Sunday, September 28, 2014

Love To Putter!

     I just love to putter around the house, and do seem to get so much more done than when I try diving into any certain job.  Puttering to me is working at a leisurely pace and often it's little jobs that are actually enjoyable.  The past few days has been good days for this type of thing.  It has cooled off to the point that we haven't needed the AC on.  You're just as comfortable working outside as you are in.  The house has been quiet and the excitement of fall just feels good.  I hope all of my dear friends here are enjoying this time of year as much as we are.

     I've gotten back into my stitching and it does feel so good.  If I can get just an hour in a day then I'm happy.  This piece calls for three threads worked together for some of the colors in it, but the three are then worked in just half crosses.  Lots of great colors in the finish but now only a few can be seen.


     While having my infusion the other day, I decided to knit up another face/dishcloth.  I loved the colors in this one.  With the premeds they give me before the infusion, it's hard to concentrate on counting stitches, so something like this quick and easy cloth, I can still do something during the procedure.


     I decided that I would finally do up some turmeric paste so when I decide to have a cup of golden milk, it would be ready to mix with milk and heat.  Put in a tiny bit of coconut oil, cinnamon, ginger and cardamom along with the turmeric this time.  The paste will last about a month in the fridge, and about a quarter cup of turmeric made about six ounces of the paste.  Here it is being heated, and here



     I was so surprised a couple of days ago when I received a package in the mail from a dear lady back in NH.  She was given strips of material and when she saw all the colors she said, she thought of me.  So she made me a beautiful good sized tote bag.  Here it is all packed for a first getaway.  The


strips of fabric are first made into quilted blocks and then put together to form the tote.  There are seven good sized pockets inside as well.  Thank you so much Sharon.

     Any hints on organization? Bill and I both are up for it and want to get this house organized. Want to live life more simplified.  Less stuff means more time, so any helpful hints would be appreciated.

     Now I need to let all of you, my sweet friends and followers go for the evening.  Once again...I do hope that a lot of you are enjoying a little cooler fall weather.  I know some people here in the states have even had snow! Oh my!

     Until next time, stay safe and well, and don't forget to "Feel the Colors".

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

A Little Gift

     All the nurses and techs that cared for me while I was in the hospital were all angels.  Every single one of them showed me so much concern, compassion and love.  I'm going to be visiting them on both floors in a couple of days to bring them all angel pins and some goodies to munch on as well.  There is one nurse in particular though that means so much to me.  She and my late mother have the same first name, and with Pearl's quick acting, my life was saved shortly after I was taken to my room after surgery.  My blood oxygen level suddenly started to drop and I stopped breathing.  The only two people in my room with me were my sweet hubby Bill and our best friend Dave.  Dave rushed to the nurses station and informed them there that I wasn't breathing and Pearl came running.  A code blue began and while everyone rushed to my room, Pearl picked me up in her arms and started shaking me.  As Dave put it, "She threw me around like a rag doll" and all the while saying, "Come on my girl.  Wake up my girl."  Well I did indeed wake up after an injection was given to reverse the job the anesthetic was meant to do.  Pearl never quit on me!  I awoke to a wall lined with doctors who promptly turned and left as I came to.  Pearl stayed for a few more minutes to make sure I was okay and to reassure Bill and Dave both.  Every time a nurse came into my room I would tell her that I loved her.  They would all say the same to me, but Pearl would always say, "I love you more".  So I just had to make my Pearl this tiny little pillow.  It didn't take long but it will be just big enough to set in a tiny empty spot.


     I'm so glad I decided to do this little pillow up.  I had been having a hard time getting back into my stitching since I've been home from the hospital, and I think this little piece did the trick.  I am ready to sit right back down and pick up where I left off on a piece I was working on before I was admitted to the hospital.  I really have missed my stitching.

     I did get outside a few days ago and cleaned out a couple of small garden areas in our back yard.  The gardens suffered this year with the medical issues going on, but God is good and it looks like we'll have another chance at it next year.  I am so blessed.  Here's just a tiny before and after area where I have some day lilies.


and after weeding.  I didn't realize that I was still quite a bit out of shape until the day after!


