tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54332306033345017382024-03-12T13:03:47.696-05:00Empty Nest but Full HeartKathy ... aka Nanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17626590048036292030noreply@blogger.comBlogger924125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5433230603334501738.post-18228944290017819212016-10-21T10:17:00.001-05:002016-10-21T10:19:48.739-05:00Checking Back In QuicklyJust a quick update. <br />
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My cancer was progressing in spite of being on the clinical study, so my doctor has withdrawn me from the study and started a new chemo regimine. I've already had one treatment. If the amount of fluid that accumulates in my abdomen is any indication, it's working already. Hopefully it's killing cancer cells, too.<br />
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I just finished 16 days in hospital. Without going into too much uncomfortable detail, I couldn't hold anything down - liquids or food. We seem to have found the magic combination of meds and care. Unfortunately I'm on TPN (nightly feedings through my port) while NPO during the day (other than sips of clear liquids for comfort and taking meds). It's not fun, but I'm home! And I'm trying to do as much as I can to regain as much of the strength I lost in hospital. <br />
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DH and I have a move to get ready for. I won't be any help so we will have to have this move done professionally, with the help of friends to box and pack. I feel so helpless - not a feeling I'm comfortable with but one I'm learning to get used to. The hard way. Of course.<br />
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I hope to be able to get some time in sewing room this week ... we'll have to see if I'm up to it. I definitely plan to go to the Ts' swim meet this weekend. Not every single event like in the past, but I will be there! Seeing them swim is one of the things that keeps me going! ;-)<br />
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I hope that whatever you have planned for today includes a little something that brings you joy ... have a great day!<br />
KathyKathy ... aka Nanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17626590048036292030noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5433230603334501738.post-29179813639757309432016-08-31T07:54:00.001-05:002016-08-31T07:55:52.056-05:00A Quick Check-InI'm still taking a blogging break, but I did want to pop in and give you all an update.<br />
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On the 19th, I had my monthly blood draw, and my cancer markers came back high ... Dr. Powell was concerned about the increase and ordered a CT scan last Friday. Yesterday DD, DH and I met with him to discuss the results. As we suspected, the cancer is back ... the good news is that it's early and there isn't a lot of cancer or fluid built up.<br />
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Dr. Powell recommended that I participate in a clinical trial designed for women like me whose cancer came back within 6 months of finishing the first round of chemo. The options in the study include oral meds that target the cancer cells or standard chemo. The treatment I will receive will be chosen randomly. I'll be having several tests over the next week to ensure that I'm healthy enough to participate and establish baseline levels for future labwork. I will be closely monitored and can withdraw if it becomes obvious that the treatment I'm receiving isn't helping. Not to worry, though, as there are still lots of other treatments available.<br />
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We're hoping that we'll still be able to go to Hilton Head as planned next month, but it's already looking like we'll be leaving later than originally planned. Obviously our priority is to get this cancer under control.<br />
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I would really appreciate your prayers that the treatment will be effective and that I'll tolerate the treatment with minimal side effects.<br />
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Sunday afternoon I headed back to my sewing room. If you all remember, I've been debating what to make next. I had so many ideas that I was suffering from "analysis paralysis" ... plus many of my choices would require some stash enhancement (aka a trip to Homestead Hearth). As I was checking Facebook Sunday morning, I saw a granny square quilt that I fell in love with. It was an "aha" moment ... #1 it is a perfect scrappy quilt, so I could use my stash - #2 I have a 2" (finished) square die so cutting my scraps into usable pieces would be easy peasy - #3 it will be perfect for quick and easy chain piecing which will be perfect considering I may not have large blocks of time to spend in the sewing room (what with getting ready to move). I pieced together 3 blocks Sunday afternoon. Here are two of those blocks.<br />
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I hope that whatever you have planned for today includes a little something that brings you joy ... have a great day!<br />
KathyKathy ... aka Nanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17626590048036292030noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5433230603334501738.post-2219535633365594232016-08-28T05:13:00.000-05:002016-08-28T05:13:00.155-05:00Another Blogging Break<p> If you remember, DH and I stayed with DD and her family when I was first diagnosed. It was a little crowded and no one had any real privacy, but we loved being with them and miss being actively involved with them on a daily basis. We've dreamt about finding a large house with a separate in-law suite or cottage (with a little acreage and of course a pool! if we're going to dream, why not dream big - ha!) ... only to realize that we'd need to win the lottery first to be able to afford it. We have managed to find an alternative ... we're going to buy the house right behind DD's house. ;-)</p><p> </p><p>We will be closing at the end of October, which seems like a long time from now, but I think most of you will agree that the time will pass by entirely too quickly. So DH and I will need to get right to work on packing and getting this house ready to sell, as well as planning the improvements and upgrades we'll be making to the new ... unfortunately that won't leave much time for blogging (especially since we are still planning to be in Hilton Head for two weeks next month). Suffice it to say, we're going to be busy as bees. ;-) Once we get moved and settled in, I plan to be back with a full report. </p><p> </p><p>So until then, I hope that whatever you have planned for today includes a little something that brings you joy ... have a great day!</p><p>Kathy</p><p> </p>Kathy ... aka Nanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17626590048036292030noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5433230603334501738.post-52621632436317654212016-08-17T09:25:00.002-05:002016-08-17T09:28:06.952-05:00Trip Report - aka the Best Week of My Life<div style="background-image: url(); background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 12px;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);">I
have to admit that I was a little concerned whether I'd be able to tolerate the drive (12-1/2 hours) and whether I'd be able to enjoy my
time away and whether I'd be able to keep up with everyone else and not
be a burden. Thankfully my concerns were for naught ... I really didn't
have much pain and was able to do whatever I wanted. The only activity
I wasn't able to participate in was the snorkeling ... and only because
I couldn't wear a mask over my glasses and I'm as blind as a bat
without them. ;-)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);">The
beach in the panhandle is absolutely the most beautiful beach I've ever
seen. Unfortunately, it's not the flat, solid beach conducive to
walking (like the beach at Hilton Head). Even so, it was the beach, and
we loved every minute of our time. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);">We
were blessed with beautiful weather the first 7 days ... sunny and warm
in spite of rain in the forecasts. Alas, the rain finally materialized
the final 3 days ... thankfully there was a break in the rain each day
so we could get back out to the beach. </span></div>
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This was our view crossing over to Destin - our first view of water. I was practically giddy with excitement, and this was just the bay. ;-)<br />
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Our view at lunch that first day in Destin.<br />
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The beach at Destin.<br />
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We got to the condo in Navarre Beach an hour before we could check in ... so we spent that hour out on the beach.<br />
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Just minutes after we checked in, we saw this fly-by. This was taken from the balcony of our condo.<br />
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Another pic taken from our balcony. The view was spectacular!<br />
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T#2 and I went for an early-morning walk along the beach and saw a sea turtle nest. Speaking of sea turtles, DD, DSIL and I were out in the water later that morning and saw a sea turtle swim by - no more than 15-20 yards from us. It was spectacular!<br />
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The sun was too far north to get photos of a sunrise or sunset on the Gulf, so this was the best I could do.<br />
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As I mentioned, I couldn't snorkel, but that didn't mean that I didn't see anything while on the boat waiting. That's a jelly fish. Yes, some of our snorkelers were stung, but the stings were minor and alleviated with a spray of vinegar.<br />
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T#4's artwork our final day on the beach.<br />
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<3 <3 <3<br />
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T#4's artwork at dinner our final night.<br />
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DH and I didn't head straight home Saturday morning. We decided to go check out Ft. Pickens and were treated to a show by the Blue Angels (stationed over at Pensacola Naval Air Station, just across Escambia Bay). I got a video which you can view here: https://www.instagram.com/p/BJDklTeDHt9/?taken-by=nana_quilts. <br />
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The shells I found on my walks along the beach.<br />
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Don't forget that you can click on the pictures to see them even better. ;-) <br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);">I
am not exaggerating when I say that this was the best week of my life.
The memories we made are priceless, and I will cherish them the rest of
my life.</span></div>
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I hope that whatever you have planned for today includes a little something that brings you joy ... have a great day!<br />
KathyKathy ... aka Nanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17626590048036292030noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5433230603334501738.post-29100751683870162016-07-31T09:27:00.001-05:002016-07-31T09:27:25.959-05:00Preparation ... <p> That's the mode we're in here at Chez Nana. Preparing for something fun ... a <strong>long</strong> overdue trip to the beach. Not our favorite beach (Hilton Head Island), but we've never been able to say "no" to the beach, any beach. DD and her family and her (step) sister and her family have been trying for almost a year now to get away together to the beach, and they've graciously invited us and their dad and his wife to join them. </p><p> </p><p>Since I've been given a respite from ongoing treatment and since DH and I are, as I said, way overdue for some time at the beach (we had to cancel our two weeks in Hilton Head this last May), we decided to leave early and get in a few more days on the beach. We'll be leaving Tuesday morning, so the last few days have been busy ones ... as will today and tomorrow ... as we prepare for this trip.</p><p> </p><p>Unfortunately that means that there's been no trip to Homestead Hearth (it's over 2 hours one way), so there's not been anything going on in the sewing room. I'm still debating what quilt block to use in my next quilt. I'm not sure that I'm any closer to deciding ... I change my mind every time I think about what block to use. Suffice it to say that I've got 3-4 blocks that are really high up on my list ... I suspect I'll choose whatever is at the top of the list on the day I head to Homestead Hearth. I do plan to take my Martha Washington's Flower Garden project with me ... even if I don't have time to stitch there on the beach, it'll keep me busy during the 12-hour drive there and back. </p><p> </p><p>I also don't know how much time I'll have online ... after all. I've got a lot of beach time to get caught up on, and of course plenty of T time to enjoy as well. But I promise to get you all caught up when we return. </p><p> </p><p>I hope that whatever you have planned for today includes a little something that brings you joy ... have a great day!</p><p>Kathy</p>Kathy ... aka Nanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17626590048036292030noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5433230603334501738.post-66922208970464415992016-07-21T06:28:00.000-05:002016-07-21T06:28:00.140-05:00OK, Maybe It Was a Bit of a Blogging Break<p> My next to last blog post mentioned taking a break ... but not a blogging break. But as it turns out, it really was both. </p><p> </p><p>About a week after I finished up my last chemo, I started to exhibit some symptoms that I initially chalked them up to that last intense chemo treatment. But over time the symptoms have gotten more intense and enough time has passed that I should no longer be experiencing any symptoms of this magnitude, so I've consulted with my oncologist. He and I are working on figuring out what is going on so we can get them resolved. </p><p> </p><p>He moved my CT scan up from the end of the month to last week and moved our follow-up appointment to Tuesday. The good news is that the scan didn't reveal anything that could be causing my symptoms ... the bad news is that the scan didn't reveal anything that could be causing my symptoms. ;-) But there was more good news with the scan - everything looked the way he was expecting. And with my cancer marker staying stable, he doesn't need to see me for 3 months. He's ordered monthly bloodwork between now and October and another scan prior to my visit in October, but other than that, I'm a "free woman" for the next 3 months. </p><p> </p><p>I haven't been doing any quilting since my last post, nor have I made it to Homestead Hearth to get fabric for my next project. I haven't even finalized what block I'll make my next quilt from ... I'm waffling between pinwheel, cake stand, scrap jar star and single wedding ring. Obviously triangles will be an integral part of whatever quilt I make next. </p><p> </p><p>Since my last post, I have been watching the Ts swim ... their last regular season meet was last night, and they finished the season undefeated. League championships will be Saturday ... when it will be in the upper 90s with a heat index of around 110. :-o Gotta love summertime in southwestern Illinois. Ha!</p><p> </p><p>Things should be slowing down next week, so I'm hoping that it will include a road trip to Homestead Hearth and some time back in the sewing room. I've enjoyed a bit of a break from the back-to-back-to-back sewing in May and June and am ready to get back to my needle and thread. </p><p> </p><p>I hope that whatever you have planned for today includes a little something that brings you joy ... have a great day!</p><p>Kathy<br></p>Kathy ... aka Nanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17626590048036292030noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5433230603334501738.post-64262780264656037952016-07-05T05:30:00.000-05:002016-07-05T05:30:02.697-05:00One Lovely Blog Award<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My good friend <a href="https://katyquilts.net/">Katy</a> at <a href="https://katyquilts.net/" title="https://katyquilts.net/">https://katyquilts.net/</a> has nominated me for
the One Lovely Blog Award. Normally, I’m not a fan of blog awards, but I have to
admit that I like memes that allow us to share a few previously unknown facts so
we can get to know each other a little better. So, I’m going to make an
exception and join in.<br />
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Like Katy did, I have pasted the award photo and the
rules directly. Here they are:
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<b>The Rules:</b>
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*Thank the person who nominated you, and give a link to his/her blog.
