A BIG Setback & A Real Comfort

Dear Friends, I'm not sure how to start.

It's such a BIG step backwards for me.

I've been crying for the last 3 days trying to

come to terms with what has happened.

On Wednesday, I had my last Dr appointment.

I expected him to say "Go forth....and resume your life".

But it didn't happen.

I had a lump develop under my neck

on top of my chest after surgery.

The Dr assured me it was scar tissue and would shrink as time went on.

Instead it seemed to get larger and protrude even more.

So on Wed. he decided to remove the "scar tissue".

It was suppose to take 20 minutes using a "local" to numb the area.

As he started to remove the lump he said

"Your not going to believe what I found"

I immediately thought tumor.

But no, it was a sponge.

Yes, you read that right.

A Large Black Sponge.

And my body had grown around it.

It also attached itself to one of the wires that was used to wire my

breastbone together during my open heart surgery.

He needed to use wire cutters to get it out!

Talk about scary.

What was suppose to take 20 minutes

turned into a 2 hour nightmare.

I have a large hole in my chest again.

I have to wear a wound vac again.

I am so frustrated with the medical care I received.

It has been one big mistake after another.

The Dr and nurses are each blaming the other.

I can't believe this could happen.

I was beginning to have hope.

Hope of resuming a normal life.

Full of work, family, and grandbaby kisses.

Can you feel the tears as I am typing?

I wonder, will I ever be the same again?

This is the COMFORT QUILT my sewing group

the "Sew Whats" made for me.

It couldn't have come at a better time.

It is so beautiful!

I wish you could see it in person.

Mary V. did a fabulous quilting pattern.

The binding is pink polka dots.
My favorite.


Here are a few close ups of the blocks.


I want to thank each "Sew What" who made a block for me.
To Sandy H. and Peggy for choosing the beautiful
floral and plaid fabric.
And for piecing it together.
To Mary V. for quilting it.
I know how busy your schedule is.
To Sandy V. who bound the quilt.
Sandy, not to worry, you did a fantastic job.
Your corners are perfect!

Where does the time go?

It just seems like yesterday he was a babe in arms.

Turning three our little guy is all grown up, or so it seems.

He sure has a mind of his own, that's for sure!

One of his birthday gifts was a leaf blower....with safety goggles.

When he put them on we couldn't help but laugh.

Birthday boy would not turn them around for anything.

Here he is opening his gift from Grandma & Papa, with the help of Daddy.

For his birthday the family went to a Brewers game.
All except Grandma that is.

I was afraid it would be toooo much walking in the heat.

Plus the seats were in the sun.

I preferred to stay home and nap.

"PLAY BALL" IS ALL HE WANTS TO DO!


It was so nice to visit with family.
And get away.
All week it's been Dr visits and tests.
I can't tell you how old this is getting!
Treasure your health.



I'm still trying to finish a few projects.
A vintage Dresden plate needs borders.
I have enough plates to make another quilt.
Interested?

It's Fall!

Or at least it feels like it this morning.

In fact, the whole week has been breezy and cool.

I just wanted to show you 2 more of my finishes.

Both are fast and easy patterns if you need a quick gift.

The first one is "Turning Twenty Again".

(Don't I wish! hehehe....)

The fabric line, most of it anyway, is Portobella Market by 3 Sisters.

My photo looks a little crooked because it is.

I've somehow lost all my photo editing skills.
Love the soft colors.

You might remember I showed you this quilt while
I was piecing it last fall.
WAS going to be a Christmas gift for Dad.
Sorry Pops, it doesn't look like I'll get it to you this year either.
Unless you'd like it unquilted?


Here's the "Boxed Blessings" pattern.
I think it would make a great scrap quilt!

Don't ya think the Black & Whites looks "manish"?

I also baked this weekend.
You can tell I'm feeling better.
Sewing and Baking.
My 2 most favorite things in the world to do.
Next to longarm quilting that is.
And who knows when that's going to happen.
They did remove my wound vac after 10 l-o-n-g weeks.
I can't tell you how overjoyed I am not to have to carry
my 5 lb purse around 24/7.
But.....always a but.
My wound isn't completely closed.
The Dr would like me to wait until it's healed before
I start longarm quilting again.
Because machine quilting uses so much upper body movement.
I told him if I didn't start back soon he would have to buy my house!

Here's my favorite pumpkin bread recipe.
It makes 3 loaves which is great for gift giving.
I try to have a few loaves in the freezer during the holidays.
Holidays? What am I thinking!

This is what I have been living on for the past 10 weeks.
No, not pumpkin bread.
Protein shakes.
Did you know protein helps you heal?
I've added 100 grams a day.
Substituting 2 meals.
I doctor it up with fresh fruit which helps.
You'd think I'd be 100 pounds
dripping wet by now wouldn't ya?
NOT!


I'm going to my first sewing circle
meeting in 6 months. I'm sew-sew excited!


Have a great weekend friends!

TWO Finishes!

I can hardly believe it myself!

I had the body of this log cabin pieced and

just needed to add the borders.

As you can see, I took the easy way out and

used my left over 2 1/2" strips.

This is a great first quilt.

Eleanor Burns "Quilt in a Day" series gives simple,

easy to follow instructions, plus lots of photos.

She even tells you which way to press your seams!

I'm not sure how long her days are......

I've never been able to complete one in a day.

But it sure sounds good, doesn't it?

