Gone to the Dogs!

Do you remember the animated cartoon program staring "Deputy Dawg"? When I look in the mirror these days, Deputy Dan seems to be reflected back at me. A week ago, I had 3 teeth extracted AND jaw expansion surgery. As my "favorite" brother said, it's hard to imagine that Becky's mouth wasn't big enough:) I've put this surgery off for almost 30 years because I wasn't having any problems. About a year ago I began experiencing some pain from the situation. I'm spending most of my time with the elderly these days instead of my years with elementary kids. I want to be vital and lively in my 80's, so I scheduled my surgery, braces and all the other inconveniences to fix this problem. I don't want to say, I should have taken care of this, but it's too late when I get "OLD."

Wow! Did my face every swell and bruise. When I went for the check-up with my oral surgeon last week, he walked in and said, "A Bruiser." He got that right. Lots of blue, like George Rodrigues's Blue Dog (artist from my hometown of Lafayette, LA) , green, purple, black and yellow. Colors that would make a great quilt, but rather strange on a face and neck

But with prescription pain meds, I'm  as happy as Huckleberry Hound. I made the mistake of backing of the medications and doing too much. I crashed and burned this weekend. I did get some wonderful visiting time with my Silver Thimble friends, so it was worth it. I'm back on my meds, back on the couch with Dr. Rusty and trying not too talk too much (impossible). I guess when they said it would be a two week recovery period, they meant it:) C'est La Vie! I did take a photo of my face, but that photo dear friends is one that I won't post:) Just use your imagine!

Getting Back to Normal

Today was an absolutely gorgeous Fall day here in Georgia. Our son is a senior in high school so we did another college visit. We drove about two hours to central Georgia to tour one of the colleges that he is interested in attending. The drive was beautiful. The leaves are finally beginning to look like Fall.  The college visit was a good one. Our son liked this school. He has already applied to his first choice, but needs a back-up plan just in case. The competition is rather fierce at his fist chocie, UGA in Athens.  I worked on binding for our Christmas quilt while we were driving. I love the handwork sewing down binding. This one is close to being finished. I also worked on it when we got home. My husband loves football especially college football. I put clothes washing and sat with him to watch the Georgia/Florida game. Since we are big LSU fans , it didn't matter to us which team won. LSU lost to both teams this year. Guess we would have liked  for both Georgia and Flordia to lose today, but.....   Anyway, I'm almost finished sewing binding on this quilt. That means we will have our first Christmas quilt this year!!! 

It's been nine weeks since my hip replacement surgery. I'm finally beginning to feel normal again. I always felt good, but thinking and doing complex things was a bit difficult. But that has past and I'm thankfully doing most everything. Since my energy level has improved, I'm hoping to do some sewing and blogging this week .

Take care! Hope to be back soon!

Old friends .... New Friends

I'd like to introduce you to one of my "new best friends", my walker. I've been home from the hospital for a bit over a week. Adjusting to my new body part, my new right hip, has not been bad. The prescription medications are handling the pain (mainly from the incision and my right knee) My walker has made it possible for me to be mobile at home. I use it to go up and down the stairs (usually once a day). Don't you just love my husband's addition to my walker? He was so proud of himself. He definitely is an LSU fanatic. I have three "potty chairs" in important places in the house (thanks, Pat for sharing) The physical therapist/nurse visits me at home twice a week. Yesterday, she showed me how to use another new friend, "my cane." Using the cane will be a bit easier in the house especially around the furniture in our family room. Saturday, she removed the staples on the incision. That helped tremendously!!!

The support from "people friends" especially quilters has been fabulous. Thank you friends! I love each day when one of my sons brings the mail in the house. My mailbox has been filled with wonderful "get well" cards. I've received visits at the hospital (thanks, Paula, Nancy and Kathy), plants (hoping they survive) a prayer shawl from my cousin Peg in Houston, and delicious meals. My husband is the cook in the family. Adding my care to his duties has added stress for him. We were blessed that he was able to take eight days off of work and take care of me at home. It just helped not to worry about what to feed us. Poor dear! He even burned the chicken and "missed" on a pot of soup all in one day. He was a bit discouraged. So meals for the "disabled" has helped tremendously. My school friends paid for a lady to clean my house. Bless them! Having a clean house, has been a blessing and helped me relax.

Karen from Life-In the Slow Lane and Cindy from Knapsack Quilts were my "babysitters" on Friday evening. My husband loves football, college and high school. Our high school team had a game on Friday evening. Karen and Cindy came to my house so that Marion could attend the game with his "buddies." It was wonderful to hear "quilty" talk. Patterns, fabric lines, "Bad Melisa" shopping trips, Moda fabric lines, jelly-rolls, Quilts, Quilts, Quilts, etc. Thanks Karen and Cindy!!!!!!

Perhaps, my most devoted friend has been my dachshund, Rusty or "Dr. Rusty". He has been constantly at my side providing warmth and companionship. I worried that he might trip me or jump on my incision. No problem! He has been a constant companion, a devoted friend.