WEDNESDAY WIPS

I am putting out a few decorations at a time.

And weaving a 14 row repeat each time I take my 'walk' .  

I am on towel #2 at least so the 1" at-a-time is adding up.

I added a row along the side and along the top on this blanket that never ends.  I still have enough yarn to make it a king size blanket but right now it is 40' x 60".  

I will be setting it aside for a while again.

I did wind up some new sock yarn, Hawthorne, because Bill has asked for a new pair and it will be a nice way to say thank you for the care he has given me over this last month!

We are getting rain already from Milton; we will be experiencing 30-40 mph winds but nothing like the coast will be receiving.  Our home is not in a flood zone so while the lowland way out back where we have our pond will flood, it is not going to impact our house. Bill has the generator all primed and ready if we do experience a power outage.  I know it will be a wild night for many and I will keep my eye on my view from bed...

 

ONE MONTH AGO TODAY

One month ago today I went to the ER by ambulance for Septic Shock from an infected appendix.

I was in the hospital for 8 days. 

Daily blood tests and IV failures made for some very colorful arms.

they finally inserted a midline that helped giving meds 

without the vein collapsing.

I had battle scars.

One month later and I am doing better.  I can walk (with a walker) to the kitchen 3-4 times a day which is 50' away and then back again.  I have also gone into the studio which is 80' away but that requires a rest before the return walk!  But I am walking!

The bruises are almost completely gone.

And are just memories for the most part.  The surgery to remove the appendix went well and I am completely healed from that. 

 I can do my stretching exercises-reach for the sky and touch the floor without any pain.  

I am struggling with brain fog (which is already an issue with the MS) which has been exacerbated with the Sepsis. 

 I am struggling with stamina 

and a return to all of the creative things I love. 

It is slow going and I am not a SLOW person by nature.  

I am grateful to be alive and to find it worth while to build up my strength everyday even if it is by baby steps!

God has a reason for me to be alive; it is unusual to survive two bouts of Septic Shock (my first one was four years ago) 

so I am even more aware of the fine thread that keeps me connected to this life.  I do love the life He has given me and I am grateful for all of the family, loved ones and friends that make my life so rich.  If you are reading this blog, I count you as one of these jewels.

 

A ROW IS DONE

I managed to knit 19 squares along the side of the blanket.  

I am going to knit the row along the top next.

I've pulled out some old and recent leftovers of socks yarn 

to handle the job!

My bed buddy says, "Just don't make any noise, please!'

 

WELCOME TO OCTOBER!

I wanted to have this sign done before I had become sick but things don't always go according to our plans.  I had the letters cut out on the Cricut and the sign all cut out and painted.  Over the last few days, I have worked to measure and place the letters and to decorate the top of the sign.

I had hoped to finish it for yesterday, October 1st, but I didn't realize how much time I would have to be upright to accomplish that task!!!  Being upright means my heart races and my breath comes fast like I'm in labor. 

 I see the surgeon today and am looking forward to hearing what he has to say about my recovery. I think the easy part has been healing after the appendectomy, the septic shock recovery is what is messing with me.  If you are interested, here is a good overview of what septic shock is medically.

 

THROW A SHUTTLE

Bill carried my load of dirty laundry to the washer and I followed him the 100 feet to add the detergent and turn it on!  

The loom is right next to the washer so I sat down and had to think for a bit about which of the treadles to push to keep the Log Cabin pattern.  I did eventually remember and threw the two shuttles for 14 picks or 1" worth of weaving.  It felt wonderful!

 

JUST A DOT

 While I try to do some sitting up time often each day, I have been working on the Dotz projects.  My brain can handle covering up all the #1's, etc.  It feels good to make something.  I have been sad at how slow my progress is until my Mom gave me words of wisdom; "Have you made progress since last Saturday?"  Well, yes, I can measure improvements since a week ago so thanks for the perspective, Mom!

FAREWELL, HELENE!

 Just a messy yard and a few hours without power is all the mark that Hurricane Helene left for us.  It sounded pretty wild through the night but less than an inch of rain was the final outcome.         There are many who did not escape the damage,                  my heart goes out to them.

A STITCH AT A TIME

My brain is beginning to recover from the multitude of drugs pumped into me to save my life.  I even sat at the table for two meals yesterday.  I'm finding little improvements each day but I have to remember to search for them.  

Recovery means time, lots of time.

 

BLOOMING

The Lifesaver cactus sure has enjoyed the neglect of the last two weeks because it is covered in blooms!  I actually made it out to the front porch this afternoon and sat and enjoyed the sounds of my yard for a bit.  It's hard work being alive.

 

YARN HAS BEEN INTRODUCED

It takes a lot of concentration but I did some knitting. 

 I'm adding another column to the sock yarn scraps blanket.  

I have plenty of new balls to use up.  

