News From the Studio, Episode 1758

Posted on January 20, 2020 by prairiemoonquilts in Studio News

Three weeks into the new year. And I’m not off to a real great start, I must say.

On January 2nd, My Cowboy was diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure. Just one more horrible thing to add to his already long list of incurable ailments. And more pills to take.

On the 6th, we both got new eyeglasses, because . . . well . . . we’re getting old and have the beginnings of cataracts. I really like my new ones — you can see them in some of the photos below.

On the 7th, I was outfitted with this lovely piece of footwear:

Stress fracture, they call it. Well, I can certainly believe the “stress” part — it’s causing me great stress! I’m trying to ignore that I have it, but that’s not easy.

On the 8th, I left for California. The weather is much more tolerable out there, and I did have fun. Both of my daughters live out there, so I got to visit with them for several days. And see my grandson!

My bestie, Victoria, met me out there, and we attended the opening reception for the “Quilts: 4 Directions” exhibit at the Craft in America Center in Beverly Hills.

If you’re in the area, this exhibit runs until March 7th, and you should go see it. There’s a wonderful artisan gift shop attached to the gallery, too — well worth seeing.

We had so much fun at the reception. This is one of Victoria’s quilts that is in the exhibit, that I quilted for her. I’ll post more later on the quilt itself.

And both of my daughters got to be there, a rare occasion indeed!

I spent the rest of my time visiting with my girls, and went to work with my youngest on Monday, where I got to visit with Charlie the Cavoodle, the Chief Happiness Officer at her place of business. He has his own Instagram account @charlie.cavoodle, if you’d like to see more of Charlie. He’s so adorable!

Just before I left to go to California, I had my first quilt finish of the year, because I wanted to take it with me as a gift for my daughter’s friend, Bree.

I got to present the quilt to her in person, and here’s the best part — Bree is a HUGE Disney fan (which is why I made this quilt for her in the first place), and when we walked in, she was dressed just like the quilt! She had on a red vintage-Mickey dress, with a gray cardigan and black tights. Perfect! And she was showing us her new Minnie Mouse purse — true fan in every way. So cute! She cried when I gave her the quilt. And as it turns out, her birthday had been just a few days before, so my timing was pretty good! She told me later that she cried again every time she showed it to someone! And then sent us a photo of herself all snuggled up underneath it that night. I think it was a hit. (And it was also my #2 quilt on my #APQResolution list, so that’s another small win.)

The middle was a vintage-Mickey panel I bought from sewingpartsonline.com quite a while back when they advertised it in their newsletter, so I don’t know if they have them any more, but Google might be your friend in this case, if you want one. I also bought a companion piece to use for fussy cutting the centers of the star blocks I surrounded it with, and matched white, gray, black, and red solids for the rest:

On Friday, the 17th, I arrived home from California, right in the middle of a horrific ice storm, to find:

A broken bowl
A broken shower curtain rod
A broken toilet seat
A broken door on the microwave
A broken clothes-drying rack
A curtain that the cats dragged down, rod and all,
Some dirty dishes,
A mountain of laundry, and . . .

My Cowboy’s truck won’t start.

And did I mention the ice storm? And that I have a broken foot? Yeh, all that . . .

My poor Cowboy did what he could, but it was evidently all he could do to take care of the farm by himself while I was gone (did I mention it’s winter?), so I’m thinking it’s a good thing I came home when I did! He said: “The party girls were trying to clean up before they left, but with the ice storm coming, they had to skedaddle!” Haha! I think he needs more efficient party girls next time. Actually, forget party girls — bring in a team of maids!

I have some deadlines to meet before the end of the month, so I’m trying to get back into full-time work mode. And I’ll be posting our January organizing task tomorrow.

I’m also gonna have to bite the bullet and start doing the cooking myself from now on. My Cowboy ate frozen microwave dinners, frozen pizza, and microwave popcorn the entire time I was gone! CHF patients need to be ever-so-slightly more cognizant of their diet than that — so I’m gonna have to take matters into my own hands. Uff! Can’t leave him alone for very long, I guess!

So that’s been my 2020 so far. I’m hoping it can only get better from here, and still, we don’t have it as bad as some folks, so I am thankful every day for what we do have.

And I’ve decided to start my year over on February 1st — stay tuned!

27 responses to “News From the Studio, Episode 1758”

  1. Shirley Guier says:

    Yes, you need a restart in February for sure. You have had a lot happen already in 2 weeks. You do have 2 beautiful daughters and I’m sure it was nice to spend time with them.

  2. Sherry V says:

    Oh my, you have certainly had a month. I will certainly be sending good thoughts and prayers your way.

    You can certainly start over on whatever date you choose.

  3. Christy Donner says:

    Amazing quilting! Loved your pictures!

  4. Christine Williams says:

    …and yet you continue to smile – a sign of a lovely heart and soul. Your daughters are beautiful – that was a great way to spend some January time. Hope your hubby feels better and your month of “stuff happens” improves. One step (hobble?) at a time. Blessings to you and cowboy and the farm.

