Day 305

Table Runner Pieced Together
and Halloween Visitors

Now to layer, quilt and bind

Charlotte showing off her candy

Hailey needs some new front teeth

One mermaid and one Drizella (Cinderella's wicked step-sister)

Day 304

AFTERNOON WITH THE GRANDDAUGHTERS

two out of three isn't bad

Lunch time with the "stuffies" and grandma's table runner laid out and ready to stitch together

After Dave performed a few magic tricks they settled in to build something with the cards.

Day 303

KNITTING/CROCHETING WITH A PESKY PUPPY

who just wants to have our attention and play

Jennie and I are trying to get back to our Saturday talk and craft sessions. She finally found a place for Beemer to be still for a few minutes. Tucked in but watching me.

Day 302

I'M SUCH A MESSY SEWER

I have this TV tray by my sewing table with handy notons

Most necessary are my reading glasses. laptop mouse and scissors....lots of scissors. Oh and pins.

Day 301

FINALLY HAD ENOUGH AMBITION

to hand stitch the binding in place

This is a block of the month quilt from several years ago that I finally finished.

Day 300

IT IS A GOOD TIME TO READ

when the rain is pouring down

Day 299

FIVE MINUTE PROJECT

I needed a rice-filled pouch for moist warmth for physical therapy

So, lickity-split I cut some fleece, serged the edges, filled it with rice and serged the open end. Voila. It is ready to warm my knee prior to stretching and pushing my knee to get it straight.

Day 298

THE THREE AMIGOS

we three from our bible study group had right knee replacements within a month of each other

Stan, Me and Mary

Day 297

CELEBRATING JUDY'S BIRTHDAY

Judy's daughter, Debbie, hosted and did a smashing job!

Here is the birthday girl!

Annette, Joanne, Gail, Judy, Me and Stella

Many oooh's and aaaah's over Debbie's efforts!

Plus yummy Butternut Squash soup and Chicken Cashew Pasta Salad

Debbie did an amazing job preparing and serving all of this for us to honor her mother.

Day 296

IT HAS BEEN SEVEN WEEKS

and I still have a bit of a limp

At least the scar is looking pretty good. Still swollen though.

Day 295

FIRST TIME WE TRIED USING THE FIREPLACE

it looked pretty for about 5 minutes and then faded away

So much for Dave's firebuilding skills! 

Let's try again tomorrow night!

Day 294

RELAPSE!

I guess I went out before I should have yesterday

Bummer. I began the awful coughing while watching the girls last night. I sure hope they don't catch this nasty cold from me!! Hardly slept at all last night and am feeling crummy again today.

No motivation, but at least I did manage to hang up the over-the-door shoe organizer I ordered online. I bought this so I could have a better option for storing all my embroidery stabilizers. I pulled all the rolls all out of the tub they had been stored in and labeled the slots and got it organized so I can more easily grab what I need and not have to try to sort through the mess in the tub. Hallelujah! At least I got one thing done today!!

Day 293

AFTER A WEEK AND A HALF

I'm finally free!

Dave went golfing so I ventured out to Issaquah today.

Then we had dinner with the grandkids while Pete asnd Shauna went out to meet another couple for dinner.

Day 292

BITS AND PIECES

of the leather jacket I got from the Goodwill

I'm disappointed with how thin the leather is and that it has this funky foam lining because I bought the jacket with the hopes of making a small leather purse. I'm not sure now if it will be worth my time and effort. I did get it all cut apart into usable pieces this afternoon, so we shall see if I can actually create something useful.

Day 291

UNUSED ALMOST NEW ELECTRIC BLANKET

out it goes....Dave doesn't like it

I actually purchased this almost 3 years ago and after trying it for a short time, Dave hated having an electric blanket on the bed, so off it came. It has been sitting in our closet ever since. It is time to find it a new home.

As the colder days will be arriving, I decided I should try again. SO...I bought an electric mattress pad. Dave wasn't thrilled, but I really wanted this to be the right solution. FOR BOTH OF US! I must say, I AM HAPPY! He put in on the bed after it arrived and since I've been a bit chilled with this cold, I found it amazingly warm and comfy when I slipped into bed that first night. And each night since! Dave was sure HE wouldn't use it on his side, but since thisproduces a very low heat and doesn't make the bed sweltering hot he has been using it set at 2 out of 10. It is also a bit plusher than other mattress pads so you cannot feel the wires. That was a big reason I purchased this one.

