The Sun Also Shines...

I live among royalty.

 Stitch is not just the kind of kitty who sits around.

He is heavily involved with the viewing of my pre-cuts.

He knows my stress at not being able to use the rotary cutter.

Stitch says, Do what you can and be happy!!

So Stitch...as much as I love you...I must show them all......

that you are;

Double Jointed!!!

Now..to Wednesday night quilting show and tell...

The disappearing nine patch is so versatile!!!!

Above and below...Sherry's quilts

Below random strips with random white blocks..very effective.

Mary Pat's grasshopper apron gift...totally cute

MP disappearing nine patch...so different than Sherry's

 with a cute panel backing!!!

Guess what?  I am better.

Being so self-absorbed must be part of the grief healing process..

I have turned a corner...for today, I see the sun.

Of course the real sun helps...the arm better helps..

Even though I cannot use my arm for big things..

small things with great love means a bit of piecing.

The books suggested by my friend Karaquilts...helped with the loneliness.

Lunches with friends...better focus.

Encouragement from my blogging friends..

Today, I feel like maybe I have my courage back....Today

I am praying that this is a start to my new kind of life with not so much

W.H.I.N.I.N.G!!!!

And a lot more gratitude...

xxoo

Shoulder Doctor....Duck!!!!

The update from my visit today to the ortho guy!!

See my new plastic and metal shoulder joint with a bar down the arm to stabilize it!!!

No wonder it hurt so much.

Doc  was thrilled at the perfect 3 week progress of my surgery.

Not so much this victim of unrealistic expectations.
My arm is no longer in a sling.
I am no longer on narcotic pain meds.

I can drive with one arm.
I cannot use this arm to lift anything heavier than a teacup.
I cannot turn the arm out..or do this or that.
I cannot quilt and I cannot lift a quilt.
I may possibly be able to piece.
I cannot use the rotary cutter
For six weeks..For six more weeks.
I cannot go to the pool for six more weeks.
I must not fall...

Because I must use the cane for my right hip that has not been replaced yet..
I cannot use it with my left hand...that leaves my purse and cane in my right hand.
Still figuring out how to do grocery shopping, etc.
Still figuring out how to make my purse the weight of a teacup.
I must be aware that I am a fall risk.

There are range of motion exercises for me to do...eg..lift my arm as far as it will go
10 times myself and have someone else do that 10 times once a day.
Doctor does not believe in PT for this kind of surgery
He says it can often be too harsh and displace his good work.

So....here we are...
No quilt pictures...
Surgery success and my attitude is being adjusted!!!..

.

In a Fabric Muddle

A post I started without energy to publish.
That day.....

The lovely snowy day with bright sun and Carolina blue skies
The snow that started at 3am...enough for the cousins to get a picture.
By one pm it was totally gone.

My girl left that morning in a white Lyft car in the snow

She met her man in Seattle and headed out for tin whistle sessions. 

They have chosen Portland, Oregon over Seattle for the COL and the charm.

I had some tears but mostly I am empowered by her visit

I have not heard from our Bea in two months
That does not bode well for  her lung cancer diagnosis.
Bea, I so miss chatting with you.

Now a thought on fabric.  My collection spans 50 years,
Why...because I love it so.  I keep it all but what I give to friends.
Looking at it takes me back to where I bought it and when.
It takes me back to wonderful memories...Of my travels and Mae's discount fabric in Miami.
Of my friends I have sewn with over the years, of my grandmother.
I love to pat it, organize it, cut it, sew it and admire it.
Home bound with shoulder recovery, I have had a lot
of time to think about life, about,fabric, about, age and such.

I have not been able to throw myself into sewing. My shoulder forbids. it.
 My beautiful collection just sits to be admired.
Part of the problem is that I still struggle with cutting into my favorites... I have a lot of favorites.
I wonder now at my age how it will all go down.
Will I still have a chance to cut my favorites?
I know that I have enjoyed my stash.
My fabric has been an anchor when all else seemed to be gone.
Quilting is my meditation.
Just thinking now...when I heal, will I look at it with different eyes.?.
Me think I should put it in my will...
. I have enjoyed my fabric soooo much without cutting it...
My daughter and sister and fabric friends should take it and love it too.
 They can cut it all up for quilts to make people happy or,
they too can just admire it!!!

Mrs. O'Quilts Turns a New Leaf!

