It Came Upon A Midnight Clear

I promised, promised, promised myself that I would have this angel runner completed by Christmas Day. And, so it was. I put my needle down at the near-stroke of midnight last night. Done. Can check this off my task-list.

It took more than 3 hours of handwork. Did I mention this was the equivalent of hand stitching 5 yards of fabric? No, I don't think I did.

So, here is my runner. Not exactly up to the standards of my purist quilting friends, but it's to replace the one that DH spilled coffee on, which was ruined.

I put this sweet piece in place on our dinette table with larger angel statues. Very pretty and calming.

Onward to more quilting before 2090 ends!

Happy Christmas, Happy Dogs

After recovering from a migraine yesterday ("Yes," on Christmas Eve), I woke up at 5:00 am with Merlin and DeeDee. First order of business was to distribute the doggie cookies which were a gift from one of our neighbors (for whom I made the dog theme-quilt). Then, it was feeding time and by 5:30, everyone was all settled in for their Christmas Day nap before Dear Husband (who got to sleep in this morning) joined us downstairs. We snapped this picture of Merlin and DeeDee in the kitchen as Ken was starting to make Christmas dinner. It was too sweet not to post.

The day was quiet and gave me time to finish working on a Christmas table runner that I was making for our holiday table. Guess it will wait until next year. But, I did finish everything except the handwork on the binding, which I am about to begin. I fussy cut some beautiful angel blocks from a panel, and designed a long (72") runner. It is actually quite pretty. I feared this was going to end up a UFO, so I am happy I completed it.

DH took the dogs out walking, while I cleaned up all the holiday mess. I am happy to report that DH - who is also the chef in this family - really likes his kitchen/cooking items that I gave him for Christmas, except (I think) the 'Omelet Express' machine. We will see how much this electric appliance is actually used by a purist chef who believes in "cooking with gas" only. I must admit that I was unaware that this machine had a cord! What a surprise when DH opened the box. Oops! DH did make us a mushroom, onion, and cheese omelet, which was very tasty and had a fine consistency. He says he will use it many times again. Sure hope so.

Tonight's menu is stuffed Cornish game hen and roasted brussel sprouts, with homemade (by me) apple crisp for the final course. Nothing like 1200 calories on a plate! But, today is the last day to eat with abandon, I say.

I was sorry that I could not share an annual holiday ritual with my dear friends in Gold River, CA, but my headache grounded me for the day yesterday. I also was unable to deliver the gift basket of cooking items to my former voice coach and his wife, both of whom enjoy cooking very much.

We hear from 'up the hill' that our niece has gone four days without a seizure. Let's pray that this is the beginning of the true wind-down period. As she and her mother don't celebrate Christmas due to their religion, we don't see them on Christmas. We are hoping that Alicia continues to recover and improve. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

DH is on vacation this week and I so look forward to spending many wonderful hours together, including seeing the new Sherlock Holmes movie, even though one review indicated "No Hit, Sherlock!"

Finally, DH was so sweet and bought me a new sewing machine (Janome ThreadBanger TB-30). Turns out that I erred in advising him what machine to purchase for me, so we are going to try and return it for another Janome model. Let's hope we can do this.

So, that's our Christmas in a nutshell. It was wonderful (except for the Christmas Eve 'Merry Migraine' attack)!

Onward toward 2010. Happy New Year to Dear Readers and may it be a banner year for you all!

Reflections on Life's Continuous Flow

I remember asking one of my best friends if he was angry that when his wife was dying of cancer that life around them continued normally. What I meant by this question was whether he felt anger because the mail was still delivered, telemarketing agents still called, UPS still made deliveries, his neighbors walked their dogs as though nothing was any different. His response was very much like him, very existential. To wit, he said (and I am paraphrasing, BTW) that he knew that the world "outside" wouldn't stop or change because he and she were going through a horrible experience. I could not fully appreciate what he meant at the time, but I think I do now. Allow me to explain.

My niece has now had two Grand Mal seizures since her surgery. She continues to experience partial complex seizures (previously referred to as "Petite Mal") frequently. There are many possibilities why these seizures are happening, some more palatable than others. The good news in what seems like a bleak situation is that there are still other options: new medications just released, vagus nerve stimulation, deep brain stimulation. These were available before her surgery also, but she was adamant that she wanted this surgery and so it was done. Now, it is possible that other options will have to be explored, if the surgery turns out not to be a success. It is still too early to make an assessment of its success because the brain is still healing. But, the fact is that seizures so soon after surgery increase the likelihood that she will continue to have them. She is, as one could imagine, very disappointed and frustrated. We can only wait to see what happens next.

