Positive Thoughts...

Monday was a very good day. It began with a physical therapy session. When Jenna asked how I was feeling, I told her I may have overdone it a bit over the weekend. I told her I was on my feet, on and off, for about six hours baking on Sunday and that my knee was a bit "tight". We started on the stationary bike and I was surprised by how much things loosened up so quickly.

As we visited during the hour I was there, I told her that we'd purchased a lovely watermelon from our local farm stand, and once I'd cut it into chunks, Handsome and I walked down the yard to "the habitat" to leave the rinds for the critters. I told her I used a walking staff that we have because the yard is uneven and I wanted to be careful on the walk down and back up the hill to the house. She said, "You were walking on uneven ground? Well, that might cause your knee to be a bit sore today, too."

We were about halfway through the appointment when she asked what I had planned for the rest of the day. I told her that I'd be contacting a service about dealing with the hornets/wasps/yellowjackets (or whatever they are) that are moving into the soffit of our farmhouse. I said I only knew they weren't honey bees, but that I'd dragged out a ten-foot ladder so I could get a better photograph of them to try to get an identity online. I said I'd climbed up to about the second from the last rung, stretched out to take pictures as they flew around me, and then climbed down and put the ladder back in the pole barn before going in the house. She said, "So, you were climbing a ladder, too?!" while giving me a smile and a look. I broke out laughing. I knew what she was getting at, but she said, "You're wondering why your knee is angry with you right now?" Then, she laughed, too, and asked if it was okay for her to tell the other therapists about me over their lunch hour. Of course, I told her it was fine with me.

We agreed before I left that I would stop being quite so bold at this point. I still have healing and rehab to do, and she would appreciate it if I didn't make things more difficult for myself by being so bullheaded. I promised.

A few hours later, I met with the surgeon who was extremely happy with my progress. I told him the story and he laughed, but agreed with Jenna. Try not to overdo at this point and my recuperation will be easier. He was just glad I hadn't been stung and fallen off the ladder. I promised I wouldn't do that again, and he told me to come back in six weeks for another consult.

As I said, yesterday was a very good day. I rested the remainder of the afternoon, and did a little more ice therapy before the day was over. Bonus for me was to read your wonderful comments yesterday. I felt one thousand percent better. You're the best! 

Today I stitch!

Sorry. No Post Today...

 

I have tests on my knees an hour and a half from home...at the crack of dawn. I re-injured my knee yesterday, so I'm kind of miserable right now. I hope you don't mind too much. I'll be back tomorrow. 

 

Well, THAT Was Fun (Plus Class Information)...

Well, if you know...you know. This is how I spent Monday, preparing to get to the hospital at 7:45 Tuesday morning. Good times. Actually, I was out cold for most of the morning.

In the interest of avoiding "TMI", I'll forego the details. What I'll say is that I got a perfectly clean bill of health. Came home with Handsome as my chauffeur and spent the rest of the day doing mostly nothing. 

My deep apologies for not sharing something creative, but I can't show what I haven't got. I did hoop up more natural linen fabric, so I can make two more sheepy pendants for my shop, but didn't have the clarity nor concentration to start making perfect, little French knots. 

I think Handsome wants me to run errands with him this morning. He needs to get some new dress slacks for his concerts - and sadly to wear to a funeral of a dear friend next week who passed away in Florida. I'll take him to the airport next Monday. I'll stay home with the my canine and feline girls to keep the home fires burning.

When we get back home, I'll start on the sheep, hoping to finish them today or tomorrow and then get them listed.

There's been some interest in learning this alcohol ink egg coloring technique, so I'm planning to do a  FREE Facebook live class on Saturday morning.

If you're interested, please comment letting me know. Participants will need to purchase their own alcohol inks. Hobby Lobby, Joann's, and Michaels all have them, so hopefully you can pick some up. Here's the full supply list:

Alcohol Ink Assortment - in the stamping section of the stores

1 or 2 sheets of felt (will be cut into smaller squares)

White plastic  eggs (white works best. Must be plastic)

99% isopropyl alcohol - small bottle is fine (I got mine at Walmart)

plastic table cloth or something non-porous to protect your work surface

disposable plastic gloves to protect your hands - you'll want more than a few pairs. I bought a whole box at Walmart. 

Plan to wear a smock or an old shirt if you tend to be messy. The ink won't come out of anything you get it on.

Lastly, you'll need a non-alcohol sealer for your eggs. Sarah suggested Krylon™ Kamar Varnish, which you can get at Hobby Lobby or Walmart. This is what it looks like to help you find it.

I'm planning the class for 10:30 am Central Time (US), Saturday, March 16, 2024, so you'll need to find out what time that might be for your time zone. I'll save the video to Facebook so those who can't make it can view it later. If you are unable to get your supplies by the class, don't worry, you can pick them up later (or order from Amazon) to make your eggs another time. I'm doing the class now in case you'd like to have them to add to your Easter decorations this year.

I hope you'll join me in my studio on Saturday morning! I can't wait to share this technique with you!

I Remain Hopeful...

