Update on Mom on Skywatch Friday ~ February 11, 2011

I would like to welcome my newest follower, Angela, who hails all the way from Kenya. Angela I do hope you will enjoy my posts about your beautiful country and also come to know a bit about mine as you read my blog. Karibu.

Sky photo taken in Kamloops, BC (from my archives).

Today I have a short post. I've learned late Thursday that after only one week in the nursing home, mom had to head for hospital emergency again.  The chronic cellulitis in her legs has flared up again. This time in the right leg. The doctor at the nursing home examined her and suggested she go into hospital. 

I find this development upsetting since I've only recently returned to my home (out of town) from moving her and clearing out her apartment. I'm sure mom finds it even more upsetting but we didn't have much time to talk about what she is going through.  I don't have more information about her condition.  I would simply like to ask you to pray for my mom and for me. 

Thank you so much! 

Update (Friday afternoon):  I talked to the attending nurse. She said mom has had an ultrasound and though the nurse hasn't read the official report yet, she thinks there are no blood clots. Thank God as mom's leg colour has been so dark and unusual. Mom is being given a course of intravenous antibiotics 4x daily.  I'm told she should be back to the nursing home in a few days. If so, that will be her shortest hospital stay yet and that is good news indeed. Then she can finally settle into her new home.

For more Skywatch Friday click here.

Lake Elementeita

Click here to read Part 1 in this series. It starts with my stopover in Nairobi, Kenya.
Click here to read Part 2 in this series in Kenya. It continues with my sojourn in Nairobi, Kenya.
Click here to read Part 3 in this series on Kenya where I stop to view a stunning lookout.

As we continue our journey northward from the look out along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway as seen in my post here, we eventually make our way to Lake Elementeita. Lake Elementeita, also spelled Elementaita, is a soda lake, in the eastern limb of East Africa's Great Rift Valley, about 120 km northwest of Nairobi, Kenya. The lake gets it's name from the Masaai word "muteita" which means "dust place", a reference to the dry and dusty quality of the area, especially between January and March.

I passed through this area in November 2010.  At the time the area was nice, lush and green.  Elementeita is located between Lake Naivasha and Lake Nakuru. The major Nairobi-Nakuru highway runs along the nearby escarpment giving motorists a spectacular vista towards the lake. However I wanted a better look at the lake.

At the entry gate just off the highway we paid a small entry fee and then turned off to drive down a very bumpy dirt road to the lake.  Don't let the bumpy road deter you from the experience of seeing the lake.  I still remember my first trip where I couldn't get over how bad the roads were and now it doesn't bother me at all. By the way, many of the major highways have been improved since my first journey to Kenya.

Taking these close up views of the mountains and surrounding area will make any bumps you encounter more than worth it!

After the busyness of Nairobi and the traffic jams we encountered every day, I felt myself relaxing the tense muscles in my body. It was just so wonderful to be out in natural surroundings of which the country of Kenya is bountifully blessed.

As often happens when you veer off the beaten path, children appeared out of nowhere.  Some had been working and some had been playing for at least one of them had a machete, a common implement here. The children excitedly ran down to the lake to meet us. I often have candy with me and small change for like children everywhere they hope to be given a small treat.

The first white settlement at Lake Elementeita occured when Lord Delamere (1897-1931) established Soysambu, a 48,000 acre ranch on the western side of the lake. Delamere gifted the land nearest the lake to his brother-in-law, the Honorable Galbraith Lowry Egerton Cole (1881-1929).  Egerton Cole is buried on Kekopey Ranch which today is called Lake Elementeita Lodge and is open for overnight guests.

On our drive back up the road to the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway, I snapped these photos of the buildings on the surrounding hillside.   You can see some of the birdlife in the foreground of the lake.

There are between 350-400 bird species recorded in the Lake Nakuru/Lake Elmenteita basin. Elementeita attracts visiting flamingoes which feed on the lake's crustacean and insect larvae and on its suspended blue-green algae.  In 1962,  tilapia fish were introduced to the lake from Lake Magadi in Kenya.  An unfortunate side effect of tilapia introduction is that the flamingo population has dramatically dwindled.  The tilapia fish attract a lot of fish eating birds that also feed upon the flamingo eggs and chicks.  Over a million birds that formerly bred at Elmenteita are now said to have sought refuge at  Lake Natron in Tanzania.

*All photos mine*

Overnight visitors to Lake Elementeita can spend the night at the Elementaita Lodge as well as camping at Mbweha camp.  You can find breathing photos of these lodgings by clicking on the links (as underlined).

References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Elmenteita
http://www.africanmeccasafaris.com/kenya/guide/lakeelementaita.asp
http://www.enhols.com/kenya_safari/lake/elementaita.aspx

Sorting, Combining & Chucking

People are going hungry in parts of Kenya. If you can pray or help please read about it here.

