Success!

 Thanks to a thoughtful reader (thank you Terri) who emailed with online shops to try, I ordered both of the charts I wanted and a piece of R&R American Chestnut!!  I've heard the color is very nice but you know I'm nutsy about a pink cast in linen.  Here's the way it usually goes ....  if I order a large piece, never happy .... if I order a very small piece, love it, sold out.  So I expect the same to happen.  

I called to see how everyone liked their gifts and if any need exchanged, seems like they were pleased.  The only exchange may be Matt's jeans and trousers for length.  It's tough when you're length is not an even number.  Matt 2 loved his Minecraft shirts more than anything else and I was lucky to find such a variety.  Minecraft?  Totally clueless.

And this newly built house will protect the heated one for Petey and have a place for food dishes.  Most of the wood was cut before assembling in the basement. The houses claim to be weatherproof and sort of waterproof but I never trust that.  Husband has a closet of waterproof down and fleece outfits (he used to hunt) that we need to sell, amazes me that no water gets through. 

Last day of the year!!

Wishing everyone a very happy and healthy 2021.

**************************

Browsing

Hiya.  

If you'd like an answer to your question, please use the link in the right column to email so I can reply.  Anyone interested in the Biblical Wreath print, sepia or colored, can message them and order here.  

https://www.facebook.com/Christmasinthebarnok

My order was well protected and shipped promptly.

It's very time consuming to browse for charts.  Much easier to see a design I would like on stitching group sites or IG, but I miss so many others.  This evening I plan to check samplers and Christmas categories to start.  Should be through them all by March.  

I placed an order at 123 for a few small linen pieces and two charts.  Waiting for Erica Michael's St. Nick's on linen and Abby Rose Primitive Merry Christmas.

That one calls for PTP Brash but it looks great on this also.

If you've been looking for PTP Murky, 123 has it.  I've been checking for a while for BBD Frosty's Night Out, ordered the Murky, but changed my mind about the chart.  

I think I'll do more browsing, but it bugs me to pay $4 to ship a single chart from each seller.  With limited inventory of linens and charts, it's not easy finding them all in one or two shops.

Hoping your year end will be peaceful!  Mine will be too.  But not today.

*************************

Free charts question

and other boring stuff. 

Hello people.  Just a few more days before 2020 is over, but I don't expect 2021 to be any better for quite a while. 

If we do not expect betterment, even the slightest improvement will create joy and hope.  If we are expecting great things, the slightest improvement will not be appreciated.  

crabbass.... 9:09

As mom would say - "mark my words Flossy".

So.  I am no worse, other than hot flashes clashing with chills, like an ice bucket bath after a sauna.  But I can't take my favored remedy.  I am again hoping my continued decline is from a temporary cause.  Much worse today and possibly from the cold med antihistamine so I stopped it.   

The last two gift bags were picked up tonight along with that yellow container of stew for Carole and fresh Italian bread.  Adios!!  Mark was busy making another wood "shed" to hold the new heated house and I didn't want to get near anyone, so pickups were left by the door after spraying them silly with Lysol. 

I still haven't heard a word from the adults and that ticks me off.  Every year I ask them to at least inform me if the sizes are correct, allow me to exchange if not.  Never happens.  This evening I have a few things to order and since every cat has claimed a house, need to order another.  That large A-frame holds several but every time one tries to squeeze in, the house starts a rockin.  They drive me nuts.  Mobile vet is closed but will bring his trailer here next week and determine what should be done with Bud.  

Stitching is very slow, little by little, or I will lose interest again.  I'm ordering a few items from 123, Instagram is very enabling.  And so confusing.  Comments are mixed with likes, and replies listed are not with the original comment, and for some members I can't get the reply box to appear.  Make it easier and organized please.

My question, at the very end, is if anyone has had a problem printing my free charts.  It was brought to my attention and after some checking, google/blogger has changed the way the photo opens and there is a difference depending on browser.  I use Chrome now and made a few adjustments to the charts, please let me know if there are any others not printing properly.

Sun was out briefly and Mark told me to bundle up and get in the car.  He picked up my mouth gel order, a few food items, and went into Kohl's with Carole's returned gift and my Amazon return.  It was actually good to be out after a week, came home with several iced coffees for the fridge.  I really missed the after Christmas sales, usually when I stock up on tissue and such.  

