Flat Whittaker

 I'm sure I will be upstairs to sew, as long as I am careful, slow and steady will get me there.

 The table is built but not finished with a paint or stain.  I had him add a half shelf beneath.  My mistake was telling him 30" table height, assuming seating chairs were all the same.  The outdoor folding chairs locally are all 16" high, not 18", which a 2" cushion will correct.  Not sure I would even use it as a small desk.

About the meniscus surgery, I don't have the technical reason.  Was just told at this point, it would exasperate the edema which is where the tibia attaches to the knee, same area/side as the tear.  They are finding that with some cases of tears, physiotherapy results in better outcomes than surgery.  Mine may be too far gone for that since it is extruded with two tears, but until this edema leaves, no final decision for future treatment.  It is not the cause of the disabling pain these past months.

She has a large crew this year!

Have a good day.

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And the answer is ....

stay off your leg for a few months, if you do walk, no slopes, gravel, steps.  Saw the PA again, he showed me the MRI films and explained it all.  No idea regarding sudden onset, but cause without injury may be arthritis.  The medial meniscus tear on the inside is bad, repair would be arthroscopic.  But they can't do that.  He explained that the radiology reports are more generalized. They assume this was an accident or injury, have no history of your symptoms, and your doctor's interpretation is specific to the patient.  In other words, stay off the internet.

My condition is tibial bone edema (at knee joint)), and according to the PA, extremely painful.  Really?  He is surprised that I am not in the pain I was for weeks, attributes that to the 3X steroids and Meloxicam.  I received a cortisone injection, a follow up appointment in seven weeks, and instructions to rest it, brace it, ice it.  It can take six months to heal, and hopefully will if I follow orders.  I've never heard of this!  Fluid builds up in the bone marrow/bone, pressure then caused the small fracture.  So no matter how much better my knee may feel in the coming weeks, any slight twist or misstep will aggravate and extend healing time, and rest is crucial.  I was not expecting this.  Of course, it could be much worse, rest is not a bad order!!  The pain is manageable now.  But it's summer.  Or was since August is next week.

So what's on the tray after Whittaker?  Several in mind, not sure yet.  Also not sure if he will be sewn together soon since the machine and backing choices are upstairs.  Depends.  One step at a time.

I saw Earlene's post on FB showing a sort of half wall of horizontal (pallet?) wood and loved it.  Decorated with plants and various goodies, great display.  So I had hubs add corner shelves inside our air conditioner enclosure.  I may hang a wreath or small flag to the front, next year maybe a flat back wall planter.

Now the view from inside is a lot nicer!  

The cats were continually spraying it and the ammonia ruined the condenser fins of the last one so we decided to protect it.  Always great garden ideas from Earlene and Lauren.  Thanks!

Enjoy the last week of July.

Thanks for visiting!

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Patiently waiting

for her partner to stand with her.  

He's close!  The second half of the cross should be finished today.  I continue my method for blocks with vertical first half, horizontal second half for a neat appearance.  Easy to check for misalignment or other errors before completing the work.  And much easier to frog if errors are found, but not if missed and the second half is done!

My ortho appointment is this afternoon, always an hour wait or more to be seen.  One of my tests for the rheumatologist came back last week abnormal in one factor and very high counts in two others.  No response.  So I checked online and they are related to kidneys.  I will contact their office tomorrow if no response today.

Dentist tomorrow.  Carole's doctor visit Thursday which she requested my presence. 

And then, August.  Dammit.

I made Carol from Stitching Dreams recipe for banana cake with coffee icing (Potluck banana cake from Taste of Home).  That icing makes it fabulous, a permanent change from our usual chocolate.  Between three round of steroids and the new meds, I have gained ten pounds and am as puffy as the dough boy.  But need to take responsibility for lack of control.

Have a pleasant day folks!

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Oh my

 I wanted to see if the adjustment buckle was mostly on the front straps of men's suspenders.  So I googled men's suspenders and clicked images.  Oh my.  OH MY.  There needs to be a calendar.  Is there?

My boy is growing up.

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Heads up!

I want to mention about those fans I got the kids.  They haven't put them down yet!  They love the light and attach it as a headlight to scooters and bikes, their headboard, the fan is always on, and my sister got one for her overhead pull handle.  Added benefit, it keeps mosquitoes and gnats at bay from the breeze!  That's the second gift that was unexpectedly a favorite.  The first was the small cash box with keyed lock.

I may order a fan for myself.  I've used a wired model outdoors, but this one can be attached or set anywhere, and no cord! 

Have a good weekend, can't believe July is almost gone.

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Recycled decking

Hiya.  Looks like Whittaker will be trying on suspenders.  Robin's suggestion to use a lighter color is well advised. 

The last of old deck boards is being used for a small table, anxious for this finish!  He modeled it after an old one, tapered the legs, height allows for seating or just a chair for looks.  The top will be newer boards, not aged, so this base will be antiqued with chipped paint or stained dark.

So in addition to the three wooden boxes to hold Christmas trees securely, these items are all from our old decking.  Those tree boxes are upside down and used to hold plants in summer (seen next to the chair).  The bottoms of the deck boards are not weathered/damaged as the tops are and quite nice for projects.

Yes, there are nail holes and discolorations in spots, but it's outdoor furniture on the "primitive" side!

Have a great weekend!  Be safe.

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