I spent a few hours on Monday night going through mom's photos (the few that I brought back with me, the rest are with her) and my dearly departed sister's photos. I got rid of  a few photos and some papers but need to go through them once or twice more to decide what papers to keep for her children.  As for the photos, I hope to make a keepsake album or two for my nephew who is now a young man.

I then spent the entire day on Tuesday going through all my craft and sewing items. Well almost all of them. I didn't go through my tole painting supplies as they don't take up much room and are in a small plastic container. I was sorting and cleaning as I went along and trying to make room for some of mom's things that I brought back to my home.

My condo doesn't have much storage space inside so I had to cull some more towels and odds and ends,  in order to make room for other things. I would likely have been getting rid of these things anyway in my regular decluttering exercise.

Odds and ends for giveaway. I will add to it as I continue going through the apartment.

I also decided to discard my trusty shower curtain. Would you believe I've had the same shower curtain since 1989/1990?!!!

It is hard to see in this photo but this shower curtain has all kinds of colours in it: peach, beige, pink, green, dark and light blue, white, gray, pink and black. I think I kept the curtain so long because it has so many colours.  All I had to do was change up the towels and the bathroom rug for a different look now and then.

I've temporarily replaced my shower curtain with this all blue and white one which belonged to mom.  She hardly used it and it had been packed up for a few years.  Though I do like the colour blue this isn't the curtain I want for the long-term.  I've been meaning to do a minor change in the bathroom but haven't got around to it yet.

My bathroom redecorating will likely feature the colours in this floral wall art; a gift to me by my nephew.

In my sorting and cleaning today I had to remove virtually everything from their containers and repack things as I went along.  My living and storage space is limited with all the supplies I already had.  Now I was adding some of mom's supplies, especially knitting needles, a few sewing supplies, all her beads and leather and all the material with Native American designs.

I saved all this stuff because I want to take up beading once again and perhaps make some quilts with the unique material she had. At least the material is unique in Canada though perhaps in the USA it would be much easier to find.  It would be shame to get rid of all this crafting material since mom kept it so long.  Moreover, if I needed to buy it again it would cost me a small fortune.

Perhaps I can gift my nieces and nephews with some of the craft items once I make them.  Or perhaps I can even sell some of them as unique gift items if I have enough of a stash. Whatever the case, I will certainly be busy for awhile once I start making things!

My crochet threads are now all in a basket in the front room for easy access.  Thankfully mom never crocheted with thin cotton yarn or I would probably have kept some of hers too!

My knitting yarns are all in a big plastic tub rather than spread out in different carry bags.  I didn't bring back any of mom's yarns with me. I figured I had enough to keep me busy for awhile.

This is one of the carry bags I had my knitting in. I now use it to house all the knitting needs, crochet hooks, stitch counter, needle gauge, stitch holders, etc. I inherited a few knitting needles from mom but gave all her yarn to a friend who was helping me pack. She will give the tub of yarn to an avid knitter.

These are the fabrics I've inherited. Since I only have room in my closet for one tub of fabric, these additional fabrics will go on the top shelf in another of closets.  I'll be making a bit more room in that closet when I get rid of some linens, blankets and pillows.  I've place two large, thinner tubs containing leather and beads on the floor in another closet.

The other things I brought back were plastics for food storage, a few pots, a juicer, a meat slicer, a dehydrator, some large plastic bowls, a spice rack, food and supplies like laundry soap, paper towels, some matalesse coverlets I had bought her some years back and a pendleton blanket. These things will all be put to good use and except for the food (for which there is no room in the cupboards), the other things have been put away.  

I think one of the hardest things for any one who has to go into a nursing home, is the loss of all their possessions. I didn't have much time to give things away but where I could, I did. I know it helped mom to learn that some of her things didn't simply go to waste and that someone wanted them.

I didn't actually intend to do all this sorting today but I am sure happy that I did.  I have now cleared a path in my bedroom and in the front room and things aren't overflowing everywhere. I ended up chucking about 3 small bags of garbage and emptying two 3 small boxes, two larger boxes and two big, plastic tubs in addition to putting together at least one basket for giveaway.  On Wednesday I plan to carry on sorting through a box of family personal papers. Things I need to save for my nephew and his sister.  Once I get through this, I can get back to sorting my own papers. I still have a lot to discard but it is pretty well sorted now and that will make it a bit easier to go through.

On My Way North of Nairobi~ My World Tuesday

Click here to read Part 1 in this series. It starts with my stopover in Nairobi, Kenya.
Click here to read Part 2 in this series in Kenya. It continues with my sojourn in Nairobi, Kenya.

There was much more to see and do in Nairobi and many photos too.  But as I mentioned in an earlier post, I lost so many photos. I am still working on recovering them but this will take some time yet. Later I hope to add more posts and photos about things done in Nairobi, Kenya.