Jackie, you requested how I recessed the lid on the shaker box.  This post explains and has photos.  https://samplers-and-santas.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-6-round-box-redo.html

Celebrate the final days of 2020, twenty years after Y2K.  Does not seem possible.  

Why are we aging so fast?

Stay safe.

*************************

Some are happy

(Petey won't enter his outdoor heated house yet.)

Some are crabby.

This is generic Mucinex Max and after using it through several colds and flu, highly recommend it.  One product for all and you really feel better.  Until it wears off and you need another dose.  My question is, if you take it every four hours but not more than five doses a day, did someone change the day to 20 hours or is my head foggy enough to fail a simple math test?

And since I am not leaving until better, Mark will pick up three gifts from two siblings and return them for me.  Chris took my gifts to his son and partner last week since I am staying home but their little ones will open gifts at Carole's Wednesday.  No idea if six pair of boots, 4 trousers, 2 jeans, 6 leggings, 2 fleece tops, or the bootie slippers fit.  

And some crabs become badgers.

Took the little decorations I had, threw them all in a box, Santas are lined up and ready for hibernation.  Their jingle balls are shaking in fear and anxious to get back into that box.  Their creator has been so angry that things actually did fly out the window.  It's a quick way to downsize.  

Enjoy your week.

*************************

From the past 2

I came across this while searching my old posts, trying to locate a missing finish.  I need to use labels!!  Not one giveaway is marked and this drives me nuts.  Thought it might bring a chuckle.  

**********************

 I must tell you about how distracted my mind has been.  I keep in touch with Patti's husband and he emailed to tell me he visited a friend for a couple of days at his beautiful home.  He wrote "on a hill with 16 acres, got to drive his '41 Ford.  Wow, 450 horses".  So I replied that I'm glad he had a nice visit and where is this home with 450 horses?  Was I embarrassed when he said the 450 horses were in the Ford's engine?  No.  It wasn't as bad as 40 years ago when my husband was out of work.  We took a long drive out of town into the country and I saw a sign at a large farm and recognized the company name.  The sign stated  - 23,000 happy employees.  "WOW!!! They probably hire often with that many workers - maybe you should apply here!"  Husband said he wasn't qualified.  "You're the smartest person I know and can do anything.  Why wouldn't you be qualified?"  He looked at me and said "because I can't lay eggs like the other 23,000 employees".  Sometimes you feel so silly you laugh hard enough to wet your pants.  And the older you get, it happens if you just smile too hard.

*****************

And I found a photo of the tiny tree before I trimmed it as you requested.

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Swans

A quiet relaxing weekend for me, I hope for you also.

 Except for the Christmas and Memorial pears, all others were offered in my giveaway.  If I remember correctly (why can't I remember to label posts) Charlotte won the final pear, Swan Song.  It was sort of honoring the resident pair of swans that lived in Buhl Park, tragically, recklessly, and suspected to be intentionally hit and killed by a vehicle.  I've always considered stitching it again, I do love it.  I follow sampler stitcher Brenda (who doesn't?) and recently saw her finish of WYNT Manor at Quaker Hill ... OMG stunning.  It reminded me of my final pear so I pulled the chart and it's in my Magma.  It's doesn't come close to the sampler of course, but since I am reckless, lazy, and impatient, the pear has a better chance of being stitched.  The colors in this sampler are just amazing, maybe I could use some of those pinks in the vine, probably change my blue birds to a lighter shade.

With Eliquis, I was told that one Advil a few times a week is acceptable.  Oh baby.  Let's see if that allows my hand to hold that needle!!

Have a good day folks. Stay safe.

********************

One FFO

 Hi friends.  Greetings from PA snowmageddon.

Hope your Christmas, although restricted, was still wonderful.  Planning, decorating, buying, anticipating, baking .... sort of like a wedding.  The long preparation is over in a day.  And the cookie table is bare.  Well .... mine is.

Have I stitched?  No.  The joint pain in my hands, ankles, and hips is worsening and it may be the Sjogrens.  Joints, kidney, lungs, fatigue, can all be involved in progression.  I'm hoping this is a flare and will eventually calm and revert back to normal miserable.  I've been dropping so many things and controlling that needle was not working.  So instead, I decided to work on final finishes.  Rather than construct a drum as planned, the box was an easier option.

