I am stitching on Pumpkin Farm for Jacob presently. I got all the DMC conversions figured out and am making good progress.
I received a sweet Valentine surprise from our friend Angela.
Isn't this fabric just perfect for me?!?🐩
Um, yes! A poodle!
Did you notice however the poor thing has only three legs!! Yes. This is a book about a miniature poodle that was rescued from a puppy mill. This book is all about the horrors of puppy mills. If you do not read this book, then I just want you to know one thing. Just one thing. Do not ever buy a pet from a pet store. Not just a dog! No pet. Not ever.
I am in the process of contacting my elected officials about Wisconsin puppy mills.
When you meet Baby, the first thing you notice is her limp. She only has three legs, you see -- she lost one following years of mistreatment at a puppy mill. But spend a little more time with Baby and her irrepressible "Ma," Jana Kohl, and you'll hear the story of how this gentle creature has gone from puppy-mill victim to celebrity "spokesdog" -- hobnobbing with celebrities, lobbying politicians, and inspiring an entire movement to end the kind of animal abuse she suffered for so many years. Several years ago, Jana decided she wanted to buy a toy poodle. But the nightmarish conditions she was confronted with at a breeder's farm -- hundreds of dogs confined to small, dirty cages for their entire lives until they were killed for the crime of being too old to produce puppies -- opened her eyes to abuses in the world of commercial breeding. There are thousands of puppy mills all across the United States, and most of those cute little puppies in pet store windows are products of such nightmarish places. Jana knew this was a wrong she couldn't ignore. Her first step was to adopt a rescued adult dog instead of buying a puppy from a commercial breeder.And that's how she found Baby, a roughly nine-year-old poodle who had been locked in a cage. But Jana's mission didn't stop there. Soon, Jana and Baby (whose sweet face and three-legged hobble attract attention wherever she goes) found themselves speaking to groups about the terrible conditions at many breeders' farms and urging politicians to change the lax laws that regulate this industry. Today, Baby is the unofficial spokesdog for the Humane Society of the United States on the topic of puppy mills, and she and Jana travel around the country lobbying for reform on this important issue. A Rare Breed of Love contains more than sixty photographs of Baby with many of her high-profile fans, from Barack Obama to Judge Judy to Patti LaBelle, as well as original essays from luminaries such as Alice Walker and Gloria Steinem about the special love we all have for the pets in our lives. In this heartbreaking, compelling, and ultimately heart-warming book, Jana Kohl and Baby offer practical advice on what each of us can do to raise awareness, make a difference, and stop animal suffering everywhere.
I saw the neurosurgeon on Wednesday my friends. He reviewed my MRI with Brian and I. I have a very large disk bulge at C5-C6 and bone spurs there also. The nerve is very pinched. I am going to proceed and have disk replacement surgery. I am still a bit anxious about it. I have exhausted all other options and treatments over the last few years. He told me this will give me back my mobility. I cannot turn and hold my neck to my right for longer than ten seconds. Even then I suffer pain for it. The hope is the pain will be gone. Even the pain that is in my shoulder and arm. Gone. Oh Lord please let it be so.
I have a physical exam scheduled with my physician in a few weeks. I need one before the surgery. Then the actual "Anterior Cervical Disk Surgery" is scheduled for March 15th. I am not thinking about it. It is hard to think of him slicing my neck, taking out my disk and putting in titanium, you know?
Okay friends, that's enough for me now. I think I am off to pet a poodle.🐩 Thank you for stopping by. I can use a virtual hug or two. 🤗 I hope you have a terrific weekend!
Stitching and praying,
Vickie
38 comments:
Hugs Vickie, you must be in such pain. A friend of mine has had two neck treatments such as this, quite restricting initially with lifting and arm movement height wise but she is so much better now.
Pinched nerves cause so much pain. I'm so glad for you about what your neurosurgeon intends to do. Sometimes surgery is the only solution when nothing else helps. Wishing you all the best of luck for it.
Oh Vickie I also feel for you , pain is not good to live with.
Surgery maybe the best for you , they do wonders today , big hugs.
Hello Vickie,
ständig mit Schmerzen zu leben ist nicht schön. Ich drücke dir die Daumen, das die Operation sehr gut verlaufen wird.
I pray for you and a Big Hugs, Manuela
That fabric is so dang cute!
Geez, I hope this procedure helps your pain.
Marilyn
Sending prayers your way sweet friend. Keeping you in my thoughts in prayers for March, too. Wishing you a day filled with much joy sweet friend. ((hugs))
Vicki, Oh, what a sweet fabric you received from Angela!! Could not be more perfect for you! I hope your surgery is very successful and your pain is taken away. I know how frightening it is to have surgery but you have exhausted all options and you need to live without this horrible pain. Sending you hugs and good wishes...Mary
Vickie, the poodle fabric is perfect for you; I'll bet your mind is buzzing with ideas for it.
I know surgery is scary, but if you come out pain free at the other end, it will be so worth it. Sending hugs your way!
I will be thinking of you and praying for you that the surgery is effective -- and that in the meantime you can keep your mind off of it. I know how hard that is, not to think about it. But you can do it. Be positive. As for puppy mills -- yes, they are awful. I would never buy from a pet store. So heartbreaking. Hang in there. Lots of virtual hugs coming your way.
Hi Vickie,
The weather is at 0 ° C, but when the sun is shining, you can stand it well.
Oh this is really a cute stuff and really suitable for you.
Let yourself hug, that must be bad pain, even if you can move so little. I pray for you that you will feel better soon.
Big Hugs,Martina
That fabric screams VICKIE!!! I can understand your anxiety, to be expected with any surgery. I have a cousin and friend that are so grateful they had this surgery. Life changing! We're all with you!
