Surgery got delayed until 11:30, then 12:30 and I think it was about 1 when they wheeled me into the OR. The next thing I knew I got back to recovery at 6:30!! I remember rating my pain at zero but that has changed for sure. Haha!!
Sam and I came up last night in the rain – ate a yummy “ last supper” at Red Lobster and found our hotel downtown Rochester in the maze of construction, rainy streets, oncoming lights and lots of driving around the block. Here’s the difference in our generations – what a great example – Sam wanted me to put it in my phone for directions and I wanted to keep driving around. HAHAHAHA!!! By the time I had figured out how to put it in my phone, I’d have been late for surgery!
I actually slept pretty well – kept Sam up with my snoring tho, poor girl. Now it’s 5 am, I’m having an episode of itching and I decided to talk to you guys to distract me. I can’t get up, I can’t roll over and I itch! Miserable!!!!
Sam has been nothing short of fabulous – an amazing friend! I’ve never had such a friend go to such lengths on my behalf. She has gone above and beyond to step in and bring me to Mayo after Becky suddenly tested positive for Covid. She has been in and out of this hospital checking on me and even stayed over a second night although I told her to go home to her family.
I did leave you guys hanging after Becky tested positive but in my mental state at the time I could not write a post. The despair in my voice would have been evident and after reading many articles online about being exposed to Covid, I decided I simply had not been. We had been outside with masks on – no sharing a drink, food, touching hands or anything.
So my long recovery begins – I’m determined to make it as short as possible without being stupid about it. Thank you for so many good wishes – I can’t tell you how supportive it is to read them all. Now entertain me by telling me something that’s happening at your house – what you’re sewing, your pets, what’s for supper, Thanksgiving plans, home and family – you know, our regular morning coffee chat! 😉
Hi Mary,
So glad to hear that your surgery went well and you’re on the road to recovery. Praying for your quick recovery. I want to thank you for putting my address in your blog several weeks ago. I received the loveliest cards with the most encouraging notes written inside. Thank you to all of the ladies who sent them. It was wonderful.
We are getting the first snowfall of the season and it is a whopper. The snow started coming down about 3:30 and hasn’t stopped yet . It looks like a winter wonderland out there. So far, we have four inches on the ground. According to the weather report, it’s supposed to keep snowing all evening. We are only a block and a half away from the lake, which is at the end of our street. People who live further south of us won’t be getting as much snow.
As for what I’m working on – it is a baby quilt. About six months ago, I ordered two flannel layer cakes to make a baby quilt. I couldn’t decide which one I liked better and colors aren’t always 100% true on the computer screen, so I got both. The one I decided to use has brighter pastel colors with stars and hearts. The pattern is called “Sweet Baby Flannel” by Abi Hall for Moda. I haven’t seen a pattern like this before. It’s almost like doing a puzzle. There are 25 Churn Dash blocks. The first row has 4 blocks, the second row has 3 blocks, 3rd has 4, 4th has 3 and the 5th has 4. The bottom of each Churn Dash block in the first row is divided so that the color used in the top half of the bottom half square triangle is the same as the rest of that block but the bottom half of that square becomes the color of the fabric used in the churn dash block in the next row down. It continues that same pattern of colors changing down through the entire quilt. It’s hard to explain. I’ll send you a picture when the quilt is finished.
Take care Mary. God bless you.
I am so glad your waiting is over for your surgery and you are on the path of healing and recuperation. You are not walking this path alone, you know who is beside you, lean on him. Praying for good health for you.
I am presenting a demonstration at my Quilt guild meeting today on string piecing. I have six examples to share with them, i.e. using phone book pages, wonky courthouse steps, adding machine tape and just sewing together and squaring up the blocks. I have two completed quilts to take along to show, one was made during those first covid days and was comforting to make, as well as a good distraction. With all this sewing, why do I never seem to run out of those strings?
I’m so glad you are out of surgery and pray for a speedy recovery for you! I dislike driving in the rain, at night, with all the headlights coming at you in a city you have never been in. So glad all ended well.
I cut out a little house pillow from a Christmas Charm pack that I had been saving! Like you, I decided it was time to start using those “saved” fabrics.
Have a great day!
Oh my, look at all these comments. Mary you are loved! My husband always says “this too will pass”, so glad your surgery is over. I am facing a hysterectomy coming up soon. Waiting is hard. I enjoy hearing about everyone’s kitties. My little sweetheart Quinn is 13 years old now and has us well trained. I am working on red and white quilt blocks. Whenever I see a block I want to do, I make it in red. I have a bunch now. Got an “already cooked” turkey breast from Trader Joes. You just have to heat it up. I froze it for now. Hope it’s good. Only 3 for our meal and then I deliver a meal to my brother who is 5 miles away. Blessings Mary. Linda in Colorado
Linda, What a great idea to make quilt blocks you like in red and now you can sew them into a quilt. I think I’m going to try that! Thanks for the inspiration.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery with your upcoming surgery.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery Mary. Hope you only have a short stay in hospital. Lovely to read all the comments, they must cheer you up.
Happy Thanksgiving Day to you all. We don’t celebrate this in Australia. Christmas Day is the time families get together here.
Enjoy everybody
Mary, so happy everything went well and you are comfortable enough to write to us! Just amazing. Sam was an angel, for sure. Such a good friend. Today I actually went to breakfast with a good friend. We did a little antiquing too. It was a great day and tomorrow we have much needed rain coming. Actually two days and I am so glad. We have lots of brush fires in the area, which I’ve never experienced in my 71 years. So rain will be wonderful. Take care, we all love you! Jan in MA
Appreciate your update, and to find you so upbeat!
Praying for you and Sam and those keeping the animals and holding down the fort at home. We need you Mary. You are strong and can do anything. I am sewing reusable sanitary napkins that a retired 80 yr old missionary takes to Africa. It makes me happy to think of the girls and women who need these. What we take for granted in America. I m not the best seamstress but working to improve my skills. Not good at zigzagging curves. Thank God I upgraded my sewing machine today. What a blessing. Love to you and thinking and praying for you throughout the day. Nancy from Texas
So glad to hear that your surgery went well and that your recovery is going as expected.
I have been trying to deal with Social Security. I had to change my bank account number and made a special trip to the local SS office to update the information. I did not receive my SS for the last two months. Finally was able to figure out it was entered wrong in their computer. I spent hours dealing with this issue.
Can’t decide what quilt to start next. I have so many I want to make.
Keep up the good work of taking care of yourself and following doctors orders.
It is great to hear from you. I hope your recovery goes well. We had snow flurries today north of Cedar Rapids Ia. I canned the last of my tomatoes. They were in the freezer until I found the time. I have a fun cat story to share. We live in the country and three years ago we noticed a stray cat in our shed. He was a youngster. He was so scared he couldn’t be in any building we were in. Gradually he quieted down. I started talking to him. This summer he would let me know when he was out of food. In the last couple of weeks he started to let us touch him. Now we have a cat that can’t get enough attention. He purrs so loud when we pet him. It took three years to gain his trust. He is a tabby tuxedo cat.
Marie, that must have made your heart swell. It’s such an honor to be trusted by an animal who may not have had a reason to trust people. Bless you
Glad your surgery is done and healing can begin. When I had a double mastectomy and reconstruction I itched all over and scratched until I was bleeding in the sheets in the hospital. Bad reaction to all the “codones” and morphine. They switched me to Dilaudid and within a few hours I had relief from the unending itch. Now it is in my permanent records. There is no need to suffer more on top of surgical issues. I am wishing you a speedy recovery.
So glad to hear you could go through with your surgery. I think you have gotten advice from folks more knowledgeable than me, so I’ll just wish you a safe and hopefully speedy recovery.
Not much news here. DH had his 2nd cataract removed last week and we are down to eyedrops and eye shield at night. I managed to survive, though I’ll confess some Chocolate Chunk Cookies helped! My neighbor, Karen (not THAT Karen) drove us back and forth, so I had a good friend with me. Actually, I think I was more nervous than Robert, not knowing how the procedures would affect his Parkinson’s. Apparently, his cataracts were a challenge. All went well, though. Now to wait for healing.
No special plans for Thanksgiving. If the weather is good our daughter usually comes down from Minneapolis for the weekend, so I do have the makings for turkey breast, stuffing, mashed potatoes, broccoli, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie in the house. Oh, and don’t forget THE FLUFF! Pronounced as in “Da Bears!” It’s only Orange Jello, cottage cheese, mandarin oranges, Maraschino cherries, marsh mallows, and Cool Whip, so not very elegant, but it was the one thing our son would eat when he was little. It went to every potluck and family get together over the years. He is in South Carolina, so won’t be back for the Holidays. We’ll talk on the phone, I’m sure.
No sewing here except for LWR quilts. No concentration, either, so that is probably a good thing!
Sam has certainly earned another star in her crown. How wonderful to be blessed with such a good friend. I hope Becky has a mild case of Covid and can give you a hug soon after you get home.
As always, prayers continue for you and for all who are facing challenges. Kris
Rats! I forgot the pineapple tidbits in THE FLUFF. Whatever you are having for Thanksgiving, I hope it will be a day filled with peace. Kris
Kris – would love to have that Fluff recipe. I know someone who would probably eat it all!
Thanks!
Mary, so glad the surgery happened! Have thought of you often. So glad you sent the update after surgery .We have been without power for 24 hours now and predict that it might not come back for another 3 days.
Thank goodness for batteries, candles and warm quilts!!
The wind storm was bad but we are thankful that we did not lose any trees, like many did. Take care!💙🙏🏻💙
Vicki, we have kids and grands in the Centralia area and they have also been without power. They let me know they were really happy they had a Granny who made them quilts. Hahaha
Pat, I hope they get their power back soon! Schools around us are closed again tomorrow. Glad your grands have your special quilts to keep them warm!😀
Mary, I am so happy you are through this ordeal.
What a wonderful friend Sam is. You have a lot of gpod friends.
Take your time to recover. Time to take care of YOU for awhile. I think Hazel can hold down the farm and keep it rinning. Lol.
So happy you have thos behind you.
Shirley from central Oregon
I’m SO glad you are done with the surgery & now on the road to recovery. You did exactly what I would have done — you couldn’t be exposed because you’d taken steps NOT to. Bless Sam for being there for you!
All good here. We are trying to keep the fire going enough to keep the house warm. Coming from over 100 degree days not too long ago we both are feeling the cold a LOT now. This getting older isn’t for wusses! I made the beds this morning, tidied up the house, and thankfully hubby started the fire. We both went down the hallway a little while later (we sleep in separate rooms as we BOTH snore!)…and noticed both beds were rumpled. Our 14 pound terrier, Abbie, went in after I’d made the bed and made each of them the way SHE likes them. We had a good laugh over that — she is the most stubborn, but affectionate dog we’ve had in the over 50 years together! We’ll leave the beds the way she ‘adjusts’ them now! She’s trained us to set up her bed (which is the master bedroom, with hubby, in the king size bed) for nighttime when it’s getting dark. Then she lets us know when she wants to be ‘put to bed’ — and one or both of us trot down after here to ‘tuck’ her in, say good night and leave the lamp on low for her. If we don’t do it, we hear about it! Who says dogs can’t train their people???
