The low down on the lows

Hi.  First, the Tweet Hearts can be found in Blackbird Designs book, For My Friend.  The blue I used was DMC 926 and the wing GAST Sable.

More info about the nephew.

It would take several pages to explain fully.  My nephew has a pump along with a sensor.  He works shifts so although they set the insulin infusion rate, there are obviously times when he is working and not getting enough, sleeping and getting too much.  He adjusts and suspends as needed.  The Tegaderm and glues that he uses to keep the sensor secure to his body do not hold well enough when he perspires.  But even when they do and the alarm sounds, if he is sleeping he does not hear it nor always feel the vibration.  There is no setting to increase the volume. The sensor reading is somewhat delayed and by the time it registers 75 to set off the alarm, he is far lower than that.  It happens rapidly. But even when admitted to the hospital to follow his ups and downs, they could not explain the sudden and severe drops.  Many times the alarm will go off and he is already unable to process his thoughts and react.  The low glucose affects the brain.  This is why he is difficult to handle when trying to administer a remedy.  He also has to deal with ADD and flits from one thing to another, is always in high gear, and that speed prevents him from getting everything being said.  This is why I attend any important meetings with the pump people for changes.  Patience and diligence are difficult and both are necessary to monitor your numbers and swings throughout the entire day, every day.  The newest pump is very sophisticated and would help tremendously, but the contract for his current model is until 2019.  I am trying to get an upgrade outside of his insurance and pay the difference, so far, no answers.  Buying outright is over 10 grand.  To make things even more complicated, for the sixth time, the endocrinologist here that understands the pump, is leaving.  He will need to start over again and drive 45 minutes to a new doctor.  There will be no one locally he can see when he needs help and adjustments, like now.  Many times the disease progression causes these weeks of hell and it takes a while for the doctor to find the right mix for the unit.  He can go for months without incident, then it starts again.  We're hoping that the new doctor will be more of a help and also be sympathetic to his issues.  Until then, his glucose tablets, gels, orange juice containers, and candy will stay on his night stand, but usually he is already too far gone to understand what is happening.  If he happens to awaken during his sleep and is rational, he will drink a box of juice before falling back to sleep.  Eating something sugary or high carb before sleep works for a while, but causes the rapid drop a few hours later.

Until two years ago he was living with his girlfriend and she was wonderful, but they are no longer together.  With Carole's financial situation and also her fears about her heart condition, she wants him to live upstairs.  It's also too scary for him to be alone, he would have been lost years ago.  Since he does all the yard work and maintenance any way, he agreed to stay.

 

We just came back from there, Carole requested we get her a piece of pizza, the first food she has felt like eating in a week.  To me, she looked a little better than yesterday, but oh my that cough is sickening.  She can't lie down at all even with a wedge, the cough is incessant and she has trouble breathing.  So she hasn't really had any rest and is trying to sleep upright.  It's comical, but I made a wide nylon strap with buckle to hold her upright in a chair during her heart issues.  It fits around the chair and across her chest, and that's how she slept since lying down had her gasping for air.  She used a U-shaped travel pillow backward to hold her head up.  So I told her to buckle up buttercup.  It helped before and I'm sure it will now.  It's a sight!  I'm hoping the lack of air is all congestion and not the heart again causing fluid in the lungs.

 

To those of you that celebrate Easter have a wonderful and blessed Sunday.

 

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What a week

It started Monday and continued, she is home but no better, and her son has had three close calls with his sugar.  Totally incoherent once (they become very combative), another time even worse and already clenching, third time not as bad.   She calls us first because Mark can usually fight with him and get the glucose into him, sometimes not.  After the tablets, 2 mugs of orange juice, 1 mug of milk, peanut butter/jelly sandwich, he was only 48 a half hour later.  The EMT's took him to the hospital and we picked him up at 2am. He will not survive when Carole is gone because this happens when he sleeps and without someone there to make sure he wakes, he will slip away.  Hopefully Friday will be a quiet day for us and things will settle down.  I know Carole will eventually show improvement but this flu is the worst I have seen.  BTW, Emily apologized to Chris.

 

I finished the Tweets,

 

added a button on the back to wrap a ribbon, or not.

 

 

 

I think she will like them.  I do.  But until I settle down and stop eating all this damn chocolate, I do not feel like stitching. 

