Weekly Word: Belief (John 2) + Stitching and Gratitude This Week!

 

Hello there!

Welcome!  Thank you for visiting!  It's been a great week for healing, time with friends and hobbies!  

I hope your week was a good one!

Weekly Word: A Transparent Testimony Plus My Reading, Stitching and Gratitude This Week!

 

Hello there!

It's good to be back!  I'm recovering from the partial knee replacement with a new attitude which I am sharing in The Weekly Word.  Full disclosure, this devotional is quite transparent and humbling to share online, but how can I not share how God has changed me?  

This week's post is only a partial look into my hobbies, however, you will soon be caught up in the next few weeks.  

The "Faith, Trust and Breast Cancer" link below offers more details about my physical recovery.      

Your posts and comments have been a delight to read!  Thank you so much for reaching out with your encouragement and sharing a bit of your own lives!      

Health Update

Hello Everybody!

Thank you so much for your get well messages via this platform as well as Instagram!  I've tried to keep up with you all on Instagram, but simply do not have the energy to read blogs at this point.  I'm slowly recovering, listening to the doctor's orders, my family's and friends' guidance and learning to rest beside the still waters.  

After the nurse removed the staples, my incision started draining pus.  A visit to a local urgent care, as well as an injection of a strong antibiotic took care of the issue.  My follow up visit to the surgeon showed great progress in clearing up whatever was brewing.  I'm now applying Vitamin E oil to the incision which is helping immensely.  

I'm making great progress in Physical Therapy!  I may be released soon to continue exercising on my own at home.  I can go as an out patient here locally, but I'm debating that course of action due to COVID. 

Naps and rest are still my friends.  This week, I've started playing just a bit with fiber arts again.  I'm now able to read about 20 minutes without falling asleep!  

Take good care everyone of you!   

UDATE: April 1, 2022 10:30

 

Hello There!

The doctor visiting and said I had almost no meniscus and very little cartilage left. 

Have he only removed the meniscus, I pretty much would've been bone on bone.  

He said I can get rid of the walker whenever I want and switch to the cane. I am doing exceptionally well.

Much of this is due to his skills, a wonderful support I have from family and friends and my Heavenly  Father.  

I was so anxious before the surgery because the last time I was at this hospital they were putting in the needle markers on my breast and the anesthesia for this procedure did not take.  I felt every stick and adjustment of each needle.  

The experience time has been more than positive and everyone has been so kind.

Thank you all for your support and prayers!  

UPDATE: April 1, 3:35 a.m.

 Hello there!

Just a quick update on my MAKO partial knee replacement on March 31   

1. Surgery went well.  Apparently, I had no meniscus at all.  
2. I got very nauseous, but the wonderful staff took care of that. 
3. I can use the regular commode. 
4. My pain level has been lower than 3. 
5. After eating so healthy these last few weeks, my hospital plate of Chicken Alfredo and over cooked zucchini was less than appetizing.  My hubby brought me a grilled chicken salad instead.  Yum!
6. I walked two laps around the ward and they’re going to take me for another two later this morning!   
7. I had purchased bottled water with electrolytes because I’d read it helps after surgery.  My nurse confirmed that.  
8. Thank you for checking in on me!   Your concern and time is much appreciated!   Your prayers are being answered!  Thank you!

   

   
   

Weekly Word: Keeping My Mind Stayed on Him Plus My Reading, Stitching and Gratitude This Week!

Hello there!

I know your time is precious, so I appreciate you taking time to pop in!  How was your week?  Are you enjoying some beautiful spring weather?  

Last week I knew surgery would soon be approaching, so I scheduled play dates with days to rest afterwards.  I visited my local library (support those local libraries!) and had a morning Bible study with a new friend.    So, it was an active week!  This week there was little time for hobbies or blogging!  I even forgot to link up to some of my regular parties!  😮  

I'm grateful to have had those days, however, as my surgery is scheduled for this Thursday!  So, let's move on with this blog so I can fill you in!

Weekly Word: Written on Stone. Plus My Reading, Stitching and Gratitude This Week!

