American Sewers Guild day out with my sister

What a wonderful day I had today.

.

My sister drove down to get me and then we went back up to Scottsdale to where the meeting is held. We went to a Starbucks for a scone and coffee. Her treat she insisted. She said she had been given a gift card by a client. Goodness those drinks are delightful. Not something I ever do, except twice now with her.

We had a fabric/pattern exchange. It was amazing the things that came home with me. One woman thought of me and purchased several very old sewing machine feet including a ruffle foot and a binding foot. in an original box at a thrift store for .50! after checking the height they will get passed onto another woman who gave me her number. I am sure she will be thrilled. I came home with batting some fabric and a pattern perfect for the master bedroom window valence. Just exactly what I drew out when designing them. So cool how good it is when the angles are sent to look out for us.

Across the way there was an Indian (Navajo) market of artist.

Drums and a hoop dancer. Much like this young man, stock image.It was so wonderful to stand, sun on my back amerced into the beat of the drum. A time of still worship. My sister standing by my side. We are becoming friends. 

Afterward we took the left over fabrics and patterns down to the Hospice thrift store. Of course we had to go into play. Oh my! I saw this beaded top and loved it, then found the pants.

 The pants are like new 80% silk, 25% off of $3.!

Fit and were high waist just perfect for the top.

 That smile is after my sister was looking to see the maker tags. 

It is a boutique item'

 Under the makers tag she found the yellow price tag. It said $412. It was 25% off of $5.!!!!!!!

The beading is all the way around the top, hand painted and embroidered.

click the image. 

We three stood there in laughter.

I think this is just about the best deal I have ever made on a sale.

Note the color of the polish. I just painted them last night! I never have worn this color, it was a gift for my birthday. It is the very same color as the outfit!

Found three pair of shoes thrilled at $10 a pair they were all marked down to $2. These are NEW! someone donated them, the hand bag was only $5 it is like NEW

Matches the outfit. Can you believe it! I was just telling Poppa yesterday that I would like to take better care and dress better. Even did the manicure/pedicure for myself in prayerful self respect. A dear friend of mine had written about the condition of our feet showing character. Got me to thinking that taking efforts and time to care for myself is not a treat it is a responsibility.

Came home with several other things as well.
A like new Cuisinart ice cream maker for $7.50. They sell for $50. new. I was watching a show called 'Good Eats' studying how to make home made ice cream, not but two weeks ago.

We had a real nice time together.

After a bit of a rest the kids and I watched two movies together. I did fall asleep during the second on 'brother bear'. They are asleep now. So should I be getting there as well.

It was a beautiful day of 'play', good company and interest.

My Sister is alright

Thank you everyone for your prayers for her. she said she is fine. In late February she is scheduled for her other knee replacement. She can still use prayer for sure. We are actually meeting in the morning for coffee before the American Sewers Guild meeting. We have a fabric/pattern exchange.
I need to rest soon for the pillow did not great my head till after 2:30 a.m. the surgery sort of messed up my sleep cycle.
My port is better today, however tonight it is feeling tired as in pain is increasing. Just need to rest. Made it through the day without pain medication. It will be used tonight so rest can greet me more easily.
I saw the report of the Labs taken before the last infusion. Shows real improvement. I will better be able to fight off bacteria between infusions. Helps me be able to go into crowds without the threat.
Thank you all for the prayers. Tomorrow will be even better. My next infusion is on the 15th so the wound will be healed enough to be scrubbed sterile. Oh it will be so much less frightening knowing that lydican right at port and only the one stick will be a minimal pain. I am so grateful.

What an invitation!

Good Morning
Oh how funny! Well you know you have arrived when you get an invitation from AARP to join. Ha! Oh this is just too rich. In email, hay! how did they know I am turning 50?

Noun

1.

AARP - an association of people to promote the welfare of senior citizens Association for the Advancement of Retired Persons association - a formal organization of people or groups of people

Thankful Thrusday: My new I V port

the new portacath

Here is the new me. 

Weird to have a devise in my chest. In the first image you can see just how swollen my jugular vain is. It was black and blue last night but looks much better today.

