* Some of you were asking ....

1.  I just had one knee replaced.  I thought about having them both done at once.  My decision was made on the following fact.  Having one knee done causes a risk of infection of 2%.  Having two knees done, increases the risk of infection to between 5% and 8%.  The Dr. here will not do two knees at once.

2.  Yes, I could hear everything that went on in the operating room.  I had a spinal and could not feel any pain, however could feel tugging and pulling.  At times my entire body moved up and down on the operating table as the hammered and sawed.  An interesting experience.

3.  Yes, I asked for more drugs.  They administered them, however I could still hear the proceedings.

4.  I had earphones in my ears with good music on.

5.  They did not administer a sedative prior to surgery.  I walked to the operating room and helped myself up on the table. 

6.  The operation took two hours.

7.  I have six parts in my knee.  I have been given a list with stickers from each part.  Sort of like taking a car in for repair ... :o).

8.  I was in recovery for one hour.  Wide awake.

9.  I shook for that entire hour.  I think my body was experiencing shock.

10. They kept the spinal in and administered straight morphine.

11.  I did not feel drugged and did not have any pain.

12.  The day of surgery I was not allowed out of bed.

13.  The day after surgery I was up and walking with the aid of a walker.  It was not too painful.  I was then able to go to the washroom by myself.   I could also have a shower sitting down.

14.  The first three days I was wired.  I thought I was going to have a party, but no one came.  boo hoo.

15.  The fourth day I crashed.  I was released from hospital and made the trip home in a van.  The pain was excruciating, because my leg was in a bad position and there was no alternative.

16.  I got set up in my own bed and was much more comfortable.

17.  It is now one week after surgery.  I can basically do everything for myself.  My stamina is not built back up yet, however, it's not bad either.  I am using a walker and could not walk without one at this point.

18.  The stitches come out in one more week.

19.  By then, I should be able to bed my knee in a normal fashion while sitting.

20.  I will then be given a list of exercises to do which will hopefully give me my mobility back.  My body compensated for the pain so much that my left leg is now shorter than the right one because the ligaments grew tight.  This will be difficult to correct, however, I am going to give it a good shot.

21.  I am hoping to be able to get up the stairs to my studio this weekend.  YEAH!

22.  I am on a ton of meds.  Antibiotics, anticoagulants and pain killers. 

23.  I will keep you posted from time to time on the progress.

24.  If you have any more questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

 

"Eventually you will come to understand that love heals everything, and love is all there is.”  ~ Gary Zukav

* Mail Glorious Mail

I must say, snail mail, or mail with heart, is a wonderful spirit lifter.  I had such a great mail day.  My box was full of letters, notes and hand made postcards.  How can you not smile and giggle when you see and read them.  Katie over at The Red Tin wrote about this the other day I believe.  Katie and I met through Good Mail Day, and have continued, much to my delight, to correspond.  Katie has taken it upon herself to get to know her mail man, value him, and even conducted an interview with him on her blog.  I love it!

So here were all the goodies I received today.  It was a coup!

Thanks again to all of you for dropping by, for all of you who send mail, email and make phone calls.  Very special.  I appreciate it so very much.  xxoo

“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs, ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who are alive.” – Howard Thurman

* Postcards and Recovery ...

Soooo nice to be home.  The trip itself was pretty gruesome, however once we arrived it was lovely to be in my own bed and surroundings.  I am making good progress.  Today we rigged up a sort of sling so I can lift my leg in and out of bed, instead of being helped.

There is quite a bit of work to be done.  I compensated so much to relieve the pain, my left leg is quite a bit shorter than my right.  The ligaments have pulled tight, so that must be worked out to get them even again.  Poco a Poco.  The house is in disarray in order to make a wide track for me to use the walker.  My views are pretty much like this.

To the right of the bed, we have moved a long high table, which holds most everything I need to play with.  very convenient.

I just know you've been waiting for this!  ;O)  My bottle of bones. 

Also received the postcards of Lenna's Postcard Swap today.  How gorgeous they all are.

A gorgeous hand quilted postcard from NANCY ROBERTS.  Do pop over and visit her blog.  She does some amazing things.  With the theme being "A summer's day", I think she hit it right on.  Don't you love her beautiful quilting stitches?  sigh ....

Next from SARAH BOBLIT, a beautiful hand embroidered post card.  Absolutely stunning.

An incredibly well done digital piece from LYNDA RODDY OZZOUTO  I adore ephemera and the combination she used here is perfect!

Backs are just as gorgeous as the fronts. 

Lenna hosts wonderful creative swaps regularly.  I invite you to join in the fun.  To view Lenna's swap site visit CREATIVE SWAPS.  Lenna also has her own blog where she shares her life and wonderful art.  Have a peek HERE.

So, that's it for today.  It's been wonderful to hear from so many of you.  Your support makes all the difference.  xxoo

"Lately I've been doing many things I can't do.  That's how I get to do them." ~ Pablo Picasso

* Blog fodder running very thin ...

News of the day.

