It will soon be Valentine's Day!

It's been awhile since I've posted, I know. Have lingering effects from my fall weeks ago. Right now the most troubling one is increased neck pain and tingling down my right arm. Had a visit to ER about the knee and was told it was just a bad sprain (after x-ray) and it was wrapped up. That's fine. Had a CT of cervical spine and was referred to orthopaedics. Of course, it takes a while to get in. The doctor there following up on my ER visit took more x-rays and announced "Your neck looks terrible!" The spine isn't his area of expertise, so he referred me to a member of their spine team. Another appointment. We talked about the artritis and degenerating disks in my neck and he did a basic evaluation. In doing so he noticed my trouble with balance showing in a wobbly walk and asked if anyone had ever told me I have some weak reflexes in my legs (MO). 've had a balance problem for years, was told it was probably due to brain damage from auto accident as there was nothing wrong with my ears. Did vestibular therapy and can normally do fine unless I am ill or over-tired. But since fall, balance has been worse. He has ordered MRIs of my cervical and thoracic spine. My husband's cataracts suddenly became much worse. We spent 3 hours on Monday getting an evaluation and scheduling his surgery. The good thing is they will also be able to correct his asstigmatizim and his glaucoma. In between all this I had a breast cancer scare. Fibroid cysts aren't new to me but those usually show as round or oval on mammograms. Instead, they found an assymetrical growth in my right breast. Another mammogram plus an ultrasound was scheduled. Afterwards, the radiologist said she couldn't say for certain whether it is a cyst or something worse. Will go back in six months for another ultrasound and more information. But I think allowing a six month wait sounds promising. During the last big storm we had here, I found leaks in the garage. We had to have a new roof put on. Between that and all the doctor visits 2024 has been busy and expensive. Sure hope the year is treating you better. Despite all this or maybe because of it, I've found solace in digital design. I'm hosting 3 challenges this month at Just Art, playing the other monthly challenges and have put together for you a Valentine's Day kit and a Winter kit. If Virginia is going to get any snow it is usually in February so snow was on my mind. Since Valentine's Day is so close, I want to give you "Young Love" now

Links: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/if0h1bbz540hn318icneo/ws_Young_Love_el.zip?rlkey=2mcdj92dxtkvc8w0o9kd4f65w&dl=0 https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/zh54rs9inj7grubgxwwcx/ws_Young_Love_ppr_1.zip?rlkey=p6hdt6khns2r6nyhplwjl9x1t&dl=0 https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/fwsuerkr2nruugwbsvlxv/ws_Young_Love_ppr_2.zip?rlkey=9pnxrcfo7pesayy4e972in4c3&dl=0

Thursday freebie

Link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/nb8wt3rjawrtgpt/ws_foreverlove_papers_2.zip?dl=0

Last of Wine & Roses freebie

Today we have the last of Wine & Roses - some borders:

Not shown at full size in preview.
Link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/bylqih0g0ez4kwr/ws_Wine%26Roses_borders.zip?dl=0

Next week something Celtic for upcoming St. Patrick's Day. For lack of anything better, at the moment I'm calling it The Irish Way.

High winds continuing today but so far not as bad as yesterday. And it's sunny right now.

Dreary rainy day

Saw my therapist today and brought her up to date about past month - Dad's death, brother etc. She seemed to think I've handled things pretty well. Eh, who knows. From there I went to Dad's house to show it to prospective buyers. They do the flip houses thing so it wouldn't be a matter of waiting around for people to try to get financing. They seemed very nice but it's a business. Should be calling my brother tonight to tell him they will have an offer ready in a couple days. My husband went over with me, uncomfortable with me being there alone with strangers, and he thinks they are going to come back with a low offer.

It's gray here and has been raining all day. At least the man and woman who came to see the house didn't make me go outside to show the garage. Told hubby we are either going out to eat tonight or ordering pizza. Just so tired and this weather isn't doing anything for my fibro.

Today last of the papers:

Link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/hqmftoat48t73c0/ws_Wine%26Roses_ppr2.zip?dl=0

Mid week and freebie

Wednesday already and I haven't accomplished much this week. Packed up some of Dad's clothes to take to a disabled man who can use them. Sent in check with request to add death date to my parent's monument. Contacted supplemental insurance plan to notify them of death. Settled (?) things with Thom. Made some borders for Saturday post. Tomorrow have doctor's appointment and then appointment to show Dad's house.

