

  6. You are such a joy. Thankyou for posting your wisdom, I too know about doing too much after surgery, a right hip replacement in 2020 with pelvic bone grafts too due to genetic dysplasia I never knew I had, and a reverse left shoulder replacement with total rotator cuff repair after 50+ years in healthcare nursing and paramedic Chief. We are only human, but time for healing is time for reflection when we are forced to be still, and listen to that wee small voice of God saying I love you, rest now. Healing comes and the mind forgets the bad.
    Sandra

  7. Likely others said it too, but I was told a year from foot surgery to recovery, and it was (both times). My husband’s knee replacement was too. I think one of the biggest differences between youth and maturity is that we can’t just “power through” – our bodies will shut us down. As for your eating plan, of course you ate the birthday cake! It was your birthday! I hope you enjoyed it thoroughly, as much as I enjoyed mine. I’ve made a huge sea change in my thinking regarding dieting. For some reason, this time when I go off my plan, I get right back on the next day (countless times before, after weeks/months of what I viewed as deprivation, I would overeat something or indulge, then give it all up, with a furious guilt). Looks like you got right back on the horse this time. That’s great! I truly believe you will get back to your healthy weight.

  8. Happy birthday Pam! You and your husband radiate joy. You do not look your age, either. Thank you for blessing my day!

  9. 🎉👏💕 A very happy birthday, to such a special and inspirational lady. Happy 71st! 🌻🎉🎂

  10. A wonderful Happy Birthday to you. And, yes enjoy the cake, you don’t have to eat the entire thing but if you don’t have a bit you will crave it and feel deprived.
    It really does take a setback to make us realize how long healing truly takes. I pushed too hard after a knee replacement and had to have it redone 3 years later, that was not pleasant but I learned to take slower the next time and for the hip replacement 2 years after that. So don’t feel bad about the time-line, you will do it your way. Love when you share Tux with us. Enjoy your birthday week!

  11. Thanks Judith! He loves the pillow for his knees. It was too flat for me to sleep on for my neck. I explained that the 40% off might be because I am a prime member.

  12. Wishing you a very happy birthday, Pamela! Thank you for sharing your birthday celebration with us.

  15. I have always been the power through person, but this time there has been more power down. I just need to keep moving! We shared the cake and what I had was soooo good!

  20. There was no way to eat that whole thing…what I had was amazing. Yes! I have learn d a lot about recovery and healing. Thanks so much, Diane.

  21. This is such a timely post for me. I’m having a knee replacement in a week and in my mind I’m thinking I’ll be back to yoga, Pilates and weight training in a month, two at most. I’ve had enough surgeries to know this is foolish and dangerous but I’m fearful of lethargy and weight gain. I’ll just have remain focused on healing first.
    You look beautiful (love the curtain bangs) and provide me with a daily positive outlook.

  22. Thanks Judy…so many people say they bounce right back and in my mind I would. I was surprised with a second surgery that set me back even more and I never considered what sitting and medications would do to my weight…and they did a number on it. But rather lament, I am attempting to be patient and look forward to getting back where I was. I hope all goes well with your surgery.

  23. Happy Birthday, Pam! Now you are the same age as me! I’ve thought of you this week as we are experiencing a heat wave that is very unusual for this part of the world. We are not well prepared for this kind of weather and Tux’s cooling blanket looks very inviting!

    I saw the Facebook comment that you referred to and I couldn’t help wondering what was wrong with the person who wrote it! Such unfounded negativity!

  24. I know…that one baffled me…some just go from blog to blog to post the same negativity…how sad. On the other hand, we are experiencing one of the coolest Julys we have had. This week we are forecast to have a few days in a row with highs in the 80s. Things are a bit upside down right now..but Tux really loves that pet blanket!

  25. I commented on you Instagram page but after reading this and seeing these pictures I had comment on the beautiful restaurant. What a nice place to celebrate.
    It was interesting to read what you said about your recovery it seems as we get older we think we can do what we did when we were younger. And the weight gain of course goes along with the recovery. Keep it up. I get encouraged by you and get many ideas from you. So again Happy Birthday!

