Bonsai!!!

Once upon a time, we spent A LOT of money having a semi shade azalea garden put in the side bed by the driveway. We tended it, watered it, pampered it and did everything the horticulturist told us to do. It did not thrive. It was not happy. Lou and I later found an azalea farm with beautiful and more economical (cheaper) plants. We got two for the front bed on the magnolia side of the yard and they grew beautifully. So I said, Lou, we should do something about these plants, they look terrible. and he answered, well, I was thinking about moving them to the front yard, in the walkway bed and next to the other azaleas. So we did, and they are happy and thriving. A few needed pruning and Lou stuck them in pots, so we have two pretty bonsai azaleas on the deck, enjoying the sun. And the side bed? Well, we took in a tortoise looking for a new home, and the lady giving him away (it had been her son's, he was off at college, and she didn't want to deal...) was thinning out her pachysandra and just going to compost it and I said I'd be glad to take it. It loves the side bed, and in another year or two will probably take over most of it.

Lou is recovering and gaining strength every day. Today I asked if he cared if I went down to sew for a little while. I am 3 months behind on the bee blocks. So, since Lizzie had been waiting the longest, hers was first. she sent us a brown and white print, and asked us to incorporate it into a block that said something about us. Here's what I did:
The springlike flowers represent my love of the outdoors, the two space prints stand for Lou and Lilli, the scientists, and the last print represents Sarah, the soon to be Asian Art authority. I picked a circular pattern block because I believe in the continuity of life and its cycles. though a fancy symbolism for the white and brown print strips would be nice, it doesn't exist-I was making borders to get the block to the size needed.

A month?

Has it really been a month since I posted here? guess so. It's been an eventful month...

On April 9, while we were out for Mexican, my husband suffered a minor stroke. He would not let me take him to the emergency room as he really didn't have stroke symptoms; his symptoms mimicked a spine problem. Given his disintegrating discs, I let him overrule me. When we called the doctor on Saturday morning, he told us to get to emergency where an MRI confirmed that he had had a stroke. Thank G-d we are so lucky: he has only lost the co-ordination in his right hand and leg. His face is fine, his mind is fine. We are so lucky that our local hospital, Suburban, is a National Stroke Center, in conjunction with NIH. After a weekend in the hospital, he was moved to a rehab center. What angels the people who work there are! He made incredible progress and was discharged last Friday afternoon. The Home Health Care nurse came yesterday, and we have appts scheduled with a physical therapist and an occupational therapist. This is in tandem with the deterioration of his toes that has been going on for a while-but I'm not going to talk about that, some readers are too sensitive.

I'm tired. Not only is there the mental stress, but the physical stress related to doing everything. But, I'm fortunate to have lots of friends who are constantly calling and checking in. One of them brought dinner last night-such a mensche kind of thing. Today we did a big shopping and will set up multiple meals to cook-yes, I know it is hard for many of you to believe I can cook-but Lou will be giving directions, so we will not starve.

Violet made a big hit out at the rehab place. Once I got her shots updated and verification of that (good bye dishwasher, once again), I could take her out to the center. Good thing, I was tired of cleaning up "reminders" that she didn't want to be alone. She let lots of people pet her, and didn't bark unless someone came into the room too fast for her. Fortunately we are done with that.

so, this afternoon I will be cooking, laundry, and hopefully catching up on my quilting bee blocks. Hopefully the sunny day outside will inspire me.

Helping Hand

I have this really good friend from work, Angie. It's funny because her mom and I are the same age.....but, Angie has been the lifesaver who has helped when we needed someone to stay with the dogs, who drove up to Providence with me to move Lill from one apartment to another (in a snow storm), and who gladly goes to the fabric store whenever the desire strikes us. Like today, she called and asked if I was available because she needed to pick her gram up from the adult daycare center; usually she know beforehand and arranges her day, but today she got a call during the work day. I picked her up at work, we made a quick stop at G Street Fabrics-quick for us when we spend less than $50 each-then a quicker stop at the Jo-Ann's near her house for the current copy of Apronology, then we picked up Gram. From there we took her out for dinner, then stopped for her meds, then I dropped them off and came home. It's rare that she asks for help, she's very self-sufficient. So, we had a great time, actually had the top down for a while before it clouded up. She never let us pay her for all the times she stayed with the dogs while we still had LuLu with us, even dealing with "bonbons" as LuLu's health began to fail. So, at Christmas time I got a great deal on a portable Kenmore sewing machine at Sears (her machine died and hadn't been replaced yet) and got it for her. I thought that was the end of it, but then in January-I might have mentioned it-she gave me a Kitchenaid mixer for my birthday-she had two, but I don't know the story behind that....