And today, we are back to elements:

Link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/qwe9r4fizlnqfdg/ws_Wine%26Roses_elements_2.zip?dl=0

Wine & Roses freebie begins

I didn't get an over all preview done but there is a preview for each zip. at present that will be 2 zips of papers, 2 zips of elements, and one of overlays. I hope to put together a zip for Saturday which might be clusters, borders, templates - not sure which. Today let's start with some elements.

Link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/hpq3ymdhwtp85gb/ws_Wine%26Roses_elements_1.zip?dl=0

Snow Queen freebie and update on Dad

Nurse practitioner at the nursing home called today. Dad has ascites and it could be from congestive heart failure or kidney disease - both of which he has - or liver disease. Found both liver and spleen enlarged. Blood count very low - anemic. He was grumpy when she saw him and complained of back pain - arthritis? or kidney disease? She asked if I wanted her to put him thru a "million dollar" workup or just initiate "comfort care." No point in putting him thru all that testing as it isn't likely to make a real difference. So they will continue his regular meds, give him oxygen if he needs it, and start giving him Norco for pain when he needs it. He doesn't quite meet Medicare's rules for hospice yet and we think it best not to move him anyway. Called my brother to give him the update and learned that both he and his wife are down with the flu.

Today I have zip 17 of Snow Queen. It's a frame cluster and floral cluster.

Link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/fuaapsauwszkfji/ws_SnowQueen_17.zip?dl=0

I've been struggling with February kit(s). My guess is you will want romance/Valentines. But I haven't come up with a theme that inspires me. Red and pink are so commonplace as color schemes but most people seem to prefer those. Toying with idea of some blue and/or lavender but haven't made a decision. Have a folder going with ideas, colors, resources. I did notice I have some beautiful resources I bought from Jaguarwoman some time ago and have never used. If you are familiar with her work, you know she uses highly saturated colors, paints gorgeous roses, and her overall style is elegant, luxurious. So, you might just get a Romantic Luxury kit.

February nearly gone and a small freebie

Hard to believe this is already the last full week of another month. I've been busy with family stuff and am just now finding time and energy to work on getting the house back in order. Today is my SIL, Paula's birthday. Happy Birthday Paula!

I'm already behind in my reading plan. I've completed reading 1370 pages but that is only 4 books. I'm reading two now and should be able to finish those by the end of the month but that leaves me 2 short. The Victoria: a Life got me bogged down. No matter how one tries to write an intimate biography of Queen Victoria, you can't avoid getting into the historical events of her time and the politics. And since Victoria was intimately connected to so many of the ruling families of her day, that's an awful lot of history and politics. It doesn't help that royals and lords often changed names when acquiring various ranks. Sorry, that is badly put, but I hope it makes some sense.

How are you doing on your monthly goals? Considering the way January ended, I didn't set any hard goals for this month. Just get taxes finished by end of the first week (completed 2/2!), get hair cut & styled ( not yet), and repot the holiday plants (finally done yesterday).

Hope you have been enjoying your Valentine treat. I've got two more small freebies for you to go with Love Tweet Love. Today, some simple word art. And I do mean simple:

Link: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/57614067/2016%20freebies/LoveSweetLove/ws_LoveTweetLove_wordart.zip

One more tomorrow and then 6 days of February to go. What will I come up with?

Free: Valentine's Romance Papers

More romantic themed papers for your stash:

Link: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/57614067/2016%20freebies/LoveSweetLove/ws_ValentineRomance_papers_1.zip

Romantic Papers freebie

When this posts, I will be at Go Red for Women, a regional Red Hat Society event in support of women's heart health. We will put aside our purple attire and wear all (or mostly) red. There will be all sorts of red hats, especially ones with a heart theme and I'm looking forward to seeing all the creativity that goes into these.

