Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Not a lot....

There isn't a lot exciting going on in my world right now. I've spent the past week at the lake, which is the reason I haven't been able to visit your blogs very often. My data is limited there but I try to hop on every couple of days. If I've missed you, I sincerely apologize. Here are some pictures of what's been happening in the past week.

We had a birthday party for Paul on Friday out at the lake. There were about 15 to 20 people there and that was really nice. Paul is our next-door neighbor trailer and we've known him and his wife Lori for almost 23 years...ever since the first week we moved to Spokane in fact.  Good friends.
Balloons and cake and fun with neighbors. A good time was had by all.
It was really sunny during the party. I had this hat on and when I took it off and set it in my chair for a few minutes, Dennis plopped it on his head. Everybody thought it matched his shirt very well!  Look fast. It's not very often you'll see my husband wearing shorts! Ha ha!
Every year on the Fourth of July people decorate their boats in patriotic colors and there's a parade around the lake. This year was very windy and chilly during the boat parade.  Only about half of the normal number boats participated. I caught just a few of them in these next two pictures.

On the evening of the 4th of July, the resort has a band and treats all of the residents to hotdogs and hamburgers every year. We provide the side dishes. It was so much fun. Dennis and I really enjoyed listening to the band. I missed out on all this last year as I got my pacemaker on July 7 and wasn't allowed to be so far away from the hospital on the 4th.

The band was great and included the children in almost every number. They had different kids come up and play the cowbell and the tambourine during the songs. They were really good too and played everything from Fleetwood Mac to contemporary country songs.
So. Much. Food.
I managed to finish a few projects this week and read two books!  Here's my simple shaw. I'm still not sure what I'm going to do with it.  The yarn was donated to me by a lady moving into a nursing home, so I feel I should give it to charity, but I'm very tempted to keep it for myself to wear under my winter coat as a scarf.  In this picture I hadn't washed and blocked it yet, so it was curling up a bit on the edges.
I love the stitches and how the color reminds me of Neapolitan ice cream.
Nita gave me another batch of squares and I put those together over the weekend. This blanket will also go to the crisis nursery.
And I started on my Christmas gift list. Hurray!  Christmas in July!  This is a "Random Act of Color" shawl, designed by Debbie Reese and Amy Meeks in honor of their sister Wendy, who passed away at a young age of cancer. Their sister loved color and was known for her random acts of kindness. This shawl is for someone I love very much who wears these three colors a lot. It's the first pattern I've bought in a long time, as I usually use free patterns off of (Ravelry). But I think it will be worth it. The money you pay for the pattern also goes to charity as it is being donated by Debbie and Amy.
I received a surprise box in the mail when we came home for church on Sunday. Inside the box were these beautiful mittens and this amazing crocheted angel. Sherri, of Sherries Needle Crafts over on my side bar, graciously made these mittens for me to donate to the school. She had asked for my pattern and she even used the same yarn I use. Wasn't that just the sweetest thing? And she knows I love angels so she crocheted me this beautiful angel in the pretty frame. Sherry, I can't thank you enough.  
Isn't she pretty?  I love that her wings look like hearts. And the hem of her gown is upside down hearts.
Last night Dennis and I were walking along the beach just before sunset and these clouds were rolling in. Aren't they just gorgeous?   We got a few sprinkles overnight which were very needed and sounded wonderful on the roof of the trailer while we were sleeping. It's one of my favorite sounds in the world.
And then I turned around and took this picture of the sun getting ready to set behind the clouds in the mountains. I do believe God does the most amazing artwork I've ever seen.
I did go to the cardiologist last Thursday. When they downloaded the information for my pacemaker it showed I've been having increasing amounts of tachycardia even with the medication. He doesn't want to give me more medicine because it will lower my blood pressure even more. So we're in a waiting game now. I'll send them a remote download the first week of August and then I'll go see him in a couple of months and he'll evaluate the situation again then. He's talking about doing an ablation, which is cauterizing the part of your heart that is signaling the tachycardia. That sounds very scary to me and I want to avoid it. If you are a praying person I would appreciate prayers that this would resolve on its own.  I have been feeling very well the last few days though, which I'm taking as a good sign.

Another great thing is that my head is feeling much better this week. I even walked 6 miles yesterday! That's the most I've walked since I managed to give myself a concussion. Thank you for all of your sweet thoughts and comments about that too. Everyone at the lake says they're going to get me a football helmet and decorate it and I'll have to wear it everywhere! Ha ha!

I'm home for a few days to do laundry and have Bible Study group but then hope to go back to the trailer on Friday. I am so enjoying my time out there right now, but it's good to be home with the unlimited Internet so I can catch up with all of you, my friends.   And I truly do consider you all to be my friends.

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful". Hebrews 10:23

Blessings always,
Betsy
















18 comments:

  1. Hi Betsy, it looks like you've been having such a wonderful time at the lake. Your projects both came out so nicely. I love the yarn in the shawl, so soft and pretty. I will be thinking of you with your heart situation. I hope everything will turn out okay. Take care.

