Additional Good News Everyone!

I was told this morning that for the first time in these many weeks, my back finally held an adjustment!  It's about time! 

High Fives all around!

In preparation

For starting Item #19, I've decided to practice my quilting abilities on a blanket for our living room.

It's been a while since I've quilted anything so I wanted to hone in my skills on a few pieces of it before cutting into the gift fabric.  Here are a few pictures of my current project:

I'm using fleece since that is what we are wanting for our living room however the concept is the same. And yes, that IS an ironing board that I'm using for a table.  It was the only thing high enough for me to work on that didn't anger the back gods.

The colors look a lot brighter in the photo than they are in real life.  The red is a darker burgundy that comes pretty close to matching our couch.

I've mapped out where I want each square to go so that I don't duplicate any patterns and so I know how many 5inch squares I need of each fabric.  

I'm hoping to have this blanket finished by the end of this week so that A. I can remove the ugly gray blanket we currently have on our couch and B. so that I can get started on the official #19. 

I'll post pictures when I'm finished. 

Current Standings:

1. Read/Finish 10 books:
    a. You Had me at Woof by Julie Klam (Completed January 15th)
    b. A Man Without a Country by Kurt Vonnegut (Completed March 6th)
    c. What-the-Dickens: The Story of a Rogue Tooth Fairy by Gregory Maguire (Completed March 26th)

4. Get My Passport DONE!!

13. Learn 10 new recipes. (new to me)
   * Lemon Chicken Pasta Salad (Yum!)
   * Pan Fried Salmon (Yum Yum!)
   * Home Made Mac and Cheese with Egg Noodles
   * White Bean Broccoli Mac and Cheese
   * Beef and Broccoli Rabe with Whole Wheat Penne

20. Plant an herb garden in my house. First harvest completed 4.23.2012. DONE! 


19. Start and Finish new bedroom quilt. - Started.

#19. Start and Finish new bedroom quilt.

It's time to start another bucket list item.


I've decided to start number 19 on my Bucket List.  It's a good thing that I didn't specify whose new bedroom quilt I was going to start and finish.  I'll admit, when I wrote this down, I was thinking that it would be MY new bedroom quilt however "I've since changed my mind" (quick, name that movie...).  The quilt that I have started slowly piecing together is for someone else in my life.  I'm not going to say who since that person may or may not read this blog and I would like it to be a surprise.  After it's been finished and this person has received it, I will be sure to post pictures.  Until then, wish me luck - because I'm gonna need it!

Happy Birthday Mr. Cadbury

Today is a very important day.  

Today is my Grandpapa's Birthday.

He's a pretty cool guy.  You should know him.  If you don't, you should come with me to California sometime and meet him.  Yep.  He's THAT cool. 

He's my Mr. Cadbury.

Happy Birthday Mr. Cadbury. :)

The bucket continues to fill up

Project Update #1: Indoor Herb Garden

My herb garden continues to grow by the week and I'm excited to share updated pictures with you. 

Rosemary and Cilantro are starting to really come into their own - slowly but surely.  Catnip is just about ready for the first harvest of leaves (and just in time!) and I'm thinking today is the day that Basil gets his own home.  I've planted Basil before and had much better luck (and quantity) by now.  Thinking that a new, larger home would help the roots to spread out.  Next up, spearmint and mint plants. I've been doing some research on growing mint - since I haven't been able to locate any mint seeds at any of the local green houses. Turns out that mint seeds are poisonous and therefore are rarely carried.  The alternative is to buy fresh mint from the grocery store and put it in a glass of water until it sprouts roots, then plant it.  So, I'll give that a shot and hope for a Mojito filled summer :)

Project Update #2: Indoor Flower Garden (not an official 2012 Bucket List Item)

The large green container is newly planted wildflower seeds that should be popping up sometime in the next week or so.  I'm excited to be starting my first flower pot.  I don't think that I've done that since I was little. Then, of course there are the two on the opposite end (yellow pot with pink flowers & gray pot with purple flowers).  I can't remember the names of these flowers but will post them after I do a little more research.  They were both purchased as potted plants and then re-homed to their current locations.  They've both been struggling (especially pinky) but they seem to finally be making themselves comfortable. 