 

Hope your week was a good one.

 

Thanks for visiting.

 

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Skittish finish

Greetings stitching buds.  Hope all is well with you and yours. 

 

We had a long day yesterday starting early with Mark's xray and MRI and going right into Carole.  She is home after breathing treatments and xrays along with more meds and steroids, will get results today.

 

So I finished the tweeters and now it's time for sewing.  If you notice a slight difference in blue bird, I removed his wing and stitched it again with GAST for a little more interest.  Since the wing appears to be angled, I stitched diagonally thinking the variation would follow that line and look like feathers, didn't happen.  But it does look better.

 

 

I am just as reckless completing a finish as stitching it.  But because this is sewn so close to the design, I'm nervous!  After fusing the interfacing which helps a great deal if sewing needs to be repositioned, and having a template, this should be a piece of cake.  Damn.  Cake.  Anyway, I held it to the light for centering and it looks good, I outlined with the Frixion, and I will slowly run the machine a tiny bit outside that line, just in case. 

 

I really enjoyed this very quick and easy stitch, can't wait to do a set for myself.  I do like them on the Belfast Flax, but will do a floss toss on the yellow and putty first.

 

Have a great day.  Thanks for the prayers for my sister.

 

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Bird two

Just a few more stitches and I can sew the hearts.  Not planning to fill the bottom area with the satin stitches, I don't think it's necessary.

Made a sweet potato casserole for Carole.  Recipe here with a note - you don't need that much brown sugar or butter since the Ritz sleeves are smaller than they used to be.  As much as she loves this, she just doesn't feel like eating. The cough and head are no better. She is just so sick and Mark is accompanying me while taking her to the doc this afternoon. She is weak, low BP, and lightheaded, better for him to support her since my shoulder is useless.  Boy we've become a sorry lot.  We have appts every day this week.  What happened to the once yearly visit?  I hope there is something he can do for her without a hospital admission.

 

We have warmer temps in store with rain rain rain and then it will rain. The deer have ruined the lawn and their feeding area is almost impossible to walk on.  We'll try to find a few boards to lay on the ground for us to walk on.  Meanwhile, the Nit is on the prowl.  Sun is out, it's warming, let me out of this house!

 

Between trying to pick a house color, making decisions on the interior, Carole's illness, I have gained 8 pounds.  It's amazing how that happens so quickly.  My fault entirely.

 

Have a good week.

 

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Bird one

Changed the pink to blue, used Belfast Flax.  I tried the other linen colors but didn't have the patience to change all thread colors to those that would be appropriate.  I am meeting with an old friend that I lost touch with when I became Mom's caregiver.  She co-owned the only needlework shop we had here decades ago.  These birds along with a velvet berry would be a nice gift and I decided to use the lighter linen and follow the chart colors (except for the bird). 

 

 

Hope you're enjoying the weekend.

 

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These will be so tweet!

Hi everyone.  Received my gift of BBD and started pulling fabric for the Tweet hearts.  I would love to do a few in different colors, change a bird to a blackbird and another to a cardinal.  Instead of the 32 count which is too bulky with two threads and too skimpy with one, I chose 30.  During this task, a closer look revealed two 13 x 17 pieces that are clearly marked 32 count, and are in fact, 28.  Not happy and it's too late to return.  From now on I will check very closely because this has happened before, but seriously doubt any future orders will be placed since I have plenty of linen and colors.  These are my choices for a Tweety quartet.

 

 

But you know that I may will can probably undoubtedly change my mind, don't you?

This is my first inside look of a BBD book and they do a wonderful job of photos and instructions.  Very nice. 

 

For those interested in the Day Clock, it is here, available in several frame colors.  And I received a note from Martha about cold brew coffee, she helped a lot!  I was following several major online food sites for instructions, no one told me that there are filters you can purchase to make it easier.  So thank you very much Martha!  Here's a few options, also Amazon.

A long filter to use in a 2 quart mason jar here.

A very fine mesh bag to hold the grounds here.

And a different method, also to use with a mason jar here.

Cold brew is less acidic, concentrated, sweeter.  You can add boiling water to the brew for a hot cup, or ice for cold.  Another tip I received from Lenore is to make ice cubes from coffee to prevent diluting the drink.  Mine is sweetened with cream added.  I have the flavored syrups (Torani) in vanilla and hazelnut but prefer plain.

