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
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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.
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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.
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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!
- 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.
- 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:
-
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.
- 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
-
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!
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!
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Here are some blogs I sometimes link up to!
A Spirit of Simplicity
Midweek Makers @ Quilt Fabrication (Wednesdays)
I Like @ Not Afraid of Color (Thursday)
Can I Get A Whoop Whoop? @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict (Friday)
I have heard such good things about The Paris Library. Enjoy your week.
ReplyDeleteYour embroidery, quilting, crochet are stunning!
ReplyDeleteThe star afghan is beautiful!!! Great job! I pray March goes better for you.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear that you have been experiencing so much pain. It's hard to function when you hurt. I'm glad you have found some ways to take your mind off the pain. I'm especially glad that good books are one of those.
ReplyDeleteI'm eager to see more about your office/closet. I hope you will tell us more soon.
You read some wonderful books. I'm looking forward to the fourth Narnia book. I plan to start it tomorrow.
Awww, so sorry about your pain. I can't imagine what you are going through and how it is to put on a happy face when you are suffering. I pray it eases soon.
ReplyDeleteYour granddaughter's afghan is beautiful! Thank you for the link to the pattern. Glad you had some crafty time with your grands. Sweet photo of your folks - is that the view from their house? Is Kitty the former patio resident?
That afghan is beautiful. I love the colors and pattern. Sorry you've been sick. I hope you're able to find a medication that works for you.
ReplyDeleteAlso a real Anne Bogel fan! You certainly have a lot going on in your life!
ReplyDeleteI’m sorry to hear you are having a tough time right now, be gentle with yourself. Anti inflammatory cream and knee braces may give you some relief.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a better week
I am so sorry you are feeling so discouraged. I wish I had some words of encouragement but I have not walked the path you are on. It looks like you are doing the right things, reading Scripture, praying, etc. I am with you though, I feel like I am surviving (just the day to day) and not really living. I finally decided I had to do a few things to help with this. So, I started a book club in my neighborhood, I NEED connections and want to be an encouragement to those around me, I may start a Christian book club as well, because I prefer Christian fiction, but knew I was less likely to get results if I stayed in my neighborhood. Maybe start making some plans so you have things to look forward to. I would also do a self assessment and make sure you are not depressed. On to bookish stuff, I really want to read Anne Bogel's book and have not been able to find it anywhere (library, used bookstores), I may just have to buy a copy so I can read it. I hope you have a good week. https://cindysbookcorner.blogspot.com/2022/02/its-monday-what-are-you-reading-7-22.html
ReplyDeleteSigned up again to follow you hope it works this time, looks like they have a new “follow” sign up. Thank you for sharing your life’s journey!
ReplyDeleteI am feeling for you. Yes they zap you for cancer but so many side effects to deal with. Thanks for telling us, I'd rather know and keep you in my prayers and heart. I didn't know you used to be a teacher, so we have that in common. I really enjoyed The Paris Library and Anne Bogel's book. Glad to hear you did too. Love the crochet. That hexie pile must me growing. I just leaned over the table while cutting fabric and just cricked my back, will put a bit of a damper on my plans for quilting this week!
ReplyDeleteOh wow, I love your grandaugther's afghan as well as the new one that you have started. I have The Paris Library and The Dressmakers of Auschwitz in my list of books to read. I hope your faith helps you when you health is not at its best. I hope you can get your knee fixed soon. I know it will help you greatly. I don't have any experience with fibromyalgia. I am praying for you.
ReplyDeleteI know I've already commented but I came back when I saw you had linked up. So this time I read your scriptures (that I skipped over the other day), and I say AMEN! I marvel over how OT folks like David were so faithful.
ReplyDeleteThank you for linking up with To Do Tuesday, and I hope the rest of your week is joyful.
That afghan is gorgeous. I'm happy you have another started...great to be crocheting. I enjoyed reading the scriptures you shared and I love that you are gleaning strength from the Word. Amen
ReplyDeleteI was sorry to read you are feeling poorly. It is not easy to say the least to live with chronic pain. But I admire your determination to keep moving forward. I'll be thinking about you today on my walk among my trees and sending you thoughts of strength.
Pain can be such a set back. I hope this week has been good to you!
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear you are having a tough time. Perhaps this week will be better. I feel your pain on the pizza, I can't eat it either. Your salad looks great though!
ReplyDeleteI forgot to mention how sweet is that photo of Kitty!! Just makes my day. :)
ReplyDelete