A pain in the neck!

 Well, I am certainly cutting it close with surgery preparations. Finally having an EKG on Monday morning at 9am. Surgery is October 3rd....it will have to do. I have had 2 other surgeries this year and did not require an EKG....not going to question the powers that will be doing the procedure. I would have had it last Monday but I incorrectly wrote the time down...so I missed the appointment....so not like me. Monday will be my first time using Uber for transportation. Alan is away until Monday very late evening and Lisa is working.  Today literally I have a pain in my neck. When I visited with the Pain doctor, we decided to wait and see if it is somehow connected with the disc issue. When I return in 2 months he will decide how to proceed. I have never had so many issues as now. Truth be told, I have been feeling a little stressed lately. I know it will work out.

Remember the baby quilt...

Well here is McKayla all wrapped in it. so nice to see it really being used. Message received from the dad Joe is that they love it.

👀Look at my hexies.... did I mention it might take 100 complete pieces which means 200 pieces cut...I am once again enjoying my project. Sewing by hand is very relaxing for me. My sewing table is on the opposite side of my bed area so it is like another room.  I have a floor length window...my view is nice and if I turn to my right, I can look out the slider and peer into the lanai and garden. 

Recently when I did look into the garden this is what I saw...a pair of Goldfinches enjoying a bath in the fountain. They stayed for some time and of course interrupted my sewing.  Then there is Murphy...at this very moment he is under the sewing table leaning against my legs waiting for attention. How can I get things done with all this stuff around me. I love it. time to continue chores...the House Faerie once again missed my house. Dishwasher swirling, laundry swishing and dryer fluffing.... I need another cup of coffee. Say something nice to someone today...share a smile, it just maybe what someone needs.

Glad you stopped by today...another nice interruption. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

Plain and simple.....it is hot.

5AM and the temp is 94.... but it is Friday! Not really sure what I will be doing today but you know I will not be leaving the house.... at least I hope not. We are in a heat and dust advisory. The winds were fair yesterday and felt like the heat that escapes an open hot oven door as soon as you stepped outside. The weekend forecast is for 110+ temps..... well it is summer in Arizona and Monsoon too. The morning light is just starting and the sky is full of clouds. Clouds like this trap the heat in. Not even the birds are awake yet...or just too warm to chatter. This is such a nice time of day...all is so quiet. I am amazed that so many people will go for a hike in this weather.... so many rescues needed.
I may pull out the Christmas fabric ….plans to make a few Christmas Origami Stars. Seems nuts to be thinking about Christmas when it is this hot! Choosing and cutting the fabric will get it all started and keep the day simple.

I think today might be another Charlie Chan movie day.... iced coffee and feet up. Love these old movies. Gentle way to pass the day. Before it all gets started however, the Shark will swim around the place and the Swiffer will join in... swishing and fluffing will be necessary also. At the moment my coffee awaits me.
 Always a pleasure to read your comments and emails.Thank you for your kind and caring words and for your friendship.

Heartfelt thank you

My heart is full these past few days. The Brother Alan posted on Friday, the 2nd anniversary of My Denny's passing. The many emails and comments left on Facebook and of course here filled my heart with love and friendship. This will always be a hard time for me but made a little easier with all of your caring kind words. ❤
The Pond Garden and fountain is very busy this morning with so many different birds drinking and bathing. A quick walk out to the garden and all is well. We are still in a cool down, low100s and right now it is quite nice outside. There is swishing in the laundry area and the Shark is waiting to swim around the abode. First cup of coffee finished and my bowl of cereal too. Dishes washed and soon coffee beans will be ground for the 2nd cup.

