Test Results

At last we are home - and the result is NO BYPASS surgery is needed (see yesterday's post for details). We didn't think it would be needed, nor did all the doctors - but they had to check to make sure. And thank you for the many many emails and comments - we appreciate each and every one of them.

So here is how the day went - up early - have to be at the cardiologist office at 8:30

- elevator is broken at cardiologist office

- up three flights of steps

- I leave Don there to make a quick trip to pick up a few things at the store

- back to the cardiologist office - elevator still broken but they promise to fix it

- up three flights of steps

- craziness in the cath lab - they can't do proceedures today because there is no way to get patients downstairs if there is an emergency

- trying to reschedule the cath lab - and reschedule the pre-op with the surgeon - then back to keeping the pre-op with the surgeon and schedule the cath lab at the hospital next door

- go home for 2 1/2 hours - Don goes to work - he still hasn't eaten, since he has to fast before the preceedure

- pick up Don - get to the hospital cath lab at 1

- get registered and into the cardiac waiting room

-Don is off to be prepped - I wait

- they take me to the cath lab to say good bye (not my favorite choice of words, even if it was just a proceedure)

- and I wait

- and I wait

- and I wait

- finally his number turns pink on the patient monitor and I can go back to recovery to sit with him

- he is groggy and silly - but fine - and NO BYPASS needed

- it is almost 4 now - and no sitting up until 5:30

-sitting up, slightly - a dry sandwich (bread and two thin slices of dry roast beef - that is it) and a tiny cup of watermelon

- finally, walking down the hallway at 6 - no bleeding - which is good

-yaaaaaaay 6 o'clock - going home

- what a day - we are both exhausted - I'm even too tired to post a funny photo - so if you want one - please go to your photo files and find one that makes you smile - thanks.

He is on rest for the next day - and very light duty - no walking - no stairs - no lifting at all. I think a day of rest will be good for him tomorrow - I have to go to work - don't want to - but you know how it is with jobs - you go or they don't give you any money.

Thanks again, for all your concerns, good wishes, good thoughts and prayers. Next is the pre-op on Wednesday - I'll keep you posted.

Surgery update

I know it's been a long time - but it has been hard to make myself blog. Thank you to all who have emailed and wondered if everything was ok. It is nice to know we have so many good friends out there in blogland.

We have had a big change in Don's surgery plans. He had his two month echocardogram to check for any more stress on his heart - and when the cardiologist looked at the results he called me immediatley (not half an hour after the ECG) and said there is no way we can wait until September - the surgery HAS to be in June. That really threw us for a loop - we needed some time to let that settle in. We had the weekend to think on it - and by Monday we were in better shape, emotionally.

Now there are tests and more tests and appointments and more appointments. Today Don will have heart catheterization to check and see if there is need for a bypass surgery. He shows no symptoms and his lifestyle is such that there appears to be no need for bypass surgery, but they will check anyway - no sense in going in twice - we agree. Then Tuesday he rests and Wednesday is the appointment with the surgeon to set the date. We both will be happy when the actual date is known.

So now it is just wait a while - see what the surgeon has in mind for a schedule and wait some more. Our son is coming out from West Virginia for the surgery - he will be such a comfort and help during that time. Our daughters and their families are local and they have been pitching in with errands and chores and whatever has been needed. Our daughter-in-law was plannng on coming out from West Virginia when the surgery was scheduled for September, but with the change in surgery dates she can't get the time off with such short notice - we will miss her - but at least we have cell phones and the internet for keeping in touch.

This photo has nothing to do with anything - just some sheep made from cauliflower and olives - for those of you with way too much time on your hands, let's make some. Plus the picture just makes me smile - and smiles are good right now!!!

Have you been to this blog?

This is about one of my very favorite blogs and I don't understand why everyone in the whole wide world isn't over there reading it. Jill takes us on walks through pastures in and around Devon - shows us flowers and animals, rock walls and castles. Talks about ghosts and birds - takes us along on her walks on her lunch hour and on her days off. You'll see interesting trees and ducks sitting on nests in the water - and oh so many other things. I alway feel like I've been right there with her - enjoying the scenery and the animals and the sea and the flowers. I am always excited whenever I see her blog on my bloglines list of new posts - I can't wait for the next adventure.

You might see photos of sheep like these . . .

Or lovely flowers . . .

And always castles if there is one anywhere near . . .
(This castle is actually in the family line of one of our grandsons)

So come with me to Moon Daisies and enjoy one of the greatest blogs around, and say hi to Jill for me when you are over there!!!

Another fundraiser - notecards and other stuff

Many of you have responded to our first fundraiser - a donation quilt - to help with Don's open heart surgery co-pay (approximately $25,000.00) - Click HERE for our first fundraiser.

And here is our next adventure.

Have your heard of CafePress? It is a great site where you can make photo objects - calendars, buttons, t-shirts, etc, for your shop. Here is the link to my first CafePress Shop - Country Days.

So far I have notecards and postcards - different sizes and different amounts of the cards, mugs, coasters, aprons and much more - come on over and shop awhile. The profits from these sales will go right into the savings account for Don's medical expenses.

This is the print I'm using - three vintage quilts on washday - they make wonderful gifts or use them for yourself - you know you want some.


