It wasn't just my imagination that my hand is getting better - Leonie noticed the improvement at OT yesterday.  My homework remains the same, and I am being diligent about doing the exercises twice each day.

It didn't take long to pack (and I even had time to post Wednesday's Foothills pix) and then I was on the road to Flagstaff. Uneventful drive, and I arrived around 2:30. Interesting house set-up (and Colleen wasn't kidding about all the steps up and down between all the rooms.) I'm bunking with Vicki, who is also an early-to-bed person, and it works great that our room is the farthest from the sewing room; some of the ladies sew into the wee hours of the morning.

First I had to clean my machine (the dust bunnies were getting out of control) and then I had issues trying to wind a bobbin, but eventually I was able to start sewing. Almost got my pile of 4-patches done (of course they'll still need to be "disappeared") before I quit for the night.

I was reading in bed last night and Vicki liked the way my PJs color coordinated with the bedding so she snapped this pic.

Drinking my 'coffee' while waking up this morning, and came across this video on FB.  MY rock stacking at the hot springs this summer didn't even come close!

https://www.facebook.com/thisisinsiderart/videos/433499763487260/

We dined at Carrabba's last night (just the three of us because Aja had to work.)  Everything was delicious (as usual) though our waiter was less than stellar.  I'll have my leftovers for lunch today before heading up to Flagstaff.

Of course I haven't even started packing (or even making a list!), which not like me at all... but I'm up early enough that I should be able to make a dent in that before I head off to OT mid-morning.

First, though, I need to post yesterday's Foothills' pix onto their website.

Everyone was glad to see me at Foothills this morning after my summer absence.  Today was the last meeting for one of our members, Patty, who is moving to Colorado.  She said her goodbyes, saying what a friendly and caring group we are, and told us how we've helped her though some tough times.  And then she touched my heart when she singled me out and mentioned how much she's especially enjoyed my sense of humor.  Always nice to feel appreciated!

Remember my frustrations last week, paper-piecing little houses?  Sharron Myers did a trunk show on paper-piecing in preparation for a class she'll be teaching next Wednesday.  (Unfortunately I'll have to miss that class; I'll be at the Busy Bees meeting.)  Sharron especially likes doing tiny work, so a number of her mini-quilts were especially impressive.

Here are just a few of them.

Linda has worked incredibly hard on the raffle quilt - and you should see the quilting she has planned for it.  WOW!

Because I don't have enough projects started, I'm planning to take Sharon's class next month so I can learn how to make a bag like this.  It involves wrapping strips of fabric around clothesline.

Show & Tell was fun, as usual.  Carolyn's little kitty purse is adorable.  

(Notice the fish in its mouth.)

Louise finished up her sewing room quilt - in style!

And Jan had her own paper-pieced project to display, possibly her entry in the Busy Bee Challenge: Out on a Limb.

Mary brought this adorable block.

She got the idea from an illustration in the newspaper

and had it blown up at the copy shop to use as her pattern.

After the meeting Linda and I went to lunch.  Wildflower was crowded when we got there, but we sat and chatted for so long that the place was virtually empty by the time we left.  She's keeping very busy with Zahn, but maybe we will manage to get together again before she leaves on vacation next month.  I always enjoy our time together!

Diane loved the bibs I gave her for her mom yesterday - and then last night I got another wonderful thank you from her.  No question that my work is appreciated!  Neil's bibs should arrive in Colorado tomorrow, and hopefully will also be a hit.

My time in the 1st grade yesterday with Vicki was uneventful - though I'm reminded why I don't want to sub any more.  I may be volunteering with Diane on Friday afternoons this year, although Karen in the office is still giving me grief, and "doesn't remember" getting the e-mail from the DVUSD office about me not having to take the volunteer training.  Wish I'd kept my copy of that e-mail, but it did say they were CC-ing it to her.  (And I'm reasonably sure she did get it, because right after that she quit bugging me.)

My legs are still sore (at least they only kvetch during workouts) but I made it through this morning's session without too much trouble.  Will miss Friday's and Sunday's sessions because of Quilt Camp in Flagstaff, so hope I don't pay for the 'vacation' next Tuesday.

This afternoon I saw my breast surgeon for the last time because she's retiring this month to spend more time with her small children.  Got a good check-up (we celebrated my 'almost 5 year' anniversary, which occurs officially in January) and she said I have the choice of switching over to the other surgeon in her practice, or letting my oncologist take over.  Will decide after I meet with the oncologist next.

This morning was another session of OT, and I've graduated from the 1# to the 2# weight.  The good news is that I'm moving right along and making good progress.

There was not much of a line at the post office, so I was able to get in and out of there to mail a package in record time.  Terry should get a laugh out of it - I used the same envelope that the mystery shirt from Thailand came in, although tucked inside this time are a couple of bibs for Neil.