The amount of water to coffee varies depending on individual tastes, but having a pitcher of concentrate for an anytime treat is very appealing.  Must be kept in the fridge and I prefer glass so until I find a nice container, the mason jar will work.

The snow and ice yesterday is probably the reason we saw a young doe with a broken front leg today.  She was fine two days ago. 
 

Have a great end to your week folks.

 

Thanks for visiting.

 

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About that coffee

it is strong!  I added a little water with ice, or just lots of ice and no water, lots of cream and my sweetener.  The flavor is very good and I can adjust the strength.  I will do this often and save a lot this summer and not have to make a trip to get a very good iced coffee.  Only one issue.  I used the standard drip grind and there was quite a bit of sludge that needed lots of coffee filters to strain.  It's recommended to use a medium grind which I will try next.  We are lucky to have a local coffee roaster and can buy fresh roasted to be ground as you wish.  And Giant Eagle still has a grinder for whole bean bags.  I buy DD bags, I wonder if they would grind it for me in the store?  Would it be easier to just make a double strength pot in an electric maker?  Maybe.  Cold brewed is supposed to be strong without the bitter taste but I'll try both.  My first attempt a few years ago was a mess because I wasn't thinking.  I doubled the scoops with the same amount of water and the basket overflowed.  Just use half the water amount for the recommended scoops.

 

I saw this on Pinterest but it didn't lead to any information.  Isn't this scissor case sweet?

 

I found out from my new xrays at the doc today that my clavicle on the bad shoulder side is a half inch from the sternum where it should be attached.  The muscle and ligaments are holding it there according to the doc.  Could be from the accident when the seat belt dug in or related to the impingement.   Too bad one doctor isn't thorough enough and you have to get bits and pieces from several.

 

Stopped at Sherwin Williams since our car was fishtailing in that direction anyway.  The roads were horrendous this morning.  Found two dark colors that may work for the house, would still like the windows painted to match instead of the windows' high gloss finish, the dark sample.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May be taking Carole to the doctor tomorrow.  She had a really bad night and the cough is worse.

 

And....

my aunt has trouble with knowing what day it is.  She looks at her calendar which is marked with doc visits and such, but it doesn't help if the day is wrong.  So I found this clock for seniors, perfect.  It clearly shows the day and the date so she can use it to check the correct day on her calendar.  It's called a Day Clock.  If you've never seen it and think it could help a senior in the family, a great gift idea.

 

That's it folks.

 

Hope your week is going well.

 

Thanks for visiting.

 

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Spring?

Looks more like Christmas coming than Easter.  And it's continuing throughout the day.  But.  It's not as much as some of you have been getting, so I should shut my pie hole. 

 

The bottom fence rails are covered so we're getting close to 8", hope it ends soon, and your day has some sunshine.  We have appointments and need to go out in this.

 

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The Clinic

Monday Monday.  I went in with the intention to be kind and patient.  And I was.  Since they changed settings on my nephew's pump, he has been in distress from low numbers four times in one week so his visits there were frequent.  And each time he explained their error of sending his insulin Rx to his old insurance.  Nothing changed.  Except she became more belligerent, nasty, and unprofessional.  She insisted it was done properly and the pharmacy is the problem.  She hung up on him when he called to check the status.  His last visit he said "my Aunt Marlene checked too and it still hasn't been called in, I'm running low on Novolog".  To which she replied, "tell your Aunt Marlene that it was taken care of and if she thinks she knows more than me, have her come in".  Invitation accepted.

 

First visit (last week) was very pleasant with a clerk, who checked records and found that 4 weeks ago "Emily" did indeed send to the old pharmacy.  Good thing I went in with a pleasant attitude (rare) because this clerk was not the focus of my ire.  Assuming it would be handled, no need to confront Emily.

 

Second visit, Monday. Back down the hallway to the same clerk.  All is cordial, I hand her several order forms for faxing completely filled out except for the signature.  I remind her that nothing has been done so I took the liberty of preparing everything for them, all they have to do is push the button on the fax machine, if they can handle that.  She then informs me that Rx faxing is done at the front desk, and that correction was sent to them after my first visit.  She said I needed to go there and ask for Emily.  Point the way.  Let's talk to Emily.