It is surgically sealed with a glue. The catheter went in at the upper incision then up into the jugular about two inches up where it is swollen, then down over the collar bone into the device called a port. The surgeon said that I was very fortunate that I have the best port on the market. It is titanium with a very low profile. The older ones stick farther out. He said he felt that it would be better to use it on me due to my smaller frame. The port is just above the lower incision. A bump looking thing. Still pretty sore this morning. So far Tylenol is helping. the kids got off to school 45 minutes ago.
My dear sister watched them yesterday morning. She fell on the outside sidewalk. The kids took some blocks we had stacked out by the trash cans and maid playing props out of them. She did not see then in the dark of the morning and took a dive onto both her knees. The ones that have a replacement in it, the other is being replaced in February. Please say a prayer for her I am so concerned for her. Thank you for your love and prayers.
My shoulder is a bit more limber, however I better quit before I regret typing.
Be Blessed

surgery went well

thNKS
MY RIGHT ARM IS NOT TO ABLE TO USE
THE ENTRY WAS AT THE NECK JUGULAR NECK IS TERRIBL TIGHT AND PAINED
LEFT HAND HERE
PORT IS BLACK/BLUE 4X4" CALLED ITS NORMAL
LOOKED FINE WHEN I GO  T HOME
MY HEAD IS HELD UP WITH PILLOW

BRUING /SWRLLING ICEING HELPS

THS TOO SHALL PASS
ALL THE STAFF was aWsOME GREAT DOC
OH TYPO STANDS ;) Oh IM DONE TYPE NOW
THANKS PRAYER BLESS YA ALL
pain pills rest
g nite

well chores are set

Laundry is all washed. Still need to hang it up.
After tomorrow I will not be able to use my upper body strength for 10 days. It is a strange feeling the night before something like this. Much easier to just zone out.

If you know folks who have medically intense lives call them, love them.

Pray for dear hearts like Shorty Bear and those who know such great pains of body. Take good care of yourself and be grateful for your good health.
My sister will come at 6 a.m. to relieve us so we can hit the road into the city.
Dash wanted to make sure she knew how to fix sunny side up eggs:) Dove was concerned 'if she knew how to get them ready for school'.

they will miss me in the morning. my surgery is in the early a.m. so we should get home around 2 if all goes well.
I'll come say hi on the other side.

Surgery for Port

Let me preface this 

with a big 

I am so blessed!

The doctor and I have been researching some different options for me. We were looking into a process called sub-cutaneous but with low IgA levels I am not a candidate. It is a relatively new process as well. I If I tried it the likelihood of shock is there and it could cause my body to build more anti bodies to IgA. Not good.

Today was set an appointment to go to Good Samaritan Hospital Wednesday morning. My sister will come here at 6 a.m. We will have a long distance to travel but this fellow is a specialist in the field that has done many port insertions. I will have a device set with a catheter under my clavicle (upper chest). It will remain there most likely the rest of my days.
The port will ease the difficulties faced due to several sticks at every infusion. My veins are being blown out. I may even be able to numb the site before the nurse gets here.

It took me all day to try to find a specialist to do the port at the end of it all(after I finally found one)

this organization 

was stumbled upon.

I feel worn out just calling all the numbers of insurance, doctors and all. the coordinator was stunned that I got so far. God is good. After a $100 deductible it is covered at 100%. God is good. So blessed am I to have such awesome insurance. There is a very remote (not heard of except in children) chance that my body will yet be able to be free of the need for infusions. I can still hope. Even so it will be at least two years of monthly infusions. The port will make it so much less stressful. Infections are yet the greatest concern. There will be a 10 day no lift from the upper body thing. It is out patient.

 Here 

is a site that shows the process of how my IVIG will be given here after. It will be done at home still. I will have the same awesome infusion nurse. I feel a little worn out and tired. To have gotten into an appointment for the day after tomorrow!

Goals for 2011 Thinking it through

Subjects set are...