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*List the rules.
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*Display the image of the award on your post.
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*List seven facts about yourself.
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*Nominate (up to) 15 bloggers for this award, and notify them to let them
know you have nominated them.<br />
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<b>Seven Facts About Me:</b>
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<b>1. </b>I started piecing my very first quilt on January 30,
1982. How do I happen to know the exact date? It just so happens that we had a
blizzard in 1982 that began January 30, 1982. We got 24” of snow. I remember
starting the quilt after dinner when the forecast was for light flurries. The
Blues were playing in Los Angeles that evening, so I was sewing while listening
to the radio broadcast on KMOX, the CBS affiliate in St. Louis. They kept
interrupting the broadcast to announce that the forecast was changing … after
several changes, it became apparent that we were in for a significant snowfall
and that there would be no way that I was going to try to get out to go to
church the next morning. So I kept sewing … and stopped periodically to take a
look at the snow falling.
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<b>2. </b>When I was a child, I wanted to be a groundskeeper at
Busch Stadium when I grew up. I thought it would be a good way to be able to
watch the ball games and get paid. Ha!
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<b>3. </b>I like food that most people don’t: braunschweiger, liver
and onions, oysters on the half shell to name a few. The list of foods I don’t
like is a pretty short one: beets, parsnips, radishes, swordfish, tuna.
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<b>4. </b>I flunked chorus tryouts in junior high … you know, the
ones where they feel obligated to pass you as long as you can carry a tune. I
thought, for some obscure reason, that I’d have a better chance if I sang
soprano. I’ll be honest and say that I couldn’t read music at all back then, so
I couldn’t carry a tune and most likely wouldn’t have passed anyway. But
I couldn’t have failed more convincingly if I had tried.
<br />
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<b>5.</b> I am an anti-pack rat. I save very little and have no
regrets. DH and I have moved about every 8-10 years of our marriage, and my
philosophy on moving is “let’s move as little as possible”. So when it comes
time to pack, I’m ruthless in giving away/throwing away anything that doesn’t
have sentimental or legal value or that I haven’t used/worn since our last
move. DH is, on the other hand, a quintessential pack rat and doesn’t allow me
to pack anything for him. ha!
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<b>6.</b> After listening to my dad replay his round of golf, shot
by shot, to my mom as I was growing up, I swore I wouldn’t marry a man who
played golf. You guessed it … DH enjoys golf. At least he doesn’t regale me
with play-by-play of his rounds.
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<b>7. </b>I’ve worn glasses since I was 8 years old. Prior to
having to wear glasses, I used to dream about wearing glasses, even poking out
the lenses of sunglasses so it looked like I was wearing glasses. Needless to
say, I now dream of not having to wear glasses or contact lenses.
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I’m going to be a rebel and pass on nominating any other bloggers … if anyone
wishes to play along, join in!
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I hope that whatever you have planned for today includes a little something
that brings you joy ... have a great day!
<br />
KathyKathy ... aka Nanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17626590048036292030noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5433230603334501738.post-25241389376259530222016-07-04T06:45:00.001-05:002016-07-04T06:46:19.310-05:00Taking a BreakNo, not from blogging, but from the sewing room. Ha! Seriously, I worked like crazy to finish my Twinkle Twinkle mini Saturday. Alas, I made it take longer than necessary because as I went to trim a random thread, I snipped into a border that I was getting ready to stitch on. Ugh! I had to cut another border piece. No, it doesn't end there! I miscut the second border piece ... too short of course. Double ugh! At least the third time was a charm. I gave it a quick press and laid it out on my design floor just seconds before dinner was ready.<br />
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I see it's not laying nice and flat ... I hope that a good pressing will take care of that because my blocks were trimmed and the sashing and borders were cut per instructions and went on easily. If not, let's hope it'll quilt out. Ha! Regardless, I'm pleased with how it turned out.<br />
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I still haven't decided what to work on next and frankly, once I had semi-tidied back up the sewing room, I just didn't feel like pulling out fabric bins (which is why Twinkle Twinkle fabric is still in the daybed and why the sewing room is only semi-tidied up). So out came my Martha Washington's Flower Garden. If you remember (and if you didn't, I wouldn't blame you because I can't even remember when I last worked on this!), I'm stitching on the connector hexies. Once I get this step done, it'll be time to join together the blocks to form the stars/tumbling blocks. Of course, I need to baste more hexies for the setting blocks ... I have a few leftover from when I began this project but not enough. <br />
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That's how much I got done before calling it a day yesterday. Since I have just two blocks to add connector hexies to (that includes the block I started yesterday - see above), I should be able to get them done today and can lay them out to finalize placement and then start piecing stars/tumbling blocks. Hopefully after a couple of days of hand stitching, I'll have decided what I'm going to work on next.<br />
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I hope that whatever you have planned for today includes a little something that brings you joy ... have a happy Independence Day!<br />
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Kathy<br />
Kathy ... aka Nanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17626590048036292030noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5433230603334501738.post-85116065553906484302016-07-02T09:28:00.001-05:002016-07-02T09:28:46.351-05:00Happy Holiday Weekend!<p> It looks like it's going to be a quiet weekend here at Chez Nana. DD and her family have plans with their friends, so DH and I will be on our own this weekend. And honestly? While I'll miss them, it will be nice to just take it easy this weekend as this last week was a fairly busy one. </p><p> </p><p>I got the results of Monday's bloodwork, and all my counts are good. In fact, my WBC was a little high, but my nurse told me that wasn't unexpected since I'd had the Neulasta injector last week. The great news is that I am free to get out and about as desired ... no more extraordinary precautions. Yay! I will have bloodwork again on Tuesday, but after that, I'm done until later this month when I'll have my scan and meet with Dr. Powell. </p><p> </p><p>More good news, health wise, is that the muscle pain in my legs is resolving ... I was even able to walk a third lap through the neighborhood last night! As recently as Wednesday, I struggled to make one lap. And the sluggishness that I was feeling seems to be resolving as well. Now if I could just get my sleep habits straightened out. </p><p> </p><p>Tuesday and Thursday nights we watched our grands swim. Thursday's meet was especially exciting ... not only did their team continue their unbeaten streak, but they broke 7 team records. And forgive this grandma's bragging, but 3 of those records were broken by my Ts. T#3 broke a long-standing record in the 25-yd breast stroke. </p><div class="separator" style="text-align: center; clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Lw43f4LHOVg/V3fPfefk4hI/AAAAAAAAMgc/EClyEgZOGCo/s2048/Photo%25252020160702092807542.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Lw43f4LHOVg/V3fPfefk4hI/AAAAAAAAMgc/EClyEgZOGCo/s500/Photo%25252020160702092807542.jpg" id="blogsy-1467469724870.1228" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="333"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">T#1 broke his own record in the 50-yd butterfly.</div><div class="separator" style="text-align: center; clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAsq_ZiUyiJcK4XpK02Id-1odvmZGKw8uQUvWoQGYrWXUNvKuWB88RUrO7qcOPb4t5gXI0vAyluO-UjpvANPW4n7nWBZSj-lO0LPS7VCLM2CIlZKIEL72kzItH3bthw7Cd7oZ2v5C0H_k/s2048/Photo%25252020160702092807613.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAsq_ZiUyiJcK4XpK02Id-1odvmZGKw8uQUvWoQGYrWXUNvKuWB88RUrO7qcOPb4t5gXI0vAyluO-UjpvANPW4n7nWBZSj-lO0LPS7VCLM2CIlZKIEL72kzItH3bthw7Cd7oZ2v5C0H_k/s500/Photo%25252020160702092807613.jpg" id="blogsy-1467469724945.5298" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="333"></a></div><p> </p><p> And T#2 helps her relay team break a record in the 200-yd freestyle relay. It was too dark to get a good photo of that event, so here she is swimming the butterfly portion of her 100-yd IM.</p><div class="separator" style="text-align: center; clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FbzmFw9y5KQ/V3fPizwBBvI/AAAAAAAAMgk/_4cQBSFCsK8/s2048/Photo%25252020160702092807680.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FbzmFw9y5KQ/V3fPizwBBvI/AAAAAAAAMgk/_4cQBSFCsK8/s500/Photo%25252020160702092807680.jpg" id="blogsy-1467469724951.7832" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="333"></a></div><p> </p><p>And of course T#4 swam, too. She's got a long ways to go before she'll be even close to breaking any records, but hey, 6 months ago, she couldn't even swim, so we're not complaining. ;-)</p><div class="separator" style="text-align: center; clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yPaA5Nz2TRU/V3fPky1libI/AAAAAAAAMgo/XhoG3ICaEi4/s2048/Photo%25252020160702092807742.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yPaA5Nz2TRU/V3fPky1libI/AAAAAAAAMgo/XhoG3ICaEi4/s500/Photo%25252020160702092807742.jpg" id="blogsy-1467469724960.722" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="333"></a></div><p> Thanks for letting me brag on my grands.</p><p> </p><p>I also spent a couple of days in the sewing room. I was able to get 3 of my Twinkle Twinkle blocks together ... I've trimmed one to 9"x9". </p><div class="separator" style="text-align: center; clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BVqhT-yw-c0/V3fPm9ugzjI/AAAAAAAAMgs/aLrWRxvc8J0/s1928/Photo%25252020160702092807918.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BVqhT-yw-c0/V3fPm9ugzjI/AAAAAAAAMgs/aLrWRxvc8J0/s500/Photo%25252020160702092807918.jpg" id="blogsy-1467469724934.602" class="alignnone" width="500" height="488" alt=""></a></div><p> </p><p>I've got the pieces for the 4th block cut and ready to sew. After I complete that block and trim the last 3, I'll cut out the sashing, cornerstones and borders. It looks like I should get this little mini finished before the weekend is over ... oops, I don't have anything in mind for my next project, let alone pulling fabrics. I still haven't had time to get to Homestead Hearth to get fabric for the cake stand quilt I want to do, and I don't think we'll get there next week either. So, I'll be making another project using my stash. Now, what block do I want to use? Decisions, decisions. </p><p> </p><p>I hope that whatever you have planned for today includes a little something that brings you joy ... have a great weekend!