Brynwood Needleworks - Charlie Mackesy Art

Eleven years ago, I started my weblog as a simple daily diary. Imagine my surprise and joy when I realized that others actually wanted to read my musings. So, nervously, I proceeded to share my creative and sometimes personal life with you. Today will be a day when I write something more personal, as a way to chronicle another chapter in my life.

I've been dealing with a medical issue for the past nine months, with no current light at the end of the tunnel. I had a surgery that went sideways last July, then, a new doctor and two subsequent corrective surgeries. It's been frustrating, but I trust the doctor who's been trying to remedy my issues. I was supposed to see him for further tests a few weeks ago, but learned he'd had to undergo an emergency surgery and is now on medical leave until the end of May. I have another appointment, but not until the beginning of June, so I wait,  hopeful that we can find a solution.

 

Secondarily, I've had a knee that's given me grief since I was in my twenties. I had two surgeries within a few years of marrying Handsome, but now, decades later, the knee is acting up again. Prior to last July's surgery, I'd seen an orthopedist and gone through x-rays, only to learn that I have arthritis in the knee, and I was already bone-on-bone in the joint. That means I was even then, a candidate for a knee replacement. We opted for putting anything with my knee on hold in favor of my other issue, thinking that the other issue would be resolved with one successful surgery, I'd heal from that, and then we'd deal with my knee. sigh That didn't happen.

 

Now, a year later, I'm fairly crippled by this knee. I walk like the letter "S" with a limp, so I went back to the orthopedist yesterday, and discussed my entire current physical situation. After much talking, listening, thoughtfulness, and a few tears, we decided together (Handsome was there, too) that the non-knee issue takes precedence. We can manage my knee in the meantime.

 

I asked more questions, and being satisfied with the answers, I opted for a suggested cortisone injection. I've never been a fan of cortisone, but we agreed it would be a (possible) better option than prednisone. Another consideration is the fact that I'm also in barely-tolerable pain. The doctor was magical, and I actually didn't feel more than the freezing spray used prior to the injection.

 

I came home, Handsome set up an ice water pump (from his knee replacement a year ago), and I put my leg up for a while. It may take up to two weeks for this injection to work. I'll take it easy in the meantime, so I think I'll catch up on my needlework projects. That's my silver lining in this cloud.

 

I believe, deeply, in the power of prayer. If you do, too, I would appreciate being added to your prayer list. Thanks so much for reading to the end of this post. Please don't feel sorry for me. That isn't why I wrote this today. I promise to write something more fun tomorrow. I'll be okay. I'm sure of it. I just have to be prayerful and patient...and, I remain hopeful.

 

Jeepers Creepers...

See Those Huge Pupils?

 

...just look at my peepers!

 

I went for my eye checkup yesterday. It's been over two years, due to our move and needing to find a Wisconsin doctor (and time). I wanted to make sure my prescription was up to date for my trip to Kentucky next month.

My new doctor dilated my eyes to have a good "look-see", and it took quite a while for things to get back to normal. My appointment was at 10 am, and I couldn't see clearly until after 7 pm. In between, I took a nap because I was so queasy. ugh

The worst side affect was that I spent zero time in the studio. Heck, I couldn't read most of the day. So, I'm hoping to catch up today. I have six custom orders waiting for my attention! That's a good problem, right?

 

The best part is that my Rx changed only a little. Just the same, I have a new pair of glasses on their way as soon as they install the new lenses. I'll have them in time to travel, and I can't wait for you to see them.

For those of you celebrating your Independence Day holiday early, I hope you have a great weekend. I think it's pretty weird any time the holiday falls in the middle of a week. I'll catch up with you Monday. Tomorrow is my usual, inspirational Sunday Scripture.

No Dancing For A While...

I've been a little lot side-tracked the past six weeks. Because I think there's

an important message that should be shared here, I'd like to tell you about it.

On April 17th, I had my regular, annual checkup. 

I'd been feeling great so I expected everything to be routine and uneventful. 

It was the beginning of many scary days for Handsome and me.

My regular doctor is a wonderful woman who is a family practitioner in Venice. I've been her patient for five years, so she knows me and my medical history pretty well by now.  She can do my "girly" stuff once a year, but if I get a cold, she can treat that, too, which I like. I also like that she always takes her time during our appointments and we cover just about everything before my actual hands-on exams.

At this year's appointment, she did her exam and reacted with alarm when she felt something she hadn't felt before. She checked again, made notes with her nurse and then said that we should talk after I got dressed. When I sat with her a few minutes later, she told me that she wanted me to have an ultrasound and then schedule an appointment to meet with a gynecologist. I left her office a little numb.

I had the ultrasound the next day, a further MRI procedure, and then made the appointment with her recommended gynecologist as soon as possible after that. The gynecologist reviewed the test results, made her own examination and then referred me to a gynecological oncologist in Sarasota the same day. 

If I told you that Handsome and I were nervous, it would be an understatement. We were concerned, and Handsome attended every single examination and conference with every doctor after that initial checkup. He was in the room, holding my hand every step of the way and I'm so grateful he was. Because he heard everything that was said to me, we could discuss what we were told and keep each other from misunderstanding or misinterpreting anything.

