I missed the whole month of May! And it is one of my most favorite months of the year. I recall glimpses of things here and there, but for the most part it is gone, fogged by a groggy brain, turtle-like reflexes, and lots and lots of sharp pain emanating from the new titanium joint in my knee. Yup I have been totally out of it. Don't get me wrong, I am grateful for the pain medication that made it all possible, but I had not expected how much it would knock me out. Can you spell dysfunctional?
After losing May I am more determined than ever that I am not going to lose June! I am up and walking without assistance now -- both cane and walker have been shelved along with the commode, depends, and pillow-lined hall way. I still have another knee to go so I am not getting rid of the sick room gear just yet.
Buster and Buffy have been my constant companions through the dark times. They take turns sitting on my lap, drinking out of my water glass, and meowing at me if I attempt to sleep. They have both learned to dodge the cane when it comes toward them. They are more nimble than I am at this point so they have to get out of the way or get mowed over. Max is very protective of me and is my constant shadow, tucking himself under my recliner whenever I sit there making it impossible to put the feet down without smashing the dog in the chair.
And Bruce has been my driver, nurse, cook, laundry dude, and all around go and fetch it for me guy. He has been great through all of this craziness. I am especially impressed by his cooking! He is a fast food kind of guy, but he has been fixing me nice meals with veggies, homemade meat balls, and salads. Not fancy, but tasty and filling. If it can be made from hamburger, he can make it. He has graduated to frozen chicken breasts, and is attempting the occasional soup. What a guy.
Now 6 weeks post op I am finally coming out of the fog, working on patterns and quilts, preparing teaching notes for classes at the Kansas City Regional Quilt Festival June 14-17 in Overland Park, KS. The following week I go to Reno, NV to teach 6 classes at the Sew and Quilt Expo. I am putting together kits, class supplies and ordering replacements for everything I sold out of earlier this year.
It feels good to be working again, although at a much slower pace, after a month of indolence, incomprehension, and incontinence.
So with all that as an introduction, check out this month's free block of the month on my 2017 BOM tab on my blog. Yup, its free, and is available as a digital download only. It is called Swirling Star and I just love the little applique swirls in the corners.
And this month's bonus block, free to my newsletter subscribers, is called Swish N Swirl. I think it is a beauty, and in a way sort of tells the story of me and the month of May.
Thanks for hanging out with me in June. I missed you.
PS. The knee surgery went well, it is healing fine, and I am back on my feet. Thanks for all the good thoughts, wishes and prayers. It really helped. HUGS
After losing May I am more determined than ever that I am not going to lose June! I am up and walking without assistance now -- both cane and walker have been shelved along with the commode, depends, and pillow-lined hall way. I still have another knee to go so I am not getting rid of the sick room gear just yet.
Buster and Buffy have been my constant companions through the dark times. They take turns sitting on my lap, drinking out of my water glass, and meowing at me if I attempt to sleep. They have both learned to dodge the cane when it comes toward them. They are more nimble than I am at this point so they have to get out of the way or get mowed over. Max is very protective of me and is my constant shadow, tucking himself under my recliner whenever I sit there making it impossible to put the feet down without smashing the dog in the chair.
And Bruce has been my driver, nurse, cook, laundry dude, and all around go and fetch it for me guy. He has been great through all of this craziness. I am especially impressed by his cooking! He is a fast food kind of guy, but he has been fixing me nice meals with veggies, homemade meat balls, and salads. Not fancy, but tasty and filling. If it can be made from hamburger, he can make it. He has graduated to frozen chicken breasts, and is attempting the occasional soup. What a guy.
Now 6 weeks post op I am finally coming out of the fog, working on patterns and quilts, preparing teaching notes for classes at the Kansas City Regional Quilt Festival June 14-17 in Overland Park, KS. The following week I go to Reno, NV to teach 6 classes at the Sew and Quilt Expo. I am putting together kits, class supplies and ordering replacements for everything I sold out of earlier this year.
It feels good to be working again, although at a much slower pace, after a month of indolence, incomprehension, and incontinence.