I have been able to stitch On The Range..... really not too much more to do then I will add the beads. Coming along nicely. Stitching is slow due to my eyes..... yes, my eyes. First the issues were with the hand and as that healed my back and the procedure for that has been healing well and now my vision. I need to see an Ophthalmologist and will be looking to find one this week. I have been keeping all of my medical centers close to home, so as there are a few close by,  I will check them out. Right now I am using Sustane Complete and added Retaine MGD with hot compresses during the day. So, with  resting my hand and back and now my eyes, things go slowly for me. Right now nighttime driving is not happening.... not that I did much of it anyway. The doctor also changed my eye prescription but I will wait to fill it until after the Ophthalmologist appointment. Always something to deal with. I know there are others with so much more to deal with, but selfishly right now it is me I am dealing with.
 Friday and yesterday were the if you can drop it why not day. Friday evening I spilled freshly brewed cup of black tea all over the counter and everything that was there of course received a tea bath. Then the sugar bowl joined in. Saturday I knocked over the butter dish thankfully it did not break. It was given to me by Glenda and I love it. It is one of the ones that you fill the bottom half with water ( I pout ice cubes in) and you can leave it out and the butter is always soft and ready to use. Of course during the day, at least 2-3 times I toss the water and ad new ice cubes. Yes, when I scooped up ice there were far too many cubes and they went all over the floor. Normally I only pick up 3 cubes to fit the dish but why did I get a scoop full? So they could go all over the place! Today is so far promising to be a less clumsy day. The plan is to sit and stitch, as soon as my eyes clear up.
Always nice to chat with you. Again, thank you so much for caring and for your kind words. Thank you most of all for your friendship. I am so lucky to know you!

Growing romaine in the kitchen....

Growing Romaine.... okay, it is only two leaves sprouting. Remember the green onions? well I am still cutting and using them so I thought why not try this. Simply put into water and one of these days maybe a salad...okay, maybe just an add to a sandwich.   The onions have since been put into a pot of soil.
I really am trying to keep busy... much rather be stitching or beading...soon, very soon. Right now though I am trying to manipulate my fingers to type. Monday the stitches are leaving and I am sure I know I will have more mobility. Everyday my hand feels better. Still flexing fingers and making a fist is easier than the day before. Definitely not getting better at being left handed.

There may be a new couple moving into the garden.... this Dove has been hanging around each morning. It will be nice to have them back. Of course it takes two and so far there is only one. Today I will try to work in the garden just cleaning up a little and the birdbath needs cleaning and filling.  Diana and Bobby stopped by yesterday and we went for lunch. Good friends… I am very lucky.
 I have been reading to keep busy. Just cozy mysteries. I find after I read a good book it is difficult to find one that measures up. The Nightingale is hard to top for sure. Before I go out to the garden I need to swish some clothes ad Swiffer the bookcases.... I walked the Bissell yesterday. So nice to chat with you today. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

What happened to January?

Amazing how spoiled we can get. The weather has been really nice but I am chilly and it is in the 60s! I know, The Brother Alan is freezing his....well anyway he is cold back East. It won't be long before he will be here to enjoy some nice weather. Can you believe that it is almost February? Where are these days going? I know I am not alone looking for these lost days. I guess it could be thought that nicer weather will be arriving.

A few months ago Oliver the bunny moved out of my garden and out to a large bush on the sidewalk. I can see him from my bedroom window when he is out catching sun. The entrance to his new home is just to the left of him... a small opening to the interior of the bush. If you look closely you can see the dark hole. It is coyote mating season now through March so I do hope he remains vigilant and safe. I check the area daily for evidence of any coyote activity.... so far it is all good.

Since re-doing the kitchen window, my beautiful hummingbird does not hang in the window...at least not at the moment. So I found him a spot on the mantle..... looks pretty with the reflection. Today is make more nectar for the hummers living outside. I still want to hang a feeder outside my bedroom window.

Yesterday while wandering around the garage I found this! I bought 2 of them months ago and forgot this one was still in the box. The box says a computer table but that is not how I use the one I put together.... I use it as a table in my bedroom when I am beading.... perfect height and size for my chair. Now to get this one out of the box.
Already went for a short walk.... chilly air but it felt good. There is swishing in the laundry area and the Bissell is waiting for me. So off I go because once again the House Faeries are lost in space.
Glad to chat with you this morning....thank you for the kind words and for your friendship.

Chocolates from Rhode Island

I was quite productive yesterday. I set up my village.... but of course it is not really finished. One of the boxes has the "snow" and I think I may get to it today. The unpacked boxes are already in the new shelf storage area and fit nicely. As I do not have to get the house ready for company for Thanksgiving dinner, I can continue at my own pace to unpack. My stitched Santa moved to the living room and will greet anyone who enters at the front door. The felt tree also moved into the living room on Papa's smoking stand and has all tatted snowflakes and a set of star lights. Just a few more days before more decorations are brought out.