• Relationships: Friday family nights, schedule time alone with kids and husband, return e-mails/comments and visit friends blogs, set up time with friends, Stopping what I am doing when the kids are inviting me into their world and thoughts,reaching out by phone or email, thank you notes, take time to send love notes, stop all/everything and just embrace, blog hop and comment
• Homemaking: menu each week, laundry weekly, schedule termite service $$bummer!, patch walls, decor and do inventory, manage said inventory, coupon collection, keep weekly track of refrigerator using all left overs, Keep Monday - Saturday schedule (see side bar), organize property
• Spiritual: Prayer for husbands employers bosses bosses and up the line, prayer for clean hands and pure heart, Scripture time, being a better example to others, service work, get finger printing done for elementary school volunteering, collect and giveaway items we no longer use, Keep a day of rest by getting task done before Sunday
• Physical: walks, reduce sugar intake, drinking water when tempted toward sugar, 'way of life plan', foot care schedule weekly, hearing aides, eye apt for family, looking into port surgery for infusions, a pound a week drop, kids well visits, physical for Steve, work on infusion stress, get mono  inoculations for kids, schedule colonoscopy, grow nails back out,
• Parenting : 100 things I like about you list, set structure to create a better work ethic in the kids, everyday ask 1. are you drugging or drinking...why or why not? 2. are you sending internet images...why or why not? they need to know WHY they say no  (by the way this really annoys them:) asking the 5 W's every day what, when, who, why and where. This will emphasis to them self the reasons why NOT to do it. Library each week with kids, support them to have and set goals, Dove to Jr High set up the college prep class, set up new chores lists and charts for kids, teach them a new skill (chore) each month, Study adolescent/teen development to be prepared and proactive, eye to eye contact listening to them even if it may not be interesting to me
• Educational: renew interests in birding, garden and flowers, work on Novel editing, do a study on the power of kindness, study body language, sign language, adult and childhood development, study garden information,  recipe books, topical scripture study, study ebay selling,
• Creative outlet: tend to studio, bead and sewing desk, make gifts and set aside for kids bday parties, friends and each gender. Make things to offer up to sell, write, blog posting, poetry, sew new clothing, attend American Sewers Guild meetings, scrap booking, quilt for son, valance for master bedroom,
• Pet and Garden care: walks with each dog, chicken coop and greens, compost turning, study of plants and ready a spring garden, look into water collection tank to rid it of algae, rid yard of rocks and fill in the edging with dirt, feed wild birds, dog baths, get new red wiggler worms for garden in the spring
• Financial: Keep budget up to date weekly or even daily, save monthly, taxes quickly done and filed, files up to date, Adoption records organized, Look into the % to set next years tax on income, sell some of the home school books,  keep to budget use a end of summer trip to motivate us, set up automatic payroll to save a little for each kids college funding, sell trailer, hearing aids, Kids compensation (not allowance) for non family tasks, set aside $ for each kids bday, continue to hone budget, lower RX costs,
• Recreation: keep a list of monthly FREE events to attend, set a bit of funds aside each month to do a little something (even if it just a little), list plan and budget for something, think of a trip for end of summer look into low cost options, plan a party for turning 50 (?),Blog hop and post/comments

Well this is what is before me so far. 

It is nice to get it out of mind into print.

These are some of the goals set. They are the desires of my spirit, soul and body. These are the things that appear needful to have a well balanced life and a prosperous one. This will get printed out and placed on my clipboard. As the year progresses the list will ebb and flow. Many things at year end will of been accomplished. This is a wonderful reward of efforts. If I were to simply RESOLVE to do these things...well they would overwhelm me and I would get all kinds of stressed out. As goals they motivate me, they become a mission. Thus into accomplishments I become accomplished.

safety

sense of self

affiliation

mission

accomplishment

These are building blocks of Self Esteem.

Now many a folk understand little of this. Self Esteem has become a bad word. God wants for us all to Esteem our self as He does. Safe, knowing who we are in Him. Having a sense of belonging to Him and the greater whole. He has set before us a life and in that according to Ecclesiastes one that we find pleasure in the works of our hands. That is all that is left for everything is a vanity empty and void if we do not FIND pleasure in the accomplishments there of.

New Year Goals not Resolutions

Happy 

New Year 

Everyone!

This early a.m. set aside the time to list out goals.