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  2. what a beautiful place your trailer is located. Love all your knitted work also and that was a lovely surprise box of mittens. Will say a prayer for you, Gill

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  3. Oh Betsy, of course you are in my prayers! I am happy to hear that have been able to do more walking and all. That helps a lot!
    I love seeing the lake posts!!! So lovely! We leave on Saturday!!
    xo Kris

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  4. well glad that you have answers for your heart/pacemaker problem. I will keep you in prayer and hopefully you can go along in life without another procedure. Glad you had a good time at the lake and I'm sure it's pretty there. Lakes and the ocean are my favorites and it's peaceful. Nice gifts from your friend with the mittens for children. I'm headed for bed soon, as this tired working lady got up for her early shift. I do like getting off early too and go do a few errands. Lately I fink myself shopping. Today I didn't buy a thing since I was searching for a particular thing. Of course I had to browse in certain spots to see if I could find anything I needed/wanted. Not this time...saving money for a trip. Happy week my friend and thankful you're feeling better. That makes me happy! :0} HUGS!

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  5. Betsy you will certainly be in my prayers. I smiled about starting Christmas gifts in July as I too have already made a start I like to start early and avoid the stress it brings in December. What a generous gesture knitting mittens and sending you the wonderful angel, you are certainly blessed with good friends. Take care.

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  6. Hi Betsy, what lovely pictures from the lake. Looks like you all really had a great time. So glad to hear that you feeling better enough to go to the lake and hoping all works out with your heart situation. I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

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  7. Your time at the lake looks wonderful!

    Saying prayers that your heart heals and you won't need the ablation!

    Hugs from the other side of the US! :-)

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  8. I'm so glad your headaches are gone! That's a lot of walking, my friend. But you have such a pretty place to walk and enjoy the scenery. I think you should keep that shawl.. you know how I love mine.. they sure keep you warm in the winter. I hope your weather is good when you go back to the lake.. we're having rain forecast here and I'm not pleased. Hope you head to Portland again soon.. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  9. Betsy, I will pray to the Blessed Mother for your dear heart. I had a friend whose ablation was not completely successful. I dont blame you for wanting to avoid surgery. The lake is gorgeous.
    I think you should keep that shawl for you. The donor knew she wanted to give it to you.
    Let it be your HEART prayer shawl. Wear it and know your bloggy pals are praying for you

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  10. Please enjoy wearing the lovely shawl you made! I love the photos you got of the clouds...God's handiwork is the best!!! I love that you have such a good group of friends to enjoy, at the lake and church, and through your connections around the world. The heart angel and mittens are wonderful gifts. I am asking the Lord to heal you completely and thanking Him for your mostly good progress report :) Looking forward to the next time we are together xxxxxxxxxxx

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  11. That beautiful lake is restorative to your soul dear Betsy. One of my wee little patients had that procedure, he did great with it so I am hoping if that is in the works for you that you will do just as well. Six miles is amazing, I don't walk that far in a day that is for sure. I am sending you healing hugs my friend,
    Meredith

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  12. That last photo is spectacular!

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  13. Love the photos! It's just so pretty at the lake. Love, love, love that shawl. The blanket is also very nice and will be like a hug of love around a little one. I have you in my prayers sweet friend. ((hugs)). Blessings always.

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  14. Looks like a fun time was had by all at the lake! What a great friend to send those mittens and the angel. I will pray for your health and welfare for sure and so glad you are able to walk 6 miles! Wow! Good for you. I love your shawl and those stitches and the colors do remind me of neopolitan ice cream! LOL! Beautiful job and yarn! Enjoy your weekend at the lake! I too love hearing rain on the roof..unfortunately or fortunately, my father insulated this house so well I can't even hear thunder unless it's a really big crack of thunder. I want a tin roof! LOL!

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  15. Oh how I would love to be at the lake right now, but it is just too darn hot & humid! I will add you to my prayer list- I hope everything turns out ok, and maybe the doctor won't have to do that surgery. Have a blessed weekend!

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  16. Oh Betsy, I hope your next download from your pacemaker has better news. It must me stressful having this right now, but I love your attitude. It will get through almost anything! I love the stitching you've been doing. The shawl is lovely and it really does look a little like neopoliton ice cream :)
    It looks like you live in a wonderful community of people my dear. I love that you were able to enjoy the band and this lovely night with friends.
    hugs from here...

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  17. That shawl looks so cute ♥

    summerdaisy.net

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  18. Ah, wonderful gift of all those mittens there Betsy, I love the kind heart that prompted them and the sweet angel too.
    Keep the exceedingly pretty shawl, I am sure the lady would be delighted you love it so, as I do too, and think of all the wool you buy you give away so am quite sure the LORD would think it okay :D

    And praying dear sweet sis, for our Lord God to send healing blessings your way, for the tachycardia your pacemaker is undergoing.. please LORD in Thy great mercy may it settle miraculously of its own accord.. if not, O LORD, please bless my sister in the decision the Drs make for her and give them wisdom from above in all things.
    Amen.

    Hugs dear sweet sis,
    Shaz in Oz.x

    {Shaz in Oz – Calligraphy Cards}

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