The Quilter’s Window in New Hampton, IA is a wonderful shop that we wish were closer to us! Like maybe an hour closer! Darn! Denise Sinnwell is the owner and she had such a nice setup for the book signing – here’s a couple pictures of the quilts on display. I wish I had taken more.
And here are some pictures of the shop – what I REALLY regret is not taking a picture of her windows …. but it was dark.
And so nice, clean and tidy! Oh, how we wish we lived closer – it was an hour and a half.
Here we are – from the right is Denise, Connie and me.
We signed a lot of books, met all of the gals who work there and chatted with a number of customers —- it was really a fun evening —- or it would have been except that when I stepped out of the van, I simply couldn’t walk. My unoperated knee simply would not hold me up. I brought my cane as insurance but honestly, it didn’t do much good and my right knee/leg was extremely painful. I was a real downer but I honestly could not help it. I’m a lot more fun usually – and I’m so sorry. Connie had to drive home and I immediately got an ice pack and elevated my leg when I got to my place. I had to use my walker and hop on my new knee – that couldn’t be good, could it? I did not get to sleep until 4 am and today I called my doctor who never did call me back.
Is there an orthopedic RN reading this that could give me a clue as to what happened? Will I get better before the 23rd when surgery is scheduled?
I owe so many of you answers to emails and since I’ll be in my chair all day tomorrow, I’ll make that happen.
I will post the new projects tomorrow when I hope to feel better. This, too, shall pass.
Maybe sitting non-stop in the same position for 1 1/2 hrs didn’t help any. Also have you driven for 1 1/2 hrs since your surgery before?
Helen – no, this was the first place I’ve gone and I think my driving leg just got all cramped up.
Oh, no! You’ve been doing so well!! I can’t help you at all with a diagnosis, unfortunately. Glad you had your walker with you to at least help a bit. Be gentle with yourself. Hopefully people understand you were in pain.
Diane Bauer – well, no I didn’t have a walker with me, just a cane and that didn’t help much.
I thought the same as Helen, l hope you are feeling better now Mary,all the best, Sandy
Getting older seems to be PATCH, PATCH, PATCH, so sorry to hear the tough time you are having. None of this is fun. I’m ten years into my two knees and things are so much better than before I got the knees. Hang in there, sweetie…I’m sending as many positive vibes as I can!
Carrolyn- I love it – patch, patch, patch! Haha!
Mary, I believe you are healing well, it just takes time. 9 weeks into my hip replacement now and I am finally feeling stronger. Knees take longer to heal cuz the surgery is more intricate. but continue your PT and really follow all the rules they give you. It will be to your benefit in the end. Blessings to you on your continued recovery!
Lynn H – but I’m actually talking about the knee that is scheduled for surgery in Jan. Recovery on my replacement is perfect!
Sorry that knee is acting up : ( The display was great. Thanks for all the pictures. Denise has a lovely shop. Hope the Dr calls. You’ve done so well. You’re almost through with this knee stuff!
Mary, Hope you are feeling better. Take care.
I can’t even guess what you may have done to your right knee but I’m sorry it happened. 😓 No one has mentioned that great quilt shop you visited. It reminds me a lot of the one I used to have in IL. It also reminds me of the Country Threads feel from years ago. I think you & Connie & I have slipped away from the traditional to a little bit modern. Or maybe all 3 of us just like a bit lighter & a little brighter colors now! 😉
I sure hope whatever you did to your right knee will not delay your surgery. Praying 🙏 for you, Mary!
Could you have torn the meniscus? When I tore mine, all I had done was turn to open the door. My leg collapsed and I couldn’t walk at all for a couple days. Both knees have now been replaced and no more problems with them.
Linda – well, it’s already torn now – could I have torn it more?
So sorry that you had that awful problem when you were leaving – I’m sure it seems like forever until your next surgery when it is so bad now! Will be thinking of you!
I love Quilter’s Window – it is really far away from us too but whenever we go by there I do try to stop. Denise is a sweetheart and she has such great fabrics there and the ladies that work there are really great!
Hope that you will be felling better really soon!!
A friend who taught P.E. had a similar problem. It was a torn meniscus that somehow doubled up as she explained it. She had squatted down to show a skill and her knee froze .She could not put weight on that leg. I had a meniscus “repaired” which means they trimmed it up a bit, and prior to surgery it would lock up, but I could still walk. Hope your call is returned tomorrow!
Donna Sproston – the repair surgery is what Connie is having on Jan 6. Mine is also torn but he refused to do a scope because the knee was bone on bone and would require a replacement surgery eventually as well. My situation sounds exactly like your friend.
Oh, Mary. Poor you, you were doing so well. When I tore my meniscus, I didn’t have any trouble walking, but your episode could be different. It might just be your leg got tired from driving and sitting. I hope it will feel better after the ice and not using it for a while. Good luck!
That is a sad story, Mary. You were excited to go there and then have your knee (leg) act up like that. Getting old is not for sissies, my dad used to say.
On a lighter note, Connies store is my kind of quilt shop. Love the fabrics she displays. I don’t relate to the really modern fabrics you see so often today. Your book signing section was wonderful.
Mary, I can only surmise that a decreased ROM for 1 1/2 hrs with decreased circulation may have caused your problems, but only a guess. I worked for 45 yrs. as a physical therapist in California and my husband still works as a PT in private practice. Many years ago we both did some research and went to seminars that validated what we knew was true. Your greatest weight bearing joint is the knee. All your body weight is transferred into that knee joint. Now add that we stand on tile or hardwork floors with no shock absorbtion and you have trouble in River City. Approx. 30 years ago, I started wearing a shoe insert that claims to decreases the shock absorption by 90%. ( I believe it is true) I removed the cosmectic lining in my tennis shoe put these liners in, replaced the cosmetic liner and this protects my back, hips, knees and ankles. I recommend these to all my joint replacement pts, no exceptions and they love these! Wear them always please!! They are called Sorbathane shoe inserts, get full foot, at Amazon. They cost approx 35$. I have worn them for 30 years, lifted a ton of pts., walked many a mile and at 68 joints are doing well. These inserts by the way do not change the pronation or supination of the foot. They are only for shock absorption! Send me an email if you have questions….
