Michael What?

I was wondering why this didn't post on Sunday morning. I just noticed I had set it for Monday morning. At least I got the year right.

The other day Jenn posted a link on my Facebook to this Michaelmas dragon and I've decided I need to make one, especially when I read this line: "If you like, you could use embroidery floss and sew the seams using blanket stitch." Well, hello! So I'm adding the dragon to my to-do list, which right now is loaded with Halloween projects. By the way, in case you were wondering, Michaelmas is a festival that marks the turning of the seasons. You can read more about it on Rhythm of the Home.

After you read up on Michaelmas and make your dragon, head on over to inspire co. and check out the new Inspired Ideas magazine. I swear the cover alone made me drool. A few nights ago, I started making the kitty cat treat bag and I'm still working on the face. Maybe it's just me but blanket stitching felt pieces on to a small bag is a major pain in the butt. If I ever make another one, I'll add the eyes and nose before I put the bag together.

I went back to the orthopedic surgeon on Friday. I love when doctors show me x-rays and I can't see whatever it is they're pointing out but I nod and act like I know exactly what they are talking about. Anyway, he told me I could stop wearing the brace. My knee isn't completely healed but it's close to it. I think he was a little disappointed he didn't get to operate on me for this fracture, but hey, there's always next time, right? Har har.

Edited to add: Miri is sharing directions to make a bonnet girl quilt on Milk and Honey Quilts. Check out this post to see close-ups of some of the bonnet girls. When I grow up, I want to make quilts just like Miri. I love her work!

Holy Crap! Look At That!

Guess what I saw yesterday?

I saw London.
I saw France.
I saw my ankle!

Yeah, it doesn't rhyme and I changed the words, but hello! My ankle actually had a shape to it for the first time since October. Of course, my foot was still swollen but I COULD SEE MY ANKLE, BONES AND ALL. And, my calf looked to be normal sized as well.

I was shocked, appalled, amazed and excited.

I had read on several different websites that swelling after surgery usually lasts a few months. Well, it's been a little over four months since my second operation, so that could be why my ankle is no longer as big as a Tibetan Mastiff's head.* Plus the PA at my endocrinologists's office suggested I wear a compression stocking, which I have been doing for the past two weeks, (even though the elastic leaves a deep indentation across my foot and makes me wonder if it's cutting off the circulation), and I'm sure that's had a major effect on the swelling too.

To make things even better, I went out this afternoon wearing a sneaker that I did not have to unlace to get on. So even though my foot is still puffy, apparently it's not as big as it has been.

I still get creeped out when I kneel because I can tell there's a plate in there, but I finally feel like things are nearly back to the way they were before I fell last August. Yay!

*Yes, I watched Westminster tonight.

Finally. Another Pig Picture

I had my camera out Christmas morning to take pictures of us opening presents, and hardly took any, but I got one of this pig ornament that I've had for years. I think it came from a co-worker. I used to collect pigs and for awhile people were always giving them to me. If somebody knows you collect something, they really will think of you every time they see one, and often get it for you. This pig is made of some kind of stiff material -- maybe canvas -- but it's squeezeable too. It's always been one of my favorite ornaments.



I must link to this cute ATC. It was made for a weekly challenge and the theme this time was cross stitch. I just love Kewpies. Well, I don't love the actual dolls. I guess I should say that I love images of Kewpies. You can find a few free ones here. My personal favorite is the Kewpie with the hatchet. (WTF?)

That Kewpie with the axe reminds me how my foot is still swelling every day and I'm about ready to just have Kathy Bates come by and chop it off. This has been going on for over a month now and I am really sick of it. Some days it's just really uncomfortable, and other days, it really hurts. It's annoying and frustrating. And, many times, I can't even get a shoe on. I now completely understand why people go to rehab for an addiction to pain killers. If Percoset didn't make me dizzy and nauseous, I'd be popping them like I do butter mints.*

The orthopedic surgeon said if the swelling in my foot and leg wasn't being caused by a blood clot, he didn't know what else it could be from. Well, I don't have a blood clot, although the woman who performed the ultrasound to rule that out was in still in training and had no idea what she was doing so maybe I do have a blood clot and she was just too inexperienced to catch it. My diabetes doctor thinks the swelling is from the knee surgery, and I find it odd that the orthopedic guy wouldn't feel the same way. I wish I had said no to the surgery and just worn a cast for three months, I would have had really bad B.O. when it was time to remove it but at least I wouldn't have had all of these other issues. There is some good news though. I am able to move much better nowadays. I can use a step stool now and I'm able to sit on the floor with both legs bent at the knee and off to one side -- something I couldn't do two weeks ago. Last week, I went dancing. Ok, it was just me and my iPod, but it was so great to be able to do that without any pain, and to actually move around the room. I haven't been out dancing in a club for like eight years but it's nice to know I could go if I wanted. (Except I couldn't wear a shoe on my swollen foot.) The last time I tried dancing, my knee began to hurt within minutes and the pain lasted for days. I still can't jump and I will always feel the plate in my leg when I kneel on it, which creeps me out, but it's so good to be able to do some of this stuff again.