</p><p>Kathy</p><p> </p>Kathy ... aka Nanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17626590048036292030noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5433230603334501738.post-86051323854963504602016-06-28T10:00:00.001-05:002016-06-28T10:00:16.891-05:00Checking Back In<p> I had been having such insignificant side effects from my chemo, that when Dr. Powell wanted to do all three weeks' worth of Taxol last Tuesday, I said "bring it on"! Little did I know that much Taxol at one time would have made such a huge difference. Some severe fatigue kicked in Thursday, but thankfully it passed by Sunday. My energy level is now back to where it was prior to last week's chemo ... nowhere close to what it was prior to my diagnosis, but high enough that for the most part, I'm able to do whatever I'd like. I'd been having some muscle pain in my calves for the last 4-6 weeks, but with the extra doses of Taxol, the pain has gotten pretty intense. I don't let it keep me from my everyday activities, but it certainly does keep me from getting out to walk. I may have to revert back to the more frequent, shorter walks I took right after my surgery ... especially now that we're experiencing more seasonable temperatures. My energy level should continue to increase and my muscle pain should resolve with time. I'm praying for sooner rather than later.</p><p> </p><p>Once my energy level jumped back up, I was able to get back into the sewing room and finished all my Twinkle Twinkle sawtooth blocks. That coin next to the stars is a quarter to give you an idea of size ... the blocks will finish at 3" square.</p><div class="separator" style="text-align: center; clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YmJAvh-RK5k/V3KQ_JT6HFI/AAAAAAAAMfg/KyI1XCqXE-o/s2048/Photo%25252020160628100004784.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YmJAvh-RK5k/V3KQ_JT6HFI/AAAAAAAAMfg/KyI1XCqXE-o/s500/Photo%25252020160628100004784.jpg" id="blogsy-1467126013944.816" class="alignnone" width="500" height="318" alt=""></a></div><p> They're now waiting for me to cut the red setting blocks and piece the top together. My plan for today is to get in there and cut the setting blocks and maybe even get started on the sewing together. Since the weather is going to be so delightful today and since there's another swim meet tonight, that may or may not happen. Ha!</p><p> </p><p>As soon as my WBC and ANC rebound, DH and I will be making that trip to Homestead Hearth. Once I get the sawtooth blocks and setting squares together, it won't take very long before it'll be time for a new project. </p><p> </p><p>I hope that whatever you have planned for today includes a little something that brings you joy ... have a great day!<br></p><p>Kathy</p><p> </p>Kathy ... aka Nanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17626590048036292030noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5433230603334501738.post-29160754781208641992016-06-24T05:17:00.000-05:002016-06-24T05:17:03.461-05:00Back to Normal<p style="text-align: left;">In more ways than one.</p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p>My youngest sister arrived Monday and went with me to my appointment with Dr. Powell Tuesday morning (more on that later). My younger sister (the middle one of the three of us) arrived late Tuesday, swinging past my dad's to bring him down here as well. It was a delightful visit ... we learned (from my youngest sister) how to cook salmon properly. Even DH enjoyed it, which is saying a lot as he was definitely not a fan of salmon (they really don't know how to cook salmon properly here in the Midwest). We also watched our Cardinals sweep the Cubs.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q5hUv04Cm48/V2wyv9ioviI/AAAAAAAAMfE/nMpKLekA0Pg/s2048/Photo%25252020160623140421980.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q5hUv04Cm48/V2wyv9ioviI/AAAAAAAAMfE/nMpKLekA0Pg/s500/Photo%25252020160623140421980.jpg" id="blogsy-1466708681181.0698" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="373"></a></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: justify; clear: both;"><span style="text-align: left;">Kay, the middle sister, me (complete with my post-chemo steroid flush), and Lisa, the youngest sister.</span></div><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">They returned home last night ... perfect timing on this trip because those post-chemo steroids meant another sleepless night, so I'm too tired today to have been much of a hostess. Ha!</p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">Now, as promised: I got a phone call from Dr. Powell's nurse Monday evening with the report that my ANC and WBC were low. He wanted me to go over to Siteman early for a draw Tuesday morning hoping that my counts would bounce back high enough for chemo Tuesday afternoon. But alas, my counts were still too low, and since they've been trending lower each week, it was quite likely that we'd be facing this for the remaining chemos as well. But he had a Plan B to give me the Neulasta on-body injector (to increase production of white blood cells) which would allow me to receive the entire last cycle of chemo that afternoon instead of over the normal 3-week period. Lisa had planned to head back to my house anyway because DH would be able to keep me company during what would have been a 3-hour session (now a 5-hour session because of the increased chemo), so once I started the pre-chemo meds, she headed back. I texted DD who was in class ... her immediate response was that she'd be right there. Granted she had at most only an hour of her 5-hour class session remaining, but she didn't care ... she wasn't going to miss me ringing the bell! I have to tell you, that brought tears to this mama's eyes!</p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">I am to get my blood drawn next week like normal to see how my ANC and WBC are (hopefully back to normal or very close). I'll see Dr. Powell at the end of July, after I have my ct scan. Please be praying that the scan comes back clear. My cancer marker continues to decrease ... down to 8 now. There's no specific goal we're hoping for as the change in the marker is what Dr. Powell is looking for. If the marker decreases or stabilizes in the normal range, that means the chemo is working/has worked. If the marker starts to increase fairly significantly (such as doubling), then that may mean that the cancer is active. Notice I say "may mean" ... the marker is but one tool he will use to monitor me. He will also order periodic scans and keep an eye on any symptoms that may indicate cancer activity. Unfortunately the type of ovarian cancer that I have starts as microscopic seeds that may not be visible even on a scan ... so if scans come back clear and my cancer marker stabilizes and I don't have any symptoms, I'll be considered in remission - with no evidence of disease (NED) - hopefully for a good long time. I told DH that I'm hoping to have another man in my life - Ned (NED). Ha! </p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">I spent Sunday afternoon in the sewing room, where I finished up all my flying geese. Needless to say, with my sisters here, I didn't spend any time in the sewing room until this morning. I cut the center squares for my sawtooth stars and sewed one flying goose unit to each square. I really wanted to get the stars assembled today, but I ran out of energy. Hopefully I'll be able to get a good, restful night's sleep tonight so I can have a more productive day in the sewing room tomorrow.</p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">We picked our first tomato Monday morning ... off our beefsteak plant. There are 3-4 more about the same size,that haven't ripened up yet. Beefsteak tomatoes are supposed to produce nice big tomatoes ... I'm hoping we didn't get a mis-tagged plant. :-o</p><div class="separator" style="text-align: center; clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qEIrWFt9UGs/V2wyyM-1wXI/AAAAAAAAMfM/PpWgKS8Kafk/s2048/Photo%25252020160623140422150.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qEIrWFt9UGs/V2wyyM-1wXI/AAAAAAAAMfM/PpWgKS8Kafk/s500/Photo%25252020160623140422150.jpg" id="blogsy-1466708681202.0537" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p style="text-align: left;"> There will be no BLTs with this tomato! Ha! </p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p>I hope that whatever you have planned for today includes a little something that brings you joy ... have a great day!</p><p>Kathy</p><span style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br></div><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p></span><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p> </p>Kathy ... aka Nanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17626590048036292030noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5433230603334501738.post-9198084487080718522016-06-18T06:20:00.000-05:002016-06-18T09:00:11.280-05:00Wrapping Up Another a Week<br />
It's been another busy week here at Chez Nana. <br />
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Tuesday was Chemo Day ... treatment #21 is now in the books, with just 3 more to go. I'm looking forward to ringing the bell and being a bit of a stranger at the Infusion Center. We finished up at Siteman and made tracks to get to that evening's swim meet just before the first event began. Whew! It was an exciting meet, against the team's arch rival ... the Ts' team won, by a mere 22 points. Papa and I were a little hoarse the next morning. ;-)<br />
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I spent Wednesday morning in the sewing room. I haven't been able to get to Homestead Hearth (and probably won't be able to for another week), so I decided to start a small quilt in the meantime. <br />
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-d5gRsDbeMaI/V2SZLOR0_DI/AAAAAAAAMds/VmddfxZyQmw/s816/Photo%25252020160617194320422.jpg" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="" height="680" id="blogsy-1466210672615.269" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-d5gRsDbeMaI/V2SZLOR0_DI/AAAAAAAAMds/VmddfxZyQmw/s500/Photo%25252020160617194320422.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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Source: http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/quilt-patterns/table-runners/twinkle-twinkle</div>
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This will definitely be a small quilt, finishing at 28" square. I culled my stash and came up with these fabrics</div>
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gqF5YYIvxsc/V2SZNsa7yCI/AAAAAAAAMd0/F3RrERiLQzk/s2048/Photo%25252020160617194320593.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="412" id="blogsy-1466210672597.9224" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gqF5YYIvxsc/V2SZNsa7yCI/AAAAAAAAMd0/F3RrERiLQzk/s500/Photo%25252020160617194320593.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
I'm showing two blacks (bottom row on the right), only one of which will make the cut (pun intended). I got four flying geese units pieced that morning. <br />
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2DxhOfAxkdU/V2SZbOPlVSI/AAAAAAAAMd8/NKqBbLhX3jM/s1421/Photo%25252020160617194425587.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="447" id="blogsy-1466210672565.114" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2DxhOfAxkdU/V2SZbOPlVSI/AAAAAAAAMd8/NKqBbLhX3jM/s500/Photo%25252020160617194425587.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
Remember I said this was going to be a small quilt! ;-)<br />
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I spent Wednesday afternoon at DD's ... best way to spend a hot summer afternoon. And it was hot! My van registered 102 when the Ts and I got in the van to take T#1 to youth group. The rest of the Ts, Papa and I met Daddy at Red Robin for dinner, while Mama stayed home and studied for her Microbiology exam. A day spent doing the things I love and spent with the people I love ... it just doesn't get much better than that! <br />
