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Post by cj59 on Apr 10, 2024 15:10:03 GMT -5
Hi busybee - Hope you are doing well and having nice weather. It was another beautiful day here with temps in the high 70s and sunny. How is your DD doing? I hope her recovery and PT is coming along. When does your new dishwasher get delivered and installed? Hope that is soon for you. Today is the first day in several days that I didn't get a migraine headache, so that has been nice. I wish I could figure out what triggers them, maybe it's the weather. Fortunately I can catch them before they get too bad and take some medication that helps. But once I've had one I don't feel like doing much else that day. I still need to sew together the rest of those jelly rolls strips, I had hoped to do that today, but so far haven't been able to get to them, maybe I can try in a little while. I did decide to start on a new embroidery piece for a pattern I've had for several years. I thought it might be nice to do something like that where I can just sit and stitch for a bit. I prepared the fabric for it today and I flattened the pattern (which was folded up), so now I just need to trace the pattern onto the fabric. It's a redwork piece, so I'm going to use red embroidery floss to stitch it. Here's the pattern: www.redworkplus.com/qbd/the-quilt-shopHope you have had time to work on your quilt. Take care
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Post by busybee on Apr 10, 2024 16:53:22 GMT -5
Hi CJ: Finally, we see the sun again today - and it's 60 degrees - unheard of! (But we'll take it.) It's been such a gloomy start to Spring out here - so happy to see the sun. You're lucky to have that nice warm weather. I'd love to sit in a hot sun for a while. It would feel so good on my sore old joints.
Today is the day for dishwasher installation - somewhere between 2:30 pm and 6:30 pm. We got myriad notifications yesterday from the installation company (a contractor separate from Costco) that they needed to re-schedule from yesterday to today. So, right now we're "waiting." Hope it's earlier than later. Part of the reason for getting takeout food was to save my DH from too much hand-washing of not only dishes, but also pots & pans. Last night, I fixed a one-pan meal - chicken pieces and veggies on a sheet pan. So, DH only had to wash the one pan - and the dishes - which he prefers to paper plates. I also cooked a bag of fresh veggies in the microwave - it was surprisingly delicious. It had broccoli, cauliflower and baby carrots enough for just the 2 of us. And no pan to wash.
DD had her follow-up appointment with the surgeon on Monday. She had 17 staples taken out - the invisible stitches on the inside of the surgical site will re-absorb. The incision is now covered with surgical tape and the leg is re-incased in the inflexible leg brace . She has 4 more weeks before she can work from home - and 5 more weeks before she can drive. The best news was that 1) no blood clots, and 2) no infection! The hardest activity for her at home and alone is taking a shower - as she has to totally encase the brace/leg in plastic. But she's done it - not easily - but she's proud of her progress.
By the way, I love redwork embroidery, though I've never personally done any. But I have a very old embroidered cloth my mother brought with her when she emigrated from her birth country - all redwork! Not sure where I have it stashed though. I've always wanted to do some redwork, but I just don't know how to transfer the design to cloth. Sounds like a lovely project for you!
I finished the design blocks yesterday - just have the squaring up to do. But I'm unlikely to work on the blocks on the dining room table today - as we await the dishwasher installation. I'm also hoping that the housecleaners show up tomorrow. Haven't heard from them yet.
But - one thing I am going to do today - is - sit in the sun for a while! It's 61 right now - should be warm enough for a short sun exposure with a light wrap on.
So glad to hear that you've had a migraine-free day or two. Enjoy it while you can. I'm a firm believer in weather having lots to do with our bodily processes. I feel lots better today, for example, than I did yesterday. I could get up out of bed without leg pain - that was a real pleasure!
So - take care - and enjoy your redwork. I'm envious.
