Sewing fun with Bella

Doesn't that title sound like the sewing shows on PBS in the 80s?  We had a beautiful spring day and the bug bit me and I found myself at the fabric store with projects in mind!  I was pretty excited and told myself I have to jump right into the projects so the fabric doesn't end up stuck in a closet never to be seen again. The plans were new couch pillows, wall art, and cushions for my patio chairs.

I must have been craving color!!!  Even the woman that cut my fabric mentioned how crazy and bright it was but I spent lots of time picking it out and I liked it.

I did the wall hanging with the burlap.  I have some canvases I painted a few years ago and realized that I simply can't paint and it wasn't working for me.  The burlap looks pretty good and is cheap art to cover a large wall in my guest room.

Bella is modeling her professional lounging skills

The second project was pillows for the couch.  I have a gray tweed couch and chair with beige walls.  To me, it was craving color.  The top requirement was gray and beige print.  I also wanted something that would work in most seasons.  I admit I am a sucker for paisley and I found just the fabric.

So I got out my sewing machine.  Let's spend a minute talking about Bertha.  I got her fr a graduation gift when I was 18.  While I am not a big sewer, Bertha has been around the block and joined me in many creative pursuits.  She has never gone in the shop, skipped a stitch, or given me any problems.  Gotta love Kenmore products!!  Anyway.....

I carefully cut out the size I needed and got to work sewing. This was the most freaking awesome cat toy she has ever seen.  The bobbin winding, thread, and the dohicky going up and down.  She was freaking out.  But dang she was so cute.  She doesn't realize I could catch her paw or knock her on the nose with the dohicky.

Seriously look at that cute look!!

Tough to move the fabric with fatso on it!

I decided to use the filling from the pillows that came with my couch so I sliced them open and took it out.  I was sitting on the couch and Bella happened to be on it.  I decided to put it by her.  She had no idea what to do with the white fluff all over.  She tried jumping in it and eventually she took a big bite.  It clearly didn't meet her expectation but she thought it was great fun.

Bella in the floof!

After a little hand sewing, I got the  pillows done.  I think they look lovely if I say so myself.  And I am pleased with the pattern and color.

Sissy gives her approval...and is very happy the mess is gone.

Bella insisted on modeling the chair.

Next was the patio chair cushions.  I covered them a few years ago and it got pretty dirty over the years.  I tried to wash them and the fabric basically fell apart so they got a new face lift.  These remind me of margaritas! 

Now I am all ready for spring!

As good as an 80 year old

I think I've shared in the past, that I have been doing Physical Therapy since November (NOVEMBER!!!!). This is not your typical PT, this is PT for people who have balance issues.  I am working with Julia who is a Phd PT.  Right off the bat, we discussed that she knew nothing about Myositis.  But she is interested in learning and trying to help.

Over the months, we've been working on seeing if we can increase my strength enough to decrease my fall risk.  Simple things like being able to stand on one leg for 5 seconds or more or being able to look up from the floor while walking.  Learning to step out instead of depending on having something to grab.  All these things seem like no big deal....until you can't do it anymore because of disease.

I've painstakingly done my home exercises which have included lifting my leg while sitting, pointing toes, standing on a pillow, and walking outside without an aid.  It has been boring and feels tedious.  It feels like these "little" exercises are really so basic, they can't be helping.  She has taken me outside to try to walk on grass, over sidewalk cracks, and over a curb.  She has made me do stairs, tested my balance by challenging my sensory factors.  I spent countless time standing in the corner trying to balance while looking around or closing my eyes.

The good news is I have learned the value of trek poles.  I have walked on grass again after several years of not being able to do it.  I can walk on the sidewalk without my cane even if the path isn't smooth.  I can walk on gravel without assistance.  I can stand on one leg for 5 seconds.....which is the goal for senior citizens.  I still struggle with steps but I do know now that if I encounter a curb without an alternative, I can get up it (very helpful when traveling) and down.  I can do a small incline of grass although it scares me to death.  I can walk on a foam cushion.  And I passed my neuro balance challenge machine thingy with flying colors (the first time, I broke down crying with fear).  I have one more PT visit before I am released to my own devices.

I'm still working on getting better.  I'm still working on getting to 10 seconds on one leg.  I'm still working on grass.  I'm still working on stairs.  I'm still working on figuring out the fine balance of pushing myself physically without pushing so hard I hurt.  It is frustrating but I am finally able to go out to a restaurant again without using my cane in the parking lot (very helpful when dating...canes are not sexy).  I'm still working on my fall recovery by figuring out how to get up off the floor.

My cane is staying lonely in the car more and more.  I feel like the world has grown again and things are  possible for me again that I've crossed off my list long ago.  It doesn't mean I'm not going to continue to progress in my disability but every hour, every day, every week, every month that I can feel "able" is a good  thing.  I always say "I might be going down but it won't be without kicking and screaming".

Dear Grandma Daisy

We knew it was coming but you can just never be prepared.  Grandma Daisy passed away at 101 on St. Patrick's  Day morning.  Her health has declined over the years and we knew it was a matter of time.  But I am still sad.

