So Happy – So Sad – So Frustrated…but then again…life is good

Oh I get so mad at computers - I had a post pretty much done and ready to click publish and the cord came out of the back and I lost the post. I should know by now to SAVE – SAVE - SAVE.  It was one of the first things that was drilled into our heads when I was on computers at work. Save every 5 minutes or so and you will not get into this fix.   Well I guess I didn’t learn.
But the reason I lost it was because the battery is completely dead on my computer so the cord HAS TO BE PLUGGED IN - if it pops out, which it does often, then it shuts off immediately.  Except for that the computer really runs like a charm.

So here I am again trying to remember what I posted.  Don’t forget you can click on pictures to make them larger.

I’m starting off by shouting out a huge THANK YOU  to Lecia of Farmhouse Prims Blog. She is just the dearest lady.  Saturday I went to the mailbox and found a package from her as a ‘JUST BECAUSE’ gift - now isn’t that nice.  She had other reasons but I won’t go into it - but let’s just say she is very appreciative and also very tender hearted.  You can find her here:   http://farmhouseprims.blogspot.com/

Some of you may have already received her beautiful bonnets - well I just got one and she does fantastic work.  I love it Lecia - THANK YOU AGAIN.
I have it hanging in my hallway so I see it every day…
It’s a gorgeous Black with an Ivory design - PERFECT.
  
Look at the quilt stitching on the hat part - beautiful 

Last Thursday Doug and I headed into Milwaukee to State Fair Park to the RV/Camper show – wow…so many wonderful RV’s out there – some are better than living in homes.  We were mostly interested in the 5th Wheel kind but that still took us 3 hours to go through them all - the place is huge and I wore myself out going up and down the steps with Doug's helping had of course - I would never have been able to do it otherwise.  My butt muscles were sore by evening time – hadn’t done anything that strenuous since the surgery.  Won’t again for awhile - lol  But I doubled up on my pain patches that morning so I could do it.  We saw a few we liked but won’t be buying one as of yet - I have said no to so many things Doug has wanted to do so thought I had better say yes something -  the day was fun and I needed an outing too. 

Sunday after church we went over to Brett/Heathers for a little brunch so we could hear all about Joe’s trip to Monterey Bay, CA.  He went there with 17 7th and 8th graders to explore Ocean life with the JASON PROJECT.
We’re so proud of him  and his sister Emily - she went to Disney World 2 years ago for the project.

Waiting at airport in Milwaukee - Joe is the 3rd on the left from bottom

On the rocks of the bay – Joe - middle back row
 

I made a Blueberry/Cream coffee cake to take along to brunch - got the recipe from Pinterest (oh I love that site)
http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Blueberry-Coffee-Cake-4
I hope you try this recipe - it’s easy and so very moist – there’s a crumble on the top but it’s hard to see here.

So what else has happened here – oh, I’m ready to send out a wholesale order but wanted to show you a couple of the items she ordered - they are new so I will now have them on my site.
I also added a few more Penny Rugs last week.

I’m saying this with pride – my husband spoils me!  At times things go on as normal but over the weekend he surprised me with the DOWNTON ABBEY DVD’S.  We have now watched all of season One and today he brought home disc 1 of season Two.
He does listen now and then!!!  And this time a very lovely surprise came out of it.  So we both are now hooked on this fantastic series.  I never heard of it until I stumbled on to it on FB – a place I rarely go but someone mentioned it and it sounded like a ‘craze’ was happening. Who out there has been watching it?  And where have I been – lol

 

 

My sadness to this post is that my step-mother passed away Sunday evening – she has been ill for the past 3 months but the last 3 weeks has been the worst.
Quite awhile ago I told the story about her and my step-dad - they basically are neither to me - but have been in my life since I was 15. 
Virginia is in the front-right - Boots is in the front-left.
Today they would have been married 42 years!  She was 91 last month and he will be 90 in May. They have been a part of my life for so long - but not related.
Yesterday morning I was sitting here debating whether to go down and visit her or wait till the middle of the week and something just didn’t seem right…I put down my sewing and said to Doug ‘we are leaving right now’ - and when we walked in I knew she was gone. She passed at 10pm the night before - he was just going to call us when we got there.  I must have felt his message getting to me or something.  But it’s a blessing. 
Boots sat by her side at home for 3 days – never going to bed or changing his clothes. He would not leave her side.  Bless his heart. He did the same thing for my mother when they were married.  So sad he had to go through this 2 times.  He’s a spry, take care of himself, on the go man…still drives.  He will be sad but he knows this was for the best.  You would never know they were 90!