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Post by cj59 on Apr 12, 2024 10:10:59 GMT -5
Hi busybee - Hope you are doing well today and the weather is good. We've had some rain here overnight and there might be a shower today but the weekend looks dry. How did the dishwasher installation go? I hope it was put in with no problems and is working well. I'm glad to hear your DD's recovery is going well and also that you were able to spend some time on your quilt. I hope you are still leg pain free too. I was sick all day yesterday with dizziness and nausea (caused by the dizziness I think). I spent the day in bed. I'm not sure if it's the weather, pollen or something else causing the headaches and this. I feel better today. On Wednesday evening I finished sewing all the strip sets together for the jelly roll quilt and hope I can get them cut up today to be ready to make the blocks. I also hope I can trace that embroidery pattern this weekend. I wanted to let you know that you can buy pre-printed redwork embroidery patterns, so you don't have to trace them and they are ready to be stitched. Here's a link to the store where I bought my "regular" pattern: www.redworkplus.com/preprintedIf you decided to get one of these patterns, then you could make your own redwork
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Post by busybee on Apr 13, 2024 19:17:35 GMT -5
Hi CJ: I hope you're feeling better. Sorry to hear that you were so sick. If it doesn't clear up, a visit to the doctor might be in order. Not fun to experience those symptoms.
We're doing fine. Yesterday was quite a sociable day. First, the housecleaners came back for a visit after cleaning the day before. This time they came with a huge bouquet of beautiful tulips and stayed to visit. (They had asked the day before when they were cleaning - would we be home - that they wanted to bring me flowers.) So, we were ready - and we visited for 2 hours. It was sunny and warm in the living room - with sunlight streaming through the sky lights. We served coffee and kifle (the pastry I make at Christmas and had some in the freezer). It was so enjoyable.
Then, we had a phone call from DH's niece, a 65-YO lady living alone in Eastern Idaho, previously married with 2 grown children who live out here in Western WA. She is quite ill, close to terminal, and told us that her daughter won't help her - and that she's making arrangements for her final passing. We were appalled to hear the news and immediately contacted Tom's sister, the nun living in Michigan, who is a health care professional, and the niece's sister, an attorney, living here just south of Seattle. We've received news today that they are both doing all they can to get information from her medical providers. So, that was a huge concern to us yesterday.
Today is lovely outside - sunny and at 61 degrees right now in late afternoon.
I looked up those redwork patterns - and am wondering why they're so expensive. Do they also include the framing designs around the redwork patterns? And, though I'd love to work a simple redwork design, it's been so long since I've done any embroidery that I don't know if my fingers could even hold an embroidery needle for very long.
The dishwasher installation went smoothly - two young men sure knew what they were doing. And we've run it through its first wash and dry cycle and the dishes came out sparkling. So, we're happy.
I've also chatted with my DD today and she's got her wheelchair now - but the new problem is that her back is so sore from any sitting angle with her leg stretched straight out in front of her. The PT is now working on her aching back. If it isn't one thing, then it's another! I feel for her.
Hope you're better today.
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Post by cj59 on Apr 14, 2024 13:33:51 GMT -5
Hi busybee - Hope you are doing well today and having some nice weather. It's been a beautiful weekend here. I hope your DD will do alright with the wheelchair and the PT, I know you worry about her I think all you get with that redwork pattern is the fabric piece with the pattern printed onto it. I still need to trace the pattern onto my fabric, I'll get to it one day. I went up to my house yesterday morning and everything was alright there. I was able to see my lilac bush blooming. It's very old, over 60s years old, and I only get a few flowers each year but at least I was able to see and smell them for the last time. I took a picture too. I haven't gotten back to my quilting yet. I made a mistake cutting the pieces for this quilt so I'll lose one row from the quilt, but fortunately I have enough correct to make 6 rows (instead of the 7 in the pattern). I might be able to use some of the bad cut pieces to make the quilt longer. I've still been getting some slight headaches and I also have problems with my ears. I'm thinking I might need to see an ENT specialist because the ears could be causing the headaches and problems associated with that. Who knows! Take care
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Post by cj59 on Apr 15, 2024 15:17:24 GMT -5
Hi busybee - Hope you are doing well today. We had a very warm day here today but now some storms are coming through. I ran some errands today and then had lunch this afternoon with a few family members, since tomorrow is the birthday for one of them. We went to Applebees and the food was good and there weren't many people there - one of the nice things about being retired and eating in the mid-afternoon I sure hope I can motivate myself to get back to piecing those quilt blocks, I'm getting tired of seeing the fabric laying out on the table. Hope you get to work on your quilt too. Take care
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Post by busybee on Apr 15, 2024 18:19:19 GMT -5
Hi CJ: From summer-like weather yesterday - in the high 60s - to cold again today - in the lowest 50s and cloudy. I sat outside for an hour yesterday with my Kindle and enjoying the leafing out of our maple tree and all the other Springtime new green, buds, and flowers.
