A Finish!!

 Hello Everyone!

Yesterday - wow!  It was around 60 degrees F out and Fletch and I actually sat on the patio before dinner sipping our beverages.  There was a little wind chill, so we needed light weight jackets, but as Fletch said what a wonderful teaser for Spring.

Then Fletch grilled a pork loin for dinner.  One of those small ones that are already seasoned.  This one was with tri-colored peppercorns and it turned out perfectly!  To go with it we had steamed French green beans and some fingerling potatoes.  I mixed up a gravy with sauteed mushrooms and onions.  Best of all there are plenty of left overs.

In the not such good news department, my Xray results showed possible lumbar compression so I will be getting an MRI.  Weirdly I seem to be improving daily and, in fact, skipped pain meds yesterday completely.  (I did wake up at 3:30 this morning though and took a pill...but everything feels fine right now.)  Years ago when I had a bulging disc in my neck I was told that my spine was "riddled" with arthritis and a decade or more ago when I had a dexa scan it did show a bit of osteoporosis.  I'm sure those two things contributed to whatever is wrong with my back (along with my foolish behavior of attempting to lift a very heavy object).

Let's move on to nicer things, shall we?  I am happy to tell you that the Terrarium socks are finished!

They are a bit more matchy-matchy than I thought and I just love the way they turned out.  Better yet, Fletch loves them too!  I gave them to him last night.  The picture above looks more grey than green.  That shot was taken last night after dark.  I took a picture of the left over yarn this morning that shows the colors better:

The yarn is Static from KnitPicks and the colorway is Terrarium.  These are pretty large socks:  15 rows of ribbing, 70 rows on the leg and 70 rows on the foot.  The skein weighed 106 grams at the start and I still have 26 grams left!  The pattern is Petty Harbour on the leg and I used #2 needles.  This is the 4th skein of Static I have knit and I may need to order more of this yarn.  There are great colors and all of them are now under $10 a skein!  You cannot beat that price.

After our Spring like weather yesterday, it is now in the 20's and there is a winter weather advisory for ice.  Luckily I have plenty of things to occupy myself with right here at home, so I will be staying in.  Wishing you all a lovely day on this Friday Eve.

On the Mend

 Hello, Hello!

Thank you all so much for your comments, emails, words of encouragement and healing juju, suggestions, etc., etc.  This blogging community is such a god send!  

I am gradually healing.  The key word is gradually.  By nature I am not a very patient person, so this is a bit difficult for me.  I've been frustrated and angry by the constant pain and my inability to do some things or even get in a comfortable position.  But...I will get through this (with the help of your encouragement and well wishes).  Each day is a little better. 

Finally, over the weekend, I was able to sit for a long enough period of time that I could knit a little or stitch a little.  Progress!  And, I'm back to reading.  I'm still resting a lot, but not taking as many naps as the other week - LOL.  

The weekend was quiet.  We did have snow squalls one day - looked like a blizzard for 20 minutes or so and then it was over.  We are supposed to gradually warm up a bit this week and Fletch is planning to grill again on Wednesday.  That's about the excitement here.  Today I will go for an X-ray of my lower back (just to be sure).  I had planned to go last week, but fell asleep instead!

I'm still limiting my computer time, so will close out now.  I hope everyone is doing well and again, so much thanks for reaching out to me. 

A Little Break

 Hi Everyone,

First of all, thanks to you who emailed me wondering if I was ok.  I'm ok, just not moving too well!

Last week (Monday the 7th) I was dumb and attempted to lift something way too heavy for me.  Result:  pulled muscle in my lower back.  Wow!  I've never done anything like this and didn't realize how painful it is.

I rested and took Advil but by this past Monday it was worse, so I call my doctor who prescribed a drug.  It has done nothing, so I called again this morning and just got back from my appointment.  Thankfully she is positive it is a pulled muscle (versus a herniated disc) based on how I could move my legs and hips and the fact that I have no tingling or numbness in my legs.  My real problem is that there is no position I am comfortable in.  Sitting, standing, walking, laying down - they all hurt.  So, Fletch is on his way to the drugstore to pick up stronger meds.  I will also get an xray of my spine (just to be sure).  Hopefully tonight I can sleep more than 1.5 hours in a row!

Sadly I have not been able to get into a position that will allow me to knit or stitch or even read!  It is horrible!!!

All of this to say that I won't be blogging the rest of this week.  I'm still working, but need to limit my time sitting at the computer.  I've tried to catch up on a few blogs, but really have not been able to do much.  I will catch up with you all later.

Hope everyone is well!!