My second shop is Country Days 2 - featuring this photo of mountains near our home. They are called the Three Sisters and are magnificent, winter and summer.

The reason I have two shops right now is that CafePress won't let you put more than one of each item (one set of note cards, one set of post cards, etc) in your shop - so in order to use two photos I have to have two shops. The proceeds from both shops will go towards Don's open heart surgery fund. If there is something you would like to purchase with the photo of the three quilts on washday - or the mountains, and I don't have it listed - just ask and I'll have one made up just for you.

Thanks for shopping - here's the link again to Country Days. And Country Days 2 - And you can even shop in your jammies - what fun!! Order something for yourself while you are there - and don't forget Auntie's birthday - and cousin Joe - oh and the dog sitter - she'd just love the mountain note cards. Enjoy!!! And thanks again.

Some fun fabrics and stuff from the thrift store

I seem to have a backlog of trips to the thrift stores - this one is mostly about fabrics and fabric related items - treasures I've found that no one else seemed to want - and they are all happy once again in my house.

I found bags of buttons on cards - flower buttons - some tiny flowers . . .

Some medium flowers . . .

And some large flowers . . . now to decide where they need to live. I think some of the big ones will go on the umbrella girl blocks that I'm making for a swap of blocks that remind us of Washington. Don't you think that umbrellas and big rubber boots are great for Washington?


I think a flower button would be perfect - now to sew them on . . .

This piece of pansy fabric just had to come home with me - it is so bright and springy and there must be a quilt somewhere just waiting for this wonderful piece of fabric.

Quilt labels - springy labels, holiday labels, fancy labels, plain labels. There were four pieces of fabric with these printed labels on them, all in one bag for 49 cents - total. I took them to a sew-in and shared with my friends - everyone cut out the ones they wanted - and I still have dozens left.

Well - this isn't a piece of fabric - it is a darling ladybug insulated bag - just the thing for packing picnics in - or for carrying cold things home from the store (hmmmm, need to put ice cream on the shopping list) - and each time I use it I'll think of our wonderful daughter-in-law - first because she is so wonderful - second, because she loves ladybugs and third, because she is a champion thrift store shopper (along with our son who can hold up his end quite well in their thrift shop adventures).

The bag still had the tags on it - and obviously has never been used. It has lots of compartments and a little bag inside for your credit cards and cash.

Off to the thrift store again

Well, not really - but here are more of my fun finds from past trips. So many of you ask for photos of what I find at the thrift stores - and I'm more than happy to show you some.

One of my weaknesses - little crystal vases - and this tiny one is just 2 1/2" tall.

This single rhododendren flower from Mothers' Day fit just perfectly, but you could barely see the vase . . .

Two seagulls, attached to a pretty stone by some thin bendy wires - they move with the slightest air current - I like the way they bob about . . .

A fairy kissing her baby fairy - cute beyond belief . . .

This gadget is labled - "washcloth caddy" - but I think it is just perfect for carrying my stitching projects out to the little grove for an afternoon of quiet stitching. It has holes, and cubbies and sections - I think I'll go and load it up with a project right now so it is ready when the sun comes out again - which I hope is soon. What do you carry your handwork projects in - and do you like to stitch outdoors?

Thrift Store fun

I'm way behind in showing you my treasures from the thrift store. I haven't gone as often as usual, but I've got some fun stuff to show from past trips.
Let's start with these funny "hands" - they were 99 cents and still had the tags attached, telling me that they are made of bamboo. They are super for spaghetti or for salad - or for little boys to play drums with, whichever is the most urgent at the time.

Salt and pepper shakers - silver under all that tarnish. I can barely resist every piece of silver in thrift stores. I love to polish it - and I love how pretty it is when it is all fresh and shiny. There is some serious polishing needed for this pair.

This is a tablecloth - in my favorite kind of woven fabric. I still haven't decided if I will keep it as a tablecloth for the holidays - or cut it up and make napkins - decisions decisions!!! What do you think I should do with it?

Some very pretty old silver - I told you I can barely resist it - and sometimes I cave in completely . . .

This lovely silver spoon - oh my resistance is low - has "Mother's Day 1973" inscribed on the handle. Our kids were 5, 3 and 1 that year. What could be cuter than that?

Well, perhaps this cute little hors d'œuvre forks - in their little lettuce holder - and with tiny lettuces on the handles. And to think, someone actually got rid of these - well I'm glad they did!!!

Or Ben playing with the little lettuce forks, making lunch for Grammy at his "restaurant" - yup, that is THE cutest thing.

And three peas in a pod. I just couldn't resist this darling little condiement set (I can barely resist anything in a thrift store, as you can so plainly see). Ketchup, mustard, relish - or strawberry, blackberry and raspberry jam - or sweet pickles, dill pickles, and bread and butter pickles - or green olives, ripe olives and olives with pimentos in the middle - or Russian dressing, French dressing and bleu cheese dressing - oh the possibilities are endless - these are going to get a lot of use at our house.

And I ask you - who can resist a bed sheet with construction vehicles on it for the guest/toy room? It goes perfectly with Ben's new book - "Building a Road".

It was a great trip to the thrift store - it always is! Hope you enjoyed it. What have you found lately that is wonderful??