Wednesday, January 29, 2020

Another month gone by...

How did that happen? How could it possibly be January 29 already? My birthday is on Saturday and it’s a big one. I’m going to be 60! Now really, how did that happen? I used to think anyone over 40 was old. Ha! I passed that by years ago. We don’t have any huge plans. I imagine we’ll go out to breakfast with our friends as we do most Saturdays and then come home for a cozy day in.

We have had rain every day since the day it stopped snowing a couple of weeks ago.  It has washed almost all of the snow away, although we still have a few inches in our front yard. That’s OK. I would much rather have rain than snow, but a little sunshine would be nice too.  I took this photo as I waited in the cardiologists office yesterday morning. This is what our skies have looked like for a couple of weeks now. This photo is looking south-east towards Idaho.

I have been busy crocheting on a rectangular blanket. So far this is about 36 inches wide and 44 inches long. I’m going to make it as big as I can until I run out of yarn in these colors. I’m hoping it’s big enough for the top of a bed. I like the more muted colors and I’m enjoying the rhythm of the granny stitch. I don’t have to think of it at all. Every round I flip it over and go the other way. That is supposed to help with the stretching and the misshapen  results that come when you just go round and round on a big granny square.

I started ”The Amulet” shawl by Helen Stewart last weekend. I had actually gotten about 4 inches further than this photo shows before I had to tink it back to the color change. I had miss counted on the first row of the lighter color. It was actually a lot of work that I had to take out because in that 4 inches were five rows of beading. Placing beads is always more time consuming.

I have now reknit the first row of beads.  Can you see them?  There!  Towards the bottom!  I have knitted this shawl before and I think it’s a beautiful pattern. I can’t believe I messed up almost 20 hours of work by my silly mistake.

I hung the Valentines decorations on the island yesterday. The hearts are crocheted using Teresa’s free Scandinavian heart pattern that she has on her blog. You can find her on my sidebar as Teresa Kasner and I believe the heart pattern is still on her sidebar.  I made this several years ago and I still think they are one of the best patterns I’ve used for crocheting hearts.

Even though the weather outside is dreary, my Hoosier cabinet says spring to me. The sheep, (and alpaca), have all gathered in a flock and are waiting for the grass outside to turn green. :-)

I’m sorry that my photos today have a lot of shadows in them. It can’t be helped with the clouds outside. I never take very good photos but these are even worse than normal!

My visit with the cardiologist went well yesterday. He adjusted my meds again and they did an EKG. It must have been fine because they didn’t say anything about it! Ha! I have to do downloads for my pacemaker every week for the next month so he can see what’s happening with the medication adjustment. I am feeling much better than I was last week. Apparently my heart has been racing a lot due to the tachycardia and that was why I wasn’t feeling well and having chest pain. I hope it’s finally right this time and I can get on with my life.  

It was my last time seeing this particular cardiologist unless something goes terribly wrong with me before July. After 23 years as my cardiologist, he is retiring. He’s going to take the summer off and then start doing pro bono heart surgeries on children around the world. He has actually been trying to retire since January 2017 but they kept scheduling him with patients! He told me yesterday he’s finally put his foot down and said enough is enough.
I have been assigned a new cardiologist/electrophysician who has a wonderful reputation and several of our friends actually see him too.  Although my current doctor can be rather abrupt, I have a lot of faith in him and it will seem strange to see someone new.  He actually hugged me when we said goodbye yesterday.  That was a first as he’s usually fairly impersonal.

It’s always something isn’t it? Next week I go for another round of injections in my back. I am really hoping and praying that they work this time around.  The last two sets have done nothing and my back seems to be worse every week. I have some traveling I really want to do this year, so something needs to be done. I just don’t know what.

I’m wishing you all a wonderful week and I’m trying to keep up with your blogs.

“From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.” Psalm 113:3

Blessings,
Betsy



21 comments:

  1. Your two projects are beautiful, I think I would like to knit or crochet. Our church has a group called the Knitwits that knits hats and lap rugs, etc. to give to charities. Your lambs and alpaca are ever so cute.

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  2. 60? Is that all? You're still a baby....lol. I hope you get a much deserved spoiling. Birthdays (even big ones) are so much fun.

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  3. May your special day be filled with pleasant surprises! I've had three doctors retire, and it never gets easier. I'm thrilled your cardiologist gave you a hug at the end of your appointment.

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  4. Happy, Happy Birthday you Baby. 60 is not that old at all. Glad your doctor visits have been good and may they continue that way. Love your projects. The shawl will be stunning!

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  5. How sad that you had to undo so many hours of work on your shawl. The beads really add something sparkly to the shawl.
    Good news that your visit to the cardiologist went well.
    And I do hope the injections in your back will actually be helpful this time.
    Wishing you an early Happy Birthday!!

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  6. I love your shaw, the color is lovely. I hate when I have to undo a lot of work... especially in knitting as it so tedious. I hope you post a photo of the shawls when it is completed. I noticed Teresa's heart pattern the other day and am thinking about trying it, but only if I have red yarn in my stash!

