June 22, 2024

While we were on Texada I had a phone appointment with my oncology doctor in Vancouver. He arranged for some blood work and a bone scan. The scan was originally scheduled in Vancouver but when we saw the cost for a one-night’s accommodation I called back to see if I could have it done in Comox. I was waiting all week for “the phone call” booking me in for an appointment. Late Thursday afternoon the hospital called. They had slotted me in for the scan in the middle of July but they had a cancellation for the next morning if I wanted it. I said yes, knowing that Pat had some commitments. Although I’ve not done it before, I knew I was capable of getting myself to the appointment. Pat responded immediately that he would do the driving and I hurried up to the clinic to get my TAP form (free ferry if you are travelling for medical appointments).

We left on the first ferry and went straight to the hospital when we got off. Although I was a bit early for my slated time I didn’t wait long before they called me in. The scan is a two-part process; first they inject you with radio active dye and then you come back in a couple of hours for the actual scan. I had a scan prior to my treatments so I knew it wasn’t scary. I failed, however, to take into consideration that finding a vein to inject the dye would be challenging. After an initial look and a poke the technician got warm blankets for both arms to see if she could find anything. A few minutes later she was back and after a couple more unsuccessful pokes she found a spot. She said she was pretty sure she got enough of the dye into the vein before she lost it again.

While we waited for the second part of the appointment we hurried over to Costco – just a block away. Before we took the ferry I printed out my list and checked the cupboards to see what we needed. For the first time ever we walked up and down every aisle on one side of the warehouse without adding anything to our cart. I remember the first time we went to Costco we hadn’t gone down more than a couple of aisles before we went back for a second cart. We got everything on the list, although there were a few things on the list that they don’t carry (I’ll have to update my list). We even found ginger beer which was something I added not really expecting to find it.

After we finished at the checkout we stopped for lunch – a Costco hot dog and drink. Since we still had a bit of time we stopped at Home Depot because it was on the same block between Costco and the hospital. The scan went well although it brought back some memories of my radiation treatments. I managed to pull myself together and they were very kind when they saw my tears. We weren’t even home before we got a call from the oncology doctor saying the radiologist had read the scan and everything was fine. When it works, our health care system is wonderful. We were home, unpacked and with the groceries put away before the puck dropped on the hockey game.

Now that I know there is nothing wrong with me it is time to “suck it up” and quit babying myself. That being my state of mind, this morning I did the vacuuming and then Pat and I moved a bit of furniture around (a chair from downstairs to upstairs and a chair from upstairs to downstairs). I’ve done a bit of sewing this morning and I’ll continue for a bit. I’m unlikely to finish anything but I’ll keep going.

Monday, June 17, 2024

I settled in to work in my sewing room this morning and realized I have several projects ready for the next step.

I have a couple of birthday cards that need to get finished up. I have one trimmed to size and another one that needs a bit of hand stitching to finish the top. Then they have to be sandwiched and quilted.

I need practice on making yo-yos before I start my temperature quilt so I cut some squares this morning. I’m going to do my practicing on a yo-yo wreath for the back door. I have a sewing date with Gail on Friday and we’re going to be making yo-yos.

I have birthday gift that requires more work. I cut out the fabric I need for it but I think I’m going to have to piece batting. Hopefully I have enough batting to finish it. If not, I’ll have to arrange to purchase more.

Although it didn’t take any effort I have my Tuesday sewing project packed and ready to go for tomorrow. I’m hoping to walk if the weather cooperates and I’ll try out my new-to-me fabric shopping cart. I’m ready to start a new colour on my Manx blocks.

I’ve made a start on this month’s UFO – quilting my Farmhouse quilt. It is slow going with a lot of thread changes and there are still a lot of spots that I haven’t a clue how to quilt. Hopefully as I move along I will be inspired.

I have two other projects sitting on my cutting table – another chicken project and fabric for making the covers for Elizabeth’s screen (one that Dad made). She picked out the fabric when we were in Calgary. I have to keep track of how I do it (step by step) because Kathryn wants to make one for her screen.

Lately I’ve been hooked on hand stitching – my Sashiko project and my chickens. I’m almost halfway done on my Sashiko panel; I have no idea where I’ll put it when it is done but it is mindless work for the evenings. I have my fifth chicken block almost finished – one more to go before figuring out how to put it together. I need to get them finished before I start on the temperature quilt which will mainly be done by hand.

May 28, 2024

This stitch-along came out in 2022 and I made a start at it fairly quickly. It was close to being finished when I started thinking about Asher’s grad gift. I originally intended to do a different project but it didn’t go well so I decided I’d finish this one. There were a few things about what I had already done that I was satisfied with; when I thought I was keeping it for myself I wasn’t going to change it. But since it was a gift I started taking out the sections I didn’t like and the sections that didn’t line up exactly. I had Kathryn send me extra floss as with so much green I was concerned about running out.

When it was finally finished we started thinking about the framing. Pat suggested that it would be easier to transport to Calgary if I had it framed there. We found a shop and although they couldn’t promise to have the framing done in time for the ceremony they said they would try. We chose a very simple mat and frame and everything they needed was in stock. They promised to have it completed by the close of day on graduation day. That morning though they called to say it was ready and we were able to pick it up in time to present to Asher when we were at his celebration dinner.

Friday, June 14, 2024

I got up early this morning and was looking forward to finishing my book while I had my first cup of coffee. I filled the container with water, picked out my pod and hit the brew button. Just a minute later I turned around and my coffee was spilling everywhere – I had forgotten to put the cup under. My note of alarm (or my nasty language) got Pat running to the rescue. By the time it was cleaned up the little bit of coffee I managed to get in my cup was cold. I finished the few pages in my book before getting on with my day.

I ran a bath after breakfast and Pat made me another cup of coffee; I reminded him to remember the cup. I started an e-book (Game of Thrones) while we were in AB and SK but while waiting for the ferry home I spotted books on a shelf in the waiting room. I decided to pick one of them up and started reading. I would normally read only one book at a time but I had barely started the e-book so I made the new book my current read. 

When I finished it this morning I decided to break one of my rules and give up on the Game. I only downloaded it because I knew I had the paper copy at home. It was part of a purchase at a yard sale. I checked the small collection of books we have on the shelf here on Texada and found one of Deloise’s. I’m pretty sure Stacia had also read it because there was a note inside in her handwriting. When I pulled it all the way out I noticed it was written by the same author as the one I had just finished.

I went off to have a bath and Pat decided on a second cup of coffee. While he waited for it to brew he did the dishes. When he was finished and went to get his coffee he had a huge mess – he too had forgotten the cup. He had a bigger mess than I had because at least I caught mine before it all overflowed.

Fortunately we were able to have a good laugh about it all.