That's all for now.  More updates later this week - including the starting of another Bucket List item. :)  I can't wait to share the details with you. 

Blog Updates

To those that may read this:


I've received a few comments on Facebook saying that some of you have tried leaving me comments on my blog but haven't been able to. In response, I have changed a few settings so please try again.  
That's all for now. :)
Thanks!

Sunday Morning

The day that the check book gets balanced, the grocery list is created, coupons are printed, laundry is done, the week's homework gets started, and any remaining time is spent checking in with family and friends (oh and crafting).

I just got off the phone with my Aunt.  I've always felt a special connection with my aunt - like we're kindred spirits.  She is taking a big step this year, focusing on her happiness and what she wants for her future.  It takes a large amount of courage and desire to do what she is doing and I'm so proud and happy for her. It gives me hope for my future.

I'm looking forward to many more adventures with her and can't wait to add them to my 2013 Bucket List :)

Moving Day

No, I haven't moved... 


Today the Catnip moved into his own 1 bedroom apartment.  This move made room in the dormitory for Cilantro to move in with Basil and Rosemary.  So far Catnip seems to be enjoying the extra leg room.  Cilantro is still a little shy but sooner or rather he'll come out of his shell.  

(Wow... can't tell I'm on pain meds can you? ) :) 

Good News Everyone!

I received the results from my MRI this afternoon.

I have a mildly bulging disc at L5/S1 which can be taken care of with rest (lying down), PT and muscle relaxers. No surgery needed.  Yay!

At least for the next few weeks I have a viable excuse for being extra lazy, taking lots of naps and being loopier than normal (yay muscle relaxers!).

I hope to find out later this week when I can start riding my bike.  Wish me luck!

Indoor Garden Update

For those of you tracking the progress of my small little herb garden, 

I have provided an updated picture below.  

You'll notice that the Catnip is definitely winning.  I should be able to harvest the catnip later this week.

It's time for me to start my next set.  I've decided to go with Cilantro and Spearmint for now.  

Easter Bunny Surprise

 The Easter Bunny made a surprise visit to our house this morning. :)  

I was told that the Easter bunny thought that maybe this year, I may need some cheering up. So he made the extra special stop.  

This explains why a certain furry faced someone was up barking at 2:30am this morning. :)

Today has been a good day.  Started off the morning with an Easter Basket Surprise, got to go on a family walk with my two favorites and we had lunch with the wonderful Holst Family. :) Now, after splitting the lawn mowing up, I've finished my portion and am laying on the couch with a sleepy puppy, watching the Masters. 

Now, if only Phil Mickelson would have gotten the same memo as the Easter Bunny.

Happy Easter Everyone.

Unexpected Bucket List Item

Unexpected Bucket List Item...
For those of you who may not know, I've gone done injured myself.   Unfortunately, this has already begun to impact other items on my bucket list.  However, I'm hoping that I'll receive some good news next week that will get me back up and at them soon. 


Here's what we know:

• I took this picture with my cellphone. Even though my hips look like they are at an angle, they are not. They are the only accurately angled part of my body right now. 
• There is approx 10 - 15 degrees between L1 & L2 (at the top) and about 20 - 25 degrees between L4 & L5 (bottom)
• No one incident comes to mind that would have caused this. 
• I've had 2 weeks of Chiropractor visits and light physical therapy with negligible improvement - skeletal and pain wise.
• I had an MRI to check for herniated or bulging discs last night (4/6/2012) and should *hopefully* have the results by Tuesday. 
• Received pain, anti-inflammatory, and muscle relaxers on Thursday afternoon (Finally!)
• Sitting is bad. Laying down and standing up are good. 

I'm hoping to report something on Tuesday - good or bad, something would be better than guessing.