How did I get on that subject?? Oh yeah, it's that Kewpie with the hatchet's fault.

I added a header (thanks to the Blog Header Generator) and realized there are way too many dog pictures on this blog. Hello, there are four of them in the header alone! No, I'm not obsessed at all. Later, I will make a new collage to use for a header and will not include a single dog. And, then that pig ornament will take flight.

Maryse posted some details about her 2008 Stitch A Long and Frimousse has a free chart for another stuffed little building. It's a boulangerie. Speaking of Maryse's charts, last night I started this heart for a friend. It's going really quickly.


*the best butter mints ever

The Latest On My Knee (and it's not good)

I wasn't going to say anything about my knee but if I need to get this out.

I haven't felt like blogging much lately. You can thank my fucked up knee for that.

It's been over three months since I had my first surgery. I've been up and walking for a few weeks now. At first, it felt weird to do that, after not using my leg for so long. I thought eventually I would do better with walking and I stupidly thought everything would get back to how it was before I fell. But it hasn't gotten any better. For one thing, I can tell there's something in my knee (stainless steel plate, anyone?). I can walk but that's about it. I can't kneel (I can really feel the plate then), I can't squat, and I can't bend my leg much unless I'm sitting down. I have no feeling in my lower leg, right below my knee. I could stick myself with a pin and not even know it. And, my foot has been swelling so much. I couldn't put on a shoe if I wanted.

I am so disappointed. Why in the world did I have the operation if all I got out of it was a bum knee? I should have just been put in a cast for three months because the surgery obviously didn't do anything for me except fuck up my leg.

Once upon a time, I was a preschool teacher. I can't see me going back to that if I can't sit on the floor with the kids, or get down to their level to talk to them, or pick them up and carry them, or chase after them. I used to ride a tricycle on the playground. Seriously. I never imagined the inability to do the hokey pokey would mean I couldn't work. I'm really glad I wasn't a skier, snowboarder, surfer, or tap dancer before this happened.

I go back to the orthopedic surgeon on Monday and he had better give me some good news. I have a feeling he is going to suggest removing the plate, but that's more surgery, more stitches, and the risk of another infection. And, not something I'm ready to sign up for. I'll only do it if I get a guarantee that I will have full use of my leg once the incision heals.

Sorry to be so negative. I just can't believe what a mess this is.

Wednesday

I linked to Stitch Pink a week ago and I think I mentioned there were links there to free breast cancer awareness charts. But I forgot to mention the one I started to do a few nights ago. It's from Painted Giraffe Stitchery and I like it because of the pink ribbon and heart charm on it. You'll have to email Bonnie and ask her to send you a PDF of the pattern. She's a very nice lady and emailed me a chart right away. More info is here.

I need to make something, like a pie or cupcakes or marshmallows. Other than sticking a batch of Pillsbury Ready To Bake cookies in the oven and mixing up one meatloaf, I haven't done any real cooking for two months now and I really miss it.

I got my second set of stitches out on Monday. The nurse covered the wound with temporary bandages. I peeled one off at the top and one off at the bottom today just to see what was under them, and it's just scabby and dry, which I believe is what we want. I just want it to thoroughly heal without any more problems or infections this time. Only another month to go and I can start using my leg again.

It was nice last night to take a break from all the news coverage about the fires and watch "Damages." If you didn't get into this show, and I know not many people did, you really missed out on some terrific television. I was happy with the way it ended so if it doesn't get renewed, it will be alright, but I do hope Fox decides to give it another chance. I want to see Ellen take down Patty Hewes.

A Couple of X-Stitch Finishes

Here are two more cross stitches I've done while sitting around the house. I started and finished the cats yesterday. You can find that free chart at Kreinik. It's supposed to be done on a Tokens & Trifles sewing card with silk threads, but since I had neither, I just used what I had on hand and chose Autumn colors. The cats were originally going to be turned into something for my sister but I like how they came out so I'm keeping it for myself. I'll make her one later this week. It's not like I don't have the time. Hah! (I can do hers on the 14 ct Aida I don't like. Mine's on 18 ct Fiddler's Lite.) You can find the witch chart here.


There's a third finish below these two -- I didn't want to cut the fabric because then it would be too small for my hoop so I thought I'd stitch as many designs on there as I could -- and it's the autumn heart from Kissy-Cross. I wasn't sure what to do with the heart. I really like this needlebook that someone named Annie made from both heart charts.

I went to the orthopdedic sugeon this afternoon and he thinks my incision looks better this time around. I agree. It actually looks like it's healing, instead of being all scabby and red. He said he'd leave the stitches in for one more week. And, it looks like next week I can start putting some weight on my leg. I'll still need to stay off it for another four weeks though. I wonder how many more cross stitches I can do during that time.

Oh and when I am finally done with the walker, I will be setting fire to it in the backyard.

Another Hospital Visit

Well, I just spent another five days in the hospital. A couple of days after my stitches were taken out, my incision got infected. Taking antibiotics for nearly two weeks didn't clear up the infection so the orthopedic guy decided to admit me so he could open up my knee (again) and clean it all out, plus put me on IV antibiotics.