I have various sizes and shapes of shaker boxes left and recessed a few lids for needlework.  When I would paint lids of shakers, lining up the fingers and standing on its side to balance was important.  A box doesn't have to always be set on a table and I like the standing option.

Once the design is centered I tape or mark the lid.  Then glue in place while double checking alignment.  This is a sweet little box not easily seen on the higher table, so the side position is my choice. 

But I can set it on a lower table too.  Not sure if I will add a cording or not.

Hoping for a weekend of rest and comfort for everyone.  And that blogger fixes the photo issues in 2021.  And the cookie elf restocks my cookie table.

Stay safe!

*************************

Sit. Stitch.

That's my plan this evening. 

 One sister, one brother, one nephew.  Every one of them kept me busy all week.  Daytime to bedtime.  Online shopping, checking, tracking, what's my balance, is this covered by my plan, my grocery pickup didn't have several items I need ...............  The tech at Walmart called ME five times to help with setting up his phone upgrade.  Password?  Pin?  Plan?  I know Chris has a real problem with focus but sometimes I just get so flustered.  And regardless of all the aggravation and time, I wouldn't have it any other way.  One day, the phone may not ring with another task for me, medical question to research, item to order online, hair cut request.  But if I leave first, they are up a creek without a paddle.

Saw a new doctor today, very pleasant, did not ask as many questions as my previous.  But also did not scold or criticize or preach.  I asked her opinion whether I should take the Covid vaccine and she basically said the same as the others.  Probably not a good idea.  Patients with autoimmune diseases are not affected by vaccines, but the small number of patients whose autoimmune was caused/triggered by a vaccine, extremely risky.  You know I'm not good at making decisions!!

This little tree is like my jeans, and this big star is like my ass trying to fit into them. 

Carole is happy as can be after the haircut. I cut it a little short but it looks really good.  Mark isn't as happy with his but I don't see any difference.  As I was snipping the last wisps from her forehead, my shears broke in two.  And then, shaving her neck, the trimmer broke.  Odd for both to croak during the same cut and as I finished.

So tomorrow, Mark is taking Chris to the clinic in the morning, I'm staying home and will much enjoy the quiet.  He has a few things to check at Carole's house and will do that following, and also hang this for her.  Using scraps in the basement Mark put together this cabinet by modifying a bowl rack I made years ago and never finished.  Peg beneath, storage inside, and display on top, Carole spotted it when I was cutting.  She loved it.  I don't.  So Mark told her to find a spot and he'll hang it tomorrow.

All items for Chris's son and family have arrived except for a few, and the only one damaged in transit came today so back out we went, exchanged for the only color they had in store, grabbed a pizza, and I am finally sitting.  Carole always used Superior brand Vanilla Butter Nut flavoring https://superiorflavors.com /in her pizzelles and finding it locally is impossible.  Their website came to the rescue and we ordered several to have on hand.  LorAnn is a favorite also but our old family recipes and friend's bakery have relied on this for years and we do like it.

The brats new heated houses, beds, and warming pads are coming tomorrow and this weekend.  We're getting more white stuff with some ice Christmas Eve but have 4 wheel drive so we can still deliver the food.  I love those Hawaiian ham/swiss sliders but some recipes use more butter and allow it to soak before baking.  I use a little less, pour it over, and go right to the oven, don't cover.  Carole's cookies are long gone and if anyone is trying that recipe, the dough is sticky, roll your balls in powdered sugar, and greasing the pan is not necessary but I like to use parchment paper for all my baking.  They are almost cake like.

STITCHING countdown!!  I have another BK mocha, mouth slimed with a new product to calm the burn, and five tubes of various products coming this weekend.

Stay safe.

Enjoy the holiday hassles so many are unable and would give anything to do.

Thanks for visiting.

****************************

Did I stitch last night?

 

Hell no.  Totally consumed by favors for one sister and one brother, and many hours wasted trying to reason and explain.  Carole baked and sent Chris here with my favorite soft as a pillow sour cream jumbles.  Also Chex party mix but I cannot partake because of the salt since I am already in flames like a stitching project that ticked me off.