Oh Deb! This is my house! Dad turns off the TV it’s time to go out and do our business, come in, get a treat, hop on the bed, rearrange the pillows then get the full body massage that is so richly deserved. After being lint rollered and told how handsome you are it’s time to be tucked under the blanket and go nighty night. And don’t even think about moving them! The peons can make do with the 12 inches left over!
I’m late in reading this wonderful news, so glad it all went well, and I hope by now you are done itching. What a blessing to have Sam come to your rescue and stay close by. I know you will follow doctors’ orders so you can come home sooner than later.
I will tell you my latest quilting saga. I signed up to take a college class with a Laura Heine instructor, it will be multiple days over 2 months. First class went well, and we came home with some homework to do. We had to multiple fabrics for the background and use a product called Seam a Lite 2 to adhere to our background pieces, I have never worked with it before and that stuff is truly sticky shit! before I was done I had a gooey iron, and a piece of it was stuck to my one slipper!! how I don’t know but I must of heated a piece, cut it off and it fell to the floor. So, my foot is in my slipper and my slipper is stuck to the carpet. Good grief….I finally got the goo off of all my stuff. What a fiasco. Hope the 2nd day of class goes better on Friday.
Kim, I’m rolling on the floor! I had an incident with Liquid Stitch today. Have you ever dealt with that crap?? I had it all over and on everything within arm’s length.
We will use it on the last day of class. I have been warned, lol Thanks Pat.
Kim – I have tried thst collage method, too, and hate the product! My friend uses Elmers glue for the edges of her pieces.
Mary, thanks for the info on another glue to use.
So good to see your post! May your recovery leave you strong and healthy. (And hopefully it’s a quick one!)
Its been a mild fall here. Not too cold, not wet, all good. My mother in law is recovering from her rebuilt hip – they had to go in and revise her replaced hip from 6 years ago. Now a friend is having heart surgery and a brother is having shoulder surgery. Too many surgeries but thankful for the doctors and nurses!
Next week they’re going to replace our roof. I’m so worried about Magnus and Klaus with all the roofing noise. My husband will be with his mom so I can’t take the cats and leave the house. They’ll have to find a quiet corner to hide.
I’ve been working on a quilt for my nephew. I’m making it with his sister’s shirts. She passed away from a brain tumor years back. I can finally work with them though it brings back lots of memories. I will also make a quilt for her nephew she never met.
Take care and speedy recovery!
Hi Mary- so glad to hear surgery is behind you and went well. We have spent the day in Dewitt with our grands. Alice (4) built a hospital out of legos when Gram told her about a friend in the hospital. You were a princess Lego and she put a rabbit, dog and snow leopard in the room to keep you company. They were excited to see snow flurries but by the time we got all their winter gear on and went outside, it had stopped! We are now driving home in awful wind, snow and rain showers.
Lora – oh, isn’t that just too cute? Legos are pretty imaginative! Sounds like nasty weather to drive in- be careful
Glad to hear that the surgery is out of the way now on to recovery..My niece has Thanksgiving and I just have to show up with pumpkin bread so its an easy day for me. As far as sewing I will making mug rugs for 5 gal pals that I meet with once a month for lunch. We don’t meet in December so next Tuesday is our holiday luncheon. Hope your recovery goes smoothly ..
Hi Mary! Just checked to see if you were out of anesthesia fog and here is a post. You go girl and so glad things are proceeding as planned. It’s a cold , rainy, windy day in northern Iowa as you probably know. Even some snow flurries. After our cool outdoor walk this morning was so nice to stay inside. I cooked up a squash so outside could go in trash tomorrow. Made a loaf of cinnamon raisin bread to give as a gift. This afternoon I’ve been working on a new flannel shirt for myself. Just got my machine back last week after a maintenance clean so am anxious to get at a few things. Continuing to pray for a speedy and safe recovery period for you. You are a blessing to all of us who connect with you here. Hugs!
Mary, you’ve made a lot of people happy this morning, letting us know you’re OK … thank you for thinking of us! We’ve had a horrendous wind & rain storm here (pacific north’wet’) since yesterday. Woke up to a couple of broken fence panels, and wondering how to keep MImi (mid-size poodle) from wandering into the neighbours’ yard. Thankfully our fence repairman just showed up and thinks he can get it repaired today (in the rain/wind … he’s tougher than I am!). We get so much rain here during the winter, that fence posts just rot in the ground and break off. And just for your entertainment, the neighbours (whose yard we now view) like to use their hot tub (alot) in the nude … let’s get that fence back up, lol! Don’t laugh, Mary, it’ll hurt! Look forward to hearing from you again, when you’re feeling up to it. Take good care of yourself!
i am so glad to hear that your surgery is over and you are on this side of recovery. i know you have to be happy. soon you will be going home and then the temptation to do too much will happen. i am terrible at that part. i hope you will be better.
we are due for rain today and then a cool front coming in. going from 81 today to roughly 65 with high northerly winds. rough coolish weekend (winter for us really) and then back in the mid 80s by midweek. life can be a rollercoaster weather wise in florida. summer then winter then fall then summer then winter. ugh. winter seldom lasts more than a week at a time. i discovered i don’t own a sweater. will have to do something about that as i have a doc appointment friday afternoon. i do have my hoodie sweatshirt that i can wear then. long pants and short sleeve shirts are the usual attire.
be good and i’ll be back for more chat later. i’m so glad your surgery is over. hugs, patti in florida
Dear Mary, what can I say about your surgery, except to add my prayers and hugs to what everyone else has already said. So glad the surgery did not have to be postponed and that it is all behind you. I’m sure that besides the “itch”, today will also bring pain as the anesthesia from surgery wears off. Just know that we’ll all be praying for you as you get out of bed and walk for the first time, but as you already know…. It is a necessary part of recovery. God bless Sam for stepping into Becky’s place and being your driver/ friend, and navigator. Praying you will be home in a few days and will be able to enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving next week.
Who is doing the chores that Becky had planned on doing? And are the chickens behaving for Rick? Rick and your animals will have a wonderful homecoming waiting for you when you return home.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone, jeanne
Jeanne – Becky is still doing the chores. When she goes in the house she’s always masked and Rick goes outside.
Best wishes for a total and quick as possible recovery, and enjoy whatever pampering you get.
The past two days have been rainy, dreary mornings with the sun coming out for a pleasant afternoon. Tomorrow, we may get our first glimpse of snow in SW Ohio, predicted less than an inch, with winds. We may see a freeze which will mean the end of the annual flowers and garden plants. We still have garden flowers in bloom. We’ve so enjoyed the pleasant fall tempatures.
I finished another children’s quilt for the Christmas project. I’m now on to 18 inch doll clothes for the same project. I’ll have to decide whether to follow the pattern, making buttonholes for buttons, or just use velcro closing.
Beryl – you’ll show us the doll clothes, won’t you?
so good to hear from you…i’ve been thinking and praying everything was going as planned…..or as you hoped, anyway!! This too shall pass…..one day at a time!! You’ll be home before you know it and on the road to recovery. Continued prayers for healing. You can be grateful you get to stay inside where it’s warm today, rather than 33 degrees out and snow flurries! Thinking of you!!
Rosemary – thanks – everything is going well!
Hello Mary,
I was so happy to see your email telling us that your surgery was done. What a relief! Now you can focus on healing, but you’ll soon be “itching” to get back to sewing.
I’m watching a Netflix series called “The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem” which I find very entertaining. I think you would like it if you haven’t seen it already.
The purple, white, and black quilt top I’ve been working on is coming along. A “1” finished border has been applied and it needs one more border in purple grunge. I’ll send a picture when I’m finished. I’m planning an improv type back. I’ve found that people sometimes like the back as well as the front that I’ve worked so hard on! Hmmmm……something to ponder!
Jean – yes, I also enjoyed the Beauty Queen of Jerusalem!
Hi Mary, so glad you are through your surgery and can now concentrate on healing. I really appreciate that you took the trouble to post so soon after your surgery: we were all wondering how you were and sending good vibes!
It has been snowing here in the Netherlands today so when I got hone from work everything was crunchy underfoot. My car will covered in snow tomorrow morning, I imagine, but it is so pretty when everything is dressed in white crystals! It really feels as if the season of cozyness is approaching!
I’m so glad you have your surgery behind you and now can concentrate on healing and recovery. What a great friend you have in Sam that she could step in and help you with your trip to Rochester. Prayers and good vibes for your healing and recovery.
I am so glad you were able to have surgery and came through it fine with no complications. Now hopefully your recovery will go well.
Hi Mary. Glad surgery is over & healing can begin. We had snow flurries here in N Iowa this morning but not even enough to cover the ground. Cold & windy now. My pumpkins had snow on them tho. Hope all goes well & you can go home soon. Buddy says “Hi”.
Joan – Hi right back to Buddy!!!
Good news, hearing that your surgery is over, now to face the recovery. I thought a lot about you the past few days and am glad you made it through that part. Will keep remembering you and prayers too.
I am preparing for family to come. Yes, they have a family pet member coming too with them . I knew you would like to hear about him. He is a Rhodesian Ridgback and pretty large, but he is very devoted to my grandchildren and protective of them as well. He knows us since we stayed with him when they first got him, snuggling when he was little. Now, not so small, ha! It will be interesting, six people and large doggie in a small house! I may have stories to tell!
I am putting my state and location as there are lots of Dee’s, all loving quilting too!!!
Dee in Southeastern Illinois – oh, I wish everybody would post their location – thank you!!
We’re so happy to hear that your surgery was a go and now you can relax and recover. It’s been snowing all day here in CC. Gaylen is out on his scissors lift trimming trees and actually cutting the tops out of three pine trees. These three trees would be in a direct line to land on my lodge if we had strong winds from the east. Next spring we will probably remove them totally.
I’m in the process of cutting out five baby quilts. Hopefully there will be no scraps left when I finish. When I need a baby quilt to gift or charity, all I will have to do is sew it. Cutting out fabric is my absolute favorite part of making a quilt. Binding my least favorite.
Hang in there Mary!!!
Gloria – what a great idea to make them to have on hand. I like planning and piecing best – I think cutting is hard on my hands and everybody knows I hate binding! Ha! Hugs to Caitlin!
Mary, it’s good to see you’re back on line, now in the recovery stage. I was really worried the surgery would be postponed because of the Covid. Be a good patient, do what they tell you, and things will be fine. (From and OLD hospital LPN, ha ha!)
Today the weather is just nasty, dark, cold and rainy. Tomorrow we might wake up to a little snow. Went to my hand stitching group this morning, and worked on a small mystery quilt. Was in the basement sewing on the machine at 8AM, getting it ready to take to the group. There were only 4 of us there today, but I always leave with some new information from those women. They’ve become good friends to me over the past year.
Sassy, my big fluffy orange cat, helped me with the cutting and sewing (NOT), and he’s sleeping his big morning off in the dining room. Frosty, better known as Beulah, is our older deaf cat. She’s curled up in a cat bed in the dining room, sleeping. Neither of them will poke their noses outside until next spring. Boxcar Willie, the pretty yellow feral cat who thinks I’m his person, was here for breakfast, then he disappeared again. He’ll probably make an appearance around supper time.