I'm glad you got out to have lunch with family today. It is good to go inside a restaurant when it's "least" busy.
So far today, after receiving a message that some of my accounts/passwords have been compromised, I've tried to change some of them. But I'm just going to ask for help from Apple as it's too overwhelming for me.
We're planning a trip to DD's tomorrow to bring her a few grocery items and to pick up a couple items she received for us on her Costco delivery today. We'll also stop at Whole Foods to get her some prepared meals. Her PT went well for her yesterday. She hopes to be able to work from home in May. She won't be able to drive, though, for 5 more weeks. I've been in touch with her on a daily basis - so that makes me feel better. The neighbor that she had relied on for driving her to appointments, came back from her 2-week vacation with Covid. So - DD doesn't want any interface with that friend for another month. Thus, she'll need more help now from all of the rest of us.
I may finally look at the quilt block design today - and decide how to place the blocks. I also have to start on the middle appliqué block.
I've just been sitting in front of my fireplace - it's just cold and misty out - and not good weather at all.
Hope you continue to feel better!
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Post by cj59 on Apr 17, 2024 15:27:37 GMT -5
Hi busybee - Hope you are doing well. I'm glad you were able to get outside a bit this week and enjoy the flowers and trees. Sorry to hear about that password problem, it's really terrible how easy those problems can happen. How did the trip to your DD's go? I hope she is continuing to improve. She's very fortunate to have you and your DH to help her. It's been pretty warm here for a few days but now it's going back into the 60s, which is still nice. I went to my house today to check on things. I had a dream last night that someone had driven into the fence again and knocked it down, but it was just a dream. I also set up someone to cut the grass next week, I just couldn't put it off any longer. I hope the company is reliable, I've never used them before. I'm hoping I just have to do one cut and maybe the house will sell before another cut in May. Still haven't heard from any of the house buying people even though I've sent emails and left messages I made a few quick quilt blocks yesterday just for a fun table runner. I also saw a block for an umbrella and I'd like to make one block for a cute pillow for April (for the April showers). I found some fabric to use for that and have it ready to starch and then I can cut it. I hate falling behind on the Moda Blockheads blocks, but I don't have the concentration for them right now. Maybe I'll catch up eventually. And I need to get my April Temperature blocks started. modafabrics.com/inspiration-resources/bh5-group-2-block-16-joanna-figueroaI hope you can get back to your quilting soon too. Take care
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Post by busybee on Apr 17, 2024 16:27:27 GMT -5
Hi CJ: It's a lovely day out here - sunny but still on the cool side - but getting warming - may hit the 60s yet. Yesterday, too, was pretty nice - a bit cooler - but got nicer by late afternoon.
We got all our chores done yesterday - getting our DD's Safeway grocery order and prepared meals at Whole Foods - visiting with her - and bringing back her laundry. We also picked up a grocery order for ourselves on our way home. So, by the time we got back about 5/5:30 - we were tired - and ready for a quick bite of lunch and a short nap. Thankfully, we still had enough leftovers for a nice little evening meal.
DD is progressing really well. She can move about a bit more with her crutches and she also has received a wheelchair with the right portion raised for her leg. She showed us how she can eat from a side table nearby and where she can place her laptop computer.
So, we were happy to see her progressing so well. She also wants me to come alone for a longer visit - no Dad - who gets really antsy and wants to keep going. So, I'll do that maybe next week.
A new wrinkle in our family drama is that we've been in contact with another of DH's nieces, 62-year-old recently retired attorney (worked for the AG's office), who lives alone in WA's capitol city. She sent us family photos last week with her contact information (which we never had). We hadn't seen her since her father's death (who was married to my DH's deceased sister) almost a decade ago. Well, it's been "catch-up" texting for a couple of days. It's just amazing to us that these family members keep popping up.
So, not much quilting or sewing going on with me. And today with the weather so nice, I'll be sitting outside once again for a while anyway.
No surprise that you had a dream about your house and the fence. So sorry that you can't just move on with the sale of your house. That's always on your mind of course.
Please take care.