So with all that as an introduction, check out this month's free block of the month on my 2017 BOM tab on my blog. Yup, its free, and is available as a digital download only. It is called Swirling Star and I just love the little applique swirls in the corners.
And this month's bonus block, free to my newsletter subscribers, is called Swish N Swirl. I think it is a beauty, and in a way sort of tells the story of me and the month of May.
Thanks for hanging out with me in June. I missed you.
PS. The knee surgery went well, it is healing fine, and I am back on my feet. Thanks for all the good thoughts, wishes and prayers. It really helped. HUGS
Magnifique, très beau.
ReplyDeleteGlad to read you´re recovering well, Reeze--with a little help from some good people in your life of course! Slow and steady getting into the swing of things and happy June ! Hugs, Bobbi
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love the blocks used in the border this month for the Fair Isles Winter BOM. My favorite so far! Thank you very much for your generosity! Best wishes on the new knee!! Andrea
ReplyDeleteI agree with Andrea about this month's border blocks. They are stunning. The regular blocks are so angular, that these border blocks just make the entire quilt sing!
ReplyDeleteDon't overdue yourself with the recovery. Slow and steady wins the race. Linda
Hello,love the blocks used in the border this month for Fair Isles Winter BOM.It is a keeper!!!Thank You for sharing!Glad the knee is progressing well!
ReplyDeleteSounds like life is getting back to normal, but try not to overdue! Love the blocks for the Fair Isles BOM. Thanks for creating these beautiful blocks. I would like to see the bonus blocks for the border.
ReplyDeleteGood for you. Sounds like things are going very well. My first knee was terrible. So very swollen and so hard to recover from. I waited 5 years and the second one just went so well. Same Dr and same hardware inside. I had 6 weeks or so of fog of pain medication but was off walker and cane in a week unless I was trying for uneven ground or distance. Now in my 6th month post op I am doing anything I wish to and even doing yard work. 5,000 steps a day most days.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes for continued healing. It does take a year to a year and a half for full recovery so just keep working at it.
I agree with the previous comments that this month's borders are gorgeous! I love applique too, so I would like to see any of the bonus blocks used in the border.
ReplyDeleteMy kind of applique! Love this month's bonus block and border. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you are on the mend. Sounds like you have some great helpers taking care of you - the three B's - Buster, Buffy, and Bruce. Love the blocks in Fair Isle. Both sets of blocks are beautiful, but I would have to vote for the bonus blocks to be in the border.
ReplyDeleteI am three years,out of surgery this month, it is worth it!!!
ReplyDeleteHad my left done May 2011 and the right done that September. I expected the pain, therapy, etc but didn't expect how tired I would be still at Christmas. Thankfully, nobody expected very much of me at the time.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love the border block this month.Like the white version with the dark background and the swags under the block really set the quilt off. You have such an artistic eye.
ReplyDeleteGlad you are recovering and feeling able to do some of the things you love. You look like you have a busy schedule for June. Don't do to much all at once. Baby steps. Rest if you need too and make sure there is a chair for you to rest at these workshops. Hugs
Glad to hear you're feeling better. Pray that you continue healing.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry you've had so much pain. I had a knee done two years ago and the worst part was my muscles trying to relearn how to walk right! That said, love the extra blocks you've included, and love your name for them.
ReplyDeleteKeep doing those exercises! Absolutely love this BOM!!!
ReplyDeleteSo glad to read that you are feeling more like yourself - that is so good to know...
ReplyDeleteso glad you're on your way out of the fog! my daughter had both of her knees replaced ... she, too, had those foggy days and now is thankful that she has new knees. gotta be tough cookies to go through that recovery period!
ReplyDeleteEven though knee replacements are so common, it's a tough row on each and every person who undergoes the procedure. I am thinking of you and keeping you in my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteGlad you are doing well and have someone to help you out. I love the new patterns Take care thinking good thoughts for you God bless you
ReplyDeleteReese, so glad your knee is coming along for you. Congrats on your progress. I'm loving your 2017 block/Fair Isles. Your applique blks are truly exceptional so I vote for them in the border. Thank you!
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