I'm still here! Don't have to be at the hospital until noon so I have some to spend with my "peeps". Thank you all for your prayers, supportive thoughts, and texts. They are appreciated more than you can know!
LORI - Your hand painted Christmas cards are going to be lovely! I love water colors and I can't wait to see your work - or at least a picture of your work! Our SIL had a shoulder issue for no good reason while they were living in D.C. (last 6 years) and I think they gave him cortisone shot(s) and PT. I will ask him to tell us about it again.
LYN - do you know all the meds Garry is on? And the side effects? and the times he receives his meds? I was wondering if, when you visited him and he was so sleepy, if he was on meds of some kind. Like when they did the first swallow test. I thank you for the good wishes and prayers you've sent me, even while you're dealing with a much larger issue. More prayers coming YOUR way now!
CHRISS - I agree with you - a pink Christmas tree is the purrfect landing spot for a shimmery blue dinosaur! lol! I like what your town does, bringing gifts and household items to that vacant lot. 55 businesses in our town have Giving Trees, including our little LQS, Sew Hip. All the gifts are gathered at the "Y" for distribution, plus our Food Bank partners with the Fire Dept every year for a toy drive. I was the associate person-in-charge of that toy drive for 12 years. It was great fun and so satisfying to be involved in such a thing, and a wonderful side effect - I could count on losing at least 5 pounds every Dec instead of gaining them!
LOIS - I'm sure Bill loved his backpack. My Bill has one, and uses it whenever we go any place where we'll be walking and carrying 'stuff'. Did you bake your cookies? Do you make cookie platters to deliver to neighbors and friends? None of our friends eat sweets much - not even Lee & Lara. I started to get out some cookie baking supplies and Bill asked me not to - because he can't resist them and would eat 3 dozen in 2 days.
MARY Q - All those bows must make for a beautiful waterfall of color as they tumble out of that big bag! I have a small half-size tote not quite full of mostly package bows and nice wire ones. I salvage what I can every year. I haven't bought bows in years! Maybe after you weed out your decorations, will they fit in your garage instead of the attic so you can get them when you want? That is a great story about your Aunt Ida. One of my mom's cousins, who became Sr. Agnes, came from one of the orphan trains that circulated through the country in the early part of the last century.
JANA - so is the decorating all done now? Except for the new white tree coming tomorrow? Your house must look like a Christmas Wonderland! How is Mr G doing/feeling? Nice to take cookies to your neighbors. And do you stand outside their house and sing carols when dropping off the cookies??
JUDI - All your food sounds delicious! And no one has to wonder who might be eating your cookies! Bake them and they will come!
I will ask what meds I'll be getting but I doubt I'll remember them! I did ask when I got my call early yesterday morning, but she said dr will decide when he/she meets me today. Just how much applique is in your JA? I liked doing hand applique. It was a nice, longer term, calming activity that I did in the evenings, or in the car, in waiting rooms. But you might want to give it a try before committing yourself to the entire quilt. I know one year my Secret Santa (who turned out to be Cindy!) sent me a teaser - it was a clamshell quilt pattern all foundation paper pieced! At that time I didn't know anything about FPP, but I gave it a try, stumbled quite a bit, but stuck with it and eventually, I started to love it! I learned a new skill! So that alone was a gift, and the finished quilt was the cherry on top. So you never know . . . TINA R - HAPPY BIRTHDAY a day late. Sorry. I got pretty busy yesterday and I did remember to text you in the afternoon. I hope you had a happy gathering with all your family!
I see VAL isn't here again. I've learned that if you try your password too many times you can be blocked from a website. Not sure if this is one of those websites, but if it happens, maybe it's just a matter of changing your password to get back in.
We've been watching episodes of Sweet Empire Baking Competition. Only 5 episodes and finale is Sunday. These bakers are professionals on the competition circuit. Last night they had to bake North Pole animals. The polar bear was almost as tall as I am! (though that's not saying a lot, I know). Made of cake and Rice Krispie treats. A walrus took first, about 3 ft long. And a Snowy owl perched on a large chocolate post with 4' wing spread. The feathers were individual, made of chocolate, sprayed white, and tipped with gold. Spectacular! Everything has to be edible! And they were all incredible. Even Bill was fascinated.
I've decided on my next quilt! Now that QIAD's sale on Elizabeth Hartman's patterns is over, I realized I needed the dinosaur pattern! There is a little birthday coming up in early April and I want to be ready with a birthday quilt #3. But a good friend is loaning me her pattern so as soon as I'm able - I'll be getting down to business! In the meantime, I still have my CW's and also my wooly mittens for a change of pace.
I'm ready for the hospital. Since my surgery is 2pm - late in the day to get through recovery and PT - they said I'll probably spend the night, which is fine with me! Surprisingly, I'm not too nervous. Partly because of all the success stories friends have shared with me! And partly, I'm sure, because of prayer. I thank you all so much!
I'll be seeing you on the flip side - after my nap!
mary z
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