Saturday, August 13, 2011

Circles and Lines



I love reading blogs. I have been so busy with medical stuff and trying to keep up with my quilting that I have fallen behind on my normal blog reading. So I had some spare time (huh?) yesterday and checked out some decorating blogs like Jenny Komenda's Little Green Notebook, Shannon Darby's The Designer's Attic and The Nester's Place and some others. It is both addicting and inspirational to read these wonderful ideas from people who have way more savvy about decorating than I do.


I have to admit that my living room looks a bit dated, even haggard and needs some updating. Constrained by my budget, I took one of these "thrifting" ideas to heart and starting window shopping Craigslist. I figured that I would start on something small and easy. Lamps seemed like a good place to start. This is what I found. Aren't those circles cool? Both lamps for $45 was the deal. When I got there to pick up the lamps, the seller apologized that one of the lamp shades was damaged. So he discounted the price to $40 for the 2 lamps. Still a good deal. But now I have to think about buying a replacement shade; Well, shades really. These lamps are so striking that it would look odd to have different shades on them


I went to Lamps Plus looking for the replacement shades. As soon as I spotted it, I knew it was perfect. There were only 2 so I grabbed them up. I love lines with circles, it is such a good-looking contrast. As I headed for checkout, I glanced at the price tag. $40 per shade. Hmm, that took the thrifty wind out of my sails. Then I added it all up and decided that $60 a lamp was still a darn good deal.





Now, I'm going to see what other bargains I can find on craigslist. I need some extra storage for my quilting thread. Maybe I can find an old dresser that needs some funky paint. Wish me luck. I'll keep you posted.

Thursday, August 11, 2011

I have hope...finally

I have flat feet and my feet have always been a hassle. I hate shoe shopping. "Hey, do you have this pump in a 13 AAAA?" Yeah, right.

I know that some of you have followed the course of my problems with my feet since September 2009. I have lost 2 toes due to osteomylitis or bone infections. They were my middle then the second toe on my right foot. It was a bump in the road, so I thought and I went back to quilting.

Then in November 2010, both big toes were diagnosed with the same problem. Since then I have done daily wound dressings, gone to wound care appointments every 2 weeks, 42 days with a PICC line of IV antibiotics, and 40 2-hr sessions of hyperbaric oxygen chamber treatments. I knew that if I lost those 2 toes that I would lose my walk. I would still be able to hobble but that is what I have been doing since November.

One podiatrist told me that if I lost my big toes that it would just be a matter of time before one by one all the other toes would also have to be amputated. He told me that me that a fore foot amputation might be the best solution for my situation. Many of you encouraged me and prayed for me. It has been so many months and I was just about ready to give up and let the toes go. I knew that my quilting work would be finished if I lost my toes. I would have to cut back on my church activities. And I would have to rely on others for things that I have always done for myself. I did not want to lose my independence.

So at the suggestion of the wound care clinic, I went to see another podiatrist, one who specializes in diabetics. No, I am not diabetic. But this guy has seen and done several procedures for diabetics who have similar problems.

So today, Dr Vallone told me that he could save my toes. He will do the surgery on the left foot first since it is worse and then in 6 weeks, he'll do the other foot. I asked him if I would be able to walk. Yes. I asked him if I would be able to wear shoes again. Yes. And then he told me that I would be able to continue quilting. I wanted to hug him but instead I just cried. I am so excited. I wanted to tell everybody as soon as I got outside the office. I must have looked like a loon pedalling my wheel chair down the hall and trying to talk to my husband on my cell phone at the same time. Yippppppeeeeeee!

So I wanted to say "thank you, Lord" for putting all these wonderful people in my path to help me and encourage me. I see light at the end of the tunnel. Thank you, thank you!

My life has changed in the last couple of years - some bumps, I retired from quilting, and then I moved to Texas. I'm anxious to see what new adventures await me in the next phase of my life.

About Me

My photo
Ramona, California, United States
I started quilting when a quilt shop opened in our little town in January 2004. I have been hooked ever since.

Blog Archive

Followers of my blog

Books I"ve read lately

  • The Help (Kindle)
  • The Appeal by John Grisham
  • Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
  • Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
  • To Kill a Mockingbird (again) by Harper Lee
  • Bleachers by John Grisham

This is called Fruit Cocktail

This is called Fruit Cocktail
It is all batiks