 Hello There,     

Thank you for stopping by for a visit!  Here's a little blog housekeeping snafu I just discovered.  Perhaps it will help you as well.  I usually just delete all my SPAM messages, but tonight I went through them and found tons of comment emails there!  I'm sorry to those of you whose comments got lost in that file!  I am working on posting them as well as answering your kind comments.  Please, bloggers, learn from my mistake.  Check your SPAM file before you  press "delete all SPAM."  😉

The Weekly Word is a bit different this week as I'm adding an extremely basic tutorial as to how to make a stone altar using what I'm calling "testimony stones."  For those of you who prefer, you can simply write encouraging, uplifting messages on them.  

Take good care, my sweet Readers!  I'm looking forward to catching up with you!

Weekly Word: God Sees YOU. Plus My Reading, Stitching and Gratitude This Week!

 Hello There, 

Thank you for stopping in for a visit!  Pull up a chair and relax as you read!  I hope you leave encouraged and smiling!  

This week was busy!  I had one afternoon at home and the rest of this week was jam packed with doctor appointments in Las Cruces as well as in El Paso, playing with my grandchildren and one happy social event with a new friend.  I met some goals, pushed some goals back and am learning to wait patiently on the Lord.  It's a process, isn't it?     

Health Update + Weekly Word: Trusting in God. Plus My Reading, Stitching and Gratitude This Week!

 Hello There, 

Thank you so much for visiting and writing comments of encouragement and prayers regarding my last post!  I've hesitated to share my health issues as I want to encourage others and not appear to be complaining. Kathryn's comment made me realize that by sharing, I have the opportunity to be prayed for by my loving blogging community!  Secondly, I remembered the origins of this blog and thus, have decided to remain true to myself and continue to provide updates on my continued journey with Triple Negative Breast Cancer. 

Full Disclosure + Weekly Word: Trusting in God. Plus My Reading, Stitching and Gratitude This Week!

 

Hello There, 

Thank you for stopping by!   Just an FYI,  the following few paragraphs are real life and not very encouraging....the last few weeks have been rough.  Feel free to skip to the index below.  😊

I sure missed posting last week, but health kept my goals at bay.  Arthritic pain in my knees has affected my gait, thus affecting my back.  Anti-inflammatories are no longer an option as they have torn up my tummy - more pain.  Thus, the fibromyalgia symptoms are in full bloom.  A partial knee replacement is in my near future as well as appointments with my oncologist and PCP.   

Getting old has it's price.  Surviving cancer also has it's price.  Sometimes I feel like I'm existing and not really living.  

Cancer survivors, how do you deal with the long-term affects of chemotherapy - especially if you had what is commonly referred to as "The Red Devil"?  Apparently this medication inflames fibromyalgia?  

Full disclosure:  I have been very discouraged and sad.  Being a spoonie is hard.  We look healthy, but live with chronic, debilitating conditions.  I try to stay positive and upbeat, but it's so very challenging.  

This Instagrammer always puts a smile on my face, though!

Take care everyone!  See you next week!

Here's is an index should you have a special interest you like to read first!  

The Weekly Word - is a short devotional that sometimes becomes a Bible Study series.  

My Reading Life - is filled with current, completed and upcoming reads as well as an occasional short review.      

Stash Report and To Do Tuesday is where I'll share share stats regarding my fiber usage and acquisitions, goals met/lack thereof and photos of my projects. 

Gratitude Journal - Sometimes I get lost in my own stinky thinking.  This digital journal reminds me to count my blessings!    

The Weekly Word

Isn't Psalm 21 beutiful?  Here's verses 1-7:

1The king rejoices in your strength, Lord.

How great is his joy in the victories you give!

2You have granted him his heart’s desire

and have not withheld the request of his lips. ^b

3You came to greet him with rich blessings

and placed a crown of pure gold on his head.

4He asked you for life, and you gave it to him—

length of days, for ever and ever.

5Through the victories you gave, his glory is great;

you have bestowed on him splendor and majesty.

6Surely you have granted him unending blessings

and made him glad with the joy of your presence.

7For the king trusts in the Lord;

through the unfailing love of the Most High

he will not be shaken.

Psalm 21:1-7

As I was reading it, the word "for" in verse 7 caused me to pause.  I knew David was was using it to mean "because".  The LORD has taken all these marvelous actions on David's behalf because...well why? 