As we wait, life continues. Migraines still hit (I had one yesterday), Christmas presents need to be wrapped (spent much of today doing this), and I wanted to get back on the ice after a two-week absence. So I did that on Friday, with new boots and blades. This is a challenging experience for most skaters, even more so when one has switched to a different skate brand, as I did. The boot fits well, but the blades definitely are too flat and must be re-sharpened. And, then there is the rocker. I feel like I am pitched forward, so I must constantly check my posture to compensate for this. At the beginning of the session on Friday, I complained to Coach J that I hated my new skates, never should have purchased them, and was going to sell them on eBay. After Coach J left me to my own devices, I managed to get more comfortable (not confident, mind you) and left the rink thinking that all would be well when I got the blades re-done. This must be done ASAP.

This week, of course, holds much activity. I am looking forward to a skate/coffee/ gift exchange date with my BSB, lunch with a dear friend and her two children (to whom I am an "unofficial" aunt) so I can deliver the quilts I made them for Christmas, coffee and cookies on Christmas Eve with wonderful, loving friends who I adore beyond words, lunch with my college roommate and friend of 40 years in Auburn, and - most exciting - time with Dear Husband and doggies on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Between this activity, I will deliver gifts to friends and even skate on Tuesday (lesson with Coach J) and Wednesday, to share the ice with my BSB and another great skating buddy who is blowing through her ice dance tests like they were all a walk in the park. She has only five more tests until she gets her Gold medal in ice dancing. Amazing and inspirational!

It is my tendency (a.k.a., character flaw) to step in to solve my loved ones' problems. This can be overbearing sometimes, I imagine. I have to remind myself that our niece is, after all, 18 years old and can make her own decisions. But I feel compelled to try and help her and her mother make informed, thoughtful decisions, by providing them with data, alternatives, and resources. I must stop swooping down on them to take control, although every fiber of my being wants to do exactly that. Sometimes, one must wait until the door is opened to you and not just knock it down and barge in.

In the meantime, life does go on, despite the trauma and drama that seems to surround us right now. I must remember - "God grant me the strength to change the things I can, accept the things I cannot change and wisdom to know the difference."

Onward.

"My Loving People"

In case you didn't recognize the title above, it's the way Eliizabeth I referred to her subjects, as in "My Loving People want me to . . . (fill in the blank)." At the risk of seeming as though I view myself as royalty (NOT), I thought this was a good way to reflect my sentiments to those of you who have posted comments, called, or e-mailed wondering about my on-going bout in "sick" land and to ask about our niece's recovery. It is so nice to "feel the love" of one's friends.

Let's start with the important news - Alicia's recovery. Yesterday, the poor child had a Grand Mal seizure, one week exactly from her surgery. The neurosurgeon told us that in some patients there is a wind-down period post-surgery, during which time there could be seizures. Yes, it appears that Alicia is one of those patients. Unfortunately, she fell out of bed and now the right side of her face is black-and-blue to match the left side. Dear Husband talked with her late in the day yesterday and said she sounded alright. Her mother didn't take her to the ER, as she told me she was going to, likely because Alicia refused to go. She is a young woman of her own mind, that is certain. She continues to complain of serious head pain but who wouldn't if you had had major brain surgery a week ago. Please continue to hold her in your thoughts and prayers.

As for my little "friendly bug," we've pulled out the heavy artillery in the form of the "Z Pack," which is the future of antibiotics in my opinion - two pills Day 1, then a daily pill for the next four days. No more 3 pills/day for ten days. Thank goodness, because my tummy never did well on that regimen. I am still coughing up a storm and have a decided lack of energy. But I am trying to get moving and am even working on a little quilting project for our home, an angel table runner. I will perhaps get this done before Christmas next week, as Dear Husband had a coffee accident and my old runner now is sporting a rather large stain that I am fairly certain is not going to come out.

Onward through the holidays!

A Few Days Before Christmas: With Apologies to Clement Clarke Moore

A few days before Christmas and all through our house,
Not a creature was stirring, except my Dear Spouse.*

As I gazed out the window in silent repose,
I saw something moving - a shiny, black nose.
I threw back the curtains to broaden my gaze,
And rubbed both my eyes to clear out the haze.
Peering yet closer in astonished surprise,
The nose shared the face with two brilliant black eyes.