I have all the fixin’s for the Thanksgiving dinner, which I’ll make for my husband and myself. I really enjoy
making the meal, even though it’s a lot of work.
That’s about it for me right now, hope to keep hearing good news from you, and best wishes to everyone for the upcoming holiday!
Linda, I am also Linda in Michigan – Saginaw. Where are you?
Hello Mary and SO thankful the surgery is over! And now for the recovery 🙄 hopefully all the comments will keep you occupied and time in the hospital will go quickly (I say this with an eye roll and a wink as we all know hospital stays can be very trying!)
I agree with others pls tell them about your itching – may be a medication reaction!
Praying for your recovery – I think I speak for all of us out here in blog land – we love you and wish you a speedy recovery with no hitches! 🙏❤️
So glad to hear the surgery went ahead and now you are recovering. We got hit with the same storm as Sue in Oregon had. I find the news likes to have drama so it was called a cyclone bomb. We did have very high winds both in southern BC and on Vancouver island which got hit the worst. Our power in our neighbourhood went out at 7 when a huge tree came down about a km away from us and blocked the 4 lane road. Luckily I have a gas stove so can still make tea and heat up my husbands dinner when he got home and we have a gas fireplace so easy to keep the living room warm. We went to bed at 10 and the power came on just after midnight- it woke me up with all the lights popping on in the kitchen and living room so I got up and turned everything off. Today will be laundry and I’m starting Christmas baking to go in the freezer. Prepping before my surgery. Have a wonderful day everyone.
Hi Mary, glad to hear you’re on your way to getting well. When I got home I took a notebook and wrote down when and what medication I took. When I had a BM. We think we can remember but we don’t so writing it down helps and also those who might be helping you.
It is snowing here in East Central Iowa right now as I’m writing this. I’m working on a Hexie quilt that has Hobby Holly fabric in it. I looked it up and the fabric dates back to the 60s and 70s. The pieces were given to me and were a hand cut. Will send a picture when I have the top pieced. The top will be given to a charity group to finish.
Made Beef Barley soup this morning then I hope to get back to the top.
Take care of yourself and let others help till you are better, love ya Mary Rita
Mary, being on this side of surgery is wonderful. Let us know what pathology reports.
Yesterday I went to the Air Force Base to get a military ID card. It was an interesting process, and for the personal doing the paperwork, interesting for them too. They had to undeceased my husband, add me to his profile, then redecease him. After a couple hours, and many tries, they decided this was the best way to accomplish this task. It’s a long story.
It took 5 airmen 2 hours to get me an ID card. However, visiting with them was very interesting. Where they came from, family back home, married. They explained the icons and patches on their uniforms, etc. I told them a little history of Wyoming. They were shocked at some of the laws Wyoming has had over the years.
Two of the 5 were alive during the attack on 9-11. One was 2 months old, the other 1 year old. These fellows are guarding and defending our country and didn’t experience the profound impact that attack had on our country. They told me their computers are old and very slow. But, newer, faster ones has to be replaced nationwide. After thinking about it, I understand that reasoning.
Two days and 8 hours, I can cross that task off my list.
Jo, glad you were able to complete that task. Always an adventure getting a military ID card. I shouldn’t have to get another is what I was told last time. Every 4 years for over 40 years it was part of my life. Hubby retired over 26 years ago.
Hi Carla J,
When you say you are in the “mitten” I am guessing that you live somewhere in the mitten of Michigan. That brings back many happy memories of living in Port Austin, when my husband was in the Air Force. He was stationed there from 1969 to 1972. That’s when he decided that 12 years in the service was enough. From there we went to live in Saginaw, MI for 10 years before moving back home to Cleveland Heights, OH in 1982. Where in the mitten do you live?
Take care and may God bless you.
Diane, yes I live on near the coast of Lake Michigan almost halfway between Indiana and the tip of the mitten.
Good morning Mary. Congrats for being on the other side of surgery. If you’re like me, you are watching the patient portal for test results on the tumor. I’m praying it is benign. I went through breast cancer last year and joined a huge group of people who have had cancer. We are a happy welcoming group if you join us. Hope you don’t. I’m getting ready to go to Montana for Thanksgiving. We’re threading the needle between snow storms. Leaving Friday after another nuclear CAT test on my heart. I was in the hospital 3 weeks ago, IV in, wonderful hospital outfit on, in bed, when they stopped everything due to questions about my heart. Apparently chemo and radiation can change your heart so they were not comfortable until I had had a special test. Had to wait almost a month to get the test I needed and it is in a hospital 2.5 hours from my home but that much closer to Montana so we decided to just keep going and have more time with grandsons! My prayers are with you.
So good to get your email this morning, am happy your surgery is over, and am praying for a speedy recovery. It’s overcast today in middle TN, started out about 60 degrees, but it’s dropping. Going to get pretty chilly, down into the low 30’s at night by the weekend. My cat is 16 years old, and has loved sleeping on the back screened porch this summer. She’s always been a house cat only, but I think she liked the warmth of the sun outside for her arthritis. I’m hosting our Thanksgiving this Sunday. It will be our two sons, spouses, grands, a 4 month old great grandson, and a few friends. Lots to do!!! Take care.
Good Morning, Mary! It is almost noon, and this morning I baked some cookies to take to church to share with our neighborhood friends in early December. I read all the comments (78), and I am sure there are more now, but it took me almost an hour to read all the comments! I guess we will keep you busy reading if nothing else.
I need to quilt another charity quilt that will be donated to the local hospital. I hope to do that after we eat lunch. I have ham balls from HyVee in the oven now. Will have mashed potatoes and Brown Sugar Carrots (from yesterday) along with the Ham Balls. My husband loves Ham Balls. They are pricey but a nice change. I don’t enjoy making them!
Our church sewing group finished the last of the 63 Christmas lap quilts made for a local care center. I have five here from yesterday that I need to sew the binding on, wash them, and they will be ready for delivery. We hope and pray they bring some joy to the residents.
I figured you had your surgery since we didn’t hear anything different from you yesterday. My continued prayers for your recovery. Praying for you every day.
That’s enough from here today. The weather has changed, and it is very windy here in southeastt Iowa today. Was 37* here this morning. We did get some rain yesterday.
Take good care of yourself.
So glad your surgery went well Mary and that you’re on the mend. Sam’s halo has another star added for being there for you. Driving at night in the rain is the worst and there’s always road construction in downtown Rochester. Your critters will be awaiting your return. Made a reservation for Thanksgiving dinner at the Prime ‘n’ Wine.🦃
Random comments on what is going on here, and thoughts in response to what other commenters have said. We (and by ‘we’ I mean my husband) finished planting the tulip bulbs yesterday during the nice 60-degree weather, just before we get snow tonight. The tulips are double pinks, look like a peony, hope they survive and bloom next spring. I’ve been planning Thanksgiving and Christmas, which will all be in one weekend since daughter and family will only be here Thanksgiving. This year their Christmas is in South Dakota with hubby’s family. Next year they switch and we get them for Christmas but not TG. One reader commented about ‘normal activities’ and that reminded me about a friend of ours who was told he could resume normal activities after having his appendix out. Little did the doctor know that friend’s normal activities included baling hay! I have a check ready to mail for an Oh Susanna book–I am going to go ahead and send it, but I’m in no hurry to receive it, so fill the order when you feel like it. Take care and hope you have a speedy recovery!
Hi Mary! I’m so glad you made it through surgery and are doing well (except for pain and itching) and I hope you get relief soon)! Let’s see, what’s happening here- it’s a beautiful sunny day. I’m not ready for Thanksgiving or Christmas. My DIL is hosting Thanksgiving- so I only have to make a giant batch of stuffing. Christmas Day we’ll spend at my other son’s house with the other DIL’s family – again I’m making a giant batch of stuffing, lol! But we’ll host a Christmas celebration with the boys and their wives on New Year’s Day. I went to a bargain fabric/craft store in NH yesterday- some real great finds there!
So relieved to hear the surgery is over! And kudos to Sam for stepping in! What a gift! Praying your recovery is uneventful and swift. Up at 5:30 this morning and at the gym at 6:30 for a rousing workout with the girls (thought I was going to die!). Then home to straighten up and do some cleaning and laundry before cousin Susan and her dog Henry arrive for a few days of sewing. However, I think I made a big mistake sitting down in the recliner to write this – oye! Looking forward to hearing your progress!
Oh, what a relief to receive your blog post this morning and know that your surgery is over and you can write to us that you are okay. So thankful and happy for you.
We weathered the huge Pacific Coast storm last night with no damage, not even to my little greenhouse. We lost power in the middle of the night, though, but it returned before time to get up. Just flashing clocks everywhere. My husband’s oxygen machine sounded the alarm with its high-pitched scream. He got tangled up in his covers and couldn’t reach the off switch. I got it done though and then looked out the window. I could see trees swaying wildly about and hear the storm through the open window. This old house is very solid though, and after I closed the window I couldn’t hear it anymore. Went back to bed and slept soundly.
I wish I could send you some photos, but I still haven’t been able to figure out why my phone has suddenly decided not to send you any more photos. My daughter did look but said it was going to take some time to fix it. Then, we got busy and forgot about it. Darn! Maybe at Thanksgiving she will have time to do it. I wish I was a techie person. These cell phones just mystify me.
Wishing you the easiest and bestest recovery.
I am so glad the surgery is over. It was great hearing from you both last night and this morning. Take all the pain meds they offer; maybe it will make you sleepy, so you can take lots of naps.
It is sunny and windy here with a high of 49. I am currently in a doctor’s office waiting on a friend who needed transportation to her appointment. Gotta go, she is calling me. Take Care, Mary 🥰🙏
I am so glad for you that your surgery is over. I hope your recovery is speedy. It is such a blessing to have a friend like Sam. I concur with Pam in B.C. and Arlene in Co. The pain pills don’t work if they are in the jar. I too am an old lady. I’ve had 4 major abdominal surgeries. Arlene’s advice is excellent. I was always encouraged to get up a walk ASAP. So I did!! I didn’t have time to read everyone’s response but what a read was very nice. My husband has Alzheimers, I am the caregiver and he requires a lot of attention to keep his temperament on an even keel.
We will go next door to our daughter’s house for Thanksgiving. One of our sons will also join us. She will roast a chicken. We collaborate on the traditional sides. We always have a jigsaw puzzle going and football on television.
With my situation I have all I can manage just to keep up with laundry, cleaning, and cooking. I manage to grab a few minutes here and there to read but I haven’t sewn anything in a couple of years so no news on that front. Have lots of projects waiting. Also have a lot of Country Threads small quilts completed. Some are part of my regular decor and some are holiday pieces that rotate. I learned about Country Threads in the 90’s and visited the shop many times. LOVED the Goat Gazette. Read it from cover to cover.
Sending positive thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery, Mary. So glad it’s over.
Hi Mary. I don’t write much but hope the comments help your time with recovery.