The gist of this ramble is that true friends are hard to find, but wonderful for the spirit and heart. If you have a few, nurture them and let them know they are important to you. and with the wonders of email and free long distance evening calling plans, remind those friends far away how much they mean to you. I do, and it warms my heart

Spring has come

Can't take any pictures to prove it since I can't find my camera, but spring has definitely come to Maryland! The crocus started last Wednesday, quickly followed by the snowdrops and hellebore. Last Thursday as we left for Ohio, two daffs were open; when we got home last evening--there was an explosion of yellow and white in the flower beds. It has rained for the last 24 hours, and my allergies kicked in full force this morning, but I don't care because spring has finally come.

Of course, with spring comes Passover. Since the bandies will be coming down to the district for the spring break week-they just miss the cherry blossom festival-there has been a request for a seder. We will do it in the true O household style, but hopefully this year we will not have people balancing spoons on their noses. We did a test run of the major foods and took them into Ohio over the weekend, and they were GREATLY appreciated. Tomorrow after work starts the reorganization of the house to accommodate company. I really need to get my sewing in one space, my books in the bookcase, and the bedroom cleared out for company. it will be a major effort, but it will get done. Ah, I know you all are snickering, how many times have you heard this before? But, i have this feeling that this might just be the lucky time it happens!! Don't burst my bubble.

Ah, William...

Five words for today:

Beware the Ides of March

and watch out for any soothsayers who might come your way. And if there is ANYONE in my acquaintance who doesn't know what that means, go pull out your Shakespeare and look up Julius Caesar.....or I guess, in this day and age, google the statement.......

Love and kisses on a rainy Monday morning to all.

Sunny Days!!

We have now had two days of sun in a row, I think we'll get spoiled!! It's still pretty chilly outside, but the sun makes up for it.

I am still having pain in my back, and trying to avoid the pain meds because they put me to sleep. I am also trying to get used to typing with the pads of my fingers as I finally broke down and spent the money to have acrylic nails put on. the anti-cancer drug makes my nails really soft, and they are breaking off so low I'm afraid I'll end up with an infection at the worst, and severe pain at the least. they do look pretty nice-I got "sport length" ovals done. Now I need to figure out if I can still do everything else I normally do without using the tips of my "nails".

Everyday now I see a few more daffs coming up in the flower beds. it's such a nice reminder that spring is around the corner. I need to get more birdseed as the big eaters are back. We will have a real adventure when we start cleaning up the yard though we are really lucky not to have lost many branches from the snow weight. As best we can tell, it's just a few on the camellia tree.

I haven't heard from my partner from the martini swap, so I really think this will be the last one for a while. I have to dig out the post office receipt with the tracking number to make sure it was delivered. I find it hard to believe that people can't find a little time to let the sender know the package got there... oh well.

I'm still struggling with the February quilt block because Lizzie wants it to be something that represents each maker, and I'm not an embroiderer, or applique-er, etc. I'm sure I'll figure something out soon-I have to otherwise I will be getting behind again, and I don't want to do that. I have been browsing quilt block websites and am in awe of what I am seeing. I think my favorites are the traditional block patterns done in non-traditional ways. Even though I'm enjoying this tremendously, it hasn't taken over as first love: that will always be aprons. don't know why, just is.

Time for a pain med, off to la-la land.

It's not the Ides of March, yet

Well, as long as your name isn't Caesar, you won't have to worry...but then I'm rushing, right? Today is only the 2nd, and the Ides means the 15th. But, you can never be too prepared, and if a soothsayer happens your way, pay attention.

But that isn't really what I wanted to unload. I haven't been writing very faithfully, and I haven't been following my bloggy friends very faithfully, either. I have been just too tired. this working 9 to 5 instead of 8 to 4 in the winter is just dragging me along. It's finally getting lighter when we leave in the morning, and now it's lighter when we get home, and I'm feeling a little better. I think I need my sunshine.

And by the way, as if having cancer wasn't stressful enough and a knock on the old immune system last spring, my body has decided to rebel and I have developed shingles. This is truly another reason why growing older sucks. Pain, rash, itching, blisters, oozing crud; it doesn't get any better than this...

But, I digress. I really wanted to jump on and blog a quick note that the snow is finally almost ALL gone, and that the daffodils are sending up their green shoots!! We may have some jonquils, too, and if you want an explanation of the difference, go over to Julia's blog at "our simple life". Actually, just go to look at her wonderful pictures. she's a scientist with an artist's eye.

And now for the final bit of good news: (Drum roll, bells and whistles) Sarah has been accepted into the Master's Program in Asian Arts at Sotheby's Institute of Art in London. the degree is actually awarded through the University of Manchester, and that's not so shabby either! More news will follow as details become available.....