This month is zooming by, can’t believe it’s already the middle of October! Are you feeling the cooler temps where you live? The leaves have really started changing color here in Ohio, and the temps have been all over the place. Definitely feeling like fall!
Before we get any further into October, I wanted to share my September favorites. But first, a little explanation on why posts may have been short on words recently: Two weeks ago, I tripped on a tall step in the middle of a concrete walkway while walking my grandsons home in the dark. I landed on my left knee and on my hands in the “push-up” position. I later found out that my daughter-in-love tripped and fell on the same step a year ago. Argh!
It’s weird the stuff you notice when falling. As I landed on the concrete, the moonlight seemed to light up my hands, and I caught a sickening glimpse of how far back my left hand bent. Not something you ever want to see! Within minutes, my hand looked like one of those latex gloves that’s been blown up to the max like a balloon. The pain was awful, so I was pretty sure it was broken. The PA I saw in the ER the following morning was amazed when the X-rays didn’t show a break. He suggested I follow up for another X-ray if things didn’t improve, saying I may have a hairline fracture that wasn’t visible in the X-rays.
My grandsons were the best doctors that night, fetching these adorable animal ice packs from the freezer that their mom and dad always use when they have an injury. My youngest grandson ran upstairs and reappeared with children’s Tylenol in case I needed it for the pain. Sooo sweet! They insisted on putting Band-Aids on my scraped knees. They were so concerned—the youngest pointing out a bruise on my chin that I didn’t know was there. I hadn’t looked in a mirror, so I didn’t realize my chin must have grazed the ground during my concrete pushup!
Something amazing that I’ve never experienced before happened after my grandsons were upstairs in bed. All the emotions I had been feeling overtook me for just a moment, and I found myself crying. I didn’t cry long, maybe 30-45 seconds, but I noticed the most amazing thing afterward. The terrible pain I was feeling in my left hand dropped from like a 9 to maybe a 4, and it stayed that way for the rest of the evening. The next day, I did an online search to see how crying could cause such a big reduction in pain. I read that when you cry after an injury, your body often releases stress hormones like cortisol. That can trigger the release of endorphines, which are the body’s natural painkillers. Have you ever experienced a reduction in pain after crying when you’ve been injured? That’s the first time I can ever recall that happening. Our bodies are so amazing! I’m truly in awe of how they work and how they try to heal us, even helping with pain after an injury.
It has been two weeks, and my hand is much better, but still painful and swollen in a few areas. My knee hasn’t fully healed (it was a deep scrape), but it’s getting there. The bruise on my chin is almost gone. As a precautionary measure, I will be seeing an orthopedist on Tuesday, so please bear with me if the descriptions and wording in posts are a bit shorter these days. I’m so glad it was my left hand that was injured so that I can still use my mouse. I was able to create the recent longer post about the kittens I adopted by dictating an email to myself in Gmail, then copying and pasting it over to the post. I may need to do more of that until my hand is fully back to normal. It’s much better today than the last time I attempted to type out a post, so that’s encouraging!
September Favorites:
In September, I purchased this surge protector for the basement since my grandsons often bring over their iPads when they visit, and charging outlets are always in much demand. I really like the placement of the 6 outlets being on the front and on the sides. That eliminates larger plugs from hitting each other. My grandsons love the 3 USB charging ports on the top. This was a great purchase for September! You’ll find it available here: Surge Protector (1728 Joules) with 6 Outlets and 3 USB.
I’ve shared these awesome laundry bags in the past. I just recently purchased more for a friend, and she loves them as much as I do. They are great for holding smaller or more delicate items when washing clothes. My friend uses them for washing sneakers, too. You’ll find them available here: Mesh Laundry Bags, 12 x 16 inches.
I’ve been wearing this hoodie a lot this month, and I absolutely love it! The cotton blend is soft, cozy, and warm, and I think the design is just the cutest thing ever! You’ll find it available here: Halloween Hoodie.
I’ve really enjoyed flipping through the book I purchased last month. I haven’t had much time to read it with all that’s been going on in the past two weeks, but I love what I’ve seen so far. (Book is available here: Home At Last Book.) If you’ve been reading BNOTP for a bit, you may remember that the room featured on the cover was designed by Gil Schafer, a designer whose books I’ve purchased before.
That beautiful room filled with scallop rattan furniture was the inspiration behind adding this ottoman to my study. I loved that scalloped design the moment I saw it, but didn’t want to pay the designer price, so I was thrilled when I found a similar design for drastically less here: Scallop Rattan Ottoman. I know this ottoman is going to go down as one of my favorite purchases for 2025. It makes me smile every time I walk into this room.
