Dance With Me...

Except for the feet which will be stitched after I've completed their perch, my birds are done!!! I'm tickled with how the tail finished, and how the birds all look together. It was Handsome's idea to hold the embroidery at an angle to show the dimension here...and his hands are holding the hoop.

I will begin work on the fencing today, and can't wait to show you what I have in mind. I work again on Saturday to cover for someone who quit last week, but then I'm off the schedule for another two weeks. To tell the truth, I don't mind one bit. 

I'm planning to finish the work on this during my down time, and then go forward with the finishing (turning it into a wall hanging). I'm going to start auditioning fabrics for the quilted portion now that I have the birds done. I'll probably share with you, too, for input. I have some gorgeous Japanese fabrics that might be perfect for this, so that's where I'll look first.

Yesterday was a long day, and my legs just won't settle down. This must be what restless leg syndrome is like, but I know it's because of the pain. I hate taking medicines, but I relented last night so I could sleep. They don't really help, but I keep telling myself to go with the flow. Seriously, surgery can't come soon enough now that we've got a viable plan. Until then, I'm planning to keep my mind and hands busy to keep my attention off my legs. I'll share more needlework progress tomorrow!

Tail WIP...

I began work on this in the morning, and then had to stop after about four hours to get to my new doctor appointment. (Yes. This is all I accomplished in four hours.) I did a little more when we got back home, but decided to leave the rest for daylight.

I've begun with the outline for the legs, but what's shown will be the padding for the actual stitching to give the legs and feet dimension. I'll pad them out a bit more, but just needed to get the placement before I completed the feathers.

I'm at work interpreting again this morning, so after I get home (and take a nap) I'll work on it again. I'm happy with the progress so far, though.

About my doctor's appointment...seems my little voice (and Handsome) came through again. In conversation with this doctor, it seems that my "knee parts" would not have done well with a repair procedure. Osteoarthritis is already causing bone issues, and the meniscus - if successfully repaired - would have failed again soon without a viable anchor. Considering the recuperation for the repair would have been 6-8 weeks non-weight bearing, it would have all been for nothing in the long run.

I really like this doctor. He answered all our questions thoroughly, and is confident a replacement will serve me 25-30 years. Our plan is to do the injured leg first, and the other one about twelve weeks later. He expects full recovery and a return to my former mobility...pain-free. Plus, this procedure will have me up and walking the same day. Of course, there will be initial pain, physical therapy, and work on my part, but then I'll be good to go.

We're going to wait to schedule surgery until after my echocardiogram on the 11th, so we have a safe "go ahead" from the cardiologist. I should get a call from the scheduler this week. I'll pick a date as close to that as possible. I'm tired of walking like a penguin in pain, and now I can see a real bright future for my mobility.

In the meantime, I'm going to finish a few projects, and get my head in a healing mindset. I've got this!

We're Gonna Shake Some Tail Feathers...

I stayed with this yesterday until I completed the wing! There was some frogging, but in the end, I won! The last bluebird wing is finished.

Next will be to complete the tail, legs and feet. I'll do this and then it will be time to move on to the fence post. I have my appointment with the new orthopedist today, but there will still be plenty of time to stitch. We'll see how much I can accomplish and I'll share that soon.

Happy July!!