After we left his office, I had my mom take me home first so I could grab a few things to keep me busy, including the chart for Emily's Halloween witch. I didn't have the green floss for her face with me but I got a good start on it. (And, yes, I know it's not the best picture.) (I somehow deleted the photo by accident and couldn't find it saved on my computer.>

So, I once again have a line of stitches going down my leg. And, I'm on oral meds. One really good thing is this past Friday marked six weeks since my first surgery so I'm FINALLY at the halfway point to being able to put my full weight on my leg and stop using the walker. I'd be doing a happy dance right now if I could.

I'm Such a Geek for the Chewbacca Sound

Tops of two biscornu
Originally uploaded by PipStitch

I recently made a biscornu and wasn't happy with the end result. I don't think I attached the corner of the top piece to the middle of the bottom so it was lopsided. Plus the seam attaching them did not look very nice (I need to practice that more.) So I made another one, using the same free cross stitch chart. The second one came out smaller and I liked it much better. I then re-did the first one. I think I overstuffed it though because sewing on the buttons was a nightmare. I lost track of how many times I stabbed my finger with the needle.

Now that I see this picture, I realize the button on the right one is blue. It looked dark gray to me up until now. I'm thinking I should put a different one on but do I really want to go through sewing on another button? No!

These are the bottoms of the biscornu (biscornus?). Same chart but different colors of floss (stuff I had in my stash). I used 18 ct white Aida both times. I counted out three squares and then backstitched around the design. When I made the first one, I counted out six or eight squares and that made a bigger biscornu.

Biscornu bottoms
Originally uploaded by PipStitch

The free chart I used is here at Kissy-Cross. Be sure to check out her other freebies.

This video was on Cute Overload along with Meg's request for someone to add some Jaws music and a Chewbacca yell. And someone did just that. That reminds me of the time the Chewbacca sound was on Cute Overload. I wonder if I can get that on myiPod.

And, for everyone who is keeping track, here's a knee update: my incision did not look very good to me last night and I knew it was infected so back to the orthopedist's office we went. I saw one of my doctor's partners since my guy wasn't there today, and he said it looks to be just on the surface (a good thing). I'm on antibiotics and hoping to see an improvement in a few days. Actually, it's not as gross looking now as it was earlier today.

My Icky Knee

I got my stitches out yesterday and today my incision is sore. They put some disolvable bandages on it -- they'll come off in the shower -- and I'm afraid to peek underneath to see how everything looks. It was pretty ugly looking yesterday. I guess I thought I'd get the sutures out and I'd have an instant scar but this was...well, it was icky. The stitches were individually knotted so the nurse had to get scissors beneath them and then snip each one. It totally reminded me of when I screw up with my cross stitching and have to cut and rip out threads. There were about twenty of them, and as gross as it is, I had to watch the whole thing. It fascinates me to no end how they can cut you open and then sew you closed.

After the appointment with the orthopedist, my mom went to get the car and I sat on the curb across the street that goes in to the parking garage, waiting for her. And, once again, someone walking by asked if I was ok. I guess they see me on the ground and the walker next to me and think I fell. It's really nice to know some people will stop to make sure you're ok. Of course, about 37 people just walked by me with barely a glance, but that one guy was enough to make my day. :)

Company in the Bathroom

The other night, I went into the bathroom to take a shower and as usual Maggie followed me in there. She laid down on the rug by the tub and I could not get her to move so I just slid the entire rug closer to the door. I don't know how in the world I did it but I somehow got into the tub with the help of my walker.

When I finished and got out of the tub, Maggie was asleep on the rug and the floor was all wet so I threw a towel down there, and once again used my walker to get out of the tub. I can't believe I was able to get a walker in that little bit of space between the dog and the tub, and not whack her in the head with it or put it down on top of her. More amazing is how she never even moved as I was maneuvering around her. And, then she just stayed there while I went and got the camera.

I'm supposed to go to Doogie Howser tomorrow (very young orthopedist) and get my stitches out. And, then only six weeks to go until I can walk again.

Oh yeah, the hospital bill arrived. It's for $53,000 and change. For that kind of money, that guy I saw in pre-op with the open gown and no underwear on should have had a huge penis.

(Remember when this blog was about free cross stitch patterns?)

We're Feeling Good From The Pills We Took

So, I haven't posted much lately because last week, I fell and broke my knee, and I didn't think being hopped up on Percocet would make for good blogging. Actually, Percocet only takes the pain away. It doesn't do much else.

Thanks to Blogger, I just found an unfinished post with the following:

I just discovered designer Anna Maria Horner's blog (thanks to My Half of the Brain). Here's a how-to for a cute felt owl ornament. And a felt garland. And a dog leash. I love her handwritten entry. I still write letters sometimes but nowhere near as many as I used to. It's easier to send an email, but I don't even do that sometimes. Right now, I have 216 emails to answer. Some are from as far back as June. I get on my computer and I'd rather read blogs or blow up cute little creatures.

I can't put any weight on my leg for two months (just shoot me). And, I was thinking, well, I could use all this downtime to stitch and embroider. So, maybe I'll have a few million things that I've made to share over the next two months.