Tomorrow is pick up day for Carole's groceries after making an inside store trip for our needs and hers at a local grocery today.  Fill the propane tank for winter grilling, check the phone Chris is getting because the techie contradicted too many important facts, return a few items to Kohls, call the vet again for Bud, Carole is coming to get her groceries and I'll cut her hair.  But not until I have a BK mocha iced coffee and sit for while. Wednesday is a new doctor for me mid day but I may need to take Chris to the clinic for his diabetic retinopathy.  If they treat to stop the bleeding that day he'll need a driver and I'll probably reschedule mine.  Find out tomorrow.

We aren't getting together for Christmas because of the virus but of course, Carole will not stay away from Chris's grandchildren so she is having them over next week.  We've had a craving for the ham & swiss Hawaiian bread sliders with the poppy seed dressing so we got everything today.  Easy, everyone loves them, funeral potatoes on the side, cream corn casserole in crock pot.  Delivery on Friday!

We have not seen the kitten again and I don't know if it ran away because of seeing me or Petey.  He wasn 't around at the time so the little one may be very skittish and seeing me in the door caused it to bolt.

Days begin to lengthen, closer to summer we creep.  I am hearing some choice words coming from another room, Steelers must not be doing well.

Hope your week is pleasant!!

*****************************

Even things we dislike

 can at times be enjoyed.  It lasted one day.  My limit for the white crap.

Posted this on Instagram (have a lot to learn, posted twice, no idea how) and for those of you that didn't see it, isn't this puzzling and wonderful?

The snow slid from the boards and formed a soft round ribbon that draped beautifully yet did not break!  Snow.  Draped!  Then the sun came out and it glistened.  Amazing!

I believe the kitten may have been the critter I saw briefly two days prior running from beneath a neighbor's deck.  I looked for prints in the snow but icy rain last night made it impossible.  I still intend to make inquiries tomorrow and continue searching.  Houses on either side and two other hate felines, but between them is an animal lover.  Unfortunately, their dogs bark at anything that approaches.  I'll keep you posted.

Hope to stitch tonight without interruptions.  

WILL stitch tonight without interruptions.

 Stay safe!

***********************

No no no no no no

 I just can't deal with this.  Over and over, tied down, the fights, the resistance, no neighbors willing to help, agencies filled and no where to go.  

I heard an odd noise, sort of a cat cry, but not really.  Really.  A baby.  A darling gray tabby with large ears hiding under the wash tub while Missy sat close.  It was the baby's cry, not Missy.  Petey is not in his box ten feet away or Missy would have been hiding.  He will destroy this homeless kitten.  Nit heard the cry, was at the glass door growling.  I just can't keep doing this.  So upset.  After telling Mark, who knows I have been in tears for two weeks with my lip and mouth constant burning and pain, he shook his head.  He said I can't save them all and can't take any more stress right now.  We talked back and forth and I keep glancing out the window into the dark.  Since the others are in house, in garage, in outdoor shelters, there is no where to keep him safe tonight and what happens after that?  It's been two years and I can see that Petey will never be the fourth in the family of three which makes it difficult and sad as he sits and looks in.

Last glance, he/she is gone.  Did Petey show up and chase him?  Is the kitten in the shelter further from the house or is that where Petey is?  It's very cold and the baby needs protection, but with one entrance, he could be trapped with no way out. What about the straw bales fifty feet away?  I will not sleep tonight.  My brother still has two from the dozens of homeless he has helped, homed, and rescued over the years and Ohio's wonderful organization took his last found litter.  He will not take another.  No one to call until Monday but I will then, and if there is an opening, I will try my best to find him/her.

*********************************

Any progress is progress

 It's not as much as I hoped, but considering

-Carole regressing, 

-Bud failing, 

-being totally miserable from my Sjogrens worsening,

-being unable to consume chocolate, fruit, or pasta sauce because of the burning,

-getting a handful of hair every time I push it back, 

-my painful toe after two botched surgeries is needing a third, 

-and still living in menohell, 

I'm surprised Elizabeth hasn't been tossed out the window.  

This will hopefully be my only crabass pity party of the season.

I only take a match to projects that are causing me great aggravation, and Elizabeth has been very polite.  Two more rows and I'll be into the A&E bottom.  The vine border isn't a great deal of work and won't require much time.