Right now I am taking you on a journey north to the City of Nakuru, Kenya. Before we get there we stop at this magnificent look out spot.

I always stop at this site when I visit Kenya and go north.  It is a place to take photos of Mount Longonot and the surrounding valley and to purchase curios and souvenirs.

This man makes me nervous sitting atop this rickety fence. It is a long drop to the bottom if it should fail him.

These are just some of the curio shops that sit by the roadside.

Last time I was through here I purchased a sheep skin for my mattress. This time I bought a small carved soapstone plate.

I understand that there are actually two highways, at different elevations,  that overlook this valley. The vista is really quite stunning. Much more than my photos can show you.  The look out is also much higher up than it looks.

This is the plate I bought. I think it's great! On this side it has a picture map of the area. Click on the photo to enlarge it.

Turn the plate over and you see this beautiful red and black design along with key phrases/words in Swahili. There is a decorative element also. See the top of the plate. That is a row of carved elements.

For more of what others are doing around the world, join My World Tuesday.

Blue Monday: February 7, 2011 ~ The Pigeons Were Talking To Me

Today the pigeons were talking to me. Why they chose today of all days, I don't know but they wanted their message heard so here it is.

First I was out for a walk on a beautiful sunny day here today. I had to get some veggies, fruits and milk but before that I needed some sustenance.

On my way to the local diner, I decided that the pigeons made a pretty sight sitting in various formations on the telephone poles.

I took several photos against the beautiful blue sky.

Snap, snap, snap ...

Each time I took a new photo, the birds had made yet another formation.

They move around so fast.

I'm wondering what they are chirping about up there.

Do they watch us like we watch them?

Do they look for dropped food perhaps?

So they can swoop down and pick up the crumbs?

For all the pigeons I've seen over the years, I realize I know so little about them.

So I read more about them here. 

I even learned that there is a group called  People for the Preservation of Pigeons who are dedicated to the protection of the oldest domestic bird, the "gentle and loyal pigeon".

I think most people have seen pigeons because they are distributed all over the earth, except in the driest parts of the Sahara, Antarctica and the high Arctic.

This last photo is my favourite one of the day.

What the pigeons seem to want to tell me and you is that they are not so bad. They brighten our days like they did mine today and they are gentle birds. They give a sense of joie de vivre (joy of living) to the cities when you walk about or sit at a sidewalk cafe and enjoy your cafe au lait.  They were even instrumental in transmitting war time messages.

I guess I've always been of two minds about the pigeons myself.   I love to watch them but sometimes I just feel there are too many splattering up the sidewalks and awnings in the apartment buildings.  But they do bring joy to so many people and there are even those who raise and train them. The most high profile one I know of is Mike Tyson, the champion boxer. I've always been fascinated that he would raise pigeons as a hobby.

What are your thoughts on pigeons?

Addendum:  I just thought of something. If I asked instead whether you like doves, would that change your answer? In fact, doves are related to pigeons. I believe they are a smaller form of pigeon and they are mostly white (maybe always white, lol). Most people see the dove as a nice bird representing purity, peace, the Holy Spirit, etc. and have no problem using doves in a wedding setting.  Makes you think about it a little more ;-)

Happy Blue Monday!

Join Smiling Sally and the others here.

Quilters Giveaway

As a very new quilter I've been spending a lot of time searching out quilting tutorials on video and quilting blogs to check out all of the lovely quilts of so many talented quilters.  Today I came across one such quilter, Thearica.  Her blog is called "Pigtales and Quilts".

Thearica is hosting a giveaway with a gift provided by one of her newest sponsors, Florine Johnson. Ms. John loves to do applique work and she designs patterns too!  The giveaway is a board that will aid you when it comes time to put all of the applique pieces together and has a retail value of $.95 (US).  Isn't that awesome? I think it would be a fabulous gift for a beginner or an experienced quilter.

If you are a quilter and do applique work then this is a board for you too. You can see a photo of the board and enter the giveaway here. If you do enter, please let Thearica know that you found out about the giveaway through my blog. The giveaway ends on Sunday, February 9th at noon Eastern Standard Time. Best wishes to you!

Dreaming of Spring.

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HAPPY QUILTING!

Come back soon for more interesting adventures in Kenya. 

I'm Home and a New Chapter Begins

Hello friends,

I've been away for almost two weeks in the interior of the province. I've been visiting mom at the hospital, packing up and clearing out my mom's apartment, readying things for her move to the nursing home and making  her a "welcome home' quilt. (If you like you can see the finished quilt here).

She is now in the home and her personal things are with her. Photos are on the wall (I forgot to take a picture of them) and her bookshelf is set up with her TV, small stereo system, a few books and even more CDs. Her other mobility aids are with her. They are still settling her in and she hasn't really gotten into the routine yet. Everything is done very systematically there and it takes time.

