Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to everyone! Even those of us with only four-legged babies get to celebrate!

Of course, most Mommy's have animals that will cooperate for photos. But, no, Penny is "special"! Seventeen shots and this was the only one not blurry. I love you Penny Poop. I'm glad you adopted me!

A Reminder

Just wanted to remind everyone to check your bank accounts often. I checked mine today and found three days' worth of fraudulent charges to my account. The bank was very nice and immediately credited back the amount that was fraudulent. They've cancelled my ATM card and will be issuing a new one. What a hassle! I'm still limping around. I was off most of last week because I couldn't sit and could barely walk. It's better this week but still have a long way to go. I did postpone the surgery scheduled for next week. It was too soon. I need to wrap my head around this before proceeding. The good news in all of this is that I finally caved in and hired a cleaning service. They start tomorrow. Boy, do they have their work cut out! I'll have them in weekly. That should free up some time for sewing - as soon as I can sit long enough to do that. It's always something.

Answers

After a long doctor's appointment yesterday, I have answers on the horrible back pain I've been having. I thought it was a simple (although painful) case of sciatica. Well, it seems I more than likely have two herniated discs. I say "more than likely," because that's what the doctor thinks from the plain x-rays he took yesterday. I have an MRI this morning. I'm dreading laying on the table for an hour and a half, but he needs to see exactly what's going on in there. I may be getting an injection on Thursday based on the MRI results. My doctor doesn't have much of a sense of humor. I told him yesterday I needed to have an "ectomy" or "otomy" of something to relieve the pain........ no smile, nothing. This guy needs to lighten up!

Testing, testing

Testing out the new format. If you never hear from me again, this is why!

Still Sick

I relapsed big time. And I've been coughing so much that I developed a horrendous pain in my ribcage. I was absolutely certain I had broken a rib. Hurts to sit up; hurts to lay down; hurts to breathe.

Well, after x-rays yesterday I was told nothing is broken. I have a touch of pleurisy. Man, talk about painful.

Anyway, that's why I haven't been posting.

I promised myself to do better but it is what it is.

This weekend I have help to move some tubs of fabric and a few other things into off-site storage. I desperately need to do that before the work starts around here. It'll be good to get this task off my plate.

Will be back soon. Promise.

Simple Pleasures

This morning Jill asked me if I was recovered from vacation yet. My short answer -- no! I wish I were back in Yosemite. The splendor of our first national park has me, frankly, mind-boggled.

I've seen lots of California poppies in flower beds and landscaping around the cities, but I had never seen them growing wild. Someone told me that the blooming season is just starting, but I was able to capture a snapshot traveling through the Tejon Pass. My first thought seeing the color spilling down the hills was "liquid gold."



What a beautiful state I live in. I've made a late New Year's resolution to see more of it before it's time to leave!

But on to the purpose of this post......

I was looking for a small box to mail something to a friend. With all the cleaning out I've been doing, I'm short on boxes.

But Kimberly to the rescue!

When this box arrived this week, I thought, "Darn, I wanted one of those smaller ones that she mails in." I finally opened the big box this morning and, VOILA!, the exact box I needed was inside!!!



I snagged the Love Letters kit on sale, and it was packaged in the smaller box. The fabric on top of the box is the backing set. I love this quilt. I meant to order it when it came out, but I'm glad I forgot!! LOL.

The perfect box -- a simple pleasure!!

Back to Reality

What a reality check this morning. It took me an hour and a half to drive 19 miles to work!

I'd rather be back in Yosemite!!












On the way home, the first town out of the park on Highway 41 was Oakhurst CA. We were just contemplating stopping at Starbucks when I suddenly whipped my head around and yelled, "A quilt shop!!" My friend who was driving slammed on the breaks and did a wheelie!! And she's not even a quilter!! LOL.

We went back to the shop and it wasn't open! Oh, no!! The good news is that it would be open in ten more minutes. So off to Starbucks, and then back to Bear Paw Quilts & More. They're located right on Highway 41. You can't miss the shop!



The owner is Donna Henning and her shop is adorable! There were lots of gorgeous samples hanging, and lots of kits and inspiration! Yes, I indulged! So? I mean, a gal's gotta do what a gal's gotta do!

Donna posed for a picture!



I would encourage anyone who is traveling up that way -- and you really should! -- to stop at Bear Paw Quilts! Trust me, you won't leave empty-handed!

Donna, thank you for being so gracious and warm! I plan on making Yosemite an annual trip, and I'll definitely be stopping by to say hello and indulge a bit more! I'm just sorry I didn't get a kit with a bear on it to commemorate my visit. Next year for sure!!