#466...i'm standing

Over the last couple weeks I have tried standing while using my computer. It seems to have helped my neck; so, I bit the bullet and put up a more permanent standing desk in my office area.

I went with the Ammero bar table from Ikea. To further elevate my monitor, I used a wooden planter box, also from Ikea. Tyler put a plywood shelf in the bottom for me to house the computer, printer and other desk stuff.  Under the rug that you see by the desk, I put this anti-fatigue mat, which is really comfy to stand on. 

#465...milo baughman sofas

I really like this Milo Baughman 1960's rosewood-veneer paneled sofa. Here is one covered in a pretty blue velvet. I wonder if we could make this?

I also really love this barrel loveseat by Baughman, but this one looks way out of our "do-it-yourself" skill set.

#464...gone to the dogs

Spring is here, and to celebrate I made my dogs some new slipcovers for their beds. You can see previous covers here and here. I wash the covers weekly, but eventually they get too grungy and I make new ones for them. These bright covers are made from a soft polar fleece.

I always have to force them in to try out their new bed covers, hence the looks of panic. Speaking of dogs and decor, this article from House Beautiful Feb 2012 really made me laugh, so I clipped and scanned it for those of you, like me, who love home decorating and are constantly trying to find chic ways to accommodate fur family members.

Carol Prisant is author of the memoir DOG HOUSE: A LOVE STORY

#463...pointy

I'm fantasizing about putting this cactus wallpaper by makelike as an accent wall in my laundry bath. I probably won't go through with it, but I think it's pretty cool. Maybe I'll just get the poster or tea towel instead.

#462...silent auction pillow

I made this pillow from scraps in my studio as a donation for a silent auction benefiting my neighborhood association. The silent auction will support the association's annual home tour. I thought I'd donate to the auction to support the home tour since it is one of my favorite things to do every spring.

#461...roxy

I recently completed this acrylic painting of my friend Heather's dog Roxy, who went to dog heaven last year. It is painted on a 16x20 gallery wrap canvas.

This is the photo of Roxy that I worked from

Before doing the painting, I did a small line drawing of Roxy to see how well I could capture her expressive eyes and big ears. Here is the sketch.

I'm imagining Roxy hanging on the wall, keeping watch over Heather's new mischievous blue heeler puppy, who likes to get into everything, and needs a watchful eye.

#460...enviable indoor plant stand

I really, really love the vertical wall- mount metal plant stand in this house featured in House Beautiful's Dec/Jan 12 issue.

The whole house is great, like the eclectic, kitch-filled dining room.

and the serene outdoor deck

#459...around my house

I'm undergoing physical therapy for my herniated neck discs, and it is going well. I'm feeling better, which is encouraging. I'm not getting much done besides healing, but today I felt inspired to get my camera out and take a couple pics around my house.

rhipsalis plant

spring kitchen towel

new thrifted skirt

reclaimed wooden pac-man

airplants

wrestling puppies

cubebot

handmade pottery

stir-fry

#458...standing desks

Thomas Jefferson, Leonardo da Vinci, Benjamin Franklin, Winston Churchill and Ernest Hemingway were all said to have used stand-up desks. So, when a friend suggested that I try standing at my desk to help with my neck pain, I figured I'd be in good company, and decided to give it a try. 

Tyler rigged up some boxes for my keyboard and mouse, and set my monitor atop an end table atop my desk. I'm also trying to use my mouse with my left hand, which feels very much like learning to write again, as it takes me 30 seconds to land on the icon I want to click. My set-up is not the most stylish, but it has allowed me to use my computer for more than 5 minute stints without increased pain. Granted, I only stand there for about 15 minutes before needing to walk away, so I can't exactly speak to what it is like to be a desk stander, but I did a little research and apparently, according to this graphic article, sitting at a desk all day is killing us for reasons beyond neck injury....yikes!

If I continue standing, I'd really like the Stivoll standing desk.

But, I may have to settle for the Ikea BJORKUDDEN

I currently stand at my cutting table in my studio, and it is fairly comfortable to do so for several hours, although I move around the table more than computer users do their stations.

Here are some other standing desk pictures that I found via pinterest

  

#457...thorny times for me

I noticed that one of my thorny backyard potted cactus's started blooming yesterday.

Today I had an MRI on my spine, and learned that I have a herniated disc between c6 and c7 vertabrae that has been the source of my back pain and arm numbness for the past two weeks. I will find out later this week whether I can use physical therapy to fix it, or whether I have to see a neuro-surgeon for it. I am really hoping for the physical therapy, although I anticipate a long road to being pain free. My posting is going to be light on the DIY's for awhile....expect to see more pics of plants and pets while I heal. Here is a pic I found on google of what my herniated disc looks like pushing on the nerve.

#456...recipe for polar bear

Overall, I had a very unproductive week due to the pain in my neck and arm. I got next to nothing done. To cheer myself up, I went thrifting, and found this funny linen tea towel for .75 cents. I'm sure everyone needs to know how to make polar bear Popsicles.

Recipe:

Cut hole in Ice large enough to fit bear. Sprinkle large peas around edge of hole...

While bear is taking a pea- kick him in the hole...

Remove frozen bear - Garnish with Ice Worms.

Serves six hundres and 31