Recent Projects

I was reminded this afternoon that I haven't posted any project posts for a while. So here goes.

We were blessed with a new grandson, Mace, the end of July.  All grandkids get a quilt from Grandma.  Isn't that a rule somewhere if you have a quilter Grandma?

Mace Lucas's quilt

We are also expecting a new granddaughter any day.  This is Avriel Kiersten's quilt.  It is actually more red than this picture looks.  (disregard the unpainted deck railing- I haven't gotten to that level of the to-do- list just yet)

A certain grandgirl needed a library/gym bag.  I cheated on this and used a white ready-made canvas bag from Hobby Lobby and added the ruffles.  I thought it turned our really cute but have I ever mentioned how much I dislike making ruffles? No?  Well, I dislike making ruffles.

Big sister liked the bag so what else can a Grandma do?  Round 2!  And since Big Sister was here at the time I decided to make the bag, she was able to pick out her own fabrics from my stash and how she wanted them laid out on the bag.

 And their Mom liked the bags and had a birthday coming up.  Today, to be exact, (Happy Birthday Heidi!) so I worked up a messenger bag for her this weekend.  I didn't cheat on this one with a ready made tho.  I used a Burda pattern I found at Jo-Anns.  I've never used a Burda pattern before and maybe it was just this particular one, but their directions leave a bit to be desired.  Just sayin.  However, the bag turned out great.
And I do have to admit as much as I am not a "ruffle girl", I could even carry something like this.  

Really liked the big black flower button.  Love the fabrics and how it turned out.  All of the fabrics but the one with circles came from Moda's Little Black Dress Basic Gray line. The circle fabric was from Jo-Ann Fabrics.    

Hmmm....now what should the next project be?  So many options!

Summer In The Midwest helmet-cam

We went out for a nice long Sunday afternoon bike ride today.  First we've done more than a quick ride here or there all summer mostly due to me being laid up with "the foot".  It was a gorgeous afternoon!  Here's a few scenes from our ride...

 We packed sandwiches and stopped here to eat them at one of DH's favorite stops.  This old bridge has a very active rail line underneath it and we hung out long enough to be above the train as it passed.  Yeah, we're weird like that. 

Wildflowers near where we had our lunch.  Everything looks pretty green and lush but we really need another dose of rain.

 DH is tall, 6'4" so this is some extremely tall corn. 

 One of my favorite places we pass by on this route.  It sits on top of a hill with an incredible view and is always neat as a pin.  The white fence pretty much has my heart too. [sigh]

 This cow seemed pretty interested in our bike as we passed.  Be truthful, do you moo at cows when you go by?  Doesn't everyone?  

 Love this old red barn!

And last but not least...this is not something someone on a motorcycle wants to see running along the road next to them.  This one was just a baby but still could have done serious damage to the bike and us. They're so unpredictable.  They go one way and then dart the next.  Not sure what it's like where you live but here many of these animals unfortunately become hood ornaments.  Just one more reason we try not to ride too close to dusk or after dark.

Just an observation...

When we were at the park last weeked, three year old Ella raced up the steps to the fire pole but then decided she was too scared to go down the pole.  She clung to the side of the tower saying "I scared!".  Mommy eventually convinced her to try.  She helped her reach out, wrap her arms around the pole and see that her daddy was there to catch her and not let her fall.  She was still hesitant but she trusted that her Daddy would do what he said he would.

This scene reminded me so much of my relationship with my Lord.  He is there to catch me but so many times I find it safer to cling to the side of the tower afraid to take that first step out over the unknown and grab the pole he provides.  Why is it so hard to believe my Father God will do what He says He will?  The Bible tells me He will and it's been proven more times than I can count.   If I could embrace Ella's child-like faith and let my Father assist me, how much better could my life be?  

Just an observation...

There's just something about traditions...

