Saturday, May 18, 2024

A Friendship Journal

 Recently, I was surprise when I received an unexpected package from my friend Kimmy.  Many tears of friendship joy trickled down my cheeks when I saw what was in this package.  

In early April I sustained a leg injury while attempting to separate our Bloodhound and Great Dane during one of their moments of being the Best of Enemies instead of their usual Best of Friends.

We've had too many vet bills the past couple of years since rescuing them, and teaching them how to be a family.  We are very thankful they only had a few minor scratches this time.  

Unfortunately, it was me that got injured.  Nothing serious that needed surgery, just a minor impaction fracture on the kneecap, and deeply bruised muscles and ligaments.  The first 3 weeks I was mainly in bed using the Ice Man to keep the swelling down.  Healing time was estimated for 6-8 weeks. I am pleased to share by week 5, I no longer needed my trusty rolling walker to get around.  I was able to begin bearing more weight on that leg, and I am now, with caution, getting back to my normal routine.  

 I didn't just drift off down a bunny trail, the package and the dog story really do relate. 

Inside Kimmy's package was a very beautiful journal filled with bits & pieces of vintage, new & handmade goodness. Scattered throughout the pages she included items we both adore... poems, quotes, birds, flowers, butterflies, angels, trim, lace, prayer, friendship, hearts, and an encouraging reminder to Trust in the Lord.

 It's a journal filled with wonderful papers that are tattered and torn, along with snippets of lace and ribbon, some old, some new.

Inside this journal are hidden pockets, an inside booklet, tags, and other areas where journaling notes can be written, slipped into a pocket or written on the back of a tag.

Thank you Kimmy for being a precious friend and for gifting me your beautiful, handmade journal of friendship, and for all your prayers during my recovery!

With her permission, please enjoy her journal creation...






      
  

 
  
  










            
 
         
 





 





Friday, August 12, 2022

Ovarian Remnant Syndrome - ORS

 My spayed dog is in heat, what?

We rescued our sweet Chloe in April 2022.
She came home to us the night of her being spayed.
Her spay was provided adoption service through the rescue shelter.

Chloe seemed to recover well from her spaying.
Her post-op appointment indicated she was healing appropriately.  

Chloe continued to thrive and was an active dog in no time.
Until 3 months later when she started bleeding as though she was in heat.
She became mostly lethargic and simply not feeling well.

We took her to our vet.
Her sonogram and bloodwork showed no UTI, kidney or bladder stones.
Her cytology and baseline hormone results showed a condition called
Ovarian Remnant Syndrome (ORS).

ORS occurs when tissue of an ovary is not removed during a spay procedure.  Endometriosis, pelvic adhesions as well as anatomical abnormalities can make it difficult to determine the ovary tissue area and may contribute undetected ovarian tissue not being fully removed.  It can also occur when a sliver of ovarian tissue is dropped unknowingly upon its removal and remains within the uterus area.  Risk of ORS may also occur when unskilled or inexperienced surgeons preform an ovariectomy.  

While your female animal is sterile from their original spay, the ovarian remnant
is attached or can reattach to a blood source eventually producing hormones.
Thus allowing them to have symptoms of being 'in heat'.

Our Chloe had to undergo exploratory surgery this week.
Basically the surgery is the same as the original spay surgery, except
the incision is larger to allow exploration to locate the ovarian remnant.

For Chloe, her right ovarian pedicle still contained ovarian tissue,
causing her Ovarian Remnant Syndrome.
It was removed and she should fully recover in about 2 weeks.

It is important to have the corrective surgery to help prevent the
on-going cycles of being in (sterile) heat as well
as risk of on-going pain, adhesions and certain cancers.

Chloe has been such a brave girl with her discomfort,
pain, enduring a major surgery and now her recovery 💗

I was unware such a condition could occur.  
ORS with similar symptoms can also occur in female humans.  





Wednesday, December 30, 2020

Christmas Tea

Our small bubble group met
at my home to share a Christmas Tea
 
 
tea hats of course!
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
George photo bombing 

Although George was not happy
when a hat was placed on him
 
After our tea luncheon,
we gathered to make tea-infused sugar scrubs
 
 
 
  Afterwards down to my studio for ornament creating
 
 
 Five ornament kits were available
 
 
 Vintage-inspired tinsel-star ornaments
Textile-wrapped mini Christmas trees
Chenille poinsettias
Snowball Pinecone trees
Stained Wood Tile Ornies
















A beautiful day shared with beautiful friends




 
 
 

Monday, December 14, 2020

Merry Christmas Everyone

                

    Merry Christmas 2020

                                       Our Living Room




        Under this cloche is a keepsake, an antique, mini leather book, 

The Christmas Carol

Our Dining Room

 

 

 

Each year for the past few years, I have selected a 'theme' for one tree.

This year's tree is of vintage women portraits and tassels.

 

 
 
 
 

These photos at the bottom of the tree shows (L-R) my paternal grandmother,
my maternal grandmother and my mother.
 

 

Always love a decorated chandy!

 

Hallway 

 

The violin belong to a grandmother.  It has been in its case forever.  The strings have disintegrated and the bridge fallen loose, but isn't it beautiful?

Our Kitchen Hutch


Our Family Room

 

ONEL blocks usually spells NOEL.

My husband & sons over the years often mix up the letters for fun.

Although this mix up was brought to you by Norabell.

Peace & Joy to you!
May your Christmas season be filled with love!
Blessings to you & your love ones for a happy & healthy 2021!