A Fabric Purchase and a Knee Update

Fabric purchase

Goal number three on my July list was to continue with my knee rehabilitation. Last May, I was able to make two physical therapy appointments for the first and third week of July. It is crazy that I had to wait so long; but, the demand for service is high and the therapists are booked! 

This is a facility that my primary care provider strongly encouraged me to try to see if I could gain more flexibility and have less pain. At my first appointment, I was impressed that I was able to do all the exercises. I was able to do the exercises the following day. The day after that. . .well, progress went south.

The floor after my haircut

At my next appointment, we switched the exercises with ones that activated the muscles in a different way. Again, I left the appointment hopeful. The day after was good and the rest of the week was good. I thought that I was finally on the road to a full recovery. At the third appointment, I was given a slightly advanced variation of the exercises from the previous week. I was sore for days after the appointment and have backed off on the number of repetitions; but, I believe I am still improving. Fingers crossed that the improvement continues! Because of my schedule, I won't have another appointment for a couple weeks.

I'm still going to an acupuncture appointment once a week. It helps reduce the swelling and the tightness that is in my thigh and knee. 

Buoyed by the PT success, I made a hair cut appointment for myself. I've worn my hair long for years. Before the cut, it was down to the middle of my back. I was ready for a change. I asked for a wash and wear style. This style will work well. I feel lighter without the length and it sure is faster to wash in the shower!

New hairstyle.

On the fabric front, I purchased more background fabric for my "extra" project that I started piecing from the scraps of the Sweet Tooth mystery. Because I made the extra blocks from the scraps that Bill and Weeks called "Sweet Additions," this project will be named, "Sweet Additions."  I bought fabric for the sleeve and binding for it as well as Sweet Tooth. I even bought a piece of fabric for a challenge. More on that once I begin the project! I also purchased a spool of neutral thread for piecing. 

Where I purchased these fabrics is out of the ordinary. My friend, Nancy, has had a fabric shop in her garage for over 20 years. It is the one place to go for a visit where you can come home having done serious damage to your budget! Seriously, she stocks wonderful fabrics and she has a great color sense so you can't go wrong if you are struggling with what works for your project. Since my workshop with Irene Roderick, I mainly purchase blenders, solids or fabrics that read as solids. Nancy has a great variety.

Fabric Summary:

Fabric in this month: 6 3/4 yards   

Fabric in year to date: 44 3/4 yards

Fabric used from stash this month: 0 yards 

Fabric used from stash year to date: 83 yards

Net loss/gain this month: 6 3/4 yards

Net loss/gain year to date: -38.25 yards  

I'm not decreasing my stash; but, it will happen. I may need to make finishing projects more of a priority. I have several that are at the quilting stage. Hmmm. . .maybe September will be a quilting month!