I am in northern CA and we are to get up to 10 inches of rain over the next three days. I think some needs to go to the east coast. That will keep me in to do some cleaning and finally finish the quilt for my new great granddaughter. She was a month early and I am about a month late. A picture will come before I mail
You take care and do what the doctor say as it usually makes the recovery better.
Bless good friends.
So glad to hear from you Mary. I was not sure what would happen when you said Becky got Covid. Sam sounds like a true friend – so glad she is there to tend to you when you are not 100%. What’s going on at my house? My husband and I are almost done sanding and sealing and protective coating our hardwood floor in the living room. It has been a long and arduous project but we are determined to do it and both of us ache all over from the efforts. Too tired to sew after all the work so I am only thinking about all that I would rather be working on! There will be twelve of us for Thanksgiving at my SIL’s house this year. I am so looking forward to seeing everyone as last year at this time my husband had a hip replacement two days before Thanksgiving and the only person we saw that day was the visiting nurse. In a much better place this year. Wishing you a speedy recovery so that you will be home taking care of the menagerie in no time!!
Dear Mary, I hope you told the nurses about the itching! And got that under control. I hope you were able to get some sleep! I know it is difficult! They are always pestering you for temp and blood pressure and then the stupid iv thing starts beeping! Ugh! And then you will have to take a walk! And then you of all things have to pee! 🥴
Well we have a little snow and windy again!
I’m making a layered lettuce salad Saturday for a birthday party for granddaughter. I made a pack of bacon so I will have that ready for the salad and we had bacon and eggs for breakfast. Now I am washing the sheets for the kids when they come next week. The dusting needs to be done downstairs yet and then that’s it.
You have wonderful friends! So happy Sam could take you! She is a gem!
Now you behave and get well soon!
So happy that surgery is over and now you can begin to heal! Thanks be to God and thankful too that you have a friend like Sam.
Today I am going to try yet another thing on my longarm…I got a magnetic prewound bobbin. One suggestion I got is that maybe the bobbin is “jumping” around and letting out too much thread so causing the top thread to be too loose, so maybe this will help. Sure hope so.
Take it easy, Mary. Its good to hear from you!
Good Morning Mary!
Your big day has come and gone. On to the healing process and chasing chickens (and Hazel) around at home. Praying for good results to come your way!
Today I meet with a great group of quilter’s and rug hooker’s. We sit and sew twice a month. We have been together for many years. I will be sewing down by hand the binding for my granddaughter Georgia, a birthday quilt . It’s pink and and the backing is flamingos. Her favorite. She will be 8 years old on Jan.1st.
I’m also working on some Christmas tree ornaments that I will be taking to a good friends Ornament Party. She does this every year and it’s sooooooo much fun. Everyone goes home with 5 original ornaments. Yes, they are all hand made.
Today in San Diego, the weather is sunny cold and crisp. Hopefully we will get a little rain this weekend. We’ll see.
I’m wishing you a wonderful day at the hospital. Hoping all of your nurses will be terrific (nurse’s are very special people) and that you get some rest.
Love, Susy
Good morning Mary, Such good news to hear from you! Sam is a blessing to you!! The weather here in southeast South Dakota is awful wind at 45-50 mph hour and fine snow. Yuck! A perfect day to quilt, I’m working on some Christmas gifts! They are pillows with five snowmen on them (free pattern on Tilda’s website) cute but quite a bit of work. They are 18X36, now to find a pillow form that size, I don’t want to stuff them not as nice in my humble opinion !! Rest up and you’ll be back to yourself in no time!
I am delighted your surgery is over. I am sure you will do swell with your recovery!! I could talk a leg off you about stuff but l will limit myself.
My oldest cat, Tuna, who is 19 1/2, is not feeling so good right now so l have been trying to nurse him back to health. He went to the vet yesterday and they gave him some medicine which l think helped. Hes a bit more chipper now. I just don’t want him to suffer!!
Sewing….Christmas pillow cases for my family!! It’s been a while since l made one for everyone so l decided this is the year for new ones. Next up is a bargello table runner for a christmas present. And possibly a bargello throw pillow. Just simple things for now.
I will be thinking about you during your recovery. Hope all goes well! Take the best of care.😀
Yippee! The surgery is over! I’m so thankful that you are doing well. Now the hard part…letting yourself heal. Just a word of advice-when they give you instructions before going home. Ask them to be specific on what you can and cannot do! Because “take it easy” means different things to different people. Voice of experience here…haha.
Our Thanksgiving is a little nontraditional. My daughter-in-law owns a bar. And she opens Thanksgiving and Christmas. You’d be surprised how many come. I have one son. So we decided it’s more important to be with family than where you have it. We always have a good time. In the pass we have had pizza, which is always good. But I love to cook, so I always make cookies or something. My son requested stuffing this year. So I guess I’ll make my mushroom stuffing.
Well, I’m off to find a backing for a quilt. Figured I’d do it today. Suppose to snow tomorrow.
Good morning to you, too. This is a happy day indeed. Do they allow you to take a benadryl? I surely hope so. It might help with the itching. Finished the binding on an Asheville donation 40″x49″. A short while back after all these years DH found youTube. After being wrapped up with that Toyota car repair guy (who is quite good actually) and geological experts he found a video of normal dogs vs huskies. He likes Jimmy Kimmel as well. The soon to be best news is that my dear friend is keeping a very close eye on her goat who is as round as she is tall. Halo was due to deliver Monday and I have not yet heard how that went.
Li – please tell us about the new kid(s) when they arrive! I’d love to see them – I love baby goats!
Thanking God your surgery was able to go forward and that you are no in recovery mode! Great to have a friend like Sam, friends like Sam are heaven sent Angels here for us now. Think positive thoughts and you will soon be back home where everything is also sweeter.
Mild here in SE Ohio in the Hocking Hills. My grandson did a great job cleaning up all the leaves and doing one final (hopefully) mowing of the lawn. It looks fabulous but there are so leaves yet to fall.
Mary, my prayers are with you and I hope you are feeling much better and can be truly thankful for your Thanksgiving celebration this year.
Wishing you a speedy recovery! Remember pain pills don’t do much in the jar! They also work better in advance rather than chasing the pain!
We are having a storm bomb, where do they get these names? Atmospheric rivers etc. it’s weather! Our power goes off during high winds as trees fall on the power lines. We have rechargeable lanterns that I love. I remember when we used to put candles all over. Seems so dangerous. Our thanksgiving is over and it was just Martin and I. Lovely. All the kids, grandkids came for Remembrance Day weekend. I was painting the bedrooms and had not finished. Had to leave it and put all the electric plates on all the plugs (busy little fingers) and put the doorknobs back on. Now I don’t want to take it all apart again to finish.
I have been working on a new quilt for our bed and choose Tula pink fabric. Martin hates it as it’s too bright. I wanted something that would not look as grungy as the current quilt has a cream background. Looks dirty even when it’s just washed.
Sending healing prayers!
Hey Pam ! I love Tula Pink too🥰Just give your husband a dark pair of sunglasses 🕶️ when he goes to the bedroom 😻
Good morning Mary, So glad your surgery is over and grateful for wonderful friends like Sam. Take care. On Monday I had a squamous cell carcinoma cut off my hand. Thank God for the health care we have today. When I was a kid I was always badly sunburnt on my back, big blisters.
After feeding guys for harvest, I’m finally getting a little time back. I have a long arm and I quilted a quilt for a friend yesterday and will do another for a different friend today. I do believe that my “computer” on my long arm has dementia and needs to be replaced. Hopefully she will hang in there until I get this quilt quilted today.
The ground is white here today in North Dakota, and WINDY! Glad I get to stay home.
Jo had a recipe on her blog for chicken and noodles, I’m going to be making that today but with dumplings instead of the noodles (which I don’t have). Last year when I made it for harvest, one of the guys said he loved it, it was just like his mom used to make. (I made hard dumplings, not the fluffy ones).
I’ve got oatmeal baking in the oven. take care Mary
Mary, so wonderful to read this morning that you are out of surgery and doing well except for the itching. I will continue to pray for you.
We became “acquainted” with a heated bidet toilet seat when we visited our nephew and stayed overnight. We decided we had to have one and it is the best thing EVER! It also has a light inside which is great at night and raises the height of the seat up, making it easier to get on and off. They are fairly easy to install.
I am working on a quilt for a grandson’s 13th birthday in March. It has a 76er’s theme (basketball) and is a disappearing nine patch.
Good morning Mary! So happy to hear your surgery is behind you and you are in recovery. Sending prayers for your healing. 🙏🙏🙏
Roofing crew showed up at our house at 7:00am! They have been working nonstop stripping the old shingles off our roof. Beautiful sunny, breezy morning here in Louisiana.
I’m currently working on a crayon challenge project to be revealed at our Christmas Meeting/Party next month. Project is anything made using the crayon color we drew earlier in the year. Not many rules, your crayon color should be the predominant color in your project. The gift exchange this year is anything homemade. (Doesn’t have to be quilting or fabric related, just homemade.)
Take good care of yourself and get well soon! 😊
Hooray for the surgery being over and the recovery beginning!!! Best wishes for a speedy and complete recuperation!
I have nothing entertaining to report – just trying to deal with “Telephone Hell”, but I’m sure that’s more fun than what you’re doing! It’s rainy and dreary here in central Ohio and we may get some snow mixed with rain tomorrow – it’s November, after all. Still have leaves to deal with when the weather clears a bit and lots of paperwork/accounts to settle, but it will all come with time.
Mary – so glad the surgery is done and you’re doing okay! Itching is probably from the meds. And what a blessing that Sam was by your side to help with the logistics after Becky came down with Covid. I do hope Becky is on the mend, too.
I’m invited to my sister’s house for Thanksgiving. I may go to my other sister’s house for pie later. My sisters and their families have never combined their holiday dinners – and they live 3 miles apart! I’ve never been to either of their homes for Thanksgiving. My husband and I used to spend Thanksgiving at home or with his family. I think the younger generation should cook this year to give the older generation a break! But, that’s just me! 😂
My sister’s next doctor appointment is with a surgeon on December 2nd. It’s a “virtual” appointment so we don’t have to drive over snowy Snoqualmie Pass to Seattle. She’s got a 15 cm cyst on her kidney. We think that is the source of her back pain. The doctors who have read the MRI and 2 CT scans aren’t so sure…but have now conceded it could be the cause of her “discomfort”. Discomfort is putting it mildly. She is in so much pain she struggles to walk, sit, and lay down.
I’m having a mammogram today. Yesterday I finished my open enrollment for my health insurance. I didn’t enjoy being told my hold time would 57 minutes. It turned out to be 42 minutes so it wasn’t too bad.
Have a restful day as you recover. I’m sure they’ll have you up walking the halls and getting stronger each day. Take care. Sending a hug your way!
Take care everyone!
Great news that the surgery is behind you! I got up in the middle of the night to check and, yes, there was a message from you! Thanks for keeping us in the loop! ((I didn’t figure you needed a message at 2 am. You ARE in the hospital and need some rest! I thought I’d just let the nurses be the ones to ping your sleep!)
Beautiful morning and 58 degrees here this morning…at last a few days of Fall weather! A friend at church Sunday told me about an estate sale and we stopped on the way home from church. The woman had a house FULL of all sorts of craft items, but not many quiltie things. I had a good time, of course!
