New Toys
I went shopping one day during the week for some new toys.
The bed/chair table I purchased a few weeks ago. It has turned out quite useful. Tobias sits nicely on the main section which I tilt slightly forward and can work on quite easily without having to put the weight on my knees. I know, I know! But EVERYONE uses their lap to rest a laptop on, how else did it get the name! The side section stays static and will hold my coffee cup, (*whisper* plus sticky bun*, but don’t tell Elly 
).
On the Bed table are new socks, Coiler shoe laces, Safe-T-Strips, Soapy Soles and a sock aid. They are all available here.
A closer look at the items: Front left are the Coiler laces, they measure about 6inches as they are, but they actually fit my walking boots. You thread them through as normal laces but there is no need to tie the ends, They stretch as you pull on or off the boot or shoe and are neat, comfortable and secure while walking. Below you can see one in my well used nine year old boots.
Above them in the picture are Safe-T-Strips for the floor of the shower. The packet contains 20 permanent adhesive strips and I see from the back of the wrapper that they are suitable for the edge of outdoor deck steps or terraces.
The blue item at the back is what they call Soapy soles a footpad with suction grip to easily clean and massage the feet without bending. It came with a free sachet of liquid soap!
The final item with the cords and blue compressed foam handles on the right is the sock aid. I tried it with all the socks shown below. Since I am a very cold creature and wear socks winter and summer even in bed I needed to be able to put socks on easily post surgery. I know it may be a few months away but by starting now it will be second nature to me and not something new to deal with.
I tried it with sports socks, fine socks and the pop socks you see on the aid. They all worked well and there was no bending from an upright sitting position.
The final item I have to show you are my balls!
Caught you there didn’t I! You didn’t know about them now!
I have them for a few years now… well since I broke my wrist in 2005.
They are sponge tennis sized balls ideal for exercising the fingers. Once the plaster was removed from my hand and a splint put on it, I was able to use them to keep the movement going. I brought them out when I went for a walk and exercised my hands as well as my feet. I was a very lucky lady at that time as I now have full movement in my right (major) wrist.
Now back to the exercises….
Nick said,
July 11, 2009 at 8:35 am
Well, with that lot you seem to be prepared for all eventualities. I was expecting something a bit more exciting though after I read “some new toys” as “some new toyboys”….
Kate said,
July 11, 2009 at 9:33 am
I have balls too!!! Well actually they are fruit shapes - sent to my workplace as a promotional item - but brilliant for working my fingers on bad days!!
Grannymar said,
July 11, 2009 at 10:13 am
@Nick - My original title for the post would have left you with a bigger disappointment!
@Kate - I always like useful promotional items. I have a few in my kitchen that are still going after 30 years.
Phoenix said,
July 11, 2009 at 10:35 am
Well! You had quite a day shopping
Grannymar said,
July 11, 2009 at 10:51 am
Phoenix,
Thankfully the ‘health’ gadgets were all pre-ordered and I only had to collect them leaving me the energy to visit another shop or two.
steph said,
July 11, 2009 at 12:02 pm
Now, Grannymar
That’s what I call being well-prepared. If only everyone would take heed of the advice given when waiting for an op
Can we see your ‘other’ toys now?
Grannymar said,
July 11, 2009 at 12:33 pm
WELCOME Home, missus Steph!
You have now seen all the toys that I am prepared to talk about
A girl needs some secrets!
Nancy said,
July 11, 2009 at 1:09 pm
Above them in the picture are Safe-T-Strips for the floor of the shower. The packet contains 20 permanent adhesive strips and I see from the back of the wrapper that they are suitable for the edge of outdoor deck steps or terraces.
Help me here, GM… Why in the World would you be taking a shower on the edge of your outdoor deck steps or terrace? And…how do you manage that trick? Do you get your neighbor to turn the garden hose on you?
It must be some sight..You taking a shower on your terrace dressed only in your socks with your neighbor holding the hose.
You should sell tickets!
Grannymar said,
July 11, 2009 at 1:17 pm
Nancy,
This is Ireland! We have permanent showers going on outside 24/7, the only problem is that the water is goose-pimple cold. Any day now I will begin to sprout lichen!
rummuser said,
July 11, 2009 at 4:35 pm
I find them, each one of them, fascinating. I am also learning to expect the unexpected.
Grannymar said,
July 11, 2009 at 5:32 pm
Ramana,
Life would be tedious and boring if there were no surprises.
kenju said,
July 11, 2009 at 5:54 pm
All good choices, Grannymar. Should I make a joke about blue balls? (even though one of them is red?)
Magpie11 said,
July 11, 2009 at 5:56 pm
Good to see Steph back and glad she saved me the trouble!
I’m interested in the curly laces to go in my 36 year old walking boots!
Grannymar said,
July 11, 2009 at 6:18 pm
@Judy - I am sure you would say what the toyboys are thinking!
@Magpie - The curly laces are great.
Darlene said,
July 11, 2009 at 9:36 pm
Now why didn’t someone tell me I was going to break my hip so I could have been prepared?
Glad to see you’re thinking ahead. The thing that I used the most while in rehab was a notebook and pen. It’s amazing the things you can think of that you want to jot down. You have so much time and you will find making lists is a great diversion.
bikehikebabe said,
July 11, 2009 at 9:41 pm
The most important item, you don’t have. I’d call it a Grabber. It’s a stick (pole?) with a grabber thingy on the end. Closing the grabber is at the handle.
You won’t be able to pick things off the floor or reach far without this, after your hip operation.
Grannymar said,
July 11, 2009 at 10:42 pm
@Darlene - I will add a notebook and pen to my bundle and have it ready to go.
@BHB - I do actually have a grabber for such a long time that I forgot to show it in the photo. Thanks for reminding me about it.
Baino said,
July 11, 2009 at 11:23 pm
Amazing what you don’t think about. I never thought that after a hip replacement putting socks on might be a challenge but I can see why it would be! You’re such a girl scout!
Grannymar said,
July 11, 2009 at 11:37 pm
Baino,
I have some good advisers to call on for ideas and tips.
wisewebwoman said,
July 12, 2009 at 3:18 am
Gosh GM, You would make the best PA in anyone’s life! So organized and preplanned. Makes my head spin. I need someone like you in my life.
XO
WWW
Conrad said,
July 12, 2009 at 3:46 am
You leave me agog!
Grannymar said,
July 12, 2009 at 10:20 am
WWW - I was close to being obsessive with organising and having things tidy in times past. Living alone in recent years has allowed for some relaxing in these habits. I still have a place for everything, but occasionally play ‘hunt the glasses’!
@Conrad - Thoughts of seeing you ‘agog’ boggles the mind
Magpie11 said,
July 12, 2009 at 10:19 pm
Wotz a gog?
Grannymar said,
July 12, 2009 at 10:39 pm
Magpie,
It means ‘excited, in high spirits.
or so it says here
redmum said,
July 16, 2009 at 6:00 pm
I was going to say you’ve been going mad in Aldi!
Those sponge tennis balls are great for pets who love to play and wooden floors!
Grannymar said,
July 16, 2009 at 7:13 pm
Hi Redmum,
Alas Aldi are nowhere near me. My shopping above came from ‘Tools for living’. I intend remaining independent for as long as I can.