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Thursday morning I took the Ts to swim practice. It was another scorcher, and I have to admit that I was sorely tempted to jump into the pool myself! ;-) It was a long day with an out-of-town swim meet that evening.<br />
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There was a very short turn-around as I tag teamed DD with the Ts swim practice. She took them to the pool and spent the first hour and a half there ... I spent the last 3 hours there and took them back home. I was so glad I got the second shift because I got to see T#3 teach himself to do a flip off the diving board after practice.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy_G3ltuOHAbfNa6X-7q80a-Kir9vNrDA5ayhdBD23ojH8L9lG2F0plmib-pd0gGye3tP1zMis9ZFojjkLJEg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
(Edited to add: it seems that this video is only viewable on a laptop; it doesn't appear to be viewable on mobile devices ... at least I'm not able to view it when I'm on my iPad. Strange because the video was taken using my iPhone and downloaded it to my laptop from my iCloud ... I really expected it to be viewable from any device. Obviously it must be a Blogger issue. Grrrr)<br />
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The reason DD and I had to tag team practice was because she went to pick up T#2 from equestrian week at church camp. Doesn't this look like a girl who spent a week in her happy place?<br />
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NjArKdzuYpA/V2SZb5kWwtI/AAAAAAAAMeE/pjLC8AcFosY/s960/Photo%25252020160617194425615.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="500" id="blogsy-1466210672614.4104" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NjArKdzuYpA/V2SZb5kWwtI/AAAAAAAAMeE/pjLC8AcFosY/s500/Photo%25252020160617194425615.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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I have to admit that I'm glad there's not a whole lot on the schedule for today. I think a relaxing day in the sewing room is just what I need after a busy week. <br />
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I hope that whatever you have planned for today includes a little something that brings you joy ... have a great day!<br />
KathyKathy ... aka Nanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17626590048036292030noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5433230603334501738.post-27910400332238073792016-06-13T06:23:00.000-05:002016-06-13T06:23:00.162-05:00The Weekend Wrap-Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mI7cW-AlqJA/V14HJ_bt93I/AAAAAAAAMc4/isbBfPur3ek/s130/Photo%25252020160612200644128.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mI7cW-AlqJA/V14HJ_bt93I/AAAAAAAAMc4/isbBfPur3ek/s130/Photo%25252020160612200644128.jpg" id="blogsy-1465780037603.7307" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="130" height="123"></a></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: center; clear: both;"> </div><p> It was a very busy weekend here at Chez Nana.</p><p> </p><p>I had lunch with a dear friend on Friday. We had BBQ, and I had my usual brisket sandwich with sweet potato fries ... and they seemed to be even better than usual. Yum! And of course, the company was absolutely wonderful. And look at the sweet gift she gave me ... just because!</p><div class="separator" style="text-align: center; clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AZKDw0aI9iY/V14HMipJo4I/AAAAAAAAMdA/TIqxcYOyyDg/s827/Photo%25252020160612200644201.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AZKDw0aI9iY/V14HMipJo4I/AAAAAAAAMdA/TIqxcYOyyDg/s500/Photo%25252020160612200644201.jpg" id="blogsy-1465780037593.9966" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="439"></a></div><p> And boy, is it true! </p><p> </p><p>Saturday morning we watched our Ts swim - an intrasquad meet. And once again, T#4 spent refused to participate in the warmups. Once again she claimed the water was too cold (although she swam during practices in Thursday and Friday mornings ... and because it got so warm Friday afternoon, I'm confident that the water was warmer than it had been on Thursday or Friday). Yet when the meet started, she swam like a champ. Obviously that girl's got some issues when it comes to warmups. :-o Thankfully there was plenty of shade and a nice breeze, so it wasn't nearly as uncomfortable as we were expecting given that the high for Saturday was pushing 98. </p><p> </p><p>T#3 broke the team's record for 25-yard free for 7-8 y.o. boys, a record that has stood for 30+ years. It won't "count" because it was an intrasquad "meet", but I'm sure it'll fall before the summer is over. The question is who will be holding the record when the season ends because he and his buddy finish neck and neck in just about every event they swim. After the meet, we had lunch with DD, DSIL and the Ts to celebrate the "broken record". </p><p> </p><p>I spent Sunday afternoon in the sewing room, and I got the top finished! </p><div class="separator" style="text-align: center; clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sSFbO9REpks/V14HQP789uI/AAAAAAAAMdI/fsuLXLg8Z34/s2048/Photo%25252020160612200644353.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sSFbO9REpks/V14HQP789uI/AAAAAAAAMdI/fsuLXLg8Z34/s500/Photo%25252020160612200644353.jpg" id="blogsy-1465780037565.4326" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="349"></a></div><p> When I laid it out for the photo session, I noticed that I pieced the 4th row backwards (upside down?). That resulted in the same fabric in the same "column" (the second block from the left). I'm not happy about that, but I'm not unhappy enough to rip out the row, rotate it and restitch it. Ha! I'm so pleased with how it turned out ... the secondary design is what put this block on my "to-make" list. </p><p> </p><p>We spent Sunday evening watch the Cardinals win and then the first two periods of the Stanley Cup finals.</p><p> </p><p><span style="text-align: center;">T#1 arrived back home late Saturday night, and less than 24 hours later his sister was off to church camp ... equestrian camp. Horses, Jesus, crafts and good friends - you can see why she's got such a big smile on her face.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jffALopKROQ/V14HRA_JXBI/AAAAAAAAMdQ/srych-7mPMI/s960/Photo%25252020160612200644393.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jffALopKROQ/V14HRA_JXBI/AAAAAAAAMdQ/srych-7mPMI/s500/Photo%25252020160612200644393.jpg" id="blogsy-1465780037606.8613" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="419" alt=""></a></div><p> </p><p>Today I will get my weekly blood draw, tidy up the sewing room, and check my stash to see if I can find something suitable for my cake stand quilt. I'm doubting it, since my stash enhancements are usually fat quarters ... but it won't hurt to look.</p><p> </p><p>I hope that whatever you have planned for today includes a little something that brings you joy ... have a great day!</p><p>Kathy</p><p> </p>Kathy ... aka Nanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17626590048036292030noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5433230603334501738.post-91136881434000864802016-06-10T06:00:00.000-05:002016-06-10T06:00:07.803-05:00Welcome to Summer<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;">Once again, Spring was short-lived. It was
only a little over 3 weeks ago that we had lows in the upper 30s. Now our
weekend forecast is for highs near 100. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;">It’s been a fairly busy week here at Chez
Nana. Monday I finished up the last kaleidoscope block and starting piecing
together the blocks into rows. I also spent some time tidying up my sewing
room, putting away the blue fabrics … and have started to think about what I might want to work on next. I think I’ve narrowed it down to a cake stand quilt. <img src="http://blog.shopmartingale.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Cake-Stand-quilt-block.jpg" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;">I am thinking of setting the blocks on point
with alternating blocks, like this:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><img height="300" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/71/93/14/719314e98b5889b2adab8c07511f65e9.jpg" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" />(source: <a href="https://www.cindysantiquequilts.com/" title="https://www.cindysantiquequilts.com/">https://www.cindysantiquequilts.com/</a>)</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;">I’m partial to two-color quilts, so I am
leaning toward white/offwhite and a yet-to-be-determined color. I’d thought about choosing
white for the alternating blocks, but I have to admit that after seeing the quilt above, I like the idea of using a variation of the color for the alternating blocks. I may not have enough yardage to do that, not even for a
smaller quilt, so there may be a road trip to Homestead Hearth in the
not-so-distant future.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;">As you may remember, Tuesdays are chemo days … this week I had treatment #20 in
total, with 4 more to go. Thankfully my WBC and ANC were high enough for
chemo - whew! My treatment was early morning … I was the first patient in
the infusion center. It made for an early morning, but it left enough time in
the day for DD and me to take T#2 shopping for cowgirl boots … she’ll be leaving on
Sunday for horse camp. On our way back home, I asked her if she’d be mucking
out stables … I was feeling quite proud of myself that I used the proper term
“muck out” until she corrected me that she’d be mucking out stalls, not
stables. Oops! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;">I got all my rows pieced by Wednesday
afternoon. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglZTIqU94LZYsQrUZnSg7k84JIzlw6BZbCiJw8UynemqanbJqvIIcSCLow2sfprOv-3_kBrY2dd6KWhgtZTza1syf3eG009C4n8sF1Bhm3jYK5FeThYX6av3N6T6S1sGRlz4bKD60hyHY/s1600/IMG_0799.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglZTIqU94LZYsQrUZnSg7k84JIzlw6BZbCiJw8UynemqanbJqvIIcSCLow2sfprOv-3_kBrY2dd6KWhgtZTza1syf3eG009C4n8sF1Bhm3jYK5FeThYX6av3N6T6S1sGRlz4bKD60hyHY/s320/IMG_0799.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;">I will spare you all a close-up as my points aren't perfect ... there are 6 layers of fabric where the points come together, so trying to get my points all perfect would simply be an exercise in futility ... I'm good with close. I was about ready to start piecing the rows
together when we unexpectedly lost electricity for about an hour.</span>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;">Since it was a nice day, I chose to instead
go out and take a walk about the yard, checking on my flowers. My hydrangea is
surprising me … the last two summers it’s produced a single bloom and barely
survived. This spring it’s already got 3-4 blooms and a dozen buds that are
going to bloom before too much longer. My balloon flowers are budding …
unfortunately only 2 of the 5 plants I planted are still alive. My spirea has
started blooming, my butterfly bush has started to bloom as well, and my hostas are going to be blooming in just a few more
days. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPu5GgaADbZ6xs0Ai7kb-HcBpuLLYTuBAmsWgQ92ciIEZGX6Q6t3VyXLr8vv0yOqowny5FgPqbeRt9HxGVxUEI7zoWepEI4Y9hFBJugV6qJ0POZ_rP19_CcJt5DHqZ4w0uGS7rOXB56wc/s1600/Temp1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPu5GgaADbZ6xs0Ai7kb-HcBpuLLYTuBAmsWgQ92ciIEZGX6Q6t3VyXLr8vv0yOqowny5FgPqbeRt9HxGVxUEI7zoWepEI4Y9hFBJugV6qJ0POZ_rP19_CcJt5DHqZ4w0uGS7rOXB56wc/s400/Temp1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;">T#1’s youth group leader has
