Machine embroidery marathon

The blog is a bit late today, as I was at the gym with Brooke. Oh boy—what an eye-opener it was this morning. When I had my massage this past week, Misty mentioned that my right leg was significantly more muscular than the left. I mentioned that to Brooke, so we did some testing. EEK!! Both legs are very weak, but the left one is worse! It's almost embarrassing to say this, but I've let my legs weaken.

Yes - I walk a lot, but it's flat urban walking, and well, I'm not sure I get any benefit from all that walking except a good mental break and the knowledge that I'm reducing my carbon footprint. 

Guess what happens when your leg muscles are weak? It leads to significant instability in your knees. I need to get this under control and hope to get to the gym or find some strength exercises for my quads at home. The other thing I've noticed is that when I stand up and sit down, I lead and often put more weight on my right leg than my left. 

Am I favoring the leg because of its issues? Probably, and I bet I do the same thing when I walk! "Well, we'll get that figured out next month after my MRI, and then we can figure out how to proceed. I do NOT want to lose my mobility. That is my biggest fear, so I will keep at it! I've already seen a HUGE difference in my mobility and stability. Stairs are easier, getting into and out of bed - is much more manageable, and going to the washroom is definitely easier! And it's only going to get better! 

This is what Lexi thinks of my paperwork! It's a good place to lie down, so Mom can't see it!! Good dog, Lexi! 

Mom - I'm hiding all your paperwork

On the other hand, Murphy just barrels in and walks all over it with her wet feet. 

Mom - it's better to destroy than cover up!

Just got up to let Murphy in the house. Remember to push more with the left leg than the right! 

It was a big day for me in the embroidery world. After doing my chores, I went downstairs to see why the embroidery machine had stopped. Oh dear, there was a slight issue with the top thread, but there were no broken needles, so a quick fix got it back in business. 

An issue with the spool of thread

Oh dear, then I ran out of top thread, but luckily, I had another spool, so I'm back in business again!

Ran out of the top thread

Good grief - am I ever going to get this embroidery done? I now ran out of bobbin thread! But I'm happy to report that the embroidery is done! 

No bobbin thread

I was on a roll, and as one project was stitching, I was prepping for the next one. 

The next project prepped

And while that one stitched, I got two more ready. 

The following two embroidery projects are ready

And then I added a third one. 

And one more project to stitch

I really should have fired up both embroidery machines, and I think I'll do that this morning as I still want to complete a lot by 3 p.m. today! That will be my last embroidery lecture for February! At the beginning of the month, it looked like a daunting task, but I got through it, got great feedback from everyone, and learned a lot. 

Yep - even though I'm the person giving the lecture, I'm constantly brushing up on my techniques and knowledge, and then I, in turn, pass that along to the groups. 

I'll share the stitching another day. I have threads to tidy up, trim, and so on before they are presentable. 

I keep looking at my calendar to see if there is a mistake, but this weekend is mostly free. Two almost entire days with zero commitments? How did that happen? 

It would have been the same in February, except for the machine embroidery retreat, which messed things up, but all the fun we had was worth it. I have a lot to catch up on, and I'll be up early each day. 

Yesterday, I completed more paperwork, but one urgent task still needs to be completed. The draft is complete, so proofreading shouldn't take too long. Once that is done, some of the pressure will be off. But it's all about being slow and steady. 

There's that Murphy girl. She just can't resist those two toy boxes, and every day, I'm finding more and more toys out of them. Then, I have the pleasure of putting them away for her. She really should learn to do that herself! 

Mom - Best toys ever!

And what was up with the gas price yesterday? When I first walked by, it was 151.9, and it continued to drop throughout the day. It's just weird and a lesson to everyone who buys their gas before 7 a.m. Don't! Buy it in the afternoon, when the price is always much cheaper! 

Fluctuating gas prices

Well, that's it for today. First thing in the morning, I have a meeting and then some writing, and then I can get to the embroidery machine. Wait—I can start the embroidery machine and do my work while it stitches. And if I'm smart, I'll get both machines going! That will save a lot of time. 

And yes - I voted. That was my "errand" for the day, and I walked there. It wasn't far. 

Have a super day!!!!

Ciao!!!!