 

When I asked at that front desk if I could speak to Emily, I had full intention to be nice.  A woman immediately came over and as nasty as hell said "who wants to know?"  Nice was slipping away quickly.  "Why?  Who told you to ask for Emily?  What do you need her for?"  All gone.  Come at me Bro.  I knew immediately I was standing in front of a women named Emily who would rue the day.  The rest as they say, is history.  His mail order Novolog will be delivered the 26th, and I will accompany Chris on his next visit.  I understand we all have bad days.  But every single visit?  Unacceptable.  She is representing this medical group with a horrible attitude, and no patient should be treated this way, or prevented from receiving life saving medication because someone thinks they know it all.  She will be dealt with, I guarantee it.

 

 

Someone else was getting on my nerves this morning.  And this is what you can see, the other floss skeins are under the sofa looking like fusilli.

 

Guess who?

 

Happy Spring.  Snow this afternoon.  Yippee.

 

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Befuddled (thanks Deb!)

Hello hello!  How's it going?  Hope your week wasn't stressful and you did something special for yourself.

While reading Deb's blog http://dhenders.blogspot.com/ and watching progress on her remarkable sampler project, she used the word befuddling.  Oh my!  It's been a long while since I heard or used that word and I like it.  And it's appropriate when describing my recent months.  The Eliquis is thinning my blood but also thinning my hair, and I think may be thinning my brain.

 

To Kathiquilts (no-reply!) and anyone else inquiring, those Tweet Hearts are from the Blackbird Design book, For My Friend.  I was very lucky to receive offers from several readers who are done with the book and willing to share.  Thank you all!   I don't know if I mentioned this, but recently I loaned an OOP chart and put my return address on it with a sticky note.  Weeks later when I opened the mail and saw the chart, I wondered why I ordered it and where I found it since it is OOP.  Good thing the sticky note was still attached or it would have bugged me for days. 

 

I was looking through charts to sell and all the little freebies and such that I keep in a folder.  For a number of years, Mary Monier has been a bug in my brain.  I would catch a glimpse of her name on a file, think about stitching her, but something was never right.  I still can't figure it out.  Yesterday I came across my working copy, marked with red, notes in ink, highlighted areas, obviously used.  This tells me I did in fact stitch her many years ago.  ????  She left without saying goodbye.  Was it something I said?  Were there threats of flame?  Not only is the chart missing, but the sampler itself.  Tells you just how bad my memory has become.

Did you see the FB post from NeedleWork Press?  They are offering a darling freebie that you can find here https://www.facebook.com/needleworkpress/, and if you aren't FB'ers and can't access it, here is the free chart (I hope it's OK to show it).

 

And the finish they featured from Terry Warburton using her own colors.  Isn't this sweet?  If I'm infringing by showing this from NWP's Facebook post, please let me know.  I would like to schedule a haircut before I'm hauled off.

 

To add even more confusion to my already befuddled mind, it seems some clothing articles are now gender neutral.  The men's hoodie on clearance for my brother zipped on the opposite side of the standard for men, and the women's zipper was also reversed.  When I inquired, I was told that gender neutral is being introduced in clothing that can be worn by either.  Then put half of each closure side in each department because some of us with arthritis and brain fog prefer what we are used to.  And if this will be case, I hope they increase the hip width because women's hips need a little more room.  Or in some cases, a lot, but I won't mention my name.

 

As for the emails to absent bloggers, I found that many were changed by Google to no-reply.  Julia had a great idea that never occurred to me, just leave a note in the comments of the last post.  Mine come through to my email (except for AOL and Yahoo customers) so I assume everyone's would do the same.  Thanks Julia for a solution when we have no way to contact or don't want to feel we are intruding.  From what I've read, most would welcome a note and not think it to be such. 

And for the experiment of the day.  I found a bag of outdated coffee and decided to experiment with cold brew (instead of wasting the fresh). I only purchase the regular iced coffee at Dunkin because cold is not offered in decaf.  Many versions of coffee to water ratios online, I'm using 1 cup of ground to 4 cups cold water.  Cover and let sit overnight, then strain several times, the last one with a coffee filter to remove sludge.  Mix 1 to 1 ratio of brew to water, add sweetener and cream if desired.  I'll let you know how it comes out.

