Determined is me....

Monday was a long day...I must say thank you to you … you know who  you are... who thought of me. One day I may just pass the date but my mind will not yet. Hot...hot and humid. The morning began with lightening and thunder then it just disappeared...no rain, no storm. Today...well it is early and the weather will not change too much so we will skip a report.

The Southwest style wrap is finished...I am pleased. It is a 2 wrap. I found the silver button in my button jar and the silver feather charm in my dangly things. It is fun to design as you go and although all these beads were bought for this, there are so many possibilities. This one is for me. I tend to give away many of what I make.
Thinking about the next one and what colors I want. They can become expensive to keep buying the beads in specific colorways, but if your bead box is missing what you need...oh well, off to the bead shop I must go.
I was determined to make a beaded Christmas tree earring....using Delica beads..small little things. You saw the Polish directions and a graph picture in previous post. Well, I am not use to doing the particular bead stitch but I can usually learn on my own...right? All day and 4 attempts and lots of  mumbling....

 I have 1/2 an earring. I am hoping to finish the other side soon...not sure if tomorrow is a good idea after today, but now that I have the gist I am sure I can do it.. … I am determined. Those who really know me will say that I do not give up... on most things that is true. I am mostly self taught in all that I craft so in order to learn you must be determined.
Today is a follow-up with the doctor for my back. Although I am feeling so much better I am having a few issues I want addressed before it would eve get to the painful place I was last week. I also need to check on the new PCP and see if the office is ready for me! I have already met the doctor and was sure to tell him just how delicate I am! He is very pleasant and attentive. The entire office is that way. So, my plans are simple for the day... I still have to bake my Date Nut Bars. All the ingredients are already out on the counter as incentive to bake. Could today be the day?
Always so nice to chat with you. Thank you for your kind words and for your encouragement and most of all the friendship you offer to me. I am very lucky!
You do know there are only 28 more days.... you did remember right?

Mars and the coyote

I have always been fascinated with the night skies...full moons especially but then there is Venus and Jupiter and of course Mars...

When I look up into the Eastern sky and see this bright planet...I just stare in amazement. This is taken without out use of a telescope...just my camera and a zoom. How spectacular is that. If you click on the picture you will see how almost perfect it is! Round and red and like a spotlight in the sky...Wow!!
Earlier last evening around 7PM I decided to fill the birdbath out front so it would be ready for the morning crowd. It has been around 90 at the start of the day and those Doves and Quail are thirsty. As I click open the lock and look out a coyote runs out of the courtyard and the bunnies scatter. I would like to think I may have inadvertently saved a bunny. The coyote walked around the sidewalk area for a few minutes then took off for another courtyard. My friend Robyn...across the courtyard ….opens her door to ask if I saw him run out....we chat then it is back inside to the cool of the living room. A few hours later and the bunnies return to munch and roam around.

I did a little beading until my hand said enough. The colors do not show as nice as they are...better picture next time. I did look for and did find a beaded Christmas tree earring pattern on line..

Good thing I can follow a graph nd recognize the stitch used because the directions are

 written in Polish. I have the right Delica beads to try it so that is on the plan list this week. Not much on the list; the Post Office and getting ready for the arrival...

one month from yesterday is the count down...The Brother Alan will be here with Lisa....

I have kept the Alan List small, only the most important to do. They arrive late morning Tuesday, September 18th and by Thursday they have time for whatever...of course horseback riding is always on the list. A day in Scottsdale for lunch and who knows what else. Tuesday and Wednesday are "work days".  My list is really not that much but I am glad to have their help.
Off to get some work done around here. I have a couple of friends stopping by today around 1 so I cannot dilly dally. Glad to chat with you and thank you for the kind words and good wishes you have sent me. Thank you for your friendship....makes my day,

Feeling better...but

How lucky am I that my doctor who was leaving yesterday for a medical convention saw me as his last patient and then had to get to the airport. I will tell you how lucky I am. This doctor was My Denny's pain management doctor for 12 years who also began seeing me these last 6 years. This man teared when he found that Dennis was dying and told me he would always see me when needed. I went earlier so that it would be easier for him. At first by the way I stood and walked he thought maybe a compressed fracture of my spine....further look under the machine and that was not the case. My back is very weak and the spinal curvature is not going to get better. Injections it was and I lost count but it was several into the spine and to the right. Very painful...but I was in so much pain anyway. I had to sit for a few minutes after but I was able to stand straight and walk out better than when I hobbled in. I am sore but again, better. I will need to readjust what I do and how I do it. A new way to live for me. The pond will be an issue as will a few other things but it is what it is.