been posting pictures of their mission trip on Facebook, which I’ve “borrowed”
to share. The kids have been leading VBS this week … and were able to take in a
Texas Rangers baseball game. I can’t wait to hear all
about it when he gets back. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;">Thursday was a busy day. DD is taking her last nursing pre-requisite this summer, so I've been "drafted" to take the Ts to swim practice on Thursdays. And yes, she really had to twist my arm. ha! It means an early morning get-up, but I was able to catch a quick power nap when I got home this afternoon, which revived me enough to get out for a nice, long walk after dinner. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;">I'm planning to meet a dear friend for lunch ... and to spend the rest of my day in the sewing room. I am ready to start piecing the rows together. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;">I hope that whatever you have planned for today includes a little something that brings you joy ... have a great day!<br />Kathy</span>Kathy ... aka Nanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17626590048036292030noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5433230603334501738.post-35308677532767074812016-06-05T07:30:00.001-05:002016-06-08T16:33:30.616-05:00Catching Up When we last visited, I was getting ready to head over to see my oncologist and to get chemo #7. Dr. Powell is pleased with my recovery, but he was not pleased with my WBC or ANC counts. When I mentioned that I had to have my blood drawn earlier in the week (Friday rather than the usual Monday, thanks to the Memorial Day holiday), he ordered a stat draw, which thankfully came back with levels high enough to permit my chemo as scheduled. Whew! Oh, they're still lower than we'd like, but as long as they're high enough to allow me to remain on track for my chemo, I'm pleased.<br />
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I did get some good news ... my cancer marker as decreased to 10. Normal levels are less then 35 ... and while the marker level doesn't have a precise correlation between the presence (or absence) of cancer, decreasing levels are generally considered to be an indication that the chemo is working. Which is what I am hanging my hat on, so to speak. I'm on track to finish up my chemo on July 5, and Dr. Powell has mentioned ordering a ct scan for early August, when we will be able to see if the chemo is working as well as my cancer markers would seem to indicate. <br />
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Wednesday I spent the day at DD's watching the 3 younger grands so mama could take T#1 to the orthopedist ... so he could get a waterproof cast. Perfect timing as the first meet was Saturday (not that he swam ... but more on that later). It was fun to just hang out after they got back ... things had been so hectic the last 3-4 weeks as DD was finishing up spring semester and then doubling up on the homeschooling to wrap up the school year by Memorial Day. So it was even more special to be able to spend some time with my favorite people. <3<br />
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Thursday was kind of a "lost day" ... I woke up awfully tired and was tired all day long. I listened to my body and just took it easy. I thought I'd be able to spend the day in the sewing room, but after three blocks, I was just too tired to press on. Thankfully I woke up Friday feeling more energetic, and I made up for Thursday's lack of productivity by piecing 6 more blocks. I've only got 8 more blocks to piece, and then I can start to sew these blocks together ... after I arrange the layout (right now I'm just laying the pieces out as I finish them ... I will want to make sure that my fabrics are evenly distributed).<br />
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SmZyUNWyLSU/V1QbSPPIxsI/AAAAAAAAMao/ym4cOS5PqqM/s2048/Photo%25252020160605072947331.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="373" id="blogsy-1465134689426.492" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SmZyUNWyLSU/V1QbSPPIxsI/AAAAAAAAMao/ym4cOS5PqqM/s500/Photo%25252020160605072947331.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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And now for the swim meet I mentioned earlier. It was the first meet of the summer swim season, on a very rainy Saturday morning.<br />
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But more importantly, it was the first swim meet for little T#4. I have to be honest and say that our expectations for her were not very high. After begging over the last year and a half to be allowed to join the team and after working hard to finally be able to swim the length of the pool, she's realized that practices aren't much fun, especially when they take place in an outdoor pool with cold water. I know I asked her several times in the weeks leading up to summer practice if she was ready to practice in the cold water ... she assured me that she was, but needless to say she wasn't! ;-) I had to laugh when talking to one of her coaches who isn't afraid to grab the little ones and "toss" them into the pool if they wouldn't go in on their own (nothing cruel ... he'd grab their hands, lift them up,and slip them into the pool). With tears in her eyes, she would look at Coach Joel and ask him why he was being so mean to her. I don't think she took any solace from his telling her that he had to do the very same thing to T#2 and T#3 (as recently as last summer for #3). When it was time for their team to warm up, sure enough ... she wouldn't get in the water. So Coach Joel picked her up and put her in the water. I'll give #4 credit that she knows that once she's in the water, she isn't allowed to come out until told that she may ... but that doesn't mean that she'll swim. ;-) Sure enough, she spent the warm up session hanging onto the edge of the pool. And when I met her after warmups to wrap her up in her towel, she was whimpering that she didn't want to swim. Nothing Nana said changed her mind. Mama and Daddy tried, too ... to no avail. When she and I walked over to the team tent to get ready for her first event :-o), she wanted to hold my umbrella and mentioned that she wished she had an umbrella of her own. Well, Nana has a mind like a steel trap (ha!) and jumped right on that ... promising her an umbrella if she finished both her events. No, I'm not above a little bribery. Ha! I was surprised, however, when she jumped right on that and agreed. And sure enough, she swam her events ... ok, not all that well, but didn't even get DQd although she came pretty close on her backstroke. So Nana got right on her iPhone and ordered her the rainbow umbrella she picked out.<br />
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Here's our swimmer with her post-event celebratory ring pop. ;-) Noticed the princess cap. <3<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Xg7ZPt-LQ5A/V1QuHc6S7GI/AAAAAAAAMbY/lpzFUJOJmuk/s2048/Photo%25252020160605084832708.jpg" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="" height="604" id="blogsy-1465134689411.5015" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Xg7ZPt-LQ5A/V1QuHc6S7GI/AAAAAAAAMbY/lpzFUJOJmuk/s500/Photo%25252020160605084832708.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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I mentioned earlier than T#1 wasn't swimming at this meet ... he'd left a few hours earlier on a mission trip to Arlington, TX. He left with explicit instructions to record #4's first events ... he and #4 have a particularly close relationship, so he was awfully disappointed to be missing her first meet. ;-)<br />
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The Ts' team did quite well at the meet, with at least one swimmer finishing in the top 3 in most every age group.<br />
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These two boys finished #1 and #2 in the 7-8 y.o. boys - as usual. They are so competitive and push each other to swim harder and faster. Thankfully they're good buddies, so the competition is very good natured. This time T#3 (on the left ... with the goofy grin to try to hide the dark blue lips and gums from his ring pop) finished on top.<br />
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By the time the awards ceremony wrapped up, most swimmers headed home (the meet was held at a pool about an hour and half away plus the event got started over an hour late because of the storms). But we were able to get a photo op of those who stayed until the very end. Notice that the rain had moved out and the sun popped out AFTER the meet was over. <br />
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Today will be another day spent in the sewing room, watching my Cardinals play while I stitch more kaleidoscope blocks. No, I don't expect to get the remaining 8 blocks done today, but I'm hoping to make good progress. And since there's now light at the end of this tunnel, I'm having to start thinking about what I'll work on next. I have a list of quilts that I want to make that is so long that there's no way I'll be able to make them all. ;-)<br />
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I hope that whatever you have planned for today includes a little something that brings you joy ... have a great day!<br />
KathyKathy ... aka Nanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17626590048036292030noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5433230603334501738.post-71912966683944233332016-05-31T05:57:00.000-05:002016-05-31T05:57:01.247-05:00The Long Weekend Wrap-Up<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It was a relaxing, yet productive weekend here at Chez Nana.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms"; font-size: medium;">Saturday started with a trip to the local hospital for my weekly blood draw (which are normally done on Mondays but this week's draw had to be bumped up because the lab was closed for the holiday). Once I got home, I headed straight for the sewing room. I discovered that I can watch movies on my iPad, thanks to my Amazon Prime account. We have a tv in the sewing room, but we're waiting for our IT expert (aka DSIL) to hook it and the DVD player up. And not only that, I discovered that I can watch the Cardinals play while sewing.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Lather. Rinse. Repeat. I spent Sunday and Monday afternoons in the sewing room, watching the Cardinals. A wonderful way to spend a long weekend.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Here's where I stopped Monday afternoon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I am still uncertain how big I want to make this wall hanging. It's going to hang above our bed, which is king sized, so I'm kind of leaning toward 45" square, which would mean I need to make 49 blocks (set 7x7). I've currently got 31 blocks pieced, so if I go with 45" square, I have 18 left to make. I pieced 5 blocks yesterday without breaking my neck, taking breaks to play Word Chums and to chat with DH. So It shouldn't take me too awfully long to finish the remaining 18 blocks.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I hope that whatever you have planned for today includes a little something that brings you joy ... have a great day!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Kathy</span>Kathy ... aka Nanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17626590048036292030noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5433230603334501738.post-79558630339411178512016-05-28T09:47:00.001-05:002016-05-28T10:38:49.856-05:00The Week in ReviewIt's been a busy week here at Chez Nana. <br />
