This will actually be a dual-purpose post. I wanted to share some of my favorites of the quilts supplied by our guild members to go with the exhibit of the Heroes Quilt. I wish I could have pulled up *all* of the quilts, but I settled for my favorites . . . I did want to finish this entry before the new year. LOL!
I also went to the orthopedist yesterday, and wanted to share a the results of that meeting. I'll do that at the end of this entry, so photos can be enjoyed unhindered!!
This first quilt is owned by Michele E. Our guild does a pretty cool thing; when the current guild president is finishing up her term, the rest of the board creates and makes a quilt for her! Michele was the guild's president last year, and this is the quilt that the guild presented to her . . .
This cute wall hanging was made by my friend, Kari H., for our HQH Quilt the Vote challenge in 2008. It was made with some darling (and very unique) fabrics, and embellished with felt stars . . .
This next one was my absolute favorite. It's owned/created by Georgia F. It too was made for a challenge -- this one to remember 9-11-2001. In her description, she included that "the cross depicts Christ's shed blood to redeem us from sin."
This beautiful quilt was created by Barbara B. (who is a wonderful, wonderful quilter/teacher). She writes, "The ultimate patriotic quilt; precision piecing and exciting quilting designs make this a quilt with special appeal."
I really liked this one too -- for two reasons. I loved the hand prints in the star and I loved that it was finished just in time as the quilter headed off on deployment to Iraq for a year. It's owned by Maria H.
This striking wall hanging was done by another of my favorite quilters, Karen M. She paper pieced it for her husband's office. He collects eagles.
And how could I *not* include this beautiful redwork quilt? It was created (I keep wanting to say "built") by Jo R. in 2001, in honor of the birth of our great country. Her stitchwork is simply gorgeous!
And lastly, I had to take a shot of this poster that was up at the exhibit!! I'm not sure I'll have a quilt for this show, but I'll definitely be a part of the works!
I can't wait to see the raffle quilt in person!
Okay -- now for the foot stuff. As I said, I had an appointment with my orthopedist yesterday. I've healed as much as I'm going to heal -- the pain and swelling I'm left with is the result of my traumatic injury, and will not get better (though it may get worse). She gave me a couple of options. The first was to do nothing and live with the pain. I don't think I want to do that. There's still too much life left to quit being active!!
The second option was not really an option for me (per the surgeon). Complete ankle replacement. She said that the technology has not really advanced in ankle replacements like it has for hips and knees.
The third option is a fusion surgery. This would eliminate the pain and most of the swelling, but I'd also lose some motion. The surgery would be put about where I was after the accident. With 12+ weeks of recovery in a boot, and 6-8 weeks of that as non-weight bearing. And then physical therapy, to teach me how to walk. Hmmm. You know it's one thing to find yourself in the circumstance, quite another to have to chose it!
The fourth option is an Arizona brace. It's a leather brace that starts mid-way on your foot and runs up the length of your calf. It laces up the front and immobilizes your ankle as if you'd had it fused, and redirects the stress up the leg. She said she'd had patients that had worn them and loved them, and had worn them and loved the relief but HATED the brace and opted for the fusion surgery.
With another grandbaby on the way and family coming in March and so many things I want to do (and not wanting to have to move out of the RV, or give up watching Sawyer on Mondays, or sewing with my machine, or not being able to drive at all or work regularly) -- it's a tough decision to make. Because I also am *really* tired of the constant, persistent pain. And quite frankly, the knowledge that I'll never be as good as I was before the accident can be incredibly depressing. Bleh.
Anyway, we decided to go with the brace and see how that went. I got fitted for it yesterday. Oh my. I'd kind of pictured something like a leather boot moccasin. Uh, no. LOL!! Since it's a custom made piece, it'll take about a week or so to make, and then I'll be styling! I'll post updates and photos (maybe) when I get it and am strapped in!
Until then, I'm going to breathe in and breathe out. And quilt. And take care of my darling husband. And love my children and my grandbaby. And be grateful for life.
