Saturday, April 4, 2020

Attitude is Everything

My friend Terri keeps reminding me of what her grandmother used to say:

This has come to pass, not to stay.

I love Terri! Those words are helping me keep my attitude positive during these trying times. You know, these “fun" times when we’re all quarantined to avoid a killer pandemic while our husband is hospitalized from a major cancer surgery and we can’t visit.

But Bruce is doing very well and will be coming home on Monday. The surgery was 8 hours long and the three surgeons took veins from his left leg to transplant to his right forearm where they removed two cancerous nodules and an artery. He has good blood flow in his hand, no blood clots (they’ve monitored him closely) and a top-flight medical team. The floor he is on is dedicated to post-op recoveries; no Covid-19 patients or staff. We talk twice daily by video chat, and he is back to his silly, wise-cracking self. I miss him and so do the cats. Alfie lays in Bruce’s recliner regularly, keeping it warm for him. And both he and Darla sleep with me at night to cuddle and protect me.

But let’s talk about sewing! There was some of that going on this week, although (understandably, given the above), not as much as usual. I posted a couple finishes mid-week. Since then, Angela at the Rainbow Scrap Challenge posted our April color, light blue. Too close to March’s aqua for my personal preference, but I can do this! We’re used to the days running on and on in sameness, so this actually fits right in! We all have those scraps that need to be sewn, so let’s buckle down and get to it!


I did whip my way through all my light and bright blue selvages and tamed them into a lot of half hexagons. There are about 16-18 of them, plus one long strip of leftover bits. I’ll count them before month-end.

The rest of the scraps have been sorted and I’ve got a nice big pile of light blue strips to make blocks out of. The Twin Sisters blocks have been cut (no picture) as well as lots of 2.5” squares for my Scraptastic Star and Split 9 blocks. There probably aren’t enough leftovers to make a Creature (single color) quilt, but I have a plan. Stay tuned.


I’ve been sewing ma*ks (who hasn’t? yawn...). They're for my daughter-in-law. She’s a physical therapist, and their office has run out of masks. This is just a few of those I’ve sewn.  There are more with elastic and a bunch with ties. She is doing a drive-by visit today to pick up a couple dozen.



On the design board are the 9-Patch Madness blocks. I’ve tweaked the arrangement a bit since this picture and will begin sewing these into a flimsy today. These bright, bold colors make me so happy! And I can’t wait to see what others are sewing over at Scrappy Saturday.



Well, I’ll keep this post short. I have a busy social calendar today. First I plan to play in the sand, then head to the local water park (scoop the kitty litter box and take a shower). Then I’m going to visit the local wildlife refuge (fill the bird feeders). Next I’ll be visiting friends from all over the US and the world (via their blogs), time travel to solve a murder mystery (read in my current book). When I get back from that, I’ll probably go tinker with my favorite machinery (sewing machine) before heading out to an exotic restaurant for dinner (leftovers in the refrigerator). I’ll cap the day by cuddling with the remaining wildlife (Alfalfa and Darla) in front of a roaring campfire (the fireplace).

Try not to be jealous.

23 comments:

  1. OMG!!! Your closing remarks are HILARIOUS!!! Thanks SEW much for a good chuckle.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hahaha dreamer!!;)))
    Happy to hear about the patient's good progress...good for you keeping yourself busy...i hope you are also getting enough rest (Yes, MAMA hahaha) .
    I love those selvage hexies--I've never sewn with selvages...but they look so nice and scrappy...
    Stay safe and be vigilant, waving with both arms. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ (scaring that virus away like you do for bears!!) Julierose ;)))

    ReplyDelete
  3. Glad to hear Bruce is doing well. Too many of my friends with husbands undergoing surgery right now.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh my you just made by day with that last paragraph--will be thinking about 'things' differently today and from now on--thanks--
    so happy to hear that Bruce is doing well--
    take care, luv, di

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am in love with these madness blocks. Let me rephrase - I am crazy about madness blocks. Yeah, I sewed a few masks although mine look nowhere as neat as yours. Germs don't care, right? Wishing Bruce continued goofiness and a speedy recovery. Thank you for such a cheerful post. The last paragraph got a standing ovation!!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. So glad Bruce is doing well, and that both of you are accessing your senses of humor! 😁 Those 9 patch madness blocks are so fun! Are you using 2.5 inch squares for them?