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I had chemo #6 on Tuesday ... I'm now halfway through this round of chemo. As usual, chemo was uneventful. My WBC is down, and while I'm not to the point where I need to be in isolation, I do need to be very careful when out and about. Thankfully we're past the winter season so the likelihood of being exposed to nasty germs is reduced ... I've never been that much of a germaphobe, but I'm turning into one, thanks to cancer. Ha! After we finished up at Siteman, we headed back to the Illinois side of the river to do a little shopping for our master and guest room makeovers (more on that to follow) and grab some lunch.</div>
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Wednesday I finally bit the bullet and cleaned out/organized the closet in the master bedroom. It was long overdue, and I have to admit that seeing it decluttered and organized makes me smile. We watched the Blues wrap up their 2015-2016 season in disappointing fashion. :-( I might feel less disappointed if my Cardinals were playing better. </div>
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I spent Thursday pressing the bedskirts and curtains and with DH's help, I set up the master and guest room. </div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The quilt I'm currently working on will go on the wall above our bed. And this is on another wall. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">My sister sent me this ... just because. I love it! And it's perfect as the goal of the aforementioned makeovers is to give our house more of a beachy feel.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Friday I finally got back into the sewing room and was able to get a couple more blocks finished.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> I had to stop after two blocks, as we joined 4 other neighborhood couples for dinner. </span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Thankfully I have everything caught up so I can spend this holiday weekend in the sewing room ... after I go get my weekly blood draw. I normally get the draw on Monday before chemo on Tuesday, but the lab is closed on Monday for the holiday. So Saturday it is.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Wishing you all a wonderful Memorial Day weekend.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Kathy</span></div>
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Kathy ... aka Nanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17626590048036292030noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5433230603334501738.post-84588049582855029982016-05-22T19:10:00.001-05:002016-05-23T07:49:05.407-05:00The Rest of the Weekend<div><br></div><div>I promised a picture of my haul from my trip to my not-so-local quilt shop. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimqVEE0WqQzAdrL5URINzSR-k-lN_sSnPta3oDr3oi5KrBKgl6pusge4Vsu31DWtBOmkPeyVIwBvSQgDyDVW955ZmnUPzR_gVzgXWPWp3-lLEt2ki6lpTcEf-5mg0avNSV0NT6QDFvqJo/s640/blogger-image--2068416498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimqVEE0WqQzAdrL5URINzSR-k-lN_sSnPta3oDr3oi5KrBKgl6pusge4Vsu31DWtBOmkPeyVIwBvSQgDyDVW955ZmnUPzR_gVzgXWPWp3-lLEt2ki6lpTcEf-5mg0avNSV0NT6QDFvqJo/s640/blogger-image--2068416498.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The red will be backing for my two tumbler quilts. The blue on the bottom will be incorporated into my kaleidoscope quilt, and the blue stripe came home with me because I just loved it too much to leave it behind. And the charm pack will come in handy as I am going to need to make some partial blocks for my Martha Washington's Flower Garden, which is made from Kansas Troubles fabrics. And of course, let's not forget the Kona Snow which is what prompted the trip to the quilt shop in the first place. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I spent most of Saturday in the sewing room. I was able to avoid any more unstitching by writing the colors on the papers so I could keep track of what colors went where. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMhrQ5HcGBtCANguu5ZA6xONdOVSKmI0-_jnM5zVr5iwUAb5OYMuCTsu1Mul83fNUo_vFDP4z_2XFjEE9xNPfiPo3abV0SrGdHT0P5trCQ9Sof3e-kDIMF9QJjOheRe7C1yvVVx0Zk4bI/s640/blogger-image--1424984156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMhrQ5HcGBtCANguu5ZA6xONdOVSKmI0-_jnM5zVr5iwUAb5OYMuCTsu1Mul83fNUo_vFDP4z_2XFjEE9xNPfiPo3abV0SrGdHT0P5trCQ9Sof3e-kDIMF9QJjOheRe7C1yvVVx0Zk4bI/s640/blogger-image--1424984156.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There's that blue I picked up on Friday. </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I got 7 more blocks finished ... 9 down and several more to go.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhue2-H-wcBbxFCPHoXIdguJQp5FMS7U3MUtXrBfwqi1A942x_eNTrzn4SY5dl59JebdEpZf0XKFX0PsXzLNrHlvVFXAxb4jimLE2POeotC1yLm9OoKLfWKVUi1l8tDJsX-vkeQJwKO99w/s640/blogger-image-1044212862.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhue2-H-wcBbxFCPHoXIdguJQp5FMS7U3MUtXrBfwqi1A942x_eNTrzn4SY5dl59JebdEpZf0XKFX0PsXzLNrHlvVFXAxb4jimLE2POeotC1yLm9OoKLfWKVUi1l8tDJsX-vkeQJwKO99w/s640/blogger-image-1044212862.jpg"></a><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Paper piecing takes longer (for me anyway), but I enjoy that method of piecing. It produces sharp points ... although I'll confess that my center points aren't always perfect, but considering that 6 seams converge at the centers, I can live with a little less than perfect. From a normal viewing distance, they are definitely acceptable to me. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Those additional pieces were pieced on Saturday. Sunday was filled with church, shopping, lunch, laundry, swapping out the towels and shower curtain in the hall bath and getting out for a walk and to just enjoy the fabulous weather.</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj42CTlw6JC2YbVXD_1F_i5EPt-YMnzoZoZJrVlikO0OD28NPaaAMiMI6a70F6lpi-k2_QsbrdDdHsGB86IweXsd8tAifvpcyPyyuTMXRPFyAxoMEi2JqljGRcmcjo1u2pkhSPKGU7m5gU/s640/blogger-image--1565343178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj42CTlw6JC2YbVXD_1F_i5EPt-YMnzoZoZJrVlikO0OD28NPaaAMiMI6a70F6lpi-k2_QsbrdDdHsGB86IweXsd8tAifvpcyPyyuTMXRPFyAxoMEi2JqljGRcmcjo1u2pkhSPKGU7m5gU/s640/blogger-image--1565343178.jpg"></a></div>(For those who are OCD like me, that's a searsucker shower curtain, not one that needs to see an iron - ha!). By the time I was finished with all that, I was too tired to do anything other than watch the Penguins vs Lightning.</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">It was a productive yet relaxing weekend ... and I'm planning on continuing with that theme through the week as well. </font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I hope that whatever you have planned for today includes a little something that brings you joy ... have a great day!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Kathy</span></div></div></div>Kathy ... aka Nanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17626590048036292030noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5433230603334501738.post-12972975000676458712016-05-21T06:30:00.000-05:002016-05-21T06:30:27.327-05:00Fun Times in the Sewing RoomI decided to head on over to the quilt shop yesterday morning. Of course, I came home with more than just the white I went for ... I didn't get a photo of my haul ... I'll share a picture next time. <br />
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I was able to quickly piece two blocks.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8BnUTgeQA78nS3rAH55YauqFLxUqhdpvW8MuBuN8y6gOoMy4u885lIAQQ0HU6ZSbwijJaJBW8K5t3CKm6QEBUe9U2WKJsPrKVhyphenhyphenHaJFvqyg-L4plTJEHRlqfA4FxeFsf8tR3nzXW7Pqk/s640/blogger-image-1626181697.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8BnUTgeQA78nS3rAH55YauqFLxUqhdpvW8MuBuN8y6gOoMy4u885lIAQQ0HU6ZSbwijJaJBW8K5t3CKm6QEBUe9U2WKJsPrKVhyphenhyphenHaJFvqyg-L4plTJEHRlqfA4FxeFsf8tR3nzXW7Pqk/s640/blogger-image-1626181697.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFcPpZpEznQnaEcOelFCCxicBosMilyqjkBreiLYJqkGxtN6OgL3B0tr0yGYgms6mDckCs4HKAKZW-W_vTIch2hdMoLjEjqN4o63CvC6naNrxorLflPIaPGazdnhYXtjPmUU6LoN5U6w/s640/blogger-image-1301974299.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFcPpZpEznQnaEcOelFCCxicBosMilyqjkBreiLYJqkGxtN6OgL3B0tr0yGYgms6mDckCs4HKAKZW-W_vTIch2hdMoLjEjqN4o63CvC6naNrxorLflPIaPGazdnhYXtjPmUU6LoN5U6w/s640/blogger-image-1301974299.jpg" /></a></div>
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Just about the time I thought this quilt would come together quickly and easily, block 3 gave me a lesson in humility. <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">I had to unstitch and restitch the final seam twice before I could get the pieces to line up satisfactorily. I had just enough time to give the block a nice press before DH brought dinner in from the grill. Oops!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Obviously I correctly pieced the right half ... but </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">reverted to the color layout of blocks 2 and 3 when piecing the left half. :-o</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Hopefully I'll be a little more alert tomorrow when I head back into the sewing room.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Here's my inspiration quilt:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL48UEQj48hAIXbpuhiC6q0EE-Hy6FpE3O091-1kGC9Qj58wtRYiAeXjK0KRhS1RktvLYTRkHtc1JkckvPLUic4rob65CCeiOxiLfT95FnLcAJh65P8nccdJWYwF3WX6ye0N306Rsx-Fs/s640/blogger-image--713143484.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL48UEQj48hAIXbpuhiC6q0EE-Hy6FpE3O091-1kGC9Qj58wtRYiAeXjK0KRhS1RktvLYTRkHtc1JkckvPLUic4rob65CCeiOxiLfT95FnLcAJh65P8nccdJWYwF3WX6ye0N306Rsx-Fs/s640/blogger-image--713143484.jpg" /></a></div>
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I wish I could cite the source for this image. I pinned this quite a while ago but the previous pinner pinned to the image rather than the original website ... I didn't realize it until just now when I wanted to give proper credit. Don't you just love the secondary design created? </div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">hope that whatever you have planned for today includes a little something that brings you joy ... have a great day!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Kathy</span></div>
