Calendar Poodle SAL

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Little Gifties

Hi friends! It is mild here this week with a bit of rain. I do not mind though. That means the grass will become green again.

We celebrated our church friend Hosea's birthday on Sunday. Did you know that we have a lunch after every Divine Liturgy Service on Sundays? We do! And Brian and I have really experienced many new-to-us foods this last year since becoming Christian Orthodox. Our church is a Russian Orthodox Church. I have become a HUGE BORSCHT FAN! Matushka's is the best of all! Matushka is the title given to the priest's wife. Did you know that? I never did before last year. So if you want to, you can sign up to provide the meal when it is your special day. Wow! Hosea and his wife Marina are excellent cooks. It is of course still Lent. We abstain from meat, fish, eggs, dairy, oil and wine for all of Lent. Let me tell you it can be challenging to cook for Brian and I. At least for me. I am still new at this! I still cook a separate, "normal" meal for the kids. What do I miss the most? Ask Anne. She knows. It is CHEESE OF COURSE!!! Love cheese! Don't you have to if you are born in and lived in Wisconsin your whole life?! So I have obtained a few new recipes this year. Kinda fun actually.

You may recall our friend Frances sent me pink fabrics to use in my Epic Pink Charm Quilt. I sent her a little thank you gift made by me. A bookmark made just for her. :) I forgot to take a picture of it! duh. Frances kindly took two pictures for me to share with you. Thank you Frances!
 I used a combination of black and white and grey fabrics from my stash. I stitched her initial and a delicate silver cross, one over one on 28 ct white evenweave.

I received more pink fabric goodness! This time it came all the way from California from our friend Annette. Just take a look!
Thank you so much Annette! Now I only need 58 more pink fabrics!

This sweet, little chipmunk lives under our front porch. Shh! Don't tell Brian. I have seen him a few times now, in the morning when I raise the shades in the front room. He comes out and watches the sun rise. Yes! For real. I am sure he is warming up or something. He stays like this for about 4 or 5 minutes. :)
I read The Edge of Dreams by Rhys Bowen last week. A good mystery book. Another Molly Murphy one. I have finished the book of Joshua now in the Bible. I have begun Judges.

I am still working on secret gifts for friends. Cannot show any more at this time. ;)

I saw a new-to-me pain management doctor one week ago. She gave me the most extensive physical exam I have ever had since I fell and was injured 10 years ago. She feels the pain is not under control because it is coming from my left hip not my left SI joint. Well then. I am to get a test cortisone/lidocaine injection tomorrow in my left hip. I am anxious of course. These hurt very much. The pain is deep and intense. I just keep telling myself it is over in one minute. That one minute really stinks though, to put it mildly.  I would appreciate any and all prayers. Thank you so much. The doctor also is weaning me off of Cymbalta. She asked me why I am taking Cymbalta and Neurontin. I said, "Because they told me to!". I guess I do not need to be on both at the same time. I am hopeful. (also nervous!)

Stitching and praying,
Vickie


22 comments:

Annie said...

Very nice bookmark.. good idea and well executed.

Only 58 more, huh? Who knew there were that many pink fabrics around!

You gotta love when Docs ask why you are taking the meds that docs tell you to. Sure hope this one has some good solutions for you.

StitchinByTheLake said...

We have chipmunks at our house too - love them! They aren't as destructive as the squirrels here. So sorry about your pain - I have similar issues and it's pretty awful sometimes. blessings, marlene

Jacqueline Morris said...

Yes I adore the sweet bookmark you made for Frances it's lovely...and so special.
Oooooh you have a chipmunk!? Wow!! Goodness...my my I only ever seen that cartoon, all in and the chipmunks! Gosh how AWSOME to have it so close to your home...on your porch!! Yes here in England it's boring, the only thing I might get on my front porch is a neighbours cat or a darn seagul! Yes I live near the sea!! Ha ha
Oh Vickie...I am so so sorry to hear about your pain, and oh this injection, I will be thinking of you and wishing it to be quick for you.
Sending happy smiles to you :) x

Tricia T said...

What an adorable chipmunk! : ) I pray your pain will be eased with the new treatment!!!

Beth said...

Lots of pretty pink there! I hope your new Dr can attack your pain so that it is truly bearable and under control!

Annette-California said...

Yea you got what I sent you! Glad you like them Vickie! Beautiful bookmark you made for Frances!
WOW crazy how doctors have very different opinions regarding what meds you take. Hope your next visit is very quick (the injection part). Praying for you sweet friend.
love Annette

Trace4J said...

What a trooper you are friend.
Lifting you in prayer.
Love the sweet pinks.
And how cool to try so many new foods and meet new friends.
Happy Spring

Mii Stitch said...

Lovely bookmark and new pink fabrics!! Hope you feel better soon x

Dani - tkdchick said...

I'd be happy to send you some pink fabbies from my stash! What size are you looking for? Email me the details and your address tkd_chick at hotmail dot com

Lovely bookmark!

Cindy's Stitching said...

Pretty bookmark. Lots of pink. Sweet you are getting closer to your goal. Good luck with the shot.

Faith... said...

Good luck with the new doctor and your pain shot tomorrow! Praying it will relieve some (if not all) of the pain you are experiencing.

Ahhh...more pretty pink fabrics - I love them all! Lovely bookmark you made.

gominam said...

Your bookmark is so beautiful!

Margaret said...

What a lovely thank you gift! I'm sending lots of prayers and positive thoughts for your pain and the shot and everything. Hopefully the shot won't be as bad as you fear, and the pain will actually go away! Hope the weaning off meds goes well too.

Von said...

Hugs and prayers as you see the doctor tomorrow for that shot - may it be effective to relieve you of the pain.

I've had borscht only one time and it was delicious! I've never been a fan of beets, but couldn't resist the borscht made by a coworker from Russia (years ago). She suggested a bit of sour cream on top - yum!

butterfly said...


Lovely post again , love the book mark.

I do hope your pain will be gone soon , and they can come up with something for you.

Take care you are always in my prayers ,hugs.

Lillie said...

Lovely lots of pinks. Enjoy!
Hope your pain will be gone soon.
Take care

Ann at Beadlework. said...

I hope the injection went well Vickie, I've had one once and it wasn't a nice thing to have so I understand your comments. If it helps then that's the main thing. Take care.

Julie said...

I hope all went well with your injection Vickie and you soon seen some benefit from it. Sometimes it good to get a new perspective on things, perhaps this new lady will work wonders for you... praying she does.
Blessings to you this Easter x

Andrea said...

I hope everything went OK for you with your injection.
Wonderful gifts. Have a Happy Easter.

Sarah in Stitches said...

Lovely bookmark! Hope you're feeling better :D

Frances said...

Thank you again for my beautiful bookmark! I love it!
I hope you're feeling better!

Melanie said...

Oh poo. I hope you don't back to a bad period of awful pain. :( It seems like you had been doing a little better of late. Lots of good thoughts!!!!