Here are a few close ups of the fabric.
Pretty cute!

This next quilt has been in the making
forever.
I cut out "bricks" from left over florals and dots.
I kept adding to my stack until I felt I had enough.
Nope, didn't count em.
I'm calling this my "Summer Garden" quilt
seeings how I didn't get to actually plant any flowers this year.
It's very pastel and "summery".
It looks pretty washed out in the photos.
Much prettier in person.

I'm not adding any borders.
Will bind it with one of the floral prints.




Debbie left a comment on the last post and asked how I did my photos.
I use Photshop Elements 5 and digital scrapbook papers.
Check out the digital scrapbook sites on the web
they have free "how to" tutorials.

I don't know where my signature went.
I'm having issues with blogger.
Is it just me?

Stop back again!
Karen

Family Get-Together

It's all about the grandkids!


I bring my granddaughter a little
stitching or craft project each visit.
I'm hoping she'll catch the "bug"!

The family having fun together.

Playing bean bag toss, basketball,

and just relaxing around the fire.

It was a long weekend for me.

But I enjoyed every minute.

There's nothing like hearing the

laughter of the grandkids playing together.

The adults chatting,

catching up on each others lives.

Family......

a little word created by love.

*************

It's raining today!

I wanted to take picures of my

log cabin quilt top that

I finished!

Maybe tomorrow......

Thanks for stopping by!

A Quick Hello

Just wanted to say "HI!" and let you know I'm still kicking.

It's a slow process.

I'm not healing as quickly as the Dr would like,

so it looks like another few weeks with this wound vac.

What a drag carrying a 5 lb "purse" everywhere I go.

Not to mention injecting myself every 8 hours with antibiotics.

Oh, enough whining!

Today was the first time I've gone downstairs to my sewing room

and actually felt like doing something.

I worked on borders for a

red, white and blue log cabin top I started a few months ago.

I'm determined to use all the strips I have left from the

blocks. A scrappy piano key border.

Not very original.

Who knows......maybe I'll have a picture to share!

I miss quilting on my longarm machine.

And the hum of my Janome.

And my quilting buddies.

Won't stay away so long next time.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Stay safe.

A "BUMP" on the Road to Recovery

Turns into a real Pothole!

Sorry it's been over a month since my last post.

But in the last month I have had some major complications.

I was sick and unable to enjoy our little get away.

And have had 2 additional surgeries

plus a 8 day stay in the hospital.

I can't tell you, dear friends, how devastating this has been.

I was suppose to be back to my life (quilting! grandkids! gardening!)

by this time and now it is going to be another 6 weeks.

I will give you details someday, but today I haven't the energy.

Isn't the picture above beautiful?

Mike took it while we were up north.

Please continue to keep me and my family in your prayers.

VACATION

Just wanted to let you know

I'll be away from my computer for a week.

Hubby and I are going up to the Lake

for some fishing and relaxation.

Okay, he'll be fishing

I'll be relaxing.

My first big "outing" since the operation....

wish me luck.

Hope to take tons of pictures to share with

you when I get back.

Stay safe and eat lots of strawberries

I finished my pantry door!

But let me caution you.

If you erase the liquid ink chalk (with water) to much

some of the chalkboard paint comes off with it.

I applied 5 coats of chalkboard paint on my door but will need to give it

a few more coats after I remove this poem.

It has white chalky streaks now

if you look real close.

I found the poem in one of my cookbooks, no author, dated 1977.

My Irises are blooming!

On Saturday Papa took Aiden to the Air Show.

Just the 2 of them.

Did they have a good time!

Aiden's favorite thing was taking the

bus from the parking lot to the air field.

He had never been on a SCHOOL BUS before.

Not much happening this weekend.

It's so nice today, just might go down and watch hubby fish for awhile.

Ohhhh....fresh warm air.

I'm feeling stronger!

It's been a long 3 weeks since my surgery.

But I feel better each day.

I start Cardiac rehab next Wednesday.

Hopefully, that will get me back on my feet.

I just have to thank my friend Joyce!

Joyce came and spent the first 2 weeks with me.

What a trooper!

She changed my bandages without flinching

and was at my beck and call.

She cooked Mike & I delicious meals,

especially love her homemade chicken and dumpling soup!

I couldn't have made it thru the tough days without you.

Thank you Joyce.

My first "outing" was Friday for a Doctor visit.

He asked me if I'd been out dancing yet.........

funny-funny man.

On Saturday I just had to go to our local quilt show.

I had 2 quilts entered.

Remember the quilt I made for my granddaughter

"Evening In Paris"?

To my surprise it WON 2 ribbons!





Remember my Oak Leaf & Reel?



I'm happy to say 4 of my customers won ribbons also!
I'm so excited for them.
They were a pleasure to quilt for.




That's about all for now.
My life is in the slow lane for awhile.
Hopefully I'll get back to blogging soon.



Thank YOU again for all your thoughts and prayers.
I know they have made my journey a little easier.

I'm Home!

It feels so good coming home!

To my own bed and shower.

Last night, I was able to sit in my rocker

on the front porch for a few minutes.

Appreciating the smell of

freshly mowed grass and birds feeding.

And being alive.

But, OOOO my goodness, I can't lie.

It hurts so much to move!

THANK YOU

for all your prayers, kind words and warm thoughts.

My heart overflows with gratitude.

P.S. The Drs ended up doing 5 (yep, five) bypasses.