Well, this has sure been a wasted week. I came down with the flu on Sunday night and have spent the week in bed, each day with a new horror of a symptom. Laryngitis on Monday, faucet nose on Tuesday, fever and chills on Wednesday, and a ruptured eardrum on Thursday. I took myself to Urgent Care with that latest issue and was told I had the flu, an ear infection and a sinus infection. I got my antibiotics and some steroids for my asthma and believe, as I write this, that I am beginning to feel a bit better. And I was so ready to get some good sewing done this week. I am under strict orders to rest and drink liquids.
The quilt pictured above has been a great comfort to me all week. We have had lots of time to bond. I have it on my bed and have not only enjoyed its warmth, but those cute little baskets are so adorable.
In between naps I was able to read these books. It is amazing what you can accomplish if you read for 8 hours a day. The only one of these books that I totally loved was Peace Like a River, by Leif Enger, which I would give 4 1/2 stars out of 5. I tend to love books that are from a "coming of age" point of view, and also books about family. Twelve year old Rueben lives in Minnesota with his older brother Davy, younger sister Swede and his janitor father Jerimiah. The story is about a family who encounters some big trouble, but handles it with grace and stoicism. A few miracles may happen along the way. If you enjoy books about decent people who have strong values and love of family, this one's for you.
Since I have been down for the count this week, I have not been so good at responding to comments, but thanks to all of you who said nice things about my Triangle Gatherings finish, and also who gave encouragement about the Diva Bernina coming home after her trip to Bernina's Illinois Health Spa. I wanted to emphasize that I truly have no complaints about Bernina or my dealer in this situation. I did agree to pay for shipping, and there was a misunderstanding about the warranty date (they originally wanted to bill me for labor which is not covered after the first year). The dealer stepped up and dealt with Bernina about the date of my machine warranty, so I did not pay any labor charges. The machine is working great and I appreciated the California technician being honest about not feeling he was up to the complexity of the repair, which caused Diva to make the cross country trip to Illinois to Bernina USA. I am happy with how it all turned out and am grateful to my dealer here in California and also to Bernina for fixing Diva up and getting her back home safe and sound. All's well that ends well, right? It is all good. I have a niggling worry at the back of my mind that some similar fluke thing could happen again, but as many of you suggested, I need to just get back in there and use her and enjoy her.
Oh, I don't think I shared this with you--Do you recall that my husband had his right knee replaced in July? He had been troubled for at least ten years with a bad knee and had put off the surgery for a number of (silly) reasons. The surgery was a great success and he keeps saying he wishes he had not waited so long to get it done. (Do you hear a chorus of voices singing "We told you so...?) Well, a week or so before Christmas, he was walking in San Francisco and his other knee suddenly went out on him with no warning. He has been in awful pain ever since, back to using his cane and limping and being miserable. His doctor says he must have surgery asap to have his left knee replaced! It turns out he has some kind of hereditary condition that causes knees to wear out. His paternal grandfather spent the last years of his life in a wheel chair, and his dad (Grandpa Larry) had to have both his knees replaced. He has a surgery date for March, which we hope will be moved up to February. The orthopedist's office is backed up because one of the doctors broke his leg. I am serious.
Any of you have big plans for the long Martin Luther King weekend? Not me. I plan to get back up to the sewing room and try to make up for lost time this week!
Glad to hear from yu and that you're able to read and to enjoy your lovely basket quilt. The wonders of modern medicine do help the symptoms, but quilts are the best comfort!
A word from one who had the flu a few Decemberss ago - don't plan on doing too much for the coming weeks as you'll probably tire out disgustingly quickly. Too true.
Hugs!
Posted by: Barbara Anne | January 12, 2018 at 05:39 AM
Oh, and I'm wishing your sweetie well with that painful knee. Perhaps CBD oil will help in the meantime as he waits for surgery?
More hugs!
Posted by: Barbara Anne | January 12, 2018 at 05:40 AM
So sorry you’ve been that sick. Thank goodness for the right meds to get you back to health. I too made that quilt. It is t quilted yet though. Not sure how to quilt it or what thread to use. Is yours quilted with an all over panto? Any idea what color thread? I hope your hubbys appointment can be moved up so he doesn’t have to wait so long.
Posted by: Lin McQuiston | January 12, 2018 at 05:56 AM
I'm so sorry that you have become a flu statistic! It's been bad this year, both of my daughters have had it as well. Glad you are on the mend. I do love that quilt, just beautiful! I wish your husband well with the knee surgery and hope it goes as smoothly as the first one. Feel better, enjoy the weekend! I'm hoping to attend a craft brewery grand opening with my husband tomorrow, it will depend on how I feel since I've been down with another bout of shingles this week and have felt miserable and been in lots of pain. Sunday after church we're taking our DIL's birthday gifts over to her. A busy weekend!
Posted by: Carolyn | January 12, 2018 at 06:14 AM
MLK day plans? I'm getting the house ready to be able to bring my husband home from rehab - he fell about a month ago and fractured his lower back. can't wait to get him home - too many people at the rehab facility sniffling and sneezing - got to get him home before he comes down with something!
glad to hear you are feeling better.
