I've been doing some digi work, making jewelry for Paper Cowgirl and reclaimimg my life one careful step at a time. My knee is better, though far from healed. Sleep is still difficult and I am walking very carefully and using one crutch or a cane. But I feel better and am beginning to see a light at the end of the tunnel.

My boys get out of school on June 5th. Hooray for summer! I am ready for the pool and the deliciously slower pace of life around my house for the next 3 months.

I LOVE sunshine!!!

May is flying by! I am slowly reclaiming my life as my knee heals and I regain strength.

A patella fracture is a complicated injury and takes longer to heal than a broken bone that is not part of one of the major weight bearing joints of your body. Some people seem surprised that I am not completely healed by now. Well, it is a long recovery from this. Muscles have to be retrained. My quads are shot. I still have so much swelling and my surgeon tells me that this will take a year to dissipate. I am not able to drive yet and am still using a crutch, but I am making steady progress.

I think what I truly need is the healing warm water of the Caribbean! The photo above is of Cayo Espanto, a private island resort in Belize. It looks like a bit of heaven on earth to me. I guess I need to get rid of all crutches, canes, etc before I try to walk on the beach. Now that is incentive!

dreams of flight

I love my life. My family is my heart's treasure. My home reflects the things I love. I am blessed with dear, caring friends. And I have time for art and writing, two of my great loves...

Still, there are times when I dream of flight. After these long months of health issues, I sometimes find myself contemplating escape... not from my life, but to a place of calm and good health. I am wingless, so I will continue on my more traditional route that requires patience

and effort on part. Today the sun has returned and brought with it a generous measure of joy and hope.

I hope your day is filled with light and smiles.

xoxox~Dale

It is a grey, stormy Monday. Doesn't feel much like May.

Despite the gloominess of the dayI am trying to be cheerful

and get some things done. I have lots of digi work to finish.

My knee is improving, though not as rapidly as I'd like.

I might need to find a giant wren

and train it to fly me around. What do think?

a little romance...

paying the piper

So yesterday my orthopedic surgeon pared me dowm to 1 crutch and no brace.

In my jubilation, I overdid it and had a pretty lousy evening and night. Today I

have lazed around in an attempt to reduce the swelling and pain in my knee.

Ah, well... a little setback, but I know I am making progress.

I must be patient... MUST BE PATIENT!!!!

It is gloomy here, storms approaching. I hate thunderstorms and I super-hate

tornato watches!!!

I worked on digital orders today and watched "Cash Cab". Tonight is "Deadliest Catch"!!

Can't wait! It is the closest thing to going on a cruise I can manage right now.

Hope your Tuesday was pleasant!

xoxo~dale

woo hoo!

Hooray! Today I had an appointment with my orthopedic surgeon. X-rays show that my
kneecap is healing nicely. And I am down to ONE CRUTCH and NO BRACE!
~~~~~OH, JOY!!~~~~~
I feel like I have wings! That evil brace was trying to EAT my leg! I think I want
to burn it! No wait... it was $750. Maybe I need to put it on Ebay!!! LOL!
Kate and I went to Olive Garden to celebrate with breadsticks and salad!
I feel like I am finally getting better!! AT LAST!! Yippee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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

aaaahhhh...

I am HOME, cozy and warm at last.
What a week I've had. My "day surgery"
for a broken kneecap landed me in the
hospital for 3 days. Day surgery should
be illegal for anything more than removing
cats' claws! I am whipped, but so glad to be
home with my sweet family.
Walk carefully! Do NOT break your knee cap.
It is not fun.
xoxoxo~dale

That *&!$ glass IS half FULL!

Okay, so my kneecap is broken ... in half. So what? I am SERIOUSLY happy that this is all I am dealing with. As health issues go, it is not that bad. It is , afterall, fixable. I'll be fine, just gimpy for a while. I am thinking positive thoughts about all the digital work I can do now that I can't cook or do laundry. I refuse to feel sorry for myself! I mean, girls, imagine freedom from household chores for possibly MONTHS! How bad is that???

I have TEMPORARILY closed my Etsy shop for a few days so I don't get too far behind on orders. I will re-open ASAP... hopefully early next week.
And if I do get a little blue, I am going to order myself a MARIMBA!!
It is the sure route to Happy-Land!

My surgery is early tomorrow morning. The doc assures me he will be wide awake
and ready to piece me back together at 7:30. Then he is flying off to the
Napa Valley to buy some wine. Me? Oh, I think I'll just rest a bit.
xoxoxox~Dale

coming soon to a kneecap near you...

No, that's not a satanic emblem, just my futute kneecap after I have surgery on Wednesday morning. I will be wired and pinned back together and on the long road to recovery. I just called "Dancing With Stars" and told them I might have to push off my appearance for a season. Poor Maxim. His heart will be broken! May's ascent of Mt. Everset is on hold, too... not to mention my Victoria's Secret photo shoot. What IS on tap, you ask??? Crutches, PT, drugs and lots of daytime TV, crossword puzzles and naps. Thank God for this laptop!

The worst thing is dressing., it is awkward, but that's not the real problem. The thing I am hating is that I am wearing my 16 year old son's track shorts and t-shirts... not cool... It is nearly impossible to maintain any since of style under these circumstances. ugh...

Well, I am off to bejewel my cruthches!

welcome to my world...

Horray, spring is here! The sound of lawnmowers and weedeaters fills the air in suburbia. The sun is bright and the birds are busy building nests... and I am in bed with an "immobilzer" on my right leg, because I shattered my knee cap (patella) yesterday... No, I am not kidding, not one little bit. Will and I were leaving the grocery store yesterday and I slipped on the bumpy things in the sidewalk that are there to alert blind people that they are entering traffic. I landed right on my knee cap and I have to say it was a horrid experience. Hours in the ER netted me a very ugly set of x-rays and a bunch of pain pills. I will see the orthopedic surgeon (hopefully) on Monday. I feel pretty awful...
My sweet friend Jana came to my rescue, rushing me to the hospital and taking Will for the evening. The husband and kids have been taking good care of me. I'll be okay, just no skateboarding or ballet for a while...