Something to do

I haven't gone out of the house (except for 2 doctor visits) in over 2 1/2 weeks. I'm even getting tired of playing games on facebook.

Today I watched a segment on the Today Show on new technology. I went to one site that was mentioned, animoto.com. It lets you make 30 second videos for free. So, now I have a new toy to play with!

Unfortunately, my butt is killing me from having to sit with my feet up while I recuperate from the achilles surgery. Even my hips hurt. I can't wait until I can get up and walk around the house.

WATCH MY VIDEO "BUSTER AND TWINKLE" THAT I POSTED BELOW.

Buster and Twinkle

Buster and Twinkle

One surgery down!

So, my achilles tendon has been repaired. This is a picture of my splint with bandages.

The stitches came out last Friday. I am in an orthopedic boot but I still can't walk on it. When I wear the boot I can put some weight on my foot. Yesterday I had the boot adjusted. I had to try it out at the doctor's office. That much walking made my foot ache for the rest of the day.

I'm stuck at home for at least another week. I had hoped that I could walk around with this boot like I did with my last boot. But no, I have to sit around and watch TV, knit, read or play on the computer. What a drag!

How come when you get to spend lots of time at home you are too sick or in too much pain to accomplish anything useful?

Surgeries on my horizon

Monday, May 10, 2010 I am scheduled to have surgery to repair my torn left achilles tendon. It's been torn for over a year now and not getting any better. I will have to stay off my foot for at least 2 weeks and then wear the boot again and more physical therapy.

Then July 7, 2010 I am scheduled to get a knee replacement. I'm terrified but looking forward to less pain in the long run.

So, I haven't been blogging much. I've been preoccupied with these upcoming surgeries. Maybe I get do more posting while I'm homebound.

Azalea bushes in Rice University

Rice U has some beautiful landscaping. The main drive is lined with azalea bushes. Most of the year they don't look like anything special.

But in late March and early April they are covered in hot pink blossoms.

We took Mama for a ride on Easter, 04/04/2010 to show her the flowers.

There is a drive in movie theater near Houston!

A couple of weeks ago Jim and I drove out to the outlet mall on 290. After a bit of shopping Jim wanted to "explore" the area. He loves winding country roads. It's okay with me as long as I bring my knitting.

We passed by a drive in somewhere out in the boondocks. After driving around some more and eating in a cute country restaurant in Hockley, "The Sawmill Grill," we went back to the the Showboat Drive In (www.theshowboatdrivein.com) and saw "Alice in Wonderland." We were in my little Mazda 3. Everyone else was driving SUV's & pickups. So, we only got to see the top 2/3 of the screen. It was a beautiful evening - cool weather and we could actually see the stars through the moon roof.

I can see why drive-ins have gone out of business. A lot of the colors and details are lost on the drive-in screen. I got the plot of the movie but missed seeing all the costumes and special effects.

Tutorial for Little Squirt Bag

I can't get the photos to load into the tutorial. Go to this link for full tutorial:
https://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0Afk5quNdzmZYZGM3M3IyaG5fNTFnZmgyc2hjcw&hl=en

MY LITTLE SQUIRT BAG


I bought these cute size 4 toddler (for a little squirt) shorts at a thrift store. I decided to use them to make a handy little purse.



First, line up the front waistband with the back waistband. Draw a straight line across the shorts above the crotch seam. Cut along this line.



Use the cutoff shorts to measure for a lining. A perky cotton print makes a great lining.




Next I used a dollar bill and a gift card to measure for inside pockets. I selected a "vintage" 7" zipper.



I interfaced the lining with pellon waist maker.

It was just the right size to for the lining and the pockets.



I sewed the pockets to the lining. There are 3 spots for credit cards, one for cash and a pocket that closes securely with hook and loop tape.
Then I inserted the zipper into the lining.



Make a handle for the bag using fabric from the cut off hem of the shorts. Insert this into outer bag about 1" from the corner. Sew. This will be sewn again when the lining is attached.



The lining goes into the jean bag, wrong sides together, being sure to keep the handle extended out of the bag.

Sew securely. I used machine and hand stitching.



I tore a 1 1/2" wide by 24" long strip of the checked fabric. I drew this through the belt loops of the jeans. I used a piece of pink foldover elastic for a zipper pull.






I tore another narrow strip of fabric, did a running stitch along one edge, pulled the stitches up to form a rosette. I attached the rosette to the center front of the bag and added a pretty button.



One of the outside front pockets is perfect for my cell phone, the other for my personal cards. The back pockets could hold tissues, etc. My keys hook on to a belt loop. It is a very useful little purse.