        I do have to show you a picture also of an amazing "Chile for Cheese Heads" that I made the other day.  Bill spotted the recipe a few weeks back and it had just sat in the kitchen forever.  Only a few ingredients and it was a big hit! We loved it! Just look at this! Had to show it with the bottle of




Cajun Sunshine that my sister sent us.  First time we had that as well, and I can see why it's a staple in her home! Those are Egyptian onions from our garden sprinkled on top of the chili also.
     
     Tomorrow is my day for the chemo infusion and my weekly blood work.  Last week for the first time since I've been sick with this disease, my platelets we way above normal! I knew God was working on it and His timing is perfect.  If they're up again tomorrow, a port will be scheduled to be put in.  That will be a step forward indeed.  The infusion takes a two to three hours and I'm pretty relaxed by the time I leave.  If I'm up to it, we'll have lunch on the way home.  Otherwise, it will be home for a very long nap!

     Once again....It is so good to be back blogging and reading the blogs that I follow once again.  I've missed you all so much.  Thank you for hanging in there for me and please come back often.  \

     Until next time.  Stay safe and well and, don't forget to "feel the colors".

   

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Early Mornings

     Or should I say, "sleepless nights"! Either/or, will all these meds, sleeping doesn't come easy, so I decided at 3:30 this morning to make a cup of sun milk, instead of tea or coffee.  It soothes the soul. My sweet little daughter-in-law, Lisa, brought this to me a couple of times while I was in the hospital and I really enjoyed it before the lights would be turned out.



     Worked a little, and I do mean just a little on my stitching yesterday and hope to get back to it today once home from my infusion and blood work.  A good time to relax after that with the pre meds making me drowsy.


     Had to get a couple of pictures the other day of the Cypress vines I planted this spring.  Have never had much luck with them in the past, so needless to say, I was very surprised that they grew as thick and as tall as they have.  Covered with red and pink flowers and the Hummingbirds love them!



Just had to get this last picture in here.  The birdhouse is about 10 feet high to begin with.


     Thank you my dear followers and friends for welcoming me back.  I do hope to stay well enough to stay home and be good company to ya'll.  I feel good and just waiting to see some improvement with the platelets.  In the meantime.  Ya'll stay well and safe and don't forget to "feel the colors".

Monday, September 15, 2014

An Update On Me Once Again

Update on me again! So sorry that I'm so behind. Trying to get back into a routine here at home and Facebook as well as my blog has suffered greatly! Thank you for all the prayers and thoughts from all my sweet friends here. God not only hears but listens to each and every one of them. I so appreciate all.
I'm home and doing the same as I was. Platelets still under 1200 and we don't ask how much under, as it just worries Bill and I both. I go once a week for my blood work and once a week for my infusions of chemo and another med that will hopefully get the platelets a mega boost with production as well as faster growth.
Home is always good and we try to get out a little bit each day. Even a little grocery store run seems a pleasure after being in the hospital a total of 41 days between the three admissions. My hope is to stay home and just concentrate on God's healing. The doctors are still puzzled as to why my body is doing this, so that makes it hard to fix.
Thank you again all my faithful peeps, and keep those prayers coming in please. Love to each and every one of you.
Here's a picture of Billy and I the day after I got out of the hospital this last time.  Do I look happy to be free again?


Since being home, I've just now started getting back to my stitching and things.  I've decided, after receiving a prayer shawl from our church while I was in the hospital, that I wanted to bless someone else as well.  So I've started a shawl and will wait on a picture of that, as it is small right now and the pattern doesn't show up well.  Decided on off white though.

So here it is September and right in the middle of it as well! I know where my summer went, but I'm blessed to be looking forward to some fall weather and beautiful fall colors as well.  Keep in mind that "if you love color, you can feel it".  Other things I enjoy in the fall are cooler evenings.  Hot herb and fruit teas.  The beautiful mums all in bloom along with all the fall arrangements that people craft.  Hot soups and stews.  This year we'll have lots of home grown garlic to add to them.  A picture of just a few of the heads.



Now that I'm home and all, I hope to post often and keep up with all my dear friends and followers here.  I've missed you so much! Get back to me and let me know how your summer went and what you may be stitching up now.  

Be safe and well and "feel the colors".


Stuff

    Just stuff! Things that keep me from my needlework! ...Doctor appointments! As we're getting older I find there are more and more of...