Cataract Surgery

 Jan 26th

OKAY even the birds weren't awake at 6:20 am on my way to the Western Surgical Centre for my right cataract surgery! I pray all goes well and then an overnight at Pat's just in case.

Update: I was prepped 20 minutes earlier, (scheduled 7am to start), we were shifted one by one to the surgical ward and i was out by 9:15 and Pat picked me up 9:30ish, stopping at Tim's on her way home. I'm passing time by for 10:30 drops time then going to lie down!!! Seems all is good! I'm tired!!!!!

I'm relaxing at Pat's with my fuzzy eye, achy but no pain. Very tired.

Yes and I'm doing good! Relaxing.

Yes and the freezing is lifting, needed a Tylenol before supper! And she's making lasagna for supper. YUMMY!!!

Jan 27th

Morning! Lots better with one slightly fuzzy eye! No pain so that's good.

UPDATE: Hey, I just realized watching TV is LOTS clearer looking OVER my glasses!!! So I slid them down my nose, closed left eye, yes very clear, closed my right eye lots blurry without glasses and somewhat blurry with glasses. Then closed my left eye, no glasses and crystal clear, with glasses slightly blurry. WOW!!!

Jan 28th

Feeling better with no pressure or pain in my eyeball. No Tylenol today! On time with drops so far too!

But dang it, it's neither here not there finding the spot in the glasses for clear vision for closeup!!! I take them off for perfect distance vision but anything within 3 feet is fuzzy!!! Go Figure!!! It's gonna be a real pain until the other eye is operated on and a decision on closeup glasses etc.

Catchup - Jan 7th-25th

 Jan 7th

Well I had my first treatment yesterday after a week of off and on bad back/hip to ankle pain. I honestly can't say much as to any immediate results but it felt good with gradual stretch release with laser heat. But I noticed about halfway through that my ankle pain was just about gone and the needles/tingling in the ball area was greatly lessened. I did notice that my walking was easier and not in excruciating pain afterwards, just achy sore. Also I didn't take any Tylenol Arthritis during the day so that's good! It's a backup if pain is bad.

Today morning pain was back but again not as intense, will see how more treatments progress.

Laser-Spinal-Decompression

Jan 18th

Cool!!!

Jan 20th

So much for my feeling better than before, but not total relief yet. Today I woke 5ish in PAIN, say 5-7, got up took a Tylenol Arthritis and moved to the recliner and slept in. Needless to say I needed one of my sticks to walk to my spinal decompression treatment and out too. Today I did get my back brace and wore it for two hours afterwards, feel a little better but not good.

Dr Suzanne said it could fluctuate before lots better, so this was the bad day, hope not any worse in future!

Great idea to hopefully keep larger birds and squirrels out?

Jan 21st

WOW!!!

Jan 22nd

Well between appointments and relaxing this past month I decided to finish off two gifts for friends. Then decided to make another for myself in my favourite Lizbeth threads and then for quilty family members.

Left to Right in size 20 tatting threads:

Ring and leaves in Lizbeth #122, flowers a crochet cotton

Ring and leaves in Lizbeth #122, flowers in Lizbeth #180

Ring and leaves in Lizbeth #190, flowers Oren Bayan Dantel from Turkey (gifted to me)

Ring and leaves in Lizbeth #676, flowers in #136

The pattern was designed by Bev Pedder for an Australian National Conference in 2025 call for patterns. I was her exchange partner within Fringe Tatters and she gifted me a lovely scissor fob and the pattern (but not for sharing sorry).

Jan 24th

Well I must be crazy to be venturing out Friday, Saturday and Sunday in this frigid weather for a quilting retreat! At least we get to go home to our own beds to sleep comfortably.

So yesterday I worked on more I Spy potato chip blocks and hopefully after lunch to sew up the easy I Spy blocks into another top. Pat is using the fabrics I gifted her for a table runner. Sylvia made a tote, fabric from Adina's, then switched to her work in progress quilt. Today she's working on a PPd spiral blocks and maybe switching back to the quilt top.

Jan 25th

Yesterday we continued on our projects. We went to Tavern United for supper then back for more sewing. My quilt top has been donated to Anne of Piece it Together for their group to finish off as a donation to their MCC fundraiser. I've blocks for another two similar sized tops to prep into quilts for donations to other organizations.

Today Pat finished off her lovely table runner then started on her 2.5" batik strips for our future sewing day rug making session. Sylvia continued on her quilt making progress and also working on her spiral PPd blocks for a wall hanging. I finally finished off the Potato Chip blocks and with sashing completed a twin sized quilt top.

Heather gave me another scrappy idea that she knew as Grandma's Sick Quilt, or what I call the "match it quilt". So the two of us may get together and with my novelty fabrics stash we might give this idea a try!!! Plus Anne of Piece it Together was working on her version of a scrappy quilt!!! There were a couple more on display so hopefully I'll have more ideas for scrappy I Spy quilts for the future.

