NEXT!!

I have been checking out this fabric every time I wander through JoAnn's. Today I noticed that it was on SALE for 50% off! The perfect time to strike - but what to make? Strolling past the pattern files with the fabric clutched to my bosom, I saw this pattern - made out of the SAME fabric! If that is not a sign from Tim Gunn then nothing is! I am making version B which has the cuffed bands. No ruffles etc. - that all seems just a little much for me.

Fabric is in the washer and I have cleaned the sewing machine in preparation. Still doing a play by play of the sari fabric in my head before I take scissors to that fabric. I would be beyond sad if I messed that up!

Very cool site!

So much for daily blogging.

Clearly, daily blogging is not my strong suit. Oh well, once a month is better than once a year!

I am going to start sewing more since the "procedure" changed my body has changed so drastically in the past six months.

My darling sister scored a Vogue pattern for me on sale for $3.99. This might not not seem like a big deal until you realize that a Vogue pattern retails for $22.95. What the WHAT? $22.95?!? Seems a bit steep! But, thanks to my sistah volunteering to search out said pattern for me in OKC, I now have a pattern for a dress that I am sewing to wear to a engagement party to be held on the veranda of a fancy shmancy hotel.

My mission today (and oh yes, I totally accepted it) was to search out just the right fabric for said pattern. I was thinking a solid color maybe a soft coral la la la.

I bought turquoise and gold sari fabric,

I KNOW!

Who would have guessed I would go THAT direcgtion. So not like me to do any blue, but there you are

I LOVE it. It is a soft turquoise, not too bright, with pale gold curlicues all over with a swirl pattern on the border. Here is a horrible picture taken with my iPhone:

I am going to do a muslin first so I know exactly how much to shorten it so I don't lose any of the border. Here is the pattern I am using except that I am adding sleeves. Could not talk the doc into lipo-ing the batwings while he was revising the chest!

The trim is a pale gold braid. Will post a pic when I have finished!

78 Degrees in the Nation's Capitol!

Wowza! Snowing to beat heck in Oklahoma and 78 degrees here. How weird is that!?

I hear that Pioneer Woman has sold her true love story to be a book and possibly a movie. Have to say I would probably have to miss that one - even if it comes to the Lifetime Network. I was a little put off by all the "hiney tingles" last time I read her blog. Guess I am getting old.....

Steve is putting away all 3,000 frames that are now residing in our living room. I am, of course, trying them all on as soon as he unpacks them. Some of them are gorgeous and some are.....butt ugly. Suppose that means there is something for everyone!

Bored Bored Bored

The life of a reconstruction patient is not as glamour-filled as one would think. In fact, I can not think of one instance of glamour experienced since this all started.

Last night I did not get to sleep until after 3 a.m. and then woke up at 7:30. That hardly seems fair. The incisions under my arms (starting just behind my arms on either side) itch and the brusing from the lipo is intense. I was not quite ready for that much brusing. Not sure what I was expecting, but this aint it!

Almost one year has gone by since my last post

And lets stop to think what all has happened.

I know.

Was told that a mass was found in my uterus, had that removed, started a new job, found lumps in my breasts, had bi-lateral mastectomy with reconstruction, Steve was "let go," moved, was fired from choir ON CHRISTMAS EVE THANK YOU VERY MUCH, Steve's mom had a stroke, Steve's diaconate process was put on hold, Steve got a new job, had another surgery....I think that's it. I think that is more than enough.

While I like Facebook, I have a lot more to say, and really do not want to say it to the free world. Hence the blogging. I have no tales of Unfortunate Sharpie Girl, or croning ceremonies, but I am guessing the next bra fitting story will be a doozy.

One would think

One would think that since I last blogged that something fabulous had happened.

Not so much.

Work is going great. That means that there is no great drama, just normal people doing normal things. It is a fabulous thing I must say. Such a departure from the last gig!

The Cherry Blossoms are in bloom and are completely magnificent. I am hoping to take a trip to the National Arboretum on Sunday. It is said to be as fabulous as the Tidal Basin and much less crowded. It is hard to believe that I have become such a DC snob - I can barely stand the tourists who are rude, pushy, and litter with reckless abandon. I saw a guy roll down his window and yell at one to pick up her trash the other day. It was an awesome thing. She did as told, which was pretty hilarious. Sadly, she will go home and talk about how incredibly rude people are in DC!