At the end of the week the Mid Atlantic Quilt Show will be in Hampton, just over the river from me. I used to go every year with my dear friends Sandy R., her sister, Wanda C and sometimes my Mom and Aunt Suzy. But Mom passed away, Aunt Suzy lives on Eastern Shore and isn't in good health. Sandy moved to Georgia and Wanda lives in Amelia County - a good distance away. If I go it will be by myself and I'm not likely to stay long as walking on those concrete floors in crowds wears me out. Still, it's something different to do. I should mention that I haven't quilted in a good while. Big projects are out but I do want to get back into doing some crazy quilting. That I can work on a block at a time.

Meanwhile, since my step-daughter and grand-daughter, Larkin are back in our lives, I am busily crocheting. Lisa & Larkin saw my fingerless mitts and said they would like some. I haven't been to the store to get purple yarn for Lisa's yet but Larkin wants blue. I had some soft, fluffy baby yarn in blue with flecks of beige and white here and there and thought I could make her little mitts with that but the yarn is hard to work with. Ended up making Larkin (she's just 5) a scarf and will get some regular blue to do her mitts. Just completed a pair in natural beige for my SIL in Florida and have got to mail those off. I love to crochet when I'm watching TV. That way it doesn't feel as much like I'm wasting time lol. There are a number of babies around just now and I bought some clips to make pacifier keepers for Issac (he's 6 months), Miss June's niece's expected baby, and Liv's expected great grand-daughter.

These Tweet Sweet papers were made sometime after the Love Tweet Love kit.

Link: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/57614067/2016%20freebies/LoveSweetLove/TweetSweet.zip

More free Valentine page templates

Another set of Valentine themed page templates:

Link: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/57614067/2016%20freebies/LoveSweetLove/ws_ValRomancePgTemplates2.zip

How about some free Valentine themed page templates?

Looking through my files I found a set of page templates I had made that have a Valentine's theme and thought I'd share them with you. Page template files are rather large so there will be 2 zips to download for these 4 templates.

Links: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/57614067/2016%20freebies/LoveSweetLove/ws_ValRomancePgTemplates1%281%29.zip
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/57614067/2016%20freebies/LoveSweetLove/ws_ValRomancePgTemplates1%282%29.zip

Last of Love Sweet Love freebies

Today is the last day of Love Tweet Love but I have some other love, Valentine's related goodies I could post, if you would like? I believe all or most will coordinate with Love Tweet Love. There is even a package of page templates. Today I have some borders for you:

Link: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/57614067/2016%20freebies/LoveSweetLove/ws_LoveTweetLove_banners_borders_%20trims.zip

Love Tweet Love freebie -

A few floral elements for Love tweet Love:

Link: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/57614067/2016%20freebies/LoveSweetLove/ws_LovetweetLove_floral.zip

Are we done with Love Tweet Love? Not yet. Today we have love letters and gifts.

Link: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/57614067/2016%20freebies/LoveSweetLove/ws_LoveTweetLove_misc.zip

Last of the Love Tweet Love free papers

Here they are:

If you have collected all the papers, you should have 20.
Link: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/57614067/2016%20freebies/LoveSweetLove/ws_LoveTweetLove_papers_4.zip
Tomorrow is Valentine's Day and I hope you will be doing something special and can use this kit to scrap about it.

Just adding a note to say that we got good news at the hospital on 2/9. My husband's arteries are clear - no blockages and his heart is healthy. Doctor said the dark spot on heart seen in nuclear stress test was an artifact probably caused by fatty tissue blocking that area in the scan. Whew!

More free elements from Love Tweet Love

For today's zip of Love Tweet Love, we have buttons & decos:

Link: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/57614067/2016%20freebies/LoveSweetLove/ws_LoveTweetLove_buttons_decos.zip

More free papers from Love Tweet Love

More papers for you:

Link: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/57614067/2016%20freebies/LoveSweetLove/ws_LoveTweetLove_papers_3.zip

More freebies from Love Tweet Love

Today we have some frames:

Link: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/57614067/2016%20freebies/LoveSweetLove/ws_LoveTweetLove_frames.zip

Love Tweet Love freebie

We will be at the hospital about this time so pre-scheduling today's and tomorrow's posts. For today, more papers.

Link: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/57614067/2016%20freebies/LoveSweetLove/ws_LoveTweetLove_papers_2.zip