All Good Things...

...came to a crashing halt! Literally. Let me explain. Remember how I was on a roll?  Catching up on on UFOs and working both forward and backwards on those blocks-of-the month? I even promised to spend National Quilting Day piecing those blocks that I was behind on and showing you the leader-ender blocks that are taking shape at the same time. Well, truth be told, that didn't happen. Last Thursday evening, as I was wrapping up another whole-house cleaning day and rushing to get everything put away, I caught my foot on the vacuum cleaner hose, tripped and fell flat onto the floor; landing squarely on my left shoulder. Even though the pain was immediate and intense, I hoped it would improve and delayed a trip to the ER for eight hours until I couldn't stand it anymore. X-rays there revealed a three part fracture of the proximal humerus (there's nothing humorous about it!). The best laid plans... interrupted... just like that! I was going to report about quilting this Potato Chip scrappy quilt with the new (to me) Knit 1 Purl 2 pantograph shown here, which I just love. That will have to wait, for now.

I was planning to show you progress on Agnes Platt's Strawberry Sampler by Blackbird Designs, none has been made in the last seven days.

I wanted to share this easy-peasy egg salad tip; I tried this before the fall and was delighted with the results. Crack a few eggs into a greased baking dish. 325 degree oven for 12 minutes. Turn out the baked eggs directly onto a cutting board and chop. No fuss, no peeling hard-boiled eggs individually. Add whatever ingredients you use for delicious egg salad!

Also, while I was in the kitchen last week, I baked up a batch of whole grain pumpkin apple dog biscuits.  Augie wouldn't eat them! Seriously. He's sharing them with friends. 😉🦴

So, here we are; almost a week later. I've seen an Orthopedist and have been moved from an immobilizing splint to a sling. I've learned that there's no rotator cuff involvement and that surgery isn't necessary. Two big cheers! I'll return for a visit with him in two weeks and then begin PT. In the meantime it's rest and heal. The only food coming onto our plates is from the gracious kindness of friends and family who've rallied to fill our fridge and freezer not to mention our hearts! I have SO MUCH to be thankful for! I've been reading and watching a lot of TV; but I've also spent much time in thought and prayer. I know that I need to allow this time of  rest and recovery to occur without complaint so that God can work through me.  I admit though that my plans, and His, often seem misaligned! The words of that sampler above are in my mind today: "The bee~ his labor is a chant, his idleness a tune". I pray for God to let me learn that lesson and to allow this downtime idleness to be tuned... to Him. 

I shall return... it's all good.

Life is Good!

Status Update

This was the view from the waiting room chair for most of my day yesterday; I spent the time reading and visiting with/supporting my daughter-in-law. Since the last time I waited out a surgery the hospital has installed a patient status board on the wall.
Much like a status board in the airport that keeps track of flights this one keep track of surgical patients. It was encouraging to be able to watch the progress, albeit slow, from Pre Op to the OR to Post Op. Kyle did well and your prayers on his behalf are most gratefully accepted and deeply appreciated. The surgery was fairly straight forward and, thankfully, there was no additional damage to the ligaments. He and his crutches will be best friends for the next six weeks and then he will progress into a walking boot. He gave me a smile yesterday afternoon before I left him, even though he felt sick as a dog (sorry, Hannes!) from the combined effects of anesthesia, pain medicine and an empty stomach. His sense of humor and wit were no worse for the wear; and when this mother's heart was aching for what he was going through he managed, in his very own signature way, to cheer me with a smile and a quip despite the circumstances.

The very best view: the patient resting at home;
wearing the ultimate status update: his smile.
Hang in there, Kyle; 
Y you!

Life is Good!

Two For Two

There's another two-year-old birthday to be celebrated soon; and sew, there's a second Picture Play Quilt underway! This is Gregory's soon-to-be quilt as it appears on the design wall; I will be adding another round of borders, scrappy pieced ones, before loading it onto Sundance for quilting.

Gregory's Daddy (our son, Kyle) is facing surgery today to repair a spiral fracture in his right fibula following an accident that occurred two weeks ago. He will be receiving internal fixation. Some of you, those who have been reading this blog for a long time, may recall (click) that he is no stranger to this procedure, he had a similar (albeit more extensive) surgery almost exactly six years ago after he shattered the tibial plateau in his left leg following a fall. I am requesting prayer; for God's healing touch, and for patience in the process. I posted this scripture passage back then, for Kyle, it's appropriate to post it, to read it, once again today!