  5. Karen E. says:

    That’s too much stuff going on for a dozen people! I like your new glasses; your daughters are beautiful, and I am sending happy, healing thoughts and prayers for the whole family.

    Take things a step at a time, and let some things go.

  6. Rose Marie Smith says:

    Although you wrote all this with humor………..I am full of tears. I can’t believe that absolutely everything goes so wrong sometimes. I will be praying that the Lord takes a look at everything and fixes this stuff. He can do better than I can at figuring this all out.

  7. Sandra Famuliner says:

    Love the notes on our trip and your girls are beautiful! So sorry about Cowboy, your boot and your state of affairs. Stay strong!

  8. Marcia in TX says:

    Praying for you and your Cowboy.

  9. Paula Mu in NE Ohio says:

    Getting old can be tough, but the alternative is worse. Glad you had a great trip. I hope your foot gets better soon and your dear cowboy’s health remains stable.

  10. Raewyn says:

    Oh golly, it never rains but it pours – or never snows but it ices – or whatever is appropriate. Hope you heal quickly, hope your Cowboy does ok too. Nice you had some time away, I love the quilt you gifted – it’s beautiful!!

  11. Christopher Thomas says:

    I am right there with you I want to start mine over as well. Not as much has happened to me but I can relate to all.

    Happy quilting, I have been working on blocks on the weekends and a bunch of other stuff as well.

  12. Janet Smith says:

    My, what a whirl wind few days. I pray the meds & your cooking help the CHF. Not fun. Take care & take one day at a time. I loved the top you had on in front of beautiful quilt. Did you make your top?
    Take care. ❤️

  13. Sharon Sauser says:

    You should have had the neighbors take care of your critters, and you should have taken your cowboy with you. That way you could have kept your eye on him, and he could have seen your daughters, too. They are both beautiful, and so is the quilting you did on Victoria’s quilt. Wishing you all better luck for the rest of the year.

  14. Carole S says:

    All that stress is so exhausting. Don’t forget to take care of yourself. You do so much for other people. I so enjoy hearing the tales of your country life. Hope things calm down for you and your cowboy.

  15. Praying for you both, Shelly. CHF is a tough one. Sounds like you need to hire someone to take care of the animals – seriously, since you will be taking care of Mr. Cowboy. Your daughters are so gorgeous! Sorry we missed getting together. Do take care of yourself. The year can begin whenever you want.

  16. Deanna says:

    Good HEAVENS! So much to cope with. And, yes, your general stress can contribute to breakdown generally. Take care of yourself.

  17. Carolyn says:

    You are certainly off on the wrong foot. Too many bad things happening. Hopefully that means you got them out of way for the year and rest of year will be trouble free. Praying For your husband And hope your ankle heals.

  18. Drbbi says:

    So sorry you’ve had such a hard start to the new year. My prayers for you and your cowboy. Hang tough!

  19. PAULA M MORGAN says:

    I too will hope the worst is behind you, and beginning your New Year on February 1st, sounds like a splendid idea!

  20. Crystal in Cedar City says:

    So sorry that you are in the middle of a storm…both literally and figuratively. I suggest an Instant Pot. I have been cooking up a storm since I got one….no pun intended. Yummy meals quick and easy. Let’s me have plenty of quilting time!

  21. Ranch Wife says:

    Well GOOD GRAVY girl! You just fit a whole trailer load of mess into the first 2 weeks of the year. Here’s hoping that means you got it all out of the way and the rest of the year will be smooth sailing. So sorry to hear of your cowboy’s additional health issues – with your TLC, he’ll soon be feeling like a frisky colt. Hope your foot heals quickly – not fun, but I’m glad you were able to fit in what looks like a really fun trip! Your girls are beautiful! And now I need a nap – I’m plumb wore out after reading about your January.

  22. Hope says:

    Shelly, so sorry to hear of Scott’s CHF and your foot! Prayers for you both. And then all the nuisances! Glad you got to visit with the girls. They are such beautiful young women!
    Love to you all,
    Hope

  23. Tonia says:

    I think you needed the great memory of the trip with the girls to balance what is happening at home. Farm life can be discouraging some times….Hope all your furry friends are ok….I often find time with our “not a house cat named Faith” can ease the times. Praying for your new adventure with CHF will not be too difficult.

  24. Wendy O. says:

    “They” say bad comes in Three. After reading this, and using my crayons, you have Officially used ALL of your 2020 “bad”. May the rest of your year be Fun & Happy!

  25. Mary Delia says:

    Can’t say much about your “news” except you are all in my prayers that things begin to become more hopeful very soon. Take care!

  26. Scarlett says:

    Oh my, Shelly!! Hope February goes better for you both! Nice pic with your girls!

  27. Karen E. says:

    Shelly, after I was able to take off my boot after a stress fracture a few years ago, I found a wide elastic arch support worn just behind my toes on the affected foot really helped. I bought it from Amazon. Now wearing arch supports seems to keep my feet comfortable. I hope it works for you too!

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