I managed to pick out the beads from my cupboard yesterday for the next wrap bracelet.... carefully but other than adding the button did nothing. This is the cupboard that holds all my beads and the drawer at the bottom holds the tools and other supplies

I will need to try not to sit too long and be sure to stretch out my back with a walk about. I tend to get caught up and just keep going.
Remember the photo uploading issues....well all of a sudden it is back to how it was accepting pictures before! Not completely but I will adjust... more adjustments. I had to clean the printer yesterday but am still having a bit of issue. Always something. I tried to remember how Honey---AKA Keith did it before.
It is still dark outside but humid with storm chances today. There is some wind as my chimes and buoy bell are talking in the dark. My coffee has just finished brewing so off I go. Hope to bake some Date Nut bars today and Fluffy Tapioca pudding too. I have a stool Denny bought me to sit at the counter when baking so I will not have to stand there. Glad you stopped by. Thank you for your kind words and emails and encouragement. Thank you most of all for your friendship. I must also say special thanks to those of you who are still sending cards and notes to mom Eva P...I did not expect you to continue but I thank you for caring. She tell everyone about all of you.

That's a wrap and some cables

Yesterday while plugging in a heating pad for my back...

I found these cables....they were part of the home theater projector set up and were still connected to my DVD player. Last year when I dis-connected the system I just left the cables connected to the player and receiver in case I was going to keep the set up. When I gave the projector away I forgot to find these. This is 3 cables the longest is about 25 feet....only Denny knew what he was doing! I did send a text to Dianna to let her cousin know not to buy anything until he checks with me for these to save money.
My back is a little better but I am not going to work outside as I am not feeling too good today. I did finish the wrap bracelet

I decided to make it a 2 wrap....and this is what I have....love the colors and the texture.

This is the button closure and the other end of the bracelet. Very nice to make and one of a kind. I never repeat a pattern so the next one will be different even using some of the same beads. I will also plan a single wrap style.

My plan to leave the pond for now gives me indoor time to maybe get this done later today. Smoke detectors! All this lightening causes me worry for fire. I do not want to wait until The Brother Alan arrives...remember he is coming! in September. He already has some tasks to do.

Looks like it should be easy....2 screws and attach...right. Got this far when I started not to feel well last evening so I thought a step ladder is off limits. I have 3 in the house. Laundry is swishing right now and the bed is made so at least something has gotten done. For now though it is feet up and try to feel well enough to get things done. Definitely the pond tomorrow no matter what. Off I go to gather supplies for the single wrap. Nice to chat with you as always. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship. 

Monsoon storms

The winds always start first around here then the rain came with thunder and of course not long after, the lightening...… it was a loud storm. It lasted for a couple of hours. Early last evening around 6:30PM I decided to get the sump pump and drain the pond...easy and did not take long. Now that the pump[ is out I see where it came apart. Let's hope I can re-attach it with little difficulty. The final bit would be with the shop vac and that would wait until today... not. The rain has cause some real humidity this morning and everything is very wet out there. More importantly my back is aching and near impossible to apply the medicated gel.... need an extra set of hands. The heating pad was helping so maybe back with that today. I will take a couple of OTC pain meds. Too much yard work in one day. It is obvious that I pulled my back out in the last few days. I need a sign in the garden that reminds me that I am not superwoman.

Yesterday morning I returned to the bead shop and sat with them for a few hours … until my back just would not relax. My bracelet is about one third finished... I plan on a 3 wrap. I just love the colors and the process. Using the various beads gives nice texture. I see a few gifts in the making. I very much enjoyed sitting at the shop beading. Zina, the owner is such a great multi tasker... teaching a couple of ladies at another table to make another style bracelet  and helping others pick out supplies and still finding time to answer my questions all the while making sales. When the moment is quiet she tries to work on her own design for a peyote bracelet. I plan to go there for open beading at least once a week.  Vickie who also works there is so pleasant to be around.
Right now though it is time to enjoy my coffee and later to the pharmacy for my prescription refill. Then back to beading. I really need to change out the smoke detectors...but not sure if climbing the step ladder today is a good idea. The pond and garden will need to wait. All about relaxing today. Glad to chat with you. I thank you for your kind words and emails. Thank you also for your friendship.