I COULDN'T HAVE SURGERY UNTIL I FINISHED THESE!

If your mind works like mine does,

and I'm sure there are millions that do,

then you couldn't have had serious surgery

this past Monday, 2 days ago,

until the invitations to the shower

you were making

were complete.

And, in the mail.

That's how our minds work.

That and the fact that if the invitations 

weren't posted until yesterday

or any day after, they would be late.

So, they had to be finished

and in the mail 

bright and early on this past Monday

morning as I was driven to

the hospital in SAtown.

Knowing that I had a lot to do, 

not that I had a surgery - that news came later,

I never should have chosen 

such a time consuming design.

But, that's who I am.

That's who God made and

who's to argue with God?

So, last Tuesday when an unscheduled

surgery was scheduled for this past Monday,

one thought entered my mind.

THE INVITATIONS!!!

You probably know that my middle son, Blake,

is getting married to a most 

delightful young lady whom I adore,

this summer.

Her mom, who has become a fast friend

and whom I call Babs,

along with my precious DIL, Jana, are 

giving those two a couple's shower.

I had the invitations started before the surgery

news but they weren't far enough along.

Oh, no, not nearly!

I've covered the front of the invitation with 

patterned paper. 

Then I made little bitty envelopes

from which hand cut hearts

of all sizes spring!

And, of course, glitter.

A tag with "You're invited" 

was adhered to the front of the envelope

and the actual invitation was

glued to the inside after

I scalloped one edge.

The envelopes had their own tag

for addressing. 

Adhered with wash tape - I love washi tape!

 I love them!

Cute invitations

were complete and in the mail

on the way to surgery.

And surgery??

Went quite well, thanks. 

Post and pics to come.

God bless you for reading!

God bless you for

your input.

I love your spirits of support.

IT COULD ALWAYS BE WORSE

It could.

Always be worse.

But every so often I have a 'moment'.

A moment where I sob.

I don't get mad at God.

I just feel sorry for myself.

But, only for a moment and then I move on!

I am so blessed.

No matter what physical challenges I face,

I. AM. SO. BLESSED.

And, this week has been challenging.

Let's start with January 13th - right knee replacement.

Because of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

As you age, RA changes.

It becomes degenerative in a horrid way.

On March 21st I had outpatient surgery

to clean up the area around my torn meniscus in my left knee.

RA again.

If you don't know, I've been going to a podiatrist, 

two different ones actually, for about 8 or 9 years

because I snapped the inside tendons on the inside of both feet.

I finally came to my senses after so, so many years of

the wrong treatments prescribed by my podiatrist(s).

I've come to the conclusion, and this is just my thought,

that podiatrists should only be allowed to work on the toe nails

of prisoners on death row. 

Just sayin'.

And, to save you from having to listen to me go on and on,

which I have no desire to do,

let me simply tell you that I made an appointment with

one of the top foot and ankle orthopedic surgeons in Texas.

I met with him this past Tuesday.

After Dr. Castillas looked at the x-rays, MRI and Cat Scan

of my left foot and ankle 

(it's in the biggest mess - right foot and ankle will be next)

A treatment decision was made.

I have surgery this Monday.

It was urgent to have the surgery as soon as possible. 

And, without going into all of the details,

Dr. C. said I would have lost my foot if things continued

the way they were..

Amputation.

So, surgery on my left foot and ankle is this Monday - one more day.

It's a major surgery says Dr. C., but one he's performed regularly.

The recuperation time??

This is the best part, of course!

EIGHT WEEKS - MY FOOT CANNOT TOUCH 

THE GROUND FOR EIGHT WEEKS.

 I have a trip I've very much looked forward to

with my sorority sisters that is not going to happen for me.

(hoping I can get my airline ticket $$ back)

I have wedding invitations to my son, Blake's, wedding to finish 

and get mailed. And, I have a honkin' reception hall to decorate.

The wedding is July 25th.

Oh, and then I leave for an art retreat (still a couple of seats open:)

in the South of France and then to Germany to see my

"little girl" and her family.

Let's get it done!! Time's wasting and I have things to do!

Please pray for the surgery and for the resulting pain and my recovery.

I do need those prayers.

And, if you want to come and visit I've got some fun

things to make for the wedding reception AND

a great art studio for playing!

 P.S. What would I do without my family? My boys and girls and little girls are great support. 

But, my sister, Joan, is my biggest support. 

 She is my heart.

 And, I couldn't get through this upcoming procedure or any in the past, without the Tank.

He takes amazing care of me.

 My cousin, Melinda, is so caring and loving. She is my rock.

I want to end with thanking you for putting up with me.

You read my sporadic blog posts.

Some of you lurk and some leave comments on Facebook

instead of my post, but you read me and I think you "get" me.

And, I love all of you dearly - lurkers, too. *wink*

Blessings.