Listen to that Sam! The maps feature on your phone can steer you right where you need to be! And, sounds like Sam knows how to teach an old dog new tricks! (Sorry, I just could not resist that one!) Rest up, be good, and know we love you!
I am so glad to read that you had your surgery yesterday without anymore delays. God bless you good friend Sam to step in for Becky on such short notice. Rest well for now until you get your strength back. Prayers for a speedy “comfortable” recovery.
Hi Mary – so glad the surgery is behind you – I was worried about that nasty Co-Vid delaying you! After my 2nd C-section, I was itchy as well. They immediately took off the morphine button and finally got better.
I am trying hard to work every night on Christmas gifts. An unexpected wedding gift/quilt had to be inserted on my schedule, but I am hoping for the best. I want to make a small Christmas quilt for my 3 girls – 2 are done with the piecing and just have to be quilted and the 3rd isn’t half way yet. But I hope to have time the weekend after T’giving and before Christmas. I must be diligent when I get home after work – my husband is so good about dinner – I meal prep for the week on the weekend and he just finds all he needs ready to be put together himself.
Take care of yourself and follow the path to recovery – even if you don’t want to and before you know it you will wake up one day and it will all be behind you! God is good all the time and He will give you grace and love throughout this experience!
I am going to send you a picture of my Bindy – Pekingese girl in an email…..:)
So thankful the worst is over for you Mary. Now the fun part comes of recovery and patience. Be kind to yourself and know healing doesn’t happen overnight.
Sam was so kind to step up and do extra days with you cause of the unfortunate circumstances with Becky. I am sure you’ve talked to Rick already and heard the antics of the pets wondering where their faithful mom is but boy will they be happy when you walk in the door. Thank you Sam and Becky for being there as well in the days ahead.
Warm here today for Nov 20. 60 degrees but it’s misting rain and overcast. We need the moisture so won’t grumble as I’m okay inside my house.
I’ve been tidying up my sewing room, putting scraps away leftover from a fat quarter bundle as I like to keep the line together, as I finished a quilt recently. I sure pull a mess of fabrics when I begin a project and it needed a good sorting out before I begin my next project……my doll clothes for the vintage Chatty Cathy dolls. PJs and nightgowns on them around the tree I think is just the right size. So excited to sew.
I am so glad it is over. Now the hard part is to keep you in a recovery stage and not doing too much too soon. Listen to the recovery instructions because with abdominal surgery it is totally a NEW ball game.
As for me living outside Baltimore I no longer go into the city unless I absolutely have to. We have 11 year olds car jacking and the police pick them up usually after they wreck the car and release them to their parents. We have a man in charge of juvenile services who believes no one should be incarcerated under 22. These parents need discipline if not the children. Off my soapbox.
This Saturday is small shop buying and I plan on making a difference. I admit I use Amazon a lot but the items that come from small shops I definitely use. When Mary had her shop and we were in Mason City for the fireworks convention it was a delight to go to her shop she had everything we needed and so much we didn’t know we needed until we saw it there. Our quilting group would go there and then to the pizza Ranch for lunch afterwards. We always looked forward to going.
Since my husband passed I no longer go to the fireworks convention but Mary’s shop is no longer open so it wouldn’t be the same.
So Mary thank you for the memories and keeping us connected in a different way and TAKE IT EASY.
YOU ARE SPECIAL AND WE AREN’T READY TO LOSE YOU YET. LOVE YA
Hi Mary,
So glad to hear from you!! I know you are relieved that the surgery is over!! Now to recuperate. So many of us continue to pray mightily for the recuperation process!
Not much going on here. Today and tomorrow, I have to move my porch and outdoor plants inside!! I have waited too long, but it’s been unusually warm here in East TN. I’m not going to overwinter everything like I did last year – way too many! It was actually a great experiment to see what would survive the winter in my plant room under the house (crawl space that we dug out for a room!). Many did! Didn’t look so good the second year, though! I think I can part with most of them – I think!!!🙂
Dear Mary, lots of prayers have been said for your surgery and will continue for your healing process. What a relief to have surgery behind and healing ahead! How wonderful that you have such an amazing friend in Sam and a stellar support network!
I am making lasagna for Thanksgiving. My son asked if we could throw out the traditional meal this year. I think I will miss it so may cook a Thanksgiving meal for Christmas! Or maybe a new tradition will stick. Pie is still on the menu.
Hugs, prayers & blessings, Judy
I’m so glad your surgery went well and hope for a recovery is safe and speedy. Having family for Thanksgiving , with all the fixings. It’s my favorite holiday, food and family and friends, what can be better. Having lots of wind, cold and rain. Looks like a cold Thanksgiving. Have safe holiday everyone.
Good to have you back! Up here in Twins town it’s a blustery day. W E have a traditional Thanksgiving planned. My middle daughter hospital hosts it and my almost 96-year-old mother also attends. Probably around 12 of us. My mom leaves in sr living unassisted so far. She’s still Doing pretty well.
Wishing you have a great recovery and follow the dr’s orders!!
Lynn
So glad this is behind for you.
So glad to see your post and find out how it’s going… you have been on my mind and in my heart for sure!
Knitting lessons… I have 2 friends that wanted to learn how to knit. We agreed to meet last Monday at a local cafe that let’s you sit there all day if you’d like…. we met at 8:30a and didn’t leave until 2:30p … it was so much fun to watch their enthusiasm and when it finally clicked…
Otherwise life is quiet… I’m back to my Mom’s in Michigan this weekend to hopefully finish emptying her house and get it ready to put on the market. She’s so excited to be featured on your blog. Thanks Mary!
So glad you had your surgery! 🙏 we are finally in for rain which here in Mass. we desperately need! Birds are eating like crazy and squirrels are everywhere! Heading to Vermont for Thanksgiving to spend with family! Take care
So good hearing from you as I worried all day yesterday about you. So glad surgery went well and now recovery. Take it slow and do take your pain meds.
Having a small family gathering here for Thanksgiving about 9 of us. My daughter and I split up the cooking chores so pretty easy. I have the shopping all done.
Expecting some snow showers tomorrow but ground is too warm for it to last for every long.
Sending prayers for healing and a speedy recovery. Love and hugs.
Mary, so glad to hear surgery went well! Ron had come over for dinner last night & was here when your message came through that you had had surgery. We were both relieved! Now the healing begins. So thankful for Sam that she was able to fill in for Becky, what a blessing! Early yesterday morning I received a text from a highschool girlfriend that her husband of 60 yrs had passed. She & I met our then boyfriends about the same time & double dated quite a bit. We both married young, she was 19 & I married the following year @ 20. Both in each other’s weddings. We have remained very close friends through the years. On another note, I spent yesterday stippling a quilt for the back of my couch. From start to finish this quilt has been a challenge! I’ve never had fabric that frayed like this. I starched it as I worked with it, but I still have threads all over my house! Going to mark the borders & hope to finish that today, along with the binding. I’m beginning to think the quality of quilting fabric isn’t the same as just a few yrs ago, even though we’re paying much more! Marcia, I’m sure you know that there was a huge fire under one of the bridges over the Ohio River a couple wks ago, so it will take you longer to get
across to Louisville! Lots of structural damage. Mary, I hope you get relief for that itching! Please let your nurse know. I can’t take statins & that’s just one of my side effects! There’s even more! Well here in SW OH it’s raining & the weather is supposed to get bad later tonight! First snowfall predicted tomorrow! Keep us updated on your progress & you are still in my prayers!!
Dear Mary,
It is so wonderful that you had your surgery and are doing well. You truly have a wonderful friend in Sam. She is a treasure. I didn’t expect that we would hear from you so soon, but we are all happy that you feel well enough to post a message. Here in NC, the temperatures are too warm. We haven’t had a killing frost yet. The geraniums on the front porch are blooming their heads off and the plants are so green. They look better now than they did all summer! Go figure. Thanksgiving is bearing down on me like a freight train. I only have my sister-in-law, her daughter and grandson along my my husband and son. Not many people, but it’s all I can handle these days. Turkey breast and all the sides, but with my favorites, a layered pumpkin dessert, and cherry pie. I would be happy just to eat the desserts, but oh okay, I’ll fix the other stuff if you insist. 😄
I have sewing on my shoulders now like many of your other readers. We feel like we are carrying the load of sewing projects around with us on our shoulders all the time. We can’t get around to working on them, but we can’t forget about them either. Sigh. I have a pillow for my son that fits on top of a kitchen stool and a beautiful log cabin quilt that is ready to assemble, but I haven’t. Somehow, some of my squares came out at 5” square and others came out at 5-1/2”. It is just too much for me to deal with right now, so I’ll just keep carrying that load around on my shoulders until probably after the first of the new year! November and December are just a bust as far as getting anything done in a normal life. We are all so busy with the holidays that we have no time for normal stuff. Oh well. Life in all of its glories. Best wishes to you. I take heart from your comment that you are going to use good sense in your recovery. Please do for all of our sakes. Love,
Frances E.
So happy to hear from you Mary. Glad everything went well. Sam sure is a good friend & hope Becky gets feeling better soon! Pretty cloudy this morning, supposed to warm up to 60 today, going for a walk soon, Dr. says my blood pressure is up, need to excersize more & eat better! The weather is changing this week to colder & maybe snow . Take care of yourself Mary & do as the Dr. says!!
Mary,
so wonderful to see your post. You are amazing to be even posting so soon , but then these days they will have you walking the halls in no time. As many have said, don’t be afraid of taking the meds. They will help your healing process move faster. I’m with you on trying to follow directions on a phone. My husband, who is otherwise not terribly phone savvy, can do it and if we get very disoriented, he will put in the address for help. But the last time we tried to use it, it couldn’t tell where we were and kept sending us in circles, until I finally spied our objective and could see a way to get there. We are supposed to get our first cold weather this weekend here in MD with a chance of snow showers. I’ll take precip in any form. I tried to finish up fall planting over the weekend after a short rain softened the ground enough to get even a small shovel in. Spent six hours doing it,much of it bending over, and Monday I couldn’t even lean over to put on my shoes. Much better now. Our indoor cat has had a bad case of the zoomies the last two days. The squirrels discovered the pumpkins on the front porch and opened them and consumed the seed right in front of her favorite perch. Driving her crazy. I finally found the string of pumpkin lights under the sofa yesterday- a little late for the holiday. Ha. Not doing much for Thanksgiving, just the two of us. I found a recipe for cooking a turkey breast in a covered pan a few years ago that keeps it nice and moist and we have that with a few sides, still more than we can begin to eat. Were all thinking of you and sending positive thoughts and prayers. Hang in there. Karen C.
Prayers Mary for safe and quick recovery. Attitude is everythin.
I am at daily retreats in a small town over from me Macedonia. IA so not much to report.
It was good to see your email this morning. I was thinking about you yesterday and wondering how your surgery went. Prayers for a speedy recovery!
My son from Georgia is flying to Des Moines. He, my other son and I are going to Iowa City tomorrow to a swim event. My granddaughter is on the Arkansas Razorback swim team. I am excited about that trip! My son and I went to Lawrence, Kansas in January to a swim meet with the Razorbacks and Jayhawks. It was the best day and I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s event!
