Back in the saddle again....so to speak

 I'm having good days and nights so things are really looking up!  Not sure if I told you about RoseRed Homestead on You Tube.  They are an older couple in their  70's and they have very useful information about emergency preparedness, self-reliance, and  food security.  They had one podcast on helpful aids for the elderly.  From that podcast I bought these handles for my SUV to help me get in as I age. I have the handle above that I use to pull myself up but this gives me more leverage.  Rose was a college professor but not sure what she taught but she and her husband are very well  informed.  Plus, they never recommend anything they haven't tried themselves. I got these on Amazon for about $22 for 2.

I'm able to get back to some chores and cooking and crafting too.  I'm almost finished with the Star XS, I'm on the foot of the first sock that was the Christmas Eve cast on, and I work on the Join As You Go blanket in the evening.  Tonight the Kansas City Chiefs play the Buffalo Bills at 5:30 so I am looking forward to that.  

I've been organizing my yarns too especially my Stylecraft Special DK yarns.  Most of my crochet projects use multiple colors and once you take the label off it is a guessing game as to what color it is.  I read somewhere to put them in individual plastic bags and label the bag that way you know what it is and they don't become all unraveled.  I have mine in a laundry basket and yes, rooting through them to find a certain yarn  makes a mess.  They  also said  you could group them in a clear plastic bin by colors; like all the blues in one etc.  I think this will help a lot.  I hope so anyway.  This is the year of clearing away the clutter and organizing what's left!  Wish me luck!

Happy Trails!!!
 
 

What a month!!!

 My CT scan revealed a spinal fracture that was very painful.  They put  me on pain pills that made me throw up.  They gave me anti-nausea pills which did nothing...I still threw up.   The doctor at the hospital said there was nothing they could do so I thought it  meant that the rest of my life I would be in pain and not be able to function.  Evidently, he meant there was no surgery to fix it. I had a followup with my doctor and he said not to worry and that I would heal in 6-10 weeks.  Not sure how good I will heal or if I have to restrict certain things like no lifting or bending.  Anyway, it's been a painful month and he wanted me to get a recliner with a lift, a toilet seat with handles, and a shower chair.  Expensive and I don't  use them.  I tried the recliner as I have to sleep basically sitting up but it hurt my back even more so that was a waste of a lot of money.  I do use the shower chair but just to hang on to.  I hate showers and I miss my baths.

Thank God, my daughter, Amy,  came down and helped me until I was on my feet again.  I lost 10 pounds as I had no appetite.  We got the pills regulated and I am not in any pain now unless I twist the wrong way or over do things.  The hardest is getting up and down from a sitting position or from laying down but I am much better this week.  The county Agency on Aging is arranging for an aide to come in and do some cleaning for me...vacuuming, cleaning tub and toilets, and changing sheets.  Those are things I cannot and should not do.  I have to pay for it but it will be worth it for sure.  

So, I am healing slowly but so glad I am not in pain anymore.  I am getting back into my routine as much as possible.  Amy left the other day and she was such a big help and a blessing to me. I hadn't done any handwork but I am starting to get back into it.  I hope you are all fine and I will try and blog again on a regular basis.

Far Side sent me birthday gifts that were so lovely and really lifted my spirits.  Thank you again!

Happy Trails!!!
    

The good, the bad, and the ugly.........

The good is that my birthday is tomorrow and I will be 76!  I can't believe I've lived this long.  The bad part is I have had sciatica for 3 days now and if I move a certain way it feels like someone hit me with a cattle prod and I literally yell out loud.  It wakes me up several times in the night but today I finally called the doc and he prescribed a pain reliever as the Tylenol wasn't doing the trick.  The ugly part is that Sunday we are supposed to get an ice storm and I need to get firewood in the house and more kindling but with my back/hip I'm not sure how that's going to work.  I just got the pain reliever today and they delivered it as I can't drive in this condition....not sure I could even get into my truck.  I did manage to sweep out the fireplace a bit and bring some kindling in but I will wait until tomorrow to bring in the firewood.  I have plenty in the garage without having to go outside but I'll need kindling as once it rains there won't be any that is dry.  I pray we don't lose power.

Meanwhile, I have done some handwork.  I'm almost done with the 2nd row on my granny square blanket using the join as you go method.  There are 14 squares in each row.  This isn't mine but since I can't take pictures anymore this is the designer's blanket and I am following her colors and placement.

I'm almost done with my Star cross stitch...........I only have the last row which is 4 stars and part of a border......this photo is old and I'm not even done with the 3rd row in this picture.  I am going to work on it until it is done!