Of course, you know the beautiful Spode Woodland Turkey pieces I added in September would have to make this favorites list. Crazy about this piece and will love using it for many fall and Thanksgivings to come! It’s a soup tureen, but more than that, it’s a beautiful decorative piece for the home during this time of the year. You’ll find it available for a great price here: Large Spode Turkey Woodland Soup Tureen, Great Centerpiece for Thanksgiving or Fall Table Setting.
Once the large tureen arrived, I knew I needed the other pieces in this collection. Love the gravy boat/dish! You’ll find it available here: Spode Turkey Gravy Boat.
The salt & pepper shakers are sooo cute! You’ll find those available here: Spode Turkey Salt & Pepper Shakers.
A while back, after putting together a lot of stuff here in the Dollhouse, I finally got around to purchasing a hex/allen wrench set. Wish I had done that a year ago! I went with this DeWalt set because I like the quality of DeWalt tools so much! If I need a new tool, I always try to find/buy DeWalt because I know I won’t be disappointed. It came in handy recently when I was putting together some of the fun toys/scratching posts that I bought for the kittens, especially since I only had one good hand for tightening down the screws. I don’t think I could have assembled anything without it. You’ll find this well-made tool here: DeWalt Hex Key Set.
Recently, a family member who was visiting needed a nail clipper when we were watching a game on the TV down in the movie room. I have a little accessory bag tucked into one of the baskets in the console in that room, so when one of those everyday items is needed, I don’t have to walk up two floors to retrieve it. I didn’t have nail clippers, so I purchased this set that I’ve purchased in the past and really like. It’s the nicest set of clippers that I’ve ever owned, so it was a no-brainer to buy it again. Can’t recommend it enough! You’ll find it available here: Nail Clippers Set.
You may remember when I purchased this set of popcorn seasonings for the movie room. These have been such a big hit with my grandsons and all their friends, I repurchased the whole set in the larger size. (Seasonings are available here: Popcorn Seasonings in the 8 Flavors.)
I needed a way to store them on the table in the basement, but didn’t want to spend a lot. This 2-Tier Lazy Susan/Organizer is perfect! You’ll find it available for a super reasonable price here: 2-Tier Lazy Susan Organizer, Great for Spices.
I just had my front and back yard reseeded for the fall season, and I purchased two of these sprinklers for watering. Love how easy they were to set up and adjust for covering my small front and back lawn area. They are available here: Sprinkler for Lawn Watering.
I already had a hose for the front yard and purchased this extra-long one for back yard watering. This thing is a beast, and I love it! You’ll find it available here: Best Garden Hose, Available in 5 Lengths.
Just repurchased more of these in September. Love them and keep a stash of them in my office desk, my handbag and in my car. The first box I purchased lasted for a very long time soI was happy to buy another box. You’ll find these available here: Lens Wipes.
Hope you find this list helpful! Looking forward to sharing the fall window boxes for Monday’s Before/After! Happy weekend!
I still read all of your weekly emails. Was so excited to see that you have gotten some company, in the doll house! Have the kitties found that scalloped rattan otterman yet? Bet they will love it!! Your doll house is really coming together and is just stunning! Sorry about your wrist. Hopefully, it was just a bad sprain and there are not cracked bones.
Thanks so much, Rebecca! ♥ Hopefully, I’ll find out on Tuesday. It gets better every day that passes, so that’s a good sign.
The kitties are so young, I covered the ottoman with an ottoman cover as soon as I brought them home, thinking the rattan may be too tempting until they learn to use all the scratching posts I’ve purchased. So far, they love ripping into the palm tree scratching post.
Don’t you notice that since were getting older it takes so long to heal. I am on blood thinners now and bruise so easy and it takes so long to go away. I wanted to ask your opinion I let my hair go grey and I haht it look like a witch. Went to the doctors and caught myself in a big mirror. I was like no way am I staying this way. Should I do it myself or get it done professionally. I bought the stuff from Amazon to do it but I am scared it will turn green or something. My favorite place to get my hair done is Rehoboth beach five hours away always do it in the summer. I really don’t want to drive there now so I guess got to ask around I rather not leave my house and do it myself.
If you want to go back to coloring it, I would definitely get it professionally done, especially if it’s grown out a lot. I just think that would give you a better outcome.