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Post by cj59 on Apr 18, 2024 16:03:17 GMT -5
Hi busybee - Hope you are doing well today. I hope you were able to sit outside again yesterday. The weather here today is warm and sunny. I'm glad to hear your DD is progressing and that you are able to help her. Hope you can rest up after doing all that. It's interesting to catch up with family. There are cousins that I'd like to hear about, but all the people in my family who connected me to them and kept in touch are now passed away, so I'll probably never know how they are I was really happy today that I finally felt like working on some quilting. Last evening I finished the umbrella block and while it's cute, I don't like the fabrics I chose enough to make a pillow with it. And I always make the envelope pillow cases now since it's great to switch them out. I may try the umbrella block with some other fabrics. This morning I finished piecing the table runner I'd been working on and made the binding for it. I just need to find a backing and batting piece and then it can be quilted. Then I made myself cut the fabric pieces for the last two Moda Blockheads blocks, and I'm glad that I did. I really like how these two blocks turned out. While I was still in the mood I cut all my sashing pieces and cornerstones for the layout for this quilt, so now I can get ahead and start piecing some of those. I'm attaching pictures of the two blocks and my layout. The way the blocks are laid out is not the final version of how I'll place them, I need to work on that a bit to spread out the lighter blocks from the darker blocks. I'm just going to put a small inner border (light blue fabric) and a larger outer border (print fabric) around the quilt instead of doing the sashing and cornerstones outside of the blocks. I expect the final quilt top to be either 75x75 or 77x77. Now I need to get back to the Temperature quilt and the jelly roll quilt. I'm going to try to get my half square triangles made for the Temperature quilt this evening. Take care
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Post by busybee on Apr 18, 2024 18:50:46 GMT -5
Hi CJ! It's even nicer today than yesterday - and warmer - in the 60s. I never did get outside yesterday because it was still in the 50s most of the afternoon with a breeze blowing. And I got busy with the magic quilt.
I finally (on the dining room table) placed the design blocks for the center of the quilt around the center lotus square - to decide which design pattern to use. At this point today, I've arranged the entire middle section and one row of the next - the width at this point is about 80" and the length will be longer.
I had a text chat session with DS about the colors for the background of the lotus block - and together, with trading back and forth pencil sketch photos, we decided on the pattern and background colors for the black lotus appliquéd leaves (which I have yet to do - of course). DS will be coming by to see us after work today. I'm sure looking forward to that as we haven't seen him since way before his birthday in March and Easter - because he got sick and his sister had her surgery.
I love seeing your quilt blocks and patterns once again - beautiful work as always. And also happy that you've once again become motivated - as I have - to continue with our favorite at home activity.
Also chatted on the phone with DD after her PT today - her leg bend is at a 50-degrees angle (180 degrees would be full extension I guess) without much pain - a big event for her- doing well and ahead of the schedule for her type of surgery.
So now I must find all my appliqué materials and proceed with that process for the middle lotus block.
Enjoy your quilting projects - so happy to see them once again.
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Post by cj59 on Apr 19, 2024 15:48:39 GMT -5
Hi busybee - Hope you are having a nice day and some good weather. It turned much cooler here today, in the 60s and cloudy. I had turned off the heat in my house and it's 70 degrees in here now. I think I might turn it back on for a few hours this evening. It's so nice how your DS is involved in the process of his quilt. I hope you continue to make progress on it and can start the applique soon. I'm glad to hear your DD is continuing to improve too. I finished getting my Temperature quilt block for April up to date today. And then I prepared backing and batting for the small table runner I made a few days ago. I hope to get it pinned tonight so I can quilt it tomorrow and put the binding on. I need to get as much done while I'm still in a quilting mood, since it seems like once I lose the mood it's gone for several days. Take care and have a good weekend
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Post by busybee on Apr 20, 2024 16:56:25 GMT -5
Hi CJ: It was a beautiful sunny and warm day yesterday - reaching into the high 60s. Today started out sunny and warm, but the cloud cover is rolling in now, though it's still quite warm - in the 70s. Weather forecaster predicted it would cloud up later today but stay warm for a while, until the wind direction changes to coastal patterns - then, it will cool down later in the day and bring rain.
