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Wednesday, September 12, 2018

Evening Quilting–Signature String Star!

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I quilted up the Signature String Star quilt last night.

It took less time than it could have – but more than it should have.

I don’t know where my brain is these days – (Well yes I do.) but I set the length and width of the quilt mistakenly 20.5’’ square instead of 30.5’’ square.

And that is a problem when digitally scaling a quilting pattern.  The machine goes into “end of row” editing, thinking it has reached the end of the top, when it hasn’t.

And I didn't want to pick out the whole top row and start over.

I figured it out – I would watch until repeat number 5, a bit more than half-way across the quilt.  Mark that ending as my new starting, and then run the pattern as if it was starting from the beginning again.

It might not be the easy way to do it, but if I changed the length, the scale size would also be changed slightly and I’d be running over previous rows of stitching, or not get a pattern that nested like it should.

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Loaded, and running, working out the issue one row at a time.

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I really like this design.

I didn’t want something that took too much away from the lovely signatures. It's called Woven Wind by Apricot Moon designs.

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I’m happy with it!

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Next up – binding, label and hanging sleeve!

I don’t think I’ll be able to get it done this morning.  Our airport run is in just over an hour from the time this post uploads.

And I’ve got a back issue I’m dealing with.

I know that stress and grief and manifest themselves physically as well as emotionally, but I also think that my own stupidity plays into the equation.

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Stupid Stooping!

I really did always want one of these sinks, they look great in an old farmhouse kitchen. I never considered the fact that I would be stooping over one - washing dishes and removing stickers before drying and putting away. 

My counter height is normal – but these sinks are REAL:LY deep,

Yes there is a dishwasher, but the dishwasher cannot do sticker removal!

24 each - dinner plates, salad plates, bowls, and coffee cups. That's 96 stickers (that had to be soaked and scrubbed off) and a whole lotta stooping over a sink that is too low.

My back has rebelled in every way possible. Which proves my theory -

Washing copious amounts of dishes is hazardous to my health!



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Things are starting to look fabulous – and there is so much space!

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I can’t wait to see these bowls in use!

And this is the whole reason why a blog didn’t happen yesterday.

By the time I was done at the retreat house, I could barely walk.  I couldn’t stand up straight.  I was afraid if I laid down on the floor I wouldn’t be able to get up.  Muscle spasms in the right side of my back.  Oh, no!

If anyone has ever had those – then you know how bad they are.  They knock the wind out of you.  So much pain.

I soaked in the hot tub at the cabin for a long time trying to get things to loosen up.  I took some Aleve.  I spent a long time with the Hubster’s tens unit attached to my back, just trying to get those muscles to let loose.

I was feeling pretty much okay in the morning when stepping out of the shower brought it back full force.

I called for a massage appointment.  They had an 11am available.  Which meant, being nearly 100 miles away – I needed to leave the cabin immediately to make it in time.

While on my journey I called the chiropractor, told them what was going on and they said to come right over after the massage.  ONE of the problems addressed yesterday during this appointment was that I had a rib slightly out of alignment.  This had a lot to do with the muscle issue – but the question remains:

Did the tight muscles pull that rib out out of stress?  Or were the muscles reacting to the rib being out?

Stress, grief, and stupidity.  It all equals this mess I’m in.

I’ve got prescription for muscle spasm.  I’ve got a back brace around my middle for support.  I’ve got the tens unit charged up for a long day of flying to Arizona – and I’m a mess.

And we are going TODAY – because hurricane conditions may prevent us from flying tomorrow. 

And as much as I can while I am there, family will find me flat on the floor trying to give this thing enough time to work itself out.

Jeff is staying behind to batten down the hatches, and care for Sadie and the 3 kitties – and I think that Jason’s cats have finally turned a corner into acceptance.  I had both of them purring yesterday.  It’s getting better.

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Quiltville Quote of the Day.

Vintage applique quilt from the American Museum in Bath UK.

The pathway to unhappiness is lined with unrealistic expectations, of ourselves and of others.

Learn to recognize those expectations and let them go!



42 comments:

  1. Oh Bonnie! Muscle spasms are the worst! I imagine being stabbed feels similar. I hope you feel better. Safe travels.

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  2. Praying you have a miraculous recovery from back pain. Also, sending you positive thoughts during this trying time. Safe travels.