Oh my I must not forget….I reached 1,000 followers last night and I thank you so much - I know you are not all here visiting but I sure hope you stop in now and then - thank you Paula for being number 1,000!

Don’t forget to go over and visit Margie at HUNGRY HOOK PRIMITIVES to sign up for her giveaway. 
http://hungryhookprimitives.blogspot.com/
Each Monday she adds a new item - and then she will draw a name for each one listed.

Ann over at OHIO FARM BASKET:  http://1803ohiofarmbaskets.blogspot.com/ 
She is having a giveaway too -go on over and visit her while you are blog hopping.

Supposed to get a good snow storm starting tonight and into tomorrow.  Guess that’s what Winter is - snow – snow – snow.  Waiting for that breath of Spring soon.

I think that is it for now - wish I had some wonderful ‘home’ photos for you all – but there has been no decorating or re-arranging here for me yet - still need to heal more before I can get into that.  But I’m so anxious - it’s getting rather dull looking in here.  I need some changes.
Blessings to all my friends out there – I slowly get around to visiting you all – not at once but here and there.
Karen

New Wool…happy face!

Yep…it was a happy face for me on Tuesday…every thing looked beautiful – the sun was shining and the temperature got up to 59 !

Except for going to the 2 dr. apt.s and a funeral this was my first real day of getting out just for me and I really enjoyed it.

Doug took me into Milwaukee to a wonderful Colonial shop called ‘Just A Little Bit Country’ :  http://www.justalittlebitcountry.com/justalittlebit.html 
Here’s the link to her Rug Hooking:  http://www.justalittlebitcountry.com/index.html
Kari’s shop is a step back in time with so much wonderful Colonial furniture and accessories – and she has a little room off to the side full of rug hooking and wool – a wool lovers dream!

I had a difficult time looking because it has old brick floors and she had hooked floor rugs and Doug was worried I’d trip over them but I still did a number on the wool…lol

I didn’t buy a pattern but I got some wonderful wool to use for my Penny Rugs or any other hooking project but it will most likely be for the Penny Rugs as i don’t have a wool cutter.

She helped pick out 2 different wools for the sky of my sheep/sleigh rug I’m working on and I think I’m going to like it – I had kind of an Aqua that I was going to use but she gave me a darker winter sky look.
It’s showing up in the first picture brighter than it really is but yet not as gray as in the second so I left them both for you to see…I’m really liking it a lot.
Kari was such a dear when she saw I was walking carefully and had the walker (which I didn’t use in the little room as it would not roll on the brick) … anyway – she cut my wool for me free as a ‘healing gift’ she said – and she said to come in anytime and she’d help me with the binding of my projects as I’ve never done it before.

She also holds hooking classes on certain Saturdays so I just might go to one.

 

Then I went in and chose my wools – goodness I was overwhelmed…I wanted it all but I kept it down to a minimum as I want to go up to Country Freckles and get some from her soon.

Some wonderful Gold and a speckled Black w/Gold
 

Muted Green w/some Red and Gold flecks
 

And last the Reds

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I haven’t done much else except lay or sit on my love seat as I can’t do any housework – or laundry but I have been helping make the dinners now – and I feel so much better.  Got a good report on my follow up visit on Monday but still need to wear the brace and use the walker yet for at least 4 more weeks but that’s fine – I feel more protected with them both…although sometimes in the house I forget to use the walker when I’m going from spot to spot.

I’m feeling more like chatting these days so I know I will be back to visiting you all – I think you can tell that by this post…lol  

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Oh we finally got Winter again!  The last 2 days it has snowed…not a lot but enough to get out there and shovel or Doug has been using the leaf blower for the lighter snows and it works like a charm…no back breaking bending and lifting.
We have had 3 snows this year – not the typical winter and that’s a good thing.  Doug used the leaf blower on the last snowfall too – you might want to try it with a light snowfall!
I wish I could take a picture from inside the house and not get the screen to look wavy. Not much for pictures but my first for the season as there wasn’t much snow before either.  But I liked how heavy it was and hung on the branches and bushes.

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Our community had a devastating fire last night and is still going on as I write this.
A large egg factory caught fire around 6 pm last night.
Here’s part of what was said…
At this time it is an 8-alarm fire and assistance has been provided from more than 80 agencies from a wide area of Wisconsin. Emergency crews from Racine, Walworth, Kenosha, Milwaukee, Waukesha, Dane and several other counties have responded to the blaze. Additionally the Racine Hazardous Materials Unit is on the scene monitoring air quality and assistance is being provided by the Southeast Wisconsin Incident Command Management Team. More than 300 personnel from various emergency agencies have assisted in battling the fire.
Echo Lake Produce manufactures bulk egg products for commercial use and employs approximately 300 people.
The Burlington Police Department evacuated ten homes and one apartment complex approximately one-half mile east and south of the factory due to smoke inhalation concerns.