Yes, it does seem to take longer to heal as we get older. I have found that the more I move/walk, the faster I heal. Sitting a lot makes it take a lot longer, at least that’s the case for me. Maybe getting the blood flowing helps bruises and such to go away faster.
Oh my, pray you don’t have a fracture either. Crying does release stress. The body has to vent one way or another. You have sweet grand boys!
Thanks, Nancy! Our bodies are so smart, the way they work!
I’m glad you are feeling better! It’s so shocking and awful when things like that happen! Your grandsons sound adorable and they took good care of you!
They did! They were angels!
And…in a moment…your life changes!! Really makes one “stop & think”…and…what could you have done differently… Not much. You were one fortunate cookie! More than once it’s happened here, too…thank your lucky stars…hope you mend quickly. ❤️
franki
I will definitely not walk in the dark again. I almost took a flashlight with me but I’ve walked that path so often, I didn’t think I needed it. I won’t make that mistake again.
I hope you were okay when it happened, Franki! Sorry that you’ve experienced that, too! ❤️
So sorry about your accident. You were very lucky, and how wonderful to have such sweet little nurses to take care of you! I tripped in a pothole and broke my wrist and tibial plateau at the same time. That was a doozy because I couldn’t put any weight on my leg for four months and my wrist had a plate and 10 screws. I love, love, love that ottoman! Hope you heal quickly.
Ouch! Amazing how much damage a pothole can cause! I’m so sorry you had to go through all that, Roxanne! What a nightmare that must have been!
A month or two ago, we were all leaving one of my grandsons’ baseball games, and as we walked, one of the moms walking with us barely missed a deep hole in the ground. If she had stepped into that hole or even partially stepped into it, I’m pretty sure she would have had a broken ankle. I stood up a tall stick up inside of it so others would see it, but the next time we were there, the stick wasn’t in the hole. It’s just a matter of time before someone gets injured there. Scary how easily we can be seriously hurt from things like that.
Susan I’m so sorry for that nasty fall. Thankful you didn’t break anything (hopefully). Sadly it seems to be a reality that is common as we age. How sweet that your grandsons were so caring of you! Anyway, your posts were fine, I got it twice! But give your hand a rest, all your readers will understand. Take care.
You mean breaking bones? I’ve been lucky that all my bone scans have come out normal over the years with no bone loss. I’m sure that helped. I will def use a flashlight from now on when navigating a dark walkway with steps. Lesson learned! Thanks, Toni!
So sorry about your trip and fall. At first I thought you were going to say you did something to your knee! Hopefully you will find out on Tuesday that there isn’t an unseen fracture. I can’t remember if I felt better after I cried when hurt, but I do when I feel overwhelmed. It seems to release stress. So sweet those two grandsons are to attend to grandma and think of everything that was needed. I’ve tried walking around our property in the dark when I forget the flashlight. Even though I know my way around I’m out there taking baby steps. Glad you have the kittens to watch and take your mind off your hand for a bit.
Thanks, Kathleen! They were so sweet, trying to help. Baby steps sounds like a good idea. I’ll remember that if I ever find myself in a situation like that again!
Glad you are healing. One year I pulled on my garbage can because it had rained a lot. I fell and felt a click. I chipped a bone, tore a ligament, and broke my wrist in two places in seconds. Didn’t look bad. I have fallen over uneven sidewalks twice. Once a client had put a car bumper stop right at the front door. Walking too fast and in a hurry. In ER they wanted to know if I drank at lunch. After this, wear a brace when you do yard work. Occasionally It still hurts.
That turkey keeps waving at me. In the past I treated myself to an expensive seasonal item once a year.
Getting older. No more stuff. Stop waving turkey.
Feel better. Hope its good news from the orthopedic doc.
Does Ohio have the time change ?
Ouch! That sounds so painful, Myrna! I can’t believe they asked you that! So rude!
How is your knee ? Don’t forget to keep an eye on it. A friend was walking her dogs and they saw a squirrel, wrapped the leash around her legs and she fell and cut her leg. She got a horrible infection and was on an intravenous antibiotic for months. Keep it clean. Did the doctor look at it or give you anything ? Wash it frequently and put some Vaseline on it to prevent a big hard scab and scar.