Guess what?  I sewed tonight, just a little.
I put one border on three potholders in progress.
Joy is in my heart.
Reminding me, of course of when I impatiently called the doctor 3 days after the operation, to complain, ..The message was: " The doc said 3 weeks, not three days"

I am back!  Not all the way....but back.

Almost 3 weeks in recovery...feeling better but so impatient!!!
Progress:
Besides whining in dismay and pain the past 3 weeks, isolated and unable to drive or go out...
I have finished 10 CEU's online toward renewing my license
Learning from my dear man.  I took the tests right away before studying the lecture material.
AND, out of 10 one hour credits.  I passed 8 of them without studying...right off the bat!
Now did that make me feel good...OH, Yeah!!

Did I want to do this?
Did I want  to exercise self-discipline????
Oh, no......
I wanted to go out shopping
I wanted to go out to eat.
I wanted to be pain free.
I wanted to run in the wind.
I wanted to sew.
I wanted to write a blog post.
I wanted to dance with my man.
I wanted to be 40 again.
But, life made me do the self-discipline thing instead.

Thanks to Muggs, I have been reading!!

A great book.

I have partied....Yup...partied...But the parties came to me
Here I am at Margaret's bday party at last Wednesday night quilters.

Birthday parties on Wednesday nights are getting quite  clever.
Look at the apron that Muggs made Margaret!!

Look at the quilt that Drenna is making for Margaret.

Even though the quality of this picture is poor, you can see the bag with the picture of our group on retreat....made at Shutterfly, by Muggs and her mother..below..other Margaret!
Such great ideas!

Here is a card of get well from my Queen Bee group:
I was flattered, but somehow I only wish I was a Tough Cookie.

Then there was St Paddy's Day and my lost love.
I could not celebrate..
The day was dark....the night was light
as 18 of my widow group came to my house to ease my pain
and celebrate the holiday.
Let me tell you....I am one lucky Mrs. O'Quilts.

Tonight I am having a peaceful, easy evening alone
as the darlings are having supervised/unsupervised visitation with both parents.

This was Himself planning the music for the parade in 2011
You do understand, that this was only yesterday.
After all this time recovering...I have missed my blogging friends..
The leaf has started turning. It is a wonderful thing..
PTSD and Caregiving

Stifled Grief: How the West has it wrong.

Coming Out of the Dark

Love says:....

Enjoy porch time with Boo and Stitch

 

 Flowers sent for Emily's birthday, from her husband.

 A darling gift for Lynsey, quilt and doll made by Mary Jerz

Hello Darkness, My Old Friend

Hola friends....I decided to post because the above song was stealing my serenity.

At least now, I can type with both hands.

Either this shoulder replacement was dreadful....or..

I am impatient and over sensitive...or

St Paddy's Day and Easter  and Fintan's two year anniversary of his death are all about here,

or, it is because my girl is leaving tomorrow..

In the middle of nurture and indulgence, I am having break-thru pain in all areas.

My shoulder has a 10 inch cut with stitches and my arm is in a sling.

I cannot drive until the 22nd.

Today is day 11 post- surgery.  It feels like a million years!!

Life goes on around me...but I have not been able to see the light.
I cannot sew. That should say it all!!!

Love comes in the persona of my daughter

She has nurtured me, cared for me...organized me and spoiled me..

I could not have done it without her.

I am such a lucky lady.

She makes meals:

She does the doctoring and the PT and tucks me into bed at night.
She has organized some sewing things for me..
Early tomorrow morning, she leaves for her new chosen city, Portland, Oregon.

Friends sent presents and food.

I am better...ten more days until I am released from the sling and drive and live again.

This is the first day of typing so I am going to stop.

Thank you for all the emails and comments wishing me well.

I am praying that this operation was a success,

Out of the Dark

Day Five after the Shoulder Operation....Looking for a "shoulder" song

Cannot type with my left hand

Cannot find an appropriate Shoulder song

Dust Your Shoulders Off

Put Your Head on My Shoulders

Let me tell you about Hope
Let me tell you about my daughter
Let me tell you about my friends.

The doctor said the operation went perfectly.
His PA said it would  hurt for 3 weeks.
If I behave, I am pain free.
If I do not behave...AAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Just so you know....My girl is a gift to be here with me.
xxoo

LOOK how much my friends help me out!!!!
xxxooo

Looking Back Over my shoulder

A Big Thanks to Eithne!!!!

Zippity Doo Dah
xxoo Rachel

Sunshine on My Shoulder
Thank u Peggy

Shoulder to Shoulder, Irelands Call
thank you Susan