I hope you're all able to release the snark and enjoy what's left of a very difficult year.  But we've made it through.  It may seem as if we're isolated, but it's the first time we are connected by the same catastrophe with every home across the world.  Physically alone.  Mentally and emotionally linked, united.

Thanks for the visit folks. 

***********************

Checking the boxes

 Raised off the deck?  ✅

Bottom layer of thick foam? ✅

Waterproof pad over foam? ✅

Shelf above house for lounging? ✅

Patio area for food? ✅

Corrugated plastic roofing covering all? ✅

Roofing end raised for easy drainage? ✅

Still waiting for delivery of heated pad? ✅

Hunkering down for the big snow storm? ✅

Totally ticked off about it?  ✅✅

Planning to do nothing but stitch? ✅✅✅

**********************

More than any other year

 WAY more!!!

Bud is eating pate food thinned with water, almost a can of Fancy Feast a day.  The chicken and turkey baby foods are no longer acceptable to him.  His mouth/tooth issue continues and he is still losing weight but otherwise doing OK.  Petey on the other hand, is an absolute brute.

Sadly, my sister's friend passed yesterday from Covid and the other that was very sick and recovered, has relapsed.

******************

Santa's coming to ....

 Patty Goza.

Patty was one of the email entries so I can contact her for mailing address.  

Thanks everyone!!!

My brother's oldest cat passed away at home this weekend and he is just so sad.  She was one of the strays that was never friendly, but always stayed on his porch in her plush heated condo, pampered and well cared for.  And sent him to the hospital twice with serious infections from her bites. Last year at this time she decided to finally enter his house and was a happy and totally changed cat ever since.  

I'm making progress on Elizabeth but now have a floater, quite large, that is flitting back and forth directly in my line of vision.  Dammit.  I have been in a rotten mood with anxiety blips.  They are so brief, that when I feel like I have to get up, throw something, and run, it's over before I can find an object to toss!  And I can see my pulse in the same eye that has the fricking floater.  

But life is dandy ain't it folks?

Happy week!!

*********************

Christmas offer

Hello hello.  My Christmas giveaway this year will be for Kogut's Santa's Hike chart.

This is mine done on Dolphin linen.

If you would like this chart, leave a comment with your initials or email on this post, or email me directly.

samplersandsantas@gmail.com

I will draw a name on Monday evening at 8pm.

I need to do some research since I found out that if I open an email on the tablet, it does not show up on the laptop and vice versa.  Been driving me nuts!  I remember reading them but couldn't find them, then I realized they were only on one device.  So I will be checking both until I can correct this.

A few days ago I received an email from a reader that has bought so many of my boxes, asking me if I have an Amazon account.  I thought maybe she needs a favor so I replied (the return email address was the same I've always used).  I think it may be a scam and I have no way of contacting her because sending to her email comes back with another link to a new one.  After my accounts were hacked and used when I was on the Cleveland Clinic wi-fi (thousands!!), I called my card companies and requested a $500 limit.  Judy, if this is actually you, let me know!!

I've  been spending so much money ordering online and that's not good.  When you're doing this from several different establishments, you lose track of what you're spending.  Yoi.  

That's all folks!!  

************************

The sun is out

 and we will probably take a ride this afternoon.  Mark is golfing tomorrow.  I love him, but I so love my quiet alone time which is limited since he retired.

I love my XL Panera mug, but not so much Panera.  Maybe others are better but mine usually gets an order wrong, even a bowl of soup is at times missing the pepitas or the baguette.  My sandwich ingredients barely cover the bread, and my salad had one piece of avocado and mostly romaine ends.  My sister has never had a problem with her orders.  Mark bought the cookies.  Good luck!  Better grab them while you can buddy.

I have been searching our grocery stores and Walmart for many months trying to find Lysol spray.  Eureka!!  Spotted it and the little crates that are so great for small items in the cupboards or freezer.  Guess what my family is getting for Christmas!  We don't exchange gifts, but everyone can use this spray now for delivered items, the car, anywhere, and it has not been available here.

 Carole's friends are getting better except for one still on a ventilator, two of Mark's have progressed to Covid pneumonia (still not being admitted to the hospital) and extended family members are improving.  So Santa is bringing Lysol!!

