Words for today

 

One Photo for Today

My thanks to you all who read my words, then write words for me and for Hugh.

Do you have any idea how much they lift me up/cheer me up? Each is so special, and I feel a whole lot better in spirit,mind and body, ready for anything life may hurl my way.

I have new readers/blog members, and I so appreciate you all. Each of us has some hard times in life, and through our blogs, we support, send messages of love, hope, good wishes and more. And then we share in happiness, joy, celebrations, anniversaries, and daily events, some which may seem very ordinary, but to each of us are so  special.

This is called, ‘ REFLECTIONS’ and is of the Otaki River iver.

We all reflect on our lives, past ,present, and future.

May all your thought today be happy ones .

Quotation of the day,  from Thomas  Paine

“ The real man smiles in trouble, gathers strength from distress,

and grows brave by reflection”

Greetings from Jean

Days Full of Sunshine and Showers

 

My days are busier than for some time, and the camera, the words, and the blog come a very sad second best.

Lawns, firewood, cleaning up in the garden, and yes, that “ Weed eater” all take precedence lately.

Today we have lovely sunshine, some showers on Saturday, and flowers in bloom to say Spring is almost over and Summer will be here soon.

The Chestnut tree is ornamental, and we cannot eat the fruit, but at the moment its leaves and branches are drooping so prettily, giving shadows and shade.

The Weeping Silver Pear is a memorial tree for my Mum-In-Law and Father-In-Law.

The Rhododendrons are beautiful, and show off to nature’s perfection against the sky or their own leaves.

 

The pansies  have those faces on their petals, and seem to smile.At each other? to the primulas nearby? Or to me?

We have had friends from afar come  to visit, or to stay, all so very welcome.They caution Hugh to take care, not to tramp, go hunting, or try to carry out a deer should he ever shoot one!!! His dream, but not right now.Life carries on at a slower pace, he heeds the words each Doctor says, and we wait for a clinic visit.In the meantime the library provides good books, the TV  gives  news, and his Laptop good entertainment.

Quotation of the day  from Khalil Gibran

“Faith is a knowledge within the heart, beyond the reach of proof. ”

Greetings from Jean.

I Passed the exam!!!

 

Photos courtesy of the internet.

The reality, as I struggled with that dreaded piece of machinery.  The weed-eater is so easy to start, but then it seemed to take off all by itself, the whirly bit at the lower edge crept closer to the wire, the stones, the concrete, and THEN, the  automatic water feeder!!! One whack, and the whole water  pipe piece flew away.

I was so lucky, no words from Hugh!!! so the first practical assignment is over.

Marks…A +  for effort, A + for appearance, C- for  workmanship !!! Jim, sorry no video today.!!

Last week,  we went  to Palmerston North then on to Levin. Levana Textiles have an outlet store there, with garments, and FABRIC… The merino was there in bolts,so many shades, weights and textures. I selected, put some back, chose more and have started to sew some Christmas goodies  .This fabric is so soft, perfect for babies, toddlers, children and all us adults as well.

And in the garden, the lupins have a great variety of colours, and  one little lonely tulip has flowered so late. A Pink Parrot Tulip. It had fallen into the dirt after we had the water sprinkler on, so the petals have “ Fairy Dirt  Smudges”. The Dutch iris are in full bloom, gorgeous shades,  the smaller one is that gorgeous dusky mauve/purple with that golden splash in the centre.The Deep  Purple one must be a mutant, there are 2 blooms off the one stem .

Quotation of the day, author unknown

“ Friends are flowers that never fade in the fabric of life”

Greetings from Jean

Acronyms and a Hiccup

 

All medical terms seem to be in the “ acronym” form, and lately that is what has been a large part of Hugh’s life. And mine, as I consult with Google to decipher some of the mysteries surrounding the heart, the  stents, and more.

FUO. RCA. LAD,LMS,  LCx, DES  and so many more.

The FUO might well be a UFO, as his  extremely high fever is a total enigma. Nothing shows on blood tests, ultrasounds or X-Rays so far. he had another emergency trip by ambulance to the ever helpful ED at Wanganui Hospital, yesterday at dinnertime, and an overnight stay in their AAU ( Acute Assessment Unit).

Again my thanks must go to the staff, who would have had many patients there over the long weekend.As we left at midday today, the Rescue Helicopter was there on the heli-pad,which is right in the hospital grounds, I was hoping that there would not be another road accident with more fatalities.

In New Zealand Labour Day is a  public holiday on the 4th Monday of October, and commemorates the struggle for an eight-hour working day.It was first celebrated  in New Zealand on 28th October 1890.

Well, I can truly relate to the word “ Labour”, it entails firewood,  digging up the rows to plant potatoes, planting, lawn-mowing, and driving.but this will finish at some stage. Hooray!!! Listen over the internet for shouts of relief and happiness!!

This is the front of a bag I made, using McKenna Ryan’s pattern ,a gift to one of the assistants at our vet clinic, who was so caring one sad day.

The wall hanging  was done  in  one of Anna William’s classes,  “Print Magic “. The flower is a Tibouchina, and I was so  pleased, well, DELIGHTED, ( add  totally ecstatic,jumping for joy, even proud of my achievement) when it turned out so well. In those days I was a novice, and free motion quilting something I had not done before, so to be able to start and actually finish this was a real bonus in my quilting life.

Wellington Harbour, 2011.This view appealed, for its simplicity, calm water,  and tall buildings keeping watch.Taken with my Canon Ixus.

Quotation of the day, author unknown.