Stay safe everyone!

GOOD NIGHT NURSE!

It has been 2 months since I blogged - shame on me.

I wish I could tell you it is because of the fascinating life I have been leading. In reality it is because I have nothing nw and exciting to tell you. Except of course the new job.

The new job really is quite wonderful. Everyone there is so normal; and normal is a very very good thing.

I did climb on the scales today and screamed with anguish at the number that appeared. I need to staple my lower lip to my forehead for a month or so and lose all this weight. I am working on it and hope to have it gone by July 11. Why July 11? Because that is when we go to the beach! YAY! Max will be mobile this time so this might really be an interesting adventure!

I will TRY to be a better blogger....

2009 - Not so much

I wish that I could tell you that so far my 2009 has been full of all things bright and beautiful (extra credit for those of you who can hum the tune to that hymn). However, I am in a slump.

I did take a Fantastical Field Trip with my knitting buddies, Sue, Paula, Lisa, and Cathy. We discovered a very important thing: do not, under any circumstances, try to show the driver of the vehicular vehicle knitting patterns while said vehicle is on the beltway going 80. It causes the rest of the car to yell, "HOLY SH*T!!" in unison and, and at the top of our lungs. Some things never change, and lots of girls of any age in a car is pretty much a recipe for fun.

I can report that I have knit a scarf in the shape of baby alligator for Theo-dorable to wear to school. I do not fear that it will be lost forever in the bowels of lost and found; I fear that my sistah will take one look at it and appropriate it for herself (note to sistah: I have a pattern for a grown up alligator and probably can be talked in to knitting one for you. Just tell me what color you need).

Now that the alligator scarf is done I can begin the Viking Hat for Magnificent Max. Yes it has horns and the whole 9 yards - it would not be Viking Hat without them! Where were these hats when all of our kids were attending Hefnerd Middle School. home of the Hefner Vikings! As if any of them would have been caught dead in one! But Max being 10 months old really has no say in the matter. Consquently, we can plop any type of hat his mother will agree to on top of his sweet head.

So now you are caught up with the fascinating life of me so far in 2009. Aren't you glad you checked?!?

Erin beat me!

Erin beat me this year in posting my resolutions!

1 Lose 30 pounds. Don't act like you don't think I need to...I do. This includes walking for 30 minutes every day. There I said it: every day. This will be the hardest one to keep!

2. Get my business of bags and accessories off the ground (see my site at www.labellasogno.com)

3. Quit trying to please people who will just not be pleased, no matter what. (Lots of bosses fall in this category!) Of course if #2 really works out then I won't have to worry about this!

4. Watch less mindless TV. D0 I really need to see that episode of "Law and Order" for the fifth time? I think not. Mindless does not include ANYTHING on the History Channel - that's educational!

5. Be more spiritual.

That's it. I think that is more than enough for me to keep track of!

When am I EVER going to feel better?!?!?

I am full-on cranky that I am not back to 100%. Steve tells me that these things take time, but patience has never been my greatest strength.

On other fronts - I am very proud of all of you for thinking of those less fortunate this Christmas. We all know that I love loot, but knowing that we are all doing our part is even better.

Besides, Steve bought new tires for my car that I am absolutely giddy about! Do I really need anything else? Does this mean I am completely grown up now? Sigh....it was bound to happen sooner or later.

Back in Maryland

We made it home around 2 this afternoon. I started laundry and spent the rest of the day as a slug. Bob is home (and going to the groomer tomorrow), so all is right in the world.

Weird

Today was my last day of work and I wasn't even there for it. Pretty weird.

If you need me, I am at home. Hopefully mending. Definitely knitting.

Well hell

A crack in the "minor ring" of my pelvis and three ruptured disks.

Boo

Still hurting. I have stopped taking the steroids so at least my stomach doesn't hurt as much anymore. Besides, I read the side effects, some of which were: "acne, weight gain, and (my personal favorite) flatulence." Nothing like a middle aged, zit-faced, overweight, cranky woman who is jet-propelled to bring a little sunshine into your life. Just ask Steve! The cane just adds to the delightful picture of me that you now have in your head.