Nit was in the house because Petey was on the deck and I didn't want to referee.  After a while, I realized he wasn't in his usual spots.  So I searched.  And searched.  NITZY!!!  Little brat head was on my stitching supplies!!  I've wanted this sofa recovered for over a year and procrastinated because I didn't know what style of fabric I wanted, and our only upholsterer is now retired.  No one around to do this so I have to try to sell the sofa - Fakebook Marketplace?  Not sure what to do.

My eyes have been so terribly dry and burning that stitching was again very limited.  Almost finished with the green and then the next section is rust.  Several errors but you'd never know.

I found two boots online at Kohl's for cheap and I got a 30% discount also.  My great nephew is terribly hard on shoes, it's a waste to buy expensive.  Akademics Rugg and Xray Heady are two that did not show up when I searched last week for men's boots and with so many others having limited stock, I was happy to find these.

Hope your week is going well and everyone is safe.  

Thanks for visiting.

*************************

Last minute

 On the final day of open enrollment to change Medicare plans, it wasn't until 8pm that my decision was made.  I am not satisfied, not happy, not sure if it was the right one but I have to live with it for a year.  And I'm palping away.  I have been paying for a Medigap plan and separate drug plan since my diagnosis and wanted to move to an Advantage plan saving me several thousand a year.  The generous dental plan would have been a big help along with not paying a $445 drug deductible.  But my agent and husband felt I should stay on the best plan a while longer.  I would not be able to get back on a Medigap (pre-existing condition denial is allowed for Medicare members) so this decision was very taxing on my menobrain.  And of course, the expense is bothering me especially with the sewer project's massive cost this spring.  I have to let it go, but that doesn't come easily.  Such a putz.  I would put on my big girl pants but they no longer fit.

I'm posting the larger Santas that I will keep out for Christmas to Instagram.  The majority of the PS guys will go back into the tote, limited decorating this year.

The BOAF boys will be out and the tiny guys in the front row will join them.  I so love those littles.

Carole's doc did not hear any fluid in her lungs, just the swoosh of her bad valves.  Back to the full Lasix dose, and told her that her condition will continue to cause breathlessness.  That's a long word.

Thanks for the comments about the beige thread.  I plan to stitch the next group with 712 and if that doesn't offer more contrast I will try the backstitch.

Hope your week goes well.

Stay safe!

***************

 

Battle of the beiges

 Hi folks.  First off, the little tree.  I purchased it a few years ago at JoAnn's 75% off sale, no previous photo.  I didn't remove any branches, just cut them because they were all very long.  The top were extended as far as the bottom branches, so I used the snips to shorten and shape. 

 

This very small tree was full with single branches coming from the main trunk and I cut/removed more than half, used floral tape (or brown electrical tape) to then wrap the trunk.  If there are smaller branches coming off each limb, it takes a while to shorten them all.  But I've done that too on a six footer.

I am creating unnecessary work on Elizabeth as more Ecru is used.  It does show if the work is in my lap or close, but I taped it to the wall and can barely see that beige on this Winter Brew.  Sort of looked like a vine without a bud.  So I used 3865 to stitch ELIZ and it shows better but is stark.  I moved on to 712, warm like Ecru but a little lighter and more noticeable.  A few areas would need to be changed if I choose this option.  But....

Another option is outlining the large buds with the gold thread.  I used the Paint program on the left border and I like it. But the gold buds not being outlined would bother me.

Bud is eating very little, sleeping, enjoying a soft brushing.  Petey has gained a lot of weight and is trying his best to sneak into the house.  Nit and even failing Bud attacked him, Missy runs and hides.  She used to swat him but since he "caught up" with her this summer, she won't get near him.  I can't have cat fights in the house.  I'm careful when petting him, can sense when he will strike and haven't been scratched in a while.

Carole is feeling and breathing better.  You asked why she didn't question the change.  Not something she does, ever.  It's like she is afraid of insulting doctors, and especially Cleveland Clinic, they can do no wrong.  I wasn't there because the Clinic did not allow family during Covid.  She was taken from our hospital by ambulance, and we picked her up at the door after discharge.  She told me they added a baby aspirin back to her list, but nothing else.  I need to see her paperwork on release because she has hearing loss, and at 82, does get things confused.  Her PCP (I can't go in with her) will check those records when he hears of this I'm sure.