Keep us posted on your recovery. I have a card ready to put in the mail in a few days.
Mary, I think I goofed and left a message in this feed but should have put it here in the box! Too early in the morning and I’m not good at this computer at times!!!!!
Not sure if you will see my note mixed in with so many but know that I’m so thankful that this surgery is behind you.
God bless you…
I am relieved the surgery is behind you . I had to share this with husband Mike who was my Sam on all those trips to Mayo during the Covid months. As you head home later this week, please follow the doctors’ orders and be lazy. That is hard for us loyal readers to imagine, but your body needs to heal. We laughed about the GPS conversation. Our daughter gives up as I try to type into my tiny phone in a moving car. She picks up her phone and asks Siri or whoever lives in het phone for directions. Our phones seldom agree on the route but I have learned to keep my mouth shut.
I have been doing some Christmas sewing and reading. Thanksgiving will be at our daughter’s a few miles from us, and I was told not to bring a thing, not even the cheesy carrots or the green bean casserole. I will follow the instructions!
i was thinking about you yesterday. I’m so happy that the surgery is behind you and I bet you are too. Now on to recovery. You’ve got this Mary!
I haven’t done much sewing, for 2 reasons really. I need to clean my sewing room and do some rearranging. Not a fun job but i just don’t want to start something new until that’s done. And secondly I’m in a quandary…start something new or finish some of the UFO’s. I’m never good with decision making.
We have been having an beautiful November her in NH. My husband is off golfing today…Nov.20!!! Take care Mary and follow doctor’s orders. Sending you healing preayers.
Good morning dear Mary,
I’m pretty sure I have burned a hole in heaven sending messages to God for your surgery and now your recovery! I know no one that has gone through what you have to wait this long to have it done and get right up to the gate and almost be postponed. I’m an old nurse so bear with me! First, find out if you are allergic to any meds (antibiotics etc.). Get that under control as there is nothing worse than an “itch”. Have the nurse apply anti-itch lotion etc.. Second, take your pain meds as often as you can BUT get on a stool softener as well…you will get clogged up from the narcotics in a day flat!! Lots of water too. You do not want to be the old lady in 209-2 that can’t poop!!! How do I know, because I’ve had three major abdominal surgeries and been that old lady! Can I write more today as I’m running out of space :<) God bless you, hang in there, you'll feel better in several days …Drink, move, eat and poo!
I concur with the advice above! I too, am an old retired nurse, and that’s what we always told our patients also had my fair share of surgeries. Especially the pain medicine, don’t be afraid to take it and take it before you get in a lot of pain. Otherwise, it doesn’t work as well. Joining the others and praying for your recovery.
I’m glad the surgery is over and now you can concentrate on your recovery.
You want to know what’s going on here? Not much. I did decide that I have to finish the Christmas shopping! I will have very little time after Thanksgiving to do it. This means I need to take stock of where I am in the shopping regimen. Sigh! Now I know why my mother in law finally started to just give money — it’s soooo much easier and less stressful. I do have the pies in the freezer for Thanksgiving so that is off my plate for the dinner. The grands decided they want ham balls and fried chicken for dinner, which is fine with me except that’s the same thing we had for Easter. I must have made an impression on them with that meal. Most people wouldn’t have both but I spoil them – one won’t eat ham and one won’t eat fried chicken. We celebrate birthdays quarterly and there are two who are close to Thanksgiving and neither one of those are enamored with turkey. Christmas is easier because we have soup and desserts. That seems to make them all happy and me too because I have help with that.
Other than that, I have the outside work mostly done except for disposing of the spent annuals. I just hate to dump them if they even have one bloom left.
Hang in there; you’ll recover quickly. Keep us informed of your recovery. We’ll keep praying for you. I love your blog about nothing.
So happy to hear surgery went well. Hopefully you have a speedy recovery. It’s terribly windy here today (south east SD). Had a little snow last nice that is frozen to the ground. Must’ve had a little rain first. I’m waiting to let my chickens out, guessing they won’t mind. You take it easy Mary and hope you get out of there soon.
So glad to hear the news about you, Mary. Sending love and peace for optimum healing!
High winds, colder weather and snow headed our way. Need the cold weather to kill all those germs out there.
Hi Mary! I was so happy to see your quick note about being out of surgery. I’m sorry my iPad wouldn’t let me reply. I’ve been praying for you! My world isn’t such a happy place right now and I hesitate to even tell you my story at the moment! You need happy stories! I am getting ready for my Days for Girls group to pack the washable feminine hygiene kits this week. We’ve been sewing the components for months and on Thursday we’ll pack 125 kits!
So good to hear from you and that you were able to have your surgery. I remember having itches in the hospital. They had given me an IV antibiotic and within 15 minutes I had “a thousand scalp itches”. I didn’t have enough fingers to itch them all. I pushed my call button, a nurse came in, took one look at me, did a quick assessment, and made a call to the doctor. I was allergic to the antibiotic. I will never forget not having enough fingers to itch all the itchy spots on my scalp. The nurse told me my face was a brilliant red color as well.
We dealt with leaves again yesterday. I walked 20,300 steps doing yard work. I wear a watch that counts my steps. I always figured I did a lot of steps in a day and this watch has provided that proof since I bought it in April. Today it is colder and I intend to spend much of my time indoors. I need to finalize my Thanksgiving day menus and make sure I have all the groceries I need. We have decided against turkey or ham for the noon meal. I am still working on what to have. For the evening we will do a meat/veggie in broth dish in a hotpot from Japan.
Be good to yourself while you heal. Don’t push yourself too hard. Take your pain meds on schedule so that you can do the activities that they will ask you to do without undue discomfort. Getting in and out of bed can be a *itch* with abdominal surgery.
So happy to see your posts this morning. Have been praying for you and sounds like you came out just fine. Now to wait for results. The hardest part of any surgery.
My sister in laws cancer surgery has been moved to Friday. Hopefully she will be home in time for Thanksgiving.
Pieced a Christmas quilt this weekend. A Villa Rosa pattern called Gemini. Was going to put on a border, but looking at it, I don’t think it needs one.
I participate in a mug swap with other Lutheran ladies from a Facebook group. Got my goodies yesterday from a lady in Eureka, Missouri. What a fun surprise on my doorstep. I’ll send a photo in an email.
Sunny and windy today. Of course I have errands to run in Ankeny. ugg
Take care, our friend.
Mary wishing you the speediest recovery ever.
I am with my 21 month old granddaughter who is absolutely the beautiful most intelligent little child. Makes me smile and laugh all day long. I love her. I love her. Getting ready for Thanksgiving next week Buying lots of food and getting ready to prepare it all and still work I am a housekeeper and of course everybody wants me this week and next week not enough hours in the day, but I refuse to work and Thursdays cause that’s my Gracie day. I am sewing a hand quilt so almost done with one ready to start another making clothes for my granddaughter and my other grandchildren of course. So again 🙏🏻 for a speedy recovery.
Glad to hear you’re doing well. Just remember to take it easy. Got my flu shot Monday and had a small reaction; high fever, headache and body aches. Tylenol took care of that. This morning, I’m off to get my boobs smashed!
Well Mary, you do sound pretty chipper considering what you just went through. I assumed that you did have your surgery yesterday because you never commented after telling us the shocking news that Becky had Covid.
Yay for Sam. A special person and friend for sure to hang out with you and accompany you overnight into the hospital. I do suspect that since you decided you were exposed to Covid that perhaps you never mentioned it to any of the people there at Mayo.
I suspect that this morning or this afternoon at some point, your surgeon or hospitalist, will tell you how things went and check up on you.
So yesterday I went outside to do some garden cleanup because I really haven’t jump in there because a lot of things were still blooming before recently. And here in Maryland, we are expecting a major change considering what it has been. So we have lots of critters around here and recently, we have a resident skunk. The air smells of skunk. So every few minutes as I was bending over, I’d raise my head to make sure that little Pepe le Peu wasn’t meandering. And then there was a sudden very strong smell of a dead animal. We actually knew a deer had died in the woods just to the west of us. I hadn’t noticed a bad smell until yesterday when the wind must’ve shifted. It was so strong that I felt that I must’ve been standing on something dead. So I continued my work and then decided to call it a day. As it was near five and the sun was going to set soon. The highlight though was hearing a pair of great horned owls calling nearby. We’ve had the owls nest in a large pine tree in the front of the property for several years. So it’s good to hear them and hopefully they’ll be producing young again for next year.
No traveling plans for Thanksgiving here. It’ll be me and my husband and my son. And it will be pretty quiet.
I hope you get lots of rest and your body begins to heal. I wonder when they will allow you, or force you to get up and walk as they usually do after surgery.
So yesterday you were in my thoughts and prayers because I assumed the surgery went on. I am so glad it’s over, as I know you are too.
Continued prayers, and if you’re not in too much discomfort or pain, you’ll let us know of The goings on at Mayo.
Pat in Md.
How wonderful to hear that, in spite of your many unexpected events and adventures, the surgery is over and the healing begins! I’m so sorry that you are experiencing itching; in my mind, itching belongs to one of the inner rings of hell. I can tolerate some amounts of pain, but the smallest bit of itching makes me absolutely crazy!
We are still in Colorado for my husband’s work, and this rental property is a real trial. Housing here is incredibly expensive, and you would think that with so much money, everything would be in tip-top shape. Not exactly … There has been one thing after another in the 3 months that we have been here, and neither of the ovens has worked since we arrived. Normally, I am more calm and accepting of things, but I had a Significant Hissy Fit ( southern-speak for what is essentially a temper tantrum but with prettier words LOL ) last week, and the property manager sent over the repair technician for the 4th time. This guy either knew a lot or was a very convincing actor LOL
So, here’s the update. The ovens in this house are toast. <—- professional description LOL One of them was last produced in 1995, so it is at least 30 years old and parts are not available. The other one has a manufacturing date of 2015, but the technician-expert said that someone made something very greasy in the oven ( probably bacon — so take a note and do not make bacon in your oven like some people recommend! ); because it has a convection fan, the grease is sucked into ( also a professional description ) the fan motor, increases the temperature of the fan motor, and burns it out. Then the oven will not work. Of course, both of them are unusual sizes and replacements, if approved by the owner who is stalling and refusing, will need to be ordered. The technician said that single wall ovens, and oven/microwave combinations, are no longer popular and not stocked. He said that the current "builder specials" are double wall ovens or standard ranges with a cooktop and single oven. He jury-rigged the newer oven to burn off some of the grease on the fan, saying it might function for a week or so before throwing another error code. On the old oven, he disconnected some parts of the control panel, saying that we might be able to get a few cycles out of it before it dies completely. So, we move forward to Thanksgiving on a wing and more than a few prayers LOL Plan B is Cracker Barrel takeout …
I do love Thanksgiving and all of the delicious and not-especially healthy foods 🙂 and I am so looking forward to getting in the kitchen and making it all work!
Hi Mary…I thought about you all day yesterday and wondered what was happening. So glad that surgery is done and you can start recovering. Thankful Sam stepped in and has been there for you.