Yikes, Susan, I hope.your injury, particularly your hand, are ok. My 77 yo sister fell a week ago on indoor steps while sweeping and broke her right hand (and blacked both eyes). Lucky for us, my son-in-law is an ortho PA, and he got her right in. My family has a punch card going for multiple patient visits, lol. My daughter had rotator cuff surgery 2 weeks ago. She’s in a masters program for nursing, and my older daughter taught her how to use AI for voice to text for her note-taking. You may want to check that out!
Thanks, Rita! Oh my gosh! I feel so bad for her after the experience I had because I know that must have been so painful!
Seems like a lot of people I know are having rotator cuff surgery. I wonder what causes that issue for so many.
Thanks for that suggestion! I don’t like using AI and try to avoid it as much as possible, but that’s good to know that it’s available for that. Thankfully, the swelling in my little finger and ring finger has gone down a lot so that’s helping with my typing.
That is so interesting about how crying may reduce pain. Thanks for doing the research. I just recently learned, from an Emergency room physician friend, that wrist injuries are the most difficult ones to heal. Unfortunately, when you find yourself about to fall down, the first instinct is to brace for the fall by extending your hands. Anyway, I hope you heal up quickly!
I was thinking about that the other day, about how when we fall, we don’t consciously or logically decide to catch our falling bodies with our hands, it just happens automatically. I think the reason for that is so that we protect the most important thing…our heads/brain from hitting the ground. It’s easier to mend hands than it is heads. It’s truly amazing how our body instinctively knows what to do during a moment like that. Thanks! Every day is getting better and better now so I think I’ll be back to full speed soon. lol
I’m so sorry about your accident. Knowing you, I’m sure you will heal quickly! It’s so interesting about crying. I always feel better after a good cry but never realized it was the endorphins. Your grandsons are so sweet. I just reread your post about how your youngest grandson made a snow angel in your fur rug. I think he about 3. So cute! I love how they took care of you. Prayers for a fast recovery!
Thanks, Ellen! They’ve never seen me fall or have an accident like that, and they snapped into action immediately. They both kept asking if I was okay and were so eager to help. It really was the sweetest thing how they did their best to help. I’ll never forget that!
Oh, I remember that…thanks for reminding me of that. I still love that picture so much. ❤️
Susan,
Crying helps for emotional pain too. I’m so sorry for your fall.
Wendy
I’ve heard people say that, but I’ve never personally experienced it helping with that. But it definitely helped with the physical pain I was in. I was shocked how the pain dropped almost immediately and didn’t return back to the level it had been. Amazing!
Susan! Oh boy, a fall is not fun. And glad you are following up with a doc this week. Good thing you had some good helpers to get you through that night! 🙂 Take care and hope you get good news from the doctor visit, no fractures please!
Thanks, Rosie! They really were a big help. I hope so, too!
Falling in the dark is extra scary; you can’t see what is happening/happened for a second and are just stunned. Also consider a headlamp-style light in case you need to be carrying things.
So true! I never even saw that step, should have had a flashlight or headlamp or something. I like the headlamp idea! I need to buy one of those.
Injuries are the worst! So sorry you had to experience one. Women always used to get a bad “rap” for crying, but we can take on a lot of pain and when the tears come, it is a good thing. It takes a lot to make me cry, but when I do, it is self-healing. Sounds like your little angel grandsons are taking the best care of you! 🙂
They were angels, for sure! I think I was just so overwhelmed by how much pain I was in. Amazing how it helped, though. Thanks, Sharon!
Very sorry to read about your accident. Must hurt like the Dickens. Thank goodness you didn’t injure a foot or ankle, with all those stairs in both your homes.
I know, that would have been interesting, for sure! I’m lucky that it was just my left hand that was the most seriously injured, although I did have to take the steps one at a time for about 3 days until my left knee could handle being bent again. I found that if I went down the stairs with my left leg first, and did the opposite when going up, I could avoid bending that knee.
OMG, I’m so sorry to hear about your fall, Susan. Pretty scary. Is the concrete walkway on your property, or the city’s? If it’s on your property, and two people have already fallen there, you might want to consider putting up motion detector lights in that area, and maybe a hand rail? If it’s the city’s property, you should definitely report this to them.
Thanks, Lisa! No, it’s not on mine. Usually there’s enough light to see, but not that night.
Funny you should say that. I attended a senior event and tripped and fell over an uneven walkway. I needed an XRay. I didn’t go to ER because I had a big deductible.Nobody would see me because I fell on public property and they didn’t want to be part of a lawsuit and not paid right away. I found someone eventually (who liked lawsuits and unethical forms I didn’t sign). I didn’t sue anyone. Let me remind everyone: Please read EVERYTHING you sign in a medical office today. Don’t worry that “everyone else signed them.” You give your ID and insurance card. Sign the form for them to bill your insurance. You do not have to give your Social Security number. Not every medical office or dentist or their employees are ethical. Do not sign away your rights. And if you carry prescription pills with you, do not leave your purse.