Hope your weekend was pleasant.  My snow melted and I moved the lighted wire tree to the front in place of the grapevine.  Love it.  

Be careful.  Carole's friends are all still sick along with several of our friends.  Some very sick, others not as much, all testing positive.  We've been wearing masks for almost nine months, staying home, and distancing.  And the world having been shut down for months only delayed the spread.  There will be a lot of people with immunity in 2021, and I wonder if we will be required to test for those antibodies before receiving the vaccine.  

Stay safe friends!!

***********************

Snip

That's better.

*****************

An explanation?

 Carole called her doctor and has an appointment Monday.  She said she feels a little better today and took another half of her 40 mg Lasix. Ahhh, excuse me, what did you say?  A half?  It seems the other doctor that cared for her in Cleveland this summer regarding the carotid blockage, changed her heart doctor's prescription dosage.  She went from two 40 mg lasix daily to a 20 mg half tablet.  I just found this out and cannot understand this doctor's reasoning when she had her chart from previous visits and diagnoses.  No wonder she is having issues.  First of all, she had no business changing Carole's primary cardiologist's orders.  The cardio she just saw a few weeks ago here, did not question it.  Well I am.  Her wonderful PCP called her personally when he saw she made an appointment, to see if she needed treatment before then.  He told her to follow her sister's advice and take two 40 a day for two days to remove fluid and then one a day, he will see her then.  I'm sure this is the problem and honestly, am surprised she hasn't had a crisis on only 20 mg for months.  That may be a good sign that the meds are helping her heart failure.  But I'm not a medical professional, most crabasses don't qualify.  But we do like to give orders.

The sun is out today and snow is melting.  I think I will move the grapevine to the back and bring that little lighted twig here to the corner.  I found brown wire light strings on Amazon and purchased two sets, just in case I make another tree.  I do like the brown strings much better on any sparse tree and haven't found them in any stores.  So much nicer on the mostly brown German twig trees.

Have a great day folks!!

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Distress and stress

 And I'm running out of Ativan.   Didn't have many to begin with, took several trying to calm the palps.  I mentioned that Carole is having difficulty breathing again at times, and it's been constant for two days now.  Has she called her doctor?  No.  She doesn't want to go to the hospital, and if required, only in Cleveland.  Go get an xray to see if your CHF is causing fluid in your lungs and can be treated.  No.  She will wait another day.  It's fricking Friday and the doctor leaves at noon.  We'll see.  So wait until I hear you panicking on the phone at 3am that you can't breath and have an ambulance take you to a Covid filled hospital.  She had all week to get help.  I thought I was jittery before.  Will I sleep?  No.  Memories of those weeks of mid night calls and panic are flooding me, I knew it would happen again, that's CHF.  But with all the new meds that seemed to be helping, this is troubling.  It's always in my mind that her failing heart will soon give out, and every episode of distress reinforces my fear.

I worked on the body of Elizabeth a little during the palp jitters but there is no way I can hold a steady needle until I have some answers or calm down.  I'm not expecting either anytime soon.

Hope you have a nice weekend.

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Damn

 Monday night

Tuesday morning

Tuesday at dinner

Tuesday at 9 pm

AUGH!!!

From the past

While looking for old blog photos of my trees and how I decorated them in past years (I never remember to use labels on posts), I came across this.  Seven years ago!!  Will menopause ever end?

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With all the Christmas music playing, it's easy to have one get stuck in your mind.  Mine is Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. Sinatra, Taylor, Garland, Carpenter - anyone's!
I have my own version so hum the tune while you read mine.

Have yourself a merry little menopausal Christmas

Let your mood be blue

From now on, your hormones

have control and rule

Have yourself a menopausal Christmas

Make the yuletide fun

From now on, your emotions

tend to sharpen your tongue

Here we are in our olden days

Sane and youthful days long gone

Faithful friends who are dear to us

Now do fear us and move on

Through the years, we all will be together

If the mood allows

Hang a hormone patch upon the highest bough

And have yourself a menopausal Christmas, now

Here we are in the Santa line
With our wishlist in bold pen
Youthful dreams dancing in our heads
of tighter skin and estrogen

Through the years, we'll all become impatient

Fighting tears somehow

Hang a warning sign upon the highest bough

I'll have myself a menopausal Christmas, now.

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