Keep your strength!

OMG -- did you see the exercise Elle recommended for strengthening the legs? Squats! I hate squats. Well, I hate them because my legs are so weak. But she's right! In the short time that I've become more aware of my situation and doing something about it, I feel much stronger. Not using hands to get out of a chair or using hands to sit down. Let the legs do the work - they are quite capable! People -- we do not want to walk with canes or walkers or, god forbid, we'll need someone to help us get out of bed. That will come later, but we're too young for that! 

Just say NO!! You alone have the power to stop this from happening to you! Move that ironing board into another room. Having it beside you is convenient, but think of muscle atrophy! So get up and walk around. I'm willing to bet that many of the knee issues we're experiencing (I've included myself in that group) are self-inflicted! 

I'm happy to report that despite the "torture" that Brooke put me through yesterday, my quads and core feel just fine today. So that means I still have a good base from years ago, but it's starting to weaken, and I must NOT let that happen. 

There are too many exciting adventures in the world to participate in, and there's the fact that I do NOT want to walk with a cane until necessary. 

Now -- I totally get that people have arthritis (it's likely going to happen to me), but if I can keep those muscles stronger to take more pressure off the joints, then I'll do that! And I MUST keep my hydration level up! 

In the afternoon, I finished my last presentation for February. While I had planned to continue working, I did not. Instead, I shut the embroidery machines down and read a book. I just needed to escape Studio B, which is in quite the disarray. I'll get down there later today and start tidying up, but I also need to finish some work. 

There's one piece of URGENT paperwork that has to go out the door today. I had a lengthy work-related Zoom, which killed the morning. 

I fired up both embroidery machines, which helped the work go faster, but I didn't quite accomplish all I wanted. 

Machine number one

Machine number two

This was the state of affairs once I was done yesterday. When I finish a Zoom, I turn everything off and walk away. Most of the time, I leave all the samples on the floor. Too tired to pick them up and put them on the table. 

Goodbye, Zoom area for the day!

Murphy has been pretty good about leaving me alone when I'm on Zoom. But yesterday, as I was waiting to get on the work-related call, she was bugging me. "Mom, I need to be petted, and I need it NOW!" I had my back turned to the camera as I looked for something while waiting to be let in. Oops - I scolded her, and I was in the meeting! 

Then, in the afternoon, when I was in the middle of the Zoom presentation, she insisted on being there! "Mom, I need to talk to you RIGHT NOW!" When I ignored her, which was hard since she is big and very insistent, she just lay down on my samples. Sigh...................

MOM - I NEED YOU!!!!

We usually go out on Friday night, but I wanted to finish my book. So I told DH to give me 15 minutes. Well, I'm not that fast of a reader, so it took longer than 15 minutes. We ended up ordering in! 

I was so excited about my day off that I had trouble sleeping. I did not have so much trouble sleeping, but I woke up several times. Luckily, I was able to drift right off again. But I've been up, looked at Studio B already, and wondered where I should start. 

Can you believe this is the first day since January 25 that I haven't been at a retreat (in front of people) or on Zoom? And I get ONE-day reprieve before it all starts for another month. But I enjoy it, so I'm not complaining. It's just hard to stay caught up on other things!

So, what did I pick to work on today? I need to get my Spcie Market quilt up-to-date. I'm so far behind. I've got bits and pieces of the blocks sewn together, the fabrics are a mess, and I need to make some semblance of order with this one. 

These are all the "finished" or partially finished bits. 

Parts of blocks for Spice Market

And this is my cutting for the next group to be sewn. 

Cutting bits for the Spice Market quilt

After I finish my writing this morning, I'll head down and try to clean up this as much as possible. I will also have some free time tomorrow afternoon, so hopefully, between the two days, I can make a huge push to get it up to date. 

We all laughed on yesterday's call, as the shop owner does custom embroidery for people. Can you believe what type of garment she was given to embroider? Yep—a pair of leopard-print thong underwear! Now that's a challenge! Good luck, Barb—I know you'll do a good job! 

If you're a Louise Penny fan, you will have received your newsletter in your inbox this morning. Her assistant has compiled some of the advice people sent her in January. My piece of advice was included in the book! However, they added in an extra word, but it still makes sense. If you want to read the book of advice, here's the link. There are some great pieces of advice in there. 

Can you believe it's been 20 years since she released her first book - Still Life. She was unknown; no one cared when she promoted her book at local bookstores. Now, she needs a huge convention center to release a book! She deserves it - she's a Canadian treasure! I got the opportunity to see her in 2013. A lovely lady, so gracious, so kind and thoughtful. If all the world were like her! 

And I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that it's M's birthday today. Oh my -- she's 29. I swear she plans to be on vacation for her birthday. And where's Little Bear? At the dog sitters! At least he's not with his other grandma! But if we were closer - he could be with us! Happy Birthday, M - we love you and send you best wishes for the day!! Feliz cumpleaños

And on that note, I'm out of here! I've got loads to do today and no one to answer to! I can't wait to get the day started!!!

Have a super day! --- Stand up and sit down (no hands—keep your back somewhat straight—imagine you are being pulled up by your head like a puppet). Don't forget the squats!!!!! You can't go deep -- don't worry - do what you can. Every little bit will help. 

Ciao!!!