Thanksgiving may be over but my personal season of gratitude extends to you. Thank you all for such kind, supportive words. I'm pleased to say the pacemaker implant surgery is over and while I'm still sore as all get out at the site, I'm back home, getting itchy to be back in holiday mode. I'm finding typing a bit challenging, between the sling and some soreness there, so if I don't visit as often or answer your comments directly (if I have contact info for you), I know you'll understand. And again, I am so grateful for you good thoughts.
Rick has been great, as have so many in my local circle and that's lovely. Now it's a matter of getting used to operating partially one-handed for a few weeks. I can do that.
There was a Lizzie wrinkle that required an emergency visit to the vet clinic at the University. At 3:30 a.m., we returned home with the Girl and medicine for what is probably a UTI or bladder infection. My regular vet was out of town so two days later we headed to a different vet (she recommended) for more labs. More check-up to come with my regular vet. Rick took me to the animal ER (and brought us back at 3:30 in the morning) and the next trip, Rick dropped me off and our friend Mark brought Lizzie and me home. I'm pleased to say she is much improved!
Something is so off with our timing in the past few months!
Meanwhile, I will be enjoying a lot of holiday music and I prepare for Christmas. You can too, right now, if you click on this link. On the menu bar you will see "All Streams" and when you click, on the drop down you will see a list for WKAR Radio's radio streams. (I'd take you to the direct link but that clever webmaster Bill Richards has it set so you have to go to the home page first! Probably a wise idea!)
If you click on the Seasonal Sampler, you'll hear a lovely stream of holiday music for the various December holidays. It's a classical stream, so there is a mix of choral with some lovely arrangements of old favorites.
I don't have the house pulled together yet but here are a few pix of the things that did get done before my surgery. This is my little tree with mostly felt things. I call it the happy tree because it is a favorite and I'm always happy when I look at it.
There are a few things made by me -- like this felted version of Lizzie.
This cute mouse came from blogger Lidy's French Garden House. I now have about seven of them and I love them all! The penguin is from a fellow artist from my sale, Vicki Bennett.
You might recognize some of these pieces -- felties inventory from my sale! I figured I'd set them up here since I won't get the Gypsy Caravan updated this season.
I've been gathering these little deer from Target for several years. I noticed they have them again this year, but I think I'm set!
This tree is in my entry.
Most of the things on it are red, white or silver, many from friends, including these two charmers by blogger Linda Sue. Some of her other creations will be on the big tree when it gets done. Someday.
And this beauty is a hand-quilted star by Carole of From Your Carolina Home. I love having things on my trees that reflect my blog friends!
This is the "Dad" tree. Usually this wall tree has miniature Christopher Radko ornaments on it, but this year I needed it in my bedroom instead of the tree I usually used for these ornaments that remind me of my dad -- most to do with fishing! Next year the Radkos will be back. Maybe this year -- just somewhere else. It's early in the month!
The top of the china cabinet is in silver and white, too. The Father Christmas is one of my very favorites. (This year I had to make some hard choices as to what would get up; he was a "requirement.") I made the tree (well, finished the tree) in a Southern Exposure workshop years ago. I don't know where the silver deer came from but the Margaret Fuhrlong angel was a gift from a dear friend years ago and I treasure it.
And these two shelves in the kitchen got the Christmas treatment. This one is over the microwave. Lots of little things, all with good associations.
Most of the little wooden German figures on the shelves over the sink I've had since I was a kid. I remember picking them out with my mom at a marketplace held at our local YWCA over a period of several years.
I mentioned I did get the big tree up and lit with garland on. So, here we are so far! I'll share this one in another post when it gets a few ornaments on it. Meanwhile, the garlands will have to do.
I'm not thrilled with being slowed down this season. And actually, I've been in slow-mo since my foot issues that began in late September. Some years are like that, I guess, and I suppose the older we get, the more issues we have.
Meanwhile, I'm letting nothing stop me from enjoying the season!
Ho, Ho, Ho! `
Sharing with: Love Your Creativity / Share Your Style
65 comments:
Wow, you look like you managed to get a lot accomplished before the surgery, and even better, it all looks amazing. I can understand how the felt tree makes you happy. It is really a fun tree. And I have some of those Target deer, but I didn't see any at the store this year. They are great and have a fun vintage feel. They also look nice in your garland. I hope these next 2 weeks go by quickly and that you're back up and about soon. And thank goodness for Rick, right? Happy new week. hugs-Erika
You Christmas decor is so over the top and fun to look at. It's easy to see how much you enjoy putting it all together. I didn't realize that getting a pacemaker involved not being able to use one arm for 6 weeks or maybe I missed something and it's a separate issue. Either way I'm happy you're on the mend and have good help around you. Don't be afraid to ask for it!!! I'm sure your local friends are more than happy to do you favors, especial during this season of joy.