I do have very fond memories of Grandma.  When I was young, I loved when she sewed outfits for me.  She was a very skilled seamstress and I loved things she made for me.   We always spent Christmas Eve with her and the family.  She would make the house smell absolutely fantastic with dinner (she was an excellent cook) and we would surround each other with love of family.  I used to go down and help her with cleaning.  Once chores were done, we would go shopping at Keith O' Brian.  She loved to travel and took many fun trips in their camper and trailer.  We often went camping with her and Grandpa.  They both loved the Audubon society.  They also knew all kinds of wild flowers.  As she grew older, I always loved to visit her in Southern Utah.  We would go out to eat or have a picnic.  All those memories are very precious to me.  I know she knew I loved her very much.

I will never do her fried chicken or meatballs and gravy justice.  But that doesn't mean I won't try.  I don't know if there is a heaven or not but if there is, I know she is with Grandpa and loving being back together after all these years.  She was an amazing woman.  I hope I can carry on her legacy and fond memories and share them with my family.

Here are some of my favorite photos of Grandma.  Past and present.

1934

1971

2015

June 2017

Booze Cruisin'

It was finally time to head on Philip's "real" 21st birthday celebration, our long weekend cruise to Mexico.  I call it a booze cruise but officially it is just a weekend cruise, which really does mean a booze cruise to many.  Lots of bachelor/bachelorette parties and friends parties.  Not too many families.  But we were both party crowd and family!  How is that for a double dip??

We flew out Friday morning.  We had planned a flight to Long Beach.  Easy peasy.  Except it decided to turn winter in Salt Lake and it was SNOWING!  We got to the airport okay and got on the plane but the airport was backed up and long story short, we ended up sitting on the plane for 5 hours on the tarmac!!  It was miserable but eventually we got out of the city and landed in California to nice weather.  Although we were starving, we had 2 hours to spare before final boarding.  The good news is our cabin was ready and boarding was a piece of cake because we avoided the initial rush.

As we stepped off the elevator on the ship by our cabin, we ran into Mom and Chuck.  What perfect timing.  We dropped our bags and went up to the buffet for some grub.  Of course, we grabbed a cocktail too.  About the time we finished, it was time for the safety muster drill.  And then we could start vacationing.  We were all pooped so no one stayed up late though because we had an early morning in Ensenada, Mexico.

Philip and Tiffany had a shore excursion booked to go wine tasting and to the blow hole.  Me, Mom, and Chuck planned to do a little shopping just off the ship and relaxing on the ship in the quiet.  We enjoyed a leisurely breakfast and then went into the shopping area just off the ship.  I wanted some silver and tequila.  Chuck bought some pottery. I also bought Philip and Tiffany some Monster drinks because they didn't have them on the ship.  We spent a little time checking out the seals by the ship. We played a trivia game and I won!! I now am a proud owner of a "Piece of Ship".   Before we knew it, Philip and Tiffany were back on board.  We wanted to go to the sail away party since we missed it the first night however, it didn't seem like they were having one even though it was on the schedule.  Oh well.  We had a margarita and that is really the point.  We sailed away as we were at dinner.

My Piece of Ship

That night, Philip, Tiffany and I were planning to stay out late but I think they had a big day and ended up falling asleep.  That didn't stop me.  I went to the "Love and Marriage" show, listened to the live band, and even watched the adult game show "Quest".  I still marvel at what people are willing to do during a competition.  This was wasn't quite as trashy as some I have seen but it was still right up there in adult behavior.

The ship band

Quest.  Always ends up with men as women

Sunday was our sea day.  That means sleeping in.  We did get up in time for their Sunday Brunch.  We were pretty motivated because we were told they had filet mignon for free.  Indeed they did and it was good.  The sea was a little rough but we did go up to the sun deck to enjoy some pool games and lunch.  We laughed our butts off at the hairy chest contest.  The sunshine felt fantastic.  It was about 60 degrees so not very hot but the sunshine was great.  We went to rest and I started a great book and ended up spending the evening reading too after dinner.  Pretty low key.  Philip and Tiffany went out exploring (drinking).  Mom and Chuck stayed in and played on their computers and did her counted cross stitch.

Hairy Chest contest...Eww

Hanging by the pool

Gorgeous sunset

And that was it!  Monday it was time to get up and get out.  We had to pick up our liquor at 6:00 am and then we lined up to walk off at 7:00.  We were off the boat and in a taxi by 7:30.  At 8:00, we were back at the airport to come home.  Our flight home was much easier than our flight out.  We landed at 2:00, went and got Bella from the boarder, and came home.

Back in Long Beach - Queen Mary

Port of Long Beach

Palm Trees!

We had a great time and enjoyed the get away.  We all traveled together well.  It left me wanting more travel.  In fact, I was hoping to book something in April but nothing works with my schedule.  So I will have to wait for another chance.  Hopefully the winter will end and spring will be here soon.