Knuckle surgery

Last Wednesday, a week now, I had an operation on my right ring finger. Arthritis had caused the problem in the joint where there was bone to bone, the finger had become bent and swollen and was always very painful. Shaking hands was so painful for me. The hand surgeon said he had to use his smallest tools on my very small bones and trim them, he removed all the arthritis and gave me an silicone implant in my finger joint. It has been a bit painful but I think I am on the mend now. The hand gets very tired and aches toward the end of the day. You can see from the photos the swelling and bruising 3-4 days post-op. So glad this part is over. The spot in my hand is not dirt- that is bruising. I will still have the bent finger and won't be able to wear a ring again but the pain will be gone. I go back to the doc in two days- the swelling has come way down almost normal now. I am so thankful.

and Now

Mr. S. and I recently celebrated our 33rd Wedding Anniversary. He still sings songs to me, he still tells me I am beautiful in the morning, he still kisses me goodnight, he still reads to me from his magazines, he still encourages me and he still loves..............................only me.

Mr. S. is my best friend and confidant, he is my hero that squishes bugs and traps gophers, my strong man to open jars and car doors, he is still my favorite motorcycle driver that lets me hug him tight. He is still the one to change the oil in my car and wash it for me so I have clean windows and he still picks up milk at the grocery store on the way home from work.

And most importantly....... he still makes my heart skip a beat when he hugs me tight.

Six grown children, 3 houses, 15 cars, 7 motorcycles, 30 vacations, 3 dogs, 7 goldfish, 1 terantula, 2 cats, approximately 144 parent/teacher conferences, 3.5 weddings-(#4 is in September), 5 grandchildren, 3 missionary sons, 6 high school graduations, 5 sewing machines and 33 years later..................................

Yes...........he is still the one...

My Job Description

PARENT- Job Description
POSITION: Mom, Mum, Mummy, Mama, Ma

JOB DESCRIPTION: Long term, team players needed, for challenging, permanent work in an often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communicationand organizational skills and be willing to workvariable hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call. Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities! Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required.

RESPONSIBILITIES: The rest of your life. Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily,until someone needs $5. Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly. Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf. Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges,such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers. Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects. Must have ability to plan and organize social gatheringsfor clients of all ages and mental outlooks. Must be a willing to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the next. Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices. Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product. Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.

POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION : None. Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE: None required unfortunately. On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.

WAGES AND COMPENSATION: Get this! You pay them! Offering frequent raises and bonuses.A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 becauseof the assumption that college will help them become financially independent. When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.

BENEFITS :While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered; this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth, unconditional love,and free hugs and kisses for life if you play your cards right.

** AND A FOOTNOTE 'THERE IS NO RETIREMENT -- EVER!!!

Me and my bags!

This is the most recent bag I have made. I still have several more to do - one for Emily, another for Korin, another for a friend and I owe one to Ashley, my grandaughter. I have been busy this week working on my quilt block for our Block of the Month class. The bags have had to take a stand down from my interest. I sure like making them though- it is such a treat to see how they turn out! I have also been planting flowers and working in the yard for a change. What a great feeling to be outside and enjoy flowers and yard work again.

Mini Hearts Quilt

I finished this little mini-quilt on our last road trip. A cute little quilt to hang on the wall. The hearts are cut from my fabric stash and are machine appliqued. The quilting was hand stitched during evenings watching TV, plane trip to Phoenix and a few short road trips. There are heart shaped stitches in the floral border and each heart is stitched around to give it a puffed heart look! I really enjoy hand quilting small projects becuase they work up faster than a larger quilt. This is the second one I have done of this pattern, I gave the other one away to a good friend when she moved out of town! This one is for Mandy filled with love from her mom! Emily has her order in for the next one!