HAPPY SPRING!

Well, spring is finally here!  Isn't it about time?  As I look around my neighborhood, grass is growing, robins are singing, and the snow shovels are being put away.

Hopefully, all of you have filed your taxes and are planning on how to spend your refunds.

Since my last blog, it has been a rather challenging time for me.  You won't be seeing my latest creations, as they have been put on hold since Easter.  Due to a situation beyond my control, I've come to a dead stop until today.

BACK INJURIES

Some of you know I've been out of commission, due to two herniated disks in my lower back.  To those of you who have been keeping me in your prayers, THANK YOU!  I guess all the years of cleaning houses, gardening, landscaping, shoveling snow, chopping ice, shoveling gravel, etc., have taken their toll.  It all came crashing down on the Monday morning after Easter.

PARTIAL PARALYSIS

My husband and I usually go to the gym to walk the treadmill and do our workout together.  I was all set to bounce out of bed and hustle out the door; but as I tried to step down out of bed on my right foot, my leg gave out from under me.  "I can't get out of bed," I told my husband.  "My back is out and I'm in a lot of pain."

The entire day on Monday was spent in bed.  I had my back problems in the past, but never lost the use of either of my legs!  I have to say that's pretty scary!  We made an appointment with our local chiropractor for the next day.

To make a long story a little shorter, the X-rays showed compressed disks in my lower back.  "Your spine is a real mess," my chiropractor informed me.  "I think you will need to go for an MRI."  I had some adjustments that first week, along with TNS and ice.

The following week, I had the MRI.  The results showed my two herniated disks.

Being a Christian, I began to pray to the Lord, "Jesus, what do You want me to learn from this?  What are You trying to teach me?"  I also began to pray more earnestly for other people who had back issues.

THINGS TO BE THANKFUL FOR

I was now using a walker just to get to the bathroom and to the chiropractor in the beginning.  I asked God to forgive me for taking my legs for granted--being able to walk, to drive my car, to take a shower and wash my hair, even to be able to sit at my computer and write blogs!

I didn't know if I'd ever be able to do these things again.  I had heard of back issues leading to back surgeries.  The thought of someone cutting on my spinal column scared the daylights out of me!

STILL LEARNING LESSONS

Today, after weeks of treatment and therapy (disk decompresssion, along with other therapies), I am thankful to be in less pain.  This has left my right leg very weak, due to the pinched nerves.  

My advice to anyone with chronic backaches is to have it checked out before you experience what I did.  I was one who didn't take chiropractic medicine seriously until this happened to me.  I'm not out of the woods yet, but I'm on my way.

I am waking up each morning and thanking God for less pain, and to be able to walk and move better.  I also ask the Lord's help to be of service to Him and others.

In my opinion, the medical profession seems too quick to prescribe strong pain medications and then surgery.  At the chiropractic clinic I attended, the therapist informed me that the success rate for back surgeries is less than 2 percent!  I couldn't believe it!

I have a friend whose daughter had two unsuccessful back operations along with a complication (she suffered a stroke).

Also, I realize that I will have to have adjustments for the rest of my life to keep my back in check.  I'm not going to try to carry more than I can bear.  After all, I'm not 20 something anymore.

AGE GRACEFULLY!

This is by far the hardest lesson I'm trying to learn.  Inside I still feel young.  I'm sure you recall the saying, "The spirit is willing, bu the flesh is weak."  This applies to all of us who are entering the autumn season of our lives.  We need to acknowledge our physical weaknesses and NOT be afraid to ask for help when we need it!

Until next time, bye for now!

APRIL HAS COME IN LIKE A LION?

Hi, everyone!  If we didn't look at our calendar, one would think it is still winter!  Opening day at the Brewers' Stadium at Miller Park looked more like a day for football tailgating!  Anyway, team spirit was up.

Here at the store, I've been creating, designing, and doing a little painting.  Check out this little guy, if you like crows!

The top picture/sampler was created by me.  I did not have any black fabric for the crow applique, so I used acrylic paint along with textile medium to paint him onto the muslin background.  The frame is made of oak and the sampler is not under glass this time.  You can find him on my store site:

www.etsy.com/shop/OakCreekCrafts

BOTTOM PICTURE:

This bottom picture is a close-up shot of the crow and the saying.

"Primitive Blessings" was hand-embroidered onto muslin, which was stitched onto some homespun fabric and all of this was hand-stitched to the picture.  I used primitive black stitching all around the bird, and the crow's eye is a French knot stitch.

This picture was a lot of fun to make!  If one of my husband's friends has an extra scrap or chunk of wood, he bags it up and gets it to me.  He's always asking me what I'll do with a given piece.  I always say, "I don't know yet.  I'll just set it on the work table in my studio and it will come to me."  I never know exactly what I'm going to do with the things I get.

My husband's friend donated some cut off hunks of 4" by 4" pieces of wood last year.  After several months sitting out in the elements, the idea came to me.  I'll take some pictures of what I created with them!  He thought they were "really neat." I'm not quite caught up with my photos yet, but you will soon see them.

I am working on some Americana items, as well as designing some pillow covers to put into the shop. I saw a saying somewhere that said, "Housework is for those ladies who don't know how to craft."  Well, that's not true.  I am usually really good at cleaning house, but I just get too distracted sometimes, and those dust bunnies become dust lions!

I want to thank my dear husband, who puts up with all the clutter in my studio!  God made doors for a reason...to close when company comes, and that room is off limits!  LOL

Until next time...Goodbye for now!  And have a wonderful week