Daily weekly as well as monthly these things are thought through with intention and purpose.

On the first sheet is labeled

2011

By filling them in I set goals. The years ahead are considered. Now once thinking of saving everything toward principle on house does not look as important as saving for the first year or two of community college. We want to do some travel with the kids. Historical sites being our desire. We want to teach the kids our history as a people and country. Exploring the land all the while. One day perhaps taking them for a trip to Russia. BIG dreams yes. Yet they are worth considering. This is how we treat each new year. Doing some intentional setting aside of or our funds, and such. Now YES I KNOW you can not PLAN life, but you can take a good look at your life and make some choices , many choices each day that will effect the future you hope to live.

Subjects set are...

• Relationships
• Homemaking
• Spiritual
• Physical
• Parenting
• Educational
• Creative outlet
• Pet and Garden care
• Financial

Then for the next 5 years marking mile stones to come.

2012
Dash 4/5 grade 11yrs old
Dove 6/7 grade 14yrs old
Me 51 yrs
Steve 54 yrs early semi retirement 401k


This done we are able to forecast Jr High, High School (Looking into grants and scholarships). I know when to look toward the years ahead, what priorities to set. It gives hope to things like a new kitchen floor one day. Makes us wait for the right times to accomplish and acquire.

Resolutions are not my style. They leave me to the energies of emote. For me that tires and falters to the point I just give up. Goals however break it down and shows me the long term focus. It is in the long term that there is no place for condemnation or shame. They are replaced with a focal point a GOAL

Adult Development

TABLE 1 Levinson's Stages of Adult Development Age Levinson's Stage 17–33 Novice phase of early adulthood 17–22 Early adult transition 22–28 Entering the adult world 28–33 Age-30 transition 33–45 Culmination of early adulthood 33–40 Settling down 40–45 Midlife transition 45–50 Entering middle adulthood 50–55 Age-50 transition 55–60 Culmination of middle adulthood 60–65 Late adult transition 65+ Late adulthood

These stages are generally accepted by researchers today in seeking to explain and evaluate adult development.


Read more: http://www.cliffsnotes.com/study_guide/Adult-Development.topicArticleId-26957,articleId-26919.html#ixzz19KRxD4Da

These years of middle adult hood are so beautifully sobering. Recently I have become more aware of the effects of turning 50years of age. This happens for me this year in May. The transitions that are so normal can often leave one thinking that error is everlasting. When we look at our lives and see that it is different than we might of envisioned we are left with a healthy realization that reality differs. It is the visualizations of early/middle adulthood that gave me the stamina to attain my goals. Many have been met, however over the years it is that many of my goals were left to the wind. At times these goals were ones that God differed in HIS design for my life. At times the consequences of my own choices effected my goals. Those choices of others also effected the design. Altering it into the realities of today.
Reality is this is my life today, grieve it and love it. Celebrate the success and try to accept the faults and foibles. Learning always. Remembering lessons of right doing and standing. The power of kindness.

Maturity at this point in life I believe is the old knowing the difference of the things that I can change or not. Accepting the reality with grace, humility and gratitude...well that brings a peace. That peace removes the bitterness of goals and dreams that have altered or been left unmet. The errors of early and middle adulthood can grieve a soul, forgiveness can heal it :)

Turning 50 will be a real age of transition for me. It is a hard thing to look back at life and not kick yourself in the fanny at the 'only if insight were foresight'.  Oh to the youth. If that wisdom of age lived with character could just be chosen. Lives would be so sweet for them. Even in the transition on hindsight life is covered with mercy.

Happy New Year

The Kids are still up 11:11 here
I want to sleep soon :)

the last few days and my little artists

Tip here take pictures of any wiring before you undo it.

Life is made much easier when it is time to hook it all up again.

hold your breath when you dust too!

:)

Pray for that little darling in the middle. She and her family really need it. The kids were sharing media in the back seat on the way across town.

 We took the old oak entertainment center over to my sister much to her glee.

Did you know that empty dishwashers make the best drain boards for large items?

 Holiday is coming to a close soon and the laundry is a mass. We did not want me to work over the  vacation so now it is time to make the needed laundry soap.