1.  I got out of bed!  YEAH.  Felt so good to actually move.

2.  Walked with help of walker.  Another YEAH!  I am grateful for walkers.

3.  Had every one of my needs met today.  Was well taken care of.  Was fed home cooked beautiful tasty food.  Napped.  Had wonderful e-mails and phone calls.

4.  Received the wonderful news I can return home on Monday.

5.  Am so grateful for my wonderful care giver, Allyson.  Could not have been here, done this, without her.

6.  Allyson went out and bought pizza for dinner.  We forgot we were not in Italy.  :o)

7.  It's evening now. Birds are singing very loudly outside my window around a small body of water, graced with green grass and trees.

8.  I am blessed.

9.  Tomorrow I will be able to shower.

10. Did I tell you I received the most marvelous gift.  A symbol of the pain I have gone through and no longer have to endure because of this incredible Dr.  It's a jar of small bones from my knee.  Bones which were floating freely between my knee cap, around the ball joint, crunching, getting stuck and causing incredible pain.  The Dr. said this was new for him.  Certainly explained a lot to me.  I am now pondering what 'creative masterpiece' I can come up with which will acknowledge  this healing.  Perhaps they will end up in a nicho to honour my knees, the movement they constantly give me, accompanied by a prayer of gratitude that they could be healed.

Now for a photograph.  Allyson's feet with her new shoes from the tiengas (big Tuesday Market).  I just love them.

A state of peace allows us to tap into a tremendous reserve of universal, healing energy.

* An Accidental Study of Human Nature ...

While lying here tonight looking at the ceiling ...

with the camera on all the wrong settings .... trying

to find

something interesting to photograph ...

People began to walk past my open door

and look in.

They tried not to ...

but they couldn't help it ...

even though they were almost past the door, they had to keep looking.

This man tried to cover his eyes ...

but in the end was absolutely amazed when he spotted me in bed HA HA HA HA

This woman tried to move fast and not be noticed

He looked ...

and looked again.  I was afraid he was going to trip over his own feet as he tried to get one last glimpse.

An interesting study on the human race.  I don't think the majority of us can walk by an open door without being so curious we have to look in.

Thanks for dropping by.  I'm a little short of 'blog fodder' so have resorted to crazy making to amuse myself.  I'll be out of bed tomorrow and back on my feet with a walker for awhile.  Everything went well, and as one of my dear friends who loves puns said, I now have a good leg to stand on.  Also want to thank you for all your good wishes, all the love, light, prayers and good energy you have sent.  It's all been amazing, and so very much appreciated.  Thank you for your wonderful phone calls and your emails. I feel well loved.  xxoo

Take care of your body. It's the only place you have to live. ~Jim Rohn

* We have arrived ....

We are here.  We have arrived.  The blood work was not here.  The ECG results were not here.  They quickly did new blood work.  AOK.  ECG --- who knows.  Dr. Schmidt was here and assured me I would have music in my ears and be knocked out.  So here's hoping.

Allyson is here with me.  She's a doll.  I'm soooo happy she is here.  Very capable and able to ask all the right questions.

Here we are in our little room.  Allyson brought a cooler full of fruit, yogurt and other goodies.  I have just had orange juice.  Now I will try and settle.

Aren't we cozy.

I'll post again in a few days.  Take care and have fun while I'm in here getting fixed up so I can have fun!  

"Our body is a machine for living. It is organized for that, it is its nature. Let life go on in it unhindered and let it defend itself, it will do more than if you paralyze it by encumbering it with remedies."
   Leo Tolstoy (September, 1828 - November,1910)

* Off to see the Wizard ...

The time has come the Walrus said, to talk of many things.  Knee replacements would be among the topics.  I leave today for the clinic.  Tomorrow morning is surgery.  Then four days, and I should be home.

In the meantime another image has come to me.   I sketched her out on a piece of paper, and could not resist a quick block in on canvas before leaving.  It's really really hard to stop once I get going and I strongly dislike leaving her in this unfinished state.  However, it is what it is.

Her name is "Medicine Woman".  She told me as I was sketching her, "Love is the greatest healer."  I believe that.

She sits in the forest, mixing the potions in her exquisite medicine bowl.  Around her, all the ingredients she needs exist in Mother Natures pharmacy.

Very very very preliminary block in.

Thank you for dropping by my lovelies.  Always a pleasure to have you here.  I'll probably be off line for a little while getting 'my feet under me' again.  :o)  Be well.  Be Happy.  And keep creating all the gorgeous stuff which is YOU. 

I find this Rumi quote so interesting.  How far are you willing to stretch yourselves out of your comfort zones?  Where would you be if you 'lived where you fear to live."  WOW.

"Forget Safety.
Live where you fear to live.
Destroy your reputation.
Be notorious.”
― Rumi

* Both complete ... I think ...

Sunday Afternoon.  Oil on canvas.

My Lady of Unlimited Power.  Acrylic on canvas.

Travelers, it is late.
Life's sun is going to set.
During these brief days that you have strength,
be quick and spare no effort of your wings.

- Rumi

* In Between ...