I ran to the phone in a near frantic state
to inform Dear Husband of "Sea Lion Gate."
Recounting my vision, he calmly replied, "Well, I know it's no sea lion,"
Then blandly he sighed.
He said, "Get the camera, then send me the *pic*,
I ran to retrieve it so a shot I could click.

This little lost creature could cause some alarm,
So I notified neighbors, so he'd come to no harm.
It seems that for now in our lake he may stay,
In this safe sheltered place he can swim, eat and play.

We bestowed upon him the name of "Sir Totter,"
Because it's just perfect for this sweet river otter.

Merry Christmas to all and to Sir Totter, "Good Night."

* Who - being an exceptional provider - was already at work

Note: If you click on the picture, you can see Sir Totter in a larger view. He is quite adorable and has already won our hearts, as you can likely tell from this little poem.

Christmas Cheer

Thought it was time for some holiday cheer. We did manage to put up and decorate the Christmas tree yesterday and finish trimming the rest of the house. Dear Husband took this pic of our girl, DeeDee, as she lounged near the tree. I think Merlin must have been asleep somewhere warm.

We toyed with the idea of getting a smaller tree, but I am glad that we used our 7-foot one after all. It was a snap this year to put together and it certainly does make our family room look like it is ready for Christmas.

Our niece, Alicia, was discharged from the hospital yesterday and is now home. Amazingly fast, given that her surgery was last Wednesday. Please hold her in your thoughts and prayers.

Have no idea when next I will skate. I hope it MAY be this week, but as long as I have a fever, can't skate. Total bummer.

Having all this time on my hands - and little energy - I've been shopping online, mostly quilting stuff. Snagged a bargain on eBay - 100 2" color coordinated watercolor squares (100% cotton, of course; I bought two sets) for a mere $4.99 each. Can't wait to start an impressionist quilt. Bought a pre-cut quilt kit also to make a quilt for my vet's office. Very reasonable, but we'll have to wait to see the quality.

That's it for now. Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season!

Warning: Not for the Squeemish But Good News

Since our beautiful snow fall Monday last, I've been wrestling with what started out as a horrible cold and morphed quickly into something more sinister. I am now going on Day 5 or 6 of this malady. I keep telling Dear Husband that it's the H1N1 because the doc's office says it could be due to the respiratory nature of the dang ailment; he is not buying it. He says it's my annual "really bad cold" but I'm not convinced. I am hoping that yesterday was the worst day thus far and perhaps I have turned a corner!

The worst part is that I have been unable to visit our niece, who had major brain surgery on Wednesday. At least I was at the hospital and got to see her as they wheeled her into the OR. Lucky for me that one of our dear friends (pictured above with his wife, a very special woman and friend, in Rome this year) works as a surgical nurse at the hospital where the surgery was done. He called me on my cell phone as I was pulling into the garage near the hospital and told me that they would "hold" her for three minutes so I could see her before her surgery. How kind of him! Yes, when I arrived, there were what seemed like hundreds of people (maybe only 15) standing around, our niece on a gurney, and a doctor clearly wanting to get the show-on-the-road. I gave Alicia a big hug, told her I loved her, and then said, "Let's roll!" - off she went. About 6 hours later, her neurosurgeon and neurologist met with us to tell us how the surgery went. Fortunately, he was able to remove the portion of her brain that was the source of her epilepsy, but not so much that she will have serious cognitive side effects.

The bad news - poor child - is that she is in serious head pain, everything tastes like metal to her, and she is very anxious to go home. She misses her friends and can't stand being in the hospital. On the "good news" side, our niece is talking, eating, and even walked down the hospital corridor yesterday. But, the pain issue is significant and will prove the most problematic for her recovery. I wish more than anything that I could take this pain away from her, but we knew going in that this could happen - and thus it has. She is getting pain medication, but there is only so much that she can be given. Hopefully, as she continues to recover, the pain will lessen.

Thanks so much to our friend, Carroll, and his wife, Lori, for being such wonderful, caring and sensitive human beings. Carroll visited with me during the surgery and took time out of his duties to keep an eye on our niece. What a remarkable human being. I am so grateful to him and don't think he will ever truly know how much we all appreciated his kindness and concern. I feel like Alicia got the "royal treatment" because he was there.

