This Could Be A Problem

While I have been recovering from knee surgery and not able to go shopping, I've turned to the internet.  It's just so easy and convenient!  These are my newest purchases.

A camera/purse from Jo Totes.  I absolutely love this bag.  It's big enough to carry the camera, extra lenses, and my purse stuff.  So perfect for going out (when I can walk easily again) with the camera but don't want to take two bags.

Two Amy Butler charm packs (Gypsy Caravan) from Craftsy.  This website has daily deals that are hard to resist.  I've never bought fabric online and I was a little nervous about it.

 I wasn't sure if the colors would be right, and I like to get touchy feely when I buy fabric.  But it was a good deal, so I crossed my fingers and hoped for the best.  I couldn't have been happier when I opened the package.  I want to make a scrappy quilt to use in my sewing room.  Maybe as a wall hanging or maybe as a quilt to curl up under when I'm doing hand stitching.

It might not be a good thing that I was happy with this purchase.  I've got my eye on more fabric.  Not that I need more fabric, but, well, you know...

What do you like to buy online?

I Heart Macro

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

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Thankful Thursday

Happy Thursday, friends!  Every Thursday I share what I'm thankful for.  Sometimes it's a serious or big thing and sometimes it's a goofy or small thing.  I believe that no matter what is going on in our lives there is always something to be thankful for.  Always.  

I went to the MVA yesterday to renew my driver's license since it was going to expire tomorrow on my birthday.  The notice came in the mail three months ago and I've been putting it off all this time.  Going to the MVA has never been a pleasant experience.  The lines are long, the people working there seem angry and ready to fight, and the wait could take hours.  Yesterday, however, was different.  I'm thankful that I was in and out of there, with a new driver's license, in a record fifteen minutes!!  Really, it made my day!


I'm also thankful for:
     *  a knee massage from the physical therapist
     *  online shopping
     *  sunshine
     *  a "no charge" repair on Michael's Jeep
     *  the recliner that I have practically lived in for the past 5 months

What are you thankful for today?

I Heart Macro

It's been raining here all week and I was so bummed that I couldn't go outside to take pictures.  I really had my heart set on taking pictures of flowers this week.  So what's a girl to do but ask hubby to stop at the grocery store and pick up a bouquet of flowers!   I took one hundred and three pictures but I focused on the lily for today!

I'm joining Lori at Studio Waterstone for I Heart Macro.

Thankful Thursday

Happy Thursday, friends!  Every Thursday I share what I'm thankful for.  Sometimes it's a serious or big thing and sometimes it's a goofy or small thing.  I believe that no matter what is going on in our lives there is always something to be thankful for.  Always.   

My daughter, Erin, has been here painting the living room for me.  While "stuff" was moved to the middle of the room and piled on tables and other flat surfaces, and Shylee had her toys strewn all over, I found myself getting frustrated with the mess.  I was stepping on things and tripping on toys, and generally felt unsettled.  

So what am I thankful for?  Besides having my girls here, I'm thankful for those things I have that make a mess.  I'm thankful for the house that needs painting and makeovers.  I'm thankful I can walk even if I'm tripping on things.  

I'm also thankful for

     *  Maryland seafood

     *  friends who make me laugh

     *  unasked for hugs and kisses from Shylee

     *  my heating pad

     

What are you thankful for today?

I hope you have a magnificent Thursday!

Finally Getting An Update

My daughter Erin has been visiting and I'm so glad she is.  She's giving my tired white walls a long overdue color makeover.   One wall is the above color...

...and the other three are this color.  I'll have better pictures when everything is done.  I love how warm and inviting these colors are without being overpowering.

And what would a paint job be without at least one accident?!  This is actually the least worst part of the spill.  We were planning on getting rid of the outdated green carpet, but not right away.

I got to keep Shylee entertained while her mommy did all the work.  I think I liked this arrangement!

I hope you have a terrific Tuesday!

I Heart Macro

I didn't get to practice as much with the macro lens like I wanted to, but I did manage to get these shots of my granddaughter's little polar bear.   

You can tell how well loved he is in the close-ups!  It might not be pretty spring flowers but he was sure fun to work with!

I'm joining Studio Waterstone for I Heart Macro

Have a wonderful Sunday!