Home Depot was next, where I picked up some samples of laminate for the new counter top in the kids' bathroom.  Here's hoping that the remodel goes smoothly.  (Hey, it could happen, right?) 

In a bit I'm off to school, where I'm helping out Vicki in the 1st grade today.  She's got a small class, and says they're all wonderful kids, so we'll see how it goes.  I can also drop off the other two bibs for Diane's mom.

Haven't posted in over a week - as many of my 'public' have noticed.  Yes, I'm fine.  Was just in a bit of a funk, and then never got back into posting mode.  Will try to fill in the gaps from this past week.

Yesterday I went to see Sully at the movies and found it quite entertaining, though I was surprised that it was mostly about the NTSB's investigation of the incident.  I always enjoy Tom Hanks' movies, and would probably go to watch him read the phone book... just wouldn't want to travel with him:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2016/09/07/sully-is-the-last-straw-you-should-never-travel-with-tom-hanks/?wpisrc=nl_rainbow-gift&wpmm=1

 Thursday I started back at OT with Leonie.  We're starting slowly, and I'm doing my homework exercises twice each day.  The cortisone shot still seems to be helping painwise, and I'm optimistic about getting back more function.  I also had an appointment with the chiropractor on Thursday, but unfortunately mixed up the times of the two appointments.  Felt pretty foolish about that, but it ended up working out okay.

Wednesday we got rain from Hurricane Newton (a few days early; irrigation wasn't until Friday) but not as much as expected, at least here in Phoenix; in Tucson and points south they got a lot more.  I schlepped my machine to Busy Bees for Joni's Little Houses class, and mine were definitely the littlest.  Not having worked on anything since June, paper piecing may not have been the best project to jump back into.  Not only did I have to rip out my very first seam, but also my second.  And no, the third time was not the charm; I managed to make every possible mistake (backwards, upside down and inside out) before I finally got it right on the fourth attempt. However the frustrations continued (reminding me of why I put the project aside) and I did not even finish the tiny block before I packed it in and decided to just sit and chat.

Afterward Jan and I went to Wildflower for our belated birthday lunch. I'd brought the blinking birthday glasses, which elicited smiles from virtually everyone in there - and got our lunches, complete with their decadent chocolate cake, comped by the manager! (Last year, when Carolyn was also with us, we 'only' got free cake.) Jan and I sat and talked long after we finished eating, and had such an enjoyable time that we may not wait another year for an excuse to do it again.

I've been back at the gym for over a week now, and while I've had to regress to lighter weights (and fewer sets) it hasn't been as bad as I'd feared.  Last Sunday I was actually able to used the 2.5# weights at Boot Camp, so on Tuesday Jim had me do upper body for the first time since April.  Yes I ended up sore a couple of days later, but it wasn't as bad as it could have been.

Patti trimmed my hair last weekend (in Colorado I'd actually hacked off a section on each side to 'even' things up) and of course now it looks much more even.  She did, however, comment on the amount of gray that's showing up these days.  Guess that's to be expected, though the gray is still heavily out-weighed by brown, and most people assume I color my hair.  Maybe I could train a hummingbird to pull out the gray ones? 

Ben and Estera popped over last weekend with some goodies for us: salmon he had caught in Alaska, bread she had baked (which made great French Toast) and some of the veggie salad I enjoy. Of course the kids wanted to play with Tyga, and he was more than happy to let them feed him some dog treats.  He, however, did not feel the same way about playing after there was no more food, trying to escape their attention by hopping up on the couch, and at one point even growling at them. (Later I asked Alex if he'd ever seen Tyga around little kids, and he hadn't.)  I was surprised, because Tyga certainly loves attention and likes to play - but apparently not with little kids, like this guy.

Estera is due with their 4th (and last planned) child mid-month, and is more than ready to not be pregnant any more.  Though it's not likely to be easy for some time; Willie just turned 5 on August 31, and having four children 5 and under is not going to be any picnic, especially since Julianna and Tommy have had some serious health issues.  Here's hoping this little one (a girl) is born healthy! 

I've been doing a lot of reading this past week, and currently enjoying Winterdance by Gary Paulsen.  He's a familiar author to me (I've read several of his YA novels) though this book is somewhat different, a chronicling of his "adventures" (madness?!) when he decided to enter the Iditarod race in Alaska.  His understatements of the trials and tribulations (he had NO clue what he was getting into) had me in stitches much of the time - but also wondering how he survived the abuse. 

Yesterday was Tom's surgery. My alarm was set for 5:30, though I was awake before then - which may explain why I was so draggy all day.  Surgery went according to schedule, they put in 2 stents, and at 3:30 I was able to bring Tom home. He felt fine, just a little sore at the incision site. 

Didn't get much of anything done all day, and in the evening struggled to stay awake until a reasonable hour.  Which I did - but then woke this morning before 4:00, so today may be another long day.  Only thing on my schedule today is the gym; maybe that will give me a boost in energy?