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  7. *H*A*P*P*Y* * *B*I*R*T*H*D*A*Y*!*!*!* my friend! I wish you were close enough for us to have a birthday luncheon to help you celebrate! Too bad you won't be moving to Portland someday like we once thought you might when your daughter and Piper lived here. If you move where they are now we will probably never see you again. :-( Your blanket will make such a lovely bed-cover. There is nothing better than handmade blankets. I'm almost done with my Dahlia blanket because I'm making a lap afghan. My DIL ask me today what I'm going to do with all my blankets. Imagine! LOL! Use them! Here's hoping you will have a miracle back recovery. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  8. We have been having rain, too, and I am glad you have had some of your snow melt since snow is not your favorite. The colors and pattern of your rectangular blanket are lovely! I 'm sorry you had to rip out some of your pretty shawl... I admire so much your skill in stitching. Have a wonderful celebration of your 60th birthday, dear Betsy. You are nine years younger than me...so young... and I continue to pray your health issues are sorted out so that you are well! ((hugs)) ๐ŸŒท๐Ÿ’œ๐Ÿงถ❤️๐ŸŽ‚❤️๐Ÿงถ๐Ÿ’œ๐ŸŒท

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  9. Wow, looking towards Idaho. I'm always fascinated by views from other states. We're waiting for the sun to shine again here, too. It peeks out, but then disappears again. HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you, dear friend! That's so awesome both our birthdays are in January -- I turned 63 last week on the 22nd. I love the muted colors of the square you're working on... that will be a beautiful spread when you finish. I love your little sheep and alpaca, that's such a cute scene with them waiting so patiently for the green of Spring. Kinda like all the rest of us, huh. So happy to know you're beginning to feel better already! When the technology and treatments work, it's such a blessing! Hugs! ❤️

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    1. (Oh, duh, dummy me. LOL! I miscalculated the day thinking Saturday was the last day of January, but indeed it is February! ๐Ÿคฆ๐Ÿผ‍♀️ ๐Ÿ™ƒ)

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  10. Happy Birthday on Saturday!! You should celebrate all week! My Mom has back problems...she is no going to someone who stretches her out and that seems to be working for her as she can walk now. I have not asked her lately about her shots in the back...I suspect she stopped getting them. My neighbor goes to PT every few days for her back. I just take Aleve for mine...shoveling is hard. Enjoy your birthday you young thing!

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  11. Wishing you a happy birthday! :-)

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  12. I am writing this early as I am getting ready to go to the dentist. I beat you to the big 60 by a couple of months. Nothing dramatic happened. I hope your birthday is grand and that you see blessings all around.
    HUGS

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  13. It's been cloudy and gray here also and that's unusual because it's more sun than clouds here most of the time. It's been a strange winter so far but I'm not complaining as I can walk every day. You are such a young'in! I'm 11 years older than you...you;re not even retirement age yet! LOL! I hope you have a great birthday and glad all was well at the heart doctor. You've been seeing him for 23 years? Were you born with heart problems? I hope your back gets better too! Are there exercises you can do to strengthen your back?
    I love your blanket and your shawl! Beautiful projects!

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  14. Wishing you a wonderful day on Saturday Happy Birthday dear friend. Glad all went well with your cardiologist, hopefully the medication changes are all that is needed. Both Gerard and I are praying that your shots work this time and you will be pain free. Beautiful projects, the beads in the shawl are a delight.

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  15. Oh, welcome to the 60's! It's a good decade when you feel well! lol
    I like the hint about turning the blanket; I have had the torquing problem in the past that you mention! Will be praying for the injections to go well--good news on the heart adjustments from the pacemaker!

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  16. It has been dreary days here also. The sun is suppose to shine Sunday! i hope the injections in your back work this time. Happy 60th birthday Saturday. 60 sounds pretty young to me! Nancy

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  17. I'm so thankful your cardiologist's visit went so well. That is wonderful news! Happy, happy 60th birthday to you, my friend! May God bless you with many, many more wonderful, happy birthdays and years with your dear husband! I hope your injections will be more helpful this next time and trust God will allow you to take the trips you are longing to take this year!

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  18. So far I am not too fond of my sixties...but I am hoping to turn that around soon. I also have problems with my back and have had several injections. Nothing seems to work for me, but I bet you will have better luck with it. Kudos on the great cardio doc visit- good news!!

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  19. Betsy, I hope you have a very Happy Birthday! Believe me, 60 is young! Glad your visit with the cardiologist went well, and I sure hope the next injections help your back. That is a very cloudy dreary look in that first picture. Hope you get some warm sunshine soon. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

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  20. Beautiful, beautiful knitting sis, feel for ypu with undoing.. little bit like life sometimes isn't it, thungs unravel.
    Love the closing scripture too.. His Name indeed is worthy of praise!
    Thanks for sharing, and may God bless you.
    Hugs, Shaz in Oz.x

    {Wonderful Words of Life - Shaz in Oz}
    {Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}

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