Surgery for a total knee replacement is scheduled for September 23rd, first thing. 


In between blood tests, doctors appointments, and too many errands to mention, I stopped for a quiet moment. 

at the Biblioteca, the English Library in Town. There was a huge book sale today, and I found a couple of old illustrated books to use for art.

Had a lovely cup of coffee ...

and enjoyed

the ambiance

of the beautiful shaded inner courtyard cafe.

"Love has no other desire but to fulfill itself. To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night. To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving." ~Kahlil Gibran~

* Sunday Afternoon

 

Nearly.  Almost.  Just about.  Won't be long now. :o)  Sorry about the quality of the photograph, but again, I'm working with the shine from the oil glazes I'm using.

Thanks for stopping by.  Thanks for coming to see what I'm up to.  Thanks for your wonderful words of encouragement.  Thank you for all the work you do on your own blogs.  You are indeed my inspiration.  xxoo

Every flower must grow through dirt.

-- Anonymous

* Thought for the day.

Life is very short.  Gets shorter every day. :o)  So many things we concern ourselves with are just not worth it.  They are small and petty.  They are not worth our energy.  They may hurt other people, and why would we do that?  Perhaps one of you has been hurt over something that just isn't worth it in the big scheme of things.  It's time we thought more about our actions.  It's time we were able to open dialogues between each other instead of shutting down.  It's time we listened to both sides of the story.  It's time to stop judging.  You know the old saying "We can never fully understand the other viewpoint until we walk a mile in their shoes."  So, here is a little something to chew on today.  Life is short.  Friends are precious.  There is nothing that can't be worked out.

Just wait a while,
turn your back and
remember what you have forgotten.
Try to find if you've lost,
apologize if you've hurt,
forgive if you have been hurt.
Because life is too short.(Shams Tabrizi

* My Lady of Unlimited Power ... Complete

I think My Lady is complete.  Her little bird companion may need some more work.  I have to let her sit for a few days and see.  The symbol she wears represents the three fold Mother Goddess, Maiden, Mother, Crone.  We are born with unlimited power.  It never leaves us, and indeed matures during each transition of life.  We only need to claim our power and make it ours. These are the words of wisdom she wishes to impart. 

Thank you for dropping in, my lovelies.  Trust your weekend has been a joyous one.  xxoo

We have the unlimited power of creation within us. Always had.  It is our birthright. The awareness of your pure power and limit-less-ness is deep inside.  ~ author unknown

* My Lady of Unlimited Power ...

While I have been working on this painting, and asking her who she is and what she wants, the word 'silence' and 'ancient knowledge' have flashed through my mind.  Today, out of the clear blue, while I was working on her head dress these words came to me. 

"Go within to the silence.  Deep into the wisdom and ancient knowledge of your inner knowing.  Claim your unlimited power."

I just want to thank you all again for supporting me on this adventure I'm having.  Your comments mean so much and it's wonderful when you drop by.  xxoo

“This is a grand test for our souls; can we remember and keep the soul-truth - no matter what our lives seem to be telling us? The truth that we are powerful, worthy and love - no matter what!” Joy Page quotes

* Sunday Afternoon ... finally ...

Sheeeeesh!  I think I might have finally got the male body the way I want it!  More work to do, but the blocking in is done to my liking.  It's taken long enough.  I'm finding I'm much better at drawing female bodies without a model.  Makes sense to me.

So, with a little more detail work on his face, hair and background, I will be done.  It was very difficult to get a good shot as I have been working with glazes which involves fast drying linseed oil, and the painting is currently very shiny.  This was the best I could do .. you get the idea.   I will be very happy to have it finished and hung.

Thanks for stopping by My Lovelies.  Have a great day.  xxoo

We do not need magic to transform our world. We carry all the power we need inside ourselves already. We have the power to imagine better.  J. K. Rowling

* Progress Report ...

Worked on her head dress today. 

Thanks so much for stopping by today.  Love it when you pop in.  AND .. thank you all for your wonderful words of encouragement.  Makes my day!

“Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you. Encourage me, and I will not forget you. Love me and I may be forced to love you.” William Arthur Ward

* ... this just in ...

Roughly blocked in.  Who knows where this is going?  I'll keep you posted.

Oh soul, you worry too much. You have seen your own strength. You have seen your own beauty. You have seen your golden wings. Of anything less, why do you worry? You are in truth the soul, of the soul, of the soul.”

~ Rumi

* My Lady of Broken Hearts

I completed My Lady of Broken Hearts today.  As I worked on her, she prompted me to look up the symbol for Harmony again.  This time, the definition for "The Star and the Moon" on her forehead came up differently.  It is not only the symbol for Harmony, but also for Love and Faithfulness.

She assures me if we Love ourselves enough to put ourselves first, if we are Faithful and true to our values and beliefs, and if we live in Harmony with these principals, our hearts will heal. In the meantime, she will keep it safe and begin the healing process with her special powers.

click for detail

"There are things that we don't want to happen but have to accept, things we don't want to know but have to learn, and people we can't live without but have to let go." - Author Unknown