Fortunately the wind was in a southeast direction so it didn’t come at us – we are directly south across from it less than 1/2 mile.
We heard the fire trucks go out and then they kept coming and coming and so we knew right away it was very bad and very close – and the news helicopters were everywhere – and this went on into the night…we went to bed at 10:30n and there were still fire trucks coming.
I pray for the families and the company that lost such a huge plant and the families we are out of a job today – we have a little town of 10,000 people so it will be felt greatly.  You are never exempt from feeling the effects of tragedy … it can hit anyone at any time.

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I am so ashamed of myself for being remiss in thanking someone for a gift I received way back around the first of the month – actually it turned into a swap.
I had seen a pillow tuck on someone’s blog that Jean from http://primcrafts.blogspot.com/ had made so I contacted her to purchase it – she said she actually doesn’t sell them but would gladly make me one after Christmas and we could do a swap – I received the wonderful pillow and along with it she sent a surprise tuck…I love them and her work is wonderful.
I finally finished up all my orders – which was a slow process at this time for me – but now I can work on Jean’s gift – she chose something with sheep so that’s an easy one for me…lol  So Jean your gifts will arrive I assure you!
Here are the wonderful gifts I got from her -
they even had Burgundy Wool ties!

The Merry Christmas was the one I wanted and she threw in the Winter…gorgeous!!!
Thank you Jean!

That’s my post for today – I do feel like getting back into the swing of things here so be watching for me now!

Hugs, Karen

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A huge thank you but not much else!

Hi everyone…well it has been a quiet 2 weeks since I got home from the hospital.
I can not express to you all how much I appreciated all your wonderful comments and personal e-mails and even some wonderful cards from my blog friends.  You are all the greatest. 
I had so many that it was hard to answer them personally…so I thank you all here.

I wish I could say i was feeling 100% but I’m not.  Still lots of pain on the right side and down the leg…today is one of those days.  Some are good and some are like today.  Dr. apt. tomorrow and so I will see what he says.

We have had some wonderful neighbors and relatives who sent food over and that was just a god-send…Doug has been doing EVERYTHING here and the meals are not his favorite to do so it was wonderful

And there were some surprises in the mail too – my friend from PA sent me a huge box of chocolates and 2 big candy bars.  She said it’s Pittsburgh’s finest and I am a believer!

Yesterday Darren and the family came over for the afternoon…brought a huge Pizza – a super wonderful afternoon and I think that’s why I  hurt today…I spent too much time playing with Miranda – well not really playing but I was sitting in awkward positions so I could see her at different times and I just knew I’d pay for it.  But you know…she didn’t cry this time and smiled for me too so I guess she now likes her grandma.
 

I haven’t got much else to say because I haven’t been anyplace or done anything new.
Blessings to you all for being such wonderful friends.
I hope by the next post I will have something fun and not about ‘health’….but questions needed to be answered to my many friends who ask.

Karen

I’m back home and trying to adjust!

I HAVE HAD SO MANY WONDERFUL E-MAILS AND CARDS FROM MY BLOG FRIENDS and the prayer offerings were just over the top. THANK YOU EVERYONE.
I know I’m overdue on a blog post but it hasn’t been easy to even answer e-mails up to this point but hopefully  I will start feeling like my old self.  This post may be boring to some but I’m doing this as a request from several of you.

I also have orders that need to be started but they have assured me it’s okay to wait to start them…just such nice people our there.

So to answer everyone’s questions I promised them I’d do an update.
A week ago Monday I had my back surgery – Jan. 7th. 

I was to go home the next day but the pain going from my buttocks down the backs of my legs was unbearable and so they kept me there for 3 days to get the pain under control some, and then on late on that Wed. night they transferred me to the physical therapy floor. They wanted me there for 10 days…I wasn’t so sure about that. Each day I  had 4 hours of OT and PT – it was hard work as my right leg does not want to hold me up – the pain I had right after surgery they got under control but  there is still pain going from the buttocks, out my hip and down the outside of my leg…sometimes it goes into my foot.  Plus they had me on Morphine and i had a reaction to it…when they would get me up for the bathroom I’d start to blackout and got dizzy and my ears started ringing horribly…and my blood pressure dropped waayyy low.  So they took me off the Morphine and it went away but the blood pressure has been running low since.