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Kathy ... aka Nanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17626590048036292030noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5433230603334501738.post-82658458704370343502016-05-19T16:55:00.001-05:002016-05-20T06:48:56.537-05:00Best Laid Plans ...Monday, after my blood draw, DH and I planned to go shopping for fabric for my next project ... only to discover, after pulling up to the shop, that it's closed on Mondays. :-o <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We knew that we wouldn't be able to go on Tuesday (chemo day), so our plan was to go over on Wednesday. Alas, that didn't happen because of this:</span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMupNI__9aOD4MsB_zyz8xNKku7SQUunlLnYFvuxlzyWgn0FgGIznGbkI0J3QW-Ih4Ug91gWd-3NLvKZNpIr_ZAglN29hBfg2Emicyu76WRvS13ro6M4TchQfh9cRygGT5ZGiFBo-wmjE/s640/blogger-image-185968873.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMupNI__9aOD4MsB_zyz8xNKku7SQUunlLnYFvuxlzyWgn0FgGIznGbkI0J3QW-Ih4Ug91gWd-3NLvKZNpIr_ZAglN29hBfg2Emicyu76WRvS13ro6M4TchQfh9cRygGT5ZGiFBo-wmjE/s640/blogger-image-185968873.jpg"></a></div>That's T#1, with a broken finger. :-o He was playing a "homemade" handball game in the basement with T#2 and T#3, and in an effort to reach the ball before his siblings did, his hand hit the space heater. I got a phone call to come watch the other Ts while DD took him to Children's Hospital, where X-rays revealed a break. They're hoping that he'll be able to switch to a removable cast in a couple of weeks so he will be able to swim this summer, but in the meantime he chose a cast in the color of his summer swim team - Splash red. If you remember, T#2 broke her arm May 2015 ... I think the Ts need to be put in a bubble during the month of May from now on. ;-)</div><div><br></div><div>I wasn't able to go fabric shopping Thursday either ... I had a long-overdue lunch date with an old friend. I'm not sure we'll be able to make the trip today as DH has an appointment with his audiologist just after lunch ... Saturday perhaps? </div><div><br></div><div>At least I was able to spend a little time in my sewing room Thursday afternoon ... I was able to get a start on block #12 of my pineapple quilt. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja-A46rmgZtqWuxLcusuMZLYr4erRWXfC7ZCXBn2Hz1mliqWSdfF3NflpUmIOEtyqYWkbitXiBGyGWk1o3Xqs8VNfTy2Vnu3mplCKYv5ZE1I6M-YEGR9XkePjDv1pD-HN11LHp3VuoMG8/s640/blogger-image-1796238052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja-A46rmgZtqWuxLcusuMZLYr4erRWXfC7ZCXBn2Hz1mliqWSdfF3NflpUmIOEtyqYWkbitXiBGyGWk1o3Xqs8VNfTy2Vnu3mplCKYv5ZE1I6M-YEGR9XkePjDv1pD-HN11LHp3VuoMG8/s640/blogger-image-1796238052.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>After dinner Thursday evening, DH and I checked out our garden. Look! We've got tomatoes ... ok, they're tiny and green, but hopefully they'll soon be big and red. #BLT</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbREdMyTT7-7yICOwPoOrEJtkIKozPrt59zme5VWMWIw3l7rQRT7rYozzUhNNIRwKlz8sZs46kTG2JveweWWuwYcaVKh6dE7OmM2oVG1vnOj0rJhGPmHpn9mAAWo1cqo-mlsRSOjWDj48/s640/blogger-image-1104286563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbREdMyTT7-7yICOwPoOrEJtkIKozPrt59zme5VWMWIw3l7rQRT7rYozzUhNNIRwKlz8sZs46kTG2JveweWWuwYcaVKh6dE7OmM2oVG1vnOj0rJhGPmHpn9mAAWo1cqo-mlsRSOjWDj48/s640/blogger-image-1104286563.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals was last night. There seems to be a trend here, and I for one am not pleased. </div><div><br></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I hope that whatever you have planned for today includes a little something that brings you joy ... have a great day!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Kathy</span></div></div>Kathy ... aka Nanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17626590048036292030noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5433230603334501738.post-19043252493527441392016-05-18T04:34:00.002-05:002016-05-18T04:34:56.666-05:00Wednesday Hodgepodge<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I haven't participated in a Wednesday Hodgepodge in such a long time, and I just felt like this week might be the week to get back to it. ;-) When you're done here, why not head over (just click on the button below) and see what everyone else has to say.</span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">1. Tell us about a time you found yourself 'in the middle of nowhere'. Was this deliberate?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I felt like we were "in the middle of nowhere" when we drove along the Blue Ridge Mountains last August. And given our lack of cell service, I'd have to say we probably really were "in the middle of nowhere". </span></span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">2. What's something you're 'in the middle of' today or this week? </span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I'm almost in the middle of my post-surgical chemo treatments. I had #5 yesterday with 7 more to go ... close enough to the middle to count as far as I'm concerned. Ha!</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">3. At what age do you think 'middle age' begins? What does it mean to be 'middle aged'? </span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I'd have to say that I think that "middle age" starts at 50. At 65, those who are in their 40s are still young ones. After all, I can't possibly be the mama of a middle-aged woman, now can I? Ha!</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">4. Ravioli, stuffed peppers, samosas, deviled eggs, steamed dumplings, pierogis, or a jelly donut...your favorite food (<i>from this list!)</i> with something yummy in the middle. Your favorite not on the list? </span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">My favorite on that would be ravioli - of the toasted variety. Yum! My favorite not on the list? Tortellini. Oh yes, I'll admit that I have a fondness for pasta. ;-) </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5EgPv__3Zhyg9YCHm_mbZ0cJIlS_7GMQZPdkd-uOLJgZucQm-eBmjKKuA-PZ-dhwEeh__4_HoA7v9TLU9v-JKgYUil9IMyc3JHDXK7H7CTGiU1y66YjifdPRbiCkMlsFnefGnECEAZxk/s1600/Tortellini.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5EgPv__3Zhyg9YCHm_mbZ0cJIlS_7GMQZPdkd-uOLJgZucQm-eBmjKKuA-PZ-dhwEeh__4_HoA7v9TLU9v-JKgYUil9IMyc3JHDXK7H7CTGiU1y66YjifdPRbiCkMlsFnefGnECEAZxk/s400/Tortellini.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">5. Albert Einstein is quoted as saying<i> ''In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.'</i>Would you agree? Have you found this to be true in your own life? Feel free to elaborate. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Oh definitely. I'm certainly "in the middle of difficulty" and I think this difficult period is an opportunity to show that a positive attitude can make a difficult journey much easier to travel - and certainly more enjoyable. Not to mention that it gives me the opportunity to share where my hope comes from.</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">6. What's a song you remember loving from your middle school years? Do you love it still? </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We didn't have Middle School in the small town where I grew up (they still don't), so I picked a song from my Junior High School years: She Loves You by the Beatles. I still love it ... it's a classic. </span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">7. May 18th is National Visit Your Relatives Day. Will you celebrate? Which relative would you visit if time, distance, and expense were not considered. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I'd visit my sister Lisa who lives in Austin. Because she lives so far away, I don't get to see her as often as I might like. And she's not that far from the beach - Galveston or Padre Island, so you know where we'd be going after our visit. Ha!</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">8. Insert your own random thought here. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It's downright cold here ... our furnace ran all day/night Tuesday and is still running this morning. Ugh! I can deal with the rain - I'm ready for the rains to be done, but it is spring (or at least it's supposed to be spring). But this cold weather is just awful. The good news is that it's supposed to warm up, starting this afternoon. Should be delightful by the weekend.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Game 2 of the Western Conference was played last night. That's all I want to say about that. :-(</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">My phone "died" again Monday </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">night. It happened about 3 weeks ago, and I was able to get it up and running after spending a couple of hours hassling with it. I decided then that if my efforts weren't permanent, I'd not go through all that hassle again. So it's time to get a new phone! It turns out that the problem was battery related (not the same problem as earlier). But I can't use a phone with a battery that can't hold a charge, so a new phone was the right thing to do. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Yes, I know that more than one random thought. Oh well, it's not my fault I have a lot to say today. Ha!</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">I hope that whatever you have planned for today includes a little something that brings you joy ... have a great day!<br />Kathy </span></span></div>
Kathy ... aka Nanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17626590048036292030noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5433230603334501738.post-90363132382446429602016-05-16T09:09:00.002-05:002016-05-16T09:10:52.123-05:00The Weekend Wrap-Up
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<img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jd7JvKaP7g8/USIu5hEy5qI/AAAAAAAAE9E/lV_sVRu2cag/Weekend%252520Wrap%252520Up_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">I’d have to say that it’s time for a Weekend
Wrap-Up. </span>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">The weekend got off to a busy and productive start
with the semi-annual one-day retreat. I was humbled by the enthusiastic
greeting I received from my retreat and guild friends. The next quilt on my
must-make list is a two-color blue-and-white kaleidoscope quilt. I had thought
about starting it during the retreat, but it would have helped had I actually
done more than think about it ... I knew that I have plenty of reproduction
blues but alas, I didn't have enough of a suitable white nor of the purer blues
I’m hoping to use. I’m planning to hang this quilt above our bed and am trying
to incorporate more of a beachy feel to our décor, so I’m going to go with purer
blues and white, none of which I have enough of in my stash. (Yes, I have some
shopping to do today – woo hoo!) So instead I worked on what has been my
retreat project for at least a couple of years now, my indigo/neutral
pineapple. I got almost 4 blocks pieced ... I had one block about 1/3 done, I
pieces two complete blocks, and I got a good start on a 4th block. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgELV3X5-2jpOQ5xwo2PXRPALGiFlwhW33OVKAXJCByK6qQIX01cKlrKauJmT5rlLQAE39b3myiRLXVk9YBXE_Ed_8apb_C5-NdUC8De1-tgKUW2j-mULBtSVcy7C_znVcJYcfLYEs8CUs/s1600/IMG_2688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgELV3X5-2jpOQ5xwo2PXRPALGiFlwhW33OVKAXJCByK6qQIX01cKlrKauJmT5rlLQAE39b3myiRLXVk9YBXE_Ed_8apb_C5-NdUC8De1-tgKUW2j-mULBtSVcy7C_znVcJYcfLYEs8CUs/s320/IMG_2688.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">Lest that seem like I was slacking, those are almost
14" blocks. I should have, if I recall correctly, a total of 10 finished
blocks.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKI6cRNhgmiR5SMUmby76Pd4k_t8mlTrF8Mi3UxGUSAyRMDzLROovjLx4dqw9pTY6QokS19z6Rg5pegKzSm2dBigDcu4tK4R7ilorgiyvBVEieYqNpLpmr53KZ4IAFkWDATuYTQKbqGco/s1600/IMG_4369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKI6cRNhgmiR5SMUmby76Pd4k_t8mlTrF8Mi3UxGUSAyRMDzLROovjLx4dqw9pTY6QokS19z6Rg5pegKzSm2dBigDcu4tK4R7ilorgiyvBVEieYqNpLpmr53KZ4IAFkWDATuYTQKbqGco/s320/IMG_4369.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">
These are a few finishes … the one on the left is
quilted and bound while the two on the right are just at the
flimsie stage. Unfortunately I failed to make note of whose quilts these were.
The retreat went until at least 9:00, but around 5:00 I started to tire. I did
manage to stick around for another couple of hours (a girls' gotta have dinner,
right? - especially when it includes Italian cream cake for dessert!). Needless
to say, I was exhausted when I got home and slept really well that
evening.</span>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">Saturday was a slower day ... which is just what I
needed after an exhausting Friday. I managed to do some tidying up around the
house, got caught up on our financial recordkeeping, supervised DSIL’s setting
up our new TV, and had some fun with T#3 and #4 while the rest of the family
went to the movies with friends. </span>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">Sunday was a fairly slow day as well. I finally
got around to pressing the bedskirt for the new daybed bedding set … when we
moved in, I couldn’t find a daybed bedding set that I liked at all, so I
“settled” for standard twin-sized bedding. It didn’t take long before I
realized that it wasn’t really working and that I didn’t even care all that much
for the bedding set I’d chosen.