    ReplyDelete
  7. Glad to hear that Bruce's surgery was a success and he's on the road to recovery. Isn't it weird how your husband, Little Penguin's, and my hubby all had cancer surgeries in the past 2 weeks. I totally get your worry about the timing of having your spouse in the hospital. Crazy times but we'll make it! Your selvage hexies are so pretty. Wondering how they're going to finish .... See you next week if not before!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Enjoy the heck out of those adventures! Sending you big (properly distant) hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love your social calendar! That's great that you can stay so positive and haven't lost your sense of humor despite the current state of affairs.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'm so glad Bruce is doing well. I made masks. I refuse to post about them. Something must be wrong with me because I am sick of hearing about making mask. I'll just continue to stitch them with no words about doing it. Terry is just getting over a terrible virus. Now we are thinking maybe it WAS Corona. Yesterday I brought in a pizza that he said was tasteless. I said smell it. Nothing. If it was the dread C-19 he said he thought he would die. I think the inhalers he has for COPD helped him through it. It was 7 days totally in bed with only Mat Dillon and Harley to keep him company. Glad you are stitching through all this. It was hard for me to focus.
    xx, Carol

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'm happy for you that you get your Bruce back tomorrow! It's scary having surgery in the first place, but now? Egads!!! Happy to hear he is doing well. Continued wellness to you both.
    I'm still working away at (ahem) organizing my sewing room. I was optimistic when I thought I could do it in a couple of days. (Insert uproarious laughter here) It may be done today. If not, there's always tomorrow.
    I have to get it done, I have a friend in need of masks and I want to send her some. Plus, my oldest daughter who is in the medical field, has been tasked with taking fellow employees' temps as they come in for work, so I am sending her some as well. luckily, she doesn't have to get that close to them.
    Plus baby blankets, bibs, burp cloths still need to happen. That boy is getting closer to arrival, I need to make him some tools!

    ReplyDelete
  12. So glad to hear about Bruce, but you will to stop all that running around when he comes home. Bless you both and keep everyone laughing.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi Cathy! I'm so glad to hear/read that Bruce is feeling better and up for cracking jokes. One more night and you'll have your partner back at your side. I am thrilled to hear about the blood clot monitoring - my BIL died from a bc. I'll bet the kitties will welcome Bruce home with plenty of spoiling time. {{Hugs}} to you both. I'll continue to send prayers your way. ~smile~ Roseanne

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hooray for a successful surgery for Bruce! I'm sure the three of you are eager to have him back at home for his sense of humor and warmth. Cats do love the warmth, but are slow to get the jokes. I managed to sew two, TWO! whole string blocks today. Please don't hate me for being so productive :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thinking good thoughts of Bruce coming home tomorrow! Love your plans at the end of your post--big day with lots of excitement ;)

    ReplyDelete
  16. So happy to hear that Bruce is doing so well, and Monday is only a day away!! Lovely projects you are sharing here (I thought the same thing with light blue following turquoise (sh)).

    ReplyDelete
  17. I’m always impressed with your selvage blocks! Good work!
    Good news regarding Bruce’s surgery! And your final paragraph made me smile!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Love your so positive spin on things to come for today... your last paragraph! Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  19. You certainly brought a ray of sunshine and some needed chuckles to everyone with the summary of your adventures. Hopefully Bruce is now busy providing a comfy space for Alfie to cuddle up.
    Pat

    ReplyDelete
  20. Fantastic news! It must be so difficult to wait on the outside for his recovery, but it sounds as if he is in good hands. And no, not jealous, because, except for the fireplace, I have a very similar day ahead. Enjoy each moment. Thanks for the thought: This has come to pass, not to stay.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Your 9 patch madness is just what I needed today! So bright and cheery. I'm glad your husband came through the surgery well and is doing well. I know you were probably crazy worried, too, by not being there, so I'm glad that's behind both of you. Fingers crossed for a strong recovery!

    ReplyDelete
  22. so glad hubby will be coming soon- i'm sure that was hard to be separated during this time! your last quilt pictured looks good! (and familiar! ;) )

    ReplyDelete
  23. I'm trying so hard not to be jealous - but you got me at roaring campfire and wildlife cuddling. I could SO be all over those! Mask making full throttle here too but I'm soon going to have to stop because my stash simply won't support much more. Spent over 5 hours yesterday standing at my ironing table just pressing the ties - yeah, sort of lost what's left of my mind for a little while there!! Love those bright colors in your final photo - gorgeous and happy-making (as in the looking at them, not in the making!)

    ReplyDelete

I appreciate your visit to my blog and love your comments!