“ As we sail through life, don’t avoid rough waters,

sail on because calm waters won’t make a skilful sailor”

Greetings from Jean

Boots in a Box and The Firemen

This Calendar is available at www.firemanscalendar.org.nz

One Dollar from each calendar  sold goes towards  the Child Cancer Foundation.

These men, all fire-fighters in real life, are  brave at all times,  not only when they fight fires, go to accidents , or attend all sorts of emergency call-outs, but when they agreed to be the superb models for  the 2013 calendar.

Now, the only question, where will I hang this??

In my computer/quilting room? where I  sit each morning…

In the kitchen? So I can admire the men as I cook dinner!!

In the hall so everyone can admire the men,all  12 of them??

I will decide on January 1st 2013.

Today we went to Wanganui for Hugh’s visit to his GP. Our Doctor was blunt,and said how lucky Hugh is to be alive. I did not try to read “ between the lines” but he made very sure I knew the drill if it happens again, and how to do CPR. Scary words,as he then went on to say what activities are restricted, or not allowed at all.No bike-riding to get fit, no walking up hills, no heavy lifting, no driving for another week,so all in all nothing that will cause his heart to work harder.I am not sure how long this has to be “OBEYED”,

Hugh is finding some of it hard to not do.

So I have ordered in large quantities, patience, love, care, kind words, ears that listen to words unspoken, time to be there for him, bravery if needed,hugs and reassurance that all will be OK.

Before this visit we had been to Kathmandu, and I have been saving my birthday money until I found the right gift, this is a combined present from our daughters.

There they were, red and black, with that comfy warm  neoprene sort-of-material lining, non-skid soles, and so easy to put on and pull off !!!

My new Gumboots!!!

Quotation of the day from Helen Keller

“ I would rather walk with a friend in the  dark, than alone in the light”

Greetings from Jean

Lessons and Thanks

 

I must start with my thanks for your comments, emails and words of support,love ,hugs,and care,  and more,  to me and to Hugh.They mean so much, and now that  I am on the receiving  end,  I  realise how very much. For the first time since last Tuesday,  I had tears as I read your lovely words.  To  you all, so  far  away, and those closer here in NZ, friendships through blogger, I value you so much.

Today I had a lesson in using the  ride-on mower. Hugh is allowed to sit on it to mow the lawn, but not lift up the grass catcher, or anything else heavy. I listened carefully, did one round, and forgot  how to slow it down and stop first the mower blades then the motor. Luckily he was waiting.!!! His mower is like this, all automatic, so how could I make any mistakes???

Courtesy of the Internet

Next lesson will be the dreaded “ Weed Eater” or Whipper Snipper. I hate them, they are heavy, need to be turned with mighty strength, and make my shoulders ache.!!! Meantime I can use our self-drive mower, do I smile like this girl??? Courtesy of the Internet.

Next week I am hoping I can look at the last few months blocks for the FMQ 2012 Challenge. I realise how much I have been outside lately, and quilting has been put aside. Quilters around the world have posted some truly beautiful, intricate blocks, that for me would take years to  achieve. So it is time for the Bernina to be in use every day. I found some gloves in the $2 shop in Rotorua, with gripper dots on the palms and fingers, they make it so much easier.

The Clown Appliqué is one of my favourites, ( I did this  some time ago) and can be done in so many colour selections. He might go onto the front of a bag very soon.And the gloves, well I have seen clowns that do wear large white gloves !!!

Quotation of the day from an unknown author

“ The greener grass over the fence will not  be seen

when the snow falls”

Greetings from Jean

Air Ambulance,Cardiac surgery, and more

 

Photos courtesy of the Internet.

Last Tuesday morning my life changed in a flash. Hugh had a heart attack, at home, sitting in the  room where I do my quilting and blogging. A phone call to the emergency service, in NZ we dial “ 111”,  and are asked if we want “ Fire, Ambulance or Police??”  ,      they were here so quickly, and he was taken to Wanganui Hospital. X-Rays, blood tests,  admission to a medical ward  then a transfer to Critical Care Unit through the night. Much consultation between doctors, many  phone calls, and he was flown by the Fixed wing Air Ambulance to Wellington Hospital for cardiac surgery. All is well, he is home, and we adjust to life on a different scale.

I am the chief driver, well  ,the  only driver for 2 weeks,( there will be lots of supervision from the passenger!!!) and there are other restrictions in place.  I am so very grateful to all the staff, both medical and non-medical in both hospitals,  the lovely man  on the phone switchboard, Dr  Chad Saunders  who is here in NZ for a while,  he is from Lafayette. yes KB, not far from your place, the rest of his team,  the surgeons and all others in the theatre at  Wellington, who no doubt do these procedures  many,  many times, but for us, this was a first.A special thanks must go to the staff and Doctors at Wanganui Hospital in the Emergency Department,  who cared for Hugh, and also for me so well,they made sure I was looked after, told of everything that was happening, would be done, and why. A cup of coffee,  a chair for me right by Hugh’s bed,was there anyone they could  phone for me,no doubt everyday for them, but  their care and thoughtfulness was so appreciated, needed, and accepted .

Our family  came , long distances for them both,  and I am so thankful for their love and support, and for being here with their “Mum”,   taking  me to Wellington, and much more, and  I wondered how do others who are  totally alone cope  at times like this.My thoughts go to all those who do not have such a good outcome,and carry on through life without their man.My eyes look at each day with  different lenses .Coloured with thankfulness and clouded with tears.

Here is Hugh on the walkway, on the way to the Blyth Hut, a few years ago.

Quotation of the day,  an excerpt   from B  Alan Wallace

“ Life is a flash of lightning in the dark of night”

Greetings from Jean