The flooring has been installed at our house and I absolutely love it. It makes all the rooms look so much bigger. I will send pictures via email. Glad that project is over. I have one bedroom left to put back together…need to get that done before thanksgiving.
I will have tgiving at my house with 19 adults and 3 “littles”. Sarah is cooking the ham this year, so I am only doing the turkey. I brine the bird for 12 hours the day before and I use a recipe that calls for a pound of butter mixed with white wine. The turkey is smeared with butter and covered with cheesecloth that has soaked in the wine/butter mix. Basting is every 30 minutes using the wine/butter. It is so yummy..stays very moist. The past couple of years I have cooked turkey breasts, but this year decided to do a whole bird. Aldi had butterball turkeys for $1.07 lb. Good price. I send the carcus home with Sarah. She boils it and makes soup…nothing goes to waste.
I haven’t had time to sew for a few weeks, but decided I needed some therapy yesterday…last year I sent 13 quilts home with my tgiving guests…this year I am making hot mats using orphan blocks and scraps from previous quilts. I use 2 layers of batting so there is enough padding to protect the counter/table. I have made several for myself and decided everybody is taking one home this year. I do straightline quilting, so it goes quickly. They are fun to make…size depends on how many scraps I have..but can range from 15-20” long and about 15” wide. Big enough for a big pan.
Okay…enough about me…you listen to your nurses…take your pain meds so you can move easier…you will be home before you know it. I am sure your “kids” will be so happy to see you., especially Hazel. Take care and keep us updated on your progress. I look for your email every night before I go to bed..good way to end the day!
Oh, Mary, so glad you are through the surgery and I hope they have alleviated your itching! My ear bandages came off Monday and doctor thinks it looks good, I don’t. The grafted skin hasn’t filled out yet and looks blistered. It itches but I can’t touch it with the antibiotic ointment, neck area stitches are tight and itchy too. Don’t want to go through that again! They do my forehead Dec 12th.
Went to sewing group yesterday and enjoyed getting to be with them. We meet again Saturday to have our group photo taken and then go to lunch, should be fun except for my messed up ear.
We are going to have cooler temperatures for a few days, upper 30s at night, low 60s for highs and then back to low 70s by weekend. I still have tomatoes blooming!
Got happy notice from SPCA that Penny and Lucy’s brother has officially been adopted by the girls in the family that have been fostering them. They pooled their money for the fee. The other brother was adopted already.
We are going to have some rainbow trout my Darrell caught in Missouri for Thanksgiving and my Sarah is bringing tofu turkey. I will have a little. She says she feels so much better eating vegan.
I hope your recovery is swift and you are home for thanksgiving! Hugs 🤗 and purrs from Penny and Lucy😻
Pamela – your poor ear!!! And then your forehead. Oh, dear. Tofu turkey, huh? Please let us know about that.
It’s so good to hear from you this morning, Mary. Prayers that your pain is eased and your itching subsides. Extremely foggy morning here in Dayton, Ohio. We are awaiting our first snow coming tomorrow. It’s been in the 60’s and 70’s for the most of November and now we are going to get a short lived Artic chill. I am busy sewing reading book pillows for the children in my church. I enjoy making these. Your orders from all of us: DON’T PUSH IT! ♥️
Susan – haha! I just promised the dr I would recover smart rather than fast – ha!
So glad your surgery is over and, now you’re on the mend. Wishing you a speedy recovery.
I spent part of the day yesterday at the dentist having a temporary crown put in after part of my tooth cracked off a couple weeks ago. The only painful part was the bill!
I’m going to a craft supply consignment shop about an hour from home. The owner got in a large supply of primitive rug hooking supplies that I am interested in. I always wanted to try my hand at rug hooking so, maybe I can find some bargains to get me started.
Whew. Good to hear! You had a lONG surgery, but let’s hope the recovery is easy:) Thank you to Sam for helping out in a pinch and I hope Becky is better soon. Please listen to what the Drs. tell you to do!!
Squeak is “helping” me type this, Buddy is on his back with all four feet in the air–typical morning here.
It is foggy and yucky out, but will be about 55* today and maybe some sun. Hope so.
I will put bindings on Honor Flight quilts, try to work on my Guild Challenge, and try to clean up the house before Thanksgiving!
Take care, Mary.
Mary so glad you are over the surgery part of this journey. You have been on my mind a lot these last few days. I was thrilled to see your post “Done”
Prayers for a speedy and safe recovery. And what a blessing to have Sam.
It’s a rainy cool day in Michigan. Possible snow tomorrow morning but it will not stick due to the ground being warm. I’m so glad I got to do my Christmas lights in 60 degree weather! But they will not light up till after Thanksgiving. But their done!!!
Today I will do a little Christmas decorating inside.
I know a lot of people don’t like to decorate for Christmas before Thanksgiving and I use to be one of those people. But I did it last year and it was a blessing to have it up and done and it doesn’t diminish Thanksgiving at all for me. I’m still grateful, thankful for all my blessings. And our Thanksgiving was great and festive. As I get older I realize that I need to not be so stubborn and make it easy on myself. The older I get the longer it takes me to do things and in return that stresses me out. So if I can lighten my load why not? I’m thankful I come to that conclusion 😆
Hope you have as good of a day as you can have being in the hospital. Hopefully the itching stops and the pain lessens. Looking forward to hearing from you! Have a good day Mary!
So glad that all has gone well. Hope Becky is recovering.
I had lung surgery and understand the process, not easy. Had to walk distance within days. Doc had told me three times that it would be painful and I didn’t believe him. Take your meds and take good care of yourself. Lean on others. Your turn.
We just dodged a bomb cyclone here in British Columbia, hope it blew all the leaves way. Trying to finish up past projects instead of starting new ones. Love and peace to you. Rest well.
So glad all went well for you Mary! Now the next step is getting home and it looks like you will be home for Thanksgiving, YEAH!
I have been making myself crazy trying to find the right Christmas tree for my friend who I have been helping for 5 years and just got her into assisted living this summer. I am still involved as she needs to go to the doctors every week for her foot. I shop for her as she can’t, but meals are provided and wonderful there! She is lucky she can have her cat, so I got him a cat tree and buy his food etc. She still wants a fake big tree and she is in a studio apt. My husband and I emptied her home, sold and donated what she couldn’t use, still in the process of doing that. I bought a slim tree, it’s 42 in wide?? A pencil slim is around 30 in, big difference and with the look of it too. She remembers her ornaments which I kept for her. With her memory this could be her last good Christmas, so that is my dilemma, I want her to have a good Christmas even though she may not remember?? Guess that may be my answer!
I hope you get to go home soon, I’m sure you will recover better there especially with such a good sister, friends and husband to help!
Oh Mary! I’m so happy to see this 2nd message!! Wishing you a short recovery time! Mind those doctors orders best you can!!! Snow is coming here overnight. Should be fun taking my grandsons to school in the morning. Also coming is my quilt retreat starting tomorrow!! My core 5 quilting friends!! We’ve all been friends and quilting forever! In my very near future, I’ll be moving my folks, 92 & 95 into an assisted living facility! It’s the one here that is IMPOSSIBLE to get into. I contacted them, them just happened to have an opening right NOW! I feel someone was watching over me! Not the time of the year I would typically pick to do this, but it is what it is!!please take good care of yourself, Mary!!
It’s so good to know that surgery is done! I’m praying for a smooth recovery.
Thought about you all day yesterday and wondered if you had surgery. Glad you are doing well and Sam stepped in to help when Becky got Covid. You have the right attitude about having the surgery and getting better. Too many people I know delay getting treatment but just put a bandaid on instead. Caitlin Clark is going to be the keynote speaker at the Women’s Sports Awards in Kansas City in February! Tickets go on sale today. If the tickets aren’t too expensive we would love to go and take our next door neighbor. I found out a few months ago she has been following CC since she started playing at Iowa. I will let you know if we get tickets. Hope you are up and causing trouble soon!☺️
Mary,
Glad you got there and now your recovery begins!
All is good in the neighborhood!
Take some for the itching they can help you! Just ask!
Your healing will begin and you will be home before u know it!
Farmer Tim and Ellen
Ironically today I am catching up my laundry after spending last week helping my friend recover from her surgery. Thankful that my family could step up and take care of themselves while I was gone but none of them care for laundry.
Oh Mary! Now each day is healing & getting stronger. Sending you many blessings in the coming days! ❤️❤️❤️ My life as my husband’s caregiver has been challenging this past week. So today, I’m going to make a self binding baby blanket, burp cloths & a little doll blanket to match the bigger blanket. This sweet baby girl will have her first doll & blanket. That’s it for me.
Hi Mary Wishing you a speedy recovery. Here in Western New York we are to be 61 today nuts. Rain and wind heading our way late. Got a baby quilt to get quilted and binding to put on today. Trying to get ready for Thanksgiving by doing what I can now. Our daughter and her family host, I cook can’t fit everyone in our house anymore. Take care get well soon
So happy to hear that your surgery went well. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Here in Maryland we are having one more day of relatively pleasant weather and then it’s supposed to get cold. I have a day “off” today from minding grandsons in the morning because one of them has walking pneumonia and the other one that had it gave it to me so I don’t want to risk it twice. (Apparently that can occur.) I am expecting a houseful for Thanksgiving and now am debating whether I want to buy some of the side dishes or just plough ahead and make them all. Thanksgiving is the one time all year I go all out and invite many people so I plan to be cooking for days.
This morning my aged cat woke me up (again) at 4 a.m. so I have basted a quilt (I finish them from tops Jo sent me) and did a few other chores. As long as I get a nap this afternoon I will be fine, but since the time changed, my cat thinks 4 a.m. is her feeding time. Ugh. I’m usually up by 5:30, but 4 is just too early for these old bones.
Keep smiling; we are all pulling for you!
I’ve got a pair of sad eyes on the arm of my chair as I type this. Tig, our orange belton setter thinks it time for his breakfast. My responsibility when hubby is off to the woods hunting deer.
Breezy morning maybe some rain today, a bit of snow overnight is forecasted but with 50 degrees yesterday it won’t be sticking around .
I’ve got to make a grocery run this morning, odds and ends along with potatoes. Friday is cousin’s lefse making day. Not making much but three of them are ready to try their hand at it again. For those who are wondering what lefse is, a Norwegian flat bread ( that looks similar to a flour tortilla). Here in the US it is generally made with potatoes but there are other recipes who do not use them.
Quilting time has been spent making dog bed covers and kennel mats out of a quilted upholstery fabric I bought at $3 a yard. We use a pair of our old bed pillows for the stuffing.
May healing continue
Hugs and prayers,
Hi Mary,
What an ordeal. Thank God for a friend like Sam. So glad to get updated about your surgery/ordeal, but it all sound so difficult. All that waiting.
I decided I needed more social interaction so I’ve been going to the local library to knit . I’ve met a few ladies who are new to the area. It’s a fiber art group. A couple ladies are in the quilt guild. A couple of ladies crochet. Yesterday’s conversation was about cruises, which I’ve never done. Today I’m going to a book discussion group with some of the same ladies. Last week they had an acrylic paint class on sunflowers. I have done very little acrylic paint, but it was so much fun!! The leader led us step by step. I just decided I can’t sit home by myself all the time and stare at the walls.
