A finished project~

 Finally sat at the sewing/craft table. What should have taken maybe an hour took much longer. My hand is still not flexible..... dexterity is limited still. 

It is looking so good but the scab/dry skin around the incision is sore and causing stiffness. the good news is that I started therapy Wednesday. I will have 4 weeks and home exercises....6 of them to do daily. When out and about I will wear a cotton hand sleeve to protect it. 

So what about the project? 

A Continuous needle and thread holder..... design by Carolyn Foley.

The pouch area (where the needle threader is) holds a spool of thread and on the felt are 5 threaded needles. When you want to use one, simply take out the needle and just pull the thread through and cut off where you ned it leaving the other 4 needles threaded. Now, when needing more thread, instead of threading the needle repeat by pulling out the next needle and continue sewing. Put the first needle back on the felt. the only time to re-thread is when all needles are empty. Nifty....right.

A Yo-yo is sewn to each side as the piece is rolled and secured. I definitely will be making some to send off here and there. Maybe now with the therapy and stretching the hand I will be able to be creative again sooner than not.

A few weeks ago Lisa and I were talking about rings. Specifically that we each wanted a thumb ring. Alan chimed in with ...."okay, go and get them". Well you did not have to tell us twice! 

We bought them and they needed to be sized. Mine came in but we are still waiting for Lisa's. I will show hers as soon as it is on her finger. Meantime, I love wearing mine. Alan spoils us. 

The rose garden is doing well. One day they will all bloom at the same time. This is Chicago Peace Rose. Hard to see but it has a tinge of yellow with the pink. Glad you visited and chatted today. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

Something new

 How about a couple of updates; first, thank you for your good thoughts and prayers for the young boys...they are doing better each day. Second, my therapy is going well. I now have 4 exercises to do and tomorrow (next visit) I will most likely get another one added. The boot and the medication is definitely helping but I think I have a way to go yet. Lisa and I did get a new Henna tattoo...

Lisa decided to get the same one I had last time and I opted for a new design. I think you can see how swollen my hand is and that makes being creative a little difficult at times. It really is mostly the middle finger that is painful!

A week ago while we were enjoying dinner out, Alan and Lisa were telling me that I should update my 8 year old sewing machine. It is still working perfectly but there were a few features I wished I had. We discussed a budget and I came in well under Alan's generous offer.

Yes it is another Singer..... this has some bells and whistles added.

 

Lots of stitches and 5 alphabets and a LCD screen that is easy to read. This also came with extra attachments...some foreign to me. Their website also has a great "Let's get started video" which was very helpful. How did I choose this one? Well, Last Sunday Alan asked how my search was coming along. I told him what I was looking at and while I sat with my laptop he used the tablet and I explained what, which and why. Next thing I knew he ordered it! along with a special added attachment box. So, besides the feet that came with the machine and the extra ones that were with it, and the ones he ordered... I now have many to play with. time to find a new home for the faithful 8 year old Singer.

It also came with the extension table which I was going to buy for my other machine. When it was delivered, I just about attacked the delivery guy. You have to admit, whenever we sewers/crafters get something new to play with, well you know. If you are looking for me for the next few days I will be at the sewing table.

This Monsoon weather is bringing rain and flash floods to the North of us and East with several water rescues. The humidity is uncomfortable as we really have none except during this time. Murphy enjoyed going on patrol at 1am and having the slider opened for an hour or so. He finally ended the in/out patrol and back to sleep we went. Today before I can play with the sewing machine and listen to some Willie Nelson and Brian Ferry, there is swishing and fluffing to do in the laundry area. Also there is a cloth and polish waiting for me and the bookshelves here in my room. the sooner chores get done I can then sit at the sewing table! Glad you could spend time visiting with me. thank you for your kind words and caring thoughts. thank you for your friendship.

Thursday......

 Yesterday our sweet boy Murphy had a birthday..#2. Lisa and I serenaded sang happy birthday and  he ignored us! Sunday he will visit the groomer...right now he looks like a teddy bear...love the scruffy look. Lisa and I took him to McDonald's for an ham and egg breakfast sandwich. He loves to go for a ride. All he has to see is Lisa and I grab our handbags or hear the word car or ready and he is at the back door!

Alan is very happy to be back home and returned to his own job yesterday. Yesterday was my first Physical therapy day. Matthew was very nice and realistic. I have a few exercises to do at home and will return for 2x a week until September 1st. I see the doctor just before so we will see what he thinks. I woke this morning with such aches and pains! As soon as the foot is better.... soon I hope, I will see the hand surgeon. I think one of my  right hand fingers is beginning Dupuytren's contracture. Very difficult at times to use my hand.

Tomorrow Lisa and I will go to have another Henna design. There are so many beautiful designs to  choose from.  Simple to intricate. This time we will not be walking around the mall.... henna and out. There is one shop we will check out looking for something special for a gift.....can say no more! Our weather has been hot and some humidity. We have had some rain which is good. With the rain, there are flash floods in some area...not where we are and loss of property and life. This year the Monsoon has arrived.

A special request my friends. there are 2 young boys that need your prayers.💗🙏 I ask that you keep them in your thoughts please. Glad you stopped by today. thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

And off he goes

 

Look familiar? If you guess that The Brother Alan is off to Alaska again, you are correct.Leaves this morning and will return home on Saturday.This trip is shorter. Let's hope there's not another earthquake. Alan will arrive in Anchorage this evening. There are many "to do" things in Anchorage, but this short trip does not have any time off. One thing I do anytime he flies is track the flight going and returning. Lift off is at 2:45 pm from Phoenix.

Yesterday was my follow-up with the doctor to get MRI results. I have so much inflammation and fluid as well as a bone spur. The plan is to continue wearing the boot all day and try to stay off my foot... key word is try. I am not one to sit all day. Murphy continues to be great...he ignores the boot but still gets under foot at times. Today I began taking an anti-inflammatory prescription medication and I will begin physical therapy soon and return in 4 weeks. The next option is surgery. So this next phase starts. What I know is, that this is painful and limits me. Hopefully I can avoid surgery.

Today will be swishing and fluffing in the laundry area and no much else. Lisa will be off work today and tomorrow.... Glad you stopped by. Thank you for your kind words and caring thoughts. Thank you for your friendship.