Because it was so nice yesterday, we took a drive to scope out the location for a meeting I'm hoping to attend on May 2. It's located at a park site with a large indoor meeting space, with lots of windows and high ceilings. And the disabled parking slots are flat with the entry walkway - no steps and no hills. We walked into the building and inspected the interior. It had interesting displays in glass cases of local animals with many taxidermy samples, including a coyote.
So, we enjoyed our little excursion and now I'm more confident that I can attend the meeting on my own. It will be from 5:30 to 8:30 - so it will give me lots of time to drive during daylight hours. And I won't need to drive on the freeways at all - probably a 20-minute drive total time. And if I'm uncomfortable when I get there, I can easily just leave. However, I'm hoping that it won't be a crowded meeting and that I can sit away from the main assembly.
As to the magic quilt, DS, as he left on Thursday evening, had changed the center lotus block design once again - but I had no time to discuss it with him. And after trying to change the configuration, I've given up and will tell him why it must stay as I originally envisioned it and which he approved. (I have very little of the accent fabric and changing the configuration will simply not work out with the amount of fabric I have available. And I AM NOT going to order more fabric.)
So it goes on - and on - and on.........
But I'm glad that you're proceeding with your planned projects. And you are exactly right that it's best to keep going while we're focused and motivated.
DS will stop here later today to pick up the birthday card and check he left here on Thursday - so we'll have time to discuss the center block once again.
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Post by cj59 on Apr 21, 2024 14:37:23 GMT -5
Hi busybee - I'm glad you had a nice day on Friday, and that it's still warm there. It turned colder here, today is only in the low 50s. I hope that you will be able to go to your meeting and I'm glad you did a test drive and it turned out alright. I've done those test drives before too. Hope you and your DS were able to get everything worked out with his quilt so you can keep working on it. I went out this morning to check on my house. I schedule a lawn mowing this coming week with a new company, so I hope that they will show up. I won't know until I go back up there and check it out this coming week. I finished machine quilting and binding on the small table runner, so it's done and I have it out to enjoy. I also picked most of the fabrics I need for the monthly Rainbow Scrap Challenge blocks and hope to get those made before the end of the month. I'd like to get all these things caught up. It bugs me that I have unfinished projects because I worked so hard last year to get all of those done and now I have several that I didn't get to finish Take care
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Post by busybee on Apr 21, 2024 17:19:52 GMT -5
Hi CJ! Weather really turned rough yesterday afternoon with high wind gusts - bringing down a Y-shaped limb off our maple tree. It landed upright, leaning against our deck. The strength of that limb could have done serious damage to anyone who might have been standing under the tree. Then, the wind subsided and all was relatively calm until evening - but those winds never got as strong as earlier in the day. Today it's in the mid 50s with intermittent sunshine with lots of clouds evident nearby and on the horizon - but not much wind activity.
Thankfully, I mistakenly thought that DS had changed the configuration of the middle lotus block. It was inadvertent as to how he returned it to the table, and he didn't even know what I was talking about. Phew! And then he never went to visit his sister yesterday either, as she had forgotten him, and had her BF come over with a grocery pickup order. So, DS didn't make the long trek to her Seattle home later in the afternoon. So, he didn't drop over here either - AND - the card and check are still here waiting for him.
But I got busy with starting to cut out the lotus flower with my new pointed scissors. DH went out to get me an X-ACTO knife for use on the card stock patterns I'm going to need.
Today is gathering day for pickup in the morning and doing the Sunday Crossword. Also, our baseball team is playing in Denver, where the weather totally postponed their first game on Friday due to a snow storm. Yesterday, the field was dug out and they played with the snow coming down in 37 degree weather. Today, they're playing 2 games - and the temperature is in the mid 60s. Denver's weather is like that - all year long - never know when a snow storm will hit them.
I'll work on cutting out the rest of the lotus emblem today. And I might even start on the card stock patterns.
I'm so glad to hear that you finished your table runner and that you're enjoying it. You continue to have the responsibility of your former home - and yet, you're engaged once again in your quilting projects. Good for you! Some day - it will all be straightened out.
Stay well.
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Post by cj59 on Apr 22, 2024 14:11:16 GMT -5
Hi busybee - Sorry to hear about that strong wind and the tree damage, I hope your weather is calmer today. It's a bit milder here, in the 60s and sunny.