I Got A New Toy

Yes I did!  When I graduated from my point and shoot camera to a DSLR, I also wanted to get a macro lens but just couldn't afford both.  So I saved my pennies and finally ordered one.  It came earlier this week and I was able to go outside between rain showers and play with it a little bit yesterday.

I was surprised at how heavy it is.  It's hard to take a picture without shaking and that makes the pictures blurry.  The more macro the picture, the blurrier it was.  These were taken around my yard and are the least blurry of the bunch.

It's going to take some practice and getting used to, but I'm up for the challenge!

What have you found challenging recently?

Thankful Thursday

I'm happy to get back to my regular Thursday post for several reasons.  First, because I've missed hearing what you are thankful for, and second because focusing on the positive helps keep me from dwelling on the negative.  Unfortunately, I found myself doing just that the last few months but not any more!

Today I'm especially grateful for spring.  It is and always has been my favorite season.  Even though we had an unusually warm winter, it was still brown and colorless.  I love, love, love the colors and smells of spring, and the way everything comes back to life.  It's hard to stay depressed when everywhere you look is color and life.

I'm also thankful for
     *  my daughter and her willingness to help
     *  books and how they transport me to another place and time
     *  morning snuggles from a four year old
     *  a good session at physical therapy
   

What are you thankful for today?

A Special Tea Party

One of my greatest pleasures is having a cup of tea.  The one thing that makes it as special as it can be is having a tea party with people who you enjoy being with the most.  So me, Erin and Shylee had a tea party and it was the most fun!

I couldn't wait til Shylee was old enough to have a real tea set and her fourth birthday this month was the opportunity I was waiting for to give her her first set.  Our little party had a Shylee sized teapot and cup while Erin and I used a teapot from my collection and a milk glass luncheon plate and cup set.

The finger sandwiches, spinach salad, mini cupcakes, and cookies were just perfect with the Constant Comment tea.

Shylee was just tickled to be having a real tea party, but I think I was more tickled to be sharing this first experience with her.  About half way through, she declared, "I like Gramma's house".  She couldn't have given this Gramma a better compliment!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

I Heart Macro

Is that a mouse in the crab apple tree?

Crab apple blossoms

I hope you're having a most wonderful weekend!

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Recovery Is Like A Roller Coaster Ride

Welcome back, friends!  Thank you for taking the time to stop by.  And thank you for the emails, Facebook messages and kind comments concerning my knee and my absence.  I have the very best blog friends and I so appreciate every one of you!

Cyclone Coney Island Roller Coaster 

These last few weeks of recovery have felt like a roller coaster ride with so many ups and downs and highs and lows, and I'm ready to get off!  I've been going to physical therapy and I have definitely improved, but I'm still far from healed.  I do have days where I feel really good so I go to Target or the grocery store or the park and the next day I can barely walk, and it sets me back a week.   Even standing long enough to cook dinner will cause problems.   I guess after this happened over and over, I've finally realized I just have to take it easy whether I feel good or not.  It's just difficult because I thought I would be back to normal by now and I'm far from it.

My lowest point was last weekend when I had to miss Shylee's birthday party.  Erin planned a dragon, knights, and princess party with such incredible detail and handmade goodness.  I was so looking forward to it but I could barely walk and I knew I couldn't handle the two and a half hour drive each way.  It  broke this Grandma's heart to miss that party.

On the up side, Michael bought me an exercise bike which the doctor and physical therapist recommended I use.  It won't be here for another two weeks, but I'm looking forward to getting it and enjoying the benefits not only for my knee but for my overall health.  And, Shylee and her mama are on their way here to spend a couple of days with me.  Shylee helps take my mind off things for a little while which is just what I need!

Have a wonderful Thursday!

I Heart Macro

During Easter weekend, I was able to get out and take pictures for the first time since my knee surgery.  I took an obnoxious amount of pictures of our ornamental cherry tree!  Then today, after taking a week to recover from overdoing it last weekend, I went out and took some more!  My knee is letting me know about it this evening.  I got really excited today when I was able to get a shot of a bee on a dandelion.  I'ts not as macro as I wanted it to be, but my knee could take only so much squatting.