Have a great start to your week.

Thanks for visiting.

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Tweet!

No, not Twitter.  Never will either.  Years back I saw heart finishes featuring birds, and loved everything about them including the shape.  If I remember (which does not happen daily) they were featured in a post from The Cranky Crow.  BTW, where are you?  Just saw one of them again in Daffycat's post.  After some searching, I realized the Tweet Hearts are in a BBD book and not charted individually.  I rarely stitch a design that is not a sampler (or a Santa) and as great as their designs are, would not stitch anything else from the book.  So do I fork over almost $30 for two little designs?  Probably not, but I did see two bird freebies in the file yesterday and plan on starting this evening.  I'm thinking if I came up with 12 fricking pears, I can do a birdie heart.

 

When you don't see any posts from a blogger you follow for quite some time, do you email them?  I am uncomfortable doing this and wonder how everyone feels about it.  To me, checking on someone shows that you care and hope all is well, but since we are online and not personally involved in others' lives, I wonder how such a request is received.  Dropping a line and saying you hope all is well seems innocent enough but I would still feel like an intruder.  But are we?  A note of caring is never wrong, but I'm not involved with social networking as much as most.  I'm sure those that are, welcome more contact, but not everyone details their day to their world.  There are other sites for interaction and updates that not everyone (moi) follows such as Instagram, Facebook, and others, so following a blog only isn't a good indication of activity.  Add to the fact that the majority of Googlers are no-reply and there isn't even an email for saying hello!  In conclusion to this weird commentary, just because I don't drop a line doesn't mean I don't think about others.  I am forward enough to tongue lash in person but backward when social media is the means.  In fact, Monday morning, all hell with break loose at the Diabetes Clinic.  It will be my third trip to that office, and one they will wish never happened.  I can't wait!

 

I am cleaning the house today, hitting Dominos for a fabulous extra sauce pizza later, and searching the files for a little bird this evening.  I won't be posting those tasks or anything in between on FB.  But Monday there may be video at 6 from a Clinic.

 

Happy St. Patrick's Day to those that celebrate the green!

 

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FB live

Hi pals.  I spent the afternoon looking through charts that will never be stitched and decided to check Facebook for a break.  I happened upon Teresa Kogut's live video drawing a winner's name.  Who knew?  Certainly not me, that she does a weekly live video.  I would love to see that so will check into what is required to have bells, alarms, whistles, and dancing animals alert me. (But I have to wonder if FB live is a good idea with the lack of decency and scruples out there.)  Then I checked email and found her newsletter.  Episode 51 "Peacemaker" speed painting video was a real treat.  You can visit her site if you haven't as yet to see her wonderful original paintings for sale along with charts for needlework, and also click on Videos to view more of her artistry.

 http://teresakogut.com/

 

I chose a small and a large sampler to start but did not pull linen.  My 35 count linens are small in size and I would need a huge piece, not willing to purchase more.  I have enough 30 count for the large one but really don't want a bunch of fabric on my lap.  More like it, I don't want to stitch it at all but do love the design.  So I will continue to ponder what's next.  I have velvet for berries and vintage tablecloth pieces to play with, also the Quaker Lace beauties for tunic tops.

 

Mark's appointment today helped him, Carole is not any better, and I may have to consider surgery on this shoulder.  No improvement and I am tired of the limitations.  An MRI accompanied by anti-claustrophobia drugs is next.  Hope they're gummies.

 

Getting closer to colonial paint and panel that mixes with farmhouse.

 

Our windows are in and Monday we will bring one home to match color samples.  We need to order the trim and get one coat of paint on before it's installed.  Then choose a decking material for the front since our expensive cedar decking rotted.  I do not want to use manufactured products, would prefer wood, maybe I'll win this one too.

 

Have a great weekend.

Thanks for visiting.

 

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Hump day

Geez a Lou.  Some of you are getting hammered with more snow!  It's been a record breaking winter hasn't it?  We have snow again but it is just a continual dusting with cold temps.

