Salad For Breakfast...

This is how we "roll" around here. Sorry. I couldn't resist. Work was a chore yesterday, so I really took it easy last night. I'm going to try to get back to normal today, and I'll let you know how it goes. 

My Current Mindset...

After a full day of (for me, arduous) work, this is where my mind is today. I got the dogs out for a bit of romping, made coffee, and Handsome and I are currently enjoying our morning cuppas.

My knee hurts. My shoulders are sore, and my mind is weary. I'd love to stay in bed and sleep, but I'm too achey to be comfortable. 

So instead, I'm going to sip my coffee with my feet up, be grateful for another day, and not complain. I'm going to simply "be" for a bit, and decide where the rest of this day will lead me.

If you're feeling the same, know you're not alone. You're never alone. Someone you may not even know loves and cares that you're here. It's okay to just "be". 

Have a blessed, peaceful day, my dears.

Plymouth Cheese Counter...

Plymouth Cheese Counter - Plymouth, Wisconsin

My therapy session went really well yesterday. I showed Jenna my swollen knee so our appointment was more focused on TLC than PT. I rode the stationary bicycle for five minutes, stretched for two, and then she took measurements of my knee joint straight and bent as far as I was able. I was still over 100º, but she purposely didn't tell me the measurement because she knows I'm a competitor and didn't want me disappointed.

After those things were taken care of, she had me lie down on the table and proceeded to gently work on the muscles below my knee joint. First with mild pressure (which as wonderful), and then by pulling toward her from the back of the knee (even more comfortable). After that, she had me sit and gently used her hands to pull down on my knee creating some mild traction - all to help move the joint, but also relieve some of the swelling. Lastly, I have fifteen minutes of icing and then left feeling so much better. 

Handsome was waiting to take me for our lunch date. We drove from the clinic downtown to a place we'd noticed last week. The Plymouth Cheese Counter. I'd also done a little research online, and we were anxious to check it out.

Map of Cheese Companies in Wisconsin

This map hangs on the wall inside the store, marking every cheese company in Wisconsin, but Plymouth is considered the Cheese Capital of Wisconsin. If you enlarge the image, you can see a yellow "X", which marks the location of Plymouth. Our farmhouse is about eleven miles straight west of there.

Once inside, there are myriad cheese choices from all the local makers, many of whom have factories in or within ten miles of Plymouth. Sargento, Widmer's, Grande, and Sartori to name a few. They also offer local honey, local ice cream, and lots of "cheesy merch".

To the rear left of this image is a food counter where we ordered delicious panini sandwiches, featuring - what else? - cheese, of course. The menu also features macaroni and cheese, and soups. Our meal was delicious, and it was nice to sit down for a meal neither of us had to cook. It was a bit pricey for two sandwiches and a beverage each, but it's a place we'll definitely visit again in the future.

This weekend will be restful, per Jenna's and Handsome's orders. We have nothing planned, so whatever we do will be close to home. I hope you have a nice weekend planned, too. I'll see you later!

Welcome Saturday...

Went to bed after dinner last night and slept all night. The long week wore me out. We'll be doing it again next week, but it's the weekend now, Baby! Time to spend with Handsome and the girls. I'm going to get lots of rest.

Have a great weekend. 

Early To Bed...

...means I missed posting late last night. I am planning a weekend of massive self-care so I'm ready for the upcoming week. 

Due to a(nother!) change in personnel, we're short-handed again. I volunteered for a Monday shift, which means I'll be working six hours on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, with an additional three on Friday. As I know what to expect for me to be pulling my weight, I'm going to be stitching, napping, resting my legs, and spending time with Handsome. 

I didn't drive to Portage this morning, letting the ladies know before I fell asleep last night. I know I'll miss playing with them today, but they were great when I let them know I planned to stay home and "veg".

Gosh, it's after noon and I'm still in my jammies! I guess I'll change into "real" clothes first, and then get busy doing absolutely nothing. I'm so very sorry this was late today, but I know you understand. See you later!

This Is How We Do It...

Dogs on sheet-covered furniture; mama in her sweats with a lovely wool coverlet, reading her latest issue of Cooks Illustrated; Handsome taking a snapshot in time. Winter in Wisconsin, sans snow. 

We ran errands together, accomplishing much, including tiring me out. We got home with carry-out (lazy woman's dinner) in hand. After taking care of dogs, cats and our own rumbling tummies, my knee was done in and so was I. Nothing further accomplished for the day, but rest. Today will be a different story altogether. 

...And Then I Rested...