</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">I also finished putting away my supplies from
Friday’s retreat and spent some time working on my ongoing hexie project (this
and that pineapple project feel like they’re never going to get done - ha!).</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPRG3Vhx7K8bWP6B2HIT-wZvFJImgUbB0gY7vU6L8FmL00eLJhy9tRGpsJBFSe7zPbl3Vr3IxhNjR5l3jlhjBHqWalvgVeCd-lu_9CkPTliM-KVowfHumB48PnmoSM1SqS2KhKvo220to/s1600/IMG_0702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPRG3Vhx7K8bWP6B2HIT-wZvFJImgUbB0gY7vU6L8FmL00eLJhy9tRGpsJBFSe7zPbl3Vr3IxhNjR5l3jlhjBHqWalvgVeCd-lu_9CkPTliM-KVowfHumB48PnmoSM1SqS2KhKvo220to/s320/IMG_0702.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">(Pay no attention to
that “old lady hand”. Ugh) While it wasn’t nearly as warm as I would have
liked, I did get outside for a walkabout … and I noticed that my hydrangea not
only has a good number of buds, it’s actually started blooming! </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2hFr2uKq3cITo0_mQebbt5HE5FGFyQrPr8uwgn79MpYZIpQWHHeU4Xxs0QCmBWpd3AUBMdakPufLxg7HSLbYrQ5Sgb9fZwkoBEynJg2-VUBXEF3KBDTNt1nXlAVRP1nm3muw1tO0kOoM/s1600/IMG_4373-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2hFr2uKq3cITo0_mQebbt5HE5FGFyQrPr8uwgn79MpYZIpQWHHeU4Xxs0QCmBWpd3AUBMdakPufLxg7HSLbYrQ5Sgb9fZwkoBEynJg2-VUBXEF3KBDTNt1nXlAVRP1nm3muw1tO0kOoM/s320/IMG_4373-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">
</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">That light green
flower in the center is the flower just opening … this hydrangea blooms white,
so the flowers appear to be a very light green when they first open. You can
also see lots of little buds above and slightly to the left of the flower. My
iris are also blooming.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9elyx6xk7iclDbgg_tFzMXM3aCAUZ2z02BPiDTNIL472P7_WZeljixegPwsfJd85pbajtTZuSeMfc9YQhK-Doc_kgIHewblOADf5udRTT9JqvZX2ymTGZxddSGKceYITKlNeCl-Vysro/s1600/IMG_4376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9elyx6xk7iclDbgg_tFzMXM3aCAUZ2z02BPiDTNIL472P7_WZeljixegPwsfJd85pbajtTZuSeMfc9YQhK-Doc_kgIHewblOADf5udRTT9JqvZX2ymTGZxddSGKceYITKlNeCl-Vysro/s320/IMG_4376.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">My azaleas are still
blooming, too. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6x1bLq1Y7r6RVlvdXyWAcPCqfVXg7C-3hpkQTo2XA8_FVVWd-ry_RRT5QK-TfxkenK2Z3yHuHO-ZtnK3_r8cPPuBpwfWIRLjwSSSkPNwlR7wAT3DYyiQY2h0-idxulyUGPYUhqfWE9gg/s1600/IMG_0695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6x1bLq1Y7r6RVlvdXyWAcPCqfVXg7C-3hpkQTo2XA8_FVVWd-ry_RRT5QK-TfxkenK2Z3yHuHO-ZtnK3_r8cPPuBpwfWIRLjwSSSkPNwlR7wAT3DYyiQY2h0-idxulyUGPYUhqfWE9gg/s320/IMG_0695.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Our garden is doing fairly well. Our tomatoes are
doing well, in spite of the colder weather we had over the weekend. Our lettuce
will be ready to pick in a few more days. Alas, like last spring, our green
beans (the few that sprouted - grrr) seem
to have been a tasty meal for some critter. We haven’t seen any signs of the
raccoons that feasted on them last spring, so I’m wondering if it was the
rabbits. DH replanted more green beans … and I was finally able to persuade DH
to plant some cucumbers. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">And of course, the most important part of the
weekend was watching the Blues win Game 1 of the conference finals. Let’s go
Blues!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">I hope that whatever you have planned for today
includes a little something that brings you joy ... have a great
day!<br />Kathy</span>Kathy ... aka Nanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17626590048036292030noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5433230603334501738.post-65979540772377692682016-05-11T06:30:00.000-05:002016-05-11T06:30:27.996-05:00An UpdateI know ... blogging four days in a row? Don't hold your breath waiting for this to become a regular thing. Ha!<br />
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Anyway, today we met with Dr. Powell. He continues to be pleased with how well I'm recovering. The best news of the day: my cancer marker is down to 15. Yes, 15! Less than 35 is considered "normal", and mine was 1,441 back in early December. And it's 15 now! Granted, the cancer marker level is not the only indicator of just what is going on, but it is a good indicator of how well the chemo is working. </div>
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He confirmed that we'll do a total of 8 sessions (12 weeks); we did 4 prior to surgery and will do 4 after. He also wants to me to have a CT scan in a month. <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">He assured DH and me that we should be good to go on our trip to Hilton Head in September ... which was great news as we had ro cancel our May trip. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">After we met with Dr. Powell, it was time for chemo ... I'm now 1/3 of the way through my 6th session. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">My WBC is getting low, so I need to choose wisely and be extra careful when getting out and about; the good news is that it's spring so hopefully all the nasty bugs are history. It was a long day ... we got there at 9:30 and left a little after 3:00. Needless to say, I took it easy the rest of the day. </span></div>
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Thank you all so much for your prayers, encouragement and support ... all that means so very much to me, and I definitely believes it makes a difference.</div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I hope that whatever you have planned for today includes a little something that brings you joy ... have a great day!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Kathy</span></div>
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Kathy ... aka Nanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17626590048036292030noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5433230603334501738.post-92109916531243350762016-05-10T06:32:00.001-05:002016-05-10T06:32:59.634-05:00Survey Time!I DID finish the signature quilt yesterday afternoon. Woo hoo! <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdvQqluesP_y0OQp_I8sieUrhmW-rDJLKLi7jYfDYBn_lcHOrNBZu41pBdwTSOhd5TlA4zf9D2zyeIXjBR67DC3bzBPqT9WfTvD3uftEsqwiONB2Okvd0pi4CNYUmsQYYY_53KMgpRemU/s640/blogger-image-266260190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdvQqluesP_y0OQp_I8sieUrhmW-rDJLKLi7jYfDYBn_lcHOrNBZu41pBdwTSOhd5TlA4zf9D2zyeIXjBR67DC3bzBPqT9WfTvD3uftEsqwiONB2Okvd0pi4CNYUmsQYYY_53KMgpRemU/s640/blogger-image-266260190.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Except now I'm feeling like this quilt needs borders? Isn't it funny how what we envision in our minds doesn't always look as good as it did in our minds? Or is that just me? ;-)</div><div><br></div><div>My first thought was <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">a narrow inner border in the cheddar with a wider outer border in black. I auditioned those fabrics, and I wasn't pleased with how it looked with the sashing and cornerstones on the outer edges. So my next thought was to remove those outer sashes and cornerstones and add the borders. I really don't want to do all that frog stitching, but I'm feeling like the quilt is calling for the borders. Here is the audition (although I'm thinking of a 5" outer border instead of 3"?). </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4MT4KyAI7M_zc87t03iF9NzYFu4CeiX1Q_Dd_Cr2v09QpevyOefHsVFdyi1lqnHyQjPX5GLIumu6qGcNFw-AED62jKziqTcG1ASqVhGYEZPO1pgeThZ1YAFlL8D99HfDe2mqPq7LQQJg/s640/blogger-image--139911105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4MT4KyAI7M_zc87t03iF9NzYFu4CeiX1Q_Dd_Cr2v09QpevyOefHsVFdyi1lqnHyQjPX5GLIumu6qGcNFw-AED62jKziqTcG1ASqVhGYEZPO1pgeThZ1YAFlL8D99HfDe2mqPq7LQQJg/s640/blogger-image--139911105.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>And that's where you all come in ... I would like your opinions. Leave the quilt as is or add borders? </div><div><br></div><div>Thanks, everyone, for your advice! ;-)</div><div><br></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">hope that whatever you have planned for today includes a little something that brings you joy ... have a great day!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Kathy</span></div>Kathy ... aka Nanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17626590048036292030noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5433230603334501738.post-85689479922797811842016-05-09T10:43:00.001-05:002016-05-09T11:04:03.140-05:00It's Going to Be a Marvelous Monday!But then, every day is marvelous! Seriously, today is going to be a marvelous day. While we've got rain in the forecast, there should be a break in the storms that'll allow me to get out and walk. And while it is raining? A perfect "excuse" to get into the sewing room and sew. <div><br></div><div>Speaking of sewing, I got the sashings cut and sewn into sashing/cornerstone rows and got the first row of blocks finished yesterday. And I am so thrilled with how they turned out! <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVylf1Z89jm44vWOuL2ldxhLRG486MQE10NvD_w-tQSkjaFlXayryHVhpJGMetbTnVpjfBjHY9WMB6yrlnUeFMmtJGq9upcZSMoi1VGGkJQmSA-RfPwixjqV1oeVr6rzYwEntvkba2jk/s640/blogger-image-1175048965.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVylf1Z89jm44vWOuL2ldxhLRG486MQE10NvD_w-tQSkjaFlXayryHVhpJGMetbTnVpjfBjHY9WMB6yrlnUeFMmtJGq9upcZSMoi1VGGkJQmSA-RfPwixjqV1oeVr6rzYwEntvkba2jk/s640/blogger-image-1175048965.jpg"></a></div>I wish I could take credit for the choice of black sashing, but I have to credit the clerk at Homestead Hearth who helped me when we visited there, looking for sashing fabric. I didn't have a clue what color to choose ... it was a bit of a leap of faith to agree to her selections, but I'm so glad that I did. I'm hoping to get the rest of the top finished today, but that's pretty optimistic. There's no reason, though, why I cannot get it done before my one-day retreat on Friday. And I'm already thinking about what to work on next. ;-) And thanks to Jeanne, I now have a "design wall" ... no more design floor. I ordered <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> a Fons and Porter design sheet ... I just need to ask DH to get out the ladder and get some nails hammered in the wall space above my closet door (which will be perfect for providing some solid for the sheet to rest against when I'm using it). </span></div><div><br></div><div>My Blues play tonight ... and my little Blues garden flag arrived in the mail this morning. Perfect timing! Here's to hoping that I'll be able to keep it hanging for several more weeks! :-D. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ1CObHAgiQjpTFvG7C7CZN_qQFyqofFmCYg5HDCfmG-eqXp3m4tGp9Fe894upNIENZsXFkfk50CA7DEvsUJaUtm1nhr17DZngkojmOTJ5ziRGisIbpCX9mHClKUKBw-EITUpz1l5044c/s640/blogger-image-2138876734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ1CObHAgiQjpTFvG7C7CZN_qQFyqofFmCYg5HDCfmG-eqXp3m4tGp9Fe894upNIENZsXFkfk50CA7DEvsUJaUtm1nhr17DZngkojmOTJ5ziRGisIbpCX9mHClKUKBw-EITUpz1l5044c/s640/blogger-image-2138876734.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>Tomorrow is my 6-week post-surgery follow up and Chemo #4. I noticed last night that my eyelashes have started to grow back in. Since I lost them several weeks into my first chemo, I'm guessing I'll lose them again. And thank you, everyone, for bearing with me on my PSA yesterday. As Janet O. said, when we or a loved one is suffering from a serious disease, we tend to be passionate about it ... so I'm very passionate about ovarian cancer. I pray that at the least a diagnostic tool will be found, but I'm really praying for a cure, too. But rest assured, I don't intend for this blog to become a stage for endless PSAs. ;-)</div><div><br></div><div>Time to wrap this up and head to my sewing room! I <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">hope that whatever you have planned for today includes a little something that brings you joy ... have a great day!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Kathy</span></div>Kathy ... aka Nanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17626590048036292030noreply@blogger.com14