 

I need to call a mobile vet for Nitzy.  His eye has been swollen and running, even some blood, and I was finally able to approach him with a warm damp pad to wipe it.  But it didn't last long. One swipe before the blood was mine.  I plan to ask the vet if she will order a pill or be able to give an injection to knock him out, otherwise, he cannot be examined.  May be a common condition or an injury but either way, how will I be able to administer drops?  I will call this afternoon.  Our chiropractic appointments weren't kept since Mark can barely move, lay, or attempt steps.  For being this type of doctor, I am surprised she has only stair access and no ramp.  He could not get into the car anyway so Advil and ice until Friday.

 

Another colonial interior that only needs woodwork and color to grab your attention.  My favorite decorated home has been an Ohio saltbox, seen in her Pinterest album.

https://www.pinterest.com/phoebetroyer/my-home/

The older photos at the end of the album showcase the colonial paints and décor, the newer show her change to farmhouse.  I have been considering the same, but I don't like all white in a colonial home. It just doesn't accent the paneling, built-ins, and moulding enough for me.  Is it possible to incorporate the two?  Of course!  There are no rules for our homes, only what makes us smile.  If you are interested in a primitive wares sale from someone changing to farmhouse, check out the FB page of 1862_Farmhouse.  Many items have been sold but her offers are very nice.

After the local man's story, this was in the newspaper....

 

"Nine months after a woman who had been convicted of financial theft in Virginia became the court appointed guardian of a Montgomery County man's assets, his house was subject to foreclosure over unpaid mortgage payment and other bills.  The same woman had been appointed guardian in 88 other cases in 2015 and 2016 in Montgomery County and Philadelphia." EIGHTY EIGHT!  They keep the money designated for the seniors' responsibilities and bills allowing them to fall in debt and lose everything including a place to live.  There is no system in place here to check on backgrounds before giving "caregivers" complete access to vulnerable seniors, family is not even notified, nor is it mandatory for an attorney to represent them at these hearings.  Be aware that this can happen very quickly and without notification to others, so keep an eye on all friends and relatives that use aides.  I don't know how many states have laws and guidelines for elder representation but they all should.  Gaining power of attorney is harder for a family member to obtain than a stranger.  Something is radically wrong here.   Is there a document that could require another individual's approval before any legal actions?  Not having any control over money, but as a safeguard against fraud?  There should be.

 

Have a good day folks.

Thanks for visiting.

 

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Lighting of old

Greetings pals.   Pinterest ... again.

Colonial color and stark simplicity. Love.

 

Just came from finishing my brother's project and have a few pics to share.  Mark hurt his back at the finish line and is now on ice.  He wanted to get home so I didn't take too many photos.  My obsessive sibling didn't want any taken but I managed to get a few.  I believe he is becoming paranoid.  What a group we are.

 

One of his cats, Peanut, looks massive in size but she's all hair.  Tons of hair with very short legs, kind of weird, fits in perfectly.  She gained entrance to this room and a disaster would have followed had he not found her quickly since she jumps onto everything.  So now he keeps it locked (shut doesn't deter her) and a plastic cloth over all so if she would happen to jump up again it would slide and knock her off, preventing access to the items.  Plus it helps with dusting the perfectly cleaned and polished glass and brass.

  

His 1800's lamp collection was off limits for photos except for the few that I'm sharing.  What makes some special to me is the perfectly balanced cutwork and decoration that is inside the globe.  The outside of the glass is perfectly smooth.  Glass does not interest me and I had never seen this before. 

 

 

They blew the glass into molds in the 1800's but how did the design get on the inside of a one piece orb like the shell pattern?  Some were two pieces joined together (right), easier to understand.  I know he can explain it but didn't want to spend another 4 hours there.

Most all others have mold pressed designs on the outside or unusual shapes. 

 

 

He knows everything there is about antique oil lamps, the burners, collars, wicks, and how to tell age on all.  I don't like to see everything cleaned and shiny, brought back to original, but that's him when it comes to brass.  It's hard to see the globe's shell pattern, one of my favorites.

 

He has a  nice collection of the diminutive fingerlings also.

 

 That's it folks!  Chiropractor for us both tomorrow, Carole is no worse.

Have a good week!

 

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Got milk?

I came across this photo again, have always loved this room and the paint color.  Every time I see a colonial color on the paneling and trim I change my mind.  Dan's Saltbox Bliss featured darker red and green and I had to turn away!!  Will I ever stop questioning paint decisions?  Too many great colors in too many colonial settings on too many Pinterest visits. 