On Friday, I missed the annual cookie exchange at our skating rink. I felt very sad because I started this tradition some 11 years ago and this is the first year I couldn't be there. Dear Husband was kind enough to take all the supplies to the rink for me, so I feel as though I did something for the event, but truly missed seeing my skating buddies (like my BSB) and coaches who mean so much to me. My BSB was kind enough to get things set up and then called me on her way home to let me know that things went well. I was pretty zoned on cold medicine when she called, but appreciated hearing how things went. Since then, I have received posts from skaters and Coach J who attended the event letting me know that it was very nice. That said, I do sense that I let some people down by not being there, but I was not going to be selfish and get everyone else sick, espeically during the holiday season.

Dear Husband bought me a new Janome sewing machine for Christmas. It's the "ThreadBangerTB30" model. It's computerized, with 20+ stitch selections, and very cool. I think the name is too silly for words, but the online reviews were excellent. He is such a great guy, that husband of mine! I cannot wait to open it on Christmas Day.

So that's it for now. My new SP Teri's boots are still in their box. Perhaps I will get them on the my feet and on the ice soon. In the meantime, "Onward" with gratitude, appreciation, and a sincere desire to get well soon!

Our Snowy "Kingdom" and Its King and Queen

We woke yesterday to an truly unusual sight for the greater Sacramento area - snow, and lots of it. Our entire backyard was blanketed in about 2 inches. A truly spectacular sight.

Our girl, DeeDee (above), tentatively took a few steps before venturing out into the billowy stuff that she wasn't quite sure of. Our older gentlemen, Merlin, looked none-too- pleased and we weren't able to snap a good picture of him. He just wanted to come back inside and get warm. Smart doggy!

So, here are pictures of our backyard, with the "king (DH) and queen (DeeDee)" of the manse. The yard is truly spectacular and a wonderful sight for this wintry holiday season. Yes, it's the "White Christmas" thing. This morning the temperature is 23 degrees in Loomis. The snow has turned mostly to ice, but is still lingering. More snow is predicted for this week.

Tomorrow is our niece's big surgery. We are praying this will work to cure her of her seizures which have become so debilitating. She is a brave young woman who is anxious to lead a normal life of an 18-year old.

My new skates still sit in the box waiting to be debuted. Maybe later this week? Who knows? I now have a hacking cough to go with the sinus infection and other unpleasantness. Yikes, I love the cold and snow, but hate the germs that go with it!

Onward, slogging through the snow.

Got Skates?

Yep. I now have new, beautiful SP Teri boots and MK Professional parabolic blades. Picked them up yesterday. They certainly fit differently than my current skates. Toe box is much more square and there is so great padding, especially on the tongue.

Now the *fun* part begins - breaking them in. Will start today by wearing them around the house (with blade guards on, of course). Tomorrow, I have a dance lesson with Coach C, but don't think I will torture him with the process. I will skate the 9:30 FS session in my new skates, then switch to my old skates for my lesson. Probably makes the most sense in terms of getting value from the time with Coach C.

It was a long trip to SF, but these skates are so beautiful (and so white and clean) that I had forgotten what brand new skates really look and feel like. Very cool indeed.

I must publicly thank Dear Husband for being so patient, understanding, and kind about my acquiring these new skates on what amounts to a "whim" at ISI Worlds. I couldn't have asked for a sweeter guy.

Brought Coach Jayne four different pieces of music to listen to for a new program. She picked the one I favored - "It's Only Love" - from "The Scarlet Pimpernel." She will cut it for me so I can begin working with it. Jill Shipstad is coming to the rink next week to work with the adults on a fun Christmas program (have no idea what this is). I asked Coach J if she would schedule 30 minutes for me with Jill and have my new music cut by then so I can work a little with Jill using the music.

I seem to be drawn back to show tunes for programs. Just like the dramatic nature of them, I guess. Coach J really liked the song because she said it's unusual and people wouldn't be that familiar with it, in contrast to other pieces I brought her that were more "typical" ice skating pieces. We talked about how there will be lots of skaters wanting to use the music from "Nine," now that the movie is being released. I'm sure "Unusual Way" is going to get its share of play, including in the Olympics. As for me, I'm pleased with "It's Only Love" and can't wait to get started on it. Have no idea what I will do with it other than skate it for my own enjoyment as ISI Worlds in July was my last competition. But, I needed a new goal to get me out of my skating malaise and having a new program is the best way for me to do this.

Onward in new skates. Yay!