In the summer I LOVE having cold crisp sheets on the bed as it is refreshing to pop into bed and not be stuffy hot. I still like nice crisp sheets (I'm not a flannel girl) and am hoping that this mattress pad doesn't malfunction and lasts for many years. I am thankful Dave is relatively content with this mattress pad. He had heard that you shouldn't put an electric pad on a Tempurpedic mattress. I've read mixed reports. Some say it doesn't affect the way the foam works and that there is no problem. Tempurpedic of course says DON'T DO IT! Tough. It is done. And I am happy.

Day 290

I'M SICK OF BEING SICK

I haven't had a cold in quite a while and this one is a doozy!

I'm getting kind of bored. I don't feel like doing anything. And I have no motivation. Oh, I guess I already said that. That about sums up the last MONTH AND A HALF! First it was because of my knee and not being able to do much. Now since Monday night I've been miserable with this cold. I am beginning to wonder if I've arrived at a new level in my life. One of just not doing anything. I feel like a big blob!

I have a few knitting projects to do and several sewing projects. I could read a book. Blah. I realize that I actually may be able to golf this spring but even that thought has left me feeling flat. What's the point!? There will just be another medical issue that will slow me down again. Like today. My lower back was giving me sharp pains....just like when I had before I had my laminectomy. Only this time I have corresponding pain down the outside of both of my calves. Sigh. I took two Advil and watched a movie (Breakfast at Tiffany's) in bed this afternoon. At least now I am feeling much better.

But you know, one thing leads to another. My foot problem is likely partly to blame for my back and knee issues. Everything is connected I guess and when we change the way we walk, we can suffer in other places. I shouldn't complain though. I will recover and get back to normal. I hope!

Hmmmm, I wonder when my knee will be good enough to practice my golf swing!

And there they are! All packed up and waiting for ME! Maybe I will find some enthusiasm and motivation now that I've checked to make sure my clubs are still hanging around!

Day 289

ROASTED VEGETABLE CHICKEN SOUP

so good!

Day 288

BEEMER LOVES ICE CUBES

and he's getting BIG!

No matter what he may be doing, when one of us fills our glass with ice, Beemer is up and ready to grab a stray cube that may fall on the floor. Even if one doesn't get away from us, we usually give him one to chew on. Beemer truly is the ultimate lapdog. I sure hope he has reached his adult size as he is quite a lap full! He is almost 8 months old and 13" tall and almost 17 pounds.

One thing that I didn't realize is just how active these guys are! Beemer loves to play fetch and tug of war. Just like Frodo, if he doesn't get enough exercise he will run in circles around the house until he gets it out of his system.

He sleeps through the night just fine (always has) in his crate and since Dave is usually up before me, Beemer will eagerly await my exit from the bedroom. Then he whimpers and whines until we sit together in my chair and he licks my face (I know some wouldn't like that) and we have our little love fest. He can sleep on my lap for an hour or two during the day if I let him. Unfortunately he is kind of like me in that he is more awake in the evening and wants to play. This has had a negative impact on our nightly TV routine! He wants attention and he will go ring his potty bell several times to make us get up to go to the door, only to realize that he is just toying with us. I'm not quite sure how to turn his internal clock around so he is more calm at night, but maybe things will change as he reaches adulthood. In another oh, let's say, year or two!

Beemer is a real pest when I'm eating. We do not give him people food, but my oh my he sure wants it!! I need to work harder at training him to not try to jump in my lap during dinner or when I have a snack.

And here he is back at my side, jumping on my lap and making it difficult to type so I better stop here. Oh, did I mention that he has a thing for my ear lobes? He is always trying to lick them. Silly boy!!

Day 287

PREPARING FOR THE BIG STORM

hoping we don't lose power

Day 286

RIB EYE STEAK

yum yum!

Day 285

I HATE SPIDERS

and yet here they are.