 

 

I tried the galvanized dining chairs that I was considering, found a set with thick wooden seats.  Unfortunately, those seats were no where near the size needed for my "seat".  The wood is very flat and not very comfortable at all.  And they are not galvanized, just painted metal.  I still think they would look great with a primitive wood table.

 

 

 

More bad news for the area. 

Our local milk processor that has been in business for decades is ending all milk contracts with area farmers, many of them fifth generation.  Sixteen dairy farms in western PA will have no where to sell their raw milk for processing and may be foreclosed or sold to developers.  They had little notice for this news.  In total, the plant is dropping more than 100 dairy farmers in eight states.  Contributing to this situation is the fact that Walmart is opening a 25,000 square foot milk processing center that will use dairy farms located within 200 miles of the Indiana plant.  Another location is pending in Ohio.  Our dairy plant sold to Walmart and many other grocers, some with store labels.  The article mentioned that farmers were paid $25 per 100# in 2015 and today that price has dropped to $13.80.  I hope there is something that can be worked out for these farms.  Some people want to rid the world of animal products. There will always be dairy and meat in stores so the only and crucial option is demanding humane treatment regulations and inspections.  Many people cannot afford the nut milks for their kids and except for sweetener and flavoring, don't like the taste.

 

Tomorrow is final day of installing a tiny vanity/sink and the washable cut-to-fit full bath carpet.  You have no idea how my brother drives us crazy with phone calls about the tiniest details over and over.  Thank goodness it will end tomorrow and he has no plans to start another project.  I'm taking my camera for a few shots of his arrowheads and oil lamps to share with you.  I know nothing about early glass and can't tell one from another, but a few are very interesting.

 

Carole is sick again, not real bad, but the codeine for the horrible cough gives her very strange dreams.  Mark and I found a new Chiropractor finally (ours retired) and I will see her Wednesday.

 

Hope all is well with everyone.  No more sad and bad posts, I'm done.   

 

Hope your days are swell. Thanks for visiting.

 

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Does blood really boil?

Some days are sad, some are maddening.  I did not Google about boiling blood and have no intention to do so, but can say that mine feels that way.

The sad is the anniversary of my Dad's unnecessary suffering and death.  We also learned that another female cousin of mine, also in her 60's, has been diagnosed with Alzheimers.  To talk to her you would not truly notice anything, just as the dementia of my 92 year old aunt is hidden.  Why?  Because unless you know their lives intimately, you do not realize what they are saying is not correct.  If I did not know that the housekeeper I sent to her to help with spring cleaning was there two weeks ago and won't return until month's end, I would think nothing of her telling me that she just left her house and is coming back tomorrow.  It's sometimes difficult to notice when a friend or relative is out of touch with reality, unless as I said, you know the facts.  To that point, I am getting concerned for myself.  Really.

As for the boiling blood, another infant was allowed to be beaten by a father/boyfriend, 22 rib fractures, broken femur, collarbone, at 4 months of age.  It seems every story I read involves an idiot mother who allows a man to beat and abuse their infants and children because having a man is more important.  This happened last September and she is finally charged.  She failed to get medical attention for the baby's pain and suffering and allowed the abuse to continue. I've had a few broken ribs and can't imagine the pain this child endured. I know it's considered barbaric, but I would like every abusive non-nurturing unsafe selfish irresponsible idiotic excuse for a mother sterilized.  Really. The numbers are staggering as is the abuse and death by the boyfriend while mom sits by.  The punishment for the mother's apathy in most of these cases is lenient.

The other boil is an 81 year old veteran that allowed a caregiver to move into his home with her family.  The place is now "every inch of cabinet cupboard floor wall window is covered with filth and is sticky" with garbage piled high, now condemned, unable to sell.  She somehow gained power of attorney, dropped him off at an assisted living facility, never paid his bill there, he gets evicted.  She takes him to an apartment with only his recliner and small tv, leaves a jar of peanut butter, bread, milk and cereal.  She has control of $5000 a month in pensions and spends it all.  He loses both cars, house, all possessions, lived in the same socks for three weeks since he had no others.  He and his little dogs had no food for a week before the manager happened to realize what was going on and brought food for him, called the police.  He also had open heart surgery and diabetes but she never took him for any appointments including surgical follow-up since leaving the hospital and his health has deteriorated drastically.  He has one stepdaughter but was not allowed to use the phone in his house, and never had another.  He had no money at all, no checking, no cards, no cash, and no medication.  Here's the boiling part.  No charges will be filed.  He is allowed to sue her in civil court for the thousands she stole and all the thousands he owes to the places she dumped him.  She stole from him.  She did not provide the care she was paid for, failed the responsibility of her deceitful power of attorney to handle his bills, left him to starve, failed to provide medical care.  But after all, this piece of garbage may have done a bad thing but hey, it's a gray area.  Since when is stealing and elder abuse not a crime?  Spitting nails right now.  Good thing the cats and husband aren't in range.