The result of all these appointments was that I had major surgery on May 23rd to remove what so concerned three different professionals. We told our family and close friends ahead of the date. I can't tell you how much it meant to me to know that mine were not the only prayers asking for a positive outcome. During the surgery, everything was tested right away. Thankfully, it all proved to be non-malignant and the surgery was concluded without having to do anything else but heal. All of our prayers were answered.

The doctor gave me strict orders to "take it easy" until I'm healed in four weeks. Handsome is taking great care of me, making sure I follow all the instructions we were given. I still tire very easily, but I do try to spend a little time in the studio. I promise to get my blog back to normal just as soon as I'm able.

I'm not telling you all of this now for sympathy or recognition. In fact, had this resolved any other way, I probably wouldn't have posted about it at all. (Remember, this blog is dedicated to Thoughts on a Joyful and Creative Life.) I would have kept the bad news to ourselves.

I want you to know because I had been feeling great prior to my April appointment. I really had no idea that there were things growing inside me that could have been life-threatening. I have gone for my annual appointments every single year since I turned 19...without fail. 

While I've been diligent, I'm aware that there are many women who don't get annual checkups. I would like to encourage you to make an appointment and make sure that you're healthy. It could save your life.

Running On Auto-Pilot For The Past Few Days...

Thank goodness for a little feature in my bag of blogger tricks that allows me to schedule posts to appear when I want them to. I've been a bit under the weather since Wednesday when I had a much-overdue surgery on my bottom lip. Nothing serious, but a real nuisance when you consider it's smack dab in the middle of my face!

I've needed this surgery for more than a few years, but kept putting it off because the biopsy had me complaining of pain for a full ten days. A person just doesn't forget that! Well, it was time to put on my "big girl panties" and do what needs to be done, so I scheduled the procedure and it was performed this past Wednesday afternoon.

Don't worry. Handsome is taking great care of me. I'm doing better every day and coping with the stitches pretty well. I'll be better than before when this is all over (and again I'm looking forward to having these stitches removed!).

I'll be writing fresh posts very soon, but for now, I'll stay on auto-pilot and concentrate on healing. Don't have too much fun without me, now!

And a little something extra - This really brightened my day yesterday. If you haven't seen it, I think it's great. Hope it brings a smile to your face, too! (just click on these words)

Waiting, Tiny Stitches And A Loose Tooth...

Today was a little stressful. I'll tell you up front that the outcome was good, but it wasn't a day Handsome and I were really looking forward to.

A recent stress test left the doctor with questions, especially in light of Handsome's stent installation two years ago and a family history of heart issues. It was decided that further tests had to be done, and today was the day that we left home early to be at the outpatient clinic by 6:30.

Handsome was back in the recovery area by 8:30 with this nervous wife as we awaited word from the cardiologist. Good news! No further surgeries needed and Handsome would be back to his ol' self by the end of the week. God has been good to us.

Have you ever noticed how working on a project can see us through happy, sad or stressful times? It seems that I have many pieces of my own handwork to remind me of specific times in my life. A crewel embroidered flock of birds that was the last piece of work I did as a single woman; a collection of old buttons made into a heart and framed when we first moved to Florida; or a pair of mismatched, knitted socks that I attempted while sitting at Handsome's bedside following an emergency surgery in Boston last year. Just three projects that marked milestones in my life that I can think of.

I now know it's folly for me to knit when I'm nervous. My gauge is so far off that the project hardly resembles the pattern instructions! So today, I carried needle, thread, and tiny squares of fabric, which I then cut into quarters. I decided the best thing for me would be something more intricate that would require more of my attention...and something I would sew by hand.

The result was a tiny quilt - finished today - that measures about 5" long by 3" wide. When I started, my idea was to put this into a swap gift that I've been working on. But, because it represents the good news that Handsome and I received today, I think I'll keep this one and make another for the swap. I'll show you my completed piece when I've finished putting it together later this week.

So, now you're asking, "What's with the reference to a loose tooth?" You won't believe this!

Kes was glad to see us when we returned from the appointment this morning, but because I always pay attention to my "maturing" little dog. I noticed that she was licking her top lip. You know how dogs lick when they have food stuck between their teeth or in their jowel? That's what I'm talking about. So, I put my things down and knelt in front of her only to discover that she was licking at a loose tooth!

It took every ounce of strength to fight off my genetic predisposition to sit on top of her, tickle her until she giggled and then pull that tooth. You see, that's what Dad used to do when each of his six children proclaimed that they had a loose tooth. I thought about it for a minute but talked myself down. I got a grip long enough to realize that Kes would never giggle if I tickled her - and besides, the tooth wasn't loose enough to pull yet (I checked). In case you can't tell from looking at the photo of her gnarly, old girl mouth, the loose one is the long one hanging from her top jaw on the left side. Remember, now you can see enlarged images by clicking on photos in my posts.

Well, there you have it my friends, our wait is over with good news as the result, and instead of nervously pacing the morning away, I created something beautiful in my anxious hours. My little dog is losing a tooth to top it all off. If you click on the photo of her you'll be able to see that I even managed to capture the little water droplets on her whiskers from her recent trip to her water dish. A blessed day and a silly dog!