  27. Happy and Joyful Birthday.
    May your new year have many wonderful memories and blessings.

  28. I would like to reply to Judy H. I had my total knee done 10 years ago basically have a new tighter knee. I have almost the same bend as my other knee. I attribute this to a great PT and the exercises she gave me each week as I healed. My husband worked with me every single day. We never did more than we were told. I was fortunate that I didn’t gain weight but the pain medication made me a little anorectic. I was told to take my pain medication one hour before my PT appointments and I did as told. As a nurse, I tend to push but in that case, I behaved myself and have a great result in my surgery and recovery. It took about 6 months to feel really normal but I was never able to ski again for some reason. I’m 79 and fine! Happy birthday Pam! Tux looks like our Havanese Trixy! Would a size small pet cooling blanket work?

  31. Is today, July 21, your birthday? It is mine; I turned 72. I am always on the lookout for others with this day. I know several that were yesterday and some are tomorrow, but I don’t know many that have today. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

  33. Very Happy Birthday, dear Pam and many more returns of your day. Love your posts and love this one.

    One other thing that does not seem to work as well when we add on a few more years–the energy level. I had more commitments this week than usual and had dinner guests, preparing a lot of food. I was really worn out yesterday. It stands to reason then, that a major surgery (or even a minor surgery) would be more of a wallop that it once might have been.
    I think our bodies speak to us through our mood, our energy level, our pain levels. We can push through some of that talk, but eventually, I think we have to do what the body wants–at least for energy and pain. We have to rest to heal, and that usually helps the mood.

    We hear about some surgeries so frequently; we think they are no big deal–they are all a big deal! Here’s to many more years of your wisdom for all of us, Pam. God bless you.

  34. Thank you, Mary…I think you have many good points here. I thought this initial surgery would be no big deal and the complications that led to a second surgery really set me back. Energy level has certainly been lower.

  37. Happy Birthday Pam. You & Mr. B both look fabulous and its clear you are having a great time. Of course you tasted the dessert. Who could resist.

  39. A very Happy Birthday Pam! My birthday is coming soon and I will absolutely be celebrating with the most decadent cake I can find. And I won’t feel one bit guilty about it. Life’s about joy!
    To Judy who is having a knee replacement in a week – the fact that you are already involved in yoga, Pilates and weight training puts you in an even better position for a speedy recovery. My knee replacement was in May and my surgeon recommended physical therapy before surgery and had an illustrated series of exercises to do daily before surgery to actually prepare you for a faster recovery. There are a lot variables to be taken into consideration that help determine what recovery from surgery will be like. I am a firm believer that the physical shape you are in before the surgery plays a big role in your recovery. As far as your fear of weight gain during recovery I was pleasantly surprised at a 10 pound weight loss during recovery. My weight was within the normal range for my height before surgery so I wasn’t trying to lose weight. The weight has stayed off and I attribute it to my increased activity level. Best of luck to you!

  40. Thank you, Sonja!
    BRW…I was in the best shape I have been in for a long time prior to surgery. But it all went south quickly after the two surgeries and lots of medications. Wish my experience was like you, but it wasn’t.

  41. Hi Pam, Happy Birthday and I hope you enjoyed you Birthday dinner celebration. The restaurant looks wonderful. The vegetable box is a great idea, so thoughtful and good friends are the best!

  43. Happy birthday.!That is a wonderful picture of you and Mr. B. You both look celebratory and happy. May you have a great birthday week.

  45. My comments were addressed to Judy about her total knee replacement based on my recent experience. She was voicing concern about her abilities after the surgery and fears of weight gain. Like Sydney H commented about her own knee replacement, I did not experience weight gain. Not sure why you thought my comments were addressed to you concerning your bunion and hammertoe surgeries. I do not have bunions or hammertoes so I have no experience with this issue.

  46. And….Happy Birthday, I was thinking it a somehow left it out. A very special day and Mr. b is a wonderful thoughtful spouse who obviously adores you!
    Sandra

  47. Sorry Sonja…I also had to have a toe removed and foot reconstruction…so there was more going on. Thanks for explaining.

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