 

MISSION: RECUPERATION

There are no words to express the joy and gratitude for being home.  I can walk with my walker for a bit.  I managed to 'do' my hair after my shower so I feel more like me again!   I am still so easily depleted, and am not able to lay flat and knit or crochet even-holding up my arms just consumes too much more than what I have available right now.  I did walk into my studio to delight my eyes with the color and promise I have to look forward to soon. My brain is healing, too, so I can only watch TV for a bit, read for a bit, etc.  Napping is a good way to recharge.  I will catch up on your blogs soon.  Thanks! 

YOU NEVER KNOW

 I’ve been missing from my blog and almost missing from life since the  doctor misdiagnosed my stomach pain last week through shoddy doctoring- did he feel my stomach? No , he didn't even bother cuz he said there’s a stomach bug going around. Therefore, I ended up taking an ambulance ride several hours later when Bill found me unconscious on the floor in my room. The hospital determined my appendix had gone sepsis! Needless to say, it’s been quite a week of up-and-downs! I hope to be discharged tomorrow to be able to be taken care of by my husband at home in my own bed!  

SOCKS ON SUNDAY

The pair of socks I started on my way to NY is a done deal!  

This yarn is Knit picks Static in Cabot Cove. 

 It was an easy match for this pair. 

 It's going into the gift pile for now.

 

And I am still loving these dishcloths! 

 I can use every bit of the yarn from 1 skein to make a pair. 

 I like that I can make a pair in an evening, too!

SEE ME FLIT!

I made some letters on the Cricut--I know it doesn't look like it but these will spell WELCOME on a new sign.

I cut and painted the wood to make a porch sign for Autumn.  Ideas, you know.

I also cut this out and will be making a new sign for this, too.  

I think looking at Kim's Crow stitching inspired me!

Lena just couldn't keep up with me today-I did a little bit everywhere and she gave up and waited for me to make my bed.  She missed my efforts there and I got to make up the bed without her help! lol

 

A GOOD DAY!

I sleyed the rest of the reed and got to the best part of all of the work---weaving!!!  Doesn't this color combo work nicely together!?!

I did a bit of piecing on the top on the left and then decided they will both get attention today!  I also need to load another quilt onto the frame and get to work!

Bill and I went to lunch at Corky Bell's but it was storming out so we sat indoors but could still see the river!  It was so nice to stop and enjoy the feast together!

And yes, I am still cranking out hats!  I have a few skeins left to make before the box is full for the donation trip!

 

NO SHORT-CUTS!!!

I had to give up with the brilliant idea of tying on the new warp to the old, it didn't work because I couldn't make knots easily or keep my place--I pulled out all the old threads and started over again.  I worked on the loom off and on all day between cleaning and laundry.  I found that when I moved the front beam out of the way, it was so much easier on my body to reach and see the heddles.

I threaded all of the through the heddles and then positioned the beam in place and got ready for the next step.

And that was threading each thread through a slot in the reed.  I place 2 threads in one slot, 2 threads in the next slot 

and then only one in the next.

I marked the reed every 20 slots to keep me on track and it worked well!  I managed to do 18- threads before dinner time! 

 I will finish it up this morning before we head to lunch together--

it's been a long time coming!

DETERMINATION

After being out in the morning, I gathered up my supplies in time to rush to quilting group!  I got this much done when we had an emergency-one of the ladies made a slip with the rotary cutter

 and needed to go the the doctor's for the finger injury! 

 Never a dull moment!

I am working away at the threading, tying each thread onto its matched spot.  It isn't easy.  

At least the cross of threads makes it possible to know which thread needs to go next.  I am determined 

but resigned to the S L O W  pace of this part of the weaving...

 

WARPING AGAIN

I managed to wind the warp so much more easily this time around--almost pleasurably!  I am going to attempt to tie onto the threads I left from the last set of towels.  I will tie them on and pull them through to the back since I know they are threaded perfectly already. Well, that is the plan!  But first, I am off to have a blood draw and then to run a few errands. 

 I will be tackling this as soon as I get back!

 

A SET OF LOG CABIN TOWELS

Towel number 2 is finished and it is one I am very happy with this time around!  No threading errors or weaving errors!  Ta Da!  It finished at 16" x 24"-a good size for a dish towel.

 

You can see the, huh, 'design element' on the top towel 

and the center goof is gone on the bottom one.

The first one had a goof in the middle

 but both towels finished out at the same size. 

 

What towel is next?  I'm thinking of making some more Log Cabin towels in different colors.

AUTUMN ANTICIPATED

I made the matching paper leaf cutout  to match the pumpkin!  I think they will be a pretty addition to the Fall decorations I put out on September first. These are so simple to make which was a good project for my post-travel self!

Another way to relax and settle back in to home was to sit and weave!  The second towel is at the half way mark;  I'm torn between spending a few hours to finish it today or to slow down and enjoy it for several more days!

If I do slow down the weaving, I will be spending time sewing these together for another top to add to the quilting frame queue!