digi stuff

Digital work is keeping me sane right now. Even when I am in pain and unable to concentrate

enough to work on jewelry or collage work, I can usually manage to do some digital work.

I feel good enough to read now, so I am working my way through a very nice stack of books.

And with the swine flu swirling around I am not as unhappy about having to stay home as I was before. Schools are closing locally, though my kids' schools are still open.

So, I am snuggled in working on my laptop and letting my knee continue to heal.

Hope everyone at your house is flu-free!

xoxo~dale

more good vibes...

Here is another exquisite beach that I have been fortunate enough to visit.

This is beautiful Honeymoon Beach on the coast of St. John, USVI.

Yes, my friends, this is AMERICA! A large portion of this stunning island is

a national park, so there are unspoiled beaches (like this one) where you can

anchor your sailboat and swim ashore. The water is so lovely and clear, the sky

a dome of enchanting blue lightly brushed with wisps of snowy clouds.

As I pass the time and heal from my surgery it is comforting to recall

days spent in some of the world's most beautiful places. I am blessed indeed.

I look forward to picking up shells on this gorgeous beach again someday.

xoxoxo~dale

good thoughts...

Today I am thinking happy, positive thoughts and recalling a favorite place...

Cane Garden Bay, Tortola, BVI aka~ paradise on earth

This photo shows the enchanting view from Myett's restaurant, where the husband and I enjoyed icy Caribes and a delicious lunch. My toes have been in that pristine, snowy sand. I have waded in that tranquil, turquoise water and shopped the little huts under the palms. And best of all, I WILL return. All of this beauty is there waiting for me. It is between 82 and 85 degrees in Tortola every single day of the year so I don't even have to wait for the right season. Well, there are those pesky hurricanes, but I think I can avoid those.

Yes, I will be sailing the breath-taking Sir Francis Drake Channel again someday, hair blowing in the tropical breeze and a smile as big as the sea across my grateful face!

take that!

Here I am almost a month after I broke my kneecap, 3 weeks after my surgery and I am struggling with being patient. I am getting better, but I still have a lot of pain which means I am still taking pain meds which, while they help with the pain, make me feel sort of lousy and cause havoc to my tummy. And being trapped at home... well, it wears thin... Oh, blah, blah, blah...
I am sorry to whine, but it has been a achy day and I dread night. Boy, do I sound like a baby!!!

Oh a brighter note, I did lots of beading today and made a few banners that I listed in my Etsy shop. I feel like this laptop is my link to the outside world. I love it like a baby! LOL!
I learned a lot about Alaska today, watching the Discovery Channel. What a brutal place! Bears, avalanches, crazy weather... ugh! It is very interesting, but not a place I have any desire to visit. Give me a turquoise sea and sandy beach. I'll leave the grizzlies and icebergs to braver souls!

Well, I am off to fight the battle of sleep vrs pain. Hopefully sleep will win and I'll have some sweet dreams of driving my car and taking a walk!!
xoxox~dale

smiles...

Three weeks into my broken kneecap adventure I am a tad weary of these 4 walls and not being able to walk, drive, blah, blah, blah... but I am healing and making steps (ha!) toward recovery. I am thinking positive and finding many reasons to smile. Fortunately there is so much to in my life that brings me joy. Here's one thing...


This is my youngest son, Will, who strolled into my bedroom dressed as... Joaquin Phoenix, maybe?? A hobo? Whatever... it cracked me up!

I have been able to greatly reduce my pain meds so I am feeling like doing a lot more. I am making some collages, beading, working on digital banners. All of this makes me feel so much better!! And at the rate I'm going I'll have my studio relocated to my bedroom before too long. I am constantly having my kids bring down art supplies for me.

Hope your Thursday bring some smiles!
xoxoxo~dale

still here...

Yes, I'm still here, healing, trying to stay cheerful. Pain is still an issue and the nights

are long. I have had another excursion. Went to Michael's with my sis on Saturday.

I don't last very long. Between the tightness and the weight of my brace, my fatigue

and the pretty much constant pain in my knee... well, I am only good for a short trip.

But, it is so good to get out!

PT is going well and I can really see that it helping me already. It is utterly exhausting,

but I feel like I am inching my way toward wellness and that is a good thing.

I have been working on some jewelry projects. My sis and I are hoping to go to the Dallas

Bead Show next month. I am going to hunt down a wheelchair and rob a bank

and we'll be set!!!

I've also felt like doing a bit of digi work. There are some new banners in my Etsy shop.

God, I love this laptop!!!

I am thankful every day for my wonderful friends and family

who take such good care of me and lift my spirits

with their kindness and love.

xoxo~Dale

Look! Do these crutches rock, or what??

Yep, it's come to this... LOL!

one step (ha!) forward...

I started physical therapy yesterday.

I am not going back...

until Friday! LOL!

Everyone is nice (and a bit evil!).

I was there for 2 LOOOONG hours.

It really does make me happy to be at this point

where I can DO something to speed my recovery.

My sweet friend Heidi is kidnapping me in a few minutes

for a jaunt to Target. Look for me on the Rascal doing donuts!

Well, it beats these 4 walls! I am pretty excited even though

I have to wear my medieval leg brace (I have gentler

one to wear at home).

Hope your Thursday is wonderful! xxxooo

This is me right now... a little isolated and lonely, in a fog, being still and quiet...

waiting for sunshine and favorable winds to come my way.

I don't mean to be whiney! I totally get that a broken kneecap

is just a little molehill in the world of illness, not a mountan

like so many other things would be. I will heal and be fine

and I am so very grateful for that!

But, in truth, I am a lousy patient.

I so dislike this drug-fog I am in. I hate not being able

to take care of my house and family... or climb the stairs

to my studio. I am striving for patience.

On Wednesday I start physical therapy, which will certainly

lift my spirits. I want to participate and accelerate my recovery

as much as possible.

I am so deeply grateful for my sweet and loving family and friends.

The comments left here brighten my days more than you

can imagine. I am feeling well enough to do some beading and digital

work... and the sun is out.

patience...

Ah, the difference a week makes. I am healing from my fractured kneecap surgery, sleeping a bit better, learning how to get around, shower without getting killed and fill my days with more than naps and pills. The pain is getting easier to manage, though evenings and nights are a bit rough. I dread to see the sun go down. My sis is my angel, along with my sweet daughter, husband, sons and friends who are all doing so much for me! I am lucky that I can do digital work, some arty projects, love to read, etc... though between meds, fatigue and pain I have not accomplished much in this first week post-op. No worries, I have plenty of TIME! LOL!
Spring is blossoming outside my window and I long to be outside, but that will have to wait a bit.
I want to thank all of you who have have left words of encouragement, sent sweet surprises and lifted me up in your thoughts and prayers. It means so much to me!
I am thinking positive, being grateful for the fact that this is just a little bumb in the road. I will recover and I know there are so many worse things I could have to face.
Hope your Thursday is filled with hope and joy!
xoxoxo~dale