So sorry for your injuries!! Will say a prayer! I bought the hallway motion lights you suggested and they are a game changer. Our hall is very dark. We have overhead lighting but you have to walk down the hallway from the bedroom to get to the switch. I was surprised that they are so bright! Love them. Thanks!
That’s awesome, Sheri! I’m so glad those are working so well! Are those the ones that you can unplug and use as a flashlight when the power is out? I have those in a lot of rooms throughout my home. They really give me peace of mind, so I don’t worry about being stuck in the dark if the power fails.
Oh, NO! So sorry to hear of your fall – hope you get good news and it is not broken. I fell and broke my wrist (shattered it) and had to have surgery and pins last year. NOT fun…so hope you are healing quickly and I am sure those grandsons are the BEST medicine.
Yes, love those laundry bags…they never open in the wash!
Wow! Amazing how much damage can happen from a fall. Scary! I’m sorry you had to go through that, Ann! Thank goodness doctors know how to put us back together when it happens. I feel very lucky that I wasn’t hurt worse than I was.
Thank you for your kind thoughts…yes, had a great doctor and good PT and now all is well. Keep healing and enjoying your grandsons!
Oh Susan! I feel for you trying to recover from that dangerous fall! We sure don’t bounce (or bounce back!) like we once did!!! I also experienced a dreadful fall off a step stool in my kitchen while home alone about a month ago. I landed on my backside, just to the right of my tailbone but could not get up. I scooted across my kitchen & then my breakfast room till I came to a step that I was able to use to get up. I moved to a chair at the table & immediately burst into tears! Like your episode, mine was also short-lived & I felt better afterward. The next 2+ weeks were brutal. I could barely walk….. who knew we use so many muscles in our buttocks when we do almost anything???!!! Anyway I am all recovered & thankful but have committed to keeping both feet on the ground at all times going forward. If it is too high for me to easily reach it then I do not need it! I’m wishing you the fastest & best recovery & hope you are back to your usual indomitable self right away!
That sounds like advice that I need to take! I was on a ladder today, and now that I think about it, that was kinda risky with my not fully healed hand. I’m sorry you went through that, Vickie! It feels overwhelming when something like that happens. I think that’s what made me cry…and not knowing if I had broken something that would take months to heal. I’m so glad you are fully recovered! Good advice about not using stepstools! I bet ERs stay busy with folks falling off those and ladders.
Oh Susan, I had a bad fall several years ago and I can commiserate with how you feel! The flash you experience as you are falling is really upsetting.I did not break anything either but was scraped and bruised. Please take care and consider a small purse flashlite for dark outside areas. I am super cautious now.
P.S. I LOVE your new kitties. After having Mackenzie for 19.5 years, when she died, I adopted Maddie, a beautiful shaded golden tortoiseshell and love her!
Thanks, Judy! I just purchased a set of 6 this evening. I’m going to share them with my grandsons since they come over every day and every evening to see the kittens and it’s getting dark so early out now.
Oh, I can’t imagine how hard that must have been. What a wonderfully long life, Mackenzie had! Congrats on adopting Maddie! She sounds beautiful!
Susan, I am so sorry to learn of your fall. As awful as it is – you are fortunate it wasn’t much worse. I fell once and broke 7 bones. Shocking – both arms, a wrist, an elbow, thumb bone, ribs – just horrendous and didn’t even fall that hard I didn’t think! Hope you heal fast. Hope those sweet grand boys and wee kitties help keep you happy while you recover.
Oh my gosh, Michelle! You must have been in a lot of pain, breaking that many bones at once! It really is scary how badly we can hurt ourselves in a fall. I’ve heard of people being badly injured in falls on ice. You must have landed on a very hard surface. So sorry you went through that!
I fell several years ago on the front porch of our home and fractured my left wrist at 2130. I was not going to go to the ED because I just had started a new job and did not have insurance. I am an ED RN and I had my spouse pull it into the proper area to set it. I wore a splint for 3 weeks. It only takes seconds to fall. My job was to prevent injuries and reach out to our community. I know how you feel. Whoever has that sidewalk needs to repair it before someone hits their head and dies.