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Hi friends, long time no speak. I really should be posting more often considering the fact that I am still laid up with my ankle. I have my third doctor's appointment next Wednesday and that is when the doctor will decide if surgery is in my future. I am hoping that the tendon has healed some and that I won't have to go through another surgery. I sooooo don't want to go through another surgical procedure. By the time the date rolls around, I have made myself sick with worry over nothing. The last time I had surgery, I was convinced that I was going to die on the table. I even picked out a close friend as my husband's next wife. I wanted to make sure that he was taken care of and that my children had a nice replacement for me. I think that by the time that it was over, my poor husband was nearly driven to the brink of insanity. Sorry honey, I love you!

I have been keeping myself very busy with stitching and reading. I have been reading the Stephanie Plum series of books by Janet Evanovich. I am currently reading the fourth book in the series. I am hooked. I have read three books in three days and can't put the books down. Milsey went to the library and checked out all the books in the series that they had available. I love these books and am laughing so much while reading them. It's hard to be in a grumpy mood while reading these. I have been stitching for several exchanges and so I don't have any pictures to share. I have two more exchanges due at the end of February and then that's it for me. I am going to continue on in the Prairie Schooler exchange group that I joined, but that's about it. I have been so disappointed lately with exchanging. All that work for not much in return! I am still doing personal exchanges and if you are interested in a private exchange, please email me at tangerinedream73@gmail.com Thanks to all who have sent good wishes during a very difficult time. I truly appreciate your words of kindness. Talk more soon!

More stash for sale!

Please checkout the latest on my sale/trade blog.

Sale/Trade In Progress

I have listed many great items on my sale/trade blog. Please visit here! 

Update

Well dear readers, it has been a rough couple of weeks at the Varnell-Miller house. Let me first appologize in advance for the lack of holiday cheer. Five years ago, I had a tendon rupture in my right ankle. I had surgery to repair the tendon and that is when the doctor found that the rheumatoid arthritis that I thought had simply disappeared was not longer in remission and was back with a vengance. Subsequent testing showed that I had lupus. Two years later, the tendon in my left ankle went bad and was repaired using a healthy tendon from the top of my foot. We were told that it may not hold. Last Monday, I felt a snap in my left ankle and so now we are waiting for results from additional testing. From x-rays, the doctor is able to discern that arthritis has taken it's toll on the bones and that even if the tendon isn't ruptured - I will probably need bone fusions and ankle implants. In addition. my general health has taken a downhill slide. I am unable to do much of anything other than rest in bed or the recliner. Perfect timing what with the holidays and all. Luckily for me, I have a very helpful husband and Leslieanne (housekeeper) who make things look effortless. I on the other hand feel useless. Luckily for me, I finished my shopping early for my children and this will in no way dampen their holiday spirits. On the bright side, I have oodles of stitching time! I am currently working on "Christmas Tea" by Plum Street Samplers and will post pics soon. I just wanted to let you all know what has been going on with me and wish everyone Holiday Happiness. Take care!

Holiday Happenings

Well dear friends we are off to Disney again this weekend to admire the lovely decorations and spectacle that they always put on at this time of year. I am hoping that this will boost my spirits as I have had a little trouble getting into the holiday spirit this year. I have about half of my shopping finished and the rest will be accomplished over the internet and here on the island. Thankfully I don't think that I need to go into Jacksonville again - let me tell you it's bazooky (crazy) there - too many people! 

I am finished with all of my holiday exchanges, thank goodness! Now I have to start thinking about the two I have in January. I think this year I am going to limit my exchanges and stitch a little more for myself and my family. Not much going on stitching wise. I think that I burned myself out with all of the holiday exchanges in which I participated, so I am taking a bit of a break. I ordered some new stash and hopefully it will be coming in soon. There is one piece in particular that I can't wait to receive called "Christmas Tea" by Plum Street Samplers. I have seen it worked up on a few blogs and I can't wait to get started on it. Not much else going on right now, have a nice weekend friends!

Heigh Ho Heigh Ho It's Off To Disney We Go!

Well tomorrow is Bonnie's birthday and it looks as if our trip to Disney is still on. Milsey is doing much better and he swears up and down that he will be able to go on our trip. Bonnie is thrilled to say the least. I must admit that I need this mini vacation in the worst way. I have been very mopey for the past month and things (crossed fingers) are starting to look up. Please keep me in your thoughts over the next few days as something very important should happen to make the situation better. Ethan gave Bonnie a diamond Eiffel Tower (she wants to go to Paris for her sixteenth birthday) necklace as an early gift today and she loves it. He was so proud when we purchased it today at the jewelry counter of a local department store. He even carried it into the grocery store when we went to pick up Bonnie's cake so that the necklace would be safe.

As for my stitching rut, I have been working on a pinkeep kit that I purchased from Mary Kathryn over at Handcrafts Online (it's the one with the teacup). Hopefully I will finish stitching on it tonight or tomorrow. Thank you to all of you who left kind comments regarding my rut. You truly encouraged me to pick up my needle again and stitch something just for me! 

We are going on a outing tonight to Walmart so that our housekeeper Leslianne can pick up something for Bonnie's birthday. I bought a cake with whipped cream icing and lots of pink roses. Just what the birthday girl requested. Leslianne has made Bonnie's favorite chicken parmesean with angel hair and sugar snap peas. Tomorrow we will have her favorite lunch of tacos and then off to her favorite restaurant for dinner on our way out of town. My mother bought her a pair of earings in her birthstone which is topaz and I am giving her some craft kits, a necklace, a gift certificate for clothes and one from her favorite knitting shop and a dvd. Milsey is giving her the trip to Disney. I think that she will have a nice birthday! Talk more later.