Posted by: sissa | January 12, 2018 at 06:22 AM
The quilt you have been snuggling with is amazing!!!! Would you be able to give me information about the pattern? I have wanted to make a basket quilt for quite awhile and this one is absolutely breath taking!
Posted by: Louise | January 12, 2018 at 06:24 AM
Glad to hear you may have turned the corner. I hear the therapeutic powers of quilts should not be ignored.
Words of encouragement to your husband. When my mom got her second knee done, her recovery was much faster. She said she was more comfortable with knowing what the discomfort would be and how much she could push herself in PT. (I do think the fact it was a few years later might have also meant better technology like the chiller for her leg, but the other part was real.)
Posted by: Robby H. | January 12, 2018 at 07:06 AM
Isn't it nice to be able to enjoy the cozy quilt you made? The ruptured eardrum is especially scary so I'm glad you've gotten than taken care of! No part of the flu is good, though, is it? Wishing your husband a quick surgery date for his knee. Medical technology for knees is improving at lightening speed!
Posted by: Jan | January 12, 2018 at 07:17 AM
That beautiful quilt is fulfilling its destiny by providing comfort. I hope you feel better soon You have lots of fans in your corner.
Karen L.
Posted by: Karen L. | January 12, 2018 at 07:24 AM
Very glad to hear you are feeling better Nicole!
Posted by: Mary Kastner | January 12, 2018 at 07:28 AM
Glad you are on the mend! I cannot wait to try that book you suggested. Sorry to hear about your hubby's knees and hope he can get it done sooner rather than later. What better eye candy while you are recuperating....love those little baskets.
Posted by: Nancy Watki | January 12, 2018 at 07:31 AM
Ugh. Such woes this week. Glad that you had the basket quilt to snuggle with. I know you were thankful that you kept the striped sashing straight.
Here's to a successful recovery for you and a speedy resolution for your husband's knee. Take care, my friend.
Posted by: Pam | January 12, 2018 at 07:48 AM
Sorry to hear you have been so sick this week. My daughter battled the exact same symptoms as you and finally went to the Dr for meds. I'm in Ohio and the ice and snow are coming later today and tonight. Stocked up on food so will spend the weekend hibernating in my sewing room. Get well!!
Posted by: Jody | January 12, 2018 at 07:59 AM
So sorry that you were this sick but glad that you now feeling better. And reading while snuggling under a quilt is always comfort for body and soul.
Hope your husband will have his surgery soon it's always so frustating if you have to wait and wait till the doctors finally do something. My mom was told last January that she needed a Cochlaer implantat because of her bad hearing and finally in June she had surgery. Nearly a half year of waiting and endless trips to the doctor.
Nevertheless have a wonderful weekend and hopefully Monday you'll be flu-free.
Posted by: Hildy | January 12, 2018 at 08:06 AM
So glad to hear you are on the mend. I was down for two weeks, not quite as severe as your symptoms, but a dry cough that didn't allow sleep :-( It seemed as though it would never end, but then exactly two weeks to the day, it was gone ;-) Take care and DO drink lots of liquids. In the end I think that helped me alot. (Thank you Gatorade)
Posted by: Jocelyn | January 12, 2018 at 12:47 PM
I am a new reader from down under to your blog. Sorry to hear you have been unwell. I wish you a speedy recovery
Posted by: Karen Reid | January 12, 2018 at 03:48 PM
We seem to have the same flu, so I borrowed your Keep Calm pic for my blog! Tests say no infection for me, just bad flu. MD says a week more of snot and cough before I should be over it. Oh Joy! I have been reading, too, as well as watching other people quilt on You tube. I hope we both feel better soon!
Posted by: Susan | January 12, 2018 at 06:14 PM
What a miserable way to spend a week just when your Diva came home! How frustrating! But I'm glad you are able to be up and around now. I've heard from a nurse that the flu shot was only 10% effective this year, and that the flu is a wicked one, lasting anywhere from 7-14 days. Take care of yourself so you don't relapse. Nice, relaxing days in the sewing room should be just the thing. Feel better!
Posted by: Stephanie L. Davison | January 13, 2018 at 03:42 AM
Glad to hear you're starting to feel better, antibiotics are awesome! It's been a bad flu and cold season, I was sick twice in December. Hopefully you'll be back to your old self in no time! Love your basket quilt too 😍
Posted by: Anita | January 13, 2018 at 07:19 PM
Glad you’re on the mend! Read Eleanor Oliphant and LOVED it! Sort of like a female version of A Man Called Ove. Just ordered Peace Like a River. Thank you for all your reviews! Cindy
Posted by: Cindy Krelle | January 14, 2018 at 08:05 AM
I'm glad you are feeling better. I have read Lies She Told and found it a little hard to follow. And a little far fetched. Fingers crossed for an earlier surgery date!
Posted by: Jill | January 16, 2018 at 09:01 AM