OMGosh! You really did manage to get a lot done before your surgery! I love seeing all your trees and decorations!! Wow! You are surrounded by things you love and memories and joy! Just what you needed. I hope you heal well. (Slings do take some getting used to--lol!) Merry Christmas!!
...great news and join the club, September, 29th I got my second pacemaker. I'm way behind you, I got the tree and the lights on and that's it.
This is what you call slowing down? Only you, dear blogger, only you. I have one small box of ornaments which will come out mid month on my birthday. I've delegated the rest of the decorating to you. You may not have realized this.
I'm glad you're getting along with the pacemaker now. And the Lizzie excitement.
Wow! You got a lot done before the surgery! Everything looks wonderful including the big tree even without all the ornaments. Sorry about Lizzie- hope she is better and best wishes for a speedy recovery to you too.
You did a great job and wow, getting it done before going to surgery is a big bonus. What a great place to recover in. Rest well and thanks for sharing your Christmas.
I'm so glad the surgery went well and wishing you a speedy recovery. You seem to have a lot of Christmas decoration up that look so nice. Take it easy and relax and enjoy the season.
Your decorations all look so festive! From here, it looks like you did a LOT of work before your surgery, looks like it paid off!
It's all very cheering, which you probably need, given the confinement imposed by your sling. As others have suggested, though, it's ok to let others enjoy this welcome opportunity to help you out. Maybe think of it as a practice in accepting hospitality... which is always hard.
Glad to know the surgery went well. Hope you are feeling better soon!
keeping pace I see! You are the original "more is better" decorator of the century! LOVE your Lizzy cat felted ornament- the best!
It is such an honor to know you. Your vitality, creative ability and your kindness. I'm happy to know you are doing well and have the energy to decorate all that you did. It all looks so beautiful. Now relax, take in all of the wonder and have a wonderful day.
Your house looks wonderfully festive! I’m glad you’ve got some of your decorations up so the house feels ready for Christmas. This is a terrible time of year to be sidelined! I’m glad you have the help of family and friends! I was one-handed for the first several months of the year and it was awful!! I had to ask for and accept so much help which is hard for me as I am fiercely independent. But I reminded myself how good it feels to help others so I was giving others the gift of feeling useful and needed. It didn’t come naturally but was a helpful reframe.
It’s great to hear both you and Lizzie are on the mend, and your holiday touches already sound like gentle, comforting magic
So glad your surgery went smoothly. I am sending good thoughts and prayers for a quick and thorough healing.
Love that beautiful felt tree!
Goodness me! You managed to get a lot done before the surgery, and it all looks amazing. . . very festive.
So pleased the surgery went well.
Now to follow Doctors orders and recover well :)
My very good wishes.
All the best Jan
Looks like you got a lot done before your surgery. I love the little felt tree, so many cute ornaments on it. Take care of yourself as you're healing.
Dear Jeanie, I love all your Christmas displays! As well, I am very happy to see you and your cat!!! Take good care of yourself, dear friend. Thank you so much for sharing.
I hope you and Lizzie continue to get better. I love seeing your holiday decorations every season, especially Christmas!
It looks amazing! Happy December! It'll only get better for you.
Receiving help was a very humbling thing for me when I had my shoulder surgery and had to wear that awful sling for six weeks. Though I'm out of the sling I still haven't gained full range of motion and I might need to have more surgery. Its okay to ask for help. I'm sure you have lots of people who love you and are willing to help. You Christmas decor is beautiful!😍
I am glad to hear you are healing, just continue that good process. I understand your frustration at being slowed up; i would absolutely be the same. But your decorations look wonderful so far! You have done a lot.
Jeanie, you have done a HUGE amount -- with one hand?? So glad you have that surgery behind you.
I am glad all went well. I, too, am sidelined. So I do understand not being able to drive and having to depend on others. It’s not fun.
I sure do love your felties—such a lovely collection.
Your trees are beautiful! That big one is my favorite.
Merry Sunday! Continue getting better.🙂
Yay! You are home and seem to be recovering well. And you've done a lot of decorating, so you can enjoy your house and the season. You've got the music angle covered too.
