really random happenings

While in college, between long hours standing and working on concrete floors and sitting with my legs tucked under me, my ankles began looking old.  In other words, I have very nice varicose veins. I started trying to break my habit of tucking a leg under me while I sat, and ended up with crossing my ankles tucked behind me at a chair or desk.  That's not the best posture, either. In the last five years, between extreme computer usage, stretching, and old age, I've managed to develop a neck/shoulder muscle that has become quite temperamental.

Stretch the wrong way in the morning? It might ball up in a fury, making it impossible to turn my head. Bend over and pick up a skillet to cook breakfast after a few long days? Stand up and almost be unable to move. Stretch while at the computer and keep typing for an hour?  I can move this time, but ibuprofen gel caps have become my second best friend.

So in the midst of all this, I've had a lot to do. Things that require feeling good. Yet in the midst of it all, I've accomplished a few things, and learned a few things:

• My "clear" quilting thread does not work well on my sewing machine.
• I must remove the feed dog cover (the feed dogs are metal plates that move the fabric during regular sewing and must be "dropped" or covered if you have an older machine when quilting) to sew the binding on a quilt.
• If the sunset is incredibly unusual on the way home with storm clouds forming a cascade cover over yellow and edges of baby blue that appears to have been spilled from a paint can, you can't wait a few minutes to grab your camera after getting home 'cause it'll be gone. 
• kindness is an attribute I still need to greatly work on exhibiting, especially in my thoughts
• I'm blessed beyond measure.
• I really need to let go of some of my pride and ask for help with things. 

I've got a few projects to show you (thank you Dad for all your help!), but they'll have to come another day. Garner's Scotty will be on American Idol in a little bit, and shoulder permitting, I hope to quilt some while watching. Upward and onward!