Weekend

Its been a fairly cool weekend here.
I have gotten a lot done around the house. 
Six bags of stuff to donate to the local thrift store,
plenty more to go to the dump.
(We usually burn most of our garbage, but still in a burn ban)
Still lots to do. Maybe this surgery is the kick in the butt I need to de-clutter.


I even got some sewing in.
I got my quilt for baby K back from the quilter.
I wish I knew what his name will be, they aren't telling, want to put a label on it
Got the binding on this afternoon,
tomorrow I will do the hand stitching at work.


I will post a pic when I finish.
I don't think Amy reads my blog :)

duh me!

I was thinking I could do some sewing when I am off work for a few weeks.
I just realized I will not be able to iron.
Ugh.
I am probably in the minority here, but I love to iron!
Instant gratification.
Maybe I can buy a cheapo lightweight one...hmmm...
Or I may have to stick to crocheting and watching movies. 


I have been such a blog slacker.
This was supposed to keep me sewing and hold myself accountable.
Now I am in this frenzy to get my house spic and span.
Good Lord! 
What if someone comes to visit me?
I would die! 
I am such a hoarder lately.
Don't get me wrong, its good stuff.
Just don't always have a place for it.

Neurosurgeon

I have decided to have my C5&6 fused. 
I am scared.
I will be in good hands.
I have tried everything else. 
I am getting by. But its hard to be in such pain every single day. 
Dr D was very sweet. Seemed shy, but confident. 
He told me straight out I would probably not be better.
Nerve damage heals slowly, if at all.
But he feels the weakness in my arms and hands will not progress. 
He promised to get rid of the bone spurs that are pressing into my spinal column.
I am ready for this step.




I think.

Laundry Soap

Here is the recipe I used for homemade laundry soap

1 (76 oz) box  20 Mule Team Borax (in the laundry aisle)
1 (55 oz) box Arm & Hammer Washing Soda (laundry aisle, next to the borax)
1 large bar Zote soap ( I got this from Amazon.com, you can also use a bar of Fels-Nappa also found in the laundry aisle. I picked Zote because it was pink )
1 (4#) box  Arm & Hammer baking soda (store brand would be fine, found it in the baking aisle)

Grate the bar of soap. I used my food processor. The soap was very soft, so using a hand grater would easily work too. I didn't worry about 'contaminating' anything, its just soap.  I dumped the borax and both sodas into a small rubbermaid container with a snap on lid. Then added the grated soap and stirred with a heavy plastic spoon. If you are doing this in a smaller container, you may want to add layers of the ingredients to make for easier mixing. 

I also added a container of Purex  crystals. Just so it would smell good. Honestly, I think they are a little over-powering so will probably skip this step next time. I did fill the empty purex container with some of my new detergent and use the lid to measure. half of a lid full got my clothes clean and fresh!

So far so good. I think it cleans well. We live on a farm and trust me, we get dirty! 
It doesn't make suds so I am hoping it will be easier on our septic system and washer. 
The best part? You only use 1 tablespoon for a load. (I used 2 tablespoons for Scott's super grungy barn clothes)  this is going to last a long time!! 

Edited: I read another recipe, just like this. Substitute a small box of Tide detergent for the grated bar of soap.  Make it easier. 

Hoping

and praying that sweet Dr D says no surgery for me.
(I met him before and he is pretty nice as far as surgeons go.
 Most surgeons I have dealt with are jerks)


I have a bunch of questions if he does recommend it.
I also have acupuncture first thing in the morning.


Allison and I are planning a little shopping after my appointment.
At least part of the day will be fun
:)

Weekend

I finished the quilt top for Emma. 
It actually went pretty quickly since its just a patchwork of large squares.
The worst part was getting them arranged....who knew a random look was so hard to do??

I know I bought some of this for the back. --->
But I can't find it.
I hate when that happens. 
Has to be upstairs somewhere.


Scott had his class reunion Saturday.
Man! Some of the people in his class look OLD!  LOL
All those girls that tanned in high school are some wrinkled 48 year olds. 
We overslept on Sunday, missed church
Scott had a headache anyway. Wonder why???  LOL


Sunday evening I made my first batch of homemade laundry soap.
I had to wash a couple loads right away.
I was impressed, dirty barn clothes came out nice and clean.
Even smelled fresh!  
Believe me, farmer and 100 degree temps make for some very stinky clothes! 

Friday

I picked up a copy of my MRI yesterday.
From what I can see
   (not like I know medical terms but after a few years of this I am learning a lot!)
it looks like my neck is stable. I think.


I got an email my pain clinic doctor,
he got a copy of the report too and actually knows what it says!  
He said he wants me to keep my appointment.
I knew he would say that.
Gotta start my list of questions to ask. 
I did lots of research a couple years ago when I went through this, 
this time I am not. Not yet anyway.
There is a lot of good information online, there is also a lot of crap.
And there are also icky pictures....I don't want to know what the inside of my neck looks like. God gave me skin for a reason! 


Oh we did get a little rain on Wednesday evening!
About a half inch
Lots of wind before the rain. Flattened some of our sorry corn
Hoping the rain will help the soybeans and the pastures.  And that it will rain again soon.
Little beef calves are their mamas are looking kinda thin.