Update

I thought I'd give a little update on my Dad. So many of you put us in your thoughts and I can't tell you how much it means. My Dad is not the best patient and when this happened he turned very negative, saying things like "I'll never leave this hospital". Trying to remind him that attitude is SO IMPORTANT has been all I can do, from 1,000 miles away, and dealing with my own recovery. Having your well wishes to pass on to him is such a gift, so thank you.
He hasn't had surgery yet. What was discovered is he has 2 pockets of Staph infection on his L4 and L5 vertabre. He underwent a test today where they radiated a pint of his blood and then re-injected into him in hope of then doing another MRI and seeing where the now nuclear blood goes...should lead to any other "hotspots" in his body. Hopefully we'll know more tomorrow or the next day.

I am recovering from my back surgery and it feels so slow. I think "I should be up and doing something" and then can barely make it from the couch to the table and have to remind myself its only been a few days. "This too, shall pass..."

I recently found, and fell in love with, the work of Sarah Bowen. When I saw she was hosting a Twelve Days of Christmas class, I signed up post-haste. I've not been in the position to really feel much holiday anything lately, so thought this would help. I saw she posted her first project today and am excited to put my focus on something a little more creative than nausea, heartburn, backache and constipation, LOL.

Prayers needed

I really need prayers for my Dad. He has been miserable with a "backache" for several weeks but was one of those unfortunate people who never got listened to, never got anyone to give him the right tests and now he is on his way by ambulance to Las Vegas for an emergency surgery. (They are retired and were in Mesquite for the winter.) An MRI today found a massive abcess/infection on his spinal cord, with the imminent danger being any infection on/near the spinal cord has a direct path to the brain. So, in a weird twist of fate, my Dad and I will both be having back surgery on the same day, just out of the blue. Please, any healing thoughts directed towards my Dad, Bill, would mean the world to us.

xo, t

Gratitude album

Inspired by Emily's journal, I made a "gratitude journal". 52 pages, 1 per week, each with 7 spots to document what I am thankful for each day. I have a big year coming up (back surgery in two days) and a hip replacement 6 weeks later. I think I will want to remember the little good things for the next year!

I used my bind-it-all and bound together 52 assorted pages and tags and even some packagaing inserts that were cool. Each is numbered 1-7 in some fashion (I used stamps, stickers, pen) and I plan to embellish a bit more as I go (and know how much room I'll have.)

Peppermint

I LOVE how this came out (the apron - LOL, and the girl, of course)! This one is wool, and I've already started (and am almost finished with) one in cotton (more absorbant - better for an apron). Part of a swap I am in. I love peppermint so I made peppermint the theme of my swap. This pepperminty looking apron and lots of other pepperminty goodness. Several other photos here, love how adorable she looks in it. She asked for one to wear as a sort of skirt over her jeans and she is just the girl to pull it off.

Gratitude album

I love love love this album by Emily. I must make one! When you have a lot "bad" going on in your life, it makes you so thankful for the good. I have been feeling so grateful for so many "little" things, which really are the "big" things, right? Lovely album, lovely idea. Thanks for sharing, Em!

I hope everyone has a wonderful day today. Wether it be in the US, with friends and family celebrating Thanksgiving, or wherever you are in the world. Enjoy today!