Mom is chomping at the bit to get up and around. She also misses her telephone which unfortunately took a few days to connect. She should be able to make phone calls to her heart's content after today.  I think it is hard to make the adjustments in the transition as everything is so completely different. She is now on someone else's schedule and not really in charge of herself. Someone else will decide what she can eat and a whole lot of other things but overall I think the changes will be beneficial. They already have her blood sugar at normal level. I am confident that once mom is able to get around and explore, she will be very happy there and she is looking forward to be able to get around.

As for me, I got home last night and I now have a lot of mom's things to sort through and organize to put away in my own home. Some of it will replace things I have which will go to the thrift store. I also have my own major decluttering project I am working on so this project has expanded.  As I won't have to travel to visit mom on such a strict schedule, I will have more ability to get things done at home and my visits to mom will be real visits as opposed to trips to get things done for her. I will likely also need an adjustment period but an adjustment of a different kind. I am relieved that mom is now in a place where they can monitor her and help her though to be honest it hasn't really sunk in yet as I've been far too busy.

I have been extremely tired over the past week and I can't believe I didn't go to sleep very early last night. I didn't even sleep in this morning. I'm now getting ready to go out and get my hair done as it is in dire need of a refreshing.

I want to thank all of you who stopped by to comment on my blog posts over the past two weeks. It means a lot to me. Please accept my apologies for not being able to respond to the comments or spend as much time looking at your blogs. Now that I am home and have much more bandwidth to use, I can review and comment on blogs again. I will also be uploading more photos and resuming my series on Kenya.

In the meantime I leave you with these beautiful photos of spring blossoms which will soon appear here in  my city.  I also want to wish you all an awesome and refreshing weekend.

My Quilt Project is Finished

A long view of the quilt.

A close up of the quilt.  Don't look to closely or you'll see all my errors.

This is the backside of the quilt. I just machine quilted following the different sections of the crazy quilt. You can also see the binding from the back. This approach to quilting was suggested by my instructor because I didn't want to do free motion quilting on my first quilt or I might never finish in time.  This quilt is actually ironed but I didn't have a flat surface to iron it on.

It was a challenge to finish the quilt in the timeline I had but I did finish it and was able to deliver it to mom on Thursday at the nursing home. She loves the colours and the patchwork design.  I know my errors in making this quilt but I also didn't have all the right tools so I am pleased with how things turned out. I did want to "fix" some stitching but in the end I decided it was an adequate job given the time frame and there isn't any error too great that I should delay giving mom the quilt.  I meant to take close ups of the quilt's mitered corners but in my haste to get to the nursing home I forgot all about it.

I have to say I really enjoyed making this quilt and feel encouraged to make another one. But first I have some other projects to make headway on.  If any of you are like me, afraid to try quilting, I would encourage you to take a class and give it a whirl.  It is quite relaxing and enjoyable and if I can do it, I am certain you can do it.  I'd love to see your quilt if you do make one *wink.

One helpful tip I learned from my instructor after I purchased plain fabric for the quilt back, is to purchase a fabric with a pattern on it.  This way any errors you make won't be so readily viewed. I won't forget this tip!

Look What I'm Making ~ Part Two

Monday was an exceptionally busy day. I went to my quilting class in the morning after packing all night and half the morning.  My brother thought I was crazy to go to quilting class on moving day, lol, but frankly I needed a diversion and a stress buster and this class seems to do the trick. I also want to finish the quilt for mom to have it in her new home.

While I was at my class I found out mom was going to be moved from the hospital to the nursing home on Tuesday morning. Yikes! So much to do and so little time. We were of course expecting the transfer and we are pleased it happened so soon but we were also very surprised to have things move so quickly.  I thought I would be here another week and a half or two, preparing things for the move.

Though I have been busy packing and my brother and nephew have been busy moving furniture, there is just so much to do. Ready or not the end of the month is here and the apartment has to be cleared out pronto.   We are working as fast as we can.  Tuesday we managed to move most of mom's things to the nursing home and I had to deal with a lot of administrative and financial matters. These matters continue on Wednesday and I will also be setting mom's room up properly with her photos and things.I hope to finish the quilt too or most of it.

I learned how to cut out and attached the internal and external borders. My instructor is behind the quilt cover and holding it up for me to take a photo.

This is a close up with the two borders sewn on and the batting and quilt back attached and ready to be quilted.

This is the quilt after I've attached the backing and borders with a seam or two and cut off the excess batting.  I only have Wednesday to try and finish the quilt as well as finish packing so I was up late again. After the progress seen in the photo above, I am machine quilting by making a bit of a border/margin around each sections of the quilt cover. I am rushing this process a bit and it will have do.  Wednesday I hope to attach the binding and give it to mm

It is now almost 1:30 a.m. and I'd better get to sleep.