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

and do not rely on your own insight.

In all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make straight your paths.

Be not wise in your own eyes;

fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.

It will be healing to your flesh 

and refreshment to your bones.  

                     - Proverbs 3: 5-8                                                    

                                                                                                                                     

     Life is Good!

I'm A Magician!

Things are being transformed in the sewing room, as if by magic:

Fat quarters and satin ribbon have become personalized, drawstring, gift bags.

Gifts have become a mound of packages to be mailed.

Hand towels have become holiday helpers for the smallest of elves.

And the latest, greatest, transformation? I managed to take a simple, titanium, needle (running at warp speed) and turn it into a fishhook-like shape!

The object used to effect this change? My finger! I'll spare you a photo of that. See? I told you. I'm a magician! Don't try this at home, I'm a trained professional.

(I'll be fine... Mr. Goodneedle is an expert finger-wrapper.)

Life is Good!

It Takes A Clever Person...

...to sprain their foot in Smocking Class! Yep, I'm clever that way. It's a mild sprain and I'm getting along just fine today. The moral of this story: DON'T stand up and take a step if there's any chance that your foot is asleep! It doesn't end well.

Life is Good!

A Roller Coaster Ride

Getting Mom transferred from the hospital to rehab was a roller coaster ride. There were quick twists and sharp turns, exhilarating ups and devastating downs; but, she's there. It's not easy, and it won't be rapid, but the recovery has begun. We've got our seat belts fastened as I'm sure this ride is going to be bumpy for some time to come. I feel protective of her, I find myself wanting to do the hard work for her; I'm reminded of taking my children to their very first days of school and working to convince myself that they would be fine, that they would find their way. This time I'm praying for Mom to find her way back. As a dear friend so kindly told me, she'll get there: "one day at a time, one step at a time, one prayer at a time". Thank you, so much, for the prayers and kind words.

I am reminded constantly that
Life is Good!
...it really, really is.

The Best Gifts Are Homemade

I created this very distinctive pair of socks for my daughter-in-law. She loves socks that don't match. Once a month I disinfect my front-loading washer by running it empty with 1/3 C of bleach and a hot water rinse. I was folding the clothes from the dryer when I discovered only one gray sock. "oh, no" "oh, how great!" I thought. Yep... that disinfecting cycle wasn't empty after all, and the "missing" sock was no longer gray with black and white flowers, it will live out the rest of it's life as a beige sock with brown and white blooms. I am so clever. Is it any less of a homemade gift if it was created accidentally especially for her from me at the very last minute? Nah, she'll love it... it's exactly as I planned it! Merry Christmas, honey!

Oh, yeah; speaking of socks, and the last minute... (always my BEST minute) I needed three gift card holders. Christmas prints (vintage, at that) to the rescue, that ol' fabric stash never lets me down! I traced a pattern from a coloring book; it was just the right size; I added some coordinating cuffs, et voilà!

Life is Good!

Making The Best Of A Bad Break...

Thanks to everyone who has expressed get-well wishes and prayers on behalf of my daughter following her fall and resulting broken foot. We're establishing some routine in what was an otherwise well-oiled machine of a household. A patio chair has been placed in the shower for stability, it works great! The newly appointed cook and housekeeper takes at least twice as long as normal to do each and every little task; the child-proof cabinet door locks, doorknob and outlet covers really slow me down. I fold the towels differently and put the dishes away where I think they should go, but so far my daughter hasn't sent me packing for home; she is patient with me and I am sympathetic with the situation of the patient. Our outings consist of those where there are motorized carts for transport; so far Target and Harris Teeter are tops on our destination lists. She will visit an Orthopedist on Monday for a more definitive diagnosis on the fracture and weight-bearing. Right now our prayer is that the baby will stay put for as long as possible, the best scenario is that Mommy will be walking on her own two feet when the little one makes her entrance. In the meantime we're coming to grips with what has happened, counting our blessings and enjoying some unplanned mother-daughter time together!

Life is Good!