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  3. I am so saddened to read of your body + mind pains. I've lived with both during stressful situations. Learned a strong lesson to listen to my body, hard to do with the mind thinking in multiple directions. Luv ya Bonnie, am older than you, and for years I have read between your blog lines to understand how you push yourself to keep "lifes hurts" in the garage. For your kinder to self future please go about life slower, move into the boring brain for awhile. Your mind + body will feel better for it, say in he future 10-20 years. 💖😃 Jackie R in NC

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  4. Back pain is not fun at all. Enjoy your time with family making more memories. Consider treating yourself to a foot zoning. Hope you feel better soon.

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  5. and once again, Bonnies' ending comment is exactly what I needed. Thank You , Bless You!

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  6. So sorry Bonnie, take cate!��

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  7. Be well and stay safe.

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  8. My husband and I both get back pain and aches when we do the dishes. Standard shelf height. Used to be a shallower sink but we put one in that was a little deeper. We just chauked it up to old age. We’re 60 and 63. Now we do a few at a time.

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  9. A hair dryer is a great way to get stickers off items. Once the glue is heated up enough the sticker is easy to pull off. There is the odd one that is stubborn but this works most of time.

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    1. I second this suggestion about the hair dryer. It works great! Safe travels!

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  10. Back pain is no fun! I get that pain & breathless feeling after being on my feet about 20-30 minutes. Too much weight on my chest for my back to support comfortably and too expensive to fix. Even though my kitchen counters are standard height the depth of my sink is too low too. My cutting table could also stand to be about 4" higher, even with the bed risers under the legs. I need to do the PVC pipe fix, I guess. Anyway, have a safe flight and pamper that back as much as you can.

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  11. Feel better and safe travels. Thank you for all you do for us.

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  12. I found that Lidoderm patches helped me more than anything with my lower back pain. They were an Rx originally but I now see you can get them OTC (though I've not yet tried the OTC ones). I know well that pain that will drop you to your knees, and they put me through PT with tens therapy which helped little. We're all different and respond differently to different products, but thought I'd throw that out there in case you've not heard of it before. I take my Lidoderm patches with me anytime I'm going to be away from home and have needed to use on occasion...even with them being beyond the so-called "expiration date". Praying your back issue heals up soon!

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  13. Been there, done that! It's no picnic. Continue taking care of yourself. Also, the next time you have stickers to remove, use Goo Gone & a soft rage to rub the stickers off then run the dishes thru the dishwasher. No more standing at the sink for hours on end - we have deep commercial sinks so I know how hard that can be on your back. Love & prayers for you!

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  14. Back problems are awful, they nag and nag like toothache. You were wise to get treatment straight away. Why do shops put wretched stickers on things - some are almost impossible to move. Hoping your flight goes smoothly, that the hurricane misses wherever you are and your home. Thinking of you at this difficult time.

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  15. Yes, Bonnie I surely know about back pain and it's no picnic. Hopefully what you're trying will work. Relaxing and heat sometimes will work also. Pray that the flight will be on time and carefree as much as it can be. Here's wishing you a speedy recovery from pain!

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  16. Oh, no! Back spasms, no fun. Be safe flying out to AZ today. Nice to have the kitties settling into your home.

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  17. I have those spasms, too. Really painful. Safe travels.

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  18. Oh Bonnie, I'm sorry you have to deal with that back pain on top of everything else going on in your life right now. I know all about tall girl vs low sink. I find opening the cabinet door below the sink and resting one foot on the floor of the cabinet gives a little relief, strange as it seems

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  19. I find that the Thermacare patches last a long time when you are traveling. They stick right on. Muscles pull ribs out of place. Happens to me. Will pray for your travel and your strength as you deal with all the family. When we have stretched ourselves thin, we have no margin left for dealing with the hard and painful portions of life. I am tall and can't do leaning over without issues.

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  20. I have 2 ribs that go out all the time. Ususally, it’s a movement that causes it and them the muscles around it get really sore. Likely it was the bending over that caused it and the muscles are being affected by it. After a day or so, the soreness should go away. Heat on the muscles will help relax them once you get to your destination. Hope you’re feeling better soon. Thanks for all your hard work to get the retreat center in shape for those of us who can’t wait to come visit! Enjoy your time with your family!