So glad to hear you have a definitive answer and solution to your pain. I will be supporting you in prayer as you prepare for, go through, and recover from your surgery.
That fabric is definitely you!
How's Murphy doing?
What fun poodle fabric you received from Angela! Vickie, you continue to be in my thoughts and prayers -- praying for peace of mind between now and the 15th, praying for a smooth and successful surgery and praying for a full healing. Sending gentle hugs your way!
I hope you can feel this big bear hug I am sending you. I will pray that the surgery goes great and all your pain is gone. Hugs, love and big prayers. Don't worry you will feel better soon.
Praying for a successful surgery. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, with prayer and thanksgiving, present your request to God..." Praying that God will sustain you during this time.
You will be in my thoughts all the more Vickie,take care. (((hugs)))
I'm sorry to read that it's the surgery option for you Vickie. (Big hug) xx
I have had that surgery. And I am SO GLAD I DID! I'm sure you will do fine. Email me if you have any questions. Oh, my surgery was outpatient, too! :-)
Hugs!!
Good luck with the surgery Vickie.
Linda
Good luck on your surgery, I hope it relieves you of all your pain. Big hugs for you. Hugs, Sandi
My mom had neck and arm pain and had a rod put in. It made a world of difference to her and I hope it will for you too!
I'm pretty sure I'm not allowed to say it's cold in winter here! :)
Hi Vickie....
What a lovely Valentine surprise! It is just so you...lol! I know you will enjoy finding just the perfect project to use it in!
I am praying so very hard for you my friend! I hope the surgery does take away all of your pain! That would be a wonderful thing indeed! I was the same way when I faced my three surgeries....I didn’t think a whole lot about it...I just left it in God’s hands where it belongs and trusted!
Thank you for the freebie pattern...I love it! Do you know that all of our pets have been rescue pets? I have read such sad and horrible things about puppy mills. It just makes me cry. I have such a soft spot for animals in need....I need a ranch ....lol!
Can you believe it is February and we have not even had a winter? I so want cold temps and rain and to wear my warm, winter clothing...Emily went on a snow trip in January to our local mountains and had a wonderful time but there was absolutely NO snow...lol!
2018 has gotten off to a crazy start here and I just came home from treatment but I’ll be writing soon!
Sending lots of hugs and love and prayers your way!
Vickie:Here is my virtual hug, I hope you feel it.
I am so sad you are having so much pain, at least they know what to do, do you think this is what could be causing your migraines?
I love your gift what a sweet bag and perfect for you.
Thank you for the link to the free design, you are so sweet.
I could not read that book I would be in tears.
Happy Valentines Day
Catherine
I will be thinking of you and sending lots of prayers your way. That is the perfect fabric for you!!
so sorry to hear you need surgery but I am sure all will be well and you will soon forget about it
The fabric is so cute and perfect for you!
Thank you for the link to the freebie, it's lovely
Take care
Dear Vickie I know the pain you are in and pray every day that this will bring you relief. I know it is scary but you have such faith in the surgeon so I think you are in very good hands. You are in my thoughts and prayers and will continue to be.
I love your poodle fabric...so very perfect for you! RJ
Lots of hugs to you, Vickie, and lots of prayers!
I know it's frightening to have surgery, but I really think you're doing the right thing. Your surgeon sounds like he's very good. Love your gift! Such cute fabric!
Blessings - Julie
I'm so hopeful that this surgery will be just the thing to help you, Vickie. I know the prospect of surgery is nervewracking == but to think that it could mean an end to your pain == that is a wonderful thought. You continue to be in my prayers. And yes, that fabric is just perfect for you! : ) Sending lots of hugs!
Surgery = scary - but if it works, just imagine!
I will be thinking of you. I hope everything goes well.
Great fabric.
Thank you for the freebie heads-up. I did know but had forgotten Cathy was going to post one, so thank you for the nudge.
How sweet gift! The fabric is a perfect gift for you! ;)
Hope it will work out with the surgery, sounds very scary but I'm sending to you positive thoughts.
Love your new blog look!
Big hugs!
Love the fabric. Perfect for you.
Cute fabric. Thanks for the link to the freebie too. My dad had that type of surgery and I will keep you in my prayers as you go through this.
I really do hope this procedure works for you. We shall be able to call you the Six Billion Dollar Stitcher with your titanium parts!
Thanks for the freebie links too.
What an interesting blog post, I enjoyed hearing about the book even though the topic is an upsetting one. Having surgery will hopefully improve your quality of life hugely - think of the benefits and not the surgery Vickie.
Ooo, you're going to be almost cyborg. I know you were trying to avoid the surgery route but I bet it will work out and then you can be free of the pain or at least able to see people sneaking up behind you! I guess you will have to sit (or lounge) a lot after it's done? Extra stitching time??
I avoid puppy (and kitty) mills like the plague. There are so many lovable pets at shelters or even free on Craigslist. And a "Heinz 57" loves you just the same.
I am just catching up on my blog reading after a week at my mom's, Vickie... I know you must be very nervous about the whole procedure, but you can't keep living with the chronic pain so I hope and pray that this will be the answer. It sounds like your doctor is excellent and very experienced and that is half the battle right there... Try to keep your mind busy with stitching and reading until the operation in March! Will be keeping you in my prayers ♥♥♥
I am terribly behind in blog reading and blogging, so taking yours all on one day! (I won't comment on all of them... just here and there!)) And to find that you are facing surgery...oh my! Of course I shall lift you in prayer! It sure would be so nice if your pain was diminished or disappeared entirely!! I previously read about the quilted hearts movement... I think that is so nice... Thanks for sharing! Hugs!
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