Tuesday, December 20, 2016

On the Homefront

Studio Time

After my flurry of errands last week, which included wrapping gifts and shipping two boxes to Arkansas on Saturday (crossing my fingers they arrive in time), I plan to devote most of this week to finishing last-minute gifts.

Come Fly With Me
The geese are finally heading in the correct direction and have joined the rest of the flock in a Springy wall hanging for SIL.  I couldn't get it finished in time to go in yesterday's post, so it will be waiting for her when she comes back to visit in January.  Gotta love quilt-as-you-go for a quick finish!  Still needs to be squared up and bound, but since I have a couple of weeks till it's due, I'll move some other projects to the front today.

First up will be Christmas table toppers for MIL's caregivers. I'm hoping spray basting and machine binding will expedite the process. And sometime before Saturday I want to make a pillow cover for Grandson-2's girlfriend who's coming to meet the family (I hope she has a sense of humor). 

Health Update

Forgot to mention I got my flu shot.  Had a voucher for free shot at CVS/Target and on top of that, they gave me a $5 gift card just for getting the shot!!  Now let's see if I get the flu ...

Mammogram was normal; lumbar x-rays confirmed some degeneration and stenosis as I suspected.  So my lifestyle changes have commenced.  The least invasive thing I need to do is lose some weight -- no, really, a lot of weight -- to take some stress off the back.  Since most exercise is painful, the easiest way is to simply reduce intake.  Already lost 1.5 lbs!

I've started wearing a lumbar support around the house and will begin stretching exercises this week.  I'm also checking out yoga classes at the rec center.  The last things I want are drugs and surgery.  Wish me luck.


9 comments:

  1. Wow!! I want to know your secret to losing 1.5 pounds in a week!!! Did you stop eating everything?!?! Best of luck on completing your remaining items for Christmas. Be merry!!

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  2. I'm definitely wishing you luck. Drugs and surgery are no fun at all!
    Glad you finally got those geese under control. They're looking pretty fine now!

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  3. Best wishes on the weight loss....not easy, but, worth it in the end for so many reasons. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

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  4. oy! backs! I know that story. Lose weight... so hard when you can't burn it off. Or stop eating! I wear two braces. Still unstable. If it's sacrum try an SI belt and pad. Keeps the sacrum in place. Good luck, and those geese are flying right!
    LeeAnna

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  5. The geese look beautiful Libby!
    So sorry that you have such back troubles. Best wishes with the measures you are taking to make things better. Those flu shots really do work.
    Merry Christmas!

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  6. Sorry to hear about your back issues. Good luck with your weight loss and non-invasive treatment plan. I hope it brings you relief soon. Merry Christmas!

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  7. I like your flying geese project, very pretty. Good luck with the weight loss goals. I'm in the same boat with back and weight issues. My Mom has a degenerative back condition and since it looks like I've got the same, my best option is to loose the weight before it gets really bad. If you want a good calorie tracking option, try Sparkpeople. The basic app is free and works on the computer and has a mobile app too. I've been counting calories based on the range Sparkpeople sets for me and trying to get in 10,000 steps a day, I'm down 30 lbs in 6 months.

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  8. Looking good! Glad your health report was so good, minus the back. Good luck with your weight loss. It isn't easy, but you can do it! XO

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  9. Sorry to hear your back is bothering you, and hope you find some relief. Sounds like we are on the same path lately - mammograms, flu shots, doctor visits! Lol! Isn't it all fun?! Hope you find some escape from it all - in the sewing room!

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