 We had temperatures in the mid 20's last night. This is a batch of grain and old pasta cooked up for the chickens.

 Thinned out the baby kale and harvested some broccoli and radish for salad.

 The room is so large here without the oak center. We have had that for so many years. Strange to have it out of here. It is so large and even louder in the room. The book shelf is loaded with all the media. That center held a lot of things in it. A home is now needed to place all the books off the shelf unit.

 This is the living room at this point. The tree came down yesterday. In spite of a 4 hour drive in the rain the HDTV got home dry. He got stuck in a 3 mile back up on the freeway due to an accident. Gratefully he was not in it. We were able to have a friend come and help get it out of the truck. The truck was backed up half way into the garage. That cart set near the tailgate and the men set it over onto it. The cart is a type of industrial strength shelf on wheels. Not too pretty but if you know me I'll figure out away to get it to flow. The area behind the TV will get metals and pastels for decor.

 See the difference in the size. The picture is just so pretty! For the first time in for ever I sat and watched a bit of TV last night. Felt sort of strange to just sit and watch. The WII was amazing on it. So clear. Some of the DVD's we have will show in high definition. If we ever are able to get a blue ray player it will work on this TV.

 My kids have found identity as artist. Now this is so cool to us. We are not sports folk, nor as many with interest as the masses. However we are both artist in our own right. Now we see the kids interested. It felt like we have this to offer them and they are both calling themselves artist now. Dove draws, Dash is a sketcher :)

shout out to all of you. Sorry my visits are brief and few. The family is yet on holiday. A 'stay-cation'. The kids are back to school on Monday and the Daddy Man, my beloved darling, he gets Monday off. We will have one day alone before he returns to work. Me...well my work is well over my head. No appointments so far next week.

The washer and dryer will know me well by weeks end. Ha!

I'll try to post soon

Taking Dash to mall to have mom son time. It is his turn today. Dove and I had time last week. We try to do alone time with each one.
have a great day.
:)

Time is flying by! Prayer for a child Please

wow it is three days past Christmas already! I have an extra kid today and tomorrow. We were offered a gift of a new/used HDTV. Given to us by our BILove. We have been taking apart our living room. Today we took our entertainment apart. It is being passed on to my sister for her sewing studio.
When we were just ready to load the unit in the truck a gardener next door offered to help Steve lift it. Such a blessing.

It is now after midnight and the little girl just left with her mother. She was in a panic attack due to lack of security at home. PLEASE pray for this little one D. Oh Lord Lord this child knows things no child should ever have to live through. Please pray for my Dove as well. This kid shared what she is going through. Man I think intervention. There is no help for her except this safe house. I wish I could just take all this away for her.

Steve is off to Tucson in the early dawn to get the tv given to us. Dove is in our room tonight with us this is NOT going to happen again.

Christmas Eve Day

 Our little family has been busy with the pleasures of time together. So many activities here at home and out and about. Mostly here however. The kids had an early start on the 24th and caught two sleepy parents off guard and unprepared. the two presents they chose to open were opened in the morning. Normally it is an evening event. We realized that the day long would give more time to enjoy. It is so set that rules of Christmas are never modified. It is a challenging thing for me to be flexible. My husband is teaching me these things at times with some consternation.

 Unfortunately Dash opened a package that I somehow forgot to write no on. It was the case to his big gift. We saved up and were able to give each kid one big gift. His is a DSI. Well now he was so upset and we all had a bit of a melt down. I feeling that my error by not getting a 'no' on the right package, it took a while to let go of the idea I spoiled Christmas excitement. A good perspective is he was very excited for the morning. :)

 Here he is dragging the dog across the floor, the dog was loving it.

 Well Christmas eve means Lamb for me. Some traditions were really challenged and reconsidered this year. My lamb was not one of them. I thought to us a rub on the pan and roll it in it.

 We were blessed to get a leg a $48. leg for $21. It was so good.

However I must get it in the freezer for I am the only one who enjoys it.

I may not do this tradition next year.