"For the king trusts in the LORD; though the unfailing love of the Most High, he (David) will not be shaken.

David will not be shaken because he trust in the LORD.  Also, God's unfailing love keeps him firm - keeps him from being shaken by life's curve balls.  

As I pondered this verse, Psalm 46:5 came to mind also.  Though it is referencing Israel, I believe we can take comfort in it for ourselves.  

Though it may take years, even generations for us to see the results of our trust in the LORD, we must remember, God is faithful and cannot lie!  

  

Yes, we grieve.  Yes, we hurt. As we go through the emotions that challenges can bring, we can also stand firm - refusing to be shaken - because we trust in the LORD and His unfailing love.  

Can I get an amen?  

My Reading Life

Currently Reading

Finished

⭐⭐⭐⭐

A Stitch in Crime is book four in Betty Hetchman's Crochet Mystery Series.  This read was delightfully light and fun.  Molly Pink is forever finding mysteries to solve and her sidekick, the outrageous Adele, keeps me simultaneously smiling and rolling my eyes. 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles can only cause use to appreciate the strong, resilient people of WWII.  Skelien captured the challenges, pain and triumphs of the lives these precious librarians, their love of books and their devotion to their subscribers.  Not only that, but my appreciation for librarians was deepened even more.  For those librarians reading this, many of your own have been precious sunbeams throughout my life.  

There is a special place in Heaven for you all.  

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I'd Rather Be Reading, The Delights and Delimmas of the Reading Life by Anne Bogel was just the book I needed to lift my spirit!

Anne writes about her reading heart - and perhaps ours as well.  A delightful read about one of my favorite subjects: books about books. Anne Bogel expressed a my reader's heart to a "T"! Highly recommend this book if you are in a reading slump, need a bit of a lift or are simply looking for that sometimes evasive "good book"!

Stash Report

We have changes in the yarn numbers!  

I finally finished my Granddaughter's 12 point star afghan! (See below).   I also finished a couple of dishcloths which were prizes for a game during my Golden Girls gathering.  :)

My fabric numbers haven't changed at all.  :)

To Do Tuesday

Last Week's List

1. Sunday Slow Stitching:
- Stitch up one hexie a day.
- Make progress on my embroidered tea towel!  Done!  Finished stitching with green and moving onto yellow!
2. Crochet: Finish up my granddaughter's afghan.   Done!  Here it is!

This is her afghan spread out on my queen size bed. 

Here is it in all it's glory!

3. Machine Sewing: Finish the Farmhouse On Point Four Patch Quilt by Amy at Diary of a Quilter and maybe even a matching pillow!  This one is 3/4 done.  As I shared early, Pain has decided to visit me these past two weeks, so some tasks are delayed.
- I also plan to participate in Melva's new SAL, Pieces in the Garden. I love her SALs as they are seemingly complicated blocks made sew easy with her fabulous tutorials!  Done!   Fabrics are chosen and I'm now practicing my scant 1/4" seam.  Any tips you can offer would be greatly appreciated!
4. Christmas Sewing List:
- my flannel quilt +made a bonus baby quilt
Next up: Holiday mug rugs not even touched either Perhaps this week?
- my four grandchildren's next softies
- two Christmas quilts for my own home (Can you believe I haven't made me even one?!) 😲
- a Christmas table topper

This Week's List

1. Sunday Slow Stitching:
- Stitch up one hexie a day.
- Make progress on my embroidered tea towel!  Finish stitching with yellow.  
2. Crochet: I've started another 12 point star afghan!  This one will be for a baby.  I'm planning to use three skeins, so I'm hoping to finish one skein a week.  Here's a link to the pattern.  I've modified it by stitching in the back loop at regular intervals.

3. Machine Sewing: Practice the scant 1/4" seam and piece Row 1 of Melva's SAL, Pieces in the Garden. 

4. Christmas Sewing List:
- my flannel quilt +made a bonus baby quilt
Next up: Holiday mug rugs not even touched either
- my four grandchildren's next softies
- two Christmas quilts for my own home (Can you believe I haven't made me even one?!) 😲
- a Christmas table topper

Gratitude Journal

These last two weeks, I've been struggling to find a grateful heart.  Does that happen to you sometimes?   However, my family always comes through.  