After 7 days of therapy they helped me to get some mobility – and there’s an apartment on that floor where they take you to help with the ‘home atmosphere’.  They need to see how you get around in the kitchen, bedroom and even the shower.  This was the best place I could be I tell you…they are wonderful there.
So after seeing how well I did with EVERYTHNG, they let me come home mid afternoon this Wednesday - 16th.

I loved being on the PT floor- everyone was soooo nice and gentle.  Even though I hurt it was like a vacation.  I totally put home and business out of my mind and just slept when I wasn't in OT/PT.  I think the average age of the therapists was around 30 – and as well as being young and nice they were all adorable!

These photos of me are not going to be pretty…there was no way to comb my hair or even to put on makeup – and I didn’t care if I did…so messy hair and a face of ‘pain’ is what you are getting.

This is Diane…she has a heart of gold and loves her job…AND…this was her birthday!

Therapy and pain pills and a Lidocaine patch on my back took care of the extreme pain shooting down the backs of my legs. I THINK the surgery worked for the area he intended…but now I have more intense pain in one area that was originally painful. They all think it may still be some swelling in this area and it’s pushing on a nerve but as my days at home progress I am getting less use out of the leg – hard to even put weight on it – when I do I about go through the roof and the leg wants to give out.

I had one therapist who did some massage therapy in the buttocks area and it was awesome...she felt just once along those muscles and nerves and said they were terribly inflamed - how they can tell with just a feel is beyond me.  So she worked on it for about 20 minutes.  I am hoping when my 8 weeks are up I can go to the massage therapist here and get some work on it.

Walking down to the therapy room – at times I could put my right foot down flat and walk perfectly normal but in a flash the pain shoots and I’m back to limping or just plain stopping in place.
Besides wearing the brace at all times they put this white belt on you incase you start to fall or do fall they grab the belt to help you up again.  So not only are they young and cute they have to be quite strong.

 

Here you an see the brace…it’s rather comfortable – I had imagined a completely hard plastic one but except for the hard plastic on the outside back the rest is all fabric.
 

Getting some massage on one of my ribs – they seem to be out of line and there is a bump on one of them. She as thinking that quite possibly they are out of line from compensating my walking.
 

Learning how to step up to get into my house…this box is almost the height of the our back deck step so it worked out great for this.
 

Here’s the face of pain hitting out of nowhere!!!

I am in a back brace and have to use a walker for 6 - 8 weeks but can be up and about to do whatever as long as I don't twist, bend or reach too high.
Doug is a saint – he has had to take on the roll of caregiver.  Basically I’m on the sofa just like one would be that was recovering from being sick…pillows for back support, comforter for warmth, continuous glass of water…table next to me with ‘all my things I need’…and there are many – this helps to keep hollering for Doug.

Now it's back to reality...LOL

Going to have to re-arrange some of the cupboards in the kitchen so I don't have to bend...and take the wash cloths and hand towels and put them in a reachable area.  Lots of things to think about!

On Sunday Doug was invited to Darren/MaryAnn’s house for lunch and he took a few pictures of the kids.

Miranda was napping when he got there

 

But then came the smiles!

And Mr. Aidan was having a snack

Oh and if all our surgeries weren’t enough little Aidan had surgery on Thursday last week…
he had what they call ‘hydrocele’ and also a small Hernia.  I guess he wanted to keep up with daddy, his uncle and his grandma!  He came home the same day, had ice on the area and Darren said he was his normal self – I look at this picture and almost get tears…I can just imagine what he’s thinking – but Darren said he didn’t seem or say he was scared.

Monday was Doug’s birthday and I wasn’t home so Brett/Heather invited him for dinner.  I felt bad but like I said earlier – I put it all behind me for the time being – I tend to fret about things if I don’t have a handle on it…so I didn’t let the fact I was not able to give him a nice dinner bother me.

I knew my discharge date so earlier this week I asked my brother and Gail if they could come over on Thursday and cook me a pot roast dinner – so they came yesterday around 11:30 and we had a nice quiet day chatting and catching up on things and towards evening I had Doug turn on the fireplace…it was a great day/evening. 
They are still down here living with Tina/family but are planning on going back home on Monday.   Tina was given a complete release so they are more than ready to head back home.

I’m anxious to get to my rug hooking too -

Well that’s all I can think of – I’m so tired right now…I’ve had so many typo’s it’s taking me forever to get this typed…my eyes are blurry too but that’s from all the pain medication.

So it’s off to sleep for awhile.

Love you all – such wonderful friends.

Karen