Christmas has arrived in your home, Jeanie. Sorry I fell behind on blog reading and didn‘t know about your surgery until it was done, but glad you are recovering and have lots of support from Rick and friends. Now that most of your decos are up, you can relax with a few good reads.
so glad all went well and I understand about the sling and the arms, its hard to do anything, even wash your hands....but you will do what you need to do to heal and be back to you.
soooo pretty, so festive and colorful!! great news about your surgery and sometimes slow is good. i am slow and i see everything...notice everything!! not being able to drive is so difficult, i have not been able to drive for years and you do adjust. be gentle with yourself, i hope you continue to recover and feel better!!
Your Christmas decorations are just wonderful! 🎄 I love how each piece tells a story and reflects so many happy memories. It’s clear how much care and joy you put into your holiday setup. Wishing you a smooth recovery and lots of cozy, festive moments while you rest and enjoy the season! ✨
It's good to hear that the surgery went well. Now you need to be a good girl and listen to your doctor while you heal!
That's a lot of trees. Love all the felt creations. Take good care of yourself.
Great all went well! LOL. looks like at least your left arm is in the sing. My right one was for six months and I had to doo everything with my left hand. Ever since I mix up left and right!
Oh, poor Lizzie - all that you need right now! To the happy tree! The mouse!!! I think that´s Ingo! Ohhh, and Lizzie. So many beautiful decorations!
And "Nackers"! Ingo´s "little" brother could not say "Nußknacker", so he called it "Nacker" - he once put his finger in and, not knowing how it works got himself into trouble! From then on his parents, when he misbehaved, said, "don´t - other the Knacker comes!".
Mean, but effective. He has no clue I know about this (we are one age, were at the same kindy).
Ho, Ho, Ho - to joy despite what gets at us!
Glad your pacemaker surgery went well. You accomplished a lot of Christmas decorating before the op. My Dad had a pacemaker put in at the age of 91 and he's doing well (will be 93 in 3 months).
Have a good recovery and take it easy. You are such a busy lady I can image how difficult it will be to rely on others.
You were smart getting your decorating mostly completed before surgery...now you can rest and enjoy the beautiful lights and memories you made with your decor. It is all so wonderful! Sure hope Lizzie is alright. I will pray that both of you get better now. Janice
Hello Jeanie,
Well, you are putting on a very brave face after the surgery. These things are always so stressful and make one anxious, but it is good to know that it is over and you are now on the road to recovery. It is always better after the event.
And, you were obviously very organised in decorating around the house before your surgery. If we have a tree, there will be just one and it will appear on Christmas Eve...that is the tradition in Hungary. We love your handmade decorations. So clever and pretty.
Now, you must be kind to yourself and take time to heal. Make it a slow Christmas this year and get well soon.
I'm so glad to hear that you and Lizzie are both on the mend. Your Christmas decorating is quite impressive. Once I've finished mine (just started) it won't be anywhere near as much as yours. You really outdid yourself and I gather you aren't finished yet. Enjoy your season but please don't over do it.
Hello Jeanie,
I am so glad your surgery went well, I hope you do not over-do any activities. I am sure you need time to heal and recover. Your decorations look beautiful, I love all the cute felties, the trees and and ornaments. You have done so much already. Take care, have a wonderful week ahead.
Everything looks beautiful! I'm so glad that both you and Lizzie are on the mend. Thanks for sharing the link to the music--we're listening as I type. Definitely my kind of thing. Enjoy this time and take care :-)
Lady, you've gotten a LOT accomplished! Jeanie, your predicament with the pacemaker makes me realize just how incapacitating it had to have been for my sister Jackie. We didn't even know. 😪 She was always stoic about her own issues, ever the nurse for everyone else.
I love all your ornaments, especially the felted and quilted ones.🥰 Glad Lizzie and you are both on the mend. Patience!
By the picture you do look like you are feeling a bit better. I am still amazed at all the decorations you do have up. Everything looks wonderful, even the tree with just lights and garland. Take care and keep healing. Glad Lizzie is doing better too.
Take care Jeanie..Don't overdo it.. If I lived next door I would pick up groceries for you:). We are twinning in the felt mice dept:) I love them too!!
I am glad your surgery went well, Jeanie. Hopefully, the post-surgical pain will disappear soon. Your home looks splendid. So many cute things to look at.
Thank God your surgery went well. Decorating for Christmas can bring so much joy, so I'm glad you were able to do most of it before your surgery. I also enjoy pieces that have been made by friends, or have some meaning to me, so I loved reading about yours. I can see why you liked the felted Holy family I made, with that amazing tree filled with them. Take care of yourself and blessings!
I'm glad it all went well and you're on the mend. You're in my prayers and I'm sending you a big hug!
Jeanie, I'm IN AWE!!! Your home looks like a wonderland... I love all the trees, I thin "happy tree" might be my favorite because of all the colors.
Hope you're feeling better every day.