I'm happy to hear you've been working on your quilt, hope you continue to make progress.
I've been having more days where I feel like quilting again and sometimes even when I haven't felt like it I've made myself do it. Hopefully I'll only have a few days at a time where I'm not motivated to quilt.
I'm hoping that the company I hired to mow my lawn does that this week, I won't know until I go to the house in a few days. It will be a relief to me to have the grass cut since it was getting high and bothering me with being on my mind alot. I sure hope to have some movement with the house sale this week too.
This morning I went out and did some shopping, it's so nice to live close to the stores now - that is definitely a benefit of the move.
Then this afternoon I finished all my yellow quilt blocks for this month's Rainbow Scrap Challenge so I'm caught up before May. I have a few other blocks to make for another project and then I hope to get back to the jelly roll quilt since I have those pieces ready to make blocks with for several weeks.
Take care and have a good day!
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Post by cj59 on Apr 23, 2024 16:49:06 GMT -5
Hi busybee - Hope you are doing well today. It was a nice day here, in the high 60s and sunny. I haven't been out all day but may put out the trash container in a little bit. I finished a few quilt blocks today for a new quilt. I had thought about doing a sampler quilt along that started this month and bought some fabric and the book for it, but the more I think about it I just don't think I'm up to making another large sampler and the quilt along runs into next year too, which is just too long. I did like another pattern in the book, so I'm going to make it with the fabrics I bought. They are Kansas Troubles fabrics so it will be more of a reproduction look. This was the quilt along I decided not to do: blog.fatquartershop.com/category/celebrate-with-quilts/piece-and-quilt-sampler-quilt-along/www.fatquartershop.com/chickadee-landing-fat-quarter-bundle - This is the fabric This is a gripe - I'm finding more and more of these quilt alongs want you to buy a book to get the patterns. I don't mind purchasing a book, but I'd prefer a digital version since I've tried hard not to build up a bunch of books in my house that I probably won't use again. I think I might send a comment to the Fat Quarter Shop to see if they'd consider making more digital books. I know most quilters prefer the hard copy, but at my point in life I just don't need to accumulate a bunch of books. There is another quilt along starting soon that looks really nice and it also requires the book, and I just don't want to buy another book. I'm pretty sure I can figure out this pattern myself (sizes, etc.), since it's a basic bowtie block. I feel bad though because I do try to support the quilters, but just wish they'd offer digital books too. blog.fatquartershop.com/announcing-the-vintage-bowtie-sew-along/I hope you've been able to do some work on your quilt and that you've had a good day. Take care
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Post by busybee on Apr 23, 2024 16:52:50 GMT -5
Hi CJ! Yesterday was a lovely sunny day - in the 60s - today is a bit cloudier but still warm, hitting 70 right now. This is the calm before the storm; the next few days will bring much cooler temps and rain.
But, yesterday's weather really helped me as my DD needed me since she was in extreme pain due to a back spasm. She had been advised to call 911 and go to an ER - but she wanted to wait for her PT who was arriving in the late afternoon before she made a decision to go to the ER. She needed emotional support and help - and thank goodness, I was able to drive over there (first time on my own in many weeks) and I stayed with her until after the PT left - and she did not have to go to the ER. It was a back spasm due to not being able to move around much in her bed - or not attempting to move often enough. At first, just getting herself up and out of bed was excruciating - but after moving herself to her side and resting, she was able to finally get up without the stabbing pain. And after the PT worked on her, she had more mobility in her bed and getting upright.
I did some small chores for her - got food ready - did some dishes - and talked and talked to her - to keep her calm. Finally, after she was comfortable and stable, I was able to leave - driving home after 7:30 pm - while it was still light. We had leftover tamale pie for our dinner and after watching a couple of TV shows with DH, I promptly fell asleep in my recliner - so tired I was.
I'm thankful for my excellent eye sight and that the route over to DD's is etched in my mind - as I had made so many trips over there after her GBS illness. And DH and I have made it enough times that I didn't have any trouble negotiating some of the new off ramps due to ongoing road work. Otherwise, most of the trip involves crossing Lk. WA on a beautiful toll bridge - which we call our private highway - not highly used other than during commuter times - and then through an arboretum.