And Pat's finished pillow cover from a previous sewing project!

This year I've two quilt tops I plan to donate to Piece it Together for their group to sandwich and quilt them maybe for their May fundraiser with funds donated to MCC relief etc. I will have two more of each of these quilts to donate to MPQ and another group sometimes this year, but will quilt them myself. I love doing these but after 72 I Spy blocks (yellow sashed quilt) and 24 potato chip blocks (red sashed quilt) with more PC blocks to sew up in the future, I need a change! Glad I've some different designs for more I Spy quilts!

Myself, lap quilt and Anne of Piece it Together.

Maybe 50x61"

Finished Potato Chip twin sized quilt.

Maybe 62x91"

Catchup - Dec 26th - Jan 5th

Dec 26th

Good morning!!! I'm staying put, achy sore night, so hopefully easier day!

The kids have been very good so I've given them each a bigger treat! Not a peep out of either while I'm having my breakfast. Hope that wasn't a mistake!

Well I thought I'd say thank you for the Queen of UFOs group's support and mention that I've competed around 21 various sized UFOs (quilted items) since 2021 and of those 6 were donated (many others previously but not noted in these excel sheets). I promise I will continue with this plan you've started as a group to reduce my list of 51 UFO's (not all as I've three boxes of UFO's to list yet) but may not post there if we're shutting down. I will one day get my list completed and add NEW projects as they arrive!!!

Dec 27th

It's going to be a QUIET restful day and hopefully less aches!!! At first Bubba was content near Dahli, who's snoring. Then up Bubba jumped into my lap (more bruises I'm sure) and moved upwards!!! I wonder if leather pants would protect me??? YEAH SURE!!!

Well Sylvia finished off, mostly by herself, that puzzle we were working on this month. Lovely.

Today I watched Christmas movies and now working on Jacqui's gifted hexies project (mucho larger than my usuals) while listening to the Canada Junior and now Jets hockey!  

They are very lazy today!!!

Dec 28th

Finally!!!! I found a way to get those gross feeds off my story lineup. Hold your finger on it and pops up option to mute it and I selected "until I choose to unmute". Will see if that works.

Okay I know I spoiled them at the start with access to my lap BUT now I want to stitch! Nope Bubba had enough of the couch and insisted he want to be here too! Is there anymore room in this chair? I'm cramped but not gonna try to get up till I need to or they leave, whichever first! 🙄

Juniors hockey and fireplace with piano music!!! What else could I ask for? Wine? Later maybe!

Okay those cuddles seem to have been axed! After their supper, they didn't want to go outside but 2 hours later I went out with them and wouldn't let them back in until completed. Well after a few minutes of dily dallying they both did so and hightailed it back into the house! Silly kids!  

Well I did give them each a treat right away BUT they're mad at me and now that I've put my sewing away they both refuse to join me!!! Hmmmm wonder how long this boycott will last? 😆🫨🤔

The next two days will be interesting with colder temps!!!

Dec 29th

I know I had a chuckle and I'm sure the guy knocking did too watching me try to get up from the recliner with this stitching box in my lap! Talk about fun controlling the pugs and answering the door!!! I NEVER get visitors and here twice this week!!! Anyways he even recognized my work similar to his Grandmother's! WOW!!!

Dec 30th

Well I thought I'd watch a Christmas movie before switching to the Juniors hockey while stitching. Good idea but kinda a wrong choice! Don't get me wrong it was lovely but the last half hour was a tear jerker and Bubba kept watching me! Poor sensitive guy!!! I think it was a Southern Family Christmas. Now to clear the sight so I don't go jabbing my fingers more!!!

So happy they are back to sharing!!! 🥰

Dec 31st

I'm so glad I got to visit with Eilene and Bruce this afternoon! Poor girl tripped over an opened lower drawer and broke her foot just before Christmas and hobbling in a lower leg/foot cast!!!  

So back with the dogs, still stitching and watching hockey. I only have Dahli sharing my chair and I think Bubba does not like the box or the laptop with hockey too close compared to the TV up high! I'll see if he joins me when I put the box away!

Jan 5th

Well it's been a very quiet entry into the New Year for me. Yesterday I ventured out for a couple hours of puzzle therapy at Sylvia's. Not sure about the succulents puzzle though! But we did book our girls week quilting escape, this time at Pineridge Point Cabin in St Malo. We're all looking forward to this closer location. Will see if it's a repeat or not.

Today Adele picked up my spirits with a much needed colour n cut! Thank you very much!

Then I did a couple errands before heading home, tired and achy!

Catchup - Dec 11th - 25th - Merry Christmas

 Dec 11th

What a surprise to attend my first Meadowood Quilters Christmas potluck. WOW, talk about an awesome turnout plus the variety of appetizers, salads, meats, starches and desserts too!!! I was very good and sampled small amounts of only what I wanted and somehow totally missed the perogies!!! Thank goodness Dianne brought me one to enjoy! It was nice to sit with Dianne U and also see Bruce too. They both told me that Dr Jeremy Levi, my cataract surgeon, is very good!