Steve and I had our evening communion and well into the midnight hours before our hearts and minds were ready. We spoke out all within us. Talked of all and or any ought we had against each other as we admitted our sin and fault to God and each other. This was a great time of healing and restoration in our friendship. It was very cathartic and yet courageously difficult to walk through. When a family is young as in the kids, it is so easy to neglect each others hearts. It is far too easy to leave things unsaid and misunderstood.  We were so open and transparent with each other. Our ties strengthened and secured. Our love deeply knit.

Then and only then we were ready to join each other in one spirit and had our time of communion together. We fell asleep sound and slept peacefully.

It was a wonderful Christmas eve.

Day of pleasure and rest 3 days till Christmas

 This was so much fun to sit and bead on this. 

Some day a family heirloom.

click to enlarge

 These are the two beaded tops we got for Dove the other night 12.99 for one the other for a penny.

 For the Christmas table I thought to make these little boxes of sweets.

 I wanted to see if I liked using the while daily plates on the Dinner table. Now the dishes are undone and set aside till Christmas

 I have loved this Roses fabric and so simply used it for the table over the table pad. The napkins were made on my surger. I am so proud of myself. I sat and figured that machine out and was able to do cover stitch and make the napkins out of this sweet dot. These two fabrics have sat beside each other on my shelf for 6 months. Now look at it. It is the perfect table to have for this vibrant year. The edge of the fish bowl was beaded with crystal drops. Inside the bowl is cut acrylic beads that reflect.

 We took off mid day and took the family out to What a Burger, Steve's favorite.

Then we were off to a far away 5 star resort called the Marriott, to see the giant ginger bread house. This thing was 20 foot long and over 300 pounds of ginger bread let alone all of the beautiful candy.

 It is modeled after the movie 'Willy and the Chocolate factory.

That is a chocolate waterfall in the center below.

 The log cabin looking house had saltine crackers for a roof.

 This is all candy

 We walked the grounds and had some fun adventures.

Oh the flowers were so beautiful!

 Something is going on with Dash. He visited a friend and came home in a strange way. Rather distant. Pray for him. Steve and he had a movie time (war stuff) and Dove and I watched a comedy set for teens.

We all had some time, now the kids are with each other playing on the WII (a game station on the TV)

 This place had gardens that so refreshed my soul.

 There is a little cotton tail rabbit in the image center

any image will enlarge if you click on it.

 There were a few of these trees made out of geraniums. Oh it was so colorful there. Dove is so pretty in her new top. She looked so grown up. She is using one of my necklaces. It was neat to see her so confident.

Then we were off to the next resort. The Phoenician, This is the area of the great ball rooms where some 15 years ago Steve was given an award by the company that we worked for 25 years before we were laid off 6 (?) years ago. 

 They also had a huge ginger bread house but somehow we did not get the image of it.

Look here at image of ginger house

 Except for the lunch and a bit of fuel cost it was all free

Oh my this has just been such a healing time for my little family. 

We were all so worn around out by the beginning of the holiday break that everyone was a bit irritable. Now it is nice. Everyone has the shoulders down so to speak and we are just enjoying each other.

Now for the best news of all

My Doctor called with the lab results while I was out and wanted me to call him right back.

I did so and the nurse spoke with me. It is regarding the infusions and the levels of the IGg imune functions. 

When we began 6 months ago one of the numbers was 24, three months ago 

up to 700's. 

This Saturday BEFORE infusion the test results  

1000  !

This is real good news. I am holding counts during three month intervals. I'll find out more about what this will mean to us on the 30th. This last infusion we are speaking about having to have a port surgically inserted into my collar bone area. My veins are not letting the catheter enter. Saturday left my hand in a black mess of bruise. Now to get this good news! We are anticipating what is in store with more hope and less overwhelm. I know to many this is not a big deal to have CVIG and to get the Inter venous Gamma treatments. For us it has been hard. The Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is the culprit that is making the vein shut off every iv start.

Nothing we can control, not some mind over matter thing. It is a literal physical response.

Oh if this could just mean and end to it, or even fewer and farther between infusions, that would be so cool! Oh if it might mean no port inserted. A port is a left in vein device that the IV just goes right into.

rejoice with me 

my God 

is so 

AWESOME!