Still Sewing up a Storm

My goodness, Wednesday already it is amazing how fast the days slip by. I have been sewing like crazy, getting some things ready to try and sell. It is not a chore though as I love it.

Six smallish bags with padded handles ready to go.

This one is my favourite, I like the contrast of the bold colours on one side to the much lighter ones on the other.

The bold colours that I love.

I have crocheted another 2 bands round my Granny Blanket and will show you when it is finished.

I pulled a box of Vintage Sheet Charms out while searching for something else and had a Eureka moment. I have been shuffling these around for quite a while now and decided that their time had come.

One baby quilt, pieced, layered and pinned ready to quilt.

I just quilted in straight lines either side of the seams, I did not pull the layers too tight as I wanted a little puffiness in the finished quilt.

I bound it with some soft grey and used a remnant of brushed cotton for the back, this was left from a large quilt that I made ages ago. I machine stitched the binding to the front and my clover clips are holding it all in place. I will hand sew it later on today.

My "sciatica" was quite bad over the weekend so I made an appointment to see the doctor, I could not get in to see him until yesterday just before lunch. By 2:00 I was at the hospital in Llanelli waiting to go to Xray, my doctor thinks that I have arthritis in my left hip and possibly the knee. I had thought that it may be the case as this attack has been ongoing from last November. The pain has been somewhat different to the norm and I have started to "roll" when I walk, a bit like a sailor just ashore.

I am keeping my fingers crossed that if it is then I will be able to have a hip replacement sooner rather than later.

In my haste to get back to my sewing, on my return,I managed to forget leaving 2 big bath towels on the line to finish drying. Of course it poured down in the night and is a fine drizzle now, I will have to get them in and put them in to spin before hanging on the clothes horse.

Yesterday it was as hot as Hades and should have been so all week, hey ho If I am confined to the house I will finish the baby quilt and maybe the Granny border.

I was supposed to be gardening but that can wait for a dry day.

Reasons to be grateful.

1.  The Health Service is much maligned but was on the ball for me yesterday.

2.  I managed to complete my planned sewing and almost finish a baby quilt.

3.  Ben is now on some new medication after all the tests.

4.  James and Cerys are all set to move this weekend.

5. Francesca will be here on Friday till Monday mid day.

I am hoping, that once Ben's skin condition is either resolved or completely under control, I will be able to get over to Oz to see my brother and his family. My eldest nephew and his girlfriend have had a house built and it would not surprise me if there was a wedding next year. My youngest nephew has grown like a weed since I saw him last and as I said earlier the weeks slip away as do the months. I saw Tony and Sue when they came to England a year ago and in all likelihood it will be another year before I see them again. Fingers crossed that a new hip is in place as it will make the long long flight much easier.

Ben has had a walk, albeit short he decided quite abruptly to turn round and head for home, I think he was ready for his breakfast as it disappeared at an alarming rate. I have a beef casserole in the slow cooker and part of the stock from that will be used as a sauce for the beef olives that I am going to make for some of my new found friends. I also need to get some bread started and I have 2 banana cakes to make.

On that note I will say..............

      TTFN                                                   Pam

Lady in Waiting

Well the lady bit may be stretching it a little but I did spend most of yesterday waiting.
I took someone to the doctors to get a suspected sprained Achilles Tendon checked out, and we waited and we waited.

Then we went to Swansea hospital to get a "probable" fracture xrayed, and we waited and we waited.

2 hours of waiting before going through to Xray Dept. Ben and I took a leisurely stroll and found a shady footpath, I did not have my camera with me unfortunately.

We ambled back to the car and sat on the grass, in the shade of some conveniently planted trees, Ben had a long drink of water (I always carry fresh water when Ben is with me) and I read a book.

We Waited some more.

The patient kept me informed via text and was now, almost 3 hours later waiting for the results.

We waited a little more.

Then just as all hope was about to leave the area we got another text.

We were now waiting for a boot to be fitted..........

More waiting.

The Eureka moment was not too much longer and out hobbled the (im)patient.

We left Swansea gratefully, gleefully and gladly.

During this time I was also in touch, via text, with James and Cerys regarding their potential move. Finally after more waiting I got the good news that they have their new house. PHEW.

Now for today,

I am doing a return trip to the hospital, they obviously want to check out their handiwork, I strongly suspect more waiting is in my near future.

Please do not take this as a complaint or criticism of our health service, I am only too pleased that we have it and that it is free.
I just find it nigh on impossible to sit still for more than 15 minutes. I did take some lace knitting with me but it was baking hot and the wool stuck to my fingers. Luckily I had a "chicklit" book in the car and read that after walking with Ben. 
Today I have some EPP in the car and some crochet. I am going to look at the swimming pool in Ponty on the way back, I have dug out my swimsuits and goggles. I will not swim in my specs so I have prescription lenses in goggles, they mean that not only can I see where I am going but my eyes get a modicum of protection from the chlorine.

Reasons to be grateful.

1.  The ability to help someone in need.

2.  Having Tom Tom in the car, a real boon.

3.  Loads of exercise with Ben.

4.  Enforced sitting still, resting after my walk left me feeling pretty good.

5.  The biggest shock ever, the coffee in the vending machine actually tasted like coffee.

The A&E Dept was heaving, people of all ages from a toddler in a pushchair to a very elderly man in a wheelchair. The staff were busy but still able to exchange soothing words with the impatient and restless queue. One of the vending machines was not working correctly and a member of staff operated it manually  long enough for everyone to get what they wanted from it.

On the whole it was a positive experience and compared with The QE in Lynn it came up trumps. The area is spacious and cool, there are several vending machines offering hot and cold drinks, sandwiches, fruit and the usual crisps and chocolate. and the prices are not exorbitant. 

I am taking my camera today, if I am hanging around I will take some photos.
 Oh I nearly forgot, I picked up a bag of perfect pine cones,  these will feature in my Seasonal Decorations later in the year. I refuse to use the C word in June.

I managed to weave in some of the ends on my Granny Blanket last night but it was so hot and sticky that I had to put it down, it should be cooler today so hopefully I can finish it later.

      TTFN                                                  Pam