The MRI was Friday and it was not fun. The tech had to strap my ankles and knees together to make sure my hips and pelvis were in the correct position. It was pretty painful, but at least he had good music playing. He said that he can't listen to anything too peppy because people tend to dance around even through they don't mean to. I thought that was strange because, really, there is not a lot of room to dance around in while in the MRI machine. I will have to take his word for it as he is the pro. Anyway, what he played I knew all the words to so I sang along. Apparently I am the first one to sing along as loudly as I did. Go figure.

Bob has been the perfect heating pad, and has made it is job to sleep right next to my left hip. This, of course, is at great personal sacrifice to him. If he would just sprout an opposable thimb so he could open the refrigerator and get me a Diet Coke....then he would be the perfect dog.

Thank God I still have yarn to knit and Law and Order reruns to watch....

I took a wooden nickle

Grandma Geneva always used to tell us not to take any wooden nickles, and don't fall down and break your leg.

Somewhere along the way someone slipped me a wooden nickle.

Although I did not break my leg, there is much speculation that I cracked my pelvis and/or hip. This, let me assure you, sucks.

So here is what happened: I was leaving Stitches East in Baltimore, heavily laden with treasures I had picked up while there. When I got to the parking garage, I changed my mind mid-step about which direction I wanted to go. My feet where headed right and my body left. Neither won. My left foot flew out from under me and I landed on my hip with a resounding "THUD."

Good news is that no yarn was harmed in this process. I had enough wits about me to make sure that fabulous cashmere I found did not touch the ground. Priorities people!

After I leapt back up with precious little dignity intact, I made a beeline for the car and started home. I figured a nice warm bath, an Advil, and a glass of wine would cure me. Yeah right.

About 3 a.m. I thought I was gonna die. But I didn't want to go to the emergency room quite yet because I really needed to wash my hair (again with the priorities). My hairdryer was still down in the car because I had only unloaded my precious yarn, and I didn't want to wake Steve up to go get it. I am not claiming rational thought - I am just recounting the events.

At 6 Steve gets up, takes one look at me and declares we are going to the emergency room. No argument from me. So off we go, me dressed in my finest sweat suit, but with clean hair!

I am the only person in the emergency room and am whisked in right away. A 12 year old doctor orders xrays and percocet. He is my friend. The xrays show nothing, but Dr. 12 Year Old thinks that maybe I have cracked my pelvis and/or hip. It's just not showing up. I am sent home with a perscription for percoset and directions to stay off my leg. No kidding.

I have spent two days in bed taking percocet. I was really looking forward to having wild funky drug induced dreams with no pain. That was not meant to be. The percocet is NOT living up to its reputation. I still hurt - a lot. I hurt so much that I cannot sleep. No funky dreams...just being hurty.

So here we are on Wednesday. I am going to my regular physician today at 2:15. Not sure what she can do for me at this point, but I am hoping something to make it stop hurting. My sweet cute husband has been taking wonderful care of me, and I have been petting all my yarn, but I am ready to stop hurting.

Send more cashmere. Maybe that will work.

Just do it

No matter who you vote for, this election is one for the history books. Don't pass up your opportunity to be a part of that.

My husband the over achiever

Herniated TWO disks in his back.

Off to see the specialist.

Everything and Nothing

While a lot has been going on, I have nothing to report. We are in the strange limbo land of waiting.

The Prior is preoccupied with the Wall Street Crises, so no decision there yet.

Steve had the MRI on his back, so we are waiting for someone to read that and tell us what to do next. Pretty sure it is a herniated disk.

I hate waiting.

Unity Walk 9/11

Today I volunteered at the Washington DC Unity Walk 9/11. It started out at the Hebrew congregation (with a muslim call to prayer - very cool). and made its way down Massachusets Avenue past many embassies to the Ghandi memorial park. Stops along the way included a Catholic church, a Sikh Temple, the National Cathedral, the Greek Orthodox church, and the Russian Orthodix Church.

The walk also passed the Khalil Gilbran Park, the Islamic Park and finally ended up at the Ghandi Memorial Gardens. The walk was led byArun Ghandi.

There were probably 1500 participants in the walk, and the Christians/non-Christian ration was about dead even.

It's a start......