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  21. Standing or sitting for long periods of time do not due well with back pain. I am short and still have problems when leaning over. The only thing I find helpful is heat and my doctor said if it helps go for it not just for long periods at once. Have a safe trip. You have a lot of people praying for you and your family. Safe Travels.

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  22. I know what muscle spasms in your back are like, especially along with arthritis in the lumbar region. It's debilitating and extremely painful, and I feel sorry for you to be on a plane for so long. Try to get up as often as possible during the flight or you won't be able to stand up afterwards.

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  23. We have talked and a few of us may have to book a retreat at this awesome place! I’m only 5’1”, so I can do the dishes. The others can do the cooking! Hope you have arrived safely in Arizona and your back is feeling better. Remember to love on your family and take care of YOU. Nel from Nebraska
    (See you in October!)

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  24. I'm also tall, and my sink is really deep. Sometimes I have to walk away, in the middle of dishes, and take a break, to relieve my back and neck. Hope you heal quickly.

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  25. Prayers for you and the whole family! Safe travels for everyone!

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  26. I've had back spasms as well. Mine turned out to be walking pneumonia and a severe urinary/kidney infection. No coughing just spasms. Knocked me out for a couple of months. It left me with a bubble in a lung. Now if I ever fly I need to have my lungs checked before I get on the plane. Be kind to yourself and rest as much as you can. Remember to get some alone time while you're in AZ. Your mind and body will thank you later. There are OTC lidocaine patches out now and a cream you can rub on larger areas. DON'T use heat with it. That has helped me when I do stuff my back and hips don't like. We will all be sending healing prayers for you and yours your way this coming season. May a soothing peace be yours.

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  27. Guess what, Bonnie? You are doing just fine. Maybe even magnificently. You are keeping your wits about you. You are doing things that need to be done. You are loving your family as together you honor your brother. You are walking forward honestly and steadily, with kindness and dignity. I repeat - you are doing just fine.

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  28. My 6'4" husband has learned to put an extra wash basin up on the kitchen counter to wash the dishes. (Yes, he's great about doing house chores like that!). Hope your back get better. Love the quilting pattern on the signature quilt. Looks great!

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  29. The signature quilt has turned out so pretty and will look beautiful hung at Quiltville Inn.
    So sorry your back is in spasm that’s really painful, I’ve never had a rib pulled out by it although I did break a rib when I fell and that was painful enough. Hope you will feel back to yourself soon, have a safe journey
    Love prayers and quilty hugs
    Anne xxx

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  30. How long do i have to repeat the same stupid mistakes over and over again, before i learn?...not having {unrealistic, or really any preconceived]exceptions means ME as well as everyone and/or anything else!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! [and you too Bonnie, i will be bold enough to try and remind you that you are good just the way you are......

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  31. Safe travels and I hope you get some relief from your pain. Back pain is the worse pain. Praying for you and your family at this difficult time.

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  32. My last house had a sink like that - I did love it, but I had to stand doing the splits otherwise, like you, I had to hunch over and it hurt my neck. Not exactly like Jean Claude Van Damme though! Rubbing alcohol (surgical spirit) is a good way of getting rid of sticky left over label bits.

    That quilt is lovely - and what a super finish for the memento.

    And yayyyy for puddytat purrs all round! :)

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  33. I feel for you Bonnie, I have had back issues for about the last 4 months. Take it easy as possible. And I am glad the cats are finally getting along. Prayers for the next few days

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  34. You have never heard of Goo-Gone? Go with Tillytitewad's solution. Our backs are too precious to fool around with :-) (but I think stress and grief are your instigators for the back problem) Go with God and prayers, I love you

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  35. Love and hugs to you, Bonnie. I’m so sorry to hear that your having the back issues, as well. May being with your family help to ease your pain ( in every way) and I pray that you can smile with all of your beautiful memories of your brother...... he will always be there “cheering” you on!

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  36. I pray that your journey to family goes smoothly and that your back holds out. prays for all of you.

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  37. Hope you feel better soon. Thinking of you and your family during this stressful time.

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  38. Covering stickers with cooking oil and letting it sit a bit usually makes them slip right off.

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  40. If there is a next time of removing stickers or doing dishes by hand at an uncomfortable level.. get a dish pan, and set it on the counter. One to wash and one to rinse.

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