Dec 12th

Good morning! Hmmm! I thought I had checked the weather app to see if my baby needs plugging in, guess I didn't so quickly ran out and did so. Hopefully a couple hours will help before venturing out!!! Also look at the snowfall on my ledge this morning, yesterday it was just at the window frame.

OHHHH them sun dogs were so impressive even if the weather wasn't!!! So first lunch with Sylvia at the Southdale Village Family Restaurant, yummy shrimp, fries and garlic mushrooms, last minute grocery shopping and then an hour of puzzle therapy together!

On my way across the city to take Edna grocery shopping, she was going to bus it, I noticed my tire gauge light stay on. This happened the past two years now whenever it got COLD. So twice I stopped and walked around not spotting any low tires, plus no pulling to any side or any weird noises, so I continued. My garage had told me what to do but check in whenever.

I snuck out and got this picture and glad as the sun was sinking fast!

So picked up Edna and was I ever glad as she had two full bags, said she got other stuff since she had a ride. While she was busy I too did some shopping then waited in the warm car till she called for pick up.

I felt happy helping both of them today!

Dec 13th

WOW what a day!!! I'm finished uploading the group's posts and now relaxing!

A lovely 30th Anniversary and Christmas potluck with friends of Assiniboine Circle Quilters!!! Food was quite abundant, delicious, varied and lots!!! Yummy! They kept me hopping with all the activities that as picture taker I was trying to catch! Some I missed being too slow getting into place. So here is a recap of our day!!!

Lovely table centre

Full hall

Dessert and coffee area

Closeup of the fancy tea cups we got to use and keep! Thank you.

Delicious anniversary cake.

Coffee area

Start of set up

End of set up

Chow Time!!!

My plate and travel placement gift from Edna.

Cake time, honorary guests first!

Group shot. Thank you Donna H.

Dec 19th

OMGG I stayed home yesterday but ventured out today, stupid me!!! Thankfully 99.9% of drivers around me were actually driving for the conditions. Thank you!!! There was one sports car on Pembina behind me a few cars that switched into the right lane, going by fast on icy roads, quickly veered OVER TWO LANES into the left turning intersection. Thank GOD he hadn't hit anyone, vehicle or pedestrian, and I don't even know if he made it across the north bound three lanes safely. I was past that and looking forward. Each stop I scraped the ice/snow off the windows, lots didn't bother.

In that time I was about, I drove in rain, heavy fluffy snow, nothing, rain again and finished in wet snow before parking the car, thankful to be home without incident! We started the week with grass still showing to snowbanks! Typical Manitoba/Canada winter weather - unpredictable - with Christmas Day up to -5C - go figure!!!

Dec 20th - from Taunya

Spa day at Perfect Paws today. We are fresh and de-haired for our visit with Rose Anne Burdeny over Christmas

Dec 23rd

Hmmmm seems I've forgotten to post yesterday!!!

It was a Christmas lunch with the girls at Poke Mono in Southdale shopping area, some shopping, then dropped the girls off before heading home to relax a bit!

Then over to Angela's for an awesome catchup on our lives and some Christmas martinis - I love her crantinis, even this weaker one!!!

When I got home last night there was a sign posted to move cars by 8am for parking lot cleaning! I hate early mornings!!! So at 10:30 - YIKES - I texted Sylvia to see if she was awake! Yes, so I arranged to meet her for breakfast at Sal's!

So after our early breakfast, I went over to work some puzzle magic as she had gotten stumped, before my 10:30 am appointment. Then a few more errands before heading home to relax some!

Finally after a long dry spell, Janice had Cindy and I over at her son's place (dog sitting while they vacationed) for a lovely visit! Lots of yummy finger food, some wine and finished off with homemade desserts and coffee! Lovely tree!!!

Now home to relax before another busy day tomorrow!

May you have a HEARTWARMING Christmas and a joyous New Year!!!

May your days be BRIGHT, and your heart LIGHT!!!

A warm and friendly wish from ME to YOU for a holiday season filled with HAPPINESS!!!

Dec 24th

Merry Christmas, relaxing after a bit of scraping mush off the stairs before I could unload. Bubba and Dahli joined me briefly. Dahli went back to the couch but Bubba stayed with me! I'm enjoying my reheated McDs coffee and added a generous amount of Baileys. I think I'm mellowing some!!!

Ohhhhhh it's 7:30ish and I'm ready for sleep after that fresh air and exercise earlier!!! The dogs are snoozing and I'm trying to watch movies!!! It might be an early night!!!

Dec 25th - Merry Christmas!!!

I love Snowman and my coffee too!!!

Today the pugs are good and I was able to have Christmas supper at Randy and Pat's with Byran, Sylvia, Amanda, Justin and Astro! Lovely visit and HUGS alongwith a care packages to take home!!! AWESOME!!!

Now to relax a couple days!