Sorry for the rant.  Just tired of the vulnerable and weak being used and abused while our system is more concerned for others.  Quit making excuses for these people.  We're all supposed to have rights but I guess that depends on who gets the most sympathy from our perverted system.   I think I need to look more closely at the judges on the ballot.

 

Again, sorry.  And if anyone is interested I'm using an 8d finishing nail.  The head on the common nail can chip a tooth.

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For Karin

Karin - you're no-reply with no email in your profile so I can't contact you.  I left a message for you in a prior post that the top photo is from Yellow House Sampler (Sheepish Designs).  I'm assuming that's the cover photo you're referring to, if not, please use the link at the top right to contact me so I can reply. 

 

There is also another Yellow House Sampler from Praiseworthy Stitches.  Didn't know this! Oh the trouble I would get into with this border.  I love elaborate outlines but detest stitching them.

 

 

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Got my 40's in a row

Hi everyone.  How's your week going?  Already a week gone in March!  Time sure flies when we have deadlines doesn't it?

 

I finished the last three projects, not as I had planned, but nevertheless, finished.  All were done on 40 count which I never ever expected to work on.

 

 

The largest is Merry Wind Farms' Ellen Ford, the next is The Next Step sampler from Needle's Prayse, and of course, my fourth Chums (Tokens of Affection) from Pineberry Lane.

 

Finishing went well, no sewing machine out the window or bobbins thrown, but no pouch.  The small pillow with dark green print backing really pops wherever I set it.

Chums will be sent to a friend and the tiny sampler will rest in the lamp.

 

 

 

 If you throw a party, invite all your friends,

 and dance like no one is watching.

 

 

Enjoy what's left of the week.

 

Thanks for visiting.

 

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Could not wait

until I search forever to find an online shop that would have the new sampler labels.  Nicola was so sweet to post videos of Nashville giving us a glimpse of the goodies.  Well, there they were from Needle Work Press.  Tiny 2" sticky labels of samplers.  Where will I find them?  And do you think if I would that they would have any left?  Raise your hand if you think I have the patience to wait.  I have no idea what I would use them on since my friends have no interest in stitchery.  But I wanted a few.  I'm not doing boxes but I have a LOT of journals that were to be labeled so I did not remove my printing files.  Several were already sized for squares from the 3 set measures I was selling so what the heck? 

 

So now I have a few and that's probably all I would need.  If and until I locate them, these will suffice.  NWP sweet spiral notebooks were not offered by any online shop I checked the past years, so I made those for myself too.  Now I have too many!  I see from the video that they are still available for shops.  NWP has really nice offerings don't they?

 

 

My old printer only jammed once which was a good thing because I only had two sheets to use.

 

 

 

Mark made a face I had not seen in quite some time after I announced that the new windows will be painted.  The dark bronze is a reddish brown and that never sits well with me.  I want it all one color, flat, no shine, and there is no way I will try to match the vast siding to a small outline of glass.  They will be painted to match the siding.  We are using solid stain on the weathered cedar and the color sample books have 1/2" x 1/2" swatches.  Are you kidding me?  You get a 4" swatch for an interior wall and a 1/2" piece for something as large as a house.  Any color can be mixed (which never comes out as expected) but I wanted to use their formulated colors. 

 

We finished the legs on the dishwasher and the siding contractor said he will help with the crown moulding.  I don't want the typical (of course) so that needs to be drawn up soon.  In case you aren't tired of the damn dishwasher, here it is completed with the leg skirt.

 

 Now I'm done.

 

Hope your weekend went well.

Thanks for visiting.

 

Before touching her...... and after.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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