Carolyn, could you be more specific on which Sorbathane inserts you mean? Amazon has quite a few different ones. There are the Classic insoles which are black, and orange ones with additional heel and metatarsal pad inserts. I’ve been using Good Feet arch supports for years and they help, but don’t fit all of my shoes.
Thanks! Jeanne
Carolyn Barnett – thank you for such helpful information! I have not worn sturdy shoes for months now because I went from sandals last summer to slippers since surgery. I think tennis shoes/sneakers are uncomfortable and hard to get on – but I think I should look into these inserts.
Oh, Mary, I’m so sorry that happened. I have bad knees to and haven’t had either operated on. Some days I can hardly move then they will be ok for a while. Dr.says when I’m ready to call. But I’m not ready yet.
It probably had to much weight put on that leg as you were getting out. I sure hope your Dr. Calls you tomorrow and gets you in. Just baby it and stay off it as much as possible.
That quilt store was amazing. If I ever get to Iowa I’ll put it on my bucket list. Have a great weekend.
Thank you for showing us such a charming quilt shop. We might have to take a road trip from Minnesota! Hopefully, you are feeling a bit better today.
So sorry about your other knee. What lovely quilts in the shop!
Mary, I am so sorry about the pain in your unoperated right knee. I’m no expert, but I’m guessing it was due to being bent in mostly the same position for an extended period. When you sit at home, both your legs are almost always elevated, aren’t they? Your right one may have gotten spoiled by the ‘special treatment’, so to speak. Hope you are feeling better.
I am glad that you have your second knee surgery scheduled. I would imagine that over the past 6+ months you have put quite a bit of pressure on this knee joint and it has just gotten tired of all the ‘work’, and then to just sit in one position for 1.5 hours which you hadn’t done for a while…well, perfect storm. I am always surprised when we go on a road trip and ride for a couple of hours, (or the length of my bladder capacity lol) just how much my knees/hips stiffen up or cramp and takes me a few steps to warm them up again. Getting old in NOT for sissies. It takes a lot of work lol!
P.S. Quilter’s Window is a nice shop!
Sherry Whalen – yes, I think you’ve got my knee all figured out – perfect storm is right! How far are you from New Hampton?
Mary – we are probably a little farther than you – 1 hr 45 minutes to 2 hours.
I’ve had 3 knee replacements and find that even when driving I have to stretch and move them. You may have torn the meniscus a bit more, thus pain and “locking”. If you were “given” an ice pump for your replaced knee, try putting it on your “virgin” knee. Wrapping it may help with swelling, also.
Sandy Hoover – thank you! I have already been icing and elevating and putting a brace back on. I’m sure I’ve been relying on this knee too long and it’s showing! It feels like it’s locked up and one twist would put things back in place but it hurts too much to try.
Mary, so sorry for increased problems. Yes sitting with knee flexed ( or any any constant position) for extended time aggravated the current problems… surgery 23rd is great, you will be in my prayers. For the future know that at the minimum after 1 hour of driving get out & walk around vehicle .. sounds a little stupid & a lot inconvenient but you knees & hips will thank you & will not extend your travel time but a very few minutes. I have found just traveling the 83 miles to my sons I benefit greatly from this. Thanks to Ms Maci we always make a potty stop in Weatherford ( about halfway point) & she knows when getting near & starts talking to me so I don’t forget…lol. Thankfully two very nice & clean gas stations with good grassy areas for Ms Maci.
Nikki – thank you – I guess that’s the consensus of the crowd – it feels like that tear is caught – and if someone just manipulated my leg it might go back – does that make sense? A possibility? What am I going to do till Jan 23???
Lovely shop, wish I was close to it. Mary, you always have a smile on your face – even though you are in pain.
Think good thoughts, keep smiling and good luck with the next surgery.
What I am learning about knees and replacements. Wish I had a remedy to help you get thru till the next surgery Mary. Hope the doctor comes through with some answers for you soon, not good to be in pain and out of commission. I have found since I got older I need “sturdier” supportive shoes. No more cheap flat ones unless I want to pay for aches later that day. But if paying more helps keep me sure footed, I will pay it since I don’t spend money on other maintenance things like some of my friends spend on themselves.
The quilt shop pictures are gorgeous. Looks like a wonderful shop to be inspired walking in the door. You rest those legs.
Kathy – and you might need all this knee information some day! I, too, am learning lots – I never once in the past ever considered or thought that my knees would give out!
The quilt shop is inspiring. Denise has a good eye for how to display. Love all the pictures you posted. I so enjoy quilt shops that have a lot of examples displayed in the shop. Wish I could visit the Quilters’ Window.
Sorry your “other” knee is giving you problems. I hope the pain has eased for you.
Mary, this must of hit you like a ton of bricks. You are a cheerful person and seem to bounce back quickly after a stumble. This, though, has you worried. I hope with time, ice and sitting your leg/knee will show enough improvement you will be able to last till the next operation. It’s all hard, but this, too, shall pass.
The shop set up for your book signing was very, very well done. Denise has great sense for merchandising and having lots of products for all quilters. I hope she is in business for many years.
Hazel will love having you sit and rub her little ears.
So sorry you’re going through this. I have hip pain that honestly stops me in my tracks sometimes. Hope everything goes well. Merry Christmas and a prosperous and healthy 2020.