When I was growing up we rarely had a lunch picnic at a park unless it was a family reunion but at least 2 - 3 times a summer, we would go to a local park and cook breakfast out.  We did this often with our boys as well and now we get to enjoy the same tradition with the grandkids.  This morning we packed our Coleman stove which we haven't used in a long time.  It's been a few years since we've done the breakfast in the park thing, went camping or built a house.  Built a house?  Yes, we cooked on the camp stove for our first few weeks in our house.  When we moved in, the kitchen was still awaiting counter top and sink but through a series of events we felt it was necessary to move in regardless.  Whew, that's a rabbit trail.

Back on track...so this morning we packed our Coleman stove, some bacon, muffins, cheese, fruit and eggs and off to the park we went!  It was a gorgeous morning!  This particular park has a wonderful playground for the kids which you can see in the distance in the first picture, called Kids Castle.  This playground was built around the time our boys were young. 

I neglected to take any pictures of the picnic portion of the morning but did manage to snap a few other photos.

The picture above is hands down my favorite picture of the day.  Grandpa and his grands.  

This merry-go-round has been in operation since I can remember.  I rode on it as a child, our boys rode on it and now their children do and the best part is it's still only 50 cents!

This fire pole when our boys were small.  They slid down it many times. 

Father and son ... the meeting of the minds as they were waiting on the merry-go-round.  

 This fire truck has been in place well over 50 years.  I climbed on it and these kids daddy and mommy "drove" it too.

I love that the same things that delighted us as children, still delight our grandkids.  There's just something about those traditions. 

The Light At The End Of The Tunnel

I've been given the go ahead at this point to transition to a regular shoe from the big black boot.  I have to do it slowly, a couple of hours a day at home first and then eventually I can wear the shoe to work and when out.  

This is a great thing, right?  Guess what, none of my current shoes fit my foot!  :(  It's still pretty swollen so my regular shoes are not wide enough  So I've been on the hunt for a shoe to get me by for the next few months.  I don't want to spend big money as I hopefully won't need a wide width eventually.
  
I do not have an easy to foot to fit, I wear a womens sz. 12. :(  I can't walk into any ol' store and pick up a pair.  I ordered 9 pairs in a wide width from Zappos, which I love by the way.  Free fast shipping and free return shipping.  It's like a shoe store comes to my door.  Love it!  But this time not a one of the 9 pair fit so they are all going back. :(

I checked out our local stores but no dice there either. 

So yesterday, a 2 hour drive later, I arrived at The Shoe Box in Black Earth, Wisconsin.  It's the only store within a reasonable radius that carries a selection in my size and their service is second to none.  I tried on "just a few pair."  Quite honestly, I lost count after 15 pair.  The girl assisting me was so kind and helpful which is the type of service we usually find at The Shoe Box.  She had great suggestions and understood where I was coming from and how I had to proceed.

 

I finally found one I could live with.  I really didn't want a tennis shoe since I will be wearing this shoe for the next 3 months to work, church, everywhere, but it's what I could find that fit and felt good so I'm going with it.

Hopefully tomorrow I'll be able to start little by little with REAL shoes!  I am beyond excited to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  It's a pretty long tunnel yet but I can see the light!


Neither Zappos or The Shoe Box paid me a dime to mention them.

A New Grandson

We have a new grandson!

Mace Lucas was born yesterday and weighed 7lbs. 12oz, was 21" long and has a head of very blonde hair! 

Their all doing well!  

We made the 2 hour drive today so we could love on him just for a bit. 

  And now in 2-1/2 weeks, our next grandchild, a granddaughter is scheduled to make her appearance which will bring the total to 6 grands!  There is just something about watching your babies have babies.
  

Feeling blessed!

Ankle update, a bit of helmet-cam and other randonmess

Good gravy!  It's been almost a month since I've posted.  So much for keeping up with my blog goal.

I am still in the boot but am up to full weight on my foot now.  I still use one crutch if I have any distance to walk but it's progressing.  When this all started and the doc said 4 - 6 months, I was like, "ok, it's do-able" but now that's it's become a reality, it's a different story and I am ready to be done!  I started physical therapy on Friday which will help me move along to normal so I'm all for it.  The constant appointments will be a drag but if it means progress I'm good.  I can transition to a supportive shoe in a couple of weeks with orthotics around the house and to a shoe full time by the end of August.  I go back to the doc on Sept 3 and my goal is to walk in with a regular shoe without assistance.  

