I lasted until the 5th!!!!

All Christmas decorations are packed and ready for garage storage.....Alan will do that. Always seems strange when after a month of trees and lights all is gone. Murphy did not seemed to care as he has full viewing out the front windows again. Speaking of Murphy....on Thursday January 5th....

Murphy and I started a walk. All was going well. The man in the golf cart was ahead and crossed our path. There was a woman walking toward us and then the man and his golf cart turned around and was heading toward us. Murphy was not liking this and so I decided to cross the street. The woman did also, once again to be on the same side of the street. Murphy began to bark and crossed in front of me. By now you should know what happened. If you guess a fall well you are correct. The nice man now exited the cart and started to walk toward us...Murphy barking and me down in the middle of the road. I thanked the man for wanting to help but asked that he please just ride away. The woman disappeared into the driveway up ahead. Murphy calmed while I tried to figure how to get up while hanging onto the leash. Skinned right knee bleeding onto the road and then I felt it. A patch of skin scraped off my right palm now bleeding a small puddle on the road. Finally back in the house...this occurred right in front of our house....did not get far thankfully. Bruising began immediately and I figured if I cleaned up real good, Alan would not notice. Wrong. Of course he saw the bloody knee as I hid my hand. Then I told him my tale of woe. Needless to say, I have been very achy and sore. My right wrist is very sore and now the black/blue is turning yellow. My shoulder (the fractured one still healing ) aches as does other parts of my delicate body that I did not expect.

No I am not angry with this precious pup. Look at that face. But, I will be calling back the trainer to work on a few things! Finally  I am back to my quilting. Not looking for sympathy and I am sure there would be a lecture or two. 

There will be no walks until we meet with the trainer. Glad to have you visit and listen. Thank you for your kind words and encouragement. thank you for your friendship.

Slip Slidin' Away

 what a lovely morning. It is not yet to warm to enjoy the garden. the temperature at the moment is only 79 and Murphy and I sat outside for a few minutes. Of course it is only 7am.

There is almost not part of my delicate body that is not hurting...and it is not just the arthritis. On Tuesday just finishing my shower.... guess where this is going....I stood from the built in seat in the shower to hang the shower head back in holder and all of a sudden.... yes down I went. Twisting and turning in hopes of getting up without breaking anything or hitting my head. I was alone in the house except for Murphy who was not attempting to come to my rescue. I think my yelling caused him to remain outside the bathroom. Finally got my aerobics under control and got out to find Murphy finally showing some concern. Actually he was trying to take the towel away...loves to grab towels. When Lisa returned home from the fitness center, she wanted to show me a good exercise for me to do. While demonstrating it I began to think she might want me to try so I told her about my shower exercise. I did not feel anything to bad so we left for an errand and while out we bought me a non slip bath mat. Didn't I mention that there was no mat in the tub? I had planned not to tell Alan..... but of course Lisa did. Yesterday was spent literally in bed and slathering Voltaren gel over most of my body. Still feel like there was a fight which I lost. Very thankful nothing is broken. i am thinking of making a bubble-wrap suit.

If you follow my blog you know that the Arizona heat is on...has been in the triple digits reaching up to 118. What? Yes that is a ball in the fridge. Murphy left it outside and when I went to get it it was mushy...not hard as a rock like it should be. It was melting! So into the fridge for 20 minutes hoping it would firm up. Murphy was not amused and waited by the fridge for it to be returned to him. He loves this ball that makes sounds when pushed and shaken. This is a nutty house for sure. 

Monday (June 21st) marked the 4th anniversary of not having Dennis in my life. It still is difficult, some days more than others. I was so lucky to have spent 48 years with my favorite person in the whole world. I am thankful for the people who have been there for me in the early days and those that followed. Besides family there was Glenda and Don and Dianna and Bobby and Robyn and Dave. Lucky for having friends like them.

Today will be another do nothing day.... more Voltaren and plenty of iced water. Back to resting my back...glad you stopped by to visit. thank you for your kind words and thank you for your friendship.

Edited: I really need to give a shout out to all my dear blogging friends who faithfully send good thoughts. They are  wonderful support group.

Another month

A beautiful afternoon...I do not seem to get to post in the mornings anymore. It is thanks to Murphy...yes, we wake and then we doze back off. For me it is getting needed sleep which has escaped me for so long. He is just what I needed. We love him dearly...but there are days...

Alan and I enclosed the kitchen garden to keep him out. As you can see, he discovered he could get flat on his belly and stick his head right up to the shoulders to get a broken pot! That did not last long. Alan simply hammered it down more. Murphy was not amused.

I harvested these the last 2 days and though there are a few more on the plant, we are coming to the end of this plant so we will get a summer tomato next. Lisa and I will enjoy a couple of these tonight with melted cheese and a salad.