So today, I'm catching up - have a big pile of laundry to do for myself and for DD. I'll go back to DD's on Friday. I told her that she can't count on me to come every day - I simply can't do that. She understands - but of course, she's missing socialization and finds the hours alone to be most difficult - especially when she's in so much pain.
I also must put together a grocery order for pickup tomorrow - we're in need of a lot of basics even.
I'm happy to hear that your stores are closer for you at your new location. That's a big help. And that you're working on your quilt projects more often again. Wish I could say the same. I've just got to keep plugging along. My Cousin also wrote to me and sent a check for DD's additional expenses - which is a huge help and worry off of our mind. She is such a kind-hearted soul. She takes care of her DD's 1-year-old boy so she can't drive back and forth very easily to see my DD either.
Have a good rest of your day - and stay well.
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Post by cj59 on Apr 24, 2024 18:15:55 GMT -5
Hi busybee - Hope you are doing well today and the weather is nice. It was in the 70s and sunny here today. I'm glad you made it safely to your DD's and back home. She is very fortunate to have you to help her. I hope she won't have any other spasms like that. I went to my house today to check and see if the grass had been cut and it hadn't been So when I came back here I called to check on it and they said they would be there this afternoon. They texted me in the late afternoon with pictures showing the grass had been cut, so that is a relief and one more thing off my mind for now. But I guess I"m going to have to have the grass done at least through May. I spent a lot of the day yesterday calling county offices and speaking to my lawyer and the people associated with the house sale and I'm hoping we can get some things resolved for the sale or else I hope the company will just release me from the contract so I can pursue other buyers. This whole thing has been very stressful. I sure hope I can get the house sold in the next few months. I didn't feel like working on any quilting today but I'm hoping to make my weekly Moda Blockheads block tomorrow. Hope you can work on your quilt too. Take care
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Post by busybee on Apr 25, 2024 13:59:13 GMT -5
Hi CJ: Our weather has changed back to rainy and gloomy - in the low 50s. But as our weatherman keeps reminding us, April is traditionally a "rainy" month out here and we are waaaaay behind our usual rain totals for this month. So, we're glad to see the rain - as we are expecting an unusually hot and dry summer - and we need the rain to fill our reservoirs.
Yesterday was grocery pickup day and de-cluttering for the cleaners today. Got that all done - and tried to get to bed earlier than usual. The "getting-to-bed" isn't too hard - but "getting-to-sleep" is a bit harder. So, I am sleep-deprived today as I always get up for the cleaners when they get here at 11 AM.
I sure hope that your house sale gets straightened out soon - that is such a stressful situation for you. I'm just not quite understanding why that company isn't being more forthright with you - and is getting away with dragging their feet. I would think your attorney could do something about that.
No working on the magic quilt for several days - too many other things going on.
Stay well and hope for the best.
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Post by cj59 on Apr 25, 2024 15:28:33 GMT -5
Hi busybee - Sorry you have some gloomy weather again, I'll hope for a sunny day for you again soon. Hope the cleaners came and did a good job. I can't figure out why this house buying company just lets my sale go on and on either. I called several people with the company this week and asked them when they will make the decision to either buy or release me from the contract. I'm still waiting to hear back from them! I also called a county office to see about presenting a request to combine my properties and they never called back, but I did find another way to submit a request online and did that. They turned me down when I requested this many years ago, but maybe things have changed. I finally have some understanding of what the problem is for the Title company. They can't get insurance for a vacant piece of land, so that will affect them trying to sell it in the future and I can see why they won't insure the sale now. I'm just hoping things can move forward soon, or they let me go and I start looking for another buyer and hope I don't have the same problems. I did get the most recent Moda Blockheads block made this afternoon and updated my Temperature quilt, only one more week for April. I also made the blocks from that jelly roll quilt I'd had sitting out for a week or so. Now I just need to lay them out in the design and then sew the rows together. Take care
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Post by busybee on Apr 26, 2024 20:15:13 GMT -5
Hi CJ: Today was lots better than expected - though the sunlight was interspersed with lots of clouds. But no rain at all and the sun is still shining - and it got up to 61 degrees.
