A Month Later

So I've been out of hospital over a month now, and am not still fully back to normal...I'd say 95%.  I can finally catch a full breath, sleep in my bed all night, my feet have gone back to normal (no more swelling)...the only thing not back to normal is endurance in walking or climbing stairs.  I went to a graduation party yesterday in Ft. Bragg and had to climb about 10 steps, and found that harder than normal.  I just need to get on my treadmill every day and walk and that should take care of it pretty much.  I need to start doing that, because a couple of vacations are coming up.

At the end of June the kids are going back to Serene Lakes with the Branson's and Wes, Tara, Kenny and Stockton are coming down for that week.  I've been invited to spend as much time there that week as I'd like, but I'll just go for a couple of days I think.  I don't want Nettie fretting about me when all they need to do is enjoy family and have fun.  Then middle of July we go to Yosemite for a week.  So I need to start exercising/walking so that I won't have any issues with walking to go swimming, either at Serene Lakes or Yosemite.  The Branson's are going to join us in Yosemite this year, so it should be fun.  Nettie and I need to start planning our menu, and make sure all the equipment is in working order.

In the meantime, I have started working on MaryAnn's gourd that she gave me to "transform" for her 2.5 years ago when we were in Albuquerque for the Balloon Festival in 2015.  I feel bad that it has taken me this long to get started on it, but it hasn't "spoken" to me since recently.  MaryAnn gave me full reign on the gourd, do whatever I wanted.  But every time I look at that thing it reminds me of a goose...what do you think?  A goose, right?

But I think I've decided to do some southwestern indian design, with a gecko (tail backing up on the neck there).  I've been looking at videos and gourd tutorials, trying to get a good idea of what I want to put on it, and I think I've got a pretty good idea.  So tomorrow I will take it out back and sand it down, cut into the bottom of the gourd and clean out the inside, and get started on the design. I will woodburn all the design, then use my dremel to drill holes throughout the design.  I also have some gourd inks to paint with, so I'll post a picture when it is complete.  I told MaryAnn to expect it by end June, so I've got to get busy.

I just finished a "music" themed photo album for Kathy Angley (Ukiah COC)...she came to the Pumpkin Fest last year and said she wanted one for her daughter who was graduating this week.  So I got it completed and took it to the graduation party she had yesterday in Ft. Bragg.  She asked me what the cost was, and I told her we could discuss it later (not at the party), so today in church she came and asked me again what the price was and I told her this one was on the house.  She was very grateful...I told her I had all the supplies and didn't have to buy anything.  She just hugged me and said thanks...I told her the next one would not be free, and we just laughed.

So now I can just start doing more things for Art In The Park in August...have plenty of time.  Then the one after that will be in November in Fresno with Tami.  So time to get more things done.  The one in Fresno is a Shabby Chic atmosphere, so I'm trying to get things ready for that that are cutsey and chic.  I want to get some of those "tin" ornaments done, maybe more wooden houses...not sure, but there's time to plan.

Scott and Nettie have been looking quite a bit lately at open houses.  They are anxious to buy something.  They started off wanting to "flip" something, then they weren't too picky about fixing while living in the place, maybe someplace with land.  But they've been looking at more "move in ready" houses, so they aren't sure what to do.  He's approved for $450K, so they are having fun looking at open houses and checking Zillow for homes for sale.  They want some land, a place for garden(s), a place for dogs, at least 3 bedroom/2 bath.  Hopefully they can find the perfect first time house and love it.

Aria's last day of school was this past Thursday, June 7, so she's got the summer off.  Going to be a fun summer, lots to do.