12 Days of Christmas Advent Calendar - Stampin' Up!

So excited now about the new 12 Days of Christmas Advent Calendar. If interested here is a sneak peek of what you get in each section. If you want to be surprised DON'T watch this. LOL!

https://youtu.be/2GaR1Vdpep4?si=H_PikQU1xYRQjNIE

May 2023 MPP - Exploring In Color

I LOVE this month's cards, especially the ones with the buffalos. They remind me of our trip to hubby's sister's country home in CO. They can be used for men, but can be used for women too. I did 3 per instructions, but think I am going to try to do some alternates with them. Their is also an add-on kit with another rugged nature theme. Can't wait for the one I ordered to arrive.    

UPDATE on me: I am still struggling with walking, but I had to do about 4-5 stairs when I went to some luncheons with my groups and with railing for me to pull on and hubby on the opposite side bracing me, I was able to get up and down them. It was hard, but I made it and I was very proud of myself as now I know I can do it if I have too as long as I have help. However, at home they are too steep and too many, so I am sooooo grateful that I have the stairlift. Obviously, I am still in wheelchair, but getting a bit stronger everyday.

                                           

April 2023 MPP - All The Little Things

I'm generally not a fan of flowers, except daisies & sunflowers, but I like this month's a little. It's suppose to be abstract cherry blossoms, but don't look like them to me.

This month's kit came with dividers to put into in after cards done and store  ink spots in it.

UPDATE on me:  Had some PT, but had to stop as Dr. said I have soft bones and he didn't want me doing any abdominal exercise as it is causing the plastic disc to push into the cones and expanding them.  He let me start some PT again just for help to strengthen legs, which mostly entailed walking more. That only happened for 3 weeks (actually 5, but 2 were just evaluation ones - 1 to start, 1 to end). I got a few leg exercises to do that don't strain abdomen or back and I'm suppose to walk with walker more. The walking is what I need to do more of.

                                     

March 2023 MPP - Ten Years of Growth

This is a very pretty set. I especially liked the bookcase one.

 

February 2023 MPP - Sunshine & Smiles

This is such a cute set. It goes along with the Playing in the Rain Bundle. It had an add-on of dies, but unfortunately, they sold out before I could order them.

UPDATE on me:  Well, my surgery went very well. My back is doing great. No more hip pain, but still have to deal with the neuropathy in both legs from knees down & mu feet.  I  still in wheelchair as my legs are still very weak, especially the right leg. It will take a lot of work on my part to strengthen them and will be a slow process, but I'll get there eventually. Hubby is great about being my chauffeur. Thank goodness he retired last year and has been able and willing to do all the things he has had to do for me. I'm lucky to have him.

January 2023 MPP - Key to My Heart

This is a nice Valentine's Kit. Love the add-on treat boxes too. Won't use them this year, but I will next year.

FYI: I am scheduled for a 2-part surgery on my back. Jan. 31, they will clean out the protruding disc between L3 & L4 and put in a plastic disc. On Feb. 2 they will fuse the L3 & L4 together with rod and screws.

                                       

The add-on treat boxes:

October 2022 - Ho Ho Ho & November 2022 MPP - From the North Pole

 I was on vacation when this kit arrived and then before I got a chance to make it, I started having all kinds of medical issues with my back, right hip and legs. I went to the ER on Nov. 8th, the gave me morphine to reduce my pain and sent me home, with no idea as to why I was in so much pain. I finally got appt. with spine ortho dr., hoping to get answers then. Then the day before Thanksgiving, after I went to ortho and found out they made it with hip dr., instead of spine and had to reschedule, I was put into the hospital due to extremely low blood pressure (had passed out 3 times the weekend before). Turned out I had a massive UTI and very dehydrated. I was treated for that for 5 days and then had to go into rehab as the back, hip, leg issues had put me in bed since that started on Nov. 8th and I was unable to walk or do stairs at all, so I wouldn't have been able to get into my house or into the living area due to stairs outside and inside. I'd been bed ridden since Nov. 8th and lost muscle in my legs, mostly the right one. While in rehab, hubby got a stairlift installed as we knew I would still not be able to do stairs when released.

Anyway, I got the Oct. & Nov. kits done while in rehab until Dec. 15th. I was able to participate in activities while there and helped the activities ladies by creating a couple of simple cards with the stamps in the Oct. kit. Had hubby bring me some cardstock for that and like I do for the senior center I pre- stamped and pre-cut everything and they just had to assemble. (I'd gotten to know who would participate and their limitations). I was glad I could stay busy while there. Learned how to get myself around in wheelchair and PT ordered me one to take home. I know I made all 3 cards in Oct. kit, but can't find picture of it.  I made all of them and even got them sent out to some family.

The November kit - From The North Pole. I gave the ladies that ran the Activities Room  one of each tag to put on their Christmas Tree.

Cards I made for the Activity Center at Berea Nursing Home & Rehab.