Look at this festive Autumn package. I was so curious when the postman handed it to me. The return address was from Rhode Island..... finally I opened it and this appeared. The package is from dear Debbie from Canada sent the package. I was surprised as Canada is having postal difficulties and strikes and she has told me to hold off my mailing to her as this problem is really holding up deliveries. Of course I just had to open it...

chocolates! and look, one is the shape of Rhode Island. They have been in business around 22 years and I have never had them. Thank you again Debbie for this wonderful treat in time for Thanksgiving day. I am hoping that the Canadian postal problems get fixed real soon...my packages for you sit here!
I am dealing with a headache of my own causing so I will take it easier today so it will not bloom into a full migraine. Just finishing my first cup of coffee and then I will attack the chores. Nice to chat with you today. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

Starting the day

Some days are just a slow start. Today is feeling like one of those. I woke at 6 AM and still feel tired. Finally had a cup of coffee and would like another. This is shaping up to be "one of those days". I can just feel it. My hand is less swollen and the redness all about gone but it is still sore so I will continue the medicated gel and try to rest it. This is always hard for me. I want to do this or that..... should do this and that but I know if I do not rest the hand it will only take longer for it to feel better.
I mentioned to The Brother Alan that I wanted to change the furniture on the lanai. So we did order a grouping from Lowes.

The settee and table along with a pair of chairs. When it was delivered all but one of the back cushions were messed up. They were pack so tightly that they were misshaped. After a few calls a delivery to my home from Lowes with 3 new cushions.  Great customer service. The lanai is due for a change and this is the start. I would like to remove a few other things form the lanai but definitely need help. I would like to move the shelves but Buddy the Hummer (Dennis named him that ) likes to sit on the branch in one of the vases.....need to think about this.  I have a corner unit that needs to go and chairs from the front that need to come to the back and chairs form the back that need to go to the front....I am exhausted thinking about it! For now this will do.
Also while The Brother Alan was here we changed out the Cox cable boxes....something else for me to adjust to. Really, I have talked out loud to the TV before but now it does what I ask!  The phone so far has been easier than I thought. Not having a house phone is easier than I thought. I only looked for it twice. Now I need to remember to give me new phone number to various people and change it at the medical offices. So far these past few months I have moved forward with Skyping, talking to the TV remote, now texting...what next??? I feel that I have been adjusting fairly well. I know that I still have a way to go. I am doing the best that I can and as I feel I can.
I have sent a message to Honey (AKA Keith) my computer is a bit off kilter....photos, the mouse and a few other things. He is such an angel. He is a gentle soul who always has a smile.
Well friends, I think I should at least get a couple of things done around here. The House Fairy did not show up today. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship. Have a great day.

Hello...I forgot to post!

Not that I am that busy, but I am definitely loosing time and some of my mind. I tat, stitch and sit. On the good news front, my blood pressure is coming down! I am only having 1-2 cups of coffee a day instead of 4 and no added salt.( most of the time) My 2nd injection on my knee went well yesterday with some soreness today so I wore my beautiful leg brace when I went to needlework group this morning and for a few errands. Rubbed the jell medication in and feeling pretty good right now. I forgot to post a lovely scented gift...

Sweet cousin Janice sent me homemade soap and it smells divine. I want to tell you about the "box" it came in. Last week I sent her a tatted sun catcher and could not find a suitable box and then saw this sandwich storage container in the dollar store...perfect size! So when Janice sent me the soap I got it back...I think this may be our new mailing box!! I am not one for saving so soon this will be in my soap dish for daily use. I love homemade soaps and buy them often. A nice surprise on Tuesday...the tatting group leader asked if they could put my pink tatted egg in the Spring display window....of course I said. Did I mention that we are replacing the kitchen faucet? Well, it is bought but I am trying to find someone to install as Dennis can no longer get down under a sink. The first guy wanted $250 (I have the faucet), the second guy wanted $169 (I have the faucet), just got an email for the 3rd guy and he "thinks" maybe $75- 100 (I have the faucet) I am very tempted to do this me, myself and I but figure I would have to do this in the middle of the night while you know who is asleep, and I am guessing I would run into a problem. Oh, I did managed to change the filters for the drinking water...of course I messed the the hot water flow, could not get the water to flow into the drinking faucet, but in the end I fixed it all. Soon, I will be changing the refrigerator filters...I promise to keep the yelling down. Now today I could not get my printer to copy 2 sheets of paper to one...I have done this before but it is not working today! I am taking a mental vacation for at least the rest of the day. Sorry for the rant today, but thank you for the kind words and most of all your friendship. Have a good day....my feet are going up and my recliner back!

A pretty bloom from the garden