I do have a birthday start with a pattern I've had for awhile..........January Wordplay by With Thy Needle and Thread (Brenda Gervais).......she has one for every month too.....It's not too big so hopefully I can finish it this month...........

I made my Goodreads Challenge in 2024 of 52 books actually I read 54 and now I've upped my challenge for this year to 62 books.....we'll see.  I'm reading some Leslie Meier "Lucy Stone" mysteries and I'm enjoying them.

What are you enjoying in this quiet time after the holidays?
 

Happy Trails!!!

Happy New Year!!!

Did you celebrate last night?  I watched WIP parades on You Tube and read.  I was in bed by 8:00 p.m. with lights out! LOL!  I am an early morning person and always have been and it's easy since I live alone.

Do you make plans for the New Year?  I do.  Today there will be a fire in the fireplace, some hot eggnog with spiced rum and a blank notebook to write down all my categories and goals for 2025 divided by months.  This by no means indicates that I will accomplish them...I just enjoy the wishful thinking.  I alway love the time between Christmas and New Years to reflect, and plan, and dream!

Happy New Year!!!

 

Happy Trails!!!

 
 

How was your Christmas???

 I have spent the past 22 years by myself for all holidays but I truly enjoy them.  I got lovely presents and purchased a few for myself that I saved for Christmas morning.  I watched the game and crocheted and had good food!

I'm already starting to make  plans for 2025.  I sent cards and visited with my 2 new neighbors and they are very nice.  The one couple remodeled an existing house and the other couple built a brand new house on the lake and it is gorgeous!

I watch a podcast called Rose Red Homestead on You Tube and they are an older couple in their 70's and they focus on Emergency Preparedness, Food Security, and Self Reliance.I watched them the other day and it was called Gadgets for Seniors and Everyone Else.  It was excellent and they test out everything and not just one type of that item.  There were several jar and bottle openers, a stepladder with hand rails,  a button zipper fastener, a grabber/reacher tool, a standing aid support, and a car handle assist.  I've already ordered the car handle assist for my truck.  She has a truck too and like mine there is a handle above to grab onto but this gadget allows you to push up with your other hand.  I'm thinking of the standing aid also or maybe one of those gardening cushions with the handles on both sides.  I could use it in the house not just gardening. 

They have a good video on various options and tools for when the power grid goes down also.  Check them out!

 

 Happy Trails!!!

 

 

 

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

I pray you are all safe and well and enjoying this holiday season!

Happy Trails!!!
 

Some new favorite products!!!

 It's been a busy week already but the Advent gifts are off in the mail and should arrive tomorrow.  My SIL's gift is coming on the 10th and the boys want the Disney channel again.  I still want to give them something to open and Amy is going to send me some suggestions.  Grayson loves pickles so I found "an emotional support"  pickle for him....

A really nifty product I got for my cross stitch works in progress that are not presently being worked, are these.........they could be used for many things and they are reasonably priced.........they are on Amazon.  Now I can hang them in my closet....

  I also noticed that Pillsbury has come out with all sorts of new products like muffin dough, banana bread dough and apple and cherry crescent rolls.....I've had the apple ones and they were very good and now I'm going to try the cherry ones........

You can keep them in your frig until needed....maybe even for a last minute gift or potluck.  They are quick to make.  Actually you could make  your own from regular crescent rolls.

Did I tell you about my new neighbor?  He and his wife live around the corner from me and I think they've lived there about a year maybe.  Anyway, my mailbox has been missing a door for quite awhile.  It was the contract mail person that works once in awhile.  I can't hire anyone for little jobs like that so it's sat like that for several years.  Well, this new neighbor stopped by to introduce himself.  People around the corner have to drive by my house to get to town.  I always wave but I really don't know any of them as I never drive that way.  Anyway, I was getting my mail one day and he stopped and said he wanted to install a new mailbox for me.  I told him it wasn't necessary.  He said it would make him happy to do it for me.  I told I would pay him but he said no.  A few days later I went out to get the mail and there was a brand new mailbox....with a door!!!  I tried to take him a thank you note and some cash but he wasn't home.  Then I saw him again and he said they were going out of  town.  The other day he was back and stopped and brought me a beautiful poinsettia plant!  I was flabbergasted!  I have lived here over 20 years and have never received such kindness and generosity.   Needless to say, I made the apple crescents and took them over with a Christmas ornament and a card with $100.  It was such a great feeling to have such a friend like that and he was a stranger to start with.  When I first offered to pay him he said  "just pass it forward". There are "angels among us"!

Santa's workshop is still busy and probably will be until Christmas Eve!  Are you ready for the big day?

Here's so much cuteness I can hardly stand it!     

Happy Trails!!!