Day 284

FIVE AND A HALF WEEK DR. CHECK

all is going better than anticipated

Well, there it is! Now I have matching knees. I am currently at -3 degrees in straightening and 117 degrees of bend. I am ahead of the game, so says the doctor, and only need 3 degrees of improvement each way. Piece of cake! OUCH!!!!!! I guess I do have to bend, push and work at getting where I need to be. For now I will go back to using a cane a bit since I am not able to straighten it enough and have developed back and hip pain. Time will get me where I need to be.

AND THEN DINNER....

In process

Corn Chowder with Chanterelles, Bacon and Za'atar
Very tasty!! Even though I substituted
Baby Bella Mushrooms for the Chanterelles

Day 283

DO YOU HAVE A STAGHORN SUMAC IN YOUR YARD?

they are magnificent in the fall!

these two sumac trees are in our neighbor's yard. So pretty!!

Day 282

BABY BACK RIBS

Asian style

I tried a new recipe for these pork ribs today, using Chinese 5 spice, Hoisin sauce, garlic, ginger and a few other ingredients. They sure cooked up GREAT! The meat was tender but I would rather have had them with my favorite Sweet Baby Rays BBQ sauce! So, next time I will put a regular spice rub on the ribs and cook them this way; enclosed in a foil boat and surrounded by about a cup of beer. I think the beer is what made them so tender. I guess the reality is that neither Dave nor I are into really spicy foods. AND I think we are happiest with good old comfort food. More traditional recipes. Still, it is good to experiment from time to time and try new things.

Day 281

DO YOU FIND THAT SOME "SMELLS"

remind you of something from your past that you can't quite put your finger on?

This happens to me every now and again. Last fall, when I was in Europe with my friend Sharon, we found a sample of this "Bogner" hand cream in our hotel room in Switzerland. Of course, I didn't try it until I got home, but man that fragrance really played on my mind. Of course, I loved it! So began the search to try to buy some. Unfortunately I could not locate it anywhere in the US, but discovered that it is sod in Germany for use by hotels. DUH! Fortunately I was able to purchase some but only in this smaller size.

Shipping was ridiculously expensive for the 10 containers that I purchased. I hope they last awhile. Not only do I love the fragrance but it feels great when I rub it on my hands. An added bonus is that it reminds me of Switzerland, which is not a bad thing! I hope I never lose my sense of smell.

Day 280

AFTER SCHOOL TREAT WITH THE GIRLS

Yum-E Frozen Yogurt

Eyes are glued to the TV screen showing "Frozen"

Relaxed

Really relaxed!

Day 279

YUMMY PALEO MUFFINS

I made these this afternoon

I really thought I was doing well today. I got a haircut while Dave shopped for our groceries and then I set about making these breakfast muffins. Just as I was getting them into the muffin tins, my hip and knee began hurting really bad. Dave cleaned up for me and I went into the bedroom and elevated and iced. Very frustrating that I am still having such pain. 

I did manage to drive the car around our neighborhood so I know I'm good to get behind the wheel. No problem there. I even visited Jennie, next door, after dinner and then went over to Ed's for about an hour to talk about the VP debate. Just a tad bit too much for my knee today, so now I'm ready to crawl into bed and try to sleep. Oh, once again I forgot to take a photo of the actual muffins during the process. I don't know how I will ever complete this year of daily photos. 

Day 278

THIS IS THE ONLY BIKING I'M DOING RIGHT NOW

and yes, it is a big pain in the knee!

And thanks to the Scotts for indefinitely loaning me this bike 

Day 277

BEEMER'S BIG DAY

snip, snip

Since Dave had to take our car in for its checkup and I can't drive yet, Shauna came to my rescue at 8:45 am and helped me get Beemer to the vet to get a check up, then neutered and get 2 baby canines pulled. We then went to Starbucks and talked over a cup of coffee.

5 pm. All done and back home. Beemer is one sleepy dog. So far he hasn't been getting after his stitches and it hasn't been too difficult to keep him calm! Tomorrow may be another matter.

Day 276

THANK YOU JASON!

for spending your time planting tubers and bulbs for me!

I forgot to snap a photo of him working, but the dirt on his knees is proof that he indeed did come and dig holes and plant stuff. Several new hostas, daylilies, bearded iris (some are reblooming) and getting a few other plants in the yard out of the pots and into the ground.

Day 275

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

George and  Bob

Bob turns 65!

Happy Birthday, George

Jenny and baby Maggie

Emily and Stephanie

Robin and Joe