It was good weather for my drive over to my DD's home again today. I picked up groceries for her along the way and brought her clean laundry back. I stayed and cooked a Hamburger Helper skillet for her. But I managed to leave just before 5 PM and the return trip went quite smoothly, reaching the Eastside, where we live, with no problems. The only backups I had were when I got off the freeway, near home, with the traffic light lines.
I'm not feeling up to par today - and didn't feel like staying any longer at DD's than necessary. And she understood and was thankful that I made it over there "at all."
We had a long phone call from our ODS yesterday, and he's seriously considering a visit up her in September, possibly. It's been 8 years since we've seen him, and we hope that he actually shows up.
Nothing else going on - I've got a GI problem - and I'm trying to stay calm and eat sparingly - but more bland foods.
Glad you're getting caught up with your projects. The property problem is a constant concern for you, and best to stay occupied with your favorite pastime.
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Post by cj59 on Apr 27, 2024 14:58:58 GMT -5
Hi busybee - Hope you are feeling better today. It's cool and cloudy here and then starting tomorrow we're supposed to have days in 80s for most of the week. It will be interesting for me to see how hot this house gets inside. Your DD is really lucky to have you to help her, and I'm glad your trips to her house have been alright. I did figure out how to layout the jelly roll quilt I've been working on but haven't felt like starting to sew it together. I hope I can get back in a quilting mood soon. Take care
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Post by busybee on Apr 28, 2024 19:26:40 GMT -5
Hi CJ: Same type of weather out here - cloudy with intermittent rain and in the low 50s.
I'm feeling a bit better - but the cramps persist. I'm being careful with my diet & drinking lots of water - and doing laps back & forth with my rollator.
Just finished watching the Seattle Mariners baseball game vs. the Arizona Diamondbacks, which we lost by 1 point. Our team has been on a winning roll for several games now - so a loss now & then is to be expected.
We have done all the gathering of trash & recycle for pickup in the morning. Big news out here is that a group of 4 (or 5) zebras got loose in the mountain town of North Bend, near our major east/west highway I-90. Evidently, they were being hauled "somewhere," and got loose from the hauling rig. So, last news was that 3 were corralled and retained and they were calling in a "wrangler." Zebras are like wild horses - so it would take some skill to catch them. We're all pulling for the zebras and hope they don't come to any harm - AND - we sure are wondering where in the world they were being taken! And we feel for them because it's pretty cold up there today - in the low 40s. (North Bend is not far from where our YDS and DDIL live. They sent photos of the zebras on a 2-lane highway. So glad they didn't end up on I-90.)
No sewing for me yet - just can't concentrate right now.
Glad you've got a layout plan for your jelly roll quilt.
Stay well - and hope you can keep cool in your new home. Does it have A/C?
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Post by cj59 on Apr 29, 2024 11:03:12 GMT -5
Hi busybee - Hope you are feeling better today, sorry that you have been so uncomfortable. I'm glad you are enjoying the baseball games, I bet they look great on your large screen TV. I hope all the zebras were finally caught and are safe, they are lucky they didn't end up on the Interstate! Our heat wave has started, it was in the 80s yesterday and will be today through Wednesday. Too hot for my taste, buy it looks like next week is cooler. This house does have central AC so that's something I'll have to get used to. There are also ceiling fans in several rooms. I want to try to keep the AC off until sometime in May or June if I can hold out. I did bring a new tower fan I've had in the box with me here, so I could put it out and use it in the living room in the evening. That's when it seems to get the most warm. Fortunately my bedroom doesn't get much direct sunlight, just a bit in the morning, so it stays cooler. I need to hire someone to change the HVAC filter inside the house since it's in the ceiling where I can get it. I guess I'll just call a handyman service to do it since they'll need a high ladder. I'd like to get that done before I use the AC. I finished the jelly roll quilt top yesterday and I don't really like it. I'm sad that I used my pretty jelly roll for this quilt But, oh well, it's done now. Today I'm hoping to work on the Temperature quilt and make the rest of the house top pieces for the year and maybe the trees too. I like having these made ahead so it's easier to put the blocks together at the end of the month. This morning I ran the vacuum in the house, this house is bigger than my other one even though it's just one floor. I'm trying to keep on top of the cleaning, which is something I really don't like to do - I never got that housekeeping gene I hope you'll feel like getting back to your quilt this week. Take care
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