Spinning My Wheel

If you read my previous post, you probably thought this post was going to be about spinning wool. Hah! It's not. (hehe. I'm so naughty!)

Well, this post is about a spinning wheel. Specifically a stationary bike wheel.
While at Physical Therapy yesterday, I was finally able to spin the pedals in a full circle, both forwards and backwards!!! I was/am so excited! This accomplishment may not sound like much. But after three long months of sitting on that bike each week, just swinging my feet back and forth and not being able to push any farther, finally watching my feet make the full circles that are normally done when riding a bike, was thrilling!
My Physical Therapist took some photos of me doing my thing yesterday. The PT facility is a cheerful place to be with walls of windows filling the space with light.
The windows open up to views of blue skies and South Mountain in the distance.
Interstate 40, the major East to West highway, provides moving entertainment, too. I never know what I'm going to see driving past the windows. Many of the semi-trucks are creatively and beautifully decorated. My favorites are the colorful Nascar trucks and Budweiser Beer trucks. I love seeing the gorgeous Clydesdales painted on the sides. One day I even saw the Oscar Mayer Weiner truck drive by. Nothing like seeing a giant hotdog covered in mustard, driving down the highway to make you smile.

All the PT therapists are friendly and fun. Most of them own and ride horses, too.
A few of them have went through knee or ankle surgeries, so they have a lot of empathy for their patients. But they are also tough and expect us to cowgirl up and work through the pain, too. Monica, my PT therapist has been supportive and encouraging to me, and she is a lot of fun, too. Laughter is always the best medicine.
After I finish my exercises, it's either time for my Electro Stimulation therapy or my deep tissue torture massage. These private treatment rooms are so calming with mood/nature music piped in.
The owner of the PT facility is a professional Reiner/Cutter/WP/QH owner/breeder competitor, so the music selection is usually country western and the walls have lots of western art, including horses. This is one of my favorite inside one of the treatment rooms.
On the way home I enjoy seeing the backside of the Sandia and Manzano Mountains. I love driving on uncrowded country roads with lots of trees and open space everywhere I look.
As a treat for my spinning accomplishment, we swung by the local Dairy Queen for one of my favorite treats: Onion Rings. Yummo! DQ uses whole onion rings, too. None of that chopped onion silliness. hah! Don't these look yummy?
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But that's not all!

When I got home, Ranchman John gave me the mail and I noticed a package from my friend Erin of The Good Life in Virginia. She has spent the last couple weeks on vacation in Italy. She even sent me a postcard from Italy! How cool is that?

Well, she also sent me a package. I fell in love with the gorgeous wrapping paper and postcard. I think I will reuse it in a scrapbooking/craft/card making project one day. It's so pretty!
When I unwrapped the paper, the first thing I saw was this tag. Wow!!!!!
I was/am so surprised and in awe! My blog friend Erin sent me a beautiful cashmere scarf that she picked out just for me while she was in Italy!!! Can you believe it?! I love this beautiful, incredibly soft scarf. I don't have anything with cashmere, so this is a first for me, too. I feel very pampered and yes, spoiled!
Thank you so very much Erin! Your generous and thoughtful gift was such a special treat, especially after my PT accomplishment yesterday. (And thank you to Jackson for taking these photos of me.) I do look tired. PT always wears me out. I ended up taking a little nap with this lovely, soft scarf tucked around my neck. Ahhhh, bliss.


And I just want to add, that I know I wouldn't be where I am right now with my knee healing and recovery, if it weren't for all of you with your kind, supportive and encouraging words, cards and gifts. You have lifted my spirits and given me perserverance to keep working towards my goals.

I just want to say Thank You.

From the Tower of,