Eve of the New Year

Well here we are the last day of 2008. I hope the year was better for you then it was for me. But then, I know that there are a lot of people in some kind of distress.
Actually the year is ending on a high note. I am pain free. My neck and back surgery was two weeks ago and I am feeling very good. I did suffer from a bout of the flu and an intestinal bug a week after the surgery. But I am once again upright and mobile. I have a Bugawump stamp in the store that says,"Everyday above ground is a bonus." I would agree as long as it is a pain free day.
We suffered through some bumps this year and I am sure there will be a few in the New Year as well.
But I am hoping the new year brings exciting new stamps and products for the Artfull Hand. I am looking forward to placing orders and unpacking them on their arrival. It is like Christmas when a shipment comes in because I forget what I have ordered.
To you and yours, we at the Artfull Hand wish you a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year. We'll see you soon.
The Artfull Hand girls
Dorothy, Linda, Bev, Jane, Carol, Sally and Kathy(Newest member)

SALE - SALE - SALE

Now down to business.
The Artfull Hand has a huge sale going on.
All holiday stamps are 30 % off. That includes Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. All other holidays are thrown in too.
Regular priced merchandise( all of it) is discounted 15%.
And there still is the sale basket that has stamps in it that have a red dot on them, they are still at 33% discount.
It's gonna get better next week. Stay tuned.

More updates

Well here it is a week after my surgery. I am pain free in my left arm and my lower back and left leg. My left thumb still has a tingle in it. But it reminds me to take it easy.
Last Monday was a nasty weather day around here and we had to travel a ways to get to the hospital. But we made it and DH made it back home. I spent the night in the hospital. They booted me out at 10 the next morning. I wasn't sure I was ready to go but they pushed me out the door. I spent the rest of the day on the couch as well as the next day. On Thursday DH had scheduled a big surgery at the vet office that I had to go and help with. I wasn't happy about it but I did go and that surgery was successful. I went home and crashed in the afternoon.
On Friday I check in at the vet office and then to the store. Kathy H. a friend of many years was helping out. I did a couple of things around the store and headed home to the couch. You'll be seeing her now and again around the shop.
My mom is now home from the hospital as well. Her surgery was successful as well.
Thank you for all of the well wishes and cards.
I am doing pretty good.

Updates

Things have been happening at the Artfull Hand.

Linda' s mom did pass away last Friday. The poor lady was in a lot of pain so now she is at peace. My mom's surgery was reschedule to tomorrow. My surgery is schedule for the 15th.

Last night was our annual holiday get together. Every one brought a snack and a $5 gift. We had a very pleasant evening of Christmas Trivia and rob your neighbor. (Funny name of a game to be playing at a Christmas party).

The Artfull Hand Holiday Open House will be this Friday and Saturday.

On Friday I will be doing the Pointsettia flower $3 and Carol will be leading a free make 'n take. Then on Saturday Linda will be doing her moonlight card $2.50.

Back again

Well I finally got to talk to my doctor. I do have the ruptured disc at L5/S1 again. He told me that I was one of the lucky 8% that have a re-occurrence. Why can't I be that lucky playing the lottery? In addition to that I also have a ruptured disc at C5/6!!! Damn! the good luck!! He asked whether I wanted to do one at a time or do both discs at the same surgery.... Well duh! It's gonna be both at the same time. They have to schedule the surgery but we are looking at the week of the 15th... With a little more luck I should be pretty well on the recovery road by Christmas.
Unfortunately that slows things down at the shop.
I will try my best to get some classes put together. I have one project that is ready to go but will have to find a substitute to lead it.
Linda's mom is not doing at all well. They have brought in hospice so it is just a matter of time for the poor lady. Jane's mom is faring a bit better. She has been able to get rid of the excess water with the new meds. My mom is just waiting for the 9th of December to roll around. That is her surgery date. The long range weather forecast is sounding iffy. But I'm not letting that worry me.Most of the time they can't get a 6 hour forecast right.

December

Where did the rest of November go???
There is so much "stuff" going on with the people associated with the shop and myself.... I haven't had the time to complete the December newsletter. We have a few things happening early in the month. The major reason that I am late is that I have been having back and neck problems again. Yesterday I had a lumbar and cervical myleogram. Let me tell you that is loads of fun. But it wasn't as horrible as I had imagined it...I survived to tell about it. I haven't yet talked to my doctor about the results. I am waiting to hear from him before I committ to too much stuff at the shop...
I feel like the Christmas tree in the above picture. You can actually buy this tree for $600!
As soon as I have more information for you on what's happening and when in the shop. I will post it....But you don't have to wait for me to do something. Come in anyway and visit with us.