Honestly, I don't see how you could smoosh another thing into your trees and such, but I never would underestimate your abilities in that regard. I'm really laughing -- I thought from what you said pre-surgery that you might have been limited to a tree or two. I should have known better!
Jeanie, I'm glad you've pulled out all the stops (well, SOME of the stops) and managed some decorating, but take care of yourself! You're still healing! I do like your "happy" tree, and I hope Lizzy will be feeling better when her meds kick in more.
I am so happy to hear that your operation went well, and that you are home again. Do take it easy in your recuperation.
I am amazed about all the various Christmas trees, I have never seen anything like it. What a lot of work you must have done to get them all decorated and in place. I understand that you are happy you did it before the operation. Now you can enjoy them and won't do too much work.
I love Christmas music, and most of what we listen to here in Sweden as well is American Christmas songs. So many nice songs, that I remember from my childhood. We do have very good Swedish Christmas music as well.
I wish you, Rob and your family and friends A MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Must have been so stressful to see Lizzie ill so soon after your surgery, but it's fantastic that she is feeling better. The little felt decoration of Lizzie is gorgeous!
How wonderful that you're doing well, dear Jeanie!
Get well soon and take plenty of time for everything.
I especially like your little felted animals, and I love that quilted star. I made a similar one last year.
Enjoy Advent.
Lots of love, Viola
Glad you are recovering well! I really enjoyed your Christmas home tour; that happy tree for sure put a smile on my face.
Glad to hear the great news, now you can dance all around your festive trees. :) Enjoy getting your energy back to the level you like.
hugs, everything looks fabulous...and if it doesn't get done it doesn't get done! Hugs again, Sandi
Jeanie you have a lot done as far as decorating...what lovely decor and I like the hand made ornaments and so glad you have special trees for special people. Don't do too much as you don't want to end up back at the doctor. Take care my friend. hugs....🎄🥰🎄
Very happy to hear your surgery went well Jeanie. Great news! Such a wonderful post to get me in the festive spirit. Your trees are gorgeous! So glad Lizzie is much improved also as I know that's an extra worry you don't need. Thank you for the lovely read and photos. Wishing you all a very Happy and HEALTHY December.
You did a wonderful job of decorating. Absolutely great that you are recovering well.
Do take time to smell the roses. Best wishes, Jeanie.
Hugs too.
So glad your surgery is in the rear view mirror. Take it easy and give yourself plenty of time to heal. Sorry to hear about Lizzie. Those suckers are nasty. I always worrying about them with our crew. I've flipped over to the Urinary Tract Health Supplements for treats, as a preventative. Hugs,
Asking for help can be hard, I can totally relate. But then I read somewhere how being able to help someone is a gift. And that the one who is asking is in fact giving someone else this gift! I thought that was such an interesting and other way of looking at asking for help. I always remind myself of it when I feel like I'm bothering other people when I need help.
Such charming decor in your home. Glad to know you are on the mend.
I love that you have a happy tree;)
Jeanie, I am happy to know you are on the mend. Take care of yourself even though you feel the need to do more. You accomplished a lot before your surgery. I love all the handmade items that you have made or from friends! They are so special and meaningful. Also glad that Lizzie is on the mend!
Glad that all went well and that you are doing well..You've done way more decorating already than I will end up doing...
I love your felted ornaments. I got out my felted mittens yesterday. They are the warmest mittens that I have ever had. They get warmer every time I wash them because the stitches continue to get tighter.. It's being warm there windproof.. Sorry it has taken me so long to acknowledge this post. It has been a very busy few days. Stay well.
I am so happy to hear your surgery was successful and you are doing well. Love all your decorations especially your cute ornaments.
I may have to buy more from the evil empire this year, too. We have been traveling so much.
Jeanie, I did not know that you had a pacemaker inserted! For some reason I thought you had an ablation procedure done, as some of my friends have had that done recently for A Fib, a common cardiac arrythmia. I'm glad all went well and hope you tolerate it well and keep your heart rate normal. All your Christmas decorations are delightful! I enjoyed looking at every one. ( I just wanted to tell you that the comments above by Jenny Kilim are spam----she posted the same on my blog --I put them in a translate program and they talk about someone who helps people get their love lost person back and gives a phone number to contact them, etc,
This is why I used "comment moderation: on my blog-- there is so much spam these days!)
O love it! So beautiful!
Bjxxx,
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I'm so glad that you are doing so well, Jeanie, and I really admire your wonderful attitude. I wish you nothing but the best for the ongoing recovery.
This post really shows your love for Christmas and you got a lot done before surgery. Now please lean back and just enjoy it!
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