Since I am up to full weight I can now get on/off the motorcycle again.  It's a bit awkward and I've gotten some strange looks with my big orthopedic boot but it's so nice to be back behind the hubby again going for a ride.

Here's a few helmet cams from the last two weeks...

Love this old barn just down the road from us.  Praying it never blows down athough I'm not sure what's still holding it up. 

On our way to church this morning...so thankful to be part of a church where it's okay to attend "as you are" which makes it acceptable to not have to "dress up" so we can ride our bike to church.  We take full advantage of that many times over the summer months.

I love when soybeans are blowing in the wind and you can see the silver underside of their leaves.  So pretty to see the whole field waving in the breeze.

Corn tunnels...in the Midwest there are many back roads that feel like they're more narrow this time of year as there is corn on both sides.  I like riding through it but don't like not having as much advance notice of critters running into the road in front of you. 

We've had a number of crop dusters over the house in the last week spraying corn for silk beetles and fungicide on the soybeans.  

He was a little higher in this one.  A couple of nights ago, I really felt like I almost needed to duck when he went over.  They sure are fun to watch tho.

I also hope to have news in the next day or two about a new grandbaby that is being induced tonight.  :)  And another one due in a couple of weeks.  We're exploding with babies here in the Miller family.

Happy Sunday to you!  Hope all is well in your part of the world!

Update time

Two weeks ago, I was able to transition from this ...

to this.  Progress!

Although, I was directed to not put any weight on it yet.  Until today!  Technically, I cheated and started yesterday a bit.  There is some pain involved but nothing like I was told to expect.  Honestly, my knee is probably more sore than my foot and ankle from kneeling and bearing my weight on the scooter these past 8 weeks.  

Instructions were to only put 25% of my total weight on it for 5 days, then 50%, then 75%, etc.  The worst part of all of that is it means I have to go back to using crutches which seem incredibly awkward to me.  I'm hoping I'll get a smoother hang of them the more I use them.

I also started back to work last week.  I've been working half days in the office and half days from home.  It's been going well and it feels good to be getting back into my "normal" routine.  However, it's kicking my tail and when I come home I feel like doing this

 instead of the work I should be doing from home but I've been pushing through and glad I did.  It's all progress for which I am thankful. :)

Learning How To Receive

All too often, when someone offers help, don't we say - thanks but we'll be fine, we can get by, we got it covered?  Maybe you don't but I sure do. 

Throughout the recovery period I'm in, people have offered to drive me places, stop at the store to pick something up, let us use their larger vehicle so I would have more room to stretch out and bring us meals and more meals and more meals.  My inclination is to say "Thanks, but I've got this."  In fact, I have to fight really hard against saying just that.  When I struggle with this, I am reminded of a conversation I had with our Alabama pastor friend.  As I was declining his help, he reprimanded me "Don't y'all steal my blessing".   That conversation has stuck with me these past few years as I have made a conscious effort to try and I do mean try to not decline assistance so quickly.  When we decline others help, we really are stealing their blessing to us.  Oh, they might be offering help because they feel they have to for whatever reason but I believe most people offer help out of love and genuine care for the other person.  When we say no, it devalues them and their gift to us.  It doesn't allow them to love on us as they wanted to.  It doesn't allow them to bless us.

For instance,

If I had said no to our small group leader when she wanted to set up a schedule for people to bring meals while I'm laid up, we likely wouldn't have incredible food like this...














Doesn't this salad look amazing?  And it tasted as good as it looked!  The meals people have brought have been incredible! 

If I'd have said no to my daughter in law, Heidi, when she offered to drive 15 miles both ways to pick me up for Ella's preschool program, I would've missed out on spending time with Heidi, a nice picnic lunch in the park on a gorgeous day and the opportunity to see Miss E. in her program.

Our little cutie is the second from the right.  So glad I accepted and went along.

So, the next time someone offers to help you, take a chance and say yes.  By not stealing their blessing, you just might feel blessed, loved and cared for in the process.