I have been doing some Christmas shopping online. Or else I go to the stores early in the day.
I had a surprise visit from my granddaughter, Faith, last week. She and her boyfriend are moving close to me. Happy news! We decided to go out to dinner at Outback Steakhouse. So good to visit with her.
All my garden clean up was done by Hannah, my high school granddaughter who lives 10 min away. We’ve had mild weather and the lawn was mowed Monday when it was 67 degrees before the rain. All the leaves were mulched up.I
I have been very blessed lately. I can’t complain!
I usually have Thanksgiving with my brother. Undecided if I have the energy to cook a big meal or do carry-in.
Prayers for you and all your readers. Hope Becky is okay.
Mary, your story was like a book when I can wait to read the next chapter! I’m so glad you’re on the other side of this year’s anxiety and can devote your special magic toward recovering well. Your friends, especially Sam in these days of emergency, are your mirrors reflecting the continual kindness you offer to humans and animals alike. Today your mission is to ditch the itch – definitely nag your nurses and doctors about it!
I woke up early this morning to make blueberry biscuits for breakfast on this day that promises to be bleak with rain and cold settling in.
Wanda, Your note to Mary is exactly perfect so I will just say I agree with everything you said. You even gave me a hint as to what to do with some not sweet blueberries but I am making muffins.
Mary, you have the best outlook so I’m certain the outcome will be great. Hang in there.
Glad surgery is behind you. I hope you have a speedy recovery. Glad Sam could be with you.
We are on our way to visit our daughter and husband,3 granddaughters, and 7 greats.
Left Rochester in rain and ended the day with sun and 65 degrees. Stopped at the outlet mall in the Wisconsin Dells. Had fun shopping. We decided to stay in Champaign, Illinois for the night and continue our trip to Ohio today.
My daughter is taking next week off so we can have some fun sewing.
Wishing you the best and will keep you in my prayers.
So glad to hear from you first thing this morning! God is good!
We’re hosting about 30 at our home for Thanksgiving dinner next Thursday. I prepare the turkey, ham, noodles, gravy and mashed potatoes. Everyone else brings all the sides and desserts. We love hosting and the house is full of laughter, chatting, kids playing, adults having fun or watching the game….just lots going on. Then board games are brought out and the serious times start! Lol! I’m not too sure we enjoy the Thanksgiving fellowship over Christmas, to be honest. It’s such a different experience which you probably understand.
Praying for your quick recovery and for an excellent pathology report.
So happy to hear the surgery is over and you seem to be doing well — except for the itching, that is. I hope you’ve gotten that taken care of by now! Someone else mentioned a reaction to medication — that’s a real possibility! Let us know what the result was.
My husband and I have gotten moved into our lake house. We’re headed back “home” today and will be there through Thanksgiving. I think I already told you that our son and his wife are buying our house in Northern Virginia and we are at Smith Mountain Lake (also in Virginia for those who don’t know the area). It’s a big down-size for us, but it’s going to be okay, I think. We need to find a church and get involved in the community and it will be fine. There’s a quilting guild here. I’ve never been a member of one, but I think I’ll check it out. I probably will make that my New Year’s resolution!
Praying for a quick and easy recovery for you! I know you will keep us informed of your progress.
Glad the surgery is in ‘your rear view mirror’. I have had back surgeries and experienced your misery. Let the recovery begin which will be slow but worth it. I hope you have books, binding, Netflix and college basketball/football to occupy your recuperating time.
Been binding in the evenings since it is dark so early🙁 Longarm repair person expected today as timing needs an adjustment. The unfinished quilt top pile is increasing which is frustrating to look at.
Traveling to Louisville for Thanksgiving about a 3 hour drive. It will be brief and hoping traffic ‘behaves’ themselves. Our son lives there and has to work some of the weekend so we will come home.
I had itching w/ my back surgeries & it was decided that I was allergic to the adhesives used. I was miserable.
Marcia-Ohio….i agree please tell the nurses you are so itchy! I got terribly itchy after I was home after my back surgery after they took off my bandage which was getting very painful…yup allergic to the adhesive! The stupid stuff burned my skin all around the incision! And that itched and everywhere itched! It’s like here an itch and there and everywhere an itch itch! Anyway my doctor ordered some potent allergy stuff. When I went to the pharmacy, the pharmacist warned me to take only a half a pill! I slept a whole night! A whole pill probably would have put me to sleep a week! 😝
Oh my goodness. When I told four different doctors my skin burned from adhesive they looked at me like I was from outer space. One was the super dermatologist of a local University. It makes me mad that medical personnel are clueless about allergies. Gee, the marks matched the bandage perfectly. Duh.
Li – I’m allergic to many adhesive patches – started after my hysterectomy with estrogen patches.
when I read the itching comments I immediately had flashbacks to my own experience with allergies following an abdominal surgery. The BetaDyne swab did not register with a surgical tech to the glow patch indicating an iodine allergy. Oh my the extra days in hospital because the surgical wound could not be properly closed due to the reaction. That was fun trying to explain that extra charge to the insurance company.
Since you have already experienced allergies with adhesive patches perhaps you might like to head this off fairly quickly.
I am not surprised at the positive tone your entry is today. You have an exceptional attitude. thank you
We must be from the same planet!
I’ve had two surgeries in my life, bandage adhesive allergic reaction with both. Second one worse than the first, hate to even think of having to have that reaction a third time. List of medication allergies does include it but when reviewed by medical staff it is always questioned.
Thankful that your surgery is over. High hopes and prayers for fast healing! Here in central Illinois we have had a mild fall after a hot, dry summer. I have a gorgeous iris which is still blooming with lots of buds as well as my dianthus and lavender. I’ve slowly been decorating for Christmas as we leave Nov.26 to have Thanksgiving with our kids in Gulf Shores, AL and will return on Dec. 3. Our son was born on Thanksgiving day 36 years ago so we always celebrate his birthday on Thanksgiving with a spice cake along with the pies. Take care – God bless.
Hello, from Iceland! On tour. It is windy and cold. It’s usually about 20-25 degrees. I’m so glad that the surgery is behind you…now for the healing.
Martha – in a previous comment you said something about Iceland and I didn’t understand but… you’re traveling!!!! Tell us a little about what you’re seeing?
So good to hear from you! Prayers raised for speedy healing. Sam is a true friend indeed. I’ve finished piecing a quilt memory for my SiL from her husband’s shirts. I met my friend at the quilt shop to choose a backing, she’s got such a great eye. I had in my mind a muted shot-cotton. Would you believe that we found exactly what I had visualized- not only that but it was available in 108” width! No piecing! My lucky day. Sending big hugs for your recovery, Mary. ❤️
Mrs. GN – shot cotton available in wide backing? I didn’t know it was even made but yes, that would be perfect!!
Good morning I. Glad you are on the other side of surgery. Tell your nurse you itch- it could be an allergic reaction to a med. And plus, there is medicine to knock it down. I am sure you are anxious for the dr to make rounds and tell you what they found. Take care!
Can you explain to me what shot cotton is please. Nice that it came in the 108″ width that you had wanted. What a lovely and treasured gift of the memory quilt that you made for your SIL.
Hi Arlene,
The shot cottons I have purchased are available through gloriouscolor.com. It is a woven warp/weft thing where warp is navy, for example, and weft might be a shade of aqua. It presents a nice sheen. Great as an alternate block for a scrappy four patch qult.
Mary, so glad your surgery is over and in the past. Sounds like you went through it well. It hing!! Ugg!, The most annoying part of healing.
What a fabulous friend Sam ( and Becky) are. I have my two here in Chestertown… Leslie and Diane. Both have stepped up for me like Sam did for you. You can’t survive without good friends. Sending lots of prayers your way for quick recovery.❤️🩹. Bobby in Maryland
Good morning Mary!
Please tell the nurses you are itchy!
(Could be allergic to some new medication)
So glad to read your message that you were out of surgery last night.
Healing prayers continue.
Here I am on a mission to see which dog is peeing in my bed. Yuck
I diapered the 2 little ones last night and yet there was a big wet spot so think it must be the big girl.
This happened years ago and dog tested positive for diabetes. I’ll try diapers on big girl and then take her to vet. I do have to recommend My Pet Peed spray. It is amazing at removing the urine odor from the mattress.
Other news is that I grew sweet potatoes in 2 tubs and harvested them last week. They are now curing. Most are little but there are a couple of good size. I’ll try new potatoes next year.
What do you mean that you “cure” the sweet potatoes?
From what I’ve read you have to let the sweet potatoes air out for days to weeks depending on room temperature to let them become sweet.
Mary,
You are brave. You are stronger than you think and you’ve got this – itches and all. I’m surprised and very happy that you are “venting” so soon after surgery. Congratulations, step one completed.
On the other hand, I’ve been having anxiety attacks for the last few days. Why?? I’m leaving in the morning for Minnesota to spend the holidays with my daughter and, for some unknown reason, I’m apprehensive about the filght. I’ve taken the same flights several times a year for the past 14 years but this one is the first one I’m not looking forward to. In other news, it’s finally getting cold around here and the heated toilet seat is plugged in and working wonderfully. It is a marvelous invention and, since there isn’t heating in the toilet room or the bathroom (yep, they are separate rooms) it makes a big difference when I’m in there several times during the night. Funny that, I believe that I may be there more during the night than during the day!
Enough of my “venting” for the day. Did I distract you for even a minute?? Take care and keep letting us know how you are doing.
deb
How cold is it there and is it typical for Japan? When I think of Japan, I don’t think of cold weather.
Wow, a heated toilet seat. But what about your feet? And do you take a shower in that room? I thought Japan was in a warm climate.
Mary has no idea what she started when she started the blog! We learn all sorts of things!
Hope you have a good trip!
Thank you so much for posting! We’ve been thinking about you (and praying, too). I am sure you feel great relief at getting this surgery behind you. Now the tough part: getting out of bed! Ouch!
Foggy and eerie looking ing Cincinnati this morning, but temperature near 60 this afternoon. Snow in the forecast for tomorrow!
I’m glad to hear that all went well. I’m sure you will be up and about in no time. You mentioned Thanksgiving. I looked at the calendar and was surprised to see that it is next week. We have dinner at our house and I haven’t even thought about grocery shopping. Wow! I’d better get with it! This month is flying by! I hope you feel better soon and know that we’re all thinking about you.
I’m so glad your surgery went well. I’m up early to drink a big glass of water, before my cut off at 7am, for a procedure for back pain today. Sure hope it helps! Right now I’m working on 3 baby quilts, all from the same group of fabrics, same pattern, but random fabric placement. I decided to make one for each grandchild, just in case I don’t live long enough, or am too infirm to sew, when they are old enough to marry and start a family. My granddaughter is almost 20, with a serious boyfriend, so for her, it might not be a long wait. When she was younger, and lost her other grandfather, she worried about how long I would be here, and I always told her that I would be around to change her baby’s poopy diapers—that always cheered her up!
Any way, best wishes to you, and prayers for a speedy recovery. You are an inspiration! Wish I could do half of what you do!
Charlotte in Georgia