A duffel bag and pillowcases...

I finished a couple of things a while back. First is a small duffel bag.

A special little guy asked me to make a bag for his construction stuff. I thought about a tote bag but, with Ray's input, decided to create a duffel bag - it is about 14" long and 6" high. I thought the fabric had construction written all over it!

A while ago, I posted a photo of some Thomas the Train fabric that I bought.

I used the fabric for a couple of pillowcases. I think they are rather cute.

Pain and Patience - Part 5

I saw the surgeon yesterday after waiting almost 4 weeks. I was so excited to be moving forward.

The surgeon explained what needed to be done. The short version: disc between L5 and S1 is basically gone; L5 is floating and has moved too much; disc between L4 and L5 is bulging; cyst near L4. The fusion will be double involving S1, L5 and L4. The surgery cannot be done from the front - the normal and best way with the least invasion and relatively short recovery time. It has to be from the back with more cutting of muscles and nerves and scraping bone from my hip to use in the back along with screws. Feeling better will take about 3 months and feeling 100%, about a year.

He then said he wants to exhaust all avenues prior to the surgery even though he doubts they will work. What I have left is physical therapy and one more narcotic. So I begin physical therapy Monday morning. It sounds like they are going to try to strength the core muscles with the same exercises that I had to give up because they caused so much pain. I began the last narcotic last night - it should provide pain relief and help me sleep. I spent most of the night feeling like I was going to lose my dinner. As for sleep, I got less than my usual 4 hours. He did say it might make me sick.

My frustration is that I have to endure yet another month of pain before I get started on that long road to recovery. There must be some chance that physical therapy will work but since two doctors wouldn’t try it and this one doubts it, I’m having a very hard time being optimistic. 

Patience, patience, patience...

Works in progress

I am working on a number of things.... progress is slow but I'll get there!

A special person told me a long time ago that she wanted a black and white string quilt someday. Well, I've been collecting fabric for a quite a while and decided that someday may be coming so I'd better get busy! The quilt will contain 111 fabrics so what better time to start than January, 2011? It's on hold already but I'll get back to it soon.

We are expecting a great niece or nephew in March and a grandDAUGHTER in late spring!

So, it's time to make baby quilts. Here is some fabric I recently bought.

I've been cutting some different fabrics.

I even have the binding on one quilt - it's done! Here's a peek but I can't show much of it to you yet!

When we were shopping recently, we found this fabric and just had to have some!

So lots of things in progress - hopefully all will be done this spring!

Pain and Patience - part 4

On Tuesday, I was officially referred to a surgeon and I was told this could be a very slow process - maybe months! A nurse from the surgeon's office called on Wednesday and talked with me for a good half hour. Then she said my info would go to the triage nurse and I would be called in the next few days. (I have since learned there are MANY people waiting for back surgery and waiting weeks or months is common.) Anyway, I got a call on Friday and I have an appointment on February 4.

After all I've learned, I'm glad this appointment is only 3 weeks away. The pain continues and I'm still learning patience!

A snowman scene

We (mostly Ray) finished putting the Christmas decorations away today. That meant that my little 3-part hanger was empty. You may remember the fall scene and the Christmas joy. I decided to do a snowman. It had to be fast - the hanger was empty! This is what I came up with:

Each piece is about 4 1/2" by 8 1/2" so it was quick to make. Now I have some time to think about a spring scene.

A new gadget?

DIL Emily said her sister has one of these utensils, a Chop Stir, and she thought I'd enjoy it since I love this kind of thing. I am inclined to call it a gadget but when a gadget is really useful, I think it is called a utensil!

I used it for soup. It was great for stirring and 'scraping' the bottom of the pan.

I loved it for browning ground meat. I chopped the meat and stirred. Very nice! Ray tried it too.

 

Guess I'll have to call it a utensil - it really is useful!

Making Christmas Cookies

Once again Brent, Emily, Mack and Griffy came to make Christmas cookies. Griffy was more interested in showing off his newly acquired skill - walking.

This year Mack was ready to roll out dough, play in the flour, and of course sample everything. He had to have an apron - it was denim blue when he began!

It was a fun evening - although, a little messy!