Well, I guess that's enough cherry blossoms for now.  I think that of all the flowering trees, this is my favorite!

I'm joining Studio Waterstone for I Heart Macro.

I seem to be having trouble linking to Lori's blog.  I'll provide the link as soon as I'm able.

I Heart Macro ~ Happy Easter

Have a sweet day!

I'm joining Studio Waterstone for I Heart Macro

Thankful Thursday

Happy Thursday, friends!  Every Thursday I share what I'm thankful for.  Sometimes it's a serious or big thing and sometimes it's a goofy or small thing.  I believe that no matter what is going on in our lives there is always something to be thankful for.  Always.  

Today I'm thankful I was able to enjoy a day out last weekend.  After being cooped up in the house for weeks, Michael took me to Annapolis where we hung out at Barnes & Noble and had dinner at Macaroni Grill.  I don't think I've enjoyed a day out as much as I did that day.  I've been paying for it ever since with a very sore knee, but it was so worth it!


I'm also thankful for 
     * the sweet aroma of roses
     * cinnamon spice tea
     * my Kindle Fire
     * the power of music to uplift a weary spirit
     * sunsets

What are you thankful for today?

I Heart Macro

From the bouquet my husband gave me for Valentine's Day.

I'm joining Lori at Studio Waterstone for I Heart Macro

Have a wonderful Sunday!

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Thankful Thursday

Happy Thursday, friends!  Every Thursday I share what I'm thankful for.  Sometimes it's a serious or big thing and sometimes it's a goofy or small thing.  I believe that no matter what is going on in our lives there is always something to be thankful for.  Always.  

I am so very thankful for my husband of 33 years.  It's not easy being married, even after all this time.  We have our issues and ups and downs, but we are there for each other.  Michael has taken care of me the last two months while I sit in a chair with first a knee injury and now through my recovery from surgery.  He works full time, yet comes home and cooks dinner and cleans the kitchen, does the laundry, goes grocery shopping, takes me to doctor appointments, fixes me tea, brings me flowers and chocolate, lets me pick the movie we're going to watch, and well, you get the idea.  He even did the Christmas shopping I wasn't able to finish!  He has done all of this without a single complaint.  I know he's tired, and I know he gets frustrated, but he doesn't complain.  I'm thankful he puts up with me!


I'm also thankful for
     * healing...slow but sure
     * the kindness and generosity of friends
     * pain meds
     * a visit from Shylee (and her mom and dad!)
     
If you would like to join me for Thankful Thursday, just link your post to this one.  Then sign in with Mr. Linky below.  (The usual button is broken)

What are you thankful for today?

I Heart Macro

I miss playing with my camera.  I miss doing a lot of things, but I have to let my knee heal.  I had to go through some old pictures to find today's photo.  This is from a bouquet my daughter sent me.  She is the best daughter ever!

I'm joining Lori at Studio Watestone for I Heart Macro

Have a wonderful Sunday!

Have I Really Been MIA This Long?

I have a good excuse for not being around for a while.  I had knee surgery a couple of weeks ago and I just haven't felt up to doing much of anything.

source

Back in December of 2010 I injured my knee and found out I had torn the meniscus.  The only way to fix it is with surgery.  I didn't want to go through it, so I did exercises to strengthen my knee and lived on Tylenol. As the year went on, I was able to do less and less and my quality of life was suffering.  Not to mention, it was keeping my family from doing the things they wanted to do, because I couldn't walk much.

This past November, after turning down the chance to go to NYC to the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, I decided to go ahead and schedule the surgery after the holidays.  But just my luck, in the middle of December, I injured the same knee again.  This time I was completely chair bound barely able to walk.  The doctor confirmed I had torn the meniscus on the other side of the same knee.  There was no more putting off the inevitable.

So, I had the surgery and I'm slowly on the mend.  I hope you will stick with me as I recover and take my time getting back in the swing of things.

Thankful Thursday will return next week.  I hope you will join the linky party and share what you are thankful for!

I Heart Macro

I know these aren't macro, but I haven't had the camera out for a couple of weeks.  I took these last month while playing with the manual settings as I'm trying to break away from the automatic setting!

I'm joining Lori at Studio Waterstone for I Heart Macro

Have a wonderful Sunday!