I know, this looks weird. It is my heel... still very sore but slowly healing. today I plan to keep closed shoes off....wearing just my slides. The plan is to do a few chores but to stay off it as much as I can. I must say, Murphy is being exceptionally good today. His barking at people while walking is still an issue and so I decided to try one of the remotes that emits a sound when behavior is not desired. It arrives today....wonder if he knows changes are coming!?
Alan had planned to take the day off as he has a miserable cold but was needed at work so off he went. He and Lisa each have one of Dennis' favorite hang around shirts. Today Alan took his and is feeling comfort wearing it. Mind you, he wears a suit and tie to work... off came the jacket on went the shirt and he plans to hang out in his office.
Speaking of Dennis....💔 not a day goes by that my Denny is not on my mind. Today, the 21st marks another month without him. Maybe Murphy can sense my mood and wants to be a good by. If only he could get the towels out of the dryer and the wash out of the washer.... where are those fairies? Glad to chat with you. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

The week that was......

and still is! I have been busy with that and this.....

yes, French Rose dangling in my bathroom window. Great light comes in this frosted small window so I do not like to block it but still need a bit of something. They gently move about.
So, What else has been going on? Alan is still working in the garden...

The other night we had heavy rain which of course flooded the old pond area. Yesterday morning, Alan began to break it apart … it is a cement deep bowl shape... so now there will be drainage. He was like a kid playing in the mud! Do you notice that his able assistant is not helping? That would be because Mr. Murphy was at the vet.

Murphy the baby is now a boy...yes, he had snipping done. He came home very groggy and still wrapped in my shirt (actually this is a shirt that Dennis wore that I wear around). They suggest that he come with something familiar.... he knows this shirt well and it had my scent. He did very well. However, last night he spent a lot of time trying to remove it and he was able to get to his incision. When the vet called me this morning I told her and she said bring him in. Now he has a larger halo so we shall see how it goes. When Murphy and I walk he tends to retrieve things...

He carried this small log home...it is about 7 inches and at least 3 inches round and a little heavy. Determination is powerful with him. Of course since he eats what he chews, it is now gone. Hopefully the snipping will calm him down. Oh, and we have to change his food. He gained weight, again. Now stands 14 inches and weighs 18 pounds. He definitely is not a true Mini!!! We love him anyway.
Since we chatted Lisa and I have been shopping...

We took our comedy routine to the mall. It will be a while before we venture out again. As we ( Murphy and me) left the house for a walk the other evening,

The heavy wrought iron door caught my heel.... still very painful for walking. Took a sliver of flesh. Minimal walking for the week while it heals. So, there you have it. At the moment Alan and Lisa are getting ready to go to a horse show, the oven is on self clean, there is swishing in the laundry area and Murphy is napping. Me? I am ready for another cup of coffee. Glad we could chat. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

Seeing stars

Since the 115 temp day recently,  we are in a cool down....now the temp is in the mid 100s. Still hot and it will be until September-ish. Not to worry about me because sensibly I am remaining indoors venturing out when I must. I can always find something to keep me busy...

Four Origami Christmas Stars made. Although they are usually not embellished, I think some gold threads are in order... I will experiment. Before I know it I will be making my August star.
I was a little careless while assembling the stars....

I nipped my finger while trimming with the tip of my very sharp fabric scissors. Happily I did not bleed on my star, but I did see stars! Amazing how these small cuts can sting and bleed. Today I have a sore finger but the stars got finished! Now to decide on the next project. I am thinking maybe cat or dog themed stars... or maybe....? Choice of fabrics is endless.
Today I will be just relaxing. Reading is a good option.... or maybe a movie or two. Ahh, the life of a retired gal.
Whatever your plans for today, be sure to take time to relax. It has been so nice chatting with you. Thank you for your kind and caring words. Thank you especially for your friendship.

When I think of Robert Frost's poems, like The Road Not Taken, I feel the support of someone who  understands that life's choices are like, someone who says, "I've been there, and it's okay to go on."

From the book, The world According to Mr Rogers, chapter, The Courage to be Yourself.

Oops...knives and carrots

First, thank you for the birthday wishes yesterday. The day I dreaded. I know, it is just a number, but saying 70 is, well, I will get over it. It was a quiet day as Mr H was not feeling well. On Wednesday while I was attempting to cut carrot sticks to have with my lunch

The carrot rolled and this 8 inch dagger cut me! My thumb was useless for all of that day and really most of yesterday. I think it has finally stopped bleeding. Mostly because I keep it bandaged and not using it! So, needle in hand has been very limited. Blood on linen is not desirable. Never realized how many uses my left thumb has....

Work with Alice has been nil, but here is where I am. Almost ready for the next page. Forget any tatting, as my left hand would not talk to my right hand and they must be friends in order to tat. All around, the last few days have been filed away. Moving on....this is Super Bowl weekend so my TV will be on in at least 2 rooms...the watching room and the recording room! Yes, we can be fanatics with football. Plans are to stitch or tat or both. Who knows. Now that I may have a left thumb again, the needle shall fly! Of course there is a distraction...the weather. Temperatures in the low 70s (there is that number again) invite outdoor sitting and mind wandering. Actually the garden needs a freshening. Rather stitch! Well, as it is almost 4 AM and I have been up since 2 AM, it feels like maybe a rest on the sewing room daybed is in order. then again, I really could get a start on the laundry and my bread dough is almost ready to bake.......the daybed sounds about right. A short nap before the day is in full swing. Thank you for spending some time with me and for the kind words and friendship. Have a good day.