Wild Roses Growing In Our Field

 

I consider Saturday a success. I had good sales, with most of the activity (for all the vendors) in the morning. The afternoon was quieter, but it was a gorgeous day, and I suspect many prospective shoppers chose to enjoy the weather rather than shop. I sold some of the items I really hoped to, and came home with less than what I took, so I'm happy. 

I was really tired by the time I'd loaded my wares to come home, so we had a quiet evening and I went to bed early. Sunday was mostly a day of rest. I'll be unloading my Explorer today and then I'll list some of the items I brought back home into my Etsy shop. 

I'm going to take it easy the next few days, so I'll catch up on all your comments soon. Thanks so much for checking in. You know I always appreciate you!

A Girl's Gotta Do What A Girl's Gotta Do...

 

This is how I we spent most of our Friday night. We were hanging out in the living room, sometimes napping, sometimes watching mindless t & v. Of course, the dogs took turns joining us. We were nursing this bloody annoying hand situation, feeling a bit sorry for ourselves, and trying to sleep off the Rx painkiller that made me queasy. Fun times.

Today's another day. A new beginning. A fresh start. Nothing stronger than ice and ibuprofen today for this girl. I've set the teddy bears aside for now. I'm going to get my new stock photographed and listed in my shop this weekend, do a little cleaning, and otherwise take it easy.

Hard to believe this gal was a skittish barn cat a year ago, and now she's a big house mooch. She still wants to be outside when the sun is out and the temps are mild, and I'm happy to oblige. But, I have to admit...this is cute.

I hope you have a great weekend. If you're looking for me, I might just be back here in a few hours...resting.

 

Sometimes I Just Sits...

Beautiful Bella

The whole quote is "Sometimes I sits and thinks, and sometimes I just sits". I'm sharing photographs of our beautiful Bella today because I did absolutely nothing yesterday, and that's just what she was doing in these photographs.

I woke up with shooting pains in my right leg (caused, I'm sure, by the knee that likely will require future replacement), and Handsome said I had to  prescribed rest and ibuprofen for the day.

Just Look How She Sits! lol

 

As a result, I actually had a really great day. I spent the time watching YouTube videos and reading. I learned about a number of techniques I've been wanting to try, and of course, was sidetracked into watching a few music and cute animal videos, too. 

I'm still sore today, but I won't just be sitting around. I can do that for one day, but I'm not good at doing nothing long-term. I think I'll get back to doing some needlework. It's not strenuous, physical work. I can handle that, and I'll definitely have a more interesting visit with you tomorrow.

Instead, I Rested...

Brynwood Needleworks - John Burroughs' Nature Quote - Web Image

I came home after PT yesterday, and was more tired than I thought. I've learned to listen to my body, so I really didn't do another single thing, save for making dinner, the remainder of the day. A rest (and a short afternoon nap) was just what I needed.

I'll be back in the studio today. Everything is just where I left it, so I can pick up where I left off on Wednesday...and I'll be much less likely to have to employ the services of my seam ripper. I'll count that as a win. Updates tomorrow. Happy Friday, friends!

Sigh...

Brynwood Needleworks - Via Web - Time

 

All I did was bend over yesterday morning. I immediately knew I'd done something wrong. My back went into spasms. I slowly got upstairs to get my back brace, put it on, and then took the medicine I have to help with such things. 

I didn't get even half of what I planned accomplished. The meds make me a bit woozy, but they do transform the intense pain to a dull ache through the course of the day. I'll try to do what was meant for yesterday through the course of the day today. 

 

Sorry I don't have some grand project to show you today. It is what it is. I know tomorrow will be better. (I'm going to a Birthday party, after all, and that means cake!!!) See? Things are looking up already.

Happy Labor Day...

We are! (Handsome, Tag and Bella, too!)

Sunday Scripture...

From Pink Pearls of Grace blog

Resting...

 I spent yesterday reading and resting and healing.

I'll try to get back to my regular routine today so that I'll

have something creative to share with all of you tomorrow.

Wishing everyone a beautiful day.

Catching My Breath...

The past few days have been pretty busy, and I'm a little tuckered out.

I've decided to take a cue from the resident corgi and rest today.

I'll be back tomorrow to tell you all about it.

Have a great day, my friends!

Sunday Scripture...

 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,

and I will give you rest.

                                                                                                                     -Matthew 11:28

Sunday Scripture...

"Come to me, all you who are weary and

 burdened, and I will give you rest."

-Matthew 11:28

I hope all of you are enjoying the last holiday 

weekend of the summer with friends and family.

Happy Labor Day Weekend