Our local library is providing craft kits for kiddos.  I had two days to play with my grandbabies.  

We made snowmen while reading Snowmen at Night.  

Check out my granddaughter's nail polish!

I was able to enjoy 6 hours with my Golden Girls - a group of current and retired teachers I used to work with.  The following are quotes on our hostess' fridge that I call "wisdom from the fridge".  

I so grateful Mama and Daddy are enjoying beach life!

I love that I have time for Bible study in my new "cloffice" - an office in a closet.  More pics of this transformation to come later.  

My dear hubby took me on a Sunday cruise today.  We went to Mesilla  Book Center and I picked up this oh-so-important non-fiction book!  

We ended our cruise at a local pizza joint - and yes - I resisted tasting his pizza - but just barely!  :)

Kitty has been patiently trying to get Mia to snuggle and share her warm little body.  This was two weeks ago....

and this was a few nights ago...Success!

Enjoyed this post? 

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Your comments are so appreciated! 

I read each one and will respond by email.

You can also expect a visit from me as well!

Here are some blogs I sometimes link up to!

A Spirit of Simplicity

Sunday Salon @ Readerbuzz

Slow Sunday Stitching @ Kathy's Quilts

Sunday Post at the Caffeinated Reviewer

Sunday Stash @ Quilt, Paint, Create

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? @ Book Date

To Do Tuesday @ Texas Quilt Gal

Pictorial Tuesday @ Peabea's Photos & Scribbles

Midweek Makers @ Quilt Fabrication (Wednesdays)

Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation

I Like @ Not Afraid of Color (Thursday)

Can I Get A Whoop Whoop? @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict (Friday)

Weekly Word: Two Are Better Than One, Plus My Reading, Stitching and Gratitude This Week!

Hello There!

I hope you all had a fabulous week!  Mine started off rough with a few days of illness, hence this post will be abbreviated as I lost a few days to sleep and recovery.  However, I am fine now, thank God!  It's amazing how quickly we can recover if we listen to our bodies, give it the rest it needs and then take life slowly as we recover!  

Weekly Word: Oh So Confident David. Plus My Reading, Stitching and Gratitude This Week!

 

Hello There!

Oh my, thank you for your emails asking about our trip to San Diego.  It. Was. Wonderful.  This time was a road trip and we had some nice long conversations.  My family looks healthier than ever, both of my parents' labs are fabulous!  Daddy is ready to live to 100!  My husband and I experienced romantic walks on the gorgeous Coronado beach and in Little Italy.  Sunrises and sunsets were lovely and gratefully enjoyed as our balcony faced the ocean.    I've scattered pictures of our trip throughout this post.  I hope you enjoy your visit today!

Weekly Word: Psalm 19:7-10. Plus My Reading, Stitching and Gratitude This Week!

Hello There!

I have exciting news!  If the LORD wills it, I will be taking off to San Diego to visit my parents!  FINALLY!  Thank God for dog/house sitters!  My heart sings with joy!

Consequently, I'll be taking a blogging break for the rest of January.  However, I'm hoping to be posting our trip on Instagram (user name:  miaismine22).  Please just request to follow me as it's a private account.  

Onto today's post filled with encouragement, books I've read/reading, some finishes and a whole lot of gratitude!  

Weekly Word: Psalm 19:1-6. Plus My Reading, Stitching and Gratitude This Week!

Hello There, 

Thank you for stopping by!  I hope your first week of 2022 was filled with hope and peace.  I learned so much from Psalm 19 this week, finished a couple of fabulous reads, made some progress on my goals as well as found some posts on Instagram that brought me joy.  I hope you enjoy your visit here today!  

Here's is an index should you have a special interest you like to read first!  

The Weekly Word - is a short devotional that sometimes becomes a Bible Study series.  

My Reading Life - is filled with current, completed and upcoming reads as well as an occasional short review.      

Stash Report and To Do Tuesday is where I'll share share stats regarding my fiber usage and acquisitions, goals met/lack thereof and photos of my projects. 

Gratitude Journal - Sometimes I get lost in my own stinky thinking.  This digital journal reminds me to count my blessings!