:)
I also went to the orthopedist yesterday, and wanted to share a the results of that meeting. I'll do that at the end of this entry, so photos can be enjoyed unhindered!!
This first quilt is owned by Michele E. Our guild does a pretty cool thing; when the current guild president is finishing up her term, the rest of the board creates and makes a quilt for her! Michele was the guild's president last year, and this is the quilt that the guild presented to her . . .
Presidential Stars
This cute wall hanging was made by my friend, Kari H., for our HQH Quilt the Vote challenge in 2008. It was made with some darling (and very unique) fabrics, and embellished with felt stars . . .
Stars & Stripes Forever
This next one was my absolute favorite. It's owned/created by Georgia F. It too was made for a challenge -- this one to remember 9-11-2001. In her description, she included that "the cross depicts Christ's shed blood to redeem us from sin."
I AM Was There
This beautiful quilt was created by Barbara B. (who is a wonderful, wonderful quilter/teacher). She writes, "The ultimate patriotic quilt; precision piecing and exciting quilting designs make this a quilt with special appeal."
Red, White and Blue Stars & Stripes
I really liked this one too -- for two reasons. I loved the hand prints in the star and I loved that it was finished just in time as the quilter headed off on deployment to Iraq for a year. It's owned by Maria H.
Service Star Quilt
This striking wall hanging was done by another of my favorite quilters, Karen M. She paper pieced it for her husband's office. He collects eagles.
Land That I Love
And how could I *not* include this beautiful redwork quilt? It was created (I keep wanting to say "built") by Jo R. in 2001, in honor of the birth of our great country. Her stitchwork is simply gorgeous!
Patriotic Redwork
And lastly, I had to take a shot of this poster that was up at the exhibit!! I'm not sure I'll have a quilt for this show, but I'll definitely be a part of the works!
Okay -- now for the foot stuff. As I said, I had an appointment with my orthopedist yesterday. I've healed as much as I'm going to heal -- the pain and swelling I'm left with is the result of my traumatic injury, and will not get better (though it may get worse). She gave me a couple of options. The first was to do nothing and live with the pain. I don't think I want to do that. There's still too much life left to quit being active!!
The second option was not really an option for me (per the surgeon). Complete ankle replacement. She said that the technology has not really advanced in ankle replacements like it has for hips and knees.
The third option is a fusion surgery. This would eliminate the pain and most of the swelling, but I'd also lose some motion. The surgery would be put about where I was after the accident. With 12+ weeks of recovery in a boot, and 6-8 weeks of that as non-weight bearing. And then physical therapy, to teach me how to walk. Hmmm. You know it's one thing to find yourself in the circumstance, quite another to have to chose it!
The fourth option is an Arizona brace. It's a leather brace that starts mid-way on your foot and runs up the length of your calf. It laces up the front and immobilizes your ankle as if you'd had it fused, and redirects the stress up the leg. She said she'd had patients that had worn them and loved them, and had worn them and loved the relief but HATED the brace and opted for the fusion surgery.
With another grandbaby on the way and family coming in March and so many things I want to do (and not wanting to have to move out of the RV, or give up watching Sawyer on Mondays, or sewing with my machine, or not being able to drive at all or work regularly) -- it's a tough decision to make. Because I also am *really* tired of the constant, persistent pain. And quite frankly, the knowledge that I'll never be as good as I was before the accident can be incredibly depressing. Bleh.
Anyway, we decided to go with the brace and see how that went. I got fitted for it yesterday. Oh my. I'd kind of pictured something like a leather boot moccasin. Uh, no. LOL!! Since it's a custom made piece, it'll take about a week or so to make, and then I'll be styling! I'll post updates and photos (maybe) when I get it and am strapped in!
Until then, I